Bind (12 page)

He nodded.

She left the room, and he closed the door behind them.

In the living room, she was able to breathe properly again. “It’s been a long day,” she said by way of excusing herself.

“Would you like me to drive you home?”

“I need my car for tomorrow.”

He nodded. “Call me with any questions about the contract. I’ll plan on picking you up Saturday around one?”

None of this was proceeding as she’d planned. She’d figured they’d hammer out an agreement in a roomful of lawyers, announce their marriage then each go on with their regular lives.

She hadn’t counted on Connor being a Dominant and taking marriage vows seriously. On one hand, it felt like they were moving too fast. On the other, she was anxious to get the whole thing behind them so he could join the BHI board.

“I’ll walk you down.”

Already she knew better than to argue.

Since there were other people in the elevator, they remained silent on the ride down.

As she slid behind the wheel of her car, he said, “Pack an overnight bag for Saturday.”

Chapter Five

True to his word, the first draft of Connor’s prenuptial agreement appeared in Lara’s inbox before ten o’clock in the morning. He’d encrypted it and sent the password under separate cover.

She opened the document. Not surprisingly, it was almost twenty pages long and each section was complete. Even though she didn’t have time to read each line, she scanned the highlights.

As she’d had a preliminary meeting with her family attorney, she’d known this prenuptial would be a bit different from many others. Most people entered a marriage assuming it would last rather than setting a termination date. That should make it more straightforward. At least theoretically.

Since that appeared to be the case, she searched out the pertinent parts. As he’d mentioned yesterday in his office, he’d included the fact that everything that happened between them was confidential, not to be disclosed to the press, and he’d backdated that to yesterday.

Then she read the addendum.

Item A outlined her role as a submissive.

Shocked, she leaned forward to study the screen. He insisted she wear a collar if they attended lifestyle events. She was required to address him as Sir during their BDSM scenes. And she would submit to predetermined punishments when necessary. They would live together and sleep in the same bed.

The idea that he’d discussed the intimate details with his lawyer mortified her.

She was willing to bet that a sympathetic judge would rule that the addition was unconscionable, thereby rendering it unenforceable. It could threaten the entirety of the rest of the agreement. On the other hand, if she didn’t sign it, he might refuse to marry her.

He was damn shrewd.

Item B contained his requirements of his wife. She was free to keep her own last name, but she was welcome to take his if that suited her. Regardless, they would be known as Mr. and Mrs. Donovan to their colleagues. She would be expected to accompany him at times to various events and perform other duties such as hosting dinner parties.

Outside of immediate members of his family, no one would know about the marriage of convenience. That rocked her. His family could know, but hers couldn’t? She understood that his concern was practical from a business standpoint. But keeping it from her mother might be difficult. The woman seemed to have psychic skills where Lara was concerned.

She froze when she reached the bottom line.

The length of the contract was for three years unless both parties agreed to negotiate a longer term.

Three years?

She’d been thinking one, two at the most.

She dug out her cell phone, scrolled through her recent contacts, found his number then dialed.

“You read the contract.”

Did he ever engage in niceties? “And there are certain things I don’t like.”

“Have your attorney contact mine.”

She expelled a deep breath. “There are only a few points we need to talk through. I’m sure you can guess what they are.”

“I need to ensure you have adequate time to review the document,” he said. “And you’ll need to have your lawyer look at it. I’m happy to discuss it when we meet tomorrow,” he said.

When she was at his house, worrying that he might secure her to the spanking bench?

“Surely there’s nothing you didn’t expect?” he continued.

After last night, the addendum shouldn’t have surprised her. “Can we meet for coffee?”

“Of course.”

“On second thought, no.” She didn’t want anyone overhearing. She thought about suggesting her office, but she didn’t want her father knowing Connor was in the building. And the idea of going back to his office…

“Thompson has some biscotti for you.”

He couldn’t be serious.

“Two o’clock?” he suggested. “I can have my attorney with me, if you’d like.”

“That won’t be necessary.”

“Shall I send April?”

