Merger Read online

  “I’m so sorry.” I offered, with only a slight glance up into his crystal blue eyes. I started gathering my things and moved to slide out of the car, but he slid onto the leather seat, entrapping me. Now I was face-to-face and thigh-to-thigh with the most beautiful man alive. I was rendered stupid and breathless…again. Stunned and totally unprepared for his substantial stare, I looked down shyly and tried to plot my escape.

  He reached for my chin, turning my eyes back to his. “I have business to attend to here, but L.A. sounds fun. Interested in company?” His smile was bright and mischievous, but his tone was serious.

  “It’s business. I’m sure it would bore you to death,” I blurted as I attempted to maneuver around his legs and out the door. Another awkward remark! I was talking to him like he actually meant he’d go to L.A. with me. I am so stupid.

  Benny stood outside the open door, staring at me as if I’d lost my mind, and me feeling sure that I had. This was the second time I’d been speechless within a two-hour span, which was quite unlike me. I needed to escape the car before I lost what little self-respect remained. I was a controlling overachiever: the one that rarely rattled. I’d never been this groveling mess of a woman. Whatever this guy had going for him left me zapped. All my genius, charm, and confidence lay on the floor of his limo.

  I grabbed Benny’s hand as I kneeled and crawled over Joshua to exit the car. A million thoughts consumed me. Did I remember perfume? Was I pretty? For God’s sake…did I remember to use deodorant this morning? How did my hair look? As these thoughts pelted my pitiful brain, I clumsily grazed my entire body against his as he sat smiling, watching my less than classy climb to freedom.

  I finally made my way to the sidewalk. As I smoothed my dress and made an effort at composure, he climbed from the car, grabbed my arm, and gently turned me around.

  “Would you have dinner with me when you get back?”

  Oh my God, he’s asking me out? I couldn’t think, let alone speak. His suit, his face, and his scent all played on my senses.

  “Um…sure.” Don’t throw up! Don’t throw up!

  “No sure about it, Kasey, it’s a date or not,” he pressed. “I am not in the habit of playing games. When I see something I want, I go and get it, right or wrong. I can give you my number or you can give me yours.”

  His words were commanding and sexy. I was more than nervous; I was scared shitless. If I said yes, what would I be committing to? If I said no, I’d surely regret not experiencing whatever that commitment might be. I was sure he didn’t have to play any games. Women probably fell at his feet; I was helpless to be any different.

  “Yes,” I replied with more confidence.

  I was at a quandary about volunteering my number and too bashful to ask for his. Then Benny spoke loudly beside me, “Ms. Blakely, it’s time to go. Your plane leaves at eight.”

  My Adonis, who clearly took no prisoners, now knew my first and last name and proceeded to take note. “Ms. Blakely, no number necessary. I’ll arrange dinner at eight on…I failed to ask when you’d be returning?” He stared at me and waited for my reply.

  “Saturday.”

  “Wonderful. Saturday, it is. The challenge will be mine to find out all I can about you before then. Goodbye, beautiful.”

  Smiling with delight at the newfound knowledge of my name, he winked, and got into the backseat of his limo. The door closed, and the car pulled into the street, a blur of blackness and taillights. I stood bewildered, completely flustered by what just occurred. What the hell just happened? I turned to Benny, who was shaking his head and chuckling at my expense. He opened the door, and I climbed into what was hopefully my limo. “Ugh!” I grumbled, for the second time that day.

  *******

  I sat in the limo thinking of the stakes ahead. Locking this merger down between Crawford Enterprises and Blakely Incorporated was paramount. My father had been working on or talking about this deal for the last year. This was his single-minded goal and would be the greatest business accomplishment of his career. Crawford Enterprises, our biggest competitor, was a mirror image of our own corporation; however, we were on opposite coasts – Blakely in the east, Crawford in the west.

  The owner and CEO, James Crawford, was a worldly and charming man in his late sixties. He had turned his company into a multi-billion-dollar profit machine, with holdings in real estate, oil, and gas. It had been a long year of negotiations; our companies were the perfect fit.

