39

ALISTAIR

“Not only will you be able to serve the signature drinks in the taproom, but you’ll also be able to sell them in stores. Regionally at first. And if that does well, the plan is national distribution.” Liliana clicked the screen to another slide. “All this is contingent on how impressed Veronica and Reginald are at the tasting, of course. But I’d be surprised if they’re not thrilled by the end of it.”

Liliana sat, and Alex tapped the file in front of him.

“I’ve spoken to Reginald. He and Veronica mixed some of the recipes at home because they could hardly wait for the tasting. They’re impressed so far. If the drinks are a hit with customers at the tasting, I don’t think there’s anything standing between Hard Rock and full retail distribution. Nationally. Possibly by this time next year, if all goes well. And I think it will,” he said with a huge smile.

I looked at Benedict and wondered if he could see dollar signs in my eyes the way I could see them in his.

It was more than the money, of course, but you couldn’t run a successful business poised for steady growth without it.

You couldn’t put food on the table with a sense of accomplishment alone. But that was a big part of what had me feeling great.

That and Liliana in my arms again.

I’d spent the night at her house a couple of nights earlier, making love to her well into the morning hours. I hoped I’d finally put to rest her idea that we should keep things professional.

I could never settle for that, and I hated hearing her say it.

Especially since I knew I was completely in love with her.

She smiled at me, clearly thinking about what I’d done to her that morning before we came into the Donague office.

Thinking about what I was going to do to her after she got home from work that night, if I was lucky.

All I wanted was to sweep her off her feet right into my arms.

I’d missed the last several things that people were saying around the conference table. When the meeting broke up, I followed Liliana to her office and shut the door behind me. I sat with my hip on the corner of her desk.

“Well?” she asked. “Is it everything you were hoping for? A collaboration, even retail distribution of the prepared drinks. Anything left on your list to tick off?”

She glanced toward her door to be sure no one was coming through it. Then she stepped close, pushing herself between my legs to lean against me and wrap her arms around my neck. “Any unfinished business?”

I kissed her quickly. I wanted more, but I also didn’t want her to be caught in a compromising position. “So much unfinished business,” I said.

“Yeah?” she asked. “Like what?”

I ran my hand down the curve of her ass. “This.” I dared to slip my hand inside her skirt to press my knuckles against the heat of her. “And this. Needs some work, doesn’t it? Got to give this problem a lot of attention.”

“Oh,” she said with a laugh. “It’s a problem now?”

“Mm hmm. A major problem.” I kissed her cheek. “That needs to be resolved immediately.”

She shuddered but pushed my arm playfully so that I’d put my hand somewhere else.

“I still have to be here for a few hours,” she said, giggling. “It’s not fair to turn me on too much.”

“Hmm. You could lock your door and let me fuck you on your desk.”

She scoffed, but she kissed me again.

“I like the way you think. But I’d also like to keep my job.” She pointed to one of the chairs in front of her desk. “Behave.”

I groaned and moved to sit in one. “I can’t believe Veronica and Reginald are talking about retail distribution already. National, at that. You’re a miracle worker, Liliana.”

Liliana sitting in her desk chair and me on the other side of her desk was just too much space between us. But then someone knocked, and Charity and Benedict stepped in, making me glad she’d had the sense to separate us first.

They gushed about the pending tasting event and all the good things that could come from it. I felt as happy as Benedict sounded. And it was even better because I knew how instrumental Liliana had been to this success.

It’s the kind of break we’d been waiting and hoping for since we started Hard Rock.

“I have plans I can’t get out of tonight,” Benedict said. “But tomorrow, I’m taking us all out for dinner. We have to celebrate!”

It was great to see Benedict so happy. It was great to feel so happy about the business myself. But I was so overwhelmed with how I felt about Liliana, I didn’t really want to focus on anything else at the moment.

I was glad our celebration would be tomorrow instead of that night. I didn’t want to wait another day to tell Liliana what I had to tell her. And I didn’t want to drop it on her and then have to go have dinner with other people.

I had a feeling, we’d only want to be alone afterward.

When Benedict and Maddie left, leaving me and Liliana alone in her office again, I stood and pulled her from her chair into my arms.

“Offer to fuck you on your desk still stands, you know.”

Liliana giggled. “Raincheck?”

“You got it.” I cupped her cheek. “You have plans tonight?”

She grinned broadly. “I do. I plan to spend the whole evening with a tall, sexy, handsome man.”

“Ooh, he sounds like a real stud.” I raised my eyebrows.

“He’s not half-bad,” she said with a chuckle. “He’s even going to bring dinner and help me drink some wine.”

I kissed her softly. “I’m starting to get a little jealous.”

She whispered, “He doesn’t know it yet, but I’m going let him ravish me afterwards.”

I growled at nipped at her neck as she squirmed and laughed.

“What’s he bringing? And when?” I brushed my nose with hers.

“Chicken Alfredo from Gianni’s. Extra breadsticks. Cannolis for dessert. Around seven. He’s always on time too. And always shows up for me.” She licked her lips. “Sexy as hell.”

“Too bad you’re busy. My rotten luck. Give this incredible stud my regards.” I kissed her, holding her body against mine.

Then I walked to the door and said over my shoulder. “Sounds like one hell of a lucky guy.”

Her sweet laughter filled my ears as I walked out of her office.