Wicked Billionaire - Sawyer Bennett Page 0,16

Declan. Surely not me.

He doesn’t allow me to refute him, though, continuing, “We’re meeting a gentleman tonight by the name of Christopher McGale. Do you recognize the name?”

The name is sadly not familiar, and thus I can’t impress my boss. I shake my head. “I’m afraid I don’t.”

“He’s a hotelier himself, but he’s made his name on small, trendy type boutique lodgings in secluded places.”

“And you’re considering doing something like that with the Blackwood brand?” I ask.

“Considering it,” he admits. “I want you to do the same thing tonight… take notes, feel free to ask pertinent questions if something comes to that fascinating brain of yours, and keep your senses open to anything odd.”

I stop walking, forcing him to do the same and turn my way. “I don’t understand why you need me to try to judge these people. I’m sure you’ve done lots of business meetings without someone like me to observe.”

“That would be true, but I have you now. You’re a resource.” The detached tone indicates I’m nothing but a tool in his arsenal, but then his voice drops an octave, and he bends slightly toward me. His gaze runs down the length of me, and his lips curl slightly. “Now that I have you, why wouldn’t I use you?”

I can’t suppress the tiny shiver that tingles up my spine. We’re talking business, and there’s nothing in his words to suggest anything different. But his tone and expression seem to insinuate a decidedly unprofessional meaning.

And I have to wonder… did he hire me, buy me a new wardrobe, and bring me with him to meetings all under the guise of getting me into his bed?

Studying his face, I search for clues to dissuade my notion. I mean, surely not. He’s Declan freaking Blackwood. He could have any supermodel or movie star at the snap of his fingers. Wealthier than God, he’s also panty-dropping gorgeous. He wouldn’t have to go to such lengths to get laid.

Not that I’m willing to let him take me to bed.

Nope. Not at all. Not even if Jeff seems to think I’ll feel better about myself if I’d just go out and get some action.

“Declan,” a man calls from our left. With a subtle pressure, Declan shifts me toward whom I assume is Christopher McGale, waiting outside the doors of Restaurant Guy Savoy.

Smiling, Declan leads me over. After the men shake hands, Declan introduces me as his assistant.

Christopher McGale is the opposite of the man we lunched with. He’s young, probably in his mid-thirties, and incredibly attractive with auburn hair, hazel eyes, and a tall, muscular frame. Between him and Declan, I imagine every woman in the vicinity would kill to be in my place.

The hostess leads us into the dimly lit restaurant, ushering us into a private alcove with a table set for three. The men order scotch on the rocks while I settle on white wine. As soon as we place our orders, they launch into business.

As I suspected, Declan must be considering opening something other than the usual Blackwood hotel or resort, which are usually enormous. Once again focusing on the Cayman Islands, the men discuss size, occupancy, and amenities.

Incredibly bored when they delve into the intricacies of financing, I focus more on their body language, realizing Declan likes Christopher McGale more than he had our lunch companion. I’m not sure if it’s because they are closer in age or if, in my opinion, Mr. McGale seems more transparent and genuine, whereas Mr. Frost came across as a hustler. Regardless, Declan is more relaxed during this meeting.

And frankly… Mr. McGale is more likable. He doesn’t appear to be digging for inroads to exclusively benefit himself. Instead, I’d say he desires a give-and-take partnership based on their mutual strengths of what each brings to the table of the project they want to build together.

At the end of the evening, I’m still not entirely sure I’ve pieced together precisely what Declan wants to accomplish, but I do know a bit. Declan wants to branch out from the Blackwood business model to build something unique. He intends to do this outside of the Blackwood name, presumably to start up his own company, which is why he’s searching for investors.

And he seems to be extremely driven, as evidenced when he’d informed Mr. McGale he’d be making the decision on whom to invite into the joint venture by month’s end.

CHAPTER 7

Declan

There she is… I’ve looked forward to seeing her way too much. As I walk into