Bastard Boss

CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE

CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE

Tyler

I meet with Gavin the next morning and review the contract. "You sure this is how you want to handle this?"

"Positive," is my only reply. "And now I have a company to run." I leave him staring after me, relatively speechless. He knows me. When I'm this sold on something, he needs to let it ride.

But he doesn't. I'm at the door when he says, "For the record. You're fucking yourself, man, but it's your call."

I don't turn around. I exit the office with no intention of running into Bella, who will not want to see me, but that's exactly what I do. I'm barely two steps from Gavin's office when she appears. She gasps softly at the sight of me, and we're so close, we almost run into each other. I can smell her perfume and I remember exactly how she tastes. Like honey. Like my woman. And damn it to hell, I want to pull her to me and kiss the fuck out of her. She's in a black, figure-hugging skirt, with a blue silk blouse that brightens the blue of her eyes.

Her skin is creamy and perfect. Her lips are painted pink, full and un-kissed when they need to be kissed. But all my lust-laden thoughts don't outweigh the obvious. She's outside Gavin's office and my suspicion flares. If he ran his mouth, friend or no friend, he's gone. "What are you doing here?"

She holds up a folder. "The contract came. The legal team lead said Gavin would be the best person to have look at a few things. He wasn't answering my calls so I walked over."

Of course, she did. Because she gets the job done. "Do I need to look at it?"

"Not right now. I already worked it over pretty hard. Once Gavin goes through it, I'll make sure you approve it before it goes to Dash."

"How worrisome are the concerns?"

"Not huge, but the wording is a bit tricky, so I want to be sure there isn't a loophole or two hiding in plain sight."

"Smart. He's eager. Whoever drafted that contract worked the weekend to do it."

"Yes," she says. "I thought the same thing, but Hollywood goes hot to cold fast. I want the deal done and done now."

"Agreed." I hesitate. "Bella—"

"Don't," she says softly. "Please. I'm good. I'm motivated this morning and excited for us and my brother. I'll email you when I'm done with Gavin with an update."

Email me. Before this, it would have been a phone call. "Call me. It's what you would have done in the past. Nothing has changed."

Her teeth scrape her bottom lip. "Right. Of course. Nothing has changed." She cuts her stare and steps around me. I turn and watch her disappear into Gavin's office. We need to talk, me and Bella. And before this day is over, we will.