Page 26 of The Ice Queen in the Corner Office

I sighed. “As your CFO, I have to say I don’t think this is a wise choice. The odd look of this place will put off the type of customer you’re looking for and, financially, it’s just not practical.”

He shook his head, smirking, but his eyes were dark, sad. “You’re underestimating the Owings Leisure name. Our brand will make up for the odd look of our newest resort.”

“Bullshit,” I said, torn between laughing and growling with frustration. “Your motto is all about a consistent resort experience. This goes against everything you claim the company stands for.”

He huffed a heavy sigh. “Maybe I just like this place.”

That made me pause. In business, Alex was sentimental about nothing. He was pragmatic, practical, even ruthless. If he liked this place it was because it meant something to him.

“Why? I know what you like, Alex. This place doesn’t fit the bill.”

“You know what I choose for my hotels. I like what I believe the majority of the people will like.” His voice had grown husky and he leaned in a bit closer. “If you bought those shares and went out with me, you could find out exactly what I like.”

His abrupt switch to seductive was clearly his way of deflecting my questions.

I ducked past him and toward the door to the tower room. “I should have known this was one more game to seduce me. Hope you didn’t really buy this place for…” I played into his deflection, but if felt hollow. It felt like I was letting him down somehow. Maybe letting myself down, too. But if I pushed instead of playing along, if I got to the heart of Alex Owings and what made him tick, I doubted I’d be able to walk away. I wasn’t willing to risk an amazing job and our working relationship for a what if.

Behind me, he laughed, but it was a dry, harsh sound with no humor. “When are you going to admit what you really want? What are you so afraid of?”

I pushed through the door to the stairwell and started down the steps. “I’m not scared of anything, especially not a player like you.”

I didn’t really believe he was a shallow player, not anymore. But to admit to anything else, even to myself was too dangerous.

He jumped three steps to arrive on the landing at the same time I did and faced me. “I’m not playing a game, Jill, and I’m not looking for something easy. I wouldn’t risk losing a damn good CFO if this was nothing more than lust. But, I’m not going to push anymore. I’ll leave you alone, if that’s what you want.”

He moved past me before I could answer and led me out of the building, locking up behind us. Neither of us spoke on the way back to our cars and he wished me good night like a disinterested boss.

I should have been grateful, but I felt empty, like I was missing something I couldn’t identify.

Why did walking away from him feel like a mistake?

I climbed into my car and headed home, my head spinning and my body exhausted. This was why I avoided emotions. They were confusing and exhausting.

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