Cherry Popper (Cherry 1)

When they returned, it would be hell.

Jillian spoke into my intercom. “They’re ready for you, sir.”

“Thanks.” I continued to sit there anyway, thinking about the woman who was occupying my bed. I never had women spend the night, but it seemed appropriate for her to stay there until morning. When she cuddled with me, she didn’t make me hot. She didn’t snore. And it was nice seeing her first thing in the morning.

With the exception of the way she analyzed me, she was wonderful company.

Now that she was back, I felt whole again.

Jillian spoke into my intercom again. “I apologize, sir. Miss Simone is getting—”

“I’ll be right there, Jillian.” I snatched the papers off my desk and left my office. Simone hadn’t even married my brother yet, but she was trying to run the company like she was some kind of CEO.

Bitch.

I marched into the conference room and saw her sitting beside Coen, dressed in a black suit with large buttons in the front. She had short hair that was so short she couldn’t pull it back, so she always left it down.

Once I stepped into the room, her smile disappeared, and she gave me an overtly disgruntled look. “Took you long enough.”

I slammed the papers onto the desk before I took a seat. “I was working, not marching down the halls trying to pretend I was working.” When I looked at my brother, I gave him an even angrier look, unable to believe this woman had turned him into the biggest pushover in the world. Men and women could be equals, but Coen let her run with the ball like some kind of idiot. She was the alpha—and he was the beta. It was fucking pathetic. “Running this company is about more than showing up to meetings with color-coded tabs in your folder. Never rush me again.”

Simone twirled her pen in her fingertips, wearing a stoic expression but with a hint of rage in her eyes. “Coen, you’re going to let him talk to me like that?”

“You bet your ass he is,” I said before my brother could say anything. “Because he’s the biggest pussy in the world—and we both know it. The man I used to know had a real sac and a tough spine. Now he’s just a pathetic pushover.”

Coen rose to that insult. “Shut the fuck up—”

“You shut the fuck up.” I slammed my fist onto the table. “In two days, this cunt is going to have you by your balls—for good. I don’t even want to help you anymore because you don’t deserve it. When she rips out your heart and humiliates you in front of the whole world, I’ll be laughing. I’ll be laughing like everyone else.”

Coen balled his hand into a fist as the cords in his neck thickened. He clearly wanted to strike me, but since I was much bigger, that would be a waste of time, not to mention, humiliating.

“Let’s just do this shit.” I opened my folder. “I’ve started negotiations near Jackson Hole. The property is ideal because it’s within the national park at Yellowstone, and it also has stunning views. There’s a lake nearby, so guests can look out their windows and see the buffalo with the naked eye. The property isn’t nearly as expensive as some of our other resorts. If we start right away, we could have construction completed in eighteen months.” I only looked at my brother because I refused to include her in the discussions.

“You think many people go to Jackson Hole?” Coen asked as he slowly started to calm down.

“There’re limited resorts there, and every time I check availability, there’s almost no vacancy—at any time of year. It’ll be perfect for a cozy lodge, especially in the fall. In the summer, it’ll do just as well because that’s when it’s the most popular.”

Simone took notes as she listened.

I wanted to snatch the pen out of her hand and stab her in the neck with it.

Coen considered it for a long time. “It’s not what we usually do, but it’s not a bad idea.”

“It’s a great idea because it’s guaranteed to do well. Acquiring land is difficult because it’s a national park, but they’ve given us permission to build. We have to adhere to the environmental guidelines for clean energy and proper disposal, but that shouldn’t be difficult. One of my architects found roof tiles that are solar panels. You can’t even tell they’re solar panels.”

“But aren’t they more expensive?”

I shrugged. “They require it.”

Simone kept scribbling notes.

“I think it’s a good idea,” Coen said. “We should do it.” He turned to Simone. “Babe, what do you think?”

I had to swallow the insult sitting on my tongue.

“Yes,” Simone said. “I think it’s a great investment and something we can promote to our existing clientele.”

Our clientele? Fuck, I hated her. She took my virginity, my brother, and now she was trying to take my company. She did nothing to build it into the empire it was, but she got to call it hers, like she had ownership of it already. “Great. I just need a few signatures, and I’ll get everything started.” I pushed the pile of papers toward him, which were marked with tabs so he knew where to sign.