Billionaire Bachelors 7 ; The Billionaire's Final Stand(59)

"You arrogant, egotistical, pig of a man. I can't believe women throw themselves at you. Why? Are they crazy? Do they feel like they deserve punishment? Get it through that thick skull of yours, into whatever tiny brain is in there, that I don't want anything to do with you," she huffed, her breathing ragged with her rising temper.

He couldn't help it, he started laughing, his stomach shaking with the force of his merriment. He didn't think it possible, but he wanted her even more than before.

"You are so good for me. I know you're trying to anger me, but all you've done is make me more determined. I love a challenge, Katherine, and you've become my number one priority." He happily threw down the gauntlet and awaited her response. 

"Your number one priority should be your family's corporation and making sure it doesn't fall apart. I guess you haven't done any growing up if all you can think about is what's below your belt and where you're going to put it next. I have a job to do, which I take very seriously, so I'm done with this call. I was fast asleep when you so rudely woke me up."

"Aren't you being counterproductive, Katherine? If you love your job so much, shouldn't you be schmoozing me, trying to gain my trust, so I'll swoop in and save the day? You and I both know I'm what the corporation needs. You just don't want to say it out loud. What would the other board members think if you chased me away?"

"They'd thank me for getting rid of a pesky fly. You're not that important in all of this," she bluffed. He'd always been able to tell when she was lying. Her voice hitched a bit at the end of the sentence. It seemed not a lot had changed.

His call to her had amused him, but also left him nearly trembling with need. He had to have her soon.

"Tsk, tsk, Katherine. We both know you're lying."

There was silence on the other end of the line for nearly a minute and he wondered again if she'd hung up on him, or possibly fallen asleep.

"Grow up, Joseph. This call is over," she finally said. He expected the sound of a click, but all he heard was silence. He waited another moment.

"See, Katherine, you do want me. You want to hear the sound of my voice, to feel my hands caress your body. You want me, even if you don't want to. You can't even hang up on me, being afraid of breaking the connection we have. Don't worry. I'll take care of you," he huskily whispered.

After a sudden intake of breath that had his chest pounding, he heard the click of the phone as the call was disconnected.

He laid his own phone in its receiver, and then went to take a long shower. He couldn't wait for his next round with her.

Joseph walked up to the front doors of the building his grandfather had built. He had not only designed it, but actually used his own two hands to help create it. Joseph always felt a sense of pride when he looked at the custom design, the appealing flow of windows and walls.

His grandfather, Benjamin, had wanted to make a statement. He was entering the business world, and he wanted everyone to know he was a force to be reckoned with. Joseph's neck stretched back as he looked high in the sky, where the top of the building towered above those around it. He knew someday, it most likely wouldn't be the tallest building in Seattle, but at that moment it was.

He walked through the front doors, his appearance stating to the world that he was confident, the one they could count on. No one would know his gut was clenched with nerves. This company meant something to him, it had history.

Financially he'd be fine without the corporation. He'd gone out and conquered the world on his own, amassed a large fortune, but his grandfather's company was history. It was family, everything he'd been taught to respect and honor.

There was no way he could let his uncle get his hands on it. He'd rip it apart without a thought to the family, nor the thousands of people employed. He'd do what was good for him, and not care about anyone left in his wake.

Joseph couldn't let that happen, even if he had to sink every last million of his own funds into the corporation to save it.

There was a skeleton security crew working as he passed the front desk. He passed by with just a nod, not in the mood for small talk.




 

 

He was headed to the top floor where a meeting was being held. The board wanted to hear from all the players, all those who were up for taking Benjamin's place. Joseph hadn't wanted to come back home, but now …  now, he'd do whatever it took to ensure the position was his. He couldn't walk away.

Without breaking his stride, he stepped into the elevator and rode to the top of the building. He was mentally preparing for the barrage of questions awaiting him.

If he cared so much, why had he left for five years?

He was so young, what could he offer that Neilson couldn't?