Duke remains unimpressed. “Any one of my tech employees could have developed this device.”
“Bullshit,” I fire back out of instinct.
My stomach sinks with mortification. I am never this brazen.
In my peripheral vision, I see Jake’s face redden. He’s pissed. And why shouldn’t he be? We’ve blown this meeting and it’s mostly my fault.
“Your technicians could have built the MicroTracker,” Forrest says to Duke. “But they didn’t. We did. You could have them build it now and start from scratch—but you’d be at Ground Zero. Our product is seventy-five percent there.”
And that is what I should have said.
If only I’d listened and let Forrest take the lead on this. Instead I’m floundering.
I used profanity—I swore at our potential investor. My stomach feels like it’s filled with lead.
I should walk away. Concede the win.
But there’s this weird tremor in my gut that tells me this isn’t over.
“Most consumers will not want this product,” Duke says with finality.
“The MicroTracker isn’t for most consumers,” I say.
The room goes so silent you could hear a feather drop. Duke runs his hand over his beard and seems genuinely curious for the first time. I stay focused and pretend the movement isn’t sexy as hell, that my heartbeat isn’t pinging off the walls.
“Kingston Industries is a company built on innovation,” I say, gaining confidence. I’m taking a risk, but I need to salvage this meeting or I can kiss my business aspirations goodbye. “
“And it’s only by taking risks on products with the potential to have a big upside that a company grows to dominate the market the way your company has done. We are that kind of product. We may be high risk, but the rewards could also be great if we succeed.”
A glimmer of interest glows behind Duke’s stony expression. “I’m always interested in great rewards,” he says, looking directly into my eyes now.
My stomach flutters. “No doubt we—I—have botched this meeting, and I’m not going to offer any excuses.” I swallow hard. “But if you’d just give us a chance to regroup and come back with a second pitch, I know we can impress you.”
Jesus. That came off cockier than I’d intended, but we could use a break here.
Duke doesn’t say anything. I hold his stare and pretend my core isn’t tightening in response to his raw sexuality. His eyes travel the length of my body. It’s so subtle, and yet I feel stripped bare. Naked and vulnerable. My skin burns so hot I’m afraid it might catch fire.
He runs his tongue over his bottom lip. “I don’t give second chances.”
The air pushes out of my lungs in a hard gasp. My eyes burn and I blink back tears.
“But I will agree to hear a revised pitch,” he says. “Tonight.”
My knees buckle with relief.
Jake tilts his head back and lets loose a sigh. Forrest’s grin stretches from one side of his boyish face to the other.
“Tonight?” I repeat.
Duke nods. “At dinner.”
My throat practically closes shut at the thought of having to do this again so soon. Facing Duke Kingston is like going before a firing squad.
He glances at his watch. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have another meeting to attend.”
“Of course,” Forrest says. “And thank you, sir.”
“You won’t regret this,” Jake says, extending his hand. “We’ll look forward to dinner.”
Duke dismisses them and locks his gaze on me again. “Just you,” he says. “My secretary will call you with the details.”
A shockwave of thrill and fear ripples through me.
Chapter 3
Jake pours a glass of beer from the pitcher and slumps in his chair. “That guy Kingston is a motherfucker.” He shakes his head and his eyes go dark. “Thinks he can just walk all over people. Rich asshole.”
I shoot him a look. “Calm down, Jake.”
I think he might be getting drunk.
Meanwhile, the delicious scent of fried cheese wafts from the deep-dish pizza at the center of the graffiti-riddled table. I resist picking at it, not wanting to ruin my appetite. Like I’ll be able to eat when I’m out with Duke, anyway.
“At least we’re still in the game,” Forrest says, taking a sip of Guinness. Foam sticks to his upper lip and he licks it away.
I pretend to be the reasonable one. “The important thing is that we have a second shot here. Let’s not blow it.”
Jake snorts. “No, you have a second shot. Duke Kingston wants nothing to do with me and Forrest.”
Forrest gives me a look as if telling me to ignore Jake’s whining. “If we make a deal, we all get paid regardless of who Duke Kingston meets with.”