Acquisition (Takeover Duet Book 1) by Chelle Bliss

Author:Chelle Bliss [Bliss, Chelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bliss Ink LLC
Published: 2017-10-23T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

I haven’t come down from the high of watching the engine work perfectly, the media buzz afterward, and the knowledge that Antonio is hopefully crying in his Cognac somewhere in the city. I don’t want this day to end, so I stay until there’s nothing but quiet surrounding me. I’m the last person in the office building besides the nighttime cleaning crew.

“We did it, Daddy,” I say to no one before sipping the last drop of champagne from my glass. The celebration after the press conference was enormous. Thankfully, Antonio was nowhere to be found as we toasted to the future of Interstellar and the Mercury engine. “You’re not here to see it, but what we did…” My voice trails off as tears begin to fill my eyes, and I wipe them away. “I wish you were here.” There’s a bittersweetness to everything that’s happened today because my father missed it.

He would’ve been jumping for joy, always my biggest cheerleader. He did get the all clear to reenter the space program after he fully healed, but he declined because he didn’t want to leave me alone if something should happen to him on a mission. I never forgot what he gave up for me, and I think in this moment, he’s smiling down at me, wrapping his arms around me.

“No tears,” he’d say to me if he could. “Revel in the moment that you’re going to send people further into the heavens than we ever thought possible.”

I set the glass down and collect myself, allowing only a few minutes to grieve his absence before heading for the elevators.

All night, I’ve successfully avoided Antonio’s driver and the persistent calls that went on for more than an hour. Blowing Antonio off wasn’t easy, but it sure as hell was satisfying.

The elevator dings with each floor, growing louder the closer it comes to the lobby. I almost float out of the elevator and into the large, glass space that leads to State Street. If I weren’t so high on the events of today and buzzing from the champagne, I would’ve seen the black Escalade parked in front with Antonio leaning against it before I walked outside.

“Lauren.” He pushes off the car as I try to veer to the right to avoid him, but he steps in front of me. “Wait.”

I gaze into his blue eyes and try not to lose myself in them. “I’m tired, Antonio. It’s been a long day.”

Why does he have to be so damn hot?

“I just want to congratulate you.”

I gawk, completely caught off guard. “Thank you,” I say with my mouth slightly agape. “Now, if you’ll excuse me.” I start to walk away, proud that I was able to leave before something happened…again.

I know I sound bitchy, but for the love of all that is holy, I can’t let this man get to me. Under any other circumstances, I’d be in the back of the Escalade, shoving his dress pants down his legs. I’m trying to remain strong, using my bitch meter as the only means to try to chase him away.

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