Lisa

Every director seated at the table was exhibiting their current dental health. The mouths of all twelve members were wide open.

"I beg your pardon, Ms. Kim," said the eighty-three-year-old financier in Hugo Boss. He was the first to break the silence. "What do you mean you're declining our offer to resign?"

"Exactly that, Warren," Jennie announced. "Flawless is my company. I am the majority owner, and unfortunately for you, you can't just turn me out, I'm afraid. I would always have a say in company policy."

"The SEC won't approve the IPO if you are at the helm," the carefully coiffed app developer executive said, tapping her manicured nail on the conference table in a staccato beat.

"I am aware," Jennie said with a humorless smile.

"There's no need to make this ugly, slugger," Jiwon boomed over the rumble of confusion.

"I couldn't agree more," Jennie said. "That's why I'm making a counteroffer."

I stood with Alison, each of us flanking the conference room door, and watched badass Jennie Kim eviscerate the board of directors that had turned against her.

"This is how it's going to go…"

She laid it out for them, and I had the pleasure of watching pasty complexions go ruddy. She had them by the balls, and I couldn't be prouder.

"That is a very big ask," one of the directors said, mopping his forehead and the back of his neck with a handkerchief.

"I'm not asking," Jennie said.

"I'm straight, but she's never been more attractive to me than she is right now," Alison whispered.

"Same boat," I agreed under my breath.

She was magnificent, and I couldn't wait to get her home and say just that as I kissed every inch of her body.

"If you want that IPO, and I know you do, this is the only way you'll get it."

"We need time to discuss this," one of the directors began.

"You have five minutes," Jennie said.

I was so turned on I was afraid I was going to embarrass myself with a boardroom hard-on.

She glanced over her shoulder at me, and my heart fell out of my chest into my guts. This was love. Whether it was being in her corner and watching proudly as she kicked ass or fighting a battle for her.

"I have one more condition," Jennie announced while the board was still reeling.

"What's that?" Imani asked.

"Irene bae will never again hold a position in this company. Not even at the drugstore makeup counter level."

--

"So this is what it feels like to not be a billionaire," Jennie sighed, linking her arm through mine as we exited the conference room, leaving chaos behind us. Her attorney Joy was doling out paperwork and pens and snapping orders.

"Do I still have a job, or is this volunteer work now, boss?" Alison asked from behind us.

Jennie raised an eyebrow over her shoulder. "I think seven hundred million will still support your salary."

She'd blackmailed her own board into a buyout. A very attractive one. I was going to marry this woman, I decided. I just wasn't sure how to con her into it.

"Can I have a raise? And a drink?" Alison asked.

"After this, we're going for brunch," Jennie decided. "A booze brunch. They didn't ask for my corporate card back yet, so it will be a farewell gift from Flawless."

We stopped outside Jennie's office. Yuna and Haruto rose as one.

Jennie grinned. "Today is my last day."

Their faces showed varying degrees of shock, confusion, concern.

"Are you shitting me?" Haruto demanded.

"I'm afraid I'm not shitting you. The board bought me out, and the company will be under new leadership. And as soon as you two pack up all my things, you can take the rest of the day and the corporate card and go for drinks. Lots of drinks. Your jobs are safe. You're both getting raises and an extra week's vacation. And the good news is your next boss might be nicer."

Yuna, teary-eyed, threw her arms around Jennie's neck. "You are my hero."

"Wind beneath my wings," Haruto piped up.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Jennie patted them awkwardly on the back. "Pack up. Go drink."

She turned to face me and rubbed her palms together. "Ready for round two?"

"Please tell me I finally get to use the stun gun?" Alison whined.

I was rather hopeful on that point, too.

"Let's do this. I could go for an omelet," I told her.

Grinning, she raised on tiptoe and kissed me hard on the mouth. "Thank you," she whispered.

When she tried to pull back, I stopped her. "I love you, Jennie."

"I am aware of this." She grinned.

I squeezed her butt, relieved the requirements of office propriety were dead. "Go kick some more ass, love."

"Go make us reservations," she said with a wink.