Once Upon a Dare (Risky Business)(17)
“It’s not going to happen,” she argued, shaking her head.
“Not with an attitude like that,” he shot back. Damn, she was stubborn. He scanned the room, searching for a nonexistent ally. “Are you all really so afraid to try something new? Because I’m here to cure you of that fear.”
Olivia tipped her head to the ceiling and took a deep breath. He would have bet his partnership she was counting to ten in her head as she fought for composure. It was kind of cute how she got all flustered when she was angry.
“Hear me out,” he suggested, trying a more diplomatic approach. He had to get Olivia on board if he was going to stand a chance with her team, and right now not a single one of them was willing to even make eye contact. “Mama’s got a muffin for every occasion: you’re fired, breakups, the morning after…”
“Genius.” Olivia slid off the table. She circled Cole as though she smelled blood in the water, her lips curled back in a devious smile. “Maybe Mama can even add some new muffins to the menu. Let’s see. How about ‘It’s Not Me, It’s You’, the ‘Coyote Ugly’, and maybe a ‘Trump’ for good measure? They’ll be all the rage.”
Nervous laughter filled the room. Her team sat idly in the crossfire, enjoying the show, but he wasn’t going to rise to the bait. He’d never allowed his emotions to rule him in the boardroom and he wasn’t about to start now. Besides, if he was honest with himself, he kind of liked this fiery side of Olivia. She brought the same passion to the office that she brought to the bedroom.
Pritchard had been dead on in his assessment of her: smart as a whip with a tongue twice as sharp. He liked how she wasn’t afraid to challenge him. Still, that didn’t mean he was going to allow her to push him around. He had a reputation to uphold.
“Cute, Olivia, but I’m serious. We need a fresh angle.”
“That may be,” she said with a snicker, “but I don’t think morning-after muffins are what Mama had in mind when she asked us to begin working on a new campaign.”
“Do you have a better suggestion?” He smiled, revealing the dimple that had helped him win more arguments than he could count. “Because I’m telling you, Mama’s needs an edge and we are going to give it to them.”
“Mama’s is my account, and I’ll make that decision,” she challenged, daring him to disagree. Realizing he’d pushed her too hard already, he remained silent. The tension in her shoulders, the angry tilt of her head, and the frustration in her eyes said it all. Now wasn’t the time to pull rank on her. She’d stood her ground, gone head-to-head with him, but she was clearly feeling raw about the whole thing. “Let’s call it quits for today, everyone. We can regroup tomorrow, but keep brainstorming. It’s time to show Mr. Bennett what we’re made of.”
Chapter Eight
Olivia crammed her notes into the Mama’s Muffins file, hoping to make a hasty exit on the heels of the junior associates, who were rapidly funneling into the hall. The last thing she wanted was to be left alone with Cole, the cocky, arrogant jerk-face who seemed hell-bent on torturing her.
Who did he think he was, bashing her team like that, anyway? She wouldn’t stand for it. Her team worked hard, and they deserved respect. She slammed the file closed and clutched it to her chest as she headed for the door. She could think of one or two places he could stick his new angle.
“Olivia?” Cole’s voice cut through the silence, freezing her in her tracks, halfway to the door, but no escape in sight. “Do you have a few minutes? I’d like to speak with you.”
She considered lying. She could tell him she had another meeting, but what would be the point? He’d just hunt her down later. Better to face the music now and get it over with. No doubt he was pissed about the large dose of “your ideas are shit-tastic” attitude she’d given him. Not that he didn’t deserve it. He deserved all of that and more as far as she was concerned.
Still, it wasn’t like her to go for the throat. She prided herself on being levelheaded and professional, but Cole was just one of those people who pushed her bitch-buttons. She hardly knew the man, but there was all this stuff between them, and she just couldn’t let it go. Not yet anyway.
“Sure, I’ve got a few minutes,” she conceded, glancing at her watch before returning to her seat at the head of the table. Dread settled in the pit of her stomach, but she flashed him the warmest smile she could muster, given the circumstances.
“Is there a problem?” With narrowed eyes, he watched her intently and waited for the answer. Even with that accusing stare and wrinkled brow, he was a handsome man, a fact Olivia silently cursed as she reminded herself this was strictly business and this man had stolen her partnership.
“A problem?” she countered, shifting her face into a mask of confusion. She could play the dumb blonde people expected her to be, just this once. It beat the hell out of telling him what she really thought, since the landlord wasn’t likely to accept a pink slip for next month’s rent.
“Let me put it another way.” He dragged his fingers through his tousled hair, looking frustrated himself. She was reminded of the gentleness of those hands and the pleasure they’d given her. The very thought sent her traitorous pulse soaring. Why couldn’t she just forget about that stupid dare? “I think you’re letting your personal feelings for me color your judgment here.”