Ethan

Sitting across the table from my former best friend with his smug fucking face makes me rage inside. My fingers are starting to hurt from fisting them under the table. How can he sit there and feel justified in his actions? How can he fuck over someone he called his brother without remorse? How can he fuck my whole world up in one big swoop and sleep with a clear conscience?

Fuck him.

Reegan and my legal team line my side of the table. My four lawyers against his three. We take a thirty-minute break and leave the room, filing into the conference room down the hall. I walk to the corner floor-to-ceiling windows on either side of me and stare at the city.

From behind me, Reegan asks, “How are you doing?”

“Fine.” To the point. I can’t let my emotions get the best of me. I must show that fuckface in the other room that he won’t win. I will not let him stake claims over my money or my anger. I will show him nothing more than indifference.

Reegan sits at the table and says, “Let’s all take a breath and go over the notes.”

I may only want Keith to see a blank stare from me, but behind closed doors, I can’t control myself. “Close him down. If I can’t have that company, I don’t want him to have it either.”

“Things aren’t always fai—”

I slam my fist on the table. “I don’t want fair. I want him destroyed.” Blinded by fury, when I open my eyes, the four of them are staring at me. I swallow down as much of my anger as I can and sit. “I made this company. I invented the site, developed it, put my fucking soul and every penny into it.”

Reegan’s voice is even, emotions aside. “You brought your friend in on it and made him a partner.”

“As president, and not with equal shares.”

“He may not have been CEO, but the title of president of the company gives him rights, shares, and decision-making power.” He sits back. “Do you want to get something to drink and strategize? We need to review the package they’re offering.”

“No. I’m ready to end this. Let’s mark it up and send back our final deal.”

“And if he doesn’t accept?”

“He’s got to be running low on funds to back this legal battle. I’ll use those extra shares I earned to fight it until there’s nothing left of him.”

Reegan sighs. “This is personal for you. I understand that. You’re hurt. You’re angry. I just want to make sure you understand what’s at risk for you because it’s still business. The fees to fight—”

“My business is personal, so I don’t care how much it costs. I’m right. I’d rather die being right, than live a life that’s wrong. I won’t accept anything less than what I’m willing to give. This will be my final offer.”

Knowing better than to argue with me, Reegan opens the two-inch-thick file before him. “Do you want to review his offer again before making a final decision?”

“No. I know what it says. Here’s my counteroffer: I want one hundred million in cash. Two million shares that divest in five years based on the highest stock price during that period. My name will be removed from all deals, business properties, and contracts backdating to the first of this month.” I watch as Reegan takes furious notes to keep up. The other lawyers are quiet, and the only sound is ink across their legal pads. “Neither he, nor the company, will make claims against my family, any current endeavors, or myself, including my businesses not associated with the company or my personal properties. No taxes shall come from my shares for this past year, or any other year that I will be collecting money. My share of taxes will be paid accordingly and directly from me, not through them on their tax end, so they will not receive tax breaks based on my payout or shares.”

Reegan looks up when I go quiet. “You’re severing all ties—future and backdating with no claims. It’s a bold move, Ethan.”

“If that company is run right and hits the projections financial experts expect it to, he’ll make money. A lot of damn money.”

“He’ll make less than you and you won’t be working there any longer.”

“A hundred mil to get me off his payroll for now. And he gets a company. He’s walking away a winner.”

Reegan checks his watch then looks to one of his associates. “You’re the ultimate winner if he accepts this deal. That company could go under without you.”

“Not could,” I add. “It will go under without me, but I’m betting two million it lasts five years.”

“You always were a risk taker. Draw up the offer. We have ten minutes.”

In a flash, everyone is scattering. When Reegan and I are left alone in the conference room, he says, “I bet he won’t go for it. He’s such an asshole. Always was.”

“How much?”

“How much of an asshole is he?”

I laugh and push back from the table. Lifting my feet onto the surface, I kick back. “No, how much do you want to bet that he’ll take the deal?”

“Two K?”

“Done.” We shake hands and I sit back with my hands behind my head. “I’ve given him plenty of opportunities to man up and make everything right. His ego is way bigger than his balls these days. He feels unbeatable, but he’s about to learn that no one is invincible.”

As we wait, the pleasure I thought I’d feel being in the power position isn’t there. There is no satisfaction in losing your dreams and best friend through betrayal.

Reegan stands. “Is it wrong that I hope you’re right and we close the agreement today?”

“It’s been nine months of hell. Not wrong to want to end it, even if it comes at the cost of two K from you.”

He laughs and reaches out to shake my hand. When I take it, I stand. “You deserve better than you got.”

“Thanks. I appreciate that, and I appreciate your friendship.”

“Don’t thank me too soon. It’s not over yet.” He walks to the door. “Let’s go seal our fate.”

I’m so anxious to wrap this chapter of my life up. I’m done. The bastard has won . . . short-term anyway. I need to be able to focus on my other companies.

* * *

We get the call during dinner.

My assistant, Reegan, and the three other lawyers join me at the restaurant. We were told a response would come today, so we’re waiting it out over a perfectly cooked Kobe steak and expensive wine that I’m going to charge to the company I’m about to lose.

Just as the food arrives, my mouth waters for different reasons. Dressed in a navy-blue business suit, it’s not the clothes that take my breath away. She could wear a bag and look good.

It’s that smile and the way her body moves so smoothly under the stiff fabric. It’s the way she looks at me like I’m the only man she sees. She makes me feel invincible despite my earlier proclamation.

