Free Hardline by Meredith Wild Page B

silence he finally spoke.  
       “So what’s going on with Alex?”
       “I was talking to Sid about maybe taking Clozpin in a different direction, trying to think outside the box a little, and it occurred to me that Alex had offered to be a resource when we met. I’m not sure if he’d be interested in any partnership—”
       “What kind of partnership?”
       My excitement over the call waned quickly at the skepticism in his voice. “I don’t know if that’s something he would consider. His site is huge, and he’s obviously doing really well on his own. But Max and Risa are in business competing with us now. I’ve lost a handful more advertisers, and my revenue is going to take a hit. I just thought—”
       “I get it, but you’re considering a partnership with Alex Hannon and you didn’t run this by me?”
       I shifted in my seat. “I didn’t realize I had to. Is there something with Alex that I need to know about? If it’s anything like what you kept from me about Max, I’d like to know before I fly out to San Francisco to see him.”  
       He exhaled audibly, betraying his growing frustration. He parked abruptly down the street from the apartment and stared off a moment. “He’s nothing like Max. I’m a little shocked you didn’t talk to me about any of this though. I’m the investor in your company.”
       “I’m grateful for what you’ve done, Blake. I have every intention of paying you back, but if I have any chance of doing that, I need to get us back on track. Otherwise this is going to be an epic failure and your investment will be lost.”
       “I don’t give a shit about the money, Erica. Four million dollars would be worth losing if it brought you into my life. Every penny I have would be.”
       My heart twisted at the proclamation. “Thank you, Blake. But this is about me making this business work. I reached out to Alex on a whim, and I honestly didn’t think he’d get back to me so quickly. I definitely wasn’t expecting him to be receptive to discussing this further, but it seems like an opportunity I should pursue. I’m telling you about it now, literally minutes after it’s happened. I’m sorry if you felt I was keeping anything from you, because that wasn’t my intention.”
       He caught my hand and rubbed the back of it gently.  
       “Are things going okay at work?” I didn’t want to argue, but I could tell something was bothering him, hoping it wasn’t all me. “Have you been able to talk to Michael yet?”
       “I put a call in to him, but I haven’t heard back yet. I might make a trip to Dallas. Some things are better discussed face to face.”  
       “Maybe you could go while I’m in California.”
       He shook his head, his lips pulled into a tight line. “No, I’ll go with you. Alex is a friend. We’ve worked together before, and obviously I don’t want you traveling alone.”  
       “I’d like that. There’s some technology awards event this weekend, and he said that he could get tickets if I could make it.”  
       His hold on my hand tightened slightly. “Sure. I’ll have Cady make arrangements. We can get a flight Friday night.”  
       I leaned over and slid my free hand across his button down. His eyes darkened. We stayed that way, still in the darkness, eyes glittering in lamplight. I sensed he had more to say, but I didn’t want to push him tonight. I reached up, closing the small distance between us.  
       Sealing our mouths together, I sought the sweet depth of his. The kiss deepened. Our tongues tangled. He freed my hand to cup my cheek, angling me to his liking. I reared up, wanting our bodies closer in this small moment, as impractical as it might have been.  
       “I love you,” I whispered, panting for air when we separated.  
       I lowered my hand, gratified as always to find him hard, his erection straining. I kissed him deeper, teasing him with strokes of my tongue