The Billionaire's Final Stand (28 page)

              He was determined to find out if it was an act, or if she was indeed over him.

              Joseph sat back and watched. His eyes constantly strayed to her as she spoke, pointing out numbers and logistics, but he didn’t care. He already had the corporate information memorized. He was impressed with her knowledge, though.

              As she finished, questions were fired at her, one after the other. She never sweated it. She calmly answered each one, leaving no room for doubt that she was on the board for a reason. A very good reason.

              She’d changed since he’d last known her. The fire that had always burned bright inside of her was now out in the open for the world to see. Her demeanor seemed to say
if people
don’t
like it, then they
can
back
off
.

              He found himself even more drawn to her.

              She was a rare woman. Beauty, passion, poise. She had the crowd eating out of her hand before she was done. He wondered if she could see past the show some of the members put on. Only time would tell.

              The meeting droned on with other board members speaking, more questions asked. He was losing patience with it all by the third hour. He wanted Katherine to himself. He was done with the politics involved in a new CEO being elected.

              He could wait. He’d waited five years, already. What was another hour or two?

              Katherine felt as if a thousand needles were being drilled into her head. She knew Joseph’s gaze rarely left her. It took momentous willpower to keep from shifting her eyes and connecting with his cold blue depths.

              Her stomach was tied in knots as she waited for the meeting to end. The questions kept coming, one after the other, several of them just a variation of the one before it. She had to keep on her toes, though, had to pay attention, because if she missed even the slightest verbiage, she’d be lost and the piranhas would pounce.

              They’d love to take a bite from her flesh, as much as she knew Joseph would be first in line for that honor.

              Katherine knew Joseph was making a stir among the people. His very presence stopped traffic wherever he was, but there seemed to be no middle ground when it came to him. The people either loved him and looked at him like a savior, or they despised him and expected him to destroy their world.

              She wondered for a moment what it must be like for him to yield that kind of power. To be so important that your very existence influenced the lives around you.

              As she shook off the thoughts, she realized the room was silent. Maybe the people had heard enough for the day. It seemed Round One was soon to be over.

              “Thank you all for being here today. The board members have agreed to stay for the next hour and answer individual questions you may have. We understand that the decision we’re making affects all of you and we want your faith and trust in us. Meeting adjourned,” Katherine said.

              The room erupted in conversations as people moved about, everyone trying to figure out where to go that would benefit them the most. Who did they want to rub elbows with the most, who could advance their careers? It was all a game – just a game on a million dollar scale.

              She quickly gathered her belongings, already having notified the other members she wasn’t staying for this part. She wanted to escape before Joseph came near. She knew he would. It wasn’t in him not to.

              “Very impressive, Katherine. I think you’ve learned quite well how to play games in the corporate world, how to dance a different routine to each separate piece. I guess you’re no longer the naïve girl I met five years ago,” Joseph said, stopping her movements.

              Had she really been so dumb to believe she could escape without him tracking her first?

              She slowly turned, frustration brewing in her. There were too many people standing around for her to make a scene. She couldn’t act antagonistic toward him, or rumors would spread.

              She felt like having a small tantrum, possibly using her three inch heel to dig into his foot. The thought almost made her smile.

              She managed to keep a cool expression as she looked into his face.

              “Thank you, Joseph. I appreciate your kind words. I’m running late, but would love to chat later, perhaps after the next board meeting,” she said, then turned to leave.

              His hand shot out and gripped her arm. His fingers holding on tightly, though no one around them would know. The way he held her would look to any outsider as if he was simply escorting her for a walk.

              He began leading her toward the very door she’d meant to escape through. She didn’t want to go through it with him, though. She didn’t trust herself, not after what happened in her apartment.

              “You should know by now, Katherine, that I’m not a patient man. I can’t wait until the next meeting. I think you also know that I’ll use any means necessary to get my way. You can either speak to me willingly, or I could always try another method to get your cooperation,” he threatened.

              A shiver ran down her spine at his words, spoken in a pleasant tone, but passionate, nonetheless. She knew he wouldn’t be at all afraid of causing a scene. She, on the other hand, would be mortified by it.

              He could easily ride off into the sunset, once again leaving her behind, nearly broken, trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life.

              “That won’t be necessary, Joseph. I’ll just modify my plans a little. I wouldn’t want to upset one of our candidates,” she said through gritted teeth. She hoped no one was paying attention to their conversation.

              What made the entire situation even worse was the desire flowing through her at his touch. He was dressed to impress, though she knew it was just who he was.

              His custom fitted suit draped his body in a way that left nothing to the imagination. His wide shoulders filled the coat out to perfection, while the pants hugged his hips, and showcased his muscular legs. One hand gripped her arm, while the other rested in his pocket, making him appear like he was headed to his next photo shoot.

              He was impressive, even more so than he’d been five years ago. There were men who appeared confident, and then there was Joseph. He was a rare specimen of the most perfect order. He knew all of that, though. He knew exactly what he was doing to her, just like he knew every single female in the room would go home and dream about him, a few of the married ones, too.

              If his piercing blue eyes, and flawless body weren’t enough to make her heart race, the sound of his deep voice caressing her from the inside out had her knees shaking. She wanted to find a wall and sink down it to the floor.

