Movie Merger (Bad Boys Billionaire Bachelors Club #2) (3 page)

“I hate to end this interview, Mr. Kent, but I have another appointment to go to so I must be going.”

He looked up at me, nodding his head. “Oh, then I won’t keep you further, Ms. Rowland. Have a lovely day.”

Have a lovely day?
Was he serious? I grabbed my briefcase and looked at him, thanking him for the opportunity to meet. I knew my voice was indifferent and sounded a bit irritated. After all, I could hear my irritation screaming in my head. It was when Mr. Kent responded with a likewise that I lost it.

Marshall Kent may be handsome and sexy, but his boorish behavior during the lunch was unacceptable. And then there was the even more shocking behavior with his little sexcapade earlier, in which he clearly wanted me to watch. I decided to turn my filter off and unleash the fury of what I was feeling at that moment.

“Actually, Mr. Kent, it was not all that nice to meet you. I’ve never met a more self-absorbed, rude, and boorish man in all my life. That’s really saying something because I’m usually very accepting of people. But having good looks and a body like yours is no excuse for rudeness. First of all you make sure I see you fucking the crap out of a woman in your private quarters and don’t seem to care about any impropriety. Then you put me through this awful waste of time interview while acting like an arrogant prick. All I’ve seen today is a man who doesn’t have any decent amount of people skills and it nauseates me. No wonder why you need a lawyer to manage your affairs and keep you from mishandling your own self. You are completely devoid of any decency. Were you raised by wolves or something?” I finally exhaled, shooting darts at Mr. Kent and challenging him to reply. The fact that many eyes were on me didn’t escape my attention either, but I didn’t care. Surely those people, ass kissers or not, felt the same way.

My heart was racing, but my scathing words barely registered in Marshall’s response. “No, I was not raised by wolves.”

“Well you sure act like it. I wouldn’t have been surprised to find out that I was right on,” I spat back.

“It was more like I was raised by zombies,” he replied, making me pause. I narrowed my eyes at him in confusion. What was this guy’s angle?

“What?”

“My mother was a doped out druggie, usually acting more like a zombie than a mother,” he said softly. “She made money to buy drugs by prostituting herself, sometimes right in front of me. But that really isn’t your concern is it, Ms. Rowland?”

I was taken aback at the direct honestly and vulnerability that Marshall had shown at that moment and suddenly felt like I was the one who’d been raised by wolves. I’d been rude and inconsiderate just because he didn’t respond the way I felt he should. I didn’t even know what to say and didn’t have to decide. Marshall held out his hand and shook mine. “Thank you for coming, Ms. Rowland. This concludes our interview.”

“Thank you, Mr. Kent,” I said and walked out. Of course once I was in the parking lot I realized that I didn’t have my car there. It was across the busy boulevard at Foothill Studios. Too embarrassed and humiliated to go back into the restaurant I started to make my way to the lights. It wasn’t changing and the crossing signal was burnt out. I seriously debated taking my shoes off to run across the street, risking a cut or whatever just to get the hell away from that restaurant. My head was aching from humiliation and my dismal flop at the meeting.

With no choice left, I did take off my beautiful red lizard pumps and placed them in my free hand, darting across the busy road. It must have been some sight and I got a few cat calls and whistles as I did it. The humiliation was great, but not as bad as what I’d just experienced with Marshall Kent.

No sooner did the guard let me through the gate at the studios than Marshall Kent drove by, not even looking my way. Yah, I’d blown that one, but good. I couldn’t wait to get home.

Chapter 4

By the time I got back home I was fuming once again. I was mad at myself and despite the story about his childhood, I was plenty mad at Marshall Kent too.

The self-directed anger came from knowing that I let someone get the best of me. I think it had been in my first year of law school that I learned that you can never let people get the best of you because your emotions take over and your logic leaves the building. Well, it was safe to say that my logic had left and it cost me a great client…not only me, but my Dad too. What would he say? He’d be so embarrassed of me.

As for Marshall Kent, did he think that a rough childhood meant he could just act so unconventional and use terrible manners? What person in their right state of mind had sex and let someone else watch, invited them to watch? Nobody that I’d ever met before.
Still, you watched.
I didn’t get it and I briefly wondered why Sophia would sent me over to meet with someone, even suggest dating them, if they were so obviously messed up. He had to have shown that side to others before.

