Page 35 of Owned
Mr. West continues, his tone all business. “I need someone on my level who I can trust to run this because I will be handing over the whole portfolio.” I tighten my grip on Leo’s, my heart rate spiking at the thought that Mr. West can see right through us. “What I gave you to look over is a small part of what I have, and I will be able to get a good idea on how well you’ll cope with the load and pressure I could be placing on your team. But I’m not just assessing your ability to make me money. I could go to any of the top three in London to manage this. I want a firm who will not just look at the bottom line and the clout that comes with having my money under management. So the floor is yours, Miss Stone.”
Dear God, that's some speech.
“Here we go.” Grace comes back through the glass doors, instantly cutting through the tension. “One perfectly brewed tea.” She takes Mr. West’s mug off the tray and places it on the coaster in front of him. “I’ve been taking lessons on making the perfect brew since I moved here from Jade and her best friend, Lily, who literally wouldn’t let me leave her apartment until I got the right tan color.” She laughs, shaking her head.
“It looks perfect, Miss…?” Mr. West gives Grace an appreciative look as she moves to pass out our drinks.
“Miss Kelly, but you can call me Grace.” She winks at him, and he huffs out a laugh.
“Your name is Grace Kelly?”
“It is. My mom is not as funny as she thinks. Joke’s on her because I’m a lady just like Grace Kelly but only when I need to be.” She shimmies as she takes her seat on my other side, flipping open her laptop, ready to take notes.Dear God, Grace, time and place. I need to have a talk with her about her nonexistent filter. “Anyway, have I missed much?” Her eyes drift down to Leo’s and my conjoined hands, and she does nothing to hide her grin.
“Not at all, Grace. Mr. West was just outlining his expectations.” I clear my throat, giving her anot nowlook.
“And one of those is to have a close relationship with whoever I pick to run this. So please call me Cole.”
Chapter 19
Leo
Ican’t seem to form words. I’ve been sitting here in this meeting listening to Ria, Jade, and Grace talk back and forth with Cole, and my brain just won’t engage.
Why, you might ask?
It has nothing to do with the powerful commanding billionaire whose business we’re trying to win.
Nope.
It’s the fact that Ria has her soft, delicate hand in mine and is gently stroking her thumb across mine. Our hands have been clasped together on my thigh for I have no idea how long, but my brain has switched off. I’m certain she can feel the sweat forming. I’m clammy. Which isn’t a good look. She should be recoiling in disgust, but she seems to be leaning in. Her scentthat always reminds me of spring and flowers engulfs me, making my head swim.
For fuck’s sake, I’m overthinking this.
Kai has gotten in my head with his stupid Seduction Stone plan.
Start small, he said.
Kiss her on the cheek when you see her but linger. Let your closeness affect her, but don’t make it obvious. Brush those soft lips of yours against her cheek and send thrills rushing through her. You need actual shivers. Rest your hand in such a way on her hip that it’s not friendly but not like you’re trying to grab her ass. You want her to get a small signal that you want to take this further. But don’t jump in headfirst. Sprinkle that shit. Have her crumbling for you.
His words rolled around my head after his pep talk this morning where he outlined this week's tasks I had to complete to ensure the plan worked in my favor. The man actually emailed me a checklist. He needs to get a hobby or a girlfriend because his dedication to this is worrying.
I did exactly as he said and felt confident as I strutted in here, but when my eyes locked with hers as I pulled away, seeing the slight hitch in her breath at my closeness, I was the one crumbling. She’s so goddamn beautiful.
Why the fuck did I listen to him?
And when Cole mentioned Enigma, I froze. I’m not ashamed of my time at the club. For all he knows I’ve only visited the upscale restaurant and whiskey bar, but the look in his eyes told me he thinks he’s seen me walk through the doors at the back. The doors that lead to another part of Enigma. A part with a whole different vibe. I was twitchy after that, my body vibrating with tension and the uncontrollable need to move making me shake. The mix of my proximity to Ria and the mention of that part of my life threw me off-kilter.
But she saw.
She saw my inner turmoil like she always does. She could always tell when I was struggling with my urges and could distract me. But she has never done it with physical touch. It was like a balm to my soul. My erratic heartbeat slowed and beat in time with her gentle strokes. And I’m trying desperately to refocus my attention on anything but her.
I need to get myself together because Cole keeps looking at me quizzically, and quite rightly because I’ve said fuck all. I’m a glorified statue in the meeting. Pointless. Completely useless. All because she held my hand.
Pull yourself together.
She won’t fall for you if you act like this. She deserves a man who takes charge. But she’s leading this meeting like the boss she is, and who am I to stand in her way?
“I would like to present our plan to you, Cole.” Ria gives my hand one last squeeze before she stands and moves to the front of the boardroom. And instantly I miss her touch. Rubbing my clammy palm down my suit pant leg, I watch her animatedly explain and pitch to Cole an extremely detailed and well-thought-out presentation. She never ceases to amaze me with her attention to detail. This is the Ria I can’t help but be transfixed by.
