Acquired Asset Page 4

“You were busy. We hadn’t had much time to talk, and I headed straight from Paris to Chicago after the merger was completed. I didn’t want to email everything to you that had been going on.”

  “After all the Colbys have tried to do to your dad’s company, Quinn, I’m not sure if I could work under those circumstances without cutting up a jackass.”

  I laughed out. “Now you know how I feel.”

  I looked at her, debating if I should tell her what happened between Christopher and me. Alissa and I became friends when I switched high schools my freshman year. I hadn’t grown up with money, and when my dad’s hotels started to profit, so did the family. He wanted me to have the best education, so he moved me from the friends I loved to a private school filled with rich snobs.

  I didn’t fit in at all. I couldn’t relate to their holier-than-thou attitudes, and I wasn’t used to having money to throw around freely. Those kids never had to work a day in their lives, whereas I scrubbed toilets and cleaned rooms to earn money. My dad wanted me to learn the ins and outs of the business. I didn’t mind, as I met many of my good friends at work. I thought, because of the experience, I was able to relate more with our employees. Yet, the kids I had to spend the “greatest years of my life” with made it hell on earth.

  They teased me for dressing differently. I wasn’t into clothes at the time, and I had no clue about trends or the latest fashions. Everyone had grown up together since grade school, and they treated me like an outsider. The other kids, who were transplants, came from famous families or were in a position to fit in. I wasn’t.

  The first year of high school was horrible until I met Alissa Barnes. She was the typical popular girl who had boys drooling at her feet and fighting to get into her pants. We were in Social Studies together, and there were two girls, who had been trying to intimidate me since I arrived. I’d had it, and told one of them off. When the other girl threatened to make my life miserable by spreading a dirty rumor about me, Alissa stepped in and mentioned that she saw her going into a clinic to take care of her venereal disease. The girl started foaming at the mouth, and screamed it was not true. Alissa just shrugged and stated that if they messed with me, they messed with her. We remained best friends ever since.

  “If I tell you this, do you promise to not scold me?” I asked.

  “I knew it! What happened?” She was wide-eyed and eager.

  “It’s stupid, really; I had a fling with a guy while I was in Chicago.”

  “Quinn! Well, well. Was he good?” I smiled. “That good?”

  “Unfortunately, he was that good.”

  “Why unfortunately? You hit that and got yours, girlfriend.”

  I shook my head. Mother of three, yet sounds like a club kid. “We didn’t get that far, Lissa.”

  She tilted her head quizzically. “Go back. What happened?”

  “Well . . . he mistakenly thought I was an escort—”

  “What?”

  “Long story, but I ended up in a closet with him making me . . . you know . . . from his fingers. Only.”

  She inspected me for a moment, took a drink, still eyeing me. “Well, damn! What about Guy?”

  “Guy is only a friend. Why don’t you get that?”

  She raised her eyebrow. “You mean a friend with benefits?”

  “I was lonely for one stinking night! It all worked out, and we stayed friends. Can you not understand that?” I asked with a raised voice.

  “It was more than one night, for the record. Maybe you needed to get a little something from this stranger because damn Quinn you are on edge!”

  “I know, and what gets me is the jackass was incredible. I swear Lissa . . . what that man can do with his hands has me wondering what else he can do.”

  “Hell, what stopped you?”

  “Well, in spite of the fact we were interrupted, it was Christopher Colby.”

  “Damn!”

  “Hey, babe!” Justin scolded from the other room.

  “Sorry!” she answered back, then whispered, “Christopher Colby!”

  “I didn’t know who he was.” I sighed. “Lissa, the man is pure sex on legs, and my gosh, is he infuriating. But I swear he has my vajayjay in some kind of trance. Every time he speaks, it listens. The man is driving me insane.”

  She walked out of the room. “Where are you going?”

  “I need to see Zeus for myself.”

  I followed her into her office. She sat down, pulled up Google, and searched Christopher Colby. I was surprised at how many photos there were of him.

