Closer_To_You (2 page)

“Hey, girl, it was amazing,” she loudly responded through the telephone connection. A laugh came through the phone as she continued, “And, yes, do I have a story to tell you. You’ll never believe what I did, but I know you’ll be proud of me.”

“Well, you’ll have to tell me all about it over drinks.” Once the words left her mouth, she smiled. This is exactly what she needed, a night on the town with her friends.

“That’s actually what I was calling about. Rosalind and I are going out tonight and I wanted to see if you could join? We’re going to that hotel on the corner of 15th & F that everyone talks about. You know, the one with the balcony that looks over at the White House? Can you come?”

Thinking about all the work that had to be done on Monday, she hesitated briefly. Part of her wanted to go home so that she could focus on getting some stuff done. But the other part of her ached for the chance to just go out and have some fun. It had been so long since she went out with her friends and she really needed a break from all this craziness. “Yeah, I think I will. What time are you headed out?”

“Cool. This will be fun. Meet us out in front of the hotel at eight o’clock. And I know how you are, so don’t be late. It’ll be good to see you.”

“Yeah, I really need this night out. It’s my turn to cut up and let loose.” Looking up, her eye caught some of the management team going into one of the conference rooms and she knew if she did not get out of there soon, she would never escape. It was about time for her to start letting herself have some fun. Her friend’s next words cut into her thoughts.

“Oh yeah, speaking of cutting up and letting loose, let me tell you about what happened in New Orleans…”

 

Getting dressed for the night out with her friends, Penelope still couldn’t believe what Crystal had shared with her about her trip to New Orleans. Although it had been a one-night stand, her friend seemed to have no regrets at all. The guy had apparently been amazing in bed and gave Crystal the night of her life. In fact, her friend seemed energized and giddy that she had finally taken a chance and did something completely out of character.

Maybe that’s what Penelope needed as well. A little excitement in her life. Being the good girl all the time was fast becoming boring and maybe it was time for her to shake things up a bit and sew her own brand of wild oats. While a one-night stand with a hot guy may not be the answer for her, she was certain that something needed to change in her life. Something drastic. And even if she were the only one to ever know what she had done, it would be worth it. Her little secret slice of excitement to hold onto when her life of details took over and she became mired in the drudgery of work all over again.

With one final glance in the mirror, she smiled seductively at the image. Whether unconsciously or not, she had dressed to impress the opposite sex tonight. She wore a red blouse that flattered her nutmeg hued skin. The form-fitting shirt hugged her curves perfectly and displayed her ample cleavage to the discerning eye. She had paired it with a black, tailored skirt that fit her hips just right, highlighting her shapely hourglass figure. The finishing touch was the four inch heels that made her calves pop as she walked. When putting in a little effort, she was positive that she could compete with the best of them. Then again, confidence in her looks had never been an issue. She knew what other people saw when they looked at her. A strong, independent, beautiful and curvy black woman.

The only drawback was that she never wanted her looks to be the only thing people noticed when they saw her. As a result of that concern, she always toned things down at work and dressed extremely conservative. Hell, she even wore her hair pulled back into a librarian’s bun just to complete the image.

If she were going to succeed and grow in her career, it would be due to hard work and a drive to succeed. It would never be because some executive wanted to stare at her ass when she walked out of his office. Winking at the image in the mirror, she couldn’t help but laugh a little and she gave herself a little pep talk, “And what an ass it is. Alright, sexy lady, let’s do this.”

Gathering her purse, she exited her townhouse and locked the door behind her. Walking out to her parked car, she looked around the cul de sac where her three-story townhome was located, and smiled. She could admit that she felt good about going out for some fun. This was one night when things would finally go her way. There was something in the air. The stars were twinkling, and the full moon made everything a little brighter. Oh yes, tonight was all about her and she was bound and determined to have fun.

This was bullshit. The tension rolled off of Gabriel Turner Banks, also known as GT Banks, in waves. His shoulders were tight with the strain of holding himself back from losing his temper in the room full of overpaid suits. Pissed off was not even close to describing how he was feeling at the moment. On the verge of blowing his fucking gasket was more like it.

He was done with IntelliPoint’s blustering and was ready to close this deal tonight. If they weren’t ready for this, then his company should have never been engaged in the first place. He was not a man to be trifled with and if their CEO wanted to play these games, he would stop this deal immediately and take his money elsewhere. Nostrils flaring in frustration, his intense hazel-eyed gaze rested momentarily on the team of supposed experts sitting around the table. With all of their Ivy League educations, highly paid salaries, and haughty, know-it-all personalities, none of them had been able to move the ball forward.

Honestly, he was tired of their utter and complete incompetence. They had been trying to close this deal for months. Months! Yet, after all that time, it was no closer to being finalized than it had been from the very beginning of the negotiations. If anything, this acquisition was so close to failing, he wondered why he still bothered participating in the meetings. He could have stayed in his hotel room and had a few minutes of rest before the markets opened overseas. There were other business ventures that he could be focused on right now.

Admittedly, this deal would give him exactly what he needed to help catapult his company to the next stage. His firm was already a leading provider in systems integration and modernization, but he needed a larger presence in the Washington, DC market. IntelliPoint was just the way to do it. They could provide him with access to federal government procurement systems he needed in order to obtain the large government agency contracts, and he wanted, no—he needed, that access.

