Merger to Marriage (Boardrooms and Billi - By Addison Fox Page 0,15
out the brotherhood by abandoning his bachelorhood and falling in love. So why was it all he could muster up was a raging case of jealousy instead? “And what would I do with a wife?”
“Use your imagination.”
“My imagination works just fine. So does my well-furnished, empty, bachelor pad.”
Nathan exhaled a heavy stream of smoke. “You don’t know what you’re missing.”
“And you sound just like my latest business problem.”
“You still pursuing Teddy Craddick’s business?” Nathan’s gaze was sharp as he eyed Holt across the space between their chairs. “I’d have cut bait on that one a long time ago.”
“The man may be an old prick, but he’s worth several billion. And all I need is one project. Once I’m in and have proven myself, he’ll work with me again.”
“Seems like an awfully high price to pay to work with the old coot. Why’s it so important to you?”
Holt knew it was an awfully high price, but he’d pursued Craddick’s business for nearly a decade and he was determined to wear the bastard down. “I have my reasons.”
“Reasons are personal. They mess with your focus and cause you to make mistakes.”
“Careful, Nathan.” Holt picked up his own cigar, tapping it against the ashtray before bringing it to his lips. “You’re going to start sounding like your father before long.”
“Asshole.”
“Takes one to know one.”
“Come on, Holt. I’m serious. Craddick’s not worth it. Especially if he somehow thinks your personal choices should have any play in the boardroom.”
“I can handle it.”
Nathan’s gaze stayed level on his another moment longer before his old friend shrugged. Regardless of the strength of their relationship, both respected each other’s boundaries. They each came to their business interests with a drive that terrified most and left the remaining few puzzled at their intensity and resolve.
Nathan had found something else to divert his focus since he’d met Keira, but Holt wasn’t interested in heading down the same path. An image of Mayson filled his thoughts, but he resolutely stamped it out. He had a business to run, and, unlike his friend, he wasn’t interested in letting anything get in the way of that.
…
“That was a fun night. Keira and Nathan invited a really nice group of people.”
Mayson curled her legs under her on the bed as Camryn carried two steaming mugs across the room. “I liked the fact everyone was on their best behavior. It wasn’t all business talk the entire evening.”
“Occupational hazard.” Camryn handed over a mug of tea. “But, yes, it was nice to talk like regular human beings. I think my favorite story was the one Holt told about the showgirl.”
Mayson didn’t miss the interest stamped across her sister’s face, but she played it cool. “She sounds like quite a character. Vegas is full of them.”
Camryn blew on her steaming mug, her words deceptively casual. “Holt seems like an interesting man.”
“Wow, Cam, that was quick. You didn’t even work up to that or beat around the bush or anything.”
“I noticed how he kept looking at you. And you weren’t exactly looking away.”
“Hardly.” At her sister’s pointed stare, Mayson couldn’t resist adding to her own defense. “On his looking or my looking back.”
“Your protests are only proving my point.”
Unwilling to give any further credence to Camryn’s all-too-perceptive musings—especially when she knew there was a history between her and Holt—Mayson changed gears at the last minute. “What makes you so sure about this?”
“Is it even remotely possible you missed the smoldering glances? Especially since you were on the receiving end of them.”
“We were having a casual conversation. I have been known to have those with men from time to time. There was no smoldering involved.”
“There was so much smoldering I think the ends of my hair got singed. And while I know full well you could enjoy the company of men every night of the week, I’ve yet to see you look at any of them with even a tenth of the interest you showed Holt Turner.”
“I slept with him.”
“Holt?” Camryn bobbled her mug but steadied it at the last minute. “When?”
“At the wedding.”
“Who’s wedding?”
“Sheesh, Cam, the only wedding I’ve been to in like a year. Keira and Nathan’s wedding.”
“How?”
The tight knot in her throat, the one she’d borne since the morning after the wedding, loosened on a hard laugh. “The usual way.”
“Yes, but I mean, how did you meet him and, well, go for the gusto quite so fast. I didn’t know you even knew each other.”
“We didn’t. It just sort of happened.”
“That’s wonderful.”
“It was at the time.