He was giving her all sorts of choices, yet she still couldn’t help but feel as if he were totally in control. It unnerved her.

“Lara?”

“Yes. Please do.”

“I look forward to seeing you.” He ended the call.

She sighed. Even when she got what she wanted, it seemed to be on his terms.

Lara printed off a copy of the contract then closed the document. She grabbed a yellow pen to highlight her biggest concerns before putting the packet of papers in her briefcase.

Afterward, she joined her father for a short meeting in his office to set the priorities for the coming week.

“Anything new?”

“No.”

“Nothing back from Connor Donovan?” she asked eventually.

“He’ll come back,” Pernell said, linking two paper clips together.

Her last hope was to convince him to take a great big swallow of pride. “You’re not willing to relent, call him, maybe? I could be part of the meeting. Maybe organize a time for him to talk to the board.”

“That’s not how business is done, Lara Marie.”

“What if I set it up?”

He straightened his spine. “I won’t hear of it.”

“This could be an excellent opportunity.”

“It was an insulting offer. He’ll come around. Or another company will. We can start making overtures.”

Which wouldn’t put them in a position of strength. She was torn. Part of her wanted to confess what she’d done. A larger part was distressed over her father’s continual state of denial. His wire inbox was filled with paper and he was wearing a golf shirt and casual pants, his usual Friday attire. “You’re heading out?”

He checked his watch. “Meeting some colleagues. We have a tee time just after lunch.”

“Will you be back this afternoon?”

“No sense. I’ll be most of the way home by then.”

“I have a meeting with the VP of Technology at three-thirty.”

“Good. Bring me a report on Monday.”

“I’d like you to be there. He says he has some interesting ideas to discuss.”

“No doubt I’ll be playing the back nine by then. Should have some good weather for it.”

With a brief nod, she stood. At the doorway, she paused, and looked over her shoulder. “You know, Dad, if you started to work on your exit strategy—”

“I still have years to think about that.”

“You could consider a part-time retirement. Have more time to play golf and spend time at the club.”

“You’ll be CEO soon enough, Lara Marie.”

“That’s not my point, and you know it. I’m far better as the CFO.”

“You’ll inherit eventually.”

“That’s not what this is about,” she said. “I want you around for a long, long time. But we need to be able to make decisions and execute faster. Have the ability to spin off bad divisions.” With an exasperated motion, she tucked strands of hair behind her ears. This wasn’t a new argument. She softened her tone and continued, “We need some new energy. We could consider at least beginning a search for a president. You can remain as CEO. Even chairman of the board.” Intuition warned her that anyone they hired for that position would end up resigning in frustration, unless Pernell was able to release some control.

“Have that report to me by Monday.”

Frustration still simmered, but she knew it would be helped by lunch with her mother.

She went straight from the office to an Italian bistro in a nearby boutique hotel. Service was typically European style with plenty of time to relax. Menu prices were about fifty percent higher than comparable restaurants, but the food was wonderful, and the location was rarely crowded at lunch. It was an excellent place to visit and catch up.

Helene breezed in five minutes late, looking radiant in a yellow, slim-fitting dress and matching heels. She’d obviously been to the beauty salon. Her dark, shoulder-length hair fell in perfectly trimmed layers, and overhead lights seemed to bounce off the golden highlights. Her nails were manicured and her face glowed. Maybe she’d had both a salon and spa morning.

“Hello, darling,” Helene said.

Lara stood, and her mother kissed both of her cheeks.

“You’re looking well,” Helene said.

She didn’t, and she knew it. Since she’d run into Connor two nights ago, she hadn’t slept enough, and she knew it had taken a toll. “You look positively radiant, Mother.”

“Divorce made me what I am today. Happily single.”

Being away from Pernell agreed with Helene. She’d spent years as his hostess and greatest supporter. In return, she’d been ignored and forgotten on many occasions. When Pernell’s health began to suffer, she’d asked him to cut back on his schedule, eat better, spend time with the family. In response, he’d worked longer hours, scheduled more meetings then canceled their anniversary trip to Australia.

