Determined to learn more about this woman, I opened my suit jacket and moved to sit next to her. “Tell me about who you are at Richardson.”
“I’m the top-selling agent,” she said without a trace of arrogance.
I respected her honesty. Modesty wasn’t my way either. My father, Samuel Holt, had raised me to be proud of my accomplishments. I didn’t love the man. I didn’t even like him when I buried him two years ago. But I respected his cutthroat style of business. “What were your sales last year?”
“Close to a million,” she stated.
Not bad, I thought. The majority of the sales must have come from her. I could see why she was a good real estate agent—she had a light within her, something that inspired trust and radiated warmth. “Now then, call me curious—how have I insulted you?”
“Because you walked into our company and belittled what Henry built.” The fire in her eyes captivated me, calling for me to see her burn deeper from my touch, my lips, my cock, every damn part of me. With the same clipped voice, she added, “Richardson is a great company. It doesn’t need to change. Loyalty can’t be bought.”
I arched an eyebrow. “Yes, sweetheart, it can.”
“So you say.” She folded her arms, and I noted how the move gave her more cleavage. I enjoyed the thought of kissing the soft flesh, as she harshly added, “I suggest you work on your people skills. Insulting employees who have worked hard for a company won’t make you a winning star.”
“I don’t need to try to be a winning star.” I let I am the winning star sit unsaid between us.
She clearly caught my intention and snorted. “Good for you. Congratulations.”
I wasn’t sure if I should laugh or be insulted that she was the one woman in a very long time that had shown me anything but adoration. I liked that she put me in my place and called me out for insulting Henry’s company, even if what I had said was nothing but the truth. Her strength made her a worthy challenger.
The smile I let slip apparently annoyed her, since her brows furrowed. “Since we’re doing a Q&A, call me curious.” I liked how she used my own words back at me. “Did you force Henry out?”
Beautiful, smart, and quick—she was certainly holding my attention. But the sudden hatred in her eyes surprised me. Before the meeting, Henry had warned me that Allie would not take this news lightly. I hadn’t anticipated that her rage would be directed at me. Nor did I like it. “Henry’s retirement was in the best interests of both companies. I didn’t force him out. He agreed to leave.” As her lips parted to no doubt unleash hell on me, I continued before she could. “I have no intention of closing Richardson or seeing its failure. We are looking to expand the residential department in Holt, and I plan to keep Richardson as is, staying as a separate company, so we can learn from what you’ve accomplished here.”
“Good. I’m glad to hear it.” She rose from her seat. “Are we done?”
I leaned back in my chair, completely taken by her. Men wanted to be me. Women wanted to have me. This little five-foot-five woman stood there glaring at me, determined to knock me down with a single punch. In my fucked-up mind, her refusal and outright hatred of me brought hunger.
She offered me a game; one I’d played many times over. A battle of wills, where two strong personalities fought for control. That game not only fed my ego, but it gave me a story to feed to the tabloids, giving the appearance I had a girlfriend. A necessary front to keep the truth locked away that under strict confidentially agreements, I partook in kink and enjoyed well-trained submissives who catered to my unusual sexual demands.
It’d been a couple months since my last public girlfriend. I needed to give the tabloids a new story. If I didn’t, they’d start digging deeper into my personal life. That could never happen. The secrets I held could ruin my high-profile public image.
“Do you plan on answering me?” She repeated her question: “Are we done?”
I grinned, sensing the burn rise up within me to win this fight. Soon she’d be in bed and screaming my name, instead of glaring at me. “For now, yes.”
“Forever, believe me.” She placed her hands flat on the table, and I saw her revulsion in the narrowing of her eyes, making my fingers twitch to grab her and show her that I couldn’t be controlled. “If Henry leaves, then so do I. Consider this my resignation. Do you want two weeks’ notice, or can I leave now?”
My dick jerked in my pants. I knew why. It came from the desire to dominate. I yearned to prove to this woman that my power could render her mine, if I so chose it. “You can leave whenever you want. No one is keeping you here.”
“Great,” she growled, her eyes dark with rage. “Now works for me.”
I watched her ass sway in her skirt as she exited the room, leaving me with an achy cock and a smile on my face. She might be pissed because Henry was retiring and thought I was responsible, but our exchange brought me more amusement than I had in months.
Only a moment passed before Anderson filled the doorway, muttering, “Someone quit already? I think that’s a record.” In his early forties, Anderson ran marathons in his free time. He had a lovely wife and two teenage children. We were as different as two men could get, but I respected and trusted Anderson.
I rose from my chair. “Get Allie into Holt.”
“Of course, you pick the one that’s going to be the most difficult.” Anderson entered the office and stopped by the side of the table, a deep frown creasing his mouth. “What if I can’t change her mind?”
I moved to the window and stared out at the back of another building, only making me appreciate the spectacular view I had at Holt. One of the first things I’d recommend to happen here at Richardson was that the company move to a nicer location. Clients deserved better.
I stuffed my hands into my pockets and pondered. On the one hand, I found myself oddly drawn to her and curious about all the warmth I saw radiating out of her smile. On the other hand, I enjoyed the power struggle, because I needed the high when she finally stopped fighting the attraction that we both knew was there and surrendered her body to me.
I would come out on top, as I did in all aspects of my life.
To do that with Allie, I needed some time.