  Mr. Crawford was my priority. Knowing the company wasn’t the same as knowing the man. My father found him shrewd and uncompromising, but I had surmised that those were probably his best traits, the ones that made him successful. There was nothing I enjoyed more than walking into a meeting and completely stunning grown men who foolishly took my looks to mean I was my father’s brainless clone, but soon found out otherwise.

  Similar to my family arrangement at Blakely, Crawford Enterprises was not only run by Mr. Crawford, but also his two sons. I knew plenty about one son and virtually nothing of the other.

  Jacob Crawford, the youngest son, was often in the press and had been dubbed by the media as a “playboy.” I’d be an idiot to deny he was completely gorgeous, but I’d known more than one good looking prick in my life, and the last thing I needed was to be constantly worried about how the west coast side of our business was running.

  As for Joshua Crawford, the eldest son, I knew nothing.

  I turned from looking out the window to see Benny smiling at me from the rear view mirror. “What?” I smirked. I knew what was going through that head of his from the mischievous grin on his face, but I certainly wasn’t going to play into it.

  “It appears you have an admirer.” Benny’s voice was non-committal, but the look on his face spoke volumes.

  “I met him at the gym this morning. He stole my favorite treadmill. I don’t know anything about him except his name, and the fact that he’s super forward and gets what he wants, which I assure you won’t be me, so you can quit with that shit-eating grin.” I shook my head at him. “And why the hell did you let me get in his car?”

  “Oh, no you don’t. You did that all by yourself.” He waved a finger at me. “Sometimes you get so focused, Kasey, that you rarely see the road before you. And don’t be so sure about him not getting what he wants. I do recall a pretty firm ‘yes’ to his request for dinner.”

  “I was so caught off guard I didn’t really know what to say. ‘Yes’ seemed like the logical answer at the time.”

  “Or, ‘yes’ could be the right answer to a handsome charmer who took you by surprise. It’s rare to see, pretty girl, but I think he ‘had ya at hello.’” He laughed at his own reference to Jerry Maguire, and I had to admit I found the reference clever.

  “Had me at hello? I might have been stunned by his charm and cologne, but he didn’t have me, I assure you.” Even I had to beam at my smugness. Benny was right, but I’d never admit it.

  “Well, I don’t know what it was, but he wasn’t going to take ‘no’ for an answer, and I’m glad he didn’t. Don’t discard fate, K.K.—you need more than work to have a happy life, and you haven’t really dated anyone since that jerk. What was his name? Blake?”

  “Yes, how could I forget Blake…what a complete dick wad.” Benny laughed at my reference and, in turn, I did too. What started out funny now had Benny and me in stitches.

  “I love you, Benny. Thanks for making me laugh. I’m not up for anything serious right now, but I certainly agree that going out to dinner can’t hurt.” I looked back at him through the rearview mirror. “Oh, and let’s not forget he already knows my full name. Thanks for that too.”

  “What’s a man to do? You were just standing there with your mouth open, and I thought you needed help with your name.” Hell, maybe I did need help with my name. Twice my treadmill thief had caught me speechless.

  We rolled onto the tarmac at 7:35. After my espresso and a few good laughs, I was ready to depart New York for the City of Angels. I always
found it odd that it was referred to as the City of Angels, but as cities go, I found the people sad. I remembered someone once telling me the motto of L.A. was “fake it till you make it.” The motto was probably true, because, for the most part, everyone was over made. Lips too plumped, breasts engorged with saline, whiter than white teeth, and barely-there wardrobes.

  I enjoyed California but found myself anxious to get home after every trip. It was sad but true; I’d grown up in the concrete jungle of New York City. It was and always will be, the “apple” of my eye. I liked the fast pace and glittering skyline. I enjoyed the food, the culture, and the drive for success. NYC was as much a part of me, as I was it.

  I stepped onto the jet and took my seat. The cockpit opened and Mike, our corporate pilot, glanced back to inform me we were ready for takeoff. I threw him a thumbs-up and I skimmed my hand over the seatbelt to make sure it was secure. Closing my eyes, I prepared for the initial butterflies that came with the climb.