Looking across the mahogany table, he knew the main barrier standing in the way of their progress was the guy sitting across the table from him. David Richards, the CEO of the company he was trying to acquire. Tonight’s hastily called meeting was pushing him to the limits of his patience and he was ready to call it quits and pursue another avenue. IntelliPoint was not the only game in town and he was tired of their third-grade antics. His second in command, Ron Konar, gave him a pointed look with a shake of his head. Ron was trying his best to stave off any potential explosion from Gabriel, but he ignored the look and began adjusting the lapels of his charcoal gray suit jacket. It was late, he was tired and he needed to get out of there. Shaking his head at Ron, he gave the signal that he no longer had the patience for this. The gesture from Ron to remain calm had been too little, too late.

Breaking into the cross table bickering that was going on with the legal teams, Gabriel spoke up. His voice was full of frustration, “Okay, that’s it. I think we’re done for the night. At least I know that I am.” Looking down at the watch on his wrist, he paused long enough so that he could capture everyone’s attention. Slowly lifting his gaze, his hazel eye color had deepened into something quite different. He took in the group of people in the room and finally halted his gaze on his nemesis across the room. “We’ve been at this for more than three hours and we’re not getting anywhere. And honestly, I’m tired of spinning my wheels.” Gabriel’s tone caught the attention of everyone in the room.

David finally spoke up, his face flushed with embarrassment and maybe a tad bit of anger that Gabriel was making him look like a fool, “Actually, I don’t think we’ve been at this long enough. These terms are completely unacceptable and I won’t agree to them.”

Pursing his lips, he reined in his temper, “David, you can accept the terms or not, that is your choice. However, if you do not, then we walk away. I will pack up my team tonight and I will leave, without looking back. I have no more patience for the blustering and pushback you’ve given to me and my team.”

His reputation as a ruthless businessman was well-earned and he did not feel like taking any prisoners tonight as he trained his cold gaze on the people sitting across from him. “Remember, you and your team approached us. Not the other way around. Your cash flow is poor, your clients aren’t paying on schedule, your operational expenses are running at four million dollars over budget each month and your sales team has failed to bring in any new business revenue for the past nine months.” Standing up from the table, he prepared to leave. Gabriel buttoned his jacket and adjusted his cuffs, “No, David, you need us more than we will ever need you. Without an influx of cash into your company, you will fail.”

Grabbing his cell phone from the table, he glanced at Ron and nodded, handing over the reins of the negotiations. “Now, I am leaving for the night because I’ve heard enough. Ron is in charge of these final discussions and has my full support and authority. If the deal is not finalized tonight by midnight we will walk, and you will fail.”

As Gabriel made his way to the door, he heard the surprise and shock in the whispers that floated around the table from the IntelliPoint team. Initially, his intent was for this to be a friendly, equally beneficial merger of the two companies. After these past few months of bickering back and forth, he knew they would never work as equals. They had something he wanted and he would make sure he got it, by any means necessary. He would take care of the employees as best he could, but their CEO was on the short list to be removed from the company once everything was finalized, and would be offered the means to take a very long vacation.

He heard blustering behind him as David yelled at his retreating form, “I cannot accept this, Gabriel. I will not accept your terms. You cannot simply take my company from me.” His chest heaved from anger and frustration as he raised his voice to get his point across.

At six feet four inches, Gabriel knew that he cut an imposing figure. Combined with his steely gaze and no bullshit attitude, not many people would have the nerve to counter anything he said, or to question his decisions. When someone did, he gave them credit for bravery, but that’s where his altruistic nature ended.

“David, either I take over your company and protect your employees, or I walk away and they’re all on the street within a matter of weeks when your creditors come calling. Your choice. Think long and hard. Decide what you care about most. Getting the most money so that you can continue to live the life you choose, including enjoying the luxury of your private jet, or doing the right thing and taking care of your three-hundred employees.” Looking back over his shoulder at Ron as he opened the conference room door, “Tonight by midnight. No later.” Ron nodded in understanding, and Gabriel walked out of the room leaving everyone behind him in a state of shock.

Taking the elevator down to the main lobby, he rubbed his hands down his face and briefly checked his phone for any urgent messages. Finding there were none, he decided to take a detour.

“Damn, I need a drink,” he said out loud to no one but himself. It was late and he was sure there was a bar that had to be close by. Actually, if he recalled correctly, his hotel had a very unique bar and lounge setup on the rooftop. From what he had heard, it was the place to see and be seen. Not that he was interested in much of that, but since it was in his hotel, it would be much easier to get back to his room after a few drinks.

Taking a few deep breaths, he was aware enough to know that before he came into contact with the general public, he needed to calm down and cool off. Being an asshole was not something he enjoyed, but he hated being forced into a corner. After all was said and done, he was a fair man and he would do right by any company he acquired. However, what he would not do—ever—is just stand by and allow someone to get one over on him. That had never been his style and he sure as hell wasn’t starting now.

Waving off his driver who was waiting for him in front of the building as he exited, he made the decision to walk instead. The night air was cool and he enjoyed the feel of the city at this hour. Especially on a Saturday night, when the night was alive with people and sounds all around. The beating pulse of the city energized him. Watching groups of people hurry to their next destination, he kept his pace nice and slow as he walked along 14th street toward one of the main hotels.