S is for Second Chance

by Annie J. Rose

  It was dangerous.

  I couldn’t look at him and not remember what it was like to have his hands on me. His mouth. I inwardly groaned, my breath catching in my throat as I remembered his tongue and mouth and what he’d done to my body.

  Stop.

  He was toying with me—with my father. I knew him well enough to know he was up to something. He sat directly across from me. I could feel his eyes on me. I remembered something someone had once told me about not looking a wolf directly in the eye because it was considered a challenge, a fight for dominance. Devin was attempting to stare at me because he wanted to assert his dominance.

  I wasn’t going to let that happen. I collected my strength and met his fierce gaze. Butterflies took flight in my stomach the moment our eyes met. I felt twitchy and overheated. His hard stare was meant to intimidate me, but I would not be intimidated by him or anyone else.

  I stared back, raising my chin and silently letting him know I wasn’t bothered by his fierceness. God damn, he’s fucking gorgeous. He looked the same as he had three years ago but with a hard edge about him. It was dangerous and sexy at the same time. His suit, Armani, with the tapered legs and low waist, was stylish and showed off his long legs and trim body.

  But I wasn’t there to ogle him. I was there to kick his ass out of the negotiations and preserve my family’s legacy and my father’s livelihood. It didn’t matter how handsome Devin was or how much I’d missed him. I was back in New York for one reason only. I was not going to get distracted by him.

  “Thank you both for agreeing to meet with me,” Toby said, pulling my attention away from Devin.

  “You’re welcome,” I answered before Devin could. Score one for me.

  “I’m thrilled to have caught the attention of both your firms,” he continued. “I am looking forward to finding a solution to this situation. I want to clarify, there have been no official offers, good faith or otherwise. I’m not trying to screw anyone over.”

  I smiled. “Maybe not, but the fact you entered into negotiations with my firm is enough to imply you were interested in a deal. We consider that good faith and would have never met with one of your competitors because we value honesty and loyalty.”

  Devin scoffed before leaning forward. I could practically feel his body heat emanating from him and washing over me from across the table. “I think we can find a solution that works for all parties involved,” he said, his voice buttery smooth. “I don’t think any of us wants to waste valuable resources and time.”

  Toby nodded. “No, definitely not what I want.”

  “Have you reviewed our offer?” Devin asked.

  “No. I briefly spoke with someone from your firm who gave me a general ballpark, but I’ve not seen anything in writing.”

  Devin scowled. “I had it sent over this morning.”

  “I’ll check,” Toby answered, pulling out his phone.

  Devin and I waited in tense silence while Toby slid his fingers over the screen of his phone. I knew the moment he saw the offer. The man’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. His jaw dropped and he looked up at Devin with the same look a little kid looks at someone offering them a jar full of candy. My heart sank.

  My father couldn’t compete with Devin. Not anymore. The company was in bad shape and was barely hanging on. Devin had the means to offer Toby the world. All I had were empty threats. If he called my bluff, it would be over before it ever started.

  “This is…” Toby said, stopping and shaking his head. “This is generous.”

  Devin smiled. “It is a generous offer because I believe in your company. I think with the right funding, the right marketing, and some fine-tuning, you are onto something big.”

  “Thank you. That really means a lot coming from you Mr. McKay.”

  I cocked my head to the side, watching Devin preen. He was definitely up to something.

  “However,” Devin started, and that’s when I knew I had been reading him exactly right. “I really can’t get caught up in a lengthy negotiation process with a lot of back and forth. My firm has a lot of irons in the fire and tying up resources to fight a fight we could walk away from is going to be the best choice as far as my board is concerned.”

  I couldn’t help but smile. I knew he had an angle. I couldn’t wait to hear what the rest of his little plan was. I watched as Toby’s excitement faded. “Oh, I see,” he murmured.

  “I am not inclined to walk away from this deal. When I believe in something, I am fully committed.” Devin’s gaze slid over to me like he was checking to make sure I was hanging on every word. He offered a smile before turning his attention back to Toby. “I want to make this work. I am not going to let the Savages get this deal for pennies on the dollar. I don’t walk away from anything. When I want something, I stick it out.”

  His words were directed at me. I knew that. He was speaking to me via his message to Toby. “We would never try and shortchange Toby,” I interjected, seeing the look on Toby’s face. We were losing ground in a hurry. Devin could be very convincing.

  Devin made a noise. I shot him a glare before turning back to Toby. “We were in the process of negotiating. You say what you want, we say what we want, you ask, we offer, and so on.”

  “I don’t want to get caught up in a war between the two of you,” Toby said, clearly uncomfortable.

  I flashed a grin at Devin. I was getting into Toby’s head, making him second-guess Devin’s offer without having to up ours. “A war doesn’t have to be the answer to this little predicament,” Devin said, his voice tight.

  “It’s the only solution I see, unless you’re willing to walk away,” I said.

  Devin looked me directly in the eyes and saw a glint of mischief. I shrugged. “I guess we’re done here, then,” I said, putting my hands on the table and getting to my feet.

  “Wait!” Toby blurted out.

  I looked at Devin, arching one brow. The ball was in his court.

