Most Eligible Billionaire CEO, page 49
“It looks good,” I say.
“Thank you!” he beams wide.
His big blue eyes shift to the woman standing next to me.
“Good morning,” he says. “What’s your name?”
“Good morning. My name is Jules.”
Micah drops his iPad on the counter, jumps off the high stool and rushes towards us. He’s all decked out in his school uniform.
He assesses Jules with a critical eye, scanning her body up and down. He spends a little too much time fixated on her dainty toes, painted in an orangey coral shade.
“Hi, Jules,” he waves, meeting her gaze. “My name is Micah Alexander Aldridge,” he blurts out. “And I’m six. And it’s Micah. Just Micah. Not Michael.”
“My name is Jules Madeleine Salinger,” my girl plays along. “And I’m twenty-three. And it’s Jules. Just Jules. Not Julie,” my girl parrots.
“That’s funny,” Micah giggles. “You said the same thing I did.”
“I like the way you introduced yourself,” Jules says.
“I like you,” Micah responds.
She laughs.
He giggles so sweetly.
“That’s my daddy,” Micah points behind him. “His name is Linc Aldridge. And it’s Linc. Just Linc. Not Lincoln. He’s older than you. He’s older than Uncle Levi, too.”
Micah only recently became particular about names to stand up to a name-bully at his school. After hearing my brother’s name when a parent called him out, this kid made fun of Linc’s name, stating only lazy––or dumb–––people gave their kids a nickname instead of a proper name.
Jules laughs. “Good morning, Linc.”
“Good morning, Jules,” my brother responds. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He crosses the kitchen with a hand already extended.
Jules takes it in a two-handed handshake.
He towers over her. Barefoot, she barely reaches his chest.
At six-four, Linc has two inches on me.
“You’re drop-dead gorgeous.” The words fall out of my brother’s mouth, surprising us all.
“She’s really pretty,” my nephew agrees. He’s staring up at her, grinning from ear to ear, his eyes practically twinkling with delight.
“Thank you,” Jules says in a shy voice.
“No wonder my brother forgot I existed last night.” Linc’s eyes bounce from hers to mine. “Let it be known, I would’ve been in the same boat.” His words drip with admiration.
Well, that was easy. He’s already camp Jules.
“Oh… um… I officially don’t know how to respond to that,” Jules says nervously.
“You don’t have to,” my brother tells her.
Linc’s blue eyes shift to mine.
It’s very subtle, but one brown eyebrow crawls up.
Watching him process the information is oddly touching and quite amusing. I don’t have to give him a long drawn out explanation. If Jules spent the night at my place, and I’m introducing her, it’s more than a passing fling.
Micah breaks the silence.
Frowning, he asks, “Did you have a sleepover with my uncle, Jules?”
Freaked out eyes snap up to mine.
“Something like that, buddy,” I respond.
“Oh.” He turns to my brother. “Daddy, I want to have sleepovers with girls.”
“You have to wait until you’re your uncle’s age,” Linc says.
“But that means I have to wait a long, long time,” my nephew complains.
“Micah,” my brother warns.
“Okay, I’ll wait a long, long time,” he concedes.
I chuckle.
Linc shakes his head.
Jules still looks like she stopped breathing.
I rub a comforting hand up and down her arm, coaxing her to relax.
“How long do you have before you have to take the big guy to school?” I ask Linc, changing the subject.
“Since Micah got up well before his wake-up call, I figured we’d get ready early and spend some time with you. I have half an hour before I have to hit the road.”
“Good,” I nod. “That’s enough time for you to get to know my girlfriend.”
My brother is incredulous.
“Wow! I want a girlfriend who does sleepovers, too!”
We laugh—even my blushing girlfriend.
