We took our seats on opposite sides of the oval table that was almost too big for the room.
“Cecily asked me to take this meeting. We’re equal shareholders, after all,” I said as I opened my tablet and began tapping and swiping, trying to appear engaged.
How was I meant to negotiate against a man who’d seen me naked?
Watched me come?
I glanced at Karen. Should I admit I knew Ryder? But then I’d have to explain how. I picked him up at a bar last night. He’s the second man I’ve ever had sex with. And he’s incredible in bed. Right, let’s negotiate.
No, I couldn’t say anything. But I’d have to tell Cecily after this meeting.
Jesus, wasn’t the whole point of a one-night stand that you’d never have to see the guy again?
“Where do you want to start?” Ryder asked. He smoothed his hand down his tie and I couldn’t not think of the hard abs beneath his fingers. The man looked like he spent most of his life in the gym, so where did he find the time to run the Westbury Group? “I’ve brought some comparative analysis to help you understand our offer.”
To help us . . .? Who in the hell did he think he was dealing with?
I leaned back in my chair. He thought we didn’t get it? Maybe he thought we were just women fucking about with girlie products.
“What is it, Mr. Westbury, that you think we don’t understand, exactly?”
He glanced at me, then at Karen and then back at me. “I just wanted to make sure you had some context. Wanted you to see the valuations that this type of business is going for in the current market.”
“You think we haven’t done our research? I’m happy to run through our process if that would make you feel more comfortable.” I smiled. Sarcasm was always a core skill of mine. “We’ve compared your offer with other valuations in the marketplace. We’ve conducted a discounted cash flow analysis. We’ve also examined key economic data for the strength of this sector over the next five years. We understand what the business is worth.”
Ryder grinned and sat back in his chair, mirroring my position. “I’m just trying to be helpful.”
The way he said it, with the authority of his English voice, I almost believed him. “Well, we appreciate it,” I replied. “But we can work out the context of your offer just fine.”
“That’s great. As I said, just trying to be helpful.”
Trying to be helpful, my ass.
“And as I said, we appreciate it. But your offer doesn’t work for us. We have a vision for the company and we believe we’re the right people to execute it.”
“I understand,” Ryder said. Last night he’d looked at me as if I was the only thing in the universe—I hadn’t remembered how dark his eyes were. “And that’s why we want you both to stay on.”
“As employees,” I said.
He nodded, drawing my attention to the angle of his jaw, enhanced by the light that was coming in from the window behind him. God, he was good looking. I wasn’t sure if it was because I didn’t know him well, but compared to my ex-husband, he seemed more masculine, more sexual. Even sitting across from me fully clothed, all I could think was how the contours of his body looked under his suit.
I glanced up to find his eyes trailing down my body. Was he imagining me naked, just as I was imagining him?
“Well, as you know, Cecily doesn’t want to give up the entirety of her shareholding and neither do I. As founding partners, we believe the business will be well served by us retaining an equity stake.” I raised my eyebrows as Ryder slid his gaze back to mine and realized he’d been caught out staring at me.
Instead of being embarrassed, he just grinned. What a player.
“And it makes sense for you, because it will keep us motivated as we will have real incentive to ensure that Cecily Fragrance has the best possible future.”
The silence that followed was uncomfortable but I wasn’t in the business of making Ryder feel good. Not this morning anyway. Last night had been a different story.
“I’m going to be honest with you,” Ryder announced as he shifted in his chair.
My heart began to thunder. He wasn’t going to say anything personal, was he? I’d kick his ass if he mentioned last night.
“In my experience, it doesn’t work to have the founders of a business retain an equity share. They don’t understand that they aren’t the ultimate decision-maker. There’s not enough of a shift in stature. And that leads to an unhappy relationship between the founders and the investors that takes up time and energy better directed toward the future of the business.”
The way the words tumbled out of his mouth, gravelly and considered, made me shudder. Each syllable he spoke seemed to be said with care and attention and made American accents seem dismissive and lazy. He was good at what he did.
“So, I’m going to make a very good offer. And it will be as far as I can go.” He took no notice of Karen. All his focus was on me and every atom of my body pulsed in response. “I’m willing to pay you both a very generous salary to remain with the business, but ultimately, if you want to walk away, I understand and can accept that.”
That was his concession? That we didn’t have to stay? That was exactly the opposite of what we wanted. We wanted more involvement, not less.
Before I had a chance to speak, he continued. “I think you should talk to Cecily and think about it carefully. It’s very generous, as is the cash offer. And I know that the loan repayment is due shortly and that the other offer you have is considerably less attractive than the one I’ve presented. So please, take some time to think about it.”
His chair scraped across the carpet as he stood. That was it? Our meeting was over? No discussion?
The four of us stood. And Ryder pulled out a business card. “Call me when you’re ready to agree.” He held my gaze as I snatched the card from his hand.
“We’re very disappointed this is the position you’re taking—”
“Brett,” Ryder interrupted me and turned to his assistant. “Please will you excuse us? Karen, perhaps you could show Brett to the lobby?”
What an arrogant piece of work. The last thing I wanted was to be alone with him. I was keen to forget I knew him outside of this meeting.
We stood opposite each other as Karen and Brett left the room. “Scarlett,” he said as the door closed; his voice was soft. Personal.
I stared out the window but didn’t reply.
“It’s good to see you again.”
How did I respond to that? It was too good to see him. But not like this. Not when he wanted to take my company away from me.
“I had a really good time last night.”
Really? He was being so inappropriate.
I looked him in the eye. “Ryder, you’re here on business. Let’s keep this professional,” I snapped.
“Please, just give me a few minutes.”
“Professional,” I reminded him.
“Okay,” he said. “Let’s talk business.”