Page 30 of Open for Negotiation
“I won’t keep you long as I know we all have a lot to do today, but I think it’s important that I personally introduce you to someone.” I motion Jackson to come up to my side, but not before letting my eyes drift to Scarlett again. My ego is stroked nicely when I find her staring at me with the cap of her pen resting on her lush, red painted lips.
“This is my brother, better known as Jackson Duke.”
Jackson chimes in, cutting me off, “Better known as the cooler, better-looking Duke brother.”
That earns him a laugh from everyone, and that can only mean one thing. He is going to be absolutely insufferable with an audience that finds him amusing.
I just shake my head and continue my introduction, “Jackson has just moved to Atlanta from the Seattle area, where he owned and operated Duke Construction. He’s been looking to expand their reach a little, so he’s going to be our lead contractor on most of the projects starting this fall.”
Jackson steps up to speak, and shockingly, it’s professional instead of a joke. “I know that I may come off as easygoing, a jokester, and I am, but I’m also a business owner and I know when and where to be serious. I’m proud of the company that I’ve built and I’m even prouder of the fact I get to merge powers, in a sense, with you all here at Fortress. I hope you’ll enjoy and appreciate what I bring to the table, and I know I’ll do the same in return.”
Scarlett is watching him intently, as she does everyone who speaks during a meeting. She’s always diligent, taking notes, asking questions, and it’s part of what makes her so sexy. She’s fucking smart.
But this time, she’s doing all of those things when needed plus she keeps looking my way, shifting in her seat, uncrossing her legs to show off a bit of thigh. At one point, I catch her sliding her hair over one shoulder and nonchalantly running her fingers over her pulse. To anyone else, it would look like an innocent move, but I know better. She’s teasing me in the only way she can. Flirting in code, you could say, and it’s fucking hot.
Jackson nods and takes a step back, allowing me room to speak again.
“Jackson will be our main point of contact when it comes to the construction side of things, which means he’ll be working hand in hand with certain departments more than others. As he builds his team, we will establish contacts and work flows for all issues. Does anyone have any questions?”
I scan the room and see Scarlett raise her hand just a bit. “I have a question, Mr. Duke.”
“The floor is yours,” I reply.
She tucks a piece of hair behind her ear before speaking, “Will this be effective immediately? I ask because I need to know how to CC on emails as I finish certain renderings because I usually include the contractor.”
This is a question that honestly doesn’t need to be asked. She’s only asking to have my full, undivided attention without someone being aware of our connection.
She just wanted to talk to me, and the feeling is mutual.
“Yes, he will be active as of the moment we leave this room. His email is all set and added to the main contact spreadsheet.”
“Thank you, sir.” She smiles and arches her brow before leaning back in her chair with her pen cap back in her mouth, and all I can think about in this moment is how badly I want to fuck it.
Scarlett
Maxwell Duke in his element is basically foreplay.
Watching him run the meeting, introduce his brother, and update us on the current state of projects and potential upcoming ones was nearly enough to have me panting in my seat.
Being able to tease him, even a little, from my chair was just the icing on the cake.
I wanted to catch a few moments alone with him afterward, but he was immediately pulled into another meeting with someone from a different department.
I hovered for a few moments, of course, just in case, but once it was clear that I wouldn’t be talking to him yet, I began to gather my things.
“So, what’s the boss like around here? He an ass?”
I turn my attention to the voice and offer a short smile when I find Jackson standing there.
“A little bit. He has his moments, but I have a feeling he’ll be a little bit harder on you.”
Jackson laughs then sighs heavily. “Look, I feel like I need to say this and I’m sorry if it’s out of line,”
Oh God. What now?
I brace myself as he continues.
“And I’m not sure if I’m just reading into things, but I tend to be very perceptive, especially when it comes to my brother. Whatever is happening with you, if anything is… keep doing it. He’s had a rough year with everything and he needs something positive.”
