The CEO's Little Surprise

“I’m glad you agree. That’s why I’m here. To collect on that long-outstanding debt.”

“Oh, really?” Her head tilted slightly as she contemplated him. “Do tell.”

“You know what I’m talking about. Without me, Fyra might never have existed. You might never have achieved your goals, particularly not to this degree. Don’t you think turnabout is fair play?”

“Hmm.” She touched a finger to her cheek. “Turnabout. Like I owe you for what you’ve done. That’s an interesting concept. It’s kind of like karma, in a way.”

“Kind of.”

But he didn’t like the comparison, not the way she said it. Karma was rarely a word used in the context of reward. More like you were getting what you deserved.

“What I’m saying,” he interjected smoothly before this conversation went in a direction he didn’t like. “Is that I want to buy your formula. My role in your success should be a factor in your decision-making process. In all fairness, you do owe me. But I’m fair, too. I’m not asking you to give me the formula for old times’ sake. One hundred million dollars is a lot of tit for tat.”

He watched her as she filtered through his argument, but her expression remained maddeningly blank.

“Here’s the thing, Gage.” She leaned in, wafting a whole lot of woman in his direction. “You did teach me and I’m grateful. But you must have been sick the day they taught corporate structure, so I’ll clue you in. Again. I’m a quarter owner in Fyra. We’re missing three-quarters of the decision makers, none of whom owe you a thing. I’ll take your offer for the formula to the board and we’ll consider it. Period. That’s how business works.”

Her mouth was set so primly, he had the insane urge to kiss her. But they were just getting into the meat of this and he needed to hone his focus. Not lose it entirely.

So he grinned instead and waved off her protest. “Not in the real world, honey. You need to get out more if that’s your best line of defense. Deals are done and undone across the globe based on exactly that. Companies don’t make decisions. People do and rarely are they united.”

“Fyra is,” she insisted. “We’re a team.”

“I hope that’s true,” he said sincerely. “If so, then it’s in your best interests to convince them to sell. How would they feel about their CEO not honoring this lingering debt?”

Her brows drew together but it was the only outward sign she gave that she’d heard the underlying message. This was business at its core and he was not leaving Dallas without that formula. It had become more than just about ensuring Fyra didn’t take any of his market share. GB Skin was number one for a reason and he liked being the top dog. His products should be the best on the market and Fyra’s formula would put him there—assuming it checked out like he thought it would.

Not to mention that Cass’s stubbornness had piqued his.

“Threats, Gage?” Her laugh thrummed through him. “You gonna tattle to my partners about how naughty I am?”

He nearly groaned at her provocative tone.

“Nothing so pedestrian.” He shifted a touch closer because he liked the scent of her, tightening the cross of his arms. Just to keep his hands where they belonged. “I wouldn’t go behind your back to manipulate the other executives. This is your cross to bear, and I’m simply pointing out that you don’t want this on your conscience. Do you?”

“My conscience is quite clear, thanks.” Her gaze fastened firmly on his, she crossed her arms in a mirror of his pose, intentionally sliding her elbow across his. And then hung around, brushing arms deliberately. “I’ll take your offer to the others. Shall I show you the way out or can you find it yourself?”

Heat flashed where they touched. “As you’re late for a board meeting where I suspect one of the topics will be the offer in question, I’ll see myself out.”

She didn’t move, still partially blocking the open doorway. On purpose. So he’d have to slide by her like he’d done when he entered the room, to show she had his number and that whatever he dished out, he should expect to have served right back. It almost pulled an appreciative chuckle out of him but he caught it at the last second. Cass had grown up in many intriguing ways and this battle was far from over.

No point in letting her believe she had a chance in hell of winning.

So close to her that he could easily see the lighter colored flecks of blue in her irises, he palmed those cut-away panels at her waist like he’d been itching to do for an eternity and drew her against him. Yes, she was still as warm as he remembered and he ached to pull the pins from her tight blond chignon to let it rain down around her shoulders.