Page 5 of Cocky Tech God
“Hans! How the hell are you?” He shook my outstretched hand, and nodded at Lucia. Had he met her in person yet? He turned his attention back to me. “I arrived yesterday with my wife Soraya. I convinced her to stay with me a couple nights—not that it took much convincing to escape to the Caribbean. But she’s going back to New York on Tuesday.”
“Nice.” I nodded.
The elevator was silent, awkwardly silent. My eyes met Lucia’s.
“Hi, Mr. Morgan…” Lucia thrust her hand forward, practically pushing me out of the way. “I’m Lucia Mendez with LM Software. It’s such a pleasure to finally meet you.”
Competition in full effect. I was impressed, though I shouldn’t have been. Lucia’s confidence rivaled mine.
“Ahh…” His gaze widened with the surprise of her forceful introduction. “Yes, Miss Mendez. Nice to meet you as well. Officially.”
Lucia shook his hand with as much, or more, vigor as he’d shaken mine. “I heard you speak at the Cybersecurity Awareness in the Wealth Management Space workshop in Toronto earlier this year. It was enlightening to gain an understanding of the needs of wealth management companies.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it very much.” He released her small hand.
She added, “I’m looking forward to presenting my software demo on Friday. Thank you for accepting my proposal.”
Only four companies were invited to live demo at the conference. One of the presenters would secure the Morgan Financial Holdings’s cybersecurity contract by audience vote, with Graham Morgan’s final approval, of course. No pressure. It was an unconventional way to close on a contract, but much anticipated by the attendees lucky enough to get a spot in the audience.
“Congratulations on making the cut. It should be a learning experience for us all. And a little competition is good, am I right, Hans?” Graham nodded to me. “Something tells me you’re going to need Lady Luck.”
I chuckled. “I think you’re right.”
On the seventh floor, the elevator opened, and I realized something. The front desk attendant said my room was on the eighth floor. Same as Lucia.
Graham stepped out of the elevator. “Enjoy the conference,” he said over his shoulder.
In unison we thanked him. When the doors closed, Lucia and I stared at each other for the mere seconds it took for the elevator to race up and open again on the eighth floor.
“Well,” I began, my gaze on her lips. I could practically hear the air blowing between them. “Aren’t you the eager beaver.”
Her gaze narrowed, lips pressing together before she spoke. “Are you scared, Holte?”
“Not at all.” Just then, I noticed the tips of our shoes touched. “I just like how eager you are. It gets me excited.”
She didn’t step back. “What doesn’t get you excited?” Her lip curved up in a smirk.
God. I wanted her. Now.
The elevator doors opened again, but neither of us exited. Seconds ticked by and then the doors began to close. I held my hand out to catch the sliding chrome doors until they parted, the bell chiming in warning.
Lucia’s chest lifted with a sharp breath. “Are you following me to my room?”
“Do you want me to follow you to your room?” I gave her my winning, lady-swooning smile.
Lucia shook her head, shoving past my arm as she stepped out of the elevator. “Didn’t I say play time was over?”
She laughed, so I didn’t take her question too seriously.
“You did, but I’m wondering if you actually meant it.”
I couldn’t deny that the thought of Lucia wanting to be in my bed gave me the courage I needed to actually pursue her for real, and not just to have these sexy flirtation sessions.
My heart raced with each door we passed down the corridor. If we were neighbors, I’d say it was a sign we needed to submit to our carnal desires—she might agree too. Lucia glanced behind her shoulder, a frown at her lips. Hmm, maybe she really did want me to bug off.
Right in front of room 811, she stopped to dig out a key card. Once in her hands, she looked up to face me. “Hansen. This doesn’t seem like you. You don’t follow women to their rooms. They follow you to yours. Am I right?” Her eyebrows lifted.
“What can I say. You bring out the dog in me.”