Chapter 24
Levi
My to do list was already bulging, but the addition of the Thonix line of products is making my head spin. The last three days have been a whirlwind of meetings, conference calls, video calls and brainstorming sessions. Since there’s so much to do and so little time, Jules cajoled her dad’s former assistant to come back to work for her—I guess I should say, us. Alice Blanchard was one of the last three people still holding the fort until Hillary opened her bitchy fucking mouth. Once we quashed any insecurity around her paycheck, Alice eagerly signed the new employment contracts. I’m glad she did. The woman is a machine. Our deadlines are aggressive. A newbie would simply not be able to keep up.
When Linc surprised us with his early morning visit, there wasn’t much time to go into the nitty-gritty details surrounding my new business venture with my girl over breakfast. He invited Jules and me to his place that same night. Once Micah was tucked in bed and sound asleep, we filled him in over a nice bottle of red and more dessert. I was expecting my brother to be polite and wait until it was just two of us to chew me up for my brash decision. To my surprise, Linc was blown away. In fact, he congratulated me for jumping in with both feet. Just like Shane and Collin, he believes Jules is sitting on a gold mine. She was floored all over again.
So now it’s all systems go!
It’s going to be a fine juggling act spearheading two businesses, but sometimes in life, you have to burn the candle from both ends.
After spending a morning with Jules and Alice, we spent the afternoon with her dad’s lawyers. By the end of week, all her former employees––including the Twatts––will receive a reminder to keep their mouths shut. Then, we were off to meet with her accountants. Tomorrow, we’re meeting with my lawyers to create a new business structure with the Dennison brothers. Great news, we secured a kickass coder for the app. The other thing that can make or break the launch of our crowdfunding program and the Fit Thonix VIP 100 Club, is marketing. It’s imperative for the rapid growth of the business. Buying TV spots would be prohibitive. And frankly, I don’t think it’s a gamble that would pay off. Social media is more within reach. The key is to produce an entertaining video that gets shared over and over again.
My phone rings.
It’s like telepathy.
I snatch it from my desk, eagerness bubbling inside me.
“Hey, Dom,” I say, answering the call. “I was just thinking of you!”
“Hey, Levi,” she says. “I’m sorry I’m only now calling you back.” I called her at nine o’clock this morning. “I had to finish editing a video to meet a deadline.”
“Don’t worry about it,” I tell her. “I got back to the office not long ago. Had you called earlier, I wouldn’t be able to talk to you. Your timing is perfect.”
“Good. Word has it you’re wearing a lot of hats these days,” she teases.
“How did you hear that?”
“Collin dropped by Rod’s studio yesterday as we were wrapping things up, and the three of us went for drinks.”
I chuckle. “Collin is so excited.”
“He really is. He couldn’t stop talking about the CycleThonix bike that’s going to revolutionize the way people work out at home.”
“I hate to say this, but I have to agree with Collin. Once we figure out the technology, there’s no stopping us from being industry leaders.”
“So, it’s true? You’re actually going into business with Collin Dennison?”
“And Shane,” I stress.
“Yeah, but Shane is the sane, levelheaded one. Of course you want to join forces with him. Collin, on the other hand, is a loose cannon,” she laughs.
I join her.
“It’s a façade, Dom.”
“I don’t buy it,” the amusement in her voice is audible.
“Collin is a great businessman. He brought some incredible ideas to the table. He’s one hundred percent invested. He has name recognition and a face––and body––women love. Along with Jules––the CEO––and Shane, he’ll be a great representative for the brand.”
“What about you? Are you going to be representing your brand?”
“You know me, Dom. I’m more of a behind-the-scenes kind of guy. It’s a professional hazard.”
“Good one,” she laughs. “From what Collin describes, this sounds like quite the project.”
“It is,” I confirm. “You’d think I didn’t already have enough on my plate.”
“No rest for the wicked,” she laughs.
“Something like that.”
“I got an earful from Collin, but tell me more about the bike and how I can help.”
I start from the theme party night at Dark Compulsion. Dom isn’t a member, but she knows exactly what happens there.
“One illicit night that turns into more,” she concludes when I finish giving her the rundown.
“Much more,” I correct.
