Unfortunately, all the power plays in the world didn’t matter. According to their attorney, because Julian had been there during the initial design phase, they’d have to come up with some kind of settlement if they wanted this mess to go away. In Kade’s book, any acknowledgment of Julian’s supposed hand in the creation of the Blink app was a loss. And Kade didn’t like to lose.
He remained silent on the ride downtown to their Soho offices while Derek and Lucas talked about potential offers Julian might accept. Kade was still brewing on that. The man had a cocaine problem. Money would probably be the most welcome solution. Lord knew he hadn’t been interested in rehab when offered, and no way in hell would they give him a stake in the company.
“You could have shaved for this meeting,” Derek said as they exited the car a little while later.
Lucas slammed the door behind them and laughed. The asshole.
Kade shrugged. “I wore a suit. You can’t have everything.”
They’d agreed to dress like the adults they were, not the tee-shirt-wearing juveniles they preferred to be, in order to let Julian know he wouldn’t be walking all over them. They were taking his lawsuit seriously—because if it dragged out and ended up in court, their company valuation would be impacted. They couldn’t afford to let that happen, and Julian knew it. Which meant he had the upper hand.
Still stewing over that fact, Kade followed the others into the elevator. He hit the button for the top floor, heading up to the area above the workspace they shared with employees. The offices were housed in a newly renovated garage.
He strode past the abstract paintings surrounded by steel beams toward his private office and stepped inside. The wall-to-wall windows provided him with a full view of the gloomy rain that matched his mood. All he wanted was to hole up at his desk and work on the funding. No distractions, no bothersome annoyances, no—
“Good morning, Mr. Barnes,” a chipper voice said, popping up from beneath his desk.
He blinked in surprise, then narrowed his gaze at the strange woman he’d never seen before. “Who the hell are you, and what are you doing under there?”
“I moved your computer and was plugging it back in,” she said, pointing to the far corner of his desk. “You can pull it forward when you need to work. I set the keyboard at a better ergonomic location so it’s safer for your back. Not to mention, you’ll have easier access to your files when you’re sitting at your desk,” she explained, clasping her hands in front of her.
His lips firmed, and he was about to rip into her when he realized she looked as if she’d been caught in the morning’s downpour. Her brown hair was damp, curling at the ends, and her white shirt had water stains on the front, calling attention to a lace bra and her full breasts. None of which detracted from the beauty beneath the smudged makeup. With big blue eyes and porcelain skin, she was exactly Kade’s type.
Not skinny and more than a handful, he thought, his mouth watering at the thought. “And my other question? Who are you?” he asked, his voice harsh in order to cover the sudden rush of desire he didn’t need riding him here and now.
“Lexie Parker, your new personal assistant,” she said, her voice soft and pleasing, at distinct odds with her bossy personality, if her nerve in rearranging his desk before meeting him was anything to go by. His anxiety and ADHD were off the charts with a mere glance at the new setup, not that he’d admit to such a thing.
When he remained silent, she placed her hand on the stapler—on his now neat desk. Folders sat in precise stacks; his favorite pen was nowhere to be found, probably mixed in with the writing utensils in the holder he never used. His organized disorganization was gone. Not even his meds took the edge off her changes.
“I didn’t hire you,” he said through gritted teeth.
“I see you two have met,” Derek said, joining them in his office and slapping Kade on the back as he drew up beside him. “Think you can hold on to this one?”
Kade unclenched his jaw. “Did I miss the interview?” he asked.
“Lexie is Wade Parker’s daughter,” Derek said, naming their biggest backer and investor. “She needed a job, and you, my friend, need a personal assistant you can’t run off with your not-so-charming personality and demands.”
His eyes shot daggers at his partner, who knew full well he liked to choose his own PA, before glancing back at Lexie. She smiled and treated him to a small wave. His dick responded to her smile. The wave irritated the shit out of him.
He turned to face her. “Guess we’re stuck with each other.”
She smiled, and it brightened her entire face, lighting up incredibly blue eyes. Sky blue, his favorite color. “So what next?” she asked.
“Don’t touch my stuff without permission.”
She frowned, her eyes narrowing, drawing attention to her dark lashes. “How about you try my changes. If you don’t like them, I’ll put things back the way I found them.” She patted his chair, indicating he should sit.
Well, what do you know? She wasn’t intimidated by him.
He met her gaze and grinned, extending his hand. “Just ask before you touch my things next time.”
“Yes … sir.” They shook hands, and the feel of her soft flesh sent waves of desire rippling along his skin. He jerked his hand back quickly.
Derek chuckled. “I think you two will get along just fine.” He leaned in close and whispered in Kade’s ear. “And since she’s Wade’s daughter, you can trust her with your keys. You won’t have to pick up your own dry cleaning.” Another slap on the back, and he walked out the door.