“Sir, would you give me their name so I can arrange a meeting?” Mariah sounded a bit agitated. She had been working tirelessly in search of a good construction company that was in my price range and produced quality work. The ones we normally used were booked out for months with other projects for our firm.
“I’ll handle it,” I replied sternly.
“Is everything okay, sir?” Mariah asked in a kittenish tone.
“Yes Mimi, thank you,” I said, calling her by the pet name I’d given her, knowing that would calm her down. It always did.
“Yes, sir. Let me know if you need anything else. Anything…” she let the last word linger.
“That will be all,” I said, disconnecting the call.
Next, I dialed M&M to set an appointment with Mira. I was pleased when her personal assistant gave me an available slot for the next morning.
My lips curved into a smile as I imagined the look Mira would have on her face when she realized I was her ten o’clock appointment. The image of her luscious lips I’d kissed crossed my mind. The thought of her brown sugar toned legs crossing and uncrossing behind her desk made me gulp for air. Her legs seemed to scream for a good caressing, and I could still see them coming out of the hem of her tight skirt. Her shirt fit snugly against her body and molded to her curves. She was in control and yet so feminine.
The intercom went off again. This time, the caller was my uncle. I let it go to voicemail and did my best to put Mira out of my mind so I could focus on other deals that were pressing.
***
The M&M Construction building looked beautiful on the outside. It was built in the shape of a crescent moon with a huge fountain in front of it. The inside was elegantly designed with several unique glasses. The richly decorated reception area had a lovely display of miniature building models in the center of the room. The receptionist, a dark-skinned woman with big, brown eyes and a lovely face, rang Mira’s assistant, Georgiana, for her to come over to meet me. I easily charmed Georgiana as she walked me back to Mira’s office for my appointment. We were chatting like old friends until a door flung open and Mira stepped out.
Something remarkable happened at that moment. The entire office quieted immediately. Not one voice could be heard. Everyone grabbed a file or faced a computer and resumed work. The only sound that could be heard was the sound of Mira’s stiletto heels clicking on the marble floors. She stopped at the receptionist’s desk, and the poor girl looked so nervous that I felt sorry for her. Mira’s lips tightened when she followed the receptionist’s finger pointing in my direction. I turned and leisurely strolled back over to stand in front of the desk where Mira was.
“Morning, Miss McBride,” I said, pushing away the thoughts of how fierce her glare was toward me.
“Good morning to you, too,” she replied with a kindness that didn’t reach her facial expression. “Is there a reason you are here?” she added, her heels tapdancing with the floor as she sped walked back toward her office with me following behind her.
“I have an appointment to discuss a project,” I said quickly.
“Miss McBride, he is your eleven o’clock.” Georgiana had caught up to us and was stating my case. “You had an opening on your schedule, so I squeezed him in and sent you an email.”
“Oh, that’s you…” Mira said flippantly then looked at me as if I were a ragged piece of half crumpled paper she wasn’t sure was still good enough to write a memo. “Come on in, Levine.”
As I walked behind her into her office, one thing was for sure, her shapely derriere was nice and plump. The above-knee black pencil skirt she wore showed just enough to get an eyeful but hid too much. She quickly took a seat behind her big mahogany desk, denying me access to her beautiful assets, and I looked around her office to get a feel for the mysterious, strong-willed woman. The room seemed to have been designed for a man, but at the same time, it reeked of taste, wealth, and class.
“The one and only, Ward Levine,” she began the meeting with a mock compliment of my name. “Please have a seat, Levine, and tell me what I can do for you.”
“Thank you for inviting me in to speak to you.” I grinned at her, and a frown creased her forehead.
"I have a full schedule today. How may I help you?" she asked.
"How old are you?"
"Twenty-nine, why?" she replied.
"I’m thirty-five," I said.
“And just how may I help you today?” she asked, sounding more agitated than before. “Did you set up a fake business meeting to find out my age, or do you want to apologize for your crass behavior yesterday? Oh, maybe you’re here to steal another kiss,” she added.
Another kiss would be great.
“Girl, if you want me to kiss you again, all you have to do is ask,” I said and flashed a big smile.
She frowned. “Levine, I just told you my age, so you know I’m not a little girl. And, no, I don’t want you to kiss me ever again.”
"That was a joke," I said. "You are the first woman who hasn't found any of my jokes funny." She was going to be a tough cookie to crumble, but they all crumbled.
“Some of us don’t have enough time on our hands to placate men’s ego by laughing at things that aren’t funny. For the hundredth time, please get straight to the point,” she said, glaring at me with all-business, albeit sexy, brown orbs that chipped away at my sanity every time they bore into mine.
Her desk looked as if she had stacks of work to do, and I was in the way of her meeting her goals. I’d never felt so small in my life. But I was determined to flip this on her.
"I've seen your work, and it’s great. I'm here because I want your company to build a new office building for me. I want you to manage all aspects of the project."
“Okay, so yesterday you were talking about a buyout. Now, you want my company to build an office building,” she said with a question in her tone. She tilted her head to the side to look at me. “What are you really up to?”
