Chapter Three

She meant to ignore him. Really, she did. But despite herself, she couldn’t stop glancing around every room she entered, looking for a familiar tousled head.

Get a hold of yourself.

Damien should be the last thing on her mind this week. She was here to learn, and the only thing he’d teach her was the art of mockery.

I bet that’s not all a man like him could teach me.

She shook her head with too much force, earning an odd look from the conference goer sitting next to her in the workshop.

Bad Caitlyn.

Damien was the last man she wanted to be attracted to. If she couldn’t suppress the annoying feeling, she could certainly ignore it. Mind made up, she pulled a pen and notebook from her purse and settled in to enjoy her first session of the day.

Hands landed on her shoulder from behind, and she stiffened before she realized they weren’t male.

“Caitlyn,” a musical voice exclaimed.

Tilting her head back, she grinned at the woman standing behind her.

“They haven’t fired you yet, Shireen?” she teased.

“As if I’d go.” The other woman plopped down in the one empty seat beside her. “I knew you’d be in this session.”

“The power of inbound marketing. Color me fascinated.”

“I keep telling you. Leave the C-suite and come join the fast-paced world of marketing with me.”

“And I keep telling you, leave the West Coast and come be my head of marketing.”

“It’s too cold in Boston,” she said. “Move your company.”

Caitlyn grinned at the familiar exchange. She’d met Shireen at this conference four years back and instantly liked the exuberant woman. Since then they’d kept in touch, meeting in person only once a year when they came here.

“I take it we’re doing drinks tonight,” Shireen said.

“I could have meetings set up, you know.”

“When you have a once-a-year chance to drink with moi? Unlikely.”

She rolled her eyes. “As it so happens, I’m free. Where are we going?”

Shireen grabbed her phone and pulled up a conference email. “They’ve sponsored a few bars in the area tonight for us out-of-towners. You know how it is. I say we head for the most popular one. It’ll be a crush, but hey, what happens at conferences stays at conferences.”

She grinned. “Sounds like you need a wing woman. I think I’m up for the task.”

“Perfect. This will be fun. A vacation from reality.”

“Or until the closing address on Friday,” she replied drily.

“A week for guilty pleasures.” Shireen playfully hit her arm. “There’s no one from your company here. Your city life is far away. What do I say every year? Kick back and relax. You’ve earned it.”

She shook her head. “Not from my company, sure. But my industry? That’s another story.”

Shireen’s gaze sharpened. “Drama so soon? How lucky am I?”

“No drama.” I hope. “Do you remember me mentioning Damien Reid?”

“Boyfriend?”

Her hands clenched. “No. Definitely not.”

Understanding dawned in Shireen’s eyes. “Rival.”

She nodded. “His company is untouchable.” She sighed. “Damien will always be the one to beat in this field. He’s a billionaire with a reputation for burying his challengers.”

“Where does that leave you?”

She tapped her pen against her notebook. “We’ve signed a few big contracts recently and doubled down on product development. But we’re chasing after a Goliath that can see us coming and throw cash at the problem.”

Shireen whistled. “No wonder you keep trying to poach me.”

“I’ll double your salary and give you a corner office with a view that would make tour companies jealous,” she said without missing a beat.

Her friend laughed. “But you can’t give me California warmth.”

“With your salary, you’ll be able to buy all the heaters you want.”

“Not quite the same.”

“How about I get you a condo with a potted palm?”

She shook her head. “I will, however, give you the name of some excellent marketers in Boston I know.”

“Refusals like this are why I drink at conferences.”

“Bodes well for me tonight, then.”

Caitlyn sat back in her chair as the speaker stepped onto the dais at the front of the room.

“If all I have is a week to pick your brain, we’d better make it count,” Caitlyn said.

Because one way or another, I’m leaving here with a way to make Damien see me as his equal.

…

“Let’s me guess. You’re thinking about a redhead?”

Damien glanced at the man standing over him. Spencer claimed the empty chair, hands free from any note-taking utensils.

“What do you tell your company when you come back from this week?” he asked, curiosity pulling at him.

Spencer shrugged. “It’s so rewarding to spend time with other professionals. The ideas I gained from this conference will shape the next phase of our corporate trajectory.”

“So, you lie.”

“Through my teeth.”

“This week is just a vacation for you, isn’t it?” he drawled.

“Isn’t it for you? Nerd.”

He rolled his eyes. “I came to network. There are twenty thousand professionals walking these halls, and I have several senior positions to hire for.”

“If you work this entire week, I will stop speaking to you.”

“You haven’t managed that in all the years since school.”

“Conferences are for learning new things.”

“I’ll stick to the classics. Unhappy with your job? Want more money? Well, I have the position for you.”

“While you’re trying to recruit for your empire, you did promise to make that tasty CEO pay. When exactly are you planning to get to that?”

He narrowed his eyes. “I’ve got a week. I’m sure I can find a way to annoy her. You wouldn’t believe how easy it is.”

“You missed the ‘for you’ part of that sentence. It’s so easy for you to annoy her. Tell me, is that a special gift or one that extends to all women?”

“Aren’t you hilarious. Do I look like a man who has trouble in that area?”

