“For making me believe you wantedme,” she says quietly. “Not what I could do for you.”
My hand stays on her thigh, but it no longer feels like control. It feels like I’m holding a lethal weapon.
I keep my voice steady by force. “I don’t know what you think I—”
She lifts a hand and touches my tie, two fingers smoothing it. “Men like you don’t do anything without a reason,” she murmurs.
“What did you hear?” I ask, low. “Who’s been in your ear, Elsa?”
Her smile sharpens by a fraction. “Just you,” she says. “And if you think there’s a single chance in hell that I’m letting this acquisition go through just because you fucked me, you are deeply, deeply mistaken.”
For a full second, my brain just… stalls.
Acquisition.
That word doesn’t belong here. Not in this room. Not in her mouth. Not with my hand on her thigh and my mouth hovering above hers.
I pull back an inch—just enough to look at her properly, like distance will make it make sense. “What the fuck did you just say?”
Hersmile widens, beautiful and cutting. “Oh, I’m sorry,” she says, bright and brittle. “Did you think I wouldn’t find out? Or were you just hoping I wouldn't find out so soon?"
Something cold drips down my spine.
Her eyes don’t waver. They stay on mine—cold and hard.
My grip loosens on instinct, not because I’m letting go—because something in me just realized I’m standing too close to a cliff and I didn’t even see the edge.
“Acquisition,” I repeat, slower, like I’m testing the word out. “Why are you talking about an acquisition?”
She tips her head slightly, her hair shifting over her shoulder. “Why wouldn’t I be? It’s the only reason you’re here.”
I stare at her, but it’s not about the dress anymore. Or the lipstick. Or the heat in my veins.
It’s the puzzle that’s just clicked into place in a way I don’t like at all.
“Elsa,” I say carefully, “what company are you talking about?”
Her brow lifts. “You’re seriously asking me that?”
“Yes,” I say. “I am.”
A tiny, humorless laugh escapes her. “You’re good,” she murmurs. “I’ll give you that. The earnestness is almost believable. And I thought you said you didn't play games."
“Just answer the question.”
"Northstar Hospitality."
The name hangs in the air between us. A mistake. A huge, glaring, unbelievable mistake.
My entire body goes rigid. Every muscle. Every nerve.
And then the rage hits me, fast and hot. I take a slow step back, and my hand falls away from her thigh. The disconnect is jarring.
The woman I was with last night. The woman in front of me.
"Elsa," I breathe out. "Nilsson."
ChapterSixteen