  “That is Christopher Colby? Quinn, you have got to have some supernatural willpower.”

  “Once he speaks you will know why it’s easy to not be engrossed in those looks.”

  She shook her head as she gazed at his picture. “What a waste.”

  “The worst thing is, he continues to throw me innuendoes and ‘I’m hot, don’t you want to screw me’ comments.”

  “You can’t!”

  “I know that.” I sighed. “I work with him.” I said more to myself. “I can keep my panties on. Though the only thing, we’re scheduled to go to Tokyo together next week.”

  She powered down the site and turned her chair to look at me. “You know you’re screwed, right?”

  My lungs were on fire; however, the burn was worth it. Running helped me clear my head, and lately it was filled with Christopher Colby. I felt like a schoolgirl freaking out over some boy who might like her. The only thing was I didn’t like him. I actually loathed him. The sight of him made me sick, yet my body had a mind of its own. So, I was running to punish it. That should teach it to react every time Christopher Colby was present.

  I usually changed after a run, but I had gotten a late start that morning, meaning I had to use the shower at work. Mia was scheduled to come in late. Her kids were out of school for a teachers’ conference, and she was covering at home while her husband finished a morning meeting.

  Both my dad’s office and mine were on the same floor, but at opposite ends and separated by the elevators. The two of us occupied the entire floor.

  I walked into my office, heading straight for a bottle of vitamin water from the refrigerator. When I heard footsteps behind me, my heart picked up a bit knowing I was the only one on this side of the floor. The hairs on my neck stood up and the familiar scent filled the room. I closed my eyes, and found myself praying again that God had not forsaken me—and he was not here and in my office.

  “Your ass looks even better in shorts.”

  I looked up to the ceiling. God definitely didn’t like me. I turned around and realized I was wrong, God hated me.

  I thought the man couldn’t look any better than the night he wore a tux, but I was wrong. He stood in front of me in a gray suit, no tie, and a white unbuttoned oxford shirt, which showcased his fine chest hair. His hair was in its usual mess though shorter, and his mouth had that crooked smile. However, it was the added sunglasses that spoke directly to my sex. The man was hot and he knew it, as noted by his cheeky grin that kept getting wider. I couldn’t see his eyes, although I knew he was looking at my hard nubs. It didn’t help that I was dripping wet from my run and only wearing a thin tank top.

  Christopher stepped closer to me, and for a moment, I couldn’t think. When he stood directly in front of me, we just stared at each other. I wanted to yell at him for his crude remark and tell him to get the hell out, yet nothing came out of my mouth. I hated the way he seemed to control my body, but I would be damned if I showed him how much he affected me.

  “Christopher, why are you here?”

  “My sister Reagan wanted to see the office.”

  “Why would she want to do that?”

  “She’s a Colby, and I am trying to groom her in my family’s business.”

  “You mean our business?”

  He tilted his head. “Yes, in our business.”

  “That still doesn’t explain why you’re in my office, unannounced.”

  He sat on top of my
desk. “I thought I would stop by to say hello. That it would be the polite, hospitable thing to do.”

  I stepped closer to him and smiled. “Ah huh. Well, hello.” I pointed to the door. “Now, get out.”

  He played wounded. “Look who’s being rude.”

  “If you don’t mind, I need to change and get ready for a meeting.”

  He stood, stepped into my personal space, and quietly said, “I’ll let you get to it.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Nevertheless, I will see you at that meeting.”

  I narrowed my eyes. “Looking forward to it.”

  “Quinn, do you have anything to add?”

  “No, Joseph. The proposals are completed. Christopher and I will make sure we go over them with Mr. Yumako and his team.”

  “Great. Reagan, it was nice meeting you.” Dad directed his salutation to the petite, blonde-haired woman, who had insisted on wearing designer sunglasses indoors. Go figure.

  She swung her long hair behind her shoulder and replied, “Likewise, Mr. Cordell.”