  “I’m not walking away,” he said with a smile playing on his lips. “I don’t believe the Savage firm is going to walk away, and I think I can speak for all of us when I say none of us wants to fight. I have a different solution entirely.”

  “What?” Toby said, the old excitement back. “I’m willing to listen to anything at this point.”

  “Yes, please tell us,” I said dryly. “We’re all dying to know.”

  That hazel stare turned back to me and I was paralyzed. I couldn’t look away.

  “We make a joint investment.”

  “What?” I gasped. “Both companies?”

  He nodded, not tearing his gaze from mine. “Both. Together. A team.”

  “How would that work?” Toby asked.

  Devin finally looked away. I had to keep my shoulders from slumping forward. I felt like I had been held in his firm grasp, and when he looked away, it was like being released.

  “My firm and the Savages would only have to put up half of our original offers. Half the cost and half the risk.”

  “Is that a thing?” Toby asked, looking from me to Devin.

  “It can be,” Devin said. I knew it was coming. I braced myself. His eyes turned to mine once again. “If Elly is willing to work with me?”

  He was putting me on the spot. If I said no, I looked like the bitch. I looked like the one who was pushing us into a battle. Toby wouldn’t want to work with me or my father. Devin had set it all up perfectly, but why? Why would he want to work with me? He hated me.

  I cleared my throat when I realized they were both staring at me. “I don’t have a problem with that,” I managed to get out.

  It was like sucking on a lemon and trying to speak at the same time. The words were bitter and tasted foul on my tongue. I watched his reaction. It was satisfaction. What the hell is his game?

  “Great!” Toby exclaimed, clapping his hands together. “That sounds great! What comes next?”

  I looked at Devin, waiting for the answer. “Miss Savage and I will work out the details
and get back to you,” he said to Toby before looking back at me. “Can we set something up for this week?”

  “I’ll check my schedule,” I answered coolly.

  “Sounds good,” he said, making a show of checking his Rolex. “I’ve got to run. I have another meeting. I guess you can have your assistant call mine, assuming you still have the number.”

  I cleared my throat. “I’m sure someone does,” I answered.

  “Good,” he said, getting to his feet. He towered over Toby and me. Toby got to his feet as well. I stayed in my seat, watching as they shook hands. “Miss Savage,” he said before walking out.

  I let out a breath, pulling myself together before getting to my feet as well. “It was nice to meet you, Toby.”

  “I’m sorry about the confusion.”

  I smiled. “I hope we can work this out,” I said, not letting on that it had all been a very elaborate bluff.

  “I’ll walk you out,” he said, being the perfect gentleman.

  I walked out to the lobby, not thrilled to see my father had stuck around. Judging by the look on his face, he’d seen Devin leave. Those two were like oil and water. No, that wasn’t accurate. It was more like fire and gasoline.

  “Let’s go,” I said in a low voice when he came toward me. I didn’t want to get into the details of the conversation with Toby nearby.

  “What’s going on?” he growled. “McKay just walked out of here like he’d wiped the floor with you. Don’t tell me you rolled over for him.”

  I stopped walking and turned to face him, my finger up and close to his face. “Don’t you dare. I’m here to do you a favor. Do not make me regret coming back here.”

  He backed down immediately. “Fine. What happened?”

  I wasn’t looking forward to telling him. I was still pissed about his little disappearing act and then calling late last night and telling me about the meeting. He’d given me almost no time to prepare. I had been up most of the night going over the documents he had emailed. It was a good deal and it could turn things around for him. He had refused to answer my questions about where he was or where he was staying, which was odd, but not my biggest concern.

  I quickly gave him the abbreviated recap. He was oddly enthused about the idea. I had a feeling he thought the whole thing was going to be a replay of the last time Devin and I had worked together.

  Not a chance in hell.

  Chapter 5

  Devin

  I walked into my private bathroom, smiling in the mirror and turning my head left and right to make sure there wasn’t anything in my teeth. Satisfied my teeth were clean, I straightened my tie; it was power blue. And sitting against the black of my tailored shirt, it stood out even more so. My jacket was black as well. I had taken to wearing a lot more black after Elly had fucked me over. I liked black. It made me feel dangerous and edgy. I had been left feeling like a putz after the whole debacle and probably deserved to wear pink.

  Black gave me strength. It reminded me to never be soft again, to never openly trust again. I walked out of the bathroom and took my seat behind my solid cherrywood desk, befitting of a powerful man. I looked around my huge office, at the deep mahogany walls and the brown leather furniture. It was all very masculine.

  I wondered if she would notice the changes. I had gotten rid of the stupid paperweight she’d given me. I replaced the picture of a beautiful beach sunset that had been hanging on the wall with a dark abstract. I had even replaced the light fixtures with the beige shades with dark red. Would she notice? It didn’t matter, not really, but the changes were all part of the man I had become.

  I was looking forward to seeing her again. I hadn’t been able to think of much of anything besides her since I had seen her last. I couldn’t wait to be alone with her. My plan to have us work together was pretty fucking genius. I wanted to make her squirm. I wanted to keep her guessing. I’d lead her on, play nice, and let her think I was serious about sharing the deal with her and her father.

