Another day, another business meeting.

Leaning close to the mirror, Nick frowned at his reflection as he concentrated on knotting his tie. He could do it without looking. He had done it every working day since he was seventeen. Yet, the extra energy churning through his stomach had him repeating the knot over and over again looking for perfection. Usually, it was almost an unconscious move. Today it felt like a chore. He tugged on the end to ensure it was the perfect length.

Before he could reach behind him, Betsy was there. While she held out his suit jacket for him, he quickly slid his arms in with a smile. Yet, when he lifted his gaze and caught sight of her in the mirror, his smile froze.

Was he in heaven or hell? Surely hell because Betsy was temptation incarnate. Why did he have to go out today? Especially when she looked this good. 

Internally, he was cursing his business merger with Markos. After all, what man would prefer to sit in a board meeting with a bunch of businessmen and discuss numbers when their partner was standing before them in Lycra looking absolutely incredible.

Her wild curls had been secured back into a braid, errant curls springing out at odd places. Her face was fresh and make up free but the happy glow on her face was beautiful. Understated and completely at ease with herself. She smoothed her hands over the lapels, her breasts pressing into his back as she hugged herself to him. She peered around his arm, examining her work in the mirror before lifting her gaze. Their eyes met and caught.

He breathed in sharply, his hands lifting to rest over hers. The moment between them hung heavy in the air. Perhaps he could be late - just this once.

"As much as I would like to take you up on what you're about to suggest, you really don't have time." Betsy murmured, resting her cheek against his arm.

"I'm the boss, I always have time."

"I'd like to see you say that to the board."

Nick snorted. Markos wouldn't give a damn. The older man's comments before about enjoying life were stuck firmly in his mind. It would be a bit hypocritical for the man to penalise him for following his lead. While there were areas that the rest of the board were sticklers for tradition and could show antiquated beliefs, they were family focused just like Markos.

"Besides, I have class today."

"Is that what this is all for?" Nick asked, turning so that he could appreciate the real thing rather than the reflection. "I'm hurt. I thought this was all for me."

"Maybe next time." Betsy replied before releasing a slow breath. "Remember I'll be moving the last of my things out of the cottage this weekend."

Nick's lips pulled up into a wide smile. He would be lying if he said he wasn't excited about her finally giving up her cottage. There had always been a part of him that worried she would go home to the cottage one day and refuse to come back. It was like she permanently had one foot out of the door. He understood her reasons. Yet, now that she had finally agreed to move in, they were finally moving forward. It took them one step closer to where he wanted to be.

If he had had his own way, things would have happened sooner. She would already have been there permanently. The businessman in him wanted to plan their next steps and ensure they were executed in a timely fashion. Yet, as much as he liked to control and order his life, his beautiful and kind hearted pixie deserved his patience.

"I've booked the entire weekend off so you'll have my undivided attention. I decided to do what you asked me to do and delegated." Nick replied, reaching out to tuck one of her curls behind her ear, his fingers stroking down her cheek. "I've given Tina some addition responsibilities to see how she does."

"She won't let you down. She's capable. You've always sung her praises."

Nick conceded her point with a nod. "I know. But when you've been in control since the very beginning, it's hard to take a step back and let someone else look after your baby."

"Your baby?" Betsy teased, her eyes sparkling in the way that he liked.

"It may as well be." He replied with a shrug of his shoulders. "I've looked after and cared for it for longer than either of my children. And now I feel like I did when I sent Delilah and Tommy for their first days at school"

Blowing a strand of hair out of her face, Betsy peered up at him. There was no judgment in her gaze. Then again, it was something he had come to accept from her.

"I have faith that everything will turn out okay." She said, before lifting up on to her toes and pressing a kiss to his lips. His hands automatically settled on her hips as he lowered his head, following her lips as she lowered back down, to make the moment linger. "Now, I need to get going and so do you. The kids were all settled down with Carol when I popped my head in so they shouldn't even know that I'm gone."

"I never thought I would say it but I'm going to miss them when they go. We may not always be cordial but I know the kids have loved spending time with them both." He shook his head in disbelief.

Betsy expression was soft, her eyes warm with emotion that went straight to the core of him. And then she grinned and patted his chest. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone that you're getting soft in your old age."

Nick was still spluttering when Betsy left the room with a bounce in her step.

With a shake of his head, he chuckled while adjusting his cuff links. Then, with one last glance in the mirror, he picked up his briefcase. But not before he noticed the flush to his cheeks and the unconscious smile upon his lips. God, that woman made him happy.

**

The town car pulled up outside of a towering skyscraper situated in the heart of London, the new global headquarters for the combined Giannaopoulos and Davenport empires. Nick eyes dropped down to his phone. His free hand tugged at the collar of his shirt.

Today was the day. It was the day the board would vote on Markos's successor. It was supposed to be the culmination of all of his hard work. He had secured a future for his children. Yet, despite the momentous day, Nick could feel the weight upon his chest.

Something was going to go wrong. He could feel it.

