The Initial Meeting

I didn't get any sleep that evening. Cole Montgomery's confident and seductive voice reverberated in my mind as if he already knew I would accept his offer. He didn't know me, though. I wasn't going to fall for a billionaire who believed that money was the answer to every problem.

His "details" came in the following morning. When a sleek black sedan arrived at the vineyard, a well-dressed woman with a folder that virtually shouted "big business" got out. With a rehearsed smile, she handed me the packet and identified herself as Natalie, Cole's assistant.

Before vanishing into the automobile, she stated, "Mr. Montgomery looks forward to hearing your thoughts."

I tore the folder open before I had even returned to the office. As I looked through the contents, my hands trembled.

He wanted to purchase the vineyard outright, and I had to agree that the asking price was fair. However, that wasn't the part that infuriated me. He intended to create a resort on the property by tearing away the vines. Resort.

I snatched my keys, barged inside the house, and drove directly to his city office. Even though the vineyard was barely surviving, I refused to let a corporate shark ruin everything my father had worked so hard to achieve.

The enormity of Montgomery Enterprises nearly made me question my decision when I first arrived. Nearly.

The receptionist smiled at me courteously but dismissively. "Are you scheduled to do anything?"

I tried to speak steadily as I said, "I'm here to see Cole Montgomery."

She arched an eyebrow. "Mr. Montgomery has a hectic schedule. You'll have to schedule a meeting.

I firmly said, "Tell him Aria Bennett is here about his offer."

Her face remained unchanged. "I apologize, ma'am. That is not going to be feasible.

A loud voice cut me off before I could argue. "Give her access."

Cole Montgomery himself was standing a few steps away when I turned around. His stylish suit was perfectly made, and he was taller than I had anticipated. His amusement tugged at the corners of his mouth as his dark gaze observed me.

He added, calmly, but with a tinge of something I couldn't identify, "You must be Aria Bennett." "I respect your perseverance."

Regardless of how frightening he appeared, I glared at him. "I must speak with you."

He gestured for me to follow him and added, "Then let's talk."

Like the man himself, his office was elegant. The minimalist design screamed luxury, and the floor-to-ceiling windows provided a breathtaking view of the city.

He motioned to the chair across from his desk and said, "Have a seat."

I crossed my arms in response and said, "I'll stand."

He smirked and leaned back in his chair as if he had already won this game. "Adjust yourself. What are you thinking about, Miss Bennett?

I retorted, "You know what's on my mind." "Your proposal. I'm not going to sell my father's vineyard so you can make it into an expensive playground for the wealthy.

He didn't recoil. "You appear to have read the proposal."

I said, "I've read enough to know you don't give a damn about the vineyard or its past." "All you see are dollar signs."

His grin vanished, to be replaced by a grave look. One thing about you is incorrect. The potential is important to me. And even if you don't want to see it, your vineyard has it.

I squinted. "A possibility? You're referring to profit.

"Call it whatever you like," he said with ease. "Your vineyard is collapsing. Both time and options are running out for you.

His statements were painful because they were accurate. I wasn't going to let him see that, though.

"What makes you want it at all?" I insisted. "Your wealth exceeds your lifetime spending capacity. Why ruin something that people genuinely care about?

I noticed for the first time a glimmer of something—perhaps frustration—in his eyes.

With a lowered voice, he said, "I'm offering you a way out." "The opportunity to leave with enough money to start over and create something new."

I strongly stated, "I don't want something new." "The vineyard is what I desire. I'm not selling, either.

His jaw tensed, and we were silent for a while. There was a strain in the deep hush.

At last, he said, almost as a praise, "You're stubborn."

"And you're conceited," I retorted.

I was surprised by the brief, sincere sound of his laughter. "Perhaps. However, I'm also correct.

I leaned forward and moved closer to his desk. "You do not know my family or myself. Therefore, don't act as though you're helping me out.

For an instant, I thought he could see right through me as his eyes met mine.

"Perhaps I don't," he acknowledged. However, I have business acumen. The reality is Aria: Someone else will purchase it if you don't sell it to me. Additionally, they won't give you even half of what I'm proposing.

My stomach turned over. He was probably right, and I despised it.

He leaned back in his chair and remarked, "You have thirty days." Give it some thought. Until the deadline, my offer is still valid. I can't guarantee you'll have anything left to save after that.

With my head racing, I clenched my hands. The part of me that understood how serious the issue was couldn't ignore the weight of his words, but another part of me wanted to tell him to go to hell.

I eventually said, "I don't trust you."

He said, "You don't have to." "Believe the numbers."

His words halted me as I turned to go.

"Aria," he murmured, his voice suddenly softer.

I stopped and looked back at him.

He remarked, "You remind me of someone I used to know." "Avoid losing everything because of your pride."

I didn't answer. With my head whirling and my heart racing, I left his office.

The chilly air struck me as I entered the street, but it didn't calm the fury within. He had a point, which I detested. I detested even thinking about what he had said.

More than anything, though, I detested the tiny voice in the back of my head that warned that Cole Montgomery was a menace rather than merely an issue.