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impulsive, and on some level I know that what I’m about to do is absolutely crazy. My mind should be on my company, but at this moment, I don’t care about Toby Felt, or Carole with her ultimatums... I’m not vindictive, but if I were going to teach Carole a lesson, what could be better than letting her know how little her demands mean to me.
    “There’s one way you can come with me.” I say, almost amused by the rashness of the decision I’m about to make.
    “How?”
    I pause for only a brief moment, and then, I dive in. “How long does it take to get a marriage license in Ashford?”

Chapter Five
    M ARRIED.
    I doubt that most people would believe it if I told them. I can hardly believe it myself, until I close my eyes and my nose fills with the soft fragrance of Sophie’s skin, and I can almost see her beautiful body spread out under mine.
    I have a meeting scheduled in five minutes, but I can’t stop thinking about my wife, the soft moans that have become so familiar that I can replay them in my head. I’m going insane, I think, looking up as the door opens and Bobby Ayers walks into my office.
    I turn away from the windows, gesturing for him to sit as I walk towards my desk. He’s been tracking the sales of Preston Corp stock, and from our phone discussion of last night, a substantial percentage of my business has been acquired in a matter of weeks.
    I already know what he’s going to tell me. I did my own investigating last night, working well into the night even though Sophie was lying awake, waiting for me. By all indications, it’s only a matter of time before Toby Felt makes a public offer for my company. With his minority interest, he could petition for a seat on the board, and if he buys Carole’s shares, well, I don’t even want to think about that.
    As Bobby reveals what I’ve already discovered. My mind is only half on what he’s saying. I have to play this very carefully. I have a plan, but I need time. If Carole discovers anything about Sophie now, there’s no telling how vengeful she can get. She would sell to Felt just to punish me.
    If my plan works, and it will, the last thing on Felt’s mind would be buying Carole’s shares.
    Bobby is still telling me things I already know, while I finalize my plans in my head. Then I call my assistant and ask for my stockbroker. If I’m going to be fighting a takeover, then I’d rather be on the attack. Egomaniacs like Felt never expect to be attacked, so their defenses are never as impregnable as they should be, that’s why I’m taking the fight to him.
    I’m going to preempt him.
    By the time he finds out what’s hit him, he’ll be begging me to buy back the Preston Corp stock he’s already acquired.
    ~§~§~§~§~
    I spend the whole day in meetings. Ironing out the details of my plan with my broker, and then meeting with Rick Cruzman and my marketing and branding team to decide how best to sell his software. Even with the high intensity mental activity, it’s almost impossible to push the thoughts of Sophie from my mind. I’m helpless against the overwhelming and obsessive desire I feel for her, and I hate feeling helpless.
    Finally, as the day wears on, I manage to convince myself that I can push her out of my mind and concentrate on work. Yet, by the time I arrive at the apartment, my anticipation has built up to a level that I can hardly wait see Sophie.
    I find her lying on the window seat in the living room, her hair spilling out in a gold curtain, and immediately awareness and lust assaults my mind. I forget all about work, as she comes to me eagerly, and I indulge my desire, burying my senses in her soft lips. If I’m going to lose everything because of her, then it will be worth it. I swear it will.
    When I finally let go of her, she sways against me, her eyes looking dazed. “Are you hungry?” she asks breathlessly.
    I grin. I’m definitely hungry, hungry for her. “I am.” I reply, my eyes on her parted lips.
    Her