Worth the Challenge (Worth It 3)

“First you insult your daughter, and now you insult me. Have you no shame?” Rhett smiled, but it was more like a grimace, he could feel it. “Walking into my office as if you own it, demanding a job you carelessly ignored, trying to take it from your very accomplished and soon to be very successful daughter. You have tremendous nerve.” Rhett paused. “Or perhaps you’re tremendously stupid.”

Ah, that did it. Michel Durand leapt to his feet, his face beet red, his hands clutched into fists at his sides. “How dare you speak to me in such a manner?”

Rhett stood as well, towering over the man. Thank Christ the desk was in between them, or he would’ve grabbed Durand by the scruff of his neck and given him a good shake. “I could ask you much the same.”

This was happening far too quickly. Durand could be out of his office within minutes and usually Gabriella was punctual—early even.

“Turning me away would be a mistake, Worth. One you would be extremely foolish to make. I have access to every single element out there in the world. I could make any scent you desire, exactly to your specifications. Unique and special enough that no one could duplicate it in all the world. And yet you waste your opportunity on a young, untried girl who probably flashed you a pretty smile and a glimpse of her long legs and you fell for it.” Durand laughed when he saw the murderous expression on Rhett’s face. “Ah, I know you. You are nothing but a dog who wants to mess around with the ladies. Your reputation will always be for public record, you know. My poor, pretty daughter wouldn’t know how to turn you away. She isn’t smart or strong enough to withstand you.”

“You truly believe that?”

The soft, despondent-sounding voice came from the doorway. Both men turned to see Gabriella standing in the office, the door closing softly behind her. She clutched her purse in both hands, the leather Worth bag dragging on the floor, her knuckles white with nerves.

“Ella, my darling.” Her father went to her, his tone docile, his arms out as if he wanted to embrace her.

She sidestepped him, looking from Durand to Rhett. “What’s going on here?”

“He wanted your position,” Rhett said, earning a glare from Durand. “And I told him no.”

“Lies, all lies.” Durand smiled at her, trying to win her over.

Good luck with that. The wary expression on Gabriella’s face said it all.

“You think Rhett wants to keep me only because I’m a woman. Because he thinks I’m pretty and nothing else.”

“You use your beauty to your advantage, it could help you, you know. Always use what you have in your arsenal,” Durand said.

She shook her head. “I can’t believe you. Most parents would be proud of their child’s accomplishments. Pleased that their daughter followed in their footsteps and worked in the same field. Not you. Never you. All you can think of is how I’m stealing something from you.”

“You misunderstand—”

“There is nothing to misunderstand. I heard what you said. And I believe Rhett. You want my position. You don’t care how that will affect me or hurt my feelings. All you care about is you. All you’ve ever cared about is you.”

The silence that stretched after Gabriella’s outburst was long. Uncomfortable. Rhett remained standing behind his desk, pride running through him over how well she handled her father.

Proving yet again how magnificent she was. Eloquent and strong. A woman he’d be proud to have standing by his side.

Forever.

“I will leave,” her father finally said, his voice laced with disgust. “I can see when I am not wanted.”

“Oh, don’t play that game, Father. Please.” She went to him, pulling him into a quick embrace. He remained stiff, didn’t put his arms around her in return, and she released her hold on him. “I will call you later. We have some things to discuss.”

“I am sure,” Durand sniffed, sending one last look toward Rhett before he turned on his heel and exited the office.

Gabriella approached Rhett’s desk, her steps careful, her expression wary. “You did that on purpose.”

He sat, fear making his knees weak. If she rejected him now, he was afraid he’d yowl and scream in pain, writhe on the floor from the loss of her. “I did,” he admitted. “I wanted you to hear what your father had to say.”

“He had terrible things to say.” She sat in the chair her father just vacated.

“They were far more awful than I thought they would be, I agree.” He hated that she heard any part of their argument, but it had to be done. And that she heard the absolute worst statements, the ones that shed both her and him in the darkest light, well. He could only hope she didn’t believe any of it.

“Is it true? What he said? That you’re only keeping me on because you—want me?”

He sent her a measured look. “That I want you in my personal life is a bonus. I can’t help the way I feel about you, Gabriella. I’m already halfway in love with you and I hardly know you. But that’s just the icing on the cake. The fact that you created the most mind-boggling scent any of us here at Worth have ever smelled is the reason why you’re here. Why you’re working for Worth.” He pointed at a thick stack of papers sitting on his desk. “Alex left me the contract this morning. He wants to sign you exclusively for the next two years.”

Her lips parted, but no words came. Tears formed in her eyes and she shook her head, sniffing loudly. “Really?”