Page 35 of Last Chance Seduction
Lexington
“So you see, when I brought my daughter into the business, we truly catapulted ourselves into the next generation.Without family, without knowing where you came from, how can you ever know where you want to go?”
I nodded along as the man who held the future of a major part of our business, droned on and on about family without his family in the room.Gia and Samuel had gone off to dance on the patio area, with fires and fairy lights warming and lighting up the place.Snow drifted from the sky, not quite accumulating over time.Maybe overnight we’d get an inch that would be melted by mid-afternoon.Just enough time to get through an early morning conference and head home.
And as I stood there, drink in hand, I tried my best not to look at the woman beside me.
And yet, I couldn’t help but do so.
“He said a whole lot and yet nothing at the same time,” Mercy whispered beside me.I leaned down so I could hear better, since she was over a foot shorter than me, even in high heels.Doing so meant I could feel the heat of her more, and I swallowed hard, reminding myself that I was an adult.And I could handle being close to mercy.What the hell was wrong with me?I had spent most of my life being the brother who smiled and laughed but the one you could count on.I had even been the one to push many of my cousins into finding their perfect match and taking a leap when it came to romance.
And all I had wanted was that of my own.A fraction of what could be.
All I wanted for so long was to settle down like my family had.And then Carly had left, and then, of course, Gia.
Well, it wasn’t as if I was against relationships.
I just knew if I gave in, it would be far more complicated.
“He’s not wrong about family, but our company doesn’t solely base who we work with on the company’s relationship status.”
“Exactly.However, if this is going to be good for the Montgomerys, I’m here.When will we know about the bid?”
As Gia’s father looked over, I reached out and finally let myself touch her.I slid my fingers over her wrist, and she stiffened for a moment.When her mouth parted as it had after I had kissed her, I swallowed hard and prayed that my dick wouldn’t betray me right then.
No matter what though, using Gia’s father as an excuse to touch Mercy was probably all kinds of wrong.
“Montgomery.Enjoying yourself?”
I slid my arm around Mercy’s waist and smiled.Since my other hand carried my drink, I didn’t have to bother reaching out to shake his.For some reason, I knew if I did, it would be giving in to something.That man was all about his power games, hence why I had a damn fake girlfriend at my side.
“I’ve always loved hearing about the Montgomery family.You guys have been strong in your beliefs, and your connections.You truly know your values.”
I held back a snarl at that, because I had a feeling his values wouldn’t be the same as ours.After all, I had more than one set of aunts and uncles in poly relationships, and those weren’t exactly the values that some people liked working with.But our family knew how to say fuck you to the rest.And we weren’t hurting for it.
I just didn’t know exactly where this man stood.And that meant there was more research to go with.Because Gia hadn’t been a bigot.In fact, Gia was bisexual and had been dating a woman before me.And I knew her family had welcomed it.So maybe I was just thinking too hard when he said family values.
“Well, my family likes owning businesses.We just tend to have a wide array of them.”
“I hear that.Of course, we tend to do the same.Just, more real estate.”
My family did real estate too, but not quite what this man was saying.We weren’t worth the multi-millions that he was.However, he took good care of his companies and his people.
I didn’t know why he was suddenly rubbing me the wrong way.
“Anyway, I’m really excited about what you have planned for the estate.I’ve looked over your bid, I think we need to talk a little bit more on it, but you have great ideas.And frankly, my wife who couldn’t make it here tonight because of a head cold, is at home listening to your girlfriend’s voice, and loves the books.So that helps too.”He winked as he said it before walking away to talk to someone else.
My hand squeezed Mercy’s hip, and I let out a deep breath.
“Did that just happen?”
I thought I heard a soft laugh escaping her mouth, but I could be wrong.“I think it’s time to call it a night.Before he realizes that my day job consists of me sitting in sweats and talking to Mr.Darcy.”
My lips twitched, but I nodded, then drained my drink before setting it down on one of the empties trays.We made our way upstairs, and my mind went in a million different directions.
I pulled her to the side of the room where no one could overhear.“Mercy, we nearly have the project.I can feel it.This account could catapult us into where we wanted to be as a company.Every single one of my core members wanted to work on some part of that estate.And I have the numbers of multiple other projects that could cement us into our future.Because while we are in the black, we aren’t as solid as the rest of the companies in our family.We are younger, newer, and still figuring things out.But this would be a huge milestone.”
I hadn’t meant to spill all of that but it had been going on repeat in my mind for days.Months if I were being honest.Because the team needed this.
