***
“Hey,” I opened the door to let in a freshly showered Hannah. “You look refreshed.” I stared at her still wet hair and makeup free face. She was wearing a baggy grey t-shirt and a pair of black sweats.
“Sorry, I had a quick nap and didn’t have time to dry my hair.” She shook her head and sprinkles of water fell onto my skin.
“No worries.” I stepped back into the room and guided her to the desk and two chairs. “I’m glad you were able to take a nap, it might be a late night.”
“I figured.” She nodded and sat down. “What do you want to do first?”
“Let’s go over the financials from this year.” I opened a file and handed her some paperwork. “I want to make sure that we’re able to articulate why this is the best offer for them in the current market.”
“Yeah.” She nodded. “Hopefully they can see that and don’t try to play hardball.”
“It looks like Rob Martin has a gambling problem.” I sighed. “I’m not sure he’s going to be levelheaded. If he’s losing millions in Vegas, I’ve a feeling he’s willing to gamble with billions.” I shook my head. “He’s going to hope for a higher offer.”
“And that’s off the table right?”
“Yeah, that’s off the table.” I sighed. “Though I think I can convince him the money’s good because it is. The problem I foresee is agreeing for him to leave the company.”
“It’s his family's company, he’s not going to want to leave.”
“Yeah, but we don’t want to buy a company with a CEO that has a penchant for using company funds to take trips to Vegas and Dubai.”
“Yeah.” She bit her lower lip. “We have to make the offer so attractive that he thinks leaving is his idea.”
“Exactly.” I nodded. “But he has no family so we can’t tell him that spending more time with them is the answer.”
“Yeah, he seems like a ladies man.” Hannah agreed. “I guess much like most men who inherit companies from their fathers.”
“Are you talking about me?” I stood up and grinned down at her as someone knocked on the door.
“Well, you’re a ladies man, aren’t you?” She called out softly as I opened the door.
“You can bring the food inside.” I nodded at the room service guy. “Come Hannah, the food is here.”
“I’m coming.” She stood up and walked over to the tray. “What did you get?”
“Sushi, steak, salad, soup.” I laughed. “I couldn’t decide so I got a couple of different dishes.”
“Well they all smell amazing.” She sniffed and smiled. “I’m so hungry.”
“Mr. Maxwell, would you like me to pour the wine for you?”
“That would be great, thanks.” I nodded and I could feel Hannah’s eyes on me as I turned to face her. “I thought some red wine could help us relax. Is that okay?”
“Sure.” She nodded slowly as she chewed on a piece of bread. “One glass won’t hurt.”
“Exactly.” Though I was planning on drinking a lot more than one glass. “Here you go, thanks.” I signed the receipt and handed the guy another twenty as he left the room. “Let’s eat and then we can go back to working.”
“I thought you wanted to work and eat at the same time?”
“I think we can relax for a few minutes before that.” I handed her a glass. “We’ve prepared pretty well for tomorrow.”
“Yeah, I won’t say no to that.” She took the glass of wine and drank it slowly, her face already looking more relaxed. “So how are we going to split this food?”
“Take what you want and I’ll eat the rest.” I laughed as I watched her pulling some fries off of the plate. “And if you need more food, we’ll order it.”
“I think this will be fine.” She laughed. “I mean, I’m hungry, but not that hungry.”
“Not hungry enough to eat a horse?” I raised an eyebrow at her and watched as she blushed at my innuendo. I knew that I was playing with fire, but I didn’t care.
“I’d never be hungry enough to eat a horse.”
“Never?” I stilled and looked at her face. Was she seriously saying what I thought she was saying?
“I only eat stallions.” She stared me in the eyes unblinking. I felt a flip of excitement in my stomach at her words. If only she knew just how much of a stallion I really was.
“I’m glad to hear you have standards.” I grabbed a bowl of soup. “I’d hate to hear you were open to eat any old pony and donkey.”
“I wouldn’t even think twice about a pony or a donkey. I have very high standards.” She drank some more of her wine and grabbed some sushi.
“Glad to hear it.” I grinned and sat down on the edge of the bed. “I like my riders to be selective.”
“I like my horses to be selective.” She put a whole piece of sushi in her mouth and chewed slowly. “This is so delicious.” She moaned as she swallowed. “Normally I only get Philadelphia Rolls, but that was scrumptious.”
“It’s a Spider Roll.”
“Well, I guess I have a new roll to order when I next get sushi.”
“See how I’m already opening your world up.” I grinned and she rolled her eyes at me again. “I wouldn’t keep doing that. They might stay that way.”
“I’ll take my chances.” She grabbed another piece of sushi, drank some more wine and then yawned. “I don’t know if this was such a good idea. I’m feeling tired again.”
“You’ve got a couple of hours in you yet, I’m sure.”
“To do what?” She leaned back and her t-shirt pressed against her chest, molding itself to her br**sts.
“What would you like to do?” I stood up and put my soup bowl on the table and then turned towards her. “I hope you don’t mind me changing. I was going through the papers up until now.”
“That’s fine.” She nodded and I saw her looking away from me as I started to undo my tie. “I was wondering why you were still dressed up.”
“Yes, now it’s time for me to get comfortable.”
“How much more comfortable do you need to get?”
“Hmm, let me think.” I undid my shirt and then pulled it off, throwing it onto the bed. I saw her staring at my chest and smiled to myself as I flexed my muscles casually. I undid my pants and I saw her face going red.