The Man Without Rules by Tyffani Clark Kemp Page B

shoes when she grew a good four inches.
    Brit handed her a drink and some pills. Mariss popped them back quick, then joined him in the hall.
    The elevators dinged behind him. Sebastian turned to see
    who was coming.

CHAPTER SEVEN
     
    Merger
    Six men in dark suits stepped off the elevator. Mariss stepped forward to shake their hands, a pleasant smile gently lifting her lips.
    "Good morning, gentlemen," she greeted. "If you'll come this way."
    Sebastian watched her hips sway as she led them down the hall to the board room. He didn't think she was doing it on purpose. The natural switch in her step was more sexy than if she'd been putting on for him. Mariss entered the boardroom with a flourish and took the seat at the end. Sebastian took the other end and let the six men and Brit, Stacia, Janette, and Amanda take the places between on either side. Juliet sat quietly on his left.
    "Well, I believe the gentlemen are at an advantage here," Mariss began, "seeing as the subject of this meeting was kept so close to the jacket. Why are we here?"
    She speared Sebastian with a look that said she blamed him for whatever it was, so he took the initiative.
    "I would like to buy into your company." Her non-dramatic eyebrow went up and Sebastian smiled, letting one corner of his mouth rise lazily. The other eyebrow went up. Oh, she was so responsive.
    "Mr. Boa, I wasn't aware that I was for sale."
    "You've done a fantastic job with your company, Mrs. Red." He poured himself a glass of water from the chilled pitcher in front of him. When he looked up, her eyes were locked on his and strangely clear of emotion. He hadn't been aware she could make her face so empty. "I'm not trying to take anything from you. I just want a part of it."
    "How much?" Mariss' tone was stern and a bit cold.
    Sebastian shrugged. "Half." He watched her choke. "As partner."
    "Certainly there are more prestigious companies you can go with. Not an independent publishing company looking to branch out."
    "None of them have you, and you need the funding."
    "And you need the charity. Is that it?" Her icy tone sent chills over his skin.
    Sebastian nodded and pursed his lips. "Oh yes, Mrs. Red. I'm trying to make myself look good." He sneered. "If that was the case I'd back some podunk charity from Arkansas claiming 'save the chipmunks'."
    She looked at him amused, and slightly aroused. The way her lips parted and her cheeks flushed was fetching and he felt himself begin to get excited below the edge of the table.
    "Then why?" she asked, though her eyes sparked with understanding.
    "I'm looking to branch out," He mirrored her words.
    She nodded slowly. "I see."
    "I'm against it." Brit finally spoke up.
    "Why?" Janette asked. "The exposure, the face, the name. It could be what we need to make the next big leap. Not to mention the funding."
    "We need the funding," Stacia nodded. "I don't think it's a bad idea."
    Sebastian ran his finger over the rim of his glass, watching her. She stared right back, her eyes following his finger as he languidly stroked. Her gaze came up to his and she shivered gently. Involuntarily, the corner of his mouth went up and his eyes turned down.
    "What we're wondering," said one of the men to his right - Wilbur was his name - "is why you've decided to make this dramatic leap."
    "How is it so dramatic?" Sebastian blinked. He set his hand on the table, forgetting the chilled water for the moment.
    "You're a world renowned supermodel and entrepreneur, Mr. Boa."
    "As I am well aware."
    "Why would you align yourself with a bunch of women trying to change the world through literature and do-it-yourself talk?"
    "Excuse me?"
    Mariss' irate tone hit something deep within Sebastian and the chivalrous side of him, the one that didn't get out much, flared. He felt the heat from the death glares on the other side of the table, but he didn't bother to look.
    "Mrs. Red and her people have made great strides in changing the publishing industry," Sebastian began,