Page 86 of Filthy Hot Billionaire
I shook my head, turned the monitor back. “I’m holding off.”
“Why?”
“You know why.”
“Because you don’t think she’s ready?”
I glanced at the screen, admired the photo of Emily that had been added, noting her as the CEO of Delta June’s. There was a short bio included, denoting a few points from her family’s history with the company.
I sighed, relaxed in my chair. “I don’t want to overwhelm her.”
“But you want to give Emily back her family’s business, right?”
“Yes.” That had always been my intention.
Kieran smiled. “Then what are you waiting for?”
The mere thought of bringing her into the fold of my company, ultimately mixing business with pleasure … so I could indulge her at the same time I lived out all my fantasies… Yeah, it was an appealing idea, but those were my dark urges talking, not my rationality, which told me to keep Delta June’s and my desire for Emily separate.
Kieran laughed. “She scares you.”
I met his gaze. “She terrifies me.”
I’d never admitted that to anyone, but it was the truth. Emily was my one true weakness and it made absolutely no sense to me. Perhaps it was merely the allure of her that did me in, but whatever it was, I wanted her.
“All right. Then tell me this. What’s the next step for Delta June’s? You’ve managed it in its current state for the past six years and it’s growing. You’ve spent the last two years on the expansion showrooms. It’s ready, but you want to hold off. Why? Even without Emily, you could move forward.”
I studied Kieran for a moment, then opened my personal laptop and tapped the space bar, bringing the monitor to life. It took only a screen toggle to bring up the Powerpoint presentation I’d been finalizing for the past two weeks. I turned the laptop around so Kieran could see it.
His posture shifted instantly as he sat up. He was attentive and curious as he pulled the computer closer, squinting to look at the screen.
I watched him as he viewed the presentation, complete with the unfinished audio. I noted every expression, every arch of his eyebrows. His poker face was too good for me to decipher what he was thinking, so I waited.
“Hold up,” he said, tapping a key to stop the presentation. He looked up. “This—”
“Includes you.” I held his gaze. “I want the three of us to partner together on this.”
“Not just the casino?” he confirmed.
Kieran and I were partnering on a resort and casino in Vegas and it was well underway, preparing to open at the first of the year, but I’d kept him distanced from the Delta June’s location with the exception of asking for his input on the design. The man was a genius when it came to decor, and I found it impossible not to seek his guidance. However, I was hoping that with the three of us working together, we could launch Delta June’s into the stratosphere. Thanks to his contacts and mine, our options would be limitless.
I opened the top drawer, pulled out a contract I’d had drafted by my lawyer. I pushed them toward Kieran and gave him a few minutes to review what I’d come up with. I knew Kieran would have modifications he wanted, but I could deal with that. The only thing I really needed was for him to agree because I needed his assistance in getting Emily on board with the idea. After all, she believed she’d lost her family’s business all those years ago.
When Kieran finished reading, he pushed the papers in my direction and leaned back, regarding me. I knew better than to prompt him. He would speak when he was ready to speak.
I saw the first sign of skepticism on Kieran’s face. “I see why you’re hesitant.” His eyes narrowed. “You’ve never mixed business with pleasure.”
With the exception of Kieran, we both knew. He was the only person I interacted with on both a personal and business level, and he was most definitely the exception to the rule. It helped that Kieran was as business-minded as I was, easily keeping the two things separate.
Kieran’s lips pursed. “But I do like the idea of being able to guide Emily through it, have her on the ground floor for the Vegas showroom. What about her school?”
That was the big question. I knew Emily was doing well at NYU. Based on the reports I received, her grades were good, her attendance perfect. However, those same reports didn’t reflect her having much enthusiasm for school. She was smart, no doubt about it, but I got the feeling NYU was holding her back from moving forward. I liked the idea of her pursuing her education in business, but I saw the same potential in the day-to-day as I saw sitting in a classroom. More so, even.
Unfortunately, makingthatdecision for her would likely have Emily shutting me out forever.
“I say we present it to her,” Kieran said, watching me as he relaxed in his chair. “Let’s get her thoughts on it.”
“And if she says no?”
