Hitched Volume 1 (Imperfect Love Book #1)

NoahNôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

When we reach the conference room, it’s filled to capacity with nearly all the office staff in the building. All the seats at the long conference table are taken, and it’s standing room only at the back of the room.

I see Rosita tucked into the far corner and she gives me a cheerful wave. She wasn’t on the invite for the meeting, but I texted her to be here. There’s no way I could let her miss out on hearing the big news. I know she’s as proud of me as my own mother would have been.

Olivia’s father is standing at the head of the room, chatting casually with Prescott and the few members of the board who opted to show. I know they’re less than optimistic about the results Olivia and I are promising.

As we wait for the big announcement to begin, people are talking in small groups. Some chat about the work they’re so passionate about, while others are just making small talk with the workplace friends they’ve developed over the years. These are all the people who’ll lose their jobs if we’re not successful. Real people. With real problems and real lives. And all of that is on the line.

My stomach tightens.

“I need a drink,” Olivia grumbles beside me.

“Good idea,” I murmur.

I wonder if she’s still pissed at me for leaving her high and dry this morning. Probably. But after the way she rolled her tight little ass over in bed last night after giving me a hard-on with her soft, wet kisses and little groans of encouragement? Forcing me to go tend to the beast if I wanted any hope of falling asleep? Yeah, payback’s a bitch.

Her gaze wanders to the side table near the windows, where carafes of coffee and trays of Danishes have been placed.

“I don’t see any tea. You want coffee?” she asks, already starting toward it.

I shake my head. “Thanks for asking, but I’m good.”

Moments later, Olivia returns with a paper cup of steaming black coffee.

“Let’s begin,” Fred announces in a booming voice. Silence settles over the room, and all eyes focus on him.

He takes a step forward. “I’ve called this meeting today to share a special announcement.” He looks over at me and Olivia and smiles briefly before turning his attention back out onto the crowd. “It is with great honor that I announce the next generation of Tate & Cane . . . my daughter, Olivia, and Bill’s son, Noah, are taking over operations as co-CEOs.”

A murmur of whispers erupts all around us.

“I know, I know.” Fred silences the crowd with a wave of his hand. “The family decided to reject the board’s proposal, at least for now, and prove to you that we can turn this company profitable under their leadership by the end of this financial quarter.”

We see a few heads nodding, but most people still look uncertain. I don’t blame them. Their jobs are at stake, and what proof do they have that Olivia and I can actually pull this off-and so fast? None.

“Please put your hands together and welcome your new co-CEOs.” He claps enthusiastically and everyone follows suit, treating us to a round of applause.

After the noise dies down, Olivia steps forward with a short but eloquent speech about how devoted we are to succeeding, and how we’ll need the cooperation and hard work of everyone in this room to win together. Honestly, I’m not sure exactly what she says because I see Harrison eye-fucking Olivia from where he stands in the back of the room, and blood thunders in my ears.

As Olivia finishes, I step forward and take her hand in mine. That prick from accounting is about to know for certain who she belongs to.

“I have a related announcement, actually. Might as well get it all out in the open, since I have nothing to hide.” I grin at Olivia, who looks like she’s ready to murder me. “The rumors are true. Olivia and I are dating.”

“But it won’t detract from our business focus,” she says, interrupting me.

Damn. Everything about this woman is stiff and unrelenting. What I need is to get her to loosen up and relax. She’s wound too tight. She needs to learn to stop and smell the roses once in a while. Work aside, that becomes my next priority.

Plus, I still have to figure out how I’m going to win the bet we’ve made. Only three more days to get her wet and naked and begging for me . . . And just like that, it moves up to the top of my agenda.

I fight off the wave of arousal that hits me and smile as we field questions from the employees.

• • •

As soon as the meeting ends and the entire company isn’t watching us, Olivia storms away without a word and refuses to answer my knock on her office door. I guess my little impromptu announcement pissed her off even more than I thought.

But why? We are dating, aren’t we? Damn it . . . if I ever want to win her over, I need to figure out what makes her tick. I’m not above asking for help. And who knows a woman better than her best friend?

I already know Camryn works in the marketing department. Tracking down her cubicle is easy from there. When I find it, I see it’s a mess of papers and folders, one of those chaotic systems where I’m sure she’d try to convince me she knows where everything is.

She’s typing away, and when I stroll up, her fingers suddenly stop and her eyes lift to mine.

“How can I help you?”

I almost laugh. She’s so formal. She and Olivia are definitely cut from the same cloth; I can see why they’re such good friends.

“I need to talk to you about Olivia,” I say, and Camryn’s brow furrows.

It crosses my mind that maybe she won’t want to help me. I decide to lay all my cards on the table and see if my candor will make her bite.

I lower my voice and lean in closer. “You know about the whole marriage contract, right?”

“Yes, and I’m not going to help you try to convince her, if that’s why you’re here. Olivia’s a big girl, and she can make up her own mind.”

“That’s not why I’m here.”

“Fine. What do you need? I’m not exactly Team Noah, you know?”

“That’s fine, because we’re both Team Olivia.”