A Vengeful Ex-Wife novel Chapter 113

Nestling in James' chest, Maria played with his tie for a while, running her fingers along its length. Then she said softly, in a coaxing tone, "I started a company."

James stuck to his guns. "No business, please."

He never mixed business with private affairs. He could give her anything, as long as it had nothing to do with business.

Maria didn't seem to hear him. She continued, "Would you like to acquire Qin Group with me or invest in my company? That's what I want."

It was the unstoppable force against the immovable object. Neither of them would give in. She wanted his investment money.

"I'll let you move into Fairview Villa," the man said, hoping that would prompt her to be more reasonable.

Maria's hand paused in mid-stroke. She said, "I don't need your charity." He couldn't figure out how she felt about that. She would definitely take Fairview Villa away from him, but it shouldn't be his choice. He shouldn't be using it as a bargaining chip, particularly where another woman was involved.

"Don't try my patience!" James never talked a woman into anything before, and he figured he shouldn't have to.

But Maria had been testing his boundaries this whole time. She moved onto his lap, not caring about the driver up front. She wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered in his ear, "James..." She stroked his neck gently. "If you give me what I'm asking for, you not only get the tanzanite bracelet, but me, too!"

James closed his eyes. She couldn't tell what he was thinking. But the next second, he grabbed her hand and guided it away from his tie. "Get off me!"

"No way!" She broke free from his grip and pulled him closer, their foreheads touching. "Give me what I want and I promise I won't bother you so much. What do you say?"

Her suggestion was the way too tempting for James, as he found himself losing ground more and more when he was around her.

He opened his sharp eyes and stared at her. Maria knew he was thinking seriously about her suggestion.

So there was a chance. She smiled more brightly and said in a flirty voice, "Of course, I'm just a phone call away. I mean, I have to keep my word and not bug you, right?

And it's all for you..."

Maria coaxed him in a soft voice and played at being cute. The man's hard, cold face softened in spite of himself.

"James..." She grabbed his hands and put them on her body. If that didn't work, Maria was ready to give up. The man was unflappable. He was so horrible! He could resist everything she threw at him.

When his hands touched her slender waist, James yanked them away and uttered, "I'll invest."

"Great! This is your reward! Muah!" Maria kissed him happily.

James' breath mingled with hers.

Lorenzo sat behind the wheel, alternating between embarrassment and boredom. James finally let go of Maria, and said, "Fifty percent of the shares. I won't interfere with anything else." His voice was thick with lust.

Fifty percent? He was such a jerk! She'd have to create smaller shares to sell. Maria tried to regain her composure. She said, gasping, "I'll manage the company. Twenty percent for you, fifty percent for me, and thirty percent for other shareholders."

"No deal." His cold thin lips fell on her left collarbone.

"Thirty percent." Maria tried to lean away from him.

His silence showed he was unwilling to compromise.

"Thirty-five." Maria offered a new number. She felt she couldn't go any higher.

James kept his silence.

"James!" She was about to blow up.

"It depends on your performance," he finally said.

Maria didn't get it. What did he mean by depending on her performance? What kind of performance?

At last, the black Harkim rolled to a stop at the entrance of Maria's hotel. The man had to carry her out of the car. Her legs were like jelly.