I stand to greet her, a polite public and platonic kiss to the cheek, and whisper to her ear, “I’ve been thinking about you naked all day.”

She smiles, and I love her confidence as she reacts as if I only said a simple hello. With a little flirtatious swing of her hair, she whispers, “I’ve been thinking about how good it feels when you take me from behind and fuck me until the only comprehensible word falling from my lips is Ethan.”

“Fuck me,” I mumble on a strangled breath. My pants feel tight and I button my jacket to hide the erection I know I’m sporting.

“Gladly.”

I like her smart mouth. I like kissing it. I like fucking it. I love hearing those strawberry lips say my name as if it’s a swear word, or a prayer to a higher power.

Escorting her to the far end of the table, I whisper, “You’ve gone and done it now, Ms. Davis.” I’d slap her ass but we’re in public. I’ll save it for later. I introduce her to everyone and just as she takes a seat at the far end of the table, Reegan’s phone buzzes across the wooden tabletop.

The guests go quiet and he stands, grabs his phone, and heads for a quieter space. I’m assuming it’s the enemy, but I won’t let my steak go cold for them. “We should eat.”

Dinner conversation picks up, and as expected, Singer charms the gentlemen flanking her.

Her gaze drifts to me each time she takes a bite or a sip of wine. I raise my glass, the minutest to not be caught, in her honor. She’s gorgeous even in a suit that’s not quite tailored to show off her curves. My beauty still has all eyes on her. She doesn’t need expensive clothes to garner attention.

I see the looks she gets. I notice the envy of other men wishing she were theirs. I want to kiss her, to mark her as mine, but I continue to eat my steak, trying to satisfy a craving I know it never can.

Only her.

The most delicious flavor.

Now that I’ve gotten a taste of her, I know she’s the only one I want to devour. “Fucking hell, Everest.” Reegan returns, startling me.

Fucking hell is right, sneaky fucker. “Shit, you scared me.”

“You did it, man. The offer is golden.”

“What?”

His laughter permeates the air, drawing attention in the restaurant from surrounding guests. “They took the offer.”

“They took the offer?”

He grabs me into a hug, patting me on the back. “They accepted the fucking offer, Everest!”

“Holy shit. They took the offer.” Patting his back, I’m in shock. It was a shit offer for him, and a great offer for me. “We did it, man. We did it.”

The team is standing and congratulations are circulating. When I reach Singer standing and smiling proudly, she says, “I’m so happy for you.” I squeeze her tight, closing my eyes and dipping my head to her shoulder.

The heaviness that’s plagued me this last year starts to slip away. In her arms, I feel the joy and safety of her trust and honesty. She doesn’t ask me about the money, and she doesn’t ask about the logistics. “I know this has been trying. Are you okay?” She just asks about me. Me.

What have I done right in life to deserve this woman?

I step back, restraining myself from kissing her. “I’m really okay. This is amazing news. I lose one of my businesses, but I have others. I’m more than one company, and now I can move on and prove it.”

“I don’t doubt that at all. You can do anything you want, Ethan.”

I’m about to invite her for a quickie in the restroom when Reegan spins me around. “That’s quite an increase in the net worth. Congratulations.”

“And yours by ten. Thank you again.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Oh, and since I won the bet, you can write that check for two grand to the charity of Ms. Davis’s choice. I’ll match it tenfold.”

Reegan’s eyes follow mine that lead to Singer. She sits when we do, her laughter mingling with ours when he leans over to me and says, “Fuck the press. I would have kissed her too.”

A smile creases my cheeks even though I should punch the fuck out of him. “She’s good. Too good for me. She’s more beautiful on the inside if you can believe it.”

“You deserve someone good.”

“I met her at the same party I met Dariya.”

“Fuck.” Shaking his head, he says, “That sucks. It doesn’t matter how you begin. Only matters how you finish. Eat up. We have some celebrating to do.”

“Not me.” I look across the long table. “I have plans.”

His laugh doesn’t distract me from the eyes that have captured the light and shine into my heart. A small smile appears on her sweet face, and she looks down. Even in candlelight she can’t hide the pretty blush coloring her cheeks. When she takes a sip of her wine, she tips her glass for me.

I eat faster because I don’t want to be away from her anymore. The sooner we eat, the sooner I get to eat her.

After we charge a solid amount on the company card, I cut it in half and toss it in a bin with a big fuck you very much. Aaron stands curbside, and I see the debate in Singer’s eyes. “Not much longer, and then I’m showing you off all over this damn city.”

“I’m going to hold you to that.”

“You can hold me however you want. I’m yours, baby.”

“I like this good mood. Should we continue this celebration at my place?”

“Okay. You take the car, and I’ll see you there shortly.” I’m feeling so good she could demand anything she wants, and I would give it to her.

Aaron pulls away, and I hit Reegan on the arm, then shake his hand. “Thanks again.”

“It was a shit deal. I’m glad he took it. You were right pushing to settle. This way he can make his own billion instead of lawyer fees costing him everything.”

“One down.”

“One to go. She reported to the center for the paternity test two days ago. The envelope, by court order, will remain sealed until the private hearing on Thursday.”

“Okay.”

“What are the odds?”

“I’m feeling good enough to gamble on it.”

“Good. Stay strong and I’ll see you at the office tomorrow.”

“See you.” I step out and catch a cab. I have a hot date waiting and I refuse to be late.