Briggs (Carolina Reapers 7)

“The fact that I just saw someone else introduced as the new CEO begs to differ.” I took another sip, wishing the alcohol would burn the last two days away.

“Okay, hold on. I need to excuse myself from my own party.” There was a sound like a door closing, and the background noise from his end disappeared. “It was all handled through attorneys, but I just got the signed documents back this morning. It surprised me since it’s New Year’s Eve, but I guess they wanted the deal locked down. I have the papers right here.”

I turned away from the harbor and nearly dropped my drink.

Bristol was standing at my table, her hand delicately gripping the edge as she lifted her chin and smiled softly. “Hi, Cormac.”

My nervous system went haywire, both begging to get closer to her and warning me to stay the fuck away. The case of my phone cracked, and I eased up on my grip.

“Who signed the papers, Paul?” I asked, staring directly into the hazel eyes I’d never been able to forget. Blues, greens, and golds were rimmed by a darker ring that changed colors with lighting and her mood. Fuck, I hated that I knew that.

Hated that I remembered exactly how sweet she’d tasted on my tongue for the whole minute that I’d kissed her before the door had been flung open and my world had been ripped out from under me.

“It looks like…” He groaned. “Shit. Cormac, I’m sorry.”

“He’s telling you that I signed them, isn’t he?” Bristol lifted a sleek, black brow as her smile slipped.

“Bristol McClaren,” Paul confirmed. “They must have kept the sale quiet because I didn’t hear anything about it—”

“Get me out of it,” I ordered him before clicking the end button and hanging up.

Bristol sighed…what, like she’d been the injured party here?

“Did you do this on purpose?” I shoved the phone back into my pocket.

“Do what?” She folded her arms across her chest. “Give you a two-million-dollar endorsement deal? You’re welcome. Nice to see you, too, by the way.”

“When the hell did your asshole brother have a chance to buy up Lusso Men’s Wear without anyone so much as dropping a press release?”

“It’s mine!” She raised her chin.

“You’re not old enough to own a company!” I recognized just how idiotic that sounded as soon as it left my mouth, but there was no coming back from it.

“I’m twenty-one years old, Cormac.” She put her tiny purse on the table and rubbed her temples.

“You sure? Because I thought you were twenty-one the last time we met, so I’m a little confused.” I nearly fucking carded her, but I knew exactly how old she was now. My stomach turned to lead remembering exactly how I knew.

“This is not going how I thought it would,” she muttered. “The last time we met, I was a lonely kid whose parents had just died and whose brother had dragged her to yet another one of his stupid functions.”

“You told me you were a senior!” Was it getting hot in here, or was it just me?

“I was! You simply assumed it was college, and there wasn’t a lot of time to correct you after that—” She snapped her mouth shut along with her eyes as she took three measured breaths.

Memories washed over me. I’d been such a stupid, foolish rookie, but I wasn’t now.

“Look,” she started as she opened her eyes.

“No. I’m done looking.” It didn’t matter how beautiful, how smart, how funny she’d been that night, she’d been responsible for the collapse of my whole fucking life. “Tell your lawyers I’m out. Take back the money. Burn the paperwork. Whatever.”

Panic flickered across her features for a second, but she blinked it back. “You can’t. You’re under contract.” She shrugged, but the movement was tight. Nervous. “You’re the face of my new line. My first line as CEO. I designed it all around you.”

“Well, that’s just too damned bad, Duchess.” I stuck my hands in my pockets.

“Don’t call me that.” Those eyes sparkled with fire.

How many men had set her ablaze since that night? How many others had there been? Even worse? How far would it have gone if her brother hadn’t busted in on us and then traded my ass?

“Fits perfectly for the spoiled little rich girl you are.”

“Spoiled?” She sputtered. “I busted my ass to graduate college early! Everything I have is tied up in this company! Damn, Cormac! I thought you’d be…” She floundered, locking her jaw and shaking her head.

“What? Happy to see you? You ruined my life, Bristol, so excuse me if I’m not ready for round two. This isn’t happening. Find someone else to be the face of your line.” I threw back the rest of my drink, wishing it would just take effect already and numb me out even just a little. I didn’t want to feel this—any of it.