“Wow, Levi. That’s a big step for you.”
She knows about Annmarie’s tragic death and my reluctance to get involved long term with a woman.
“Businesswise and… relationship wise.”
“Congratulations!” she says. “Contrary to your buddies, you don’t view relationships as a death sentence.” That’s a loaded statement.
“Are you talking about my buddies in general or one in particular?” I ask.
“I plead the fifth,” she quips.
Rod and Dom have been best friends since they were teenagers. They’re stuck in a friend zone status quo that expired a long time ago, if you ask me. They’re just too blind to see what the rest of us see. Fools.
“Let’s go back to the reason I called you,” I change the conversation. “Video is the way to go to promote these bikes––”
“Collin alluded to that last night.” Collin and his big mouth. “I’m kind of partial to video, so obviously, I thought it was a good idea.”
What a perfect segue.
“Collin wasn’t supposed to let the cat out of the bag––”
“We’re talking about Collin Dennison here,” she observes.
“True,” I agree. “At least he held back and didn’t divulge everything.”
“What do you mean, Levi?”
“We’d like to hire you as our video producer,” I say.
Silence greets me on the other end.
“Dom?”
“I’m still here,” she says. “I shoot music videos,” she reminds me. “I don’t think I’m the right person for the job.”
“I could hire a company that specializes in infomercials, but we’re not selling a get-fit-quick-for-only-twenty-nine-ninety-nine-when-you-order-today type of product.” She laughs. “We’re going after a very specific audience, willing and able to dish out a small fortune for exercise equipment. I don’t think a rah-rah video is going to cut it. We need something slick and memorable… hence why we’re knocking at your door.”
She lets out a loud sigh.
“Was that a yes or no?” I press.
Dominika’s boundless creativity is exactly what we need to kickstart this project.
“It would be challenging in a good way to step outside of my box,” she finally says. “I’d have to look at my schedule, but I’m sure I can find a spot for you.”
“That’s great news, Dom!”
“I must say, Levi, this project sounds very intriguing.”
“Wait until you see the equipment. You’re going to be blown away.”
“I have a question.”
“I’m all ears.”
“Not that I have any experience, but if I’m not mistaken, crowdfunding campaigns can be tricky.”
“Those campaigns require a certain level of expertise or else it can be an epic fail,” I confirm.
“Is Jules going to manage your campaign?”
“No. Shane was able to convince one of his former tech clients—who leveraged crowdfunding to kickstart his last venture, which he sold for several billions of dollars—to help us out. The guy is now retired at the tender age of thirty-five and living in Ibiza. He’ll manage the whole thing for us. It just so happens he’s in LA, visiting family. We met with him this morning. He immediately wanted to check out the bikes. He’s on board. In fact, instead of a fee, he wants a cut of the profits. He’s so certain, he’s even agreed to take care of the marketing for the first six months.”
“Wow!” Dominika exclaims.
“It’s wild, Dom. When a guy at that level wants a piece of the action, you know it’s good.”
“It’s damn good,” Dom says.
Jules was mildly convinced by my positive outlook of her business. She was excited by the Dennison brothers’ reaction. She was beside herself by Linc’s verdict. But Shane’s guy put dollar signs in her eyes. It’s finally sinking in. As long as Hillary doesn’t change her mind and decide to keep her shares, it should be smooth sailing.
Chapter 25
Jules
I’m high on the euphoria of the last two weeks. Not long ago, Levi Aldridge was a stranger. Now, he’s my boyfriend and one of my incredible business partners. As much as I’d love to spend my days and nights wrapped in his arms, I can’t. In between our hot fuck sessions, I have a business to run. He has two. Speaking of my sexy boyfriend and formidable lover extraordinaire, he’s been in New York for the past four days. Our nightly video chats pale in comparison to being with him—even if they’re dirty as fuck. And, sure, I’m tickled pink by his daily text messages reminding me I’m his filthy girl and he’s thinking about me, but I long to kiss his lips. He should be landing at LAX shortly. Thank God. I’m not ashamed to admit, I miss him like crazy—far more than I expected. I’m counting the minutes until I see him. I already have so many indecent thoughts in my mind, and I can’t wait to get him all to myself. A wave of desire prickles through me, pooling in my belly. God, I’m addicted to this man.