             
Just a few more
minutes,
she promised herself.
A few more
minutes
and you can escape
.

              “Have you cast your vote, Katherine?”

              “That would be none of your business, Joseph,” she quickly replied as she tugged at her arm, not enough for others to notice, but enough for him to get the hint she wanted him to let go. He managed to get them closer to the door, though she was doing all she could to block his path.

              “I get the feeling you’re not enjoying our talk,” he mocked her.

              Katherine fumed at his knowing look. He enjoyed his power game. She decided to quit giving him the victory.

              “I always enjoy speaking with any member of the Anderson family, Joseph. I know you’re a busy man and I’m grateful you’ve been able to attend,” she said in the politically correct response.

              She stopped struggling for release and allowed him to lead her from the room. At least once they got away from people, she could quit biting her tongue and let him know how she truly felt. As if he figured her out, he stopped their forward movement at the door’s threshold.

              “What are your plans the rest of the day?” he asked as if he had the right.

              “I’ve got a full schedule. It was nice speaking with you, but I need to leave now,” she told him as she stepped away.

              “I’ll follow you. I have extra time on my hands,” he said, switching from gripping her arm to placing it through his. She noticed they’d drawn attention, just what she hadn’t wanted.

              “I’m sure you have more important things to attend than harassing me, Joseph. You’re starting to cause a scene, so please be a good little boy and run along,” she hissed as she stepped from the room.

              “You’re so good for me, Katherine. I don’t think I’m ever going to let you go.”

              She looked at him, terrified when she saw the seriousness of his words written on his face. He may actually mean what he was saying. A shiver racked her body.

              Escape.

              She had to get far away from him, because she could too easily see herself once again falling under his spell. She was half-way there already.

              As soon as they were clear of people, she snatched her arm back and dashed down the hall, her only thought was to get as far from him as humanly possible. The spell he weaved was intoxicating. It wouldn’t take much more to make her fall at his feet.

              She reached the elevator and pushed the down button, turning her head and breathing in relief when she didn’t see him. The doors opened and she climbed inside, leaning against the back wall and beginning to breathe easier as the doors started closing.

              Just when she thought she was free, a hand reached out and stopped the doors from closing. Within seconds, Joseph was sealed inside with her – giving her nowhere to hide.

              Her heart thundered at the predatory look in his eyes. Her stomach tied in knots, she looked at him – really looked at him, standing there so self-assured, fire brewing in his eyes.

              She knew she was in trouble.

              “You know, Katherine, I’m beginning to enjoy our game of cat and mouse. Chasing you seems to be my new favorite pastime. I don’t know what we’ll do for fun once you’ve accepted the inevitable,” he whispered, his voice seductive, his body sending a challenge she desperately wanted to accept.

              “I’m not playing, Joseph. I don’t want you,” she replied, her breathless voice betraying her words.

              He smirked knowingly as he took a step toward her. She pressed her back as far against the wall as humanly possible. If he touched her, it was all over. She knew she was on the edge of the cliff, and just the slightest whisper of wind would push her over.

              “Do you truly believe that, my Katherine? Are you lying to me, or to yourself? This has been inevitable – it has been from the first moment I spotted you at the dance. We haven’t finished our song yet.”

              His words were pure seduction, melting her. Her legs shook, and her lips parted as air rushed in and out of her lungs. She tried telling herself it was only a game to him, that he’d grow bored as soon as he caught her, but her brain function was short-circuiting. She couldn’t bring herself to deny him.

              With a last ditch effort at survival, she set her shoulders and tried her hardest.

              “You don’t always win, Joseph. You don’t always get what you want. I don’t want you,” she snapped, though, the breathless quality of her voice betrayed the tone she’d been going for.

              “You are correct, Katherine. I don’t always get what I want. But you’re also wrong. You do want me. Need is burning in your eyes, desire for me.”

              He hit the emergency stop button, bringing them to a halt. Then he stepped up close, his body only an inch from touching her. She refused to look him in the face, and in turn chose to pour all concentration on the emerald green of his tie,
such a pretty color
…

              She tried distracting herself, anything to keep from reaching out and running her hands along the thick muscles of his biceps. She had to fight her mind not to think of him lying next to her, his chest bare for her to explore.

              His hand reached up and cupped her chin, forcing her head to lift. She wanted to be stubborn, to try and fight the movement, but she was no match for him, and they both knew it. Her head tilted and her eyes met his, intense desire burning hot, leaving her breathless.

              The look of power, confidence, and desire was her undoing. She knew the kiss was coming. She also knew she was powerless to stop it. She only had so much willpower – and she’d reached her limit for the day.

              It had always been him and always would be and he was destroying the carefully guarded fortress she’d dedicated to building around her heart. When she had a moment to think, she’d fall apart. She just hoped she was alone when it happened, then he wouldn’t get to glory in his true victory.

              “I’m going to kiss you now, Katherine. I’m only warning you because I’m close to losing my sanity at the moment. You may not have figured it out, yet, but I’m powerless with you. You control this. You have the power. One touch from you has my body in flames. One sigh from your lips and my heart quickens. I need you like I’ve never needed anyone. It’s almost a violent compulsion. I feel I can’t survive if I don’t take you with me to the ends of the world and back,” Joseph said, his voice deep, dark, and utterly devastating.