I don’t waste any time. I indicate the way to my car and place my hand on the small of her back, guiding her.
I’m cocky enough to believe she’ll be giving me more than an hour today, but I’m going to make the most of every minute I have with her.
9
Lorelei
I sit across from Ashton in the expensive restaurant he’s brought me to for lunch and stare at him, wondering how the hell he got me to agree to this. I’m fairly sure he brainwashed me. He smooth-talked me for sure. And then this whole other woman inside of me said yes. As for her, she’s a traitor and I’m ignoring her right now. Because right now, she’s hanging off every word Ashton says.
“So, I know your business imports home décor and you sell online. Do you work in the business or do you have a team who do that?” he asks.
“You’ve looked into my business?” I’m surprised a man as powerful as Ashton Scott has bothered to spend the time looking my tiny business up.
He raises his Scotch glass to his mouth. “Lorelei, I’ve looked into you.”
The traitor inside me does a happy dance and butterflies flutter in my stomach. I ignore it all. “I’m not involved in the day-to-day running of the business. I have a manager for that. He runs the warehouse and the internet site. And honestly, he does a fantastic job, which allows me the time to put into other business ventures.”
“What other kinds of ventures are you interested in?”
“At the moment I’m looking over a proposal to invest in a pub. The deal also includes the property.”
His lips purse for a moment. “How many investors?”
“Four.”
How much each?”
“Half a million.”
“Have you had your accountant look it over yet?”
“Yes.” Does he think I’m a complete idiot?
“And?”
“He thinks it’s a solid investment.”
His lips purse again. “I don’t.”
“Ashton, you know nothing about the property for goodness sake. How can you even make that kind of judgement?”
“Because four partners in not only a property deal but also a business running a pub is a recipe for disaster. There are too many options for disagreements if you all have a say, and if you’re silent partners instead, there’s too much potential for the business to fail. My advice to you would be to walk away and also to find a new accountant.”
It’s my turn to purse my lips now. “How dare you say that about my accountant? You don’t know him.”
He finishes his drink and places the glass on the table. “No, but I do know business, Lorelei. You need to think with your head and not your heart. Tell me something? Is the person who brought you this deal a friend?”
Even as my answer forms, I know he’s going to tear it to shreds. And the stupid thing is that I knew this. I freaking knew this but didn’t want to face it. “Yes.” I refuse to show him the frustration I feel with myself. Instead, I hold my head high and choose to project confidence. When my grandmother left me her money, she believed in me—it’s time I do too.
“I thought so. Never go into business with a friend. And never bring emotions into your deals.” His tone is matter-of-fact and overly confident. It feels like he’s lecturing me and I don’t appreciate it. Solicited advice is one thing, but I didn’t ask for this.
I want to wipe that look off his face—the one that says he knows everything. Instead, I stand. Looking down at him, I say, “You might know a lot about business, Ashton, but you know nothing about me and my life. In my opinion, your people skills also need some work. You might be able to control people and boss them around in your world, but out here in mine, you have no say. I know I’ve got a lot to learn about business, but I don’t want to learn it from a man like you. And the other thing? We all have different goals in life and business. Before you start lecturing someone, perhaps you should ascertain what their goals are so you can advise them accordingly.” I grab my handbag before adding, “I’m going to the bathroom. When I come back, I’d like a Moscato to be waiting for me, please.” With that, I move as quickly as I can towards the bathroom. I need a minute to get myself under control because this man is causing all manner of confusion inside me.
It takes a good ten minutes to sort myself out. Ashton brings out all kinds of emotions in me. I want to simultaneously punch and kiss him. By the time I’m calm enough to head back to the table, I wonder if he’ll still be waiting for me. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s decided I’m more of a handful than he wants, but as the table comes into view, so does Ashton.
I slide into my seat and find a bottle of Moscato chilling next to the table. Ashton reaches for it once I’m seated and pours me a glass. I take the opportunity to appreciate his good looks while he’s busy with the wine. He’s sporting a fairly casual look today with dark blue jeans and an untucked dark grey button-down shirt. The five o’clock shadow I loved on Monday is still in place and his blue eyes are still sexy as hell. I actually think it might be his eyes that trip me up. The way he watches me so intently makes me feel like I’m the only person in the world to him. So while the words coming out of his mouth annoy the hell out of me, his eyes completely captivate me.
“I think we should start over, from the very beginning,” he says once he’s finished pouring the wine.