Page 28 of The CEO Enemy

I blink. “Well…that’s not what I said. All I’m saying is that that’s not going to happen to me,” I insist, my composed smile gone. “I sank my life savings into the Westerlyn chain. I worked my fingers to the bone at each property, sacrificed birthdays, holidays, weekends, and…even a wedding.” I swallow, warding off the flood of personal memories. “Anyway…I saw the potential. And now that I’m finally where I was always meant to be, where my staff has become my family, I’m not going to trade that for a few extra zeros on a check.” I narrow my eyes at him. “So either find a way to set your ego aside and work with me or prepare for the fight of your life. The choice is yours.”

I don’t wait for a response. I don’t need one.

I’ve said what I wanted to say and that’s all that matters. Feeling significantly lighter, I turn my back on Sean and exit his apartment. Who knows if my words got through to him?

All I can do is wait to see what tomorrow brings.

10

SEAN

Idon’t remember the last time I was told off like that.

I’m no stranger to confrontation, especially work-related ones. Over the years, I’ve ruffled a lot of feathers and have had my fair share of angry arguments. But there’s something different about Jess. Maybe it’s because the first time we met she was so bubbly and cheerful (annoyingly so), or maybe it has to do with the steadfast claim that she doesn’t care about money. How the hell—as hotel owner—do you not care about money? It could even be because during her passionate speech she had a bird hanging out on her shoulder like it was nothing.

One thing is for sure: it’s enough to give me pause.

I watch her walk away, eyes on her hips, noting that she doesn’t even slam the door behind her. She closes it respectfully, leaving me in silence.

What wedding did she sacrifice? She made a subtle reference to a rebound in the bar, but obviously, there’s someone in her past who left a bad impression.

Sitting in my favorite armchair, I stir my hot coffee, deep in thought.

Okay, fair is fair. She didn’t know who I was when we met at the bar last night. Thinking about the expression on her face when she walked into the meeting this morning further proves her point. Slowly, I’m starting to realize that my neighbor wears her heart on her sleeve. If she had been planning something, she’d have been smug and obnoxious about it.

I take a sip of the black liquid, and the bitter flavor surges on my tongue.

This does put me in an awkward situation.

The board is expecting me to buy her out. While there’s not exactly a time limit on this, sooner is typically better. Of course, there’s nothing in writing that says I can’t work with her. In times of transition, we often work with current and previous owners to ensure the process is as smooth as possible. Jess is clearly willing to work with me. I don’t see why I can’t extend that partnership further than I normally would.

My mind jumps back to that dimly lit bathroom at Swayze’s. I think about her smooth thighs and delicious clit, about how good she felt pressed against me and how eager she was. Having a woman be sexually avid like that did it for me. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all about being in charge of my personal life and bedroom. Yet, that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate initiative. My lips tingle at the memory, and I can almost taste her on my tongue.

I halt my thoughts.

There’s no guarantee she’s going to be easy to work with. There’s also no guarantee that she’s not going to defy me at every turn. I don’t need that kind of headache. Dealing with my father is enough to last a lifetime, especially considering the intensity of the process ahead.

Whatever happened, happened. It’s not going to have any influence on my decisions moving forward.

My cell rings.

“Yeah?” I bark.

“Mr. Blackwood?” Jasmine’s voice carries urgency. “I’ve identified the competitor rumored to be interested in acquiring Westerlyn Hotels.”

“Who is it?”

“Richard Rutherford.”

God dammit.

I knew it.

The situation couldn’t be more unfavorable for us. Richard Rutherford, the CEO and owner of the globally renowned Rutherford Plaza Hotels, stands as our most formidable rival. Possessing substantial wealth, abundant resources, and the influential power to make significant moves, he effortlessly dominates the chess board. His interest in Westerlyn is far from ideal, particularly in light of his previous triumph in an overseas hotel chain acquisition, where he outmaneuvered me by presenting a last-minute offer I couldn’t match.

I tell Jasmine to keep the info under wraps for now and end the call. After I polish off my coffee, I stand up to get myself something to eat.

The next morning, I head into my office before going to the hotel. I’m not exactly in the best of moods, and when I find my father already there, looking out the window with his back to me, I bite back an exasperated sigh. If I let myself into his office as much as he lets himself into mine, he’d fly off the handle.