There was nothing left to do but take an indulgent bath, pour a nice glass of wine, and drown my sorrows in my Jacuzzi tub. That was what I needed. I didn’t put the jets on so I could load it up with bubbles and enjoy their fragrant relaxing scent. I had chosen the jasmine blend—guaranteed to calm you. It was my modern version of the Calgon moment that I’d heard many an older woman talk about for years. I couldn’t wait.

I didn’t even take my cell phone into the bathroom, knowing that anybody who needed to talk with me could wait. I needed to diffuse and do it quickly so I could recollect myself and see if there was any way to recover the damage that I’d done.

After about five minutes of soaking I heard my phone go off. I had planned on ignoring it, but then I remembered that Sophia was supposed to call me. I got out of the tub as quickly as possible, wrapping my towel around me and ran out into the living room with little bubbles of foam falling off my body and leaving a trail on my plush tan carpeting.

“Hello,” I said. I could barely breathe from hustling to get to my phone so quickly.

“Hello Ms. Rowland. How are you this evening? You sound…winded.”

My heart sank, recognizing the voice instantly. “Mr. Kent, I wasn’t expecting a call from you.”
What in the hell is he calling for?

“Why? Because you were so very rude to me during our interview and even walked out on it; also causing quite the scene in the restaurant, I might add,” he said matter-of-factly.

My fuming anger instantly arose again. He had some nerve. “You’ve got to be kidding me. It’s the other way around, Mr. Kent. You were the rude one, not me. Me pointing it out doesn’t make me rude, just honest. Something you’re probably not used to from all the ass kissers that flock to you on a daily basis. It’s disgusting and you’re just as disgusting for allowing it.”

“You know, you’re rather sexy when you’re angry, Ms. Rowland,” he replied. He was not even thrown off about my rant again. I guess he had no reason to be. If it didn’t bother him face to face it was not going to bother him on the telephone.
Wait. Hold on. Did he just say I’m sexy?

“There was a brief period in our interview, Miss Rowland, when I thought you were like all the other women around me. Always smiling and having a hidden agenda. You know, cool, vacant and too beautiful. It turns out that I misjudged you and I couldn’t be more pleased about it. In fact, it fits my needs perfectly. I can’t have someone looking out for my best interests if they are not tough enough to stand up to me after all. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“I agree,” I said hesitantly. I was stunned and not sure how to respond. I chose my words carefully. “So, what is it that I can do for you, Mr. Kent? I’m sure you didn’t call just to tell me that I am sexy when I’m angry.”

I heard a soft laugh come from the phone, but no response to my snide question. Instead, Mr. Kent asked, “Can you come in tomorrow so we can get started on everything?”

“Yes.”
He’s actually hiring me! I cannot believe this.

“Good. Be here bright and early tomorrow, and Ms. Rowland, don’t be late.”

“I won’t be. Same place?”

“Yes.”

I hung up the telephone and jumped into the air, letting the few bubbles that remained on my skin go flying off onto the carpeting. I couldn’t believe it. I hadn’t blown it and I wouldn’t have to tell my dad the distressing news. This was fantastic.

I ran to my closet, assessing what I should wear the next day. I wanted it to say something, but not too much. Why was I over thinking this?
Because it’s a big deal.

My phone rang again and this time it was Sophia. I didn’t bother to tell her about the mishaps, but was more than happy to share that I’d gotten the account. She added, “He’s a hottie, isn’t he?” What could I say? There was no denying that. He was smoking and on fire hot.

Before Sophia and my call ended she added, “I bet it ends up turning into something more. Marshall always finds a way to get what he wants. You know who else is like that?”

“Who?” I asked, truly not understanding what she was talking about.

“You,” she said. “Well, I’ll let you get going. I can tell you have a lot on your mind.”

“Love ya’…and thanks,” I said.

“Love ya’ too,” Sophia responded.

I went back to my closet and looked at all my clothes, which all seemed suddenly wrong although they’d been fine just that morning.

