Charade (Swept Away, #1.5)(7)

“He didn’t invent all of the products though, did he?” I asked sharply, unable to stop myself.

“It doesn’t really matter if he invented them all, does it?” The man’s eyes narrowed. “He owns all the paperwork saying he did.”

“What do you mean?” I frowned, my heart racing. Was I about to find out a vital piece of information?

“I mean you know as well as I do that Jeremiah Bradley wasn’t the most honest—” He paused and I could see that he was regretting his choice of words. “I mean, Jeremiah did what he had to do to grow the company.”

“What did he do?” I prodded. What had Jeremiah Bradley done to gain the patents to all of these inventions?

“I don’t know exactly.” He shook his head and I felt my stomach dropping.

“You have no idea at all?” I said softly and flicked my hair back, while pushing my chest forward. My face was burning in shame as I worked my goods in my favor.

“Well, you know, there are rumors.” His eyes were alight again as he gazed directly at my chest and licked his lips quickly.

“What sort of rumors?”

“You know, the same sort of rumors that plague most successful men: murder, love, sex, revenge, secrets, backstabbing.” He grinned at me and I tried not to cringe as he placed his hand on my shoulder. “I think it comes with the territory.”

“So do you think any of the rumors are based on fact?” I ignored the feel of his fingers as they ran across my back.

“Who knows?” His eyes looked into mine for a second. “Isn’t there a bit of truth in every rumor? What do we care, though? He’s made us all very rich.” He laughed and his eyes narrowed. “At least he’s made all the shareholders that got in early enough very rich. And now his son is doing the same.”

“So will we see Mattias Bradley today?”

“Oh no.” He shook his head. “Mattias never comes to the meetings.” He gave me a small smile as his eyes narrowed.

“Doesn’t he have to come to the meeting as the CEO?” I frowned. Every single article I’d read about corporations and shareholders’ meetings said that CEOs had to be in attendance. Had I read wrong?

“Who knows?” He shrugged. “I don’t think any of us care as long as he keeps maximizing profits.”

“Have you ever met him, then?” I leaned forward. “I’m curious to know what he looks like.”

“No, I’ve not met him.” He looked at me with an impenetrable expression. “I suppose he’s a handsome man. I think he’s seeing someone, if that’s your concern.” He frowned at me for a second and then smiled slowly. I could see the lust in his eyes as he surveyed my body again. “Though there are other single men here that are well-off. Men that would be safer for a girl like you.” He flashed his perfect white teeth at me, looking like a hungry wolf as he added, “Would you like another glass of wine?”

“No, no.” I shook my head and stepped back. “Excuse me, I need to go to the washroom.”

“Okay.” He looked disappointed and I saw his gaze falling to my chest again and stopping there. Pervert! “Hopefully, we can talk again later.”

“Yeah, sure.” I nodded before turning around quickly. In your dreams.

I walked to the other side of the room and froze as I realized that the energy in the room had changed. There was a sudden buzzing and I looked toward the entrance. My heart started thudding as I observed the profile of the man that had just entered. I knew it was David Bradley as soon as I laid eyes on him. I gripped my glass of wine and stood there for a few seconds before going into action. I knew I didn’t have a lot of time before the meeting started. I’d practiced it in my mind a million times: walk across the room, stumble, spill the wine on him, and then flirt up a storm. It had to work. It just had to. This was my first opportunity to meet David Bradley. I took a deep breath, undid another button on my shirt, and started walking.

*

I walked over to David and spilled my wine on him as I’d been imagining for the last two weeks. Everything went perfectly, and as I stood there patting his chest, I couldn’t help but feel elated.

“I’m so sorry.” I batted my eyelashes at David. “I’m such a klutz.”

“Hey, a beautiful girl like you doesn’t have to apologize.”

“Oh, don’t.” I giggled as I tried to ignore the butterflies in my stomach. The photos hadn’t lied. David was absolutely gorgeous. However, the photos hadn’t captured the charisma and sex appeal that even I couldn’t ignore. His magnetism was undeniable, and I found myself getting lost in his green eyes.

He leaned forward with a boyish smile and spoke softly and intently, his eyes never leaving mine, “We could make this a really interesting shareholders’ meeting.”

“Oh?”

“We could do something a little bit crazy . . .” I could feel the tip of his tongue touch my earlobe as he whispered in my ear and my body froze. What was going on here?

“What’s a little bit crazy?” I smiled at him widely while taking a step back. Slow down, big boy!

“You tell me.” He shrugged. “I should change this shirt.”

“You have a spare one here?” I asked softly.