Spencer shrugged. “With women who clearly have a brain?”

“Enough. My relationship with Caitlyn is none of your business.”

“So there’s a relationship.”

He bit back a growl. “I meant professionally.”

Spencer leaned back in his seat. “Professionally speaking, then, are you going to crush her?”

“If I get the chance? In a heartbeat.” He ignored the way his gut twisted. Brooks Corp was a threat on the horizon. He’d made an empire out of seeing those disasters and neutralizing them long before they became a problem. But Caitlyn wouldn’t sell. He’d tried to buy them out but Caitlyn had been firm in her refusal not to consider his offer.

Which left him one option.

What I can’t acquire, I bury.

Except the thought of doing that to Brooks Corp niggled at a conscience he hadn’t thought he had.

This is why attraction and business don’t mix.

Because he couldn’t stall his company for a prickly woman who invaded his thoughts far too often.

“I don’t envy your choices,” Spencer said, shifting in his chair. “You’re a cold son of a bitch, aren’t you?”

He didn’t bother replying. The answer was obvious enough. He’d do whatever he needed to in order to ensure the survival of his company. It’s what he’d been trained to do practically from the cradle. The Reid name could not die with him. The empire couldn’t crumble under his care. His life, and the lives of his family, had always been given in service to Reid Enterprises.

You call that a good test score? The neighbor’s kid could have done better, and he’s a child.

His father’s voice echoed through his thoughts. An unwelcome reminder of where he’d come from.

He clenched his teeth, the only outward sign of his memories. Weaknesses had never been tolerated in his family. It was even less acceptable in his business. Hadn’t both his parents taught him that?

If Caitlyn becomes a problem, I’ll do what I have to do.

What he’d been trained to do.

And no pretty pair of bottomless green eyes would stop him.

“I might not want to come up against you in the boardroom, but a bar is a completely different matter,” Spencer said, looking at the conference schedule on his phone. “There’s a few events on tonight. Tell me you won’t be working.”

Shaking off his dark thoughts, he allowed a small smile to twist his lips. “I might have some time.”

“Gotta check with your boss first? Oh wait.”

“Ha-ha, very funny. Fine. I’ll take the evening off. Where are we going?”

“The bigger the better, my friend. One thing these retreats do right is the free-flowing liquor and the stressed-out professionals looking for a little respite. Just wait. We’ll find you someone to take your mind off the redhead.”

“I’m in.”

Too bad he didn’t believe for a second erasing Caitlyn from his thoughts would be a simple task.

…

“This place is a madhouse,” Shireen said as they entered the bar.

Caitlyn glanced around the sea of business suits and ties. Looked like everyone at the conference had decided to blow off some steam tonight.

She ran a hand down her cerulean-blue dress, wishing she’d opted to stay in her suit instead. While there was nothing wrong with the breezy fabric that accented her curves, she would have felt more confident wearing her usual corporate armor.

“I thought this was a casual thing?”

Shireen shrugged. “Darling, you look amazing. All you’re going to have to do is snap your fingers and you’ll have men at your feet.”

“I think we live very different lives.”

Her friend waved the words away. “Let’s get a few drinks in you and see what happens then.”

Together, they shouldered their way to the bar and joined the throng of people trying to get the single bartender’s attention.

We might be here awhile.

Then again, what was the alternative? If she wasn’t here, she’d be holed up in her hotel room with some room service and a laptop.

Everyone needs a break every now and then.

She could afford a night off.

By her side, Shireen waved a hand in the air, hoping to speed up their service.

Content to watch the scene unfold, Caitlyn stepped back to give her friend room to work her charms. Escaping down the bar, she found a less crowded spot to wait for Shireen.

“Let me guess. You’re a cosmo kind of girl?”

The words tickled her ear as she stiffened. She knew that voice even if she wished she didn’t.

Turning, she leaned one arm against the bar nonchalantly. “Actually, I enjoy a nice whiskey.”

Damien rewarded her with a small smile. “Aren’t you just full of surprises.”

“And you? I’m betting you’re all about the appletinis.”

“Matches my reputation,” he agreed, moving toward the bar. Before her eyes, he signaled the bartender with a wave of a fifty and had service in a second.

“A scotch and a whiskey. Straight up. Top-shelf,” he said, handing over the bill.

“You’re not used to waiting on anything, are you?” she asked, watching the bartender race for the scotch bottle.

“No,” he said. “Not in my nature. I doubt it’s in yours, either.”

He has a point.

Their drinks appeared before them seconds later.

“Cheers,” she said, not about to squabble over the free drink. The man had given her more migraines that she could count. Alcohol was the least he owed her.

“What should we toast to?” he asked.

“Taking down giants?”

“How about to friendly competition.”

“I’m not sure that word applies to us.”

“Competition?”

“Friendly.”

His smile grew as he clinked his glass to hers. “Fair enough.”

She took a small sip of her drink, closing her eyes at the smooth, dark liquor coating her tongue. She felt the tension in her shoulders ease as the fiery liquid burned down her throat.

When she opened her eyes, Damien was watching her with an inscrutable expression.

“Long day,” she said in explanation.

