The Chosen Heir (The Bolles Dynasty Book 3) (15 page)

William moved his hand and caressed her breasts through her sheer dress, finding the erect nipple and applying just the right amount of pressure. Shifting in her seat, she undid his belt clasp before finding the zipper. He moved and undid the button for her before capturing her mouth again.
 

Pulling back, he said, “I want things from you that are not possible in this space.”

She explored his length more fully and released his zipper so she could enjoy the feel of his smooth skin.

He moved his hand back to her silk-covered legs and pushed aside her dress and his mouth sought her neck. She could barely hold still as his hand pushed past the silk of her stockings and caressed the bare skin at the top of her thighs. He pushed aside the scrap of lace covering her and she could feel moisture pooling inside of her.
 

He lightly stroked her feminine core and she shifted her legs to give him more access. He groaned into her neck and she began to rhythmically stroke his length as desire built inside of her. She was beyond caring that they were in a car parked beside a park. Somehow the darkness gave her courage.

He pushed two fingers inside of her and she nearly leapt off the seat. “Focus, love.”

She couldn’t focus and was completely out of control. She tightened her hold on him and was rewarded with a surge of desire spiraling inside of her. He kept stroking her, winding her tighter and tighter until he traced her lips with his tongue and then simultaneously plunged his fingers inside of her while his tongue plundered her mouth. She felt a hot liquid explode over her hand as she shattered into a cascade of pleasure.

He retreated from her and straightened his clothing.

She adjusted her dress, but her body was sensitive and pleasure soaked. How could she ever recover from this erotic encounter?

“I can see why you prefer stockings to pantyhose.” He started the car and she reached for her seatbelt.

She had never considered the easy access that stockings gave a woman. For her, it was about comfort and a heightened fashion sense. But if she were being honest, she wouldn’t put them on again without thinking about this encounter.

They were at her building within a few minutes and she said goodnight and climbed out of the car. It was odd: she could barely look at him, but moments ago they had been intimate. Would she regret acting so out of control tonight?

He murmured, “Sleep well.” She closed the heavy door and turned away.

What had she been thinking? She would need to face him tomorrow over a conference room table with his entire executive team looking on. Why had she lost her mind? She was beginning to obsess about him instead of thinking about the job.

Chapter 8

Bridget slipped her feet into a pair of pointy heels and placed a stack of files in her structured bag, then walked down the flight of stairs from her flat to the street. In the last few weeks a routine had emerged where she walked the few short blocks to Breen in the early morning and arrived as the doors were unlocked.
 

An understanding of the overall business was emerging, but she continued to have questions about the financial management of the company. She had asked Jeremy to help her review the accounting practices again. They were shipping a decent amount of product, but the company accounts continued to show a loss each week.

She arrived at the same time as Patrick Breen and greeted him warmly. It had taken a considerable amount of time for the older man to let down his guard around her.

Bridget had insisted that Patrick Breen join Jeremy and her for the discussion. They needed to be able to understand the financials so they could make some strategic decisions. For Breen to emerge from this process a different company, they needed to make sweeping changes.

Walking into the general office space, she said, “I’m going to present a strategic plan for the company in a few days. We are going to have to outline what will change and how that change will be measured.”

Patrick walked away from her, calling over his shoulder, “Breen was family-owned for nearly one hundred and fifty years, surely my family understands how to run the company.”

She followed him into his office. The man was clearly rattled by the coming changes. “In a different economy, I would agree with you. But the world has changed and you need to adjust some of your business practices.” Breen had been out of options when William stepped in and purchased sixty percent of the stock.

Patrick meticulously rolled up the sleeves of his blue pressed shirt. “Bridget, nothing has changed. At Breen, we make high quality, hand-stitched hats.”

Frustration sparked in her, but she took a deep, calming breath. They had had the same conversation many times. Patrick Breen believed that it all came down to producing a quality product.

“I know the idea of change is difficult. And you may be concerned that the changes won’t improve sales or the bottom line.”

Patrick Breen turned away from her again. “I helped to build this company. I know what is needed.”

Was he saying he was not going to embrace any new ideas? “Maybe you would be happier taking an early retirement.”

Patrick scowled. “This company is my life. I won’t leave it.”

It was a hard line to walk. She needed to show deference, but she also needed to encourage change. “You must be willing to bend or grow. It is not about the quality of your products. That is the only reason Breen is still around. It is about reaching new markets, reducing costs and stimulating demand.”

Patrick threw down the file he was holding. “I can’t control those things, but I can control the product.”

She gave him a sympathetic smile. “You have to spend time each day with the cost accountant and listen to him and make adjustments. Change can be done in small, incremental ways.”

He nodded his head. “Okay. I can do that.”
 

Bridget had her doubts but stepped forward and held out her hand. His eyes widened, but he shook her hand and she said, “I hope you can.”

Walking out of his office, Bridget greeted three of the employees who worked in purchasing and sales. After helping herself to coffee in the small break room, she went into the conference room and pulled out the marketing documents. She had received proposals from three marketing firms and had to make a decision.