  “Next time you’re in town, you have to come over to the house for dinner.”

  “Would love it.”

  He looked at Christopher. “You, too. Now, I’m late for a meeting across town. Excuse me.”

  I collected my things as Joseph left the boardroom.

  “Quinn, it was nice to meet you.”

  I smiled. She seemed to have better manners than her brother. “You as well, Reagan.”

  “Next time, I’ll take your father up on that offer and maybe we can go check out a few clubs?”

  “Thanks, but I’m not one for clubs.”

  “Reagan, Quinn is too busy for fun or enjoyment,” Christopher smartly said.

  I said nothing.

  Reagan glanced between the two of us. “Would you like to join us for lunch, Quinn?”

  “Thank you, however I have an appointment.”

  “Come on. Why don’t you change your schedule and have lunch with us? Your father just mentioned we need to get to know each other better.” Christopher chuckled.

  “Maybe next time,” I responded.

  I took my things and walked out toward the elevators with the Colbys behind me. All three of us rode down to my floor. When the door opened, Guy was standing there. “Hey Quinn, I thought you forgot about our lunch.” He wrapped his strong, muscled arms around my waist and bent down to give me a kiss on the corner of my lips.

  “Of course not. We were running behind schedule. I need to place these in my office and I’ll be ready to go.”

  “Hello, my name is Christopher Colby, and you are?”

  I glanced behind me thinking Christopher and Reagan were already headed downstairs, yet Christopher had his body blocked in-between the elevator doors. He held out his hand and had this hard look about him. Guy looked at it for a moment. “My name is Guy.”

  “Hi, Guy. I’m Reagan. We are visiting from New York,” Reagan said a bit too bubbly. She always seemed to be like that.

  “Welcome Reagan,” Guy greeted kindly, all while glaring at Christopher.

  “We were just asking Quinn to lunch,” Christopher interrupted.

  “Oh . . .” Guy looked at me as he gauged my response.

  “Yes, they did, though I told them I had plans and was unable to go.”

  “Well, I guess the lady has plans,” Guy repeated to Christopher with a grin. “Maybe next time.” He patted Christopher hard on his arm.

  Christopher stood there as if he was analyzing Guy. It was entertaining to see Guy ignore his ass. I laughed to myself, taking Guy’s hand, and led him to my office; but not before I turned around and said to Christopher, “Have a good lunch.”

  “How was lunch?”

  Mia was at the copier when I walked into the office. “Great. How are the kids?”

  “Happy to be out of school.”

  “I know they are.”

  I started to open my door, when she said, “Christopher Colby is waiting for you, by the way.”

  Stopping, I turned around. “Why is he in my office?”

  “He said you told him to wait for you.”

  “Mia, whatever that man says consider it to be a lie.”

  I continued into my office, took a deep breath, and walked straight past him and sat down at my desk. “How can I help you, Christopher?”

  He was sitting on my leather sofa, flipping through a magazine, and placed it down as he stood up. “Did you have a good lunch?”

  “Yes, I did, thank you. Now, what can I do for you?”

  He walked over and stood to my side. “Is he your boyfriend?”

  I started to busy myself with the papers in front of me. “If it were any of your business I would answer that.”

  He leaned over. “You’re just friends then?”

  I stopped fiddling with the papers, and swiveled my chair to face him. “Are you just friends with Mifty or Muffy?”

  He smirked. “Yes, we are only friends.”

  I wasn’t expecting that answer. “I was under the impression you two were dating.”

  He stepped closer, touching my knees with his legs. “I don’t have a girlfriend, if that’s what you want to know. You could have asked me,” he said too smugly.

  “I didn’t want to know! I just wanted to prove a point at how intrusive it is for a co-worker to ask about one’s personal life.”

  He pushed my knees open with his legs.

  I sat there spread open for only a few seconds, but it was enough time for my body to react. My chest got tight, and I could feel myself getting wet. I pushed back my chair and stood up.

