Page 83 of Takeover
"Yeah.Being in a room full of two hundred guests, the chattering, the noise… Hell, I had a hard time myself.Now, if don’t you mind, Mr.Price, I have work to do."
"You do.I will leave you to it so that you can get things sorted and make sure everyone is where they're supposed to be.I want to make sure that your team can manage without you for a couple of weeks."
"What do you mean, a couple of weeks?Where am I going?"
"Well, in less than two weeks, we’re getting married, remember?You think I'm not taking you on a honeymoon where I'll have you all to myself?And you won't be allowed to use a computer or a phone.Hell, you won't be allowed clothes."
Another flush of heat hit me like a wave."A-a honeymoon?I haven't, um, prepared."Just thinking about it made my body heat.But I had not planned ahead."Oh God, I have to prep Lance to take over."
He gave me a tight smile."Well, let's make sure you have lots of contingencies and redundancies in place, okay?"
"Okay.Now, can I get back to work?"
"Yes.But come to think of it, meet me upstairs in my office in two hours."
I shook my head."I won't do that.You have that look like you want to bend me over your desk, and that's not what I'm here for."
"Just once, woman, can't you just go where I tell you to go?"
"No, I won't.I go where I want.And if it's urgent, you can come find me."
"Oh, you better believe that I will."
And I was entirely worried that he would.
Chapter31
Atticus
"You wanted to see me?"
I sat back in my seat, rubbing my jaw as Lance walked in."Come in, have a seat."
He shrugged."If it's all right with you, I prefer to stand."
Of course he would.He was Gwen’s best friend.
Try to get along, asshole.
"Suit yourself."I watched him.I'd seen him watching me and Gwen downstairs.The jealousy was manageable.I had her, and he didn’t.She was never going to choose him.He wasn't dangerous or even a threat.Gwen was mine.And she was staying fucking mine.
But I did need to do something with him."I've been looking up your performance reports in the work that you've done while you were at Becks.Not to mention you have your masters in computer science.”
"I know my qualifications.What about them?"
He crossed his arms, and I watched him.For all intents and purposes, hewasbetter for her.He was accessible.He was easier.He was quick with a smile.He was simple.
I was a hard son of a bitch.I knew that cracking my exterior was next to impossible, but she’d managed to do it.And I was grateful.After the engagement party, we were solid.But I needed to be sure.
And if I was being honest, this opportunitywasgood for him.Not that I gave a fuck about that.
"All right, I’ll get to the point.As you know, Gwen and I have been working on the best placements for the core teams."
He gave me a sharp nod."Yes, we had recommendations.I assume she gave you the reports.If she hasn't yet, I can show them to you.”
I just smiled at that."I have them.I’m left with the job of determining what to do with senior leadership.”
The muscle in his jaw ticked, and he rocked slightly from foot to foot.Ah, so he was getting the picture.