“Fair points.” I threw my hands up in the air defensively. “I can see why you would be suspicious. Yes, I do want to buy out your company, but since you’re not selling, why not have the best in the business work for me?”
“I see…” she said. “Go on…”
I hoped she had taken the bait, but I couldn’t read her.
“How much will you charge to build an office duplex with eight offices?” I asked.
“The financial department will email a price quotation review to you so that we can get more details on the project. Then, someone from finance will send you a quote,” she said, “But that’s after me and my team have inspected the land, and we sit down and come up with the architectural plan for the site.”
“Building a duplex shouldn’t be that much work,” I said. “I have a budget for it, and it’s twenty thousand dollars. I won’t pay more than that. Do we have a deal?”
"We don't have a deal, Levine," she said, pronouncing my name so formally that I sat up in my chair. She sounded like the eighth-grade teacher that I hated. I would have to break her out of that. I came here to claim her, not to get owned. When her voice cut through my thoughts, she was saying, "I cannot determine the cost until I have seen the land. Besides, the accounting department is in charge of giving quotes. But I must say your budget is very low. Don’t you want the best? If you’re going to work with me, you need to trust M&M to give you only the best. With your budget, we can't do that."
“Alright, we can talk about the amount later,” I digressed, knowing I would pay whatever amount her team quoted. Damn, how did she make me change my mind so quickly? I must’ve wanted her really bad.
"Okay, give me your business card, and my assistant will give your assistant a call to schedule site inspection," she replied. "When I see the site, we can go over the other details. We have great architects here in the firm, but we can also work with your architectural plans if you have them already."
"I want you to—” I stopped and shifted gears. “—to have dinner wi
th me.”
"I can’t do that, Mr. Levine. If I have dinner with all my clients, we wouldn’t be able to get any work done," she said, brushing my proposal off like people brush lint off clothes. “If you have any questions, we can discuss them in the office.”
“I want to talk about it over dinner, and I’ll bring my plans with me.”
“No, I’d prefer to do it at the site or here in my office.”
“Just one dinner, Mira. It’ll give us time to get to know the person we’re going to be working with.”
“You are persistent, Mr. Levine. That much is clear,” she said, her expression holding steadfast to deny me again. “I’m sure that’s why you’re as successful as you are,” she added. “But—”
“Ward,” I corrected.
"Ward," she repeated.
“Will you?”
“It would be best if we kept things in a professional setting,” she admitted.
“Professionals discuss business over dinner all the time. Besides, if I like doing business with you, there will be many more projects like this to come,” I said, leaning forward in my chair to look at her steady gaze. Her brown eyes bore into me, heating every part of me. “It’s just one meal together.”
She blew out a warm breath that wafted over her desk, and I grabbed ahold of it, inhaling it in through my nostrils. It filled me with a desire to kiss her again, but it would’ve been a mistake. Just as I thought about violating her lips with mine, she said, "Fine, you choose the restaurant, and I will be there, but it's not a date." Then, she leaned back in her chair and glared at me.
"Yes, just dinner," I said, smiling.
"Would you like anything to drink while we go over a few more details? Coffee or water?" she asked.
"Are you on the menu?” I asked.
"Gosh!" She groaned, rolling her brown eyes. "You’re about to make me call the dinner off,” she said in a pitch a bit higher than before. “Do you ever get tired of being a playboy?"
“I’m not a playboy. I’m a single man who’s dating until I find the right one,” I argued.
“Big difference,” she said and punched in a number on the telephone on her desk. "Georgiana, can you inform Tim that I’m around? Thanks.” She disconnected the call and turned to me. “I'm sorry, there's a meeting I have to attend. Do you have any more questions for me, Mr. Levine?” she asked in a formal tone. I couldn’t wait to fuck the formalities out of her vocabulary.
“So, I guess the coffee or water offer has been revoked,” I stated, knowing full well any opportunity to spend more time with her right then was over.
“Of course not. I’ll get Georgiana to get you whatever you’d like on your way out,” she said.
Mira stood up, and I did the same. She extended her hand for a handshake, and we shook. Mira had the hands of a woman who was used to hard work, not like my exes who spent more time in the spa than the law should allow. I loved the texture of her palm, and I let the handshake linger longer than it should.
Mission one had failed, so it was time to put plan B into action.
Chapter Three
Mira
I sighed heavily when Ward walked out of my office. Gosh, why did he have to look and smell so damn good! If he were ugly, pudgy, and smelled like a culvert, I would have been able to keep my emotions in check. I had to remind myself he wasn’t the first handsome man I’d ever worked with, nor the first to smell good. Admit it, girl, you like him, a voice whispered in my head.
“No, I don’t like him!” I replied. “Dear heart, remember we have sworn off men like Ward.”
Dear God, I’m not only talking to myself, I’m answering too.
I shook my head, remembering I was built tougher than this. I was born into a family of builders. I was the only girl, so from a young age, I knew what responsibility was. I had three older brothers who used to tease and bully me until one day when I decided to stand up to them, and they never bullied me again. My older brothers and I didn't become best friends, but we had mutual respect for each other.
