Page 26 of Broken Headboards
“A girl that knows her wines.” Flashing me a grin, he closes the wine list and smiles at me, his eyes on mine. “I’m impressed.”
“I can’t say that I’m impressed with the fact that you didn’t clear out the restaurant,” I say, teasing him. He coughs, clearly not expecting that.
“What you mean?” he asks me.
I roll my eyes.
“You know, most billionaires when they invite a woman to Per Se—they clear out the other patrons and keep the restaurant to themselves,” I say.
He’s flabbergasted. Well, apparently he hasn’t read any billionaire romance ebooks lately, huh?
Seriously, I’m not being a bitch or anything. I’m just teasing him. Keeping him off balance. Classic move during any negotiation or battle. Keep your enemy off balance.
And that’s exactly what this is.
A battle. In a much larger war.
“I want to stay in public with you, Tess Armstrong,” he says to me. “Have some witnesses.”
“Well.” I fake sigh. “At least you know your wines.”
“I know more than just my wines,” I reply after we both place our order. In just a few minutes, the waiter returns with theChateau Lafite. “But I think you already know that, don’t you? I mean, not to rub it in, but I actually schooled you earlier today, didn’t I?”
“That you did,” he whispers. In his eyes, there’s a knowing glint. “You know, I was very intrigued about what you did back at the Clarendon Tower. There was the chaise lounge coincidence, and all the things you knew about my coating…”
“Well, what can I say? I’m an intriguing woman.”
“Yes.” He takes a sip out of his wine, carefully sets the glass down on the table, and flashes me a smile. “Almost as if you bugged my office.”
Well, there goes my little scheme.
I guess next time it won’t be so easy for me to trump him.
He probably expects me to act offended and deny it, and so I do the exact opposite. “I’m surprised it took you this long to find out,” I laugh, softly clapping my hands together in a mocking gesture. “You think you got them all?”
“You think I’m going to just let you do that and get away with it?” he asks through clenched teeth.
“Oh no,” I say with mock concern. “Is poor little baby gonna cry?”
“By the time I’m done with you, we’ll see whose crying,” is all that he says, looking straight at me.
“You think I’m going to break down and cry, big man?” I say with a grin. “Fucking bring it.”
“Be careful what you wish for, little girl,” he growls. “You should be careful when you’re playing with fire.”
“Why would I worry?” Shrugging, I tease him with a grin as the waiter serves us oysters with a generous serving of caviar. “You know that business is war, don’t you? Don’t tell me you were expecting me to play nice.”
“I thought you were a good girl,” he admits. “That was my mistake. It won’t happen again.”
“Well, don’t act all high and mighty. You’re not exactly a good man are you?”
“Of course not, Tess. What would give you that idea? I’m the exact opposite of a good man. In fact, I’m the absolute worst.” His words come at me heavy, and I can’t help but wonder just what theabsolute worstmeans.
“Makes two of us then.” I raise my glass and he does the same. “To being the absolute worst.”
“What a shame we are on opposite sides, huh? We could do some serious damage in the industry together. Two evil masterminds, joining forces to make barrels of money.” He makes a slight pause, his gaze on me, and only then does he continue. “Too bad I’ll have to crush you.”
“For someone sitting in second place, you sure sound confident,” I can’t help but blurt.
