Merger to Marriage (Boardrooms and Billi - By Addison Fox Page 0,22
he looking for permanent with anyone?
No.
But would he stand by his child and his responsibilities to that child?
Absolutely.
“Look, Holt. No one needs to know the baby’s yours. I’ll handle this on my own. I told you because it’s the right thing to do and you deserve to know. Not because I expected anything from you.”
A spark lit under his skin and it didn’t take long for the fuse to ignite. “You’re not doing this on your own. Just because you and I don’t have a relationship doesn’t mean we can’t form one for our child. I already like and respect you. I will do this with you.”
“What are you suggesting?”
What was he suggesting? Something permanent? “I think we both need to think about that. Decide what raising our child is going to look like. For both of us.”
He was prevented from saying anything else by the sound of a car pulling up behind them. A glance over his shoulder had him clenching his fists and muttering. “Of all the times.”
“What is it?” Mayson turned to look behind them. “It’s Teddy Craddick. He’s an old friend of my grandfather’s. We’ve known him our entire lives.”
“Of course you have.” The odd urge to laugh welled up in his throat. Teddy Craddick was an old friend of the McBride family? “He’s the one I’m trying to get a deal with.”
Holt was prevented from saying anything further when a large, booming voice ricocheted in their direction. Holt leaned toward Mayson. “I’ll come around and get you.”
He waved at Teddy as he rounded the front of the car then opened her door. She put her hand in his. “Thank you.”
The same urge that had gripped him on the beach before he kissed her rose up in him once more at the feel of her hand in his. Regardless of the surprise they were dealing with, none of it diminished how badly he wanted her.
“Let’s go say hello.” Mayson dropped his hand before she turned and waved at Teddy. “Come on.”
Holt followed her down the driveway as they met up with Craddick. The man put the old in “old school,” but his influence in New York business circles was legendary. “Holt, my boy. It’s good to see you.”
“Teddy.” Holt stuck out his hand, amused at the not-so-subtle glances the older man kept tossing toward Mayson.
“Mayson.” Teddy turned toward her, his hand reaching for hers before he bestowed an elegant kiss on her knuckles. “It’s a pleasure to see you.”
“Uncle Teddy. It’s been a long time.”
Teddy pulled her into a tight hug. “Too long, my girl. How are you?”
They exchanged polite pleasantries and it took Mayson about thirty seconds to extract details on Teddy’s wife and family. “She’s off with our oldest, putting the finishing touches on wedding plans.”
Mayson clasped her hands together. “I’d heard Jennifer was getting married. What happy news.”
The conversation swirled around the three of them, casual and friendly, yet filled with careful—and obvious—observation of each other. Holt knew Teddy was curious as to his relationship with Mayson and, if he wasn’t mistaken, he could see the older man was pleased at the idea there might be something there.
“I’ll leave you two to get back to your conversation, but why don’t you both sit near me at lunch. I’d like to spend more time catching up.” Holt felt Craddick’s attentions shift his direction as the man sized him up. “I’ve been reviewing that proposal you sent me last month. Since we’re both here, maybe you could walk me through your ideas.”
“Be happy to.”
Teddy turned to look up at the massive house that rose up behind them. “Nathan’s bound to have a conference room or two hidden away in here. You free around eleven?”
“I’ll see you then.”
Mayson gave the older man a quick peck on the cheek before waving him off. Once he was out of earshot, she turned back toward Holt with a smile. “He’s a sweet man.”
“Are we talking about the same person? Teddy Craddick, the owner of Craddick Inc., a multinational corporation on the forefront of logistics and transportation?”
“The very same.”
Holt was still surprised at the direction the conversation had gone and the man’s sudden receptivity to his ideas, but he couldn’t shake the notion something had just shifted between them. “A puppy is sweet. Teddy is a barracuda. One, however, who has never abused his power and position, to the best of my knowledge.”
“He’s got a tough reputation, but he’s fair and as honest as they come. He and my grandfather