One night stand with my daddy's best friend
77

Dane

I never liked Bran Erickson. Initially it was because my father put so much pressure on me to make this deal work, but only to our advantage. Then it was because Bran had a smarmy demeanor and smart aleck mouth. He was fake and phony, but tried to make himself important by being an asshole. But that was business, right?

Now I hated Bran Erickson because he put his hands on Bridget. Oh, he made it look innocent, but I know what I saw. I also know that he liked me seeing it. Fucker.

"Earth to Dane, are you hearing me?"

His condescending words brought me back to the moment.

He smirked. "You know, if you're going to play with the big boys, you need to learn to pay attention."

"Were you saying something? All I hear is wah wah wah...you know, like the teacher in Charlie Brown cartoons."

"That's before my time." He brushed some sort of imaginary lint from his lapel. "Your father wants this deal, but you don't seem to."

"My father wants this deal as long as it's good for him and the company.

So far, I don't see that."

"Maybe it's because your expertise is in warfare, not business. Perhaps you should take my proposal to your father."

I sat forward, resting my forearms on the desk and gave him my kickass SEAL stare. "You think business is different from warfare?"

For the first time since I met him, I saw him flinch. Good. I sat back.

"This isn't going to work." I slid the papers back toward him. "It's a good deal."

"It's bullshit. I know it and you know it and my father will know it. In fact, it's a joke. I can see what you're trying to do, and it won't work."

He laughed. "Now you're paranoid."

"Paranoia kept me alive while I was protecting self-centered assholes like you." Okay, maybe it wasn't a good idea to call the man I was supposed to make a deal with an asshole. "Thank you for your service." He didn't mean it.

"I don't know if this is some sort of test or if you think you can take advantage of me and my father, but I know this is a joke." I tapped the paperwork.

He shrugged as he took the papers back. "It's all business, Dane." "I've told you about our terms."

"These are mine. Are we at an impasse?"

I didn't want to blink or flinch or give him any outward sign that I was stuck on where to go next. The terms I gave were the terms my father wanted. Deciding to call his bluff, I stood. "I guess we are."

His eyes narrowed as he watched me. He rose from his chair. "Your father won't be happy."

"That's my business."

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"I guess I'll wait until he makes you call me and grovel. By then, my terms might change." He had a glint in his eyes that suggested he'd like to see me get screwed on this deal.

"I think you underestimate my father. You think he's going to be pissed that I haven't made a deal, and you'd be right. But if I took this, I'd be disowned. Nah, I'll tell him what you brought today and if I know my father, which I do, he'll rethink doing business with you. He's looking to make a deal, Bran, not play who can piss the farthest."

He jerked back and I was gratified to have won this round.

He buttoned his coat. "You don't have very good manners. You should respect the people you do business with."

"You insult me and my father with this drivel, you haven't earned my respect."

"Then I guess we are at an impasse."

I shrugged even though deep down I knew my father would be pissed.

Still, I knew he didn't want the deal Bran had presented.

"We have plenty of other options."

His jaw ticked. "I'll be in touch." He left my office before I could reply. But his comment told me he wanted this deal as much as my father did. Maybe next time he'd present something that wasn't so insulting to my father.

I sat at my desk and began going through reports. This was the worst part of the job. Before long, I felt like my brain was going to ooze out of my head. But at least it got the image of Bran and Bridget flirting out of my head. Except...fuck, now it was back.

Irritated, I left my office for the break room for more coffee and maybe a Danish. Caffeine, sugar, and carbs would give me a boost long enough to power through these reports.

As you reach the final pages, remember that 000005s.com is your destination for the complete story. Share the joy of reading with others and spread the word. The next chapter is just a visit away! "I'm taking a break. I'll be right back," I said to Lane as I passed her desk.

"Is everything okay, Mr. MacLeod?"

"Nothing I can't deal with." I'd stared down a foreign enemy who wanted to kill me. I could deal with the Bran Ericksons of the world. And my father for that matter.

I reached the breakroom and stopped short when I saw Bridget pouring coffee and picking up a Danish.

She saw me. "Oh, hi."

Her smile sucker punched me but this time I wasn't going to be taken in by it. I stalked to the coffee maker, put in a pod of dark coffee, and poked the brew button.

I put on my boss-mask. "Ms. Franklin. I know you're new here, but it's against policy to flirt with business colleagues, especially ones like Bran Erickson."

Her eyes widened in a mixture of surprise and panic. It made me feel like a dick because I was sure she was worried I was about to fire her. Maybe I should. I needed all my wits to deal with Bran and with Bridget around, I was often a few wits short.

"I'm sorry, Mr. MacLeod. But I wasn't flirting. We'd bumped into-" "I know what I saw." Jesus fuck, why was I in such a tizzy about this? Her eyes narrowed. "No, you don't," she snapped.

I was surprised by her response. It was a risk to contradict the boss. At least in the military it was. It had to be in business too because my father didn't tolerate anyone speaking back to him.

"And if you think you saw something inappropriate, then you need to take your mind out of the gutter," she finished.

I reached out, putting my hand on her arm like Bran had. "What does 'I like soft things mean?' Maybe you're young and naïve, but when Bran said it, he wasn't talking about your sweater." My gaze took a long slow scan of her luscious curves. Then realizing what I was doing, and feeling revolted at myself for doing it, I released her hand and walked out of the break area.