Page 5 of Vengeful in Love
The waiter left, and Natalie leaned forward. “You’re joking, right?” she said in a strained whisper.
“About what?” He popped a chunk of steak into his mouth. The chef had taken his instructions seriously. The meat looked like it had barely touched the grill.
“About the bet.”
“Not at all. One with six zeros behind it. Cash or wire, your choice.”
She stared at him. There wasn’t even a trace of humor on his face. Her heartbeat accelerated a little, and she shook her head. “You’re going to lose.”
Sighing, he put a hand over his heart. “You wound me. Would you truly condemn me to eating alone for the next four days?”
“Oh at least that, if not forever.”
A boyishly charming smile lit his face. “Is that so? Then it’s a bet?”
As they gazed across t
he table, Natalie felt something stirring inside. It was more than just sexual attraction. Her feminine core was flattered that he found her desirable enough to risk a million dollars. And amused by and envious of his unshakable confidence that he could win her over in four days and a weekend.
Marcus’s abrupt ending of their relationship had made her feel undesirable. She hadn’t been able to muster much interest in men since. Not until now.
Would it be so terrible for her to indulge in a flirtation with Alex for a little while?
Her eyes holding his, she picked up her silverware, pushing the fork into her steak and then drawing the knife through it slowly and deliberately. “You’re on.”
Chapter Three
THE NEXT MORNING, Alex entered his office and saw Ethan Lloyd, his best friend and right-hand man. The morning sun gave Ethan a small platinum halo over his blond head. Thin wisps of steam rose from a mug of black coffee by the seat he was leaning in. Ethan never sat, but he didn’t exactly slouch, either. It was an effect only he could create. The posture made him look lazy and easygoing. His golden choirboy looks and laughing blue eyes further disguised his true corporate-raider nature.
“You’re getting indolent in your old age,” Ethan said.
Although he was American, he’d lived in England long enough to pick up just a hint of a British accent. He adjusted his gray Savile Row suit jacket. Off-the-rack suits were not an option because of his enormous shoulders and narrow waist. It was the legacy of the amateur-bodybuilding phase of his life.
When Alex raised an eyebrow, Ethan added, “I’ve been here for at least half an hour.”
Alex snorted. “Eleanor said ten minutes, max.”
“Traitor.” Ethan’s affectionate tone belied his words. “I even brought her a box of Belgian chocolates.”
“She knows who signs her paychecks.” Alex walked around and sat behind his desk. “When did you land?”
“Late last night.” Ethan opened a pocket-sized notebook and twisted his pen until the silver tip emerged. “So what is it that you want me to do here?”
“The Rodales.”
Ethan’s eyes sharpened for a moment before returning to their usual relaxed state. It occurred so fast most people wouldn’t have caught it. Alex did.
“Is that why you got rid of Ralph and Vivien?”
“Partially.”
“I presume you’re going to handle the takeover personally?”
“Yep.” Alex could almost taste the victory, the completion of his revenge against Emily Rodale. An eye for an eye. He wanted her to suffer as much as his family had. No, that wasn’t true. He wanted to return the pain tenfold.
Alex’s fingers drummed on the thick sheaf of paper on his desk. It was a new valuation of Rodale International. “One way or the other, I’ll have it.”
Ethan sipped his coffee. “Okay. So I guess you’ll want Jennifer to work with us on this as well.”
