Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 99918 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99918 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
“Of course,” Tristan said, as if that were a given. “But I wasn’t done. I also want you running the division.”
“I’m sorry, what?” Dylan asked. He’d been thinking over the possibilities of the buyout and was afraid he hadn’t heard him right.
“You’ll head the social media division of my company. I want to carve that piece out, let you oversee the development. You’ve created innovative processes in this market, you aren’t afraid to take a risk, and you listen to what the people want. I’m lacking that in my organization. I’m finding out that we’re still in the same mindset we were ten years ago—we think we tell the consumer what they want. I’ve got my own work cut out for me around here.”
“I appreciate the offer, but I’ve been my own boss for far too long. I’m not sure I could play well with the likes of that senior team you have hovering out there.” Dylan answered off the cuff but was completely serious. He and Landry would butt heads at every turn. He had no interest in fighting to keep moving them forward or getting in a cock-and-bull fight over the politics in corporate America.
“You’ll report to me. You’ll be given a budget, but you’re used to that, and have carte blanche after that. I want Secret to remain the brand name, we’ll have Secret envelop WilderNation—you’ll run it all—”
Dylan cut him off. “I’m not sure it’s wise to work for you.” Actually since he’d sat there with an intense hard-on while talking something as boring as acquisitions, he knew without a doubt working for Tristan wouldn’t be a good idea.
“Like I said earlier. There’s the personal side and the business side. Neither has anything to do with the other,” Tristan replied neutrally.
“But somehow they always seem to find a way,” Dylan interjected. They had last night, he’d agreed to tonight, but after that, there would never be anything more between them. If Tristan was coming in and out of his home town, how would he manage all this emotion evoked every single time he looked at the guy?
“We could outline a legal document—that’s what my HR team would like, but that would mean more people knowing and you don’t want that. We’re both professionals. I can keep the two separated. I believe you can too.”
“After I leave here this weekend, there won’t be another time we’re together,” Dylan stated very reasonably as though it were something he’d already considered.
“Then problem solved,” Tristan remarked. He had no intention of following Dylan’s line of thinking, but he’d hold that bit to himself for now.
Silence ensued while they stared at one another. For Tristan, he had a hard time keeping his mind focused on the buyout. Dylan was a seriously attractive guy. He carried himself in such a way that just turned Tristan on, and he did it on a level that had him wanting more. He couldn’t ever remember having to deal with confusing feelings like these before. Hell, even yesterday, when he met the guy, he’d grown half erect in front of the damn elevators, and at that point, he’d been fairly certain Dylan was a married straight man.
“I don’t want to be held to a long-term contract. I need an out if things don’t go well,” Dylan commented.
“All right, as long as you give me enough time to replace you, but I assure you, you will have open access to whatever you need to get this division up and running. Nothing will get in your way.” Tristan nodded toward the door where they could see the silhouette of the still-hovering Landry.
“And what if I can’t move all this forward?” Dylan questioned.
“Then we’ll mutually part ways, but I don’t see that happening.”
“And you’re comfortable working together after this weekend ends?” Dylan asked, his face flushing after the question.
“Of course I am.” Tristan resisted the urge to laugh and make it very clear they weren’t over after this weekend by any stretch of the imagination.
“All right. It’ll be good for the kids to have their home base continue. Dallas is ripe for technology. The staff won’t have to relocate.” Dylan ticked off all the positives.
“And you get the capital you need to take your company to the next level,” Tristan added.
“It’ll be your company,” Dylan corrected.
“Ours then. I intend for the stock options to be substantial. Give you incentive. I’m sorry I didn’t make that clear on the front end.” Tristan extended his hand for a quick shake, sealing the tentative deal. “Now, do we bring them back in and tell them together or would you like the conference room to let your staff know? We can take ours to legal now, begin the paperwork.”
“Probably privately,” Dylan said, the handshake continued as they stood there staring at one another.
“Off the record, I’m glad you took the deal. I need people like you on my team.”
“Thank you. I’ve been very impressed with what you’ve built. It’s an honor to be here,” Dylan added sincerely.
“I’m going to let go now and open the door. Might want to fix that.” Tristan looked down at the other man’s crotch with a satisfied grin, calling attention to the tenting in his slacks. Dylan looked down, ripped his hand free, and immediately adjusted himself.
“I’m sorry. I can’t help myself when I’m around you.” Dylan blushed; his words were uncensored and that was a rare moment with this man.
“No, don’t apologize. I rather enjoy it. You can’t tell now anyway.” Tristan went through the motions of tucking himself in to help alleviate Dylan’s embarrassment. After a second, he called out, “Landry, bring everyone back in. We’re ready.”
Dylan did a quick change, opting for jeans and a light blue polo. He packed a small overnight bag for his running gear just in case he stayed at Tristan’s place through the night. He had one last morning to run Crystal Cove, and he wanted to make that happen before he left tomorrow afternoon.
He still had twenty-five minutes before the car was scheduled to pick him up. Nervous energy made him antsy. He looked around for something to do. His laptop was open, email checked, but he wasn’t interested in doing what needed to be done or replying to any of those unanswered messages. Instead he went in search of his phone and decided to check in with his family. If he remembered correctly, Teri and Mark were off the boat and staying in Houston for the night.