***

William disconnected the call from his mother and climbed out of his car. Even though the golf course was continuing to hemorrhage money, looking over the rolling hills out to the sea brought him pleasure. Not as much pleasure as last night possibly.

His mind replayed the hot encounter in his car with Bridget North. She was captivating and sexy. He wanted her in his bed, not settling for mindless stolen kisses in a car or elsewhere. She clearly intended to keep her professional life separate from her personal relationship. And he had no interest in a secretive affair. He was not his father. How could they resolve their differences?

William headed inside the conference center and began organizing his thoughts. He had maybe an hour before his team arrived. Checking his schedule, he decided to go to New York the next week for a gala his mother was organizing. It was better if he didn’t let too much time elapse between visits. It would only serve to encourage his critics. He had learned years ago that it was better to face an issue head-on than allow it to fester.

He wanted to bring Bridget. Maybe changing their location would allow her to compromise her standards.

William dialed his assistant and confirmed his schedule. He requested that his private jet be booked for the trip to New York. Bridget would satisfy his mother’s desire for him to date and could be counted on to stand up to the bitter woman. Bridget would be the perfect woman to bring to the gala. She adored the fashion world and was confident enough to walk into any room.

Pulling up the recent projections on The Donne, he noticed a small amount of improvement on spending. Somehow having Thomas North involved had softened the small community. He had mentioned to different locals that he was aware of the scandal from years ago and was seeking out the woman who had reportedly had his father’s child. He would need to tell his sisters, but first he wanted to meet with the boy.

The management team began to arrive and he noticed Bridget on the periphery. He approached her, saying, “Can we have a private chat?”

If his team was surprised, no one showed a reaction.
 

He led her into another room and closed the door. “Do you want to talk about what happened last night?”

She shook her head. “No. Not particularly.” Dressed in a slim-fitting grey dress with a narrow belt, she looked every bit a fashion executive.
 

He sought out her gaze, but she looked down at her hands. He said, “I’d like a repeat of last night.”

She drew in a breath and a fleeting smile tugged at her lips. “You shouldn’t say such things.”

He crossed his arms. “It’s the truth. I’d like to strip off your dress and take you against the wall right now.”

Her eyes held a spark of surprise. “Last night was exciting but probably a mistake.”

He kept his tone neutral. “How so?” Why would she think it was a problem?
 

She gestured towards him with her hands. “I work for you. I can’t let myself become the woman who sleeps with her boss.”

Why was it such an issue for her? “So if I fire you then you would feel free to indulge me?”

She shook her head. “I don’t want the shame of being fired, William.”

He stepped closer to her. “There has to be a way to work this out. Breen needs your expertise, but there is this craving between us that we can’t ignore.”

She met his gaze. “You could compromise and be willing to keep any connection between us private.”

Frustration washed over him. He had no desire to repeat his father’s mistakes. “You are ashamed of being in a relationship with me?”

Her voice didn’t falter. “Not if I weren’t employed by you. But it looks odd and then when it is over, it’ll be even more awkward.”

Why did he have to jump through so many hoops? “We can keep it private from our business associates for now, but I insist we not hide it from our families.”

She looked away. “That sounds complicated.”

He decided to ignore her concern and plow ahead. “I’m heading to New York next week and I’d like you to come. There is a notorious gala that will attract much of the fashion world that I’d like you to attend as my guest. Olivia and Fionn will be there.
 
You can work on Breen marketing and I’ll take care of a few loose ends.”

He reached out and touched her neck. He could feel a pulse beating erratically. “Also I’d like you to play nine holes of golf with me after this meeting.”

She stepped away from him. “Fine. But I’d like you to keep the professional and private interactions separate.”

He opened the door to the corridor and watched Bridget gracefully walk to the conference room. She was getting to him. Her demand was actually what he would normally practice——keeping his business and personal life separate. He didn’t believe in indulging in an affair with a business associate. But Bridget was different. Somehow she tempted him. He could think of little else today beyond his hot encounter with her in his vehicle.

Alex pulled out a chair for Bridget. “We should start with the golf course and other company matters and do Breen last. Does that work?”

***

Bridget reviewed her notes and attempted to push away thoughts of William. She wanted her presentation to come off without a hitch. She had spent three weeks at Breen and, with Jeremy, created a set of financials and narratives to explain what was happening and where the company needed to go.

Throughout the meeting, she noticed William challenged his managers to come up with solutions and not just issues. They seemed more positive on the golf course and when the discussion turned to marketing, Alex invited her thoughts.

A lively debate took place with William deciding to bring in a series of marketing companies to do a pitch for The Donne.

Finally William said, “Bridget, can you give us a briefing on the Breen Hat Company?”

Bridget stood and handed out copies of the financial and strategic plan. “I’m trying to figure out how they react to changes in the marketplace. They have a highly regarded product, but the pricing has remained stagnant for five years. This has to do with overseas pricing. The work is going to be around marketing initiatives and getting them to produce some of the components elsewhere. There is a fear of failure that is pervasive and it has taken a toll on employee morale.”