Page 61 of Escorting the CEO
“We were just discussing the Q2 earnings,” Terry said. He frowned, looking uncomfortable, which made me think he was lying.
“Weren’t they on par with Q1?” But I knew they were.
Terry sighed. His gaze flicked to Miranda, then back to me. “They were, but we’re not sure it’slegitimate. There are some factors behind the scenes we weren’t… aware of. Not sure how it’s going to trend, you know?”
I stiffened. “What sort of factors?”
“We’re not sure all the reporting is accurate from our partners.” Terry frowned again, directly at me. “We’re going to need to see some due diligence before we decide how to proceed.”
“I’m assuming you’ll keep me in the loop,” I said, an edge to my voice.
“Of course,” Terry said smoothly. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, your cousin said he needs another drink. Miranda?”
She held up her empty glass. “I’ll go with you.”
She batted her eyelashes at me as she passed, and I longed to stick my foot out to trip her.
I turned to Rahim and Andrew. “Want to tell me what’s going on?”
“Miranda’s trying to sway the board to support her,” Rahim said without hesitation. “She’s making a case.”
“What sort of case?”
Rahim scowled, thinking for a moment, when Andrew blundered, “She’s trying to convince us that your marriage is a sham. She says you’re just doing it because of your father’s will.”
His watery gaze sought out Rory, grazing down her backside hungrily. “Itold her that you’re into it. I mean, look at her.”
“Andrew?” It took every ounce of restraint I had not to bash him in the face.
“Huh?” He tore his gaze away from Rory’s ass.
“Do. Not. Look. At my fiancé like that. Ever again,” I seethed. “Do you understand?”
Andrew’s mouth opened and closed. Finally, he nodded. Rahim stood beside him, watching me with interest.
“Good. Now, if you’ll excuse me.” I stalked back over to Rory, threw my arm around her, and hustled her away from Abigail Furst.
Cousin Andrews averted his eyes as we passed.Good.Otherwise, I would throttle his drunk ass and toss him out of Barrington Manor, once and for all.
Once we got to the hallway, Rory turned to me, eyes wide. “What’s the matter?”
“I should be the one asking you that,” I said, my voice coming out much sharper than I intended.
When she winced, I sighed. “I’m sorry. I’m out of sorts—rough night with the board.”
Rory went still. “Is everything okay?”
I shrugged. “I’m not sure. But I know one thing: I don’t want to think about it anymore. Not tonight.”
I lifted her chin until she looked at me. She was so goddamned beautiful. She was right next to me, but for some reason, I felt like I was losing her.
“What do you want to do?” Rory asked, looking back toward the party. “Should we go back in there?”
“Hell no.” I pulled her close to me, and the heat immediately kicked up between us. “I want to think about something else. Or not think.”
I crushed my lips to hers. Rory moaned, yielding to me, and I lifted her up by her hips.
She wrapped her legs around my waist, and I lifted her up. I cupped her ass and staggered into our suite. Our tongues connected, and I felt a surge of electricity deep in my core. I couldn’t wait to be alone with her.