“I’ll drink to that.” But when he took his first sip, his gaze never left hers.

A shiver ran down her spine, one she refused to acknowledge or show.

It’s like playing with a wolf.

Beautiful, until it ripped you to shreds.

“Is this part of your plan to get back at me? Because I have to say, excellent liquor was not the way I anticipated that going.”

“Maybe I’m just warming up.”

“I’m sure your Machiavellian mind will come up with something more fitting.”

“Should I be flattered?”

She took another sip. “I might not like you, but that doesn’t mean I don’t respect how you run your business.”

“That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”

“Don’t get used to it.”

His lips twitched. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

Humor bubbled within her, and she pushed it down. She couldn’t be enjoying his company.

Could she?

Don’t drop your guard. You know you can never trust him.

No, but it didn’t mean she couldn’t enjoy a few stolen moments away from reality.

“I didn’t think you’d deign to come to events like this,” she said as they enjoyed their drinks.

“Why?”

“I thought billionaires would be all about helicopter tours of the city and elite clubs the rest of us could never get into.”

“My helicopter is in the shop.”

She rolled her eyes.

“Is that the chip on your shoulder?” he asked, moving closer to be heard in the crowd. “That I have a bank account the Brookses don’t?”

“I’ve had to work for everything I’ve earned,” she replied.

“And I haven’t?”

She snorted. “No one got me into a fancy school or paid my way through life.”

“Brooks Corp isn’t exactly on the brink of bankruptcy.”

“You know what I mean.”

His eyes narrowed. “All right. I’ll double my last offer to buy you out. Right here, right now. You can take the money and pay the way of your future children. Hell, you can pay the way for anyone you damn well please if you take my check.”

The breath stilled in her lungs. The price he was talking about had enough zeros involved to make her pause.

But her father had never wanted to sell. For him, it hadn’t ever been about the money but about the science. He’d wanted to find new ways of making better medicine that could be sold more affordably. How many times had he told her everyone deserved the right to a healthy, happy life? If she took this deal, everything he’d fought to develop, the drugs he’d brought to market, would all disappear into the conglomerate of Reid Enterprises.

The good her father had tried to do would be erased in an instant.

Damien watched her like a hawk before shaking his head. “You won’t take it, will you?”

“This isn’t about money.”

“Apparently not. It might be about stubbornness, though.”

“If I was a man, you’d call me determined.”

“If you were a man, a great many things would be different between us.”

And just like that, his billions and her company became secondary to their conversation.

Her fingers tightened around her glass as she refused to look away from the unreadable expression on his face. She’d stared down her fair share of businessmen, but this felt different.

More exposing. Less predictable.

“Such as?” she dared him, lifting her chin.

A ghost of a smile touched his lips.

“Playing with fire tonight, Caitlyn?”

“I don’t run from a fight. I told you that before.”

“No,” he agreed. “It’s not in you to retreat. Even when you should.”

“Says you.”

He didn’t reply, choosing instead to swallow the last of his drink while he watched her.

She tried to ignore how her heart rate sped up under his scrutiny.

I won’t let him unsettle me.

Even if it seemed to be his favorite pastime.

Lowering his drink, he tilted his head to the side as his gaze ran over her.

“Maybe I was wrong,” he said.

“About what?” she asked, her voice sounding a little breathless to her own ears.

His eyes flicked back to hers. “Perhaps getting even isn’t what I want from you.”

The breath froze in her lungs.

“What do you want instead?” she said, forcing out the words.

He shifted, his body so close she could feel the heat from his skin. When he touched her, however, it was the lightest brush of fingers along her waist. A gossamer caress that made every nerve in her body light up.

“Risky question,” he said, the words so soft she nearly missed them.

We’re rivals. I should hate this man. Or at the very least, step away from him.

But she didn’t. She stood still, her gaze caught by his. The bar faded away around them until all she could see were his silvery eyes burning with an emotion too dangerous to name.

Her mind blanked. She couldn’t step back, and she couldn’t step forward. She was trapped by the tiniest touch she didn’t want to end.

Those expressive eyes left hers to drop to her lips. Her breath caught as she waited to see what he would do next.

I don’t want him to kiss me.

But she also didn’t want to stop him.

His lips quirked in the barest hint of a smile before he leaned forward.

This is it.

Excitement raced through her.

Until he leaned to the side to set his empty glass on the bar.

He straightened, the movement so slow his breath tickled her cheek, and dropped his hand from her waist.

“Have a good night, Caitlyn.”

The intensity hadn’t left his gaze, and she felt the same confusion he no doubt shared. What to do with this inconvenient attraction that seemed determined to trap them both?

It took her two tries to say, “You too, Damien.”

With a last lingering look, he stepped back and let the crowd swallow him up.

She exhaled the second he was gone. Turning around, she gripped the bar to hide her expression.

That was the most civilized conversation we’ve ever had.

And the most unnerving.

Her fingernails gouged into the bar as she tried to calm her racing heart. To Shireen, or hell, to the world, she might deny her attraction to her rival. But right now, in this moment, there was no escaping the truth. There was something about Damien Reid that she just couldn’t shake.

Here’s hoping it wouldn’t be her downfall.