Page 43 of Fair Trade
“Okay. Sure. Fine. I’ll be there.”
He hums in agreement, the rumble causing goose bumps to rise along my skin.
“Oh, and Luisa? Please be careful when you call for the devil.” His tone is laced with amusement and warning all at once. “Because he just might show up.”
eighteen
I’ve officially reached mybreaking point.
Luisa and I have danced around the obvious long enough, and today, that comes to an end.
I want her. In a bone-deep way that I’ve never yearned for another woman.
Seeing her command the conference room and dreaming about her are no longer cutting it.
And having to spend hours with women who don’t hold a candle to my Angel’s beauty is downright torturous.
When I learned of the financial mess my grandfather left when he threw money like a madman at the players and staff, I quickly realized I was about to put in some major schmoozing to make deals that would help finance the Monarchs for the rest of the season.
Apparently, it’s frowned upon to write a check yourself.
Instead, I’ve shaken hands and kissed the cheeks of the right people and am now about ready to announce Monarchs Live. A streaming channel where viewers will be able to get earlyaccess content on our players, watch games, and get behind-the-scenes interviews and announcements before they go out to the general public. Other major teams have similar platforms, and this allows us to have a separate flow of revenue. One we don’t have to share with the other MLB teams as part of the spending pot, which will allow us to perform at the level we’re at without getting fined for overspending.
Half of business is getting into the mindset, and no one ever wants to hand over cold, hard cash to a single man who could potentially steal their wife out from under them. The mental game is as important as the business itself. Early on, I learned from a mentor that it is crucial to always arrive with a date on your arm. Someone who can entertain the spouses of the investors I need to deal with and, in the process, make me seem like less of a threat.
Marla chose the women strategically. Women who were influential but still working toward their desired level of recognition. I get the bullshit date I need for appearance’s sake, and they get the publicity and internet chatter they crave.
In the past I had no problem mixing business with pleasure, but ever since I laid eyes on Luisa Álvarez, my body only answers to her.
I end each date with a side hug, then usher them into a private car that will deliver them safely to their homes, unable to even consider giving them a platonic kiss on the cheek, since it feels like a betrayal toward Luisa.
Utterly ridiculous.
And today, it’s coming to a stop.
I asked Luisa to meet in my office before Marla is scheduled to arrive, because if things go how I hope they will, I want no one within earshot of my office.
Two strong knocks rap on my door before it flies open and Luisa barges in as if she owns the place.
Almost as if she knows that she ownsme.
She’s dressed in a red suit, like she’s ready for battle. Her white top is open a button too low to be considered work appropriate, but it clearly communicates what she wanted when she got dressed this morning, since I can see the beginning of her lacy white bra from where I stand.
“Okay, Stonehaven. I’m here, but make it quick. I’ve got things to do.” She drops her oversized bag in the chair meant for her and strides around my desk, not stopping until she’s standing right before me.
I try to keep my hands in my pockets but quickly lose the battle when I look down into her top and can see the tips of her hardened nipples through her sheer lace bra.
She moves fast, but not quick enough.
I have her back pinned to the glass wall overlooking Monarch stadium, one hand placed against the glass by her face and the other keeping her chin tipped up toward me. “Date me,” I demand.
Her eyes widen briefly before she schools her features into perfect indifference. “Very funny, Stonehaven. Now tell me what you called me in for before I knee you in the crown jewels.”
I ignore her quip and repeat, “Date. Me.”
She tries to shake her head, but my firm grip keeps her in place. “You can’t be serious.”
“I don’t like to repeat myself, Luisa. But for you, I will. Date me.” I soften my tone.
