Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 107660 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107660 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Only because I wanted to watch her walk away again. My motivation came from wanting to admire her lush ass.
And maybe her antagonizing attitude that I couldn’t help but see as a challenge.
Except, she wasn’t a challenge, I corrected, knowing myself well enough that finding her as a challenge could lead down a slippery slope. She was an entitled little girl. One that possibly stood in the way of me eventually owning the majority of Quinn Music Group. One that created more of a headache in this purchase.
No matter how much her curves called to me, I wouldn’t let a woman ever stand between me and my business ever again.
Not a challenge, I repeated, reinforcing the reminder.
“Lucian, thanks for coming,” Hank Quinn greeted, stepping into the small seating room. The deep grooves around his smile showed the years of use.
I stood and shook his hand before turning to find the complete opposite beside him. Not a single hint of a line dared mar the smooth curves of Aspen’s face. While creases dipped around Hank’s green eyes, Aspen’s golden depths scowled without moving a muscle. I wondered how far I’d have to push before a groove appeared between her perfect brows.
The thought had more than my lips twitching.
Not a challenge.
“Miss Quinn.”
She ignored my outstretched hand and barely tipped her head in acknowledgment.
“Well.” Hank clapped his hands. “Let’s get started. I hope you don’t mind that we picked one of the more casual meeting areas.”
“Of course not. I was enjoying the couch before you arrived. The leather is a nice touch of sophistication, but surprisingly lush.”
“Aspen picked it out. She actually helped redesign the office a few years ago. She’s got an amazing eye for making the most out of space and created a more modern, relaxing environment,” he gushed like the proud dad he was. “It was her idea to convert these smaller rooms into a more personal and intimate area to hold meetings with fewer people.”
“It’s good to know her skill set includes shopping for top-of-the-line items.” I kept my insinuation about her spending subtle enough to not alert her father, but strong enough to push her buttons.
The arch of her brow barely twitched before her features returned placid, but I took the reaction as a win.
“HR compared numbers from before and after the redesign, showing a twenty-two percent increase in productivity and thirty-four percent increase in employee satisfaction,” she boasted.
“Who knew colorful chairs, beanbags, and modern décor could do so much?” Hank exclaimed.
If it were anyone other than the Ice Princess, I might have complimented the use of glass walls and unique collections of furniture in different rooms, but she sat there like she had a whole tube full of pride shoved up her ass. She didn’t need any more compliments, boosting her ego.
“Shall we get started?” she asked.
“Of course. Did you have time to review the contract together?” I asked Hank.
His eyes slid to Aspen and his smile dipped. “Unfortunately, not. Aspen was very busy every time I tried to set a meeting.”
“How mature,” I muttered under my breath.
“What was that?” Aspen and Hank asked at the same time. Hank obliviously and Aspen with a knowing gleam.
“You know, Mr. Daire, you should always speak clearly when you’re attending a business meeting,” she reprimanded with sinister joy.
“I’ll keep that in mind, Miss Quinn.” I gave a tight smile before moving forward. “Why don’t we go over the details?”
“Yes,” Hank agreed. “I’ve got someone from accounting bringing down an extra copy for Aspen, but it is also in your email.”
“Unfortunately, I must have completely missed it before coming to the meeting,” she explained, full of false innocence.
It was more likely that she saw it and sent it to the trash. “Thankfully, I’ve got mine we can look at now.” I gestured to the empty spot beside me on the couch, offering she move from her chair where she sat poised on the edge with a rigid back.
“I’m fine here,” she declined.
With a shrug, I flipped open the contract.
“Lucian’s company, Daire Holdings, has purchased forty-seven percent of Quinn Music Group,” Hank began. “I am passing on forty-seven percent of the company to you, Aspen.”
“Why would you sell him an equal share to mine? It’s like you’re trying to shut me out.”
A hint of a line dipped between her brows, and I held my breath for more. Unfortunately, it never came. However, my brows furrowed easily. This was the part of the contract I didn’t like. It left too many unknown variables about which way my future control of the company could fall. Not something I usually accepted when making a purchase.
Her father sighed and ignored her question, continuing to read through the bullets of the contract. “I will retain six percent of the company. That six percent will be available to purchase once Aspen turns thirty. She will have the first priority to buy out my shares. However, if she is unable to purchase them, then the option to buy will be passed on to Lucian.”