Since Levi, Collin, Shane and I sat in my conference room, it’s been two weeks of brutal work. Thank God Alice agreed to come back. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without her. That’s what happens when you’re well connected. My three business partners tapped into their circles to secure the experts we need to see the crowdfunding through. I have wings knowing I’ll be able to do Daddy’s memory justice. The expertise of Shane’s consultant is mind-blowing. There’s no way I would’ve been able to hire someone with that kind of pedigree. Things are moving so fast, it gives me whiplash. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not complaining. Working side-by-side with these savvy businessmen is a huge eye-opener. For the longest time, it was just me. Now I understand why it always felt like I was walking in quicksand. The constant doom and gloom voice that was my only companion is finally quiet. Not being around Hillary also helps a lot.
After a quick bathroom break, I trail back from the small kitchen to the conference room, latte in one hand, a large peanut butter cookie in the other, singing a happy tune in my head. Since I barely took time for lunch, I take a few minutes to enjoy my coffee and indulge in the sugary treat. Once I get my sugar and caffeine high, I get back to work.
So little time, so much to do.
I’m fully immersed in my work when a key slides into the door.
I told Alice not to come in on weekends.
“Oh, yoo-hoo, Jules,” an annoying voice singsongs. Hillary? “Your car is in the parking lot.”
God. What does she want?
I do a double take when she appears.
She’s a redhead now?
I’m not talking about Sydney’s beautiful shade or sexy salon shades I’ve seen other women sport. Nope. Hillary’s hair is eerily similar to the Jack-o’-lantern pumpkin bucket color kids use to go trick-or-treating on Halloween. Not a word of a lie.
“Oh, there you are,” she says, stopping in front of the conference room. “Working hard?” she sneers.
Her voice sets me on edge.
“You came to check up on me? I’m touched,” I mock.
Even though it’s Saturday and it’s as hot as Hades outside, Hillary is decked out in a head-to-toe neon green pantsuit. The sheer blouse she’s wearing is in the same screaming shade. So is her bra. The in-your-face color against her red hair is jarring.
What the hell?
She comes and stands in front of me, hovering over me like a witch about to pounce. She curls her lips up in a smug smirk. “Some of us have lives, Jules,” she says. “While you’re slaving, wasting your youth, the duke and I are attending a yacht party in Marina del Rey. This,” she waves her finger up and down the length of her body, “is designer. A gift from my boyfriend,” she answers my unoffered question. “I even got my hair done for the occasion,” she smooths down her flaming-colored hair, a smug smirk perking her lips. “Being a blonde in LA is soooo cliché.” Which is why you spend an exorbitant amount at the salon to get Olive and Petula’s hair dyed every six weeks like clockwork? “This hair color is much more New York and the duke says I look much better as a redhead.” Eye roll. “It makes me stand out and give me an air of sophistication.” Clearly the duke doesn’t grasp the meaning of sophistication.
“Do you want me to organize a ticker-tape parade?” I sneer with a bitchy curve of my lips. I’m heaping the sarcasm on, and it doesn’t go unnoticed.
She glares at me.
The tension between us is suffocating.
I have my issues with Hillary, but I still struggle to understand what my father saw in this woman. Her only redeeming quality is she’d beg, steal, and die for her daughters. That said, I doubt she truly ever cared about my father. And from what I’ve observed since his passing, I’m certain she never loved him. Daddy was just a kindhearted man who was lonely when Hillary came crashing into his life. The thing is, Daddy didn’t fall in love easily, and once he did, he couldn’t see anything. Hillary used that to her advantage. Until his last breath, he was oblivious to her faults.