  Then I’d drop the hammer and yank it all away from her. I would let her feel the sting of betrayal, let her go back to her dear Daddy and admit she had failed. I wanted her to know the shame of being a failure. I wanted Ron to look at his precious little girl and see her as a disgrace. I wanted her to hang her head in shame.

  As pissed as I was at the woman, I didn’t necessarily want her to hurt. It was him I wanted to hurt. I wanted her to know she had not defeated me. I had risen up and grown stronger despite her attempt to take me out at the knees. I needed her to look at me and be worried. I wanted her to look at me and regret what she had done.

  I wanted her to see me as a strong man. I needed her approval, and it pissed me off more than I cared to admit. I had been working my ass off for three years to prove I wasn’t the chump she’d made me out to be. I hated that I needed her approval, but deep down, I did. “Sir, your ten o’clock is here,” my assistant’s voice cut through my musings.

  I smiled. Showtime. “Show her in, please,” I said.

  I got to my feet, standing behind my desk as I waited for her. I didn’t need to shake her hand. We didn’t need to pretend when no one was around. The door opened and Elly came through. She was wearing a fitted skirt that fell just above her knees and a white silk blouse with the top two buttons undone. It was casual and sexy as hell. Her hair was left in the same loose style she’d worn yesterday. It softened her look, giving her a youthful quality that contrasted the severe black and white of her outfit.

  “Have a seat,” I said, gesturing to the leather tub chair across from my desk.

  She sat, purposefully crossing one leg over the other. I watched as she scanned the room, and I saw the moment she noticed every change. She gave a nearly imperceptible nod, which I doubted she even knew she was doing. It was something I had liked about her. She had a very expressive face. I knew when she was happy, turned on, angry. Of course, to her credit, I didn’t know when she was lying directly to my face.

  When her gaze finally met mine, it was one of defiance. She thought she had the right to be irritated with me for bothering her and making her climb out of whatever ivory tower she’d been holed up in. There was an air of arrogance as she looked down her nose at me. She was proud of what she had done and obviously thought I would be an easy mark a second time as well.

  It didn’t take me more than once to learn my lesson. Her deception and betrayal had been harsh enough to leave deep scars. She had taught me a great lesson that I would never forget. She wanted to play. This was a game, and she actually thought she had a chance at winning.

  Not a chance in hell.

  I certainly admired the confidence she was exuding. Looking at her now, I saw that same wide-eyed stare. Her face was that of an angel with the smattering of freckles across her nose and just a hint of eye makeup that made her blue eyes even bluer.

  That stare was my kryptonite. It weakened me. It made me want to give up my plan and beg her to take me back, no matter what she had done to me. I wanted to pull her into my arms and kiss her senseless. I wanted to tell her how much I missed her and how bad I wanted her. I wanted her to apologize and tell me it was all a mistake. She’d beg for my forgiveness, and I would happily give it with the promise we would never lie to one another again.

  No. She wasn’t to be trusted.

  “Well, I see nothing has changed,” she said, folding her hands together and resting them in her lap. There was a smug look on her face, as if she thought her refusal to acknowledge the obvious changes would get to me.

  I shrugged. “A little has changed.”

  She pursed her lips. “It’s darker in here.”

  “That’s not all,” I shot back.

  She made a face. “Your hair is a little longer.”

  I avoided the need to touch my hair. “Yours is shorter.”

  There was a thick tension between us. It was like two circling animals ready to fend one another off. Two tigers fighting over the same single raw, bloody steak. It was all about who
could strike the fastest and hardest. I had been preparing for this moment for three years. I was essentially a fighter on the balls of my feet, my arms up and ready.

  “What is your plan, Devin?” she said with heavy exasperation. “This isn’t an accident. I know you well enough to know this was all orchestrated by you from the very beginning. What do you want?”

  That was so typical of her—cut right to the heart of the matter. “Our firms have always been at odds. We’ve always competed against one another. I’d like to put all of that aside and form an alliance—on this one situation. Maybe it would be the start of something new. You have to admit there is a great deal of benefit for each of us to share the risks on an investment.”

  “And the rewards,” she answered.

  I shrugged. “Of course. That’s why we do what we do, isn’t it? We invest money in order to make money. Why not do that together?”

  A thin smile spread over her lips. She leaned forward, her hands resting on the edge of my desk. “Why? Why would you want to work with my father when you’ve spent so much of your time trying to dismantle his company, brick by brick?”

  I put on my most innocent face. “Because it’s a beneficial union.”

  “Bullshit,” she snapped.

  I leaned forward as well, catching a very nice view of her cleavage. “I did hear your father’s firm has hit a rough patch. That’s unfortunate.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “Yes, unfortunate. Do you truly expect me to believe you just happened to stumble onto this same start-up? As I understand it, Toby hasn’t yet figured out how to approach more than one firm to grow his company. Is it a setup?”

  “You give me too much credit. Your father knew about the start-up,” I reminded her.

  “He did, through friends. Back to my original question, what do you want?”

  “A partnership,” I repeated with a fake smile.

  She leaned back. She looked me up and down, her gaze scrutinizing me. “What do you get out of this partnership?”