Corporate Affair (17 page)

“Please! Please!” she gasped.

He gave a quiet little laugh as he held her legs tight against his chest. He took a step forward and slipped into her so fast, so hard and sure, from underneath, that she lost her breath. He began his thrusts, and she thought she would die of the ecstasy. The fire spread throughout her whole body, burning in her brain until she had to clench her teeth to keep from crying out. She writhed and twisted, feeling his hardness fill the void in her. He thrust harder and faster, all the while bracing her against the raw strength of his chest and shoulders. He stroked her legs with his other hand, and reaching down, found her small pearl, hard with lust and slippery with desire. He fondled it, gently squeezing, pinching, pressing, until she spun out of control, contorting her body against him as the waves of her climax crashed over her.

She was still reeling from the ripples of her orgasm when she felt Aiden reach his own pinnacle, sending him tumbling over the edge of desire, spinning them both into the ecstasy they shared. He gripped her long legs, slumping against them in the weakness that followed. His knees buckled, and he sank slowly onto the bed beside her. Neither spoke as they recovered their senses. Then Jordan began to laugh softly, or maybe she was crying. She could hardly tell.

“Oh,” she whispered, “I don’t believe what you do to me!”

Aiden kissed her neck. “Sorry for the quickie,” he said. “I couldn’t help myself.”

Jordan laughed. “There’s something thrilling about a well-timed quickie,” she said, and Aiden laughed too.

“Ah, but now we have work to do.” He turned her face to his and kissed her deeply. She gasped as he broke the contact and stood up, pulling her with him. They held each other a moment longer, extending the warmth that coursed through their veins.

Chapter Ten

T
WENTY
M
INUTES
L
ATER
, they were driving up the curved lane to Gene Palmer’s home.

“Nice house,” commented Aiden. He took in the grand scene in front of him. “I like the architecture. I would say this was built right around, or more likely immediately after, the Civil War. Probably that’s when manufacturing really took off here.”

“You’re right,” Jordan answered. “It was built in 1866. Beautiful, isn’t it? What’s your house like?”

“Ha! I have a condo on the wharf right in the middle of Portland. I can see our offices from my balcony! I don’t spend much on commuting. It’s a good location and a nice place, but I guess it’s my parents’ house I still think of as home. The place where I grew up.”

“Is that in Portland, too?”

“Well, Cape Elizabeth, to be specific. It’s part of the greater Portland area, but it’s right out into the bay. The house is on the coast. On a cliff, actually. The waves crashing on the rocks lulled me to sleep when I was young. It’s about two hundred fifty years old and has a widow’s walk. It was a terrible mess when my parents bought it, but it’s beautiful now.”

“It sounds romantic. I love the ocean but don’t get there much. I probably haven’t been there since I was a teenager.”

“I can take care of that!” Aiden gave her a devilish wink.

Jordan answered with a smile. She pulled up to the front of the garage and turned off the car. “Are you ready?”

“I’m okay,” Aiden assured her. “I think any reasonable man would like what we’ve drawn up.”

“Let’s see,” said Jordan.

Aiden leaned in to give her a quick kiss, but she slipped casually out of the car just short of his lips reaching hers. He was taken aback, but quickly buried his anxiety and followed her to the atrium door.

A petite woman in her late sixties met them at the door. “Jordan, come in. Gene’s in the den waiting for you.” She stood on tiptoe and kissed the tall girl on the cheek, then she looked by her and smiled at Aiden. “And this must be Aiden Stewart of Trade Winds. Welcome, Mr. Stewart. I’m Marie Palmer. My husband is eager to meet you.” She extended her hand, and Aiden took it gently in his.

“Very nice to meet you, Mrs. Palmer. Thank you for inviting us into your home for a business meeting.”

Marie Palmer led them through the large, bright kitchen. “Gene likes to stay home as much as possible these days. He’s comfortable here.”

They walked through the front foyer that faced the large front door, down a short hallway, and into a small, wood-paneled room lined with bookcases and hung with an eclectic collection of oils, watercolors, and prints. Two windows looked out over the wide front lawn, and a single glass door opened onto a quaint stone terrace. The heavy urns that decorated the terrace were as yet unplanted, but the hedge of lilacs that ringed the low stone wall was in bloom. Their fragrance filtered into the room.

Gene Palmer was sitting in a large club chair, gazing out the two front windows. His wife ushered them through the door. “Jordan and Mr. Stewart are here, dear.”

The old man picked up the cane that lay on the floor next to his chair and stood, slowly but steadily. “Jordan,” he said, smiling, “come in, come in. And this is Aiden Stewart.” He reached his hand out. “Gene Palmer. Very pleased, and interested, to meet you.” Aiden took the hand and was surprised at the strength still evident in the ravaged body.
A truly strong man,
Aiden thought.

“Please, sit down. I’ll sit here because this chair is comfortable for me. You two sit right there on the sofa.”

Aiden and Jordan sat down, and Jordan pulled out the finalized copy of the proposal. “What did you think, Mr. Palmer?” she asked.

Gene Palmer took his copy from a small table beside the chair. “Thanks for sending Ashley up with a copy. I’ve read through it. I like it. I like it. I think you’ve both done a good job trying to do the best for your respective companies. You restore my faith in the upcoming generation.” He turned and spoke directly to Aiden. “I know your father, you know, Mr. Stewart. He’s a fine man and one tough business man. He’s worked hard. I’m glad to see his son is worthy of his father’s work.”

Aiden smiled, somewhat self-consciously. “Thank you for that compliment, Mr. Palmer. My father speaks highly of you also.”