  Chapter 2

  Joshua

  “Park and Fifty-seventh,” I said to the chauffeur as the car pulled away from the curb.

  I sat in the limo smiling like a kid on Christmas Day. I was fighting the urge to turn around in my seat for one more glimpse of her, but I didn’t want to be the movie cliché—the sappy guy pining away for the beautiful girl, and man was she beautiful.

  I couldn’t believe she was standing at my car when I walked out of the building. Every curve of her locked in my mind: her silky brown hair, her lean stature, and the nape of her neck.

  If I didn’t know better I would have thought it was a prank, but she obviously didn’t realize it wasn’t her car. What good fortune. I should have thought better of it, but I couldn’t resist the closeness, the smell of her. Her dress perfectly accentuated by the dip of her waist, the curve of her ass, her lean legs, and her shoes—expensive with shiny red soles; not an afterthought. She was tightly put together; no detail went unnoticed.

  When I opened the door, I knew I’d captured, if for even a brief moment, something rare and beautiful. It took a few minutes for her to realize her error, but she’d already laid out the details of her trip to Los Angeles. I almost felt bad when I spoke out about accompanying her to L.A., but I wanted to feel her eyes and attention shift to me. I was mesmerized and slid into the limo with the intention of entrapping her. Forcing the closeness I desired.

  Caught off guard and unprepared for my singular focus, she looked away from me and down to her lap. I caressed her chin and brought her eyes back to mine. They were as blue as the sea, sparkling and deep. She didn’t have much makeup on which only enhanced her beauty. She was stunning in every way imaginable. It was only a moment, but I’d never felt so drawn to any woman. Never. I’d known and been around some of the most beautiful women in the country, but something was different about her. She was gorgeous and sexy as hell, without any self-awareness. I didn’t know her, but I was as enamored as I had ever been.

  I wanted to laugh as she fumbled her amazing body across my legs to get out of the car. I should have moved to make it easier, but the closer she got, the more I remained fixed to the seat. The scent and sight of her tortured me. I was tempted to pull her down on my lap and eagerly thrust my mouth onto her supple lips, but for now I had to concede that it was time to release her. To her driver, to L.A., and whatever it held for her.

  As she stepped out onto the sidewalk, I found myself reaching for her. I wanted to see her again and didn’t intend to take no for an answer, so I asked her for a date.

  She stood silently contemplating her answer. I obviously caught her completely off guard, but loved that I had some bewildering effect on her, and the little “Mexican standoff” only made her more interesting.

  I would have given her my number but I wanted her to submit. I wasn’t used to begging and didn’t intend to now. She didn’t have to give me her number; her driver broke the deadlock with her name and a clear reminder that she had a plane to catch. I know she was taken aback by the turn of events, and my newfound knowledge of her full name—Kasey Blakely. I could see her recovery when she grinned and agreed to Saturday night.

  The name Blakely should have registered with me instantly, but I was so lost in her that it didn’t. It wouldn’t be long in the day before I found out who she was and what she’d mean to me, but in the end, it didn’t matter. All I could think was how I could make her mine.

  Chapter 3

  Kasey

  I could feel the heat of the sun when I stepped off the jet. We’d finally arrived in L.A. The things that made it L.A. were always the same: the marine layer that crept out just as the morning made its way from dawn, and the smell of the pacific intermixed with concrete that made for an interesting mix of work and vacation all wrapped into one.

  I was greeted by a driver and a sleek black limo from Crawford Enterprises. The driver was a tall, gangly man with piercing brown eyes, whose expression read “all business.” I didn’t know if he was naturally stoic, but greeted him in my usual upbeat demeanor.

  “Good morning,” I said. I’d been long trained by my mother that a simple smile could put anyone at ease. I’d practiced for years at being sincere, but found myself not discriminating and smiled even when better emotions escaped me.

  “Good morning, Ms. Blakely. I was instructed to take you to your hotel and then on to the office.”