Chapter 5

I arrived at the studio by 7:30 a.m. sharp, ready to start my day and prayed it would be better than the previous day. The same slow guard was at the security gate and I wondered why Marshall, who was so regimented, allowed for someone so slow to work there. I bet he moved faster for Marshall. I would have said something, but complaining about his lackadaisical attitude didn’t seem like the type of gesture that would do me any good. Plus, if Marshall was so sporadic with everyone the guy might get fired. I didn’t want him fired, just to get the lead out of his butt when he was walking up to the cars.

For the second day in a row, I walked into the main house and called out hello, waiting for someone to respond. Once again it was silent. Just as I was getting ready to call out again, a beautiful red head walked by me, buttoning her blouse as she passed by. She was grinning madly, but didn’t look disheveled. Did Marshall just have sex with her? Wow, he started early and seemingly had a different woman for every day of the week.

I decided to stay put and sit down in a chair in the living room area. I didn’t want any surprises this morning because I definitely had to focus and show that I was worth the firm’s price of $300.00 per hour.

I looked around at everything, waiting patiently for Marshall to show himself. He must have been a ninja in some life because I didn’t even hear him coming. “Hello, Ms. Rowland.” I looked up and saw him walking toward me from the kitchen. He was only wearing a towel that was a bit wet and wrapped around his waist. I couldn’t help but admire each rippling sexy abdominal muscle on his chest that made up more than a six pack. He was like an eight pack special.

That towel hung low just below his hip and looked like it could fall off any second. He was casually sipping his coffee and acting as nonchalantly as could be. I noticed him looking at me, as if he had x-ray goggles and knew exactly what I was wearing below my clothes. His eyes hovered at my cleavage, just above where my last button was fastened. I was used to men ogling my body because it was curvy and “built for fucking” as Brandon had put it several times. However, the way Marshall looked at me was making me unravel and desiring to have him take me in the living room I sat in at that very moment.

“It’s nice to see you so bright and early…very punctual.”

“As you requested, sir.”

Marshall smirked at me, making me wonder what I could have possibly said to make him do that. “What’s so funny?”

“I like the way you call me sir. From your mouth it sounds rather enticing.”

I had to change the subject and start establishing some boundaries for this attorney/client relationship or it was never going to work. “Where do you want me to work, Mr. Kent?”
Just go tear off that towel. You know you want to. You want to tear it off, get down on your knees, and suck him to pleasure.

“Why is your face so flushed, Ms. Rowland. Are you feeling alright? I could open the windows to get you some fresh air.”

“That’s very kind, but I’m good, Mr. Kent.”

“Coffee or tea? You’re welcome to take anything from the fridge you like.”

“No thank you. I’m fine for now.”

“I just want to make sure you’re comfortable around here. After all, you’re going to be spending a lot of time here, including some nights and weekends. You’ll find this place adequately equipped with everything since I do live here when I’m in LA and prefer not to travel to an office if I can do everything from my home.”

“How convenient,” I replied, making him smile.

“Yes, very,” he said. Then he pointed to the glass top table in the living room and told me that was where I’d be working from. “My assistant, Karen, has everything you need on there already and if you need anything else she is speed dial 1 on the phone.”

“She’s not in this building?”

“Oh no, as I told you yesterday this is my personal space.”

I started to ask why I was there then, but decided to keep my mouth shut. No need to say something that I’d likely regret or worse yet, stick my foot in my mouth. “Sounds good,” I said.

“Just shout out if you need me. I’ll be around.”

“Thank you.” With that, Marshall left and I got down to work, sorting through the stacks of files and financial information that were on the glass table. It really was a lot to go through.

My main task was to review contracts and financial documents for a studio that Foothills Studios was trying to merge with called Silver Fern Productions. Before Marshall had an interest and ran the studio in LA, it seemed that merger proceedings had already been started.

Marshall stepped back in for a while to explain the merger to me. Apparently he didn’t know the least thing about it. That was why he needed me to sort things out and explain everything to him. Most of all, he needed me to make sure that he wasn’t getting screwed over and that everything was as organized as possible for the inevitable transaction. I somehow doubted that would be the case. He seemed to be the type of guy who made sure that he got the last word in despite the merger having been agreed upon long before he took over the studios.