Gene Palmer smiled at his protégé. “Jordan, you’ve done an exemplary job. I’m proud of you. This merger preserves the autonomy of Chat while benefiting Trade Winds and giving them access to new territories. You’ve forged a progressive partnership. I don’t think I could have trusted this to anyone else.”

Jordan blushed. “Thank you, Mr. Palmer. We tried hard.”

“Now to the topic of Fenton Industries,” continued Palmer, folding his hands in his lap. “Christopher Fenton showed up here today.”

Jordan straightened her back as though she’d received an electric shock. “Here?” she exclaimed. “At your home!”

“Yes, indeed. He claimed he had information that would make me change my mind about accepting Trade Winds’ proposal.”

“Did you speak to him?” Jordan asked. Aiden could see her hands shaking and wished he could put his own over them.

“I did. I asked Marie to let him in, although she fought me on that. I had to speak to him. The man needed to be put in his place. I told him I didn’t want to hear what he had to say. I told him I had no time for gossip or hearsay. I reminded him that before he formed Fenton Industries, he was nearly brought up on charges of blackmail and corporate spying, and I had no interest in being involved with anybody with that kind of background.”

“Is that true?” Aiden leaned forward in disbelief. “Blackmail and corporate espionage?”

“It is true,” answered Palmer. “I remember it distinctly. He was an up and coming young executive, and he actually tried to set two power service companies against each other. He worked for one of them. Too bad you can’t shoot people for corporate treason. I’m sure there would have been volunteers for the firing squad!”

“What else did he say to you?” Jordan shifted uncomfortably.

“Nothing of any importance. In fact, I didn’t let him say much. He left here spouting threats. I actually rather enjoyed cutting him off at the knees. Kind of limbered me up!” He gave a big smile.

The man has a lot of courage,
thought Aiden with admiration.
No wonder Jordan thinks so
highly of him. No wonder—
but he wouldn’t let his thoughts go any further.

“However—” and this time Palmer’s voice took a very serious tone “—I caution you not to underestimate this man. He has a criminal mind. He’s unstable. Don’t turn your back on him, and be sure to keep all your ducks in a row all the time. If he thinks he’s losing ground, there’s no telling what he’ll do.”

“I can do that,” Jordan said. Aiden could sense that, although Jordan seemed to have become accustomed to seeing Gene Palmer during his illness, it always upset her. It was obvious she wanted so much for him to be well and would dread losing him, his mentorship, and his faith in her.

“Well, let’s get this done.” Gene Palmer perked up, rubbing his hands together. “Jordan, would you please find Marie and ask her to come in here? I want her to be here. She was as much a part of developing ChatDotCom as anybody. I couldn’t have done it without her.”

“Of course,” said Jordan. “I’ll get her right away.” She stood and left the room.

Aiden watched the old man carefully, sitting with his head bowed. Was he tired? Was he thinking? Then Palmer raised his head and looked directly into Aiden’s eyes.

“I’m old now,” he said quietly. “I’m old and sick, but I wasn’t always this way. I was a young man once. Young and strong, and I remember how that felt. I remember it as clear as day.” He paused and Aiden waited, caught in the strength of the old man’s glare. “If you think I don’t know what’s going on here, you are greatly mistaken.”

Aiden started to speak, but Palmer held up his hand. He gave a little smile. “Don’t worry. I don’t disapprove. I like you, Stewart. I always liked your father. You’re a pleasant surprise. I thought you might be a spoiled rich kid. Must be your mother’s influence.” He laughed at his own joke. “I do want to make sure you understand one thing, though. I was always a little disappointed that none of my kids wanted the business, even though I’m fortunate they’re all doing well and they’re good people.” He paused for a reminiscent smile, but then trained his eyes back on Aiden’s. “Then Jordan came along. Whatever happens, you should know that Jordan Fitzgerald means a lot to me. I’ve asked a lot from her, and she’s given all that I asked and more. She’ll do that for people she loves. Don’t ever let me hear that you misused or took advantage of her in any way. And don’t listen to gossip. I don’t. Neither should you.” He looked up then, past Aiden, to the doorway. Aiden turned and followed his gaze. Jordan and Marie Palmer were coming into the room.

Mrs. Palmer crossed the room to her husband’s side. He reached out and wrapped his arm around her waist as she sat on the arm of the chair. “I was just telling Aiden that, believe it or not, I was a young man once. And here’s the woman who keeps it fresh in my mind every day.”

Palmer, Jordan, and Aiden signed the merger contract, and Aiden shook the Palmers’ hands. Mrs. Palmer disappeared and returned a minute later with a bottle of champagne and four flutes. Aiden did the honors, popping the cork and pouring. Jordan passed the flutes. “Here’s to the next generation,” said Gene Palmer, raising his glass. Aiden thought he saw the old man’s eyes glistening with unshed tears, but his voice didn’t falter as he spoke. “You’ve inherited a difficult world to manage, but we wish you the best. You can do it.”

Half an hour later, Jordan and Aiden sat quietly in her car. She reached for the key. “Where do you want to go?” she asked him. “It’s five thirty.”

“I’ve got to call my father. He’ll want to know everything was finalized except for his own signature. We better go back to the Inn.”

“I’m afraid to go to the Inn with you,” Jordan said with a giggle. “We’d better go to my office.”

“Oh, sure, let’s go there. Those chairs are pretty comfortable.”

“Aiden!” She laughed, but then she became somber as she started the car and turned down the sweeping drive.

“Are you sad?” asked Aiden.

Jordan nodded. “A little,” she admitted. “It’s kind of the end of an era. And I hate to see him sick. I hate it, Aiden.”

Her eyes filled with tears. One trickled down her cheek, and Aiden reached over, brushing it gently away. “He means that much to you?” It was a cautious question.