  Christopher grinned. “He is your boyfriend.”

  I straightened up my suit jacket. “If that’s the only reason you’re here, you can get out.”

  He walked over to me; however, I refused to look him in the eye. “I wanted to go over the reports before we arrive in Tokyo.”

  “Make an appointment with Mia.”

  He leaned over so his face was now directly in front of mine. “I thought over dinner tonight?”

  “Busy, though I will be in the office for half the day tomorrow.”

  “I’m leaving tonight.”

  “Why don’t you check my calendar and we can set up a conference call?”

  I stepped back, pivoting to get out of his space, walking around my desk and back to my chair.

  Christopher chuckled. “I need the marketing report by this evening to go over the figures for the Board in the morning.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me this earlier?”

  “I’m telling you now, and I said we should meet over dinner.”

  “No, you asked me to dinner, that’s different. What time do you leave?”

  “Nine.”

  “Fine! I’ll have it completed and to you by eight. Give Mia the information on where to send it. Now, if you don’t mind, I have to rush through a report because someone didn’t tell me he needed it by tomorrow.”

  “Why are you here?” I asked.

  Lissa stood at my front door. “You better be joking! You said you could watch the girls while we go to Justin’s banquet.”

  “That’s tonight?”

  She scooted past me with five bags as the girls ran into my living room. “I don’t have time for your humor. We’ll be back late.”

  “But Lissa . . .”

  She shut the door behind her. I ran to my agenda, and sure enough, highlighted in yellow was a remark that stated “the girls.” Thank goodness I was almost done with the report. I rushed into the living room and asked Anna to stop jumping on the sofa on my way to grab them something to snack on.

  As soon as I placed popcorn on the floor and hit play on the Disney movie I had rented from On Demand, the girls were quiet. It gave me a good thirty minutes before they would want something else. I ordered pizza, and called Mia to ask the courier to give me an extra half an hour to have everything ready and to finalize all the figures.

  When the doorbell
rang, and the girls started to scream, I grabbed my purse and headed to the front door. It was either the courier or the pizza man, and both needed to be paid. With all three girls at my heels, I opened the door and there he stood—with a pizza in his hand.

  “Yay, pizza!” Anna clapped.

  “Pizza, pizza, pizza, pizza,” Becca repeated and stomped around.

  “What are you doing here, Colby?” I gasped, startled.

  “Is that the way you greet the pizza delivery man?” He smirked.

  “Why are you here, Christopher?”

  “First, you need to thank me for paying for this pizza. I left a big tip, by the way.”

  He pointed to the dude in the Beetle who pulled out of my driveway. “Why. Are. You. Here?” I shouted.

  “Mia called Vanessa to tell her you needed more time. Which Vanessa, in return, called me to advise I would be delayed because you couldn’t get the report to me on time.”

  “That is not what Mia told her!”

  “I thought I would save us all some time and pick it up on the way to the airport.”

  “How did you know where I lived?”

  “Company directory, Quinn, remember?”

  I huffed out.

  “Can we eat?” Becca asked. “I’m hungry.”

  Christopher bent down. “Who is this princess?”

  She scrunched her nose. “I’m no princess, I’m Becca.”

  Christopher laughed and pinched her cheek.

  “Anna, take your sisters back to the living room, and I’ll bring your pizza to you.” I grabbed the pizza box from Christopher and headed to the kitchen. “Thanks.”

  “Nice place,” he said, following behind me. “I would never have pegged you for a mommy of three.”

  “What does that mean?” I asked, insulted.

  “So they are yours?” he asked, surprised.

  “No, Christopher. I have enough children at work to look after. The report is in the living room. Give me a minute and I’ll get it.”

  I placed the box down and walked back into the living room. When I returned to the kitchen, Christopher had plated three slices of pizza and was cutting one into small pieces.

  “What are you doing?” I asked.

  He held up his hand. “This is a knife, it cuts.”