  “That would be great,” I said. “I’m staying at the Four Seasons. I’d love to freshen up a bit, and please call me Kasey. What’s your name?”

  “I’m David. I’ll be your driver while you’re here, so if there’s anything I can do for you, please don’t hesitate to ask. I’ve taken the liberty of stocking the car with San Pellegrino. I understand you like sparkling water, opposed to still. I hope I got my information correct?”

  “Your information is correct. I am a big fan of the sparkle.” I tapped him on the shoulder hoping to create some levity. “I see you are a thorough man, and I for one appreciate the thoughtfulness. We’ll get along just fine.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” he replied, and opened the car door. I slid across the sun-warmed seat, set my purse and computer bag next to me, than reached into my purse to retrieve my sunglasses. The door closed to my right and suddenly we were off. I looked out the window and watched the scenery change as we moved through the city towards my hotel.

  The flight was long and even though I remained stagnant for most of the trip, my hair had lost a bit of its luster, my skin felt dry from the recycled air, and my dress was wrinkled. I needed to do a quick once over and make the most of my post travel look.

  We pulled up to the hotel and David moved around the car to open my door. I stepped onto the sidewalk and felt the instant rush of heat from the sun on my back. I turned to follow David, but was halted in my tracks when he held up his palm. “I’ve got everything Ms. Blakely. You go on ahead and get checked in.”

  “Thank you.”

  “My pleasure,” he said, but still no smile. I surmised in that moment that my driver was going to be a tough nut to crack.

  I entered the grand lobby of the Four Seasons and took in the beautiful furnishings. My father was a Ritz and Four Seasons fan and while I liked the luxury they both presented, I had always found them to be a little stogy and old school. I wanted to be pampered, but I was also only twenty-six and liked hotels with a bit more edge.

  I checked in and had just entered my suite when the door chimed and a young bellman stood eager to deliver my bags.

  “Good morning, ma’am. I’ve got your luggage. Where shall I put it?”

  “Valet stand for the big suitcase and the other bag beside it. Please.”

  He walked past me and assembled my bags as I had requested. I looked him over and while he was nice looking and clean cut, I noticed both his ears were pierced. He wasn’t wearing earrings, but it made me smirk to think even the Four Seasons had succumbed to the current climate where piercing and tattoos were more of a norm than one wanted to admit a
nd hiring meant relaxing old policies. He walked past me towards the open door.

  “Thank you.” I said, handing him a twenty-dollar bill. If I was nothing, I was an exceptional tipper. I understood what many didn’t…people were easily bought. Even the simplest of monetary gestures never went unnoticed and people became endeared quickly. Money was equal to loyalty in many ways, and I aligned myself with allies no matter where I was.

  “You’re welcome,” he said, his voice an octave higher. “Anything you need at all, do not hesitate to ask. I’m Casey.”

  “Thanks Casey, I appreciate it.” I smiled wider having heard his name and liking him even more for it.

  As soon as the door closed behind him, I quickly unbound my tired hair, tousled it liberally with both of my hands, and pinned it loosely on top of my head. A light application of powder and blush as well as the reapplication of lipstick and I was ready to head back out for my meeting. I wanted to stop by the coffee shop in the lobby to refuel. I probably needed to eat, but I was too anxious and decided against it.

  I paid for a coffee and made my way to the beautifully polished brass doors. I walked outside and David stood ready at the back door of the limo. He broke into a slight grin on my appearance and I knew I’d started to chip away at his tough façade—one smile at a time.

  “Ready, Ms. Blakely?”

  “Yes, sir!” I said, juggling my coffee and briefcase as I maneuvered to get into the car.

  The car came to a stop, and I looked out the window. It was around 12:45 when we arrived at Crawford Enterprises. My meeting was scheduled for 1:00, but I wanted to arrive early. Punctuality was a pet peeve of mine.

  The building stood glistening in the sun, mirrored and substantial. I thought it was a bit glossy, but it was L.A.—big and glamorous. I had to admit, it was impressive.

  David opened the door and I exited gracefully while trying to collect my things.