Helene hadn’t cried or gotten angry. Instead, she’d taken control of her own life. She’d bought a two-bedroom townhome in River Oaks and furnished it with brand-new pieces.

She’d taken only her personal items, cosmetics, jewelry, favorite clothes and shoes. At first, Pernell hadn’t realized she’d left him. Being served divorce papers on the golf course had been his dose of reality.

Lara took her chair while a waiter pulled back one for Helene.

After he’d filled both water glasses and described the specials, he took their drink order.

“Unsweetened iced tea with a slice of lemon,” Lara said.

“House chianti for me,” Helene requested.

The moment he walked away, she said, “Tell me everything. You didn’t call me back last night. It’s your father, isn’t it?”

Lara settled for a half-truth. “Connor Donovan came to make an offer on the communications division.” Helene knew all the intricacies of the businesses since she still held a seat, not that she attended meetings, but she occasionally read the notes, especially since it impacted her income.

“The old goat kicked him out?” she guessed. “Without the board ever hearing the information.”

“Precisely.”

The waiter returned with drinks and a basket of bread.

After he’d taken their order, Helene broke off a piece of the loaf and dipped it in some olive oil.

“Wait a minute. If your father didn’t tell the board…?”

“I had dinner with Erin Wednesday night, and I went back to the office to tie up a few things. I bumped into Connor as I was getting off the elevator.”

“When you see her again, give her my regards. Now, back to Connor. He stopped and just happened to tell you he made an offer on the communications division?”

Her mother’s ability to juggle multiple conversations and ideas was one of things that had made her indispensable to Pernell. Lara wasn’t sure he appreciated that, even now. “He didn’t volunteer it. I asked why he was there.”

“What did you think of him? He’s a handsome young man, isn’t he? More like his grandfather in temperament. Very serious. Not given to romantic notions.”

Lara wasn’t so sure of that. Serious, yes. But some of the things he said were charmingly antiquated, bordering on romantic.

“Did he tell you what the offer was?”

“No.” Lara toyed with a piece of bread, dipping it in the plate of olive oil, then setting it back down again.

“There’s something you’re not telling me.”

It wasn’t like her to hedge. Then again, she’d never been in a situation like this. She wasn’t sure where she’d even start to describe her relationship with the complicated man.

“I imagine you confronted your father,” Helene said. “Wish I could have seen that.”

“He said the offer was missing some zeros and a comma.”

“Which you don’t know for sure.”

“Correct.”

“And taking it to the board won’t gain you anything. So you might as well treat yourself to a spa day. Nothing is solved by dwelling on it.”

Lara shook her head. A massage didn’t solve every problem. On the other hand, it might help her to sleep better. “This is our company, your future, as well.”

“You got nowhere with your father. Which means you need to go to Connor and ask.” Helene was lifting her glass to her mouth when she froze. “You already have, haven’t you? Clever girl.” Helene put her glass back down. “In fact, that’s why you didn’t call me back last night. You were with Connor.”

“How the hell do you do that?”

“DNA.”

“DNA?”

“You get your brain from me. That’s precisely what I would have done. Besides, you’re generally more forthcoming with information. You went to his home? Had dinner, maybe?”

When she didn’t answer, Helene went on, “What’s he like in private?”

She discarded about a dozen adjectives before settling on, “Smart.”

“You don’t take a company like Donovan Worldwide and make it bigger than it was without being intelligent. Surely you discussed the offer?”

“No. We didn’t. Honestly. He said it was no longer on the table.”

“For your father, perhaps. You’ll know how to make it happen, if it’s possible. I don’t suppose the old goat is talking about retiring yet?”

“If you’re referring to my father, the answer is no.” She didn’t mention the way he continually shut down the discussions about hiring his successor. Like him, the rest of the board likely assumed that she would step into his position, but that side of the business didn’t play to her strong suit. Though she’d become somewhat adept at strategy, vision and leadership, it wasn’t what she really wanted to do. She preferred to figure out how to make it happen.