I always expected people to do their best in whatever position they found themselves. Still, I felt the need to be in control of every part of my operation, no matter what came my way. Ward’s very existence threatened to not only steal my peace of mind but to get under my skin and control my every thought and emotion—two things I avoided like the plague. I said I’d never be owned by another man emotionally, and I meant that with all my heart. I had too much at stake.
My first boyfriend said I was too controlling and not submissive enough because I refused to let him walk all over me. The relationship lasted long enough for me to lose my virginity to him. The second relationship I got into was with a man who claimed he loved me, but he also wanted to control me. He would make negative comments about my hair and looks. After I spent an hour in the bathroom applying makeup and curling my hair, he would tell me my hair looked old fashioned, and the makeup made me look like a clown. It felt like his sole purpose in life was to make me feel like I wasn’t worth the ground I walked on. He never supported my dreams, and he didn't believe women ought to be in a position of power, especially in construction. According to him, women should be home, doing the laundry, and taking care of their family. I’d been in and out of relationships, and they were all nothing to write home about.
I liked to air my opinion, and I didn’t hide my thoughts. That drove men crazy. Many men have told me they couldn’t stand my truth, but I wouldn’t sell lies to anyone. I hadn't dated anyone for three years because my last relationship also ended badly.
Dale was an architect, so I thought I found a kindred soul, but even he said I was too ambitious. Yet he wanted me to sell my company so he could use the money to set up an architectural firm. I kicked him out of my life for good, and I have lived the single life since then. My DNA read strong, hard-working, and successful.
So why won’t you give your family a call?
My heart squeezed painfully as thoughts of my family flashed across my mind. I missed them a lot. Ward reminded me of my brothers, or what they used to be before I put them in their places. He was overbearing, a typical egotistical alpha male. He might’ve looked dreamily sexy and undeniably handsome, but I wouldn't touch him with a ten-foot-long pole.
My assistant, Georgiana, beeped me to let me know Tim, one of the architects, was at my door.
“Let him in,” I told her.
Seconds later, my door crept open, and Tim crossed the threshold.
"Good morning, ma'am," he said.
"Morning, Tim. What is the report on the park project presentation?"
"We have everything under control, Miss McBride," he replied and sucked in a deep breath. "My team has designed a mock-up of the amusement park, and we are ready for tomorrow's presentation."
"Why don't I have it on my desk already when you know I like to go through everything before we meet with the client?"
"I’m sorry, Miss McBride, but I sent it to your email this morning," Tim said and began to wring his hands together.
"Did you copy Georgiana so she could also have a copy of it?" I asked.
Tim shook his head. “No, I forgot to copy her.”
"Resend it immediately and copy her. I want her to have it on my desk in five minutes."
“Yes, ma'am,” Tim replied.
"You may leave," I said, starting to wonder how many times I would have to repeat the same rule before people who were paid enough to remember small details actually got it.
He turned around and headed for the door.
"Tim?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"I don't want this to repeat itself," I said.
"I understand, ma'am."
As the door closed, I heard him exhale heavily as if he was holding his breath. Having on-edge employees wasn’t my goal, but running an efficient business was necessary to stay on top.
Chapter Four
Ward
My heart skipped a beat when she walked into the restaurant. Mira
McBride always surprised me. She wore a business suit which brought out her curves and showed off her amazing legs. She looked delectable, and I couldn't take my eyes off her until she walked to my table. I stood up and pulled out a chair for her, and she jutted out her soft-looking chin as if she wanted to protest. My eyes caressed her voluptuous curves as she sat down. Having been through a series of relationships, I could tell she was different. She was a special woman, the kind that was rare to find. But I still wasn’t about to settle down. I only wanted her in my bed. I wanted to feel her skin against mine. I wanted to make love to her until she screamed my name, and I’d get that if I played my cards right. Compliments wouldn’t make her fall for me, so I had to show her I had a genuine interest in her.
“You look beautiful,” I said truthfully.
“Thanks,” she said. “Where are the documents to review?”
“What documents?” I asked.
“The architectural design for the project and the—” She broke off her statement and glared at me. The design ideas I promised to bring with me were left in the car purposefully.
“Hey, you just got here. Relax, and we’ll get to the design later,” I said.
A waiter brought a bottle of Artesian water and two glasses. Another waiter brought an ice bucket with a champagne cooling inside it and two flutes.
“Do you care for champagne or wine?”
“Water will be fine,” she replied.
“How was your day?” I asked, giving my full attention to Mira.
“It was hectic. I haven’t had a breather since you left my office yesterday. How was yours?”
“I spent all day daydreaming about you,” I said.
She narrowed her eyes at me as she filled her glass with water and lifted it to her lips. She took a sip and placed the glass back on the table.
“Ward, I think we should get right down to busine— Ouch!” she screeched and grabbed her hand.
“What happened?” I asked, noticing a reddened bruise inside the palm of her hand, and it was raging red as if it were close to being or already infected. “Are you alright?”
Alpha Crusher: A BWWM Romance Novella Page 2