At his touch, the phone screen lit up, briefly illuminating an email from his PR team. They were in almost daily contact these days, his name always finding its way into some tabloid or business journal. He honestly had no clue what they all found so bloody interesting with his life. He was a business man, a father, and a partner. Rarely did he grace a red carpet and only then if Betsy was at his side. Still they seemed to hunger over the smallest morsels of information about his life.

Though, he added, if the meeting went as it should, they would finally have something worth gossiping about. Even if it was nothing scandalous. And the meeting should go as planned. His promotion was already set in stone as far as he could see; the majority of the board would always follow Markos' lead when it came to voting.

Yet, he would be a fool if he said that everyone was happy about it. The younger Giannopoulos members, including Markos's son, did little to hide their displeasure at being overlooked for the position. Of course, they tried to hide it when their father was around.

The men were all seated around a large oak boardroom table when he entered. Nodding his head in greeting, Nick took his usual seat towards the far end of the table. As the seats on either side of him remained empty, he was able to enjoy a few brief moments before he was pulled into conversation.

Markos's assistant whizzed into the room with a tray of coffees. He accepted the cappuccino with nod; inhaling the swirling steam before taking a large sip that burnt his tongue. He sighed happily. Perfect. And, from his conversation with Markos previously, he knew the older woman had a good mind to go with her faultless coffee skills.

"Looks like everyone is here. Let's get started," an elder Giannopoulos stated, his voice shaking with age. "Maura, are you okay to write up the minutes?"

When Markos's assistant nodded her head, the elderly man waved her into a seat. Though she tried not to give too much away, her brow furrowed ever so slightly as she quickly retrieved her laptop before sliding into one of the only available seats at the table. Within moments, she had her fingers poised over the keys as she looked around at the group of gathered me.

"The date is November 15th and we are calling today's meeting into session. Today's order of business is the vote. As we are all aware, Markos has decided that this year will be his last at the helm."

Maura, whose fingers had been flying over the keys, stilled. Her sharp gaze lifted from the laptop to glance at the man in question. Markos smiled sadly in response, offering her the smallest nods. She swallowed, the lines around her mouth deepened as pursed her lips.

"We'll talk after, Maura." He informed her with a nod of the head. She swallowed and gave a nod in response "However, I do want to reassure you that my stepping down will not affect your position here in the company. You are a valuable employee and a part of the family. We always take care of our own."

The woman gave another nod of her head, the silver strands in her hair glinting as she focused back onto the screen.

"Now, Markos has nominated Nicholas Davenport as his replacement. Firstly, I would like to ask if anyone else would like to make a nomination."

A hand raised further down the table, Markos's cousin, if he remembered corrected. The man leaned forward, his face smug beneath his beard.

"I nominate Christos." The man stated calmly. "While I am sure Mr Davenport is capable, I want the Giannopoulos legacy to remain in the hands of a Giannopoulos. He has been training under all of us since the day he came of age. I think he is up to the task."

Nick's mouth felt dry. It hadn't been unexpected, he was an outsider after all, it still made his stomach lurch.

"Any other nominations." He asked, his rheumy eyes drifting over those gathered. "No? Then let's put it to a vote."

"In the matter of succession, when called, please raise your hand to cast your vote."

Nick glanced across the table at Christos. He carried the same dark hair and olive toned skin of the rest of the Giannopoulos family. However, there was something about him that set Nick on edge. As if to prove Nick's point, Christos turned his face towards Nick, his lips curling up into in a smug smirk. A knot formed in Nick's stomach. The smug smile had surely been a show of overconfidence. Unless, Nick conceded, he knew something Nick didn't

Nick almost couldn't watch as each name was called and hands were raised. Christos, did not even acknowledge the vote nor his subsequent loss. Instead, he simply met Nick's gaze. The glint in his eyes immediately had Nick's hackles rising. If that man wasn't up to something, Nick would eat his tie.

"With eight to four, Nicholas Davenport will become the new group CEO." The old voice stated, jotting down on to the notepad. "An agreed upon transition period of twelve months will begin effective immediately to ensure a smooth transition and our stakeholder confidence is maintained. A press release will be drawn up and issued. The company has been going from strength to strength since our merger and I, as I am sure many of you will agree, am very excited about where this company will go in the future. A celebratory event will be arranged for the official handing over."

There were a few nodding heads and while Christos joined the clapping which followed, it was almost a taunt from the younger man.

"Now on to the next order of business."

While the board drifted into matters relating to the day to day matters, Nick found it hard to focus. Instead, his eyes drifted back to his opposition only to notice the man was staring at him. It was not a brief glance. It was a cross examination and Nick was sure the other man had found him wanting.

Raising a single brow, Nick stared back, his expression giving nothing away. The other man must have seen something in his gaze as he broke the hold and refocused on the meeting. It was a small victory. It didn't feel like it. Nick would have to keep on this Giannopoulos or he had a feeling the man would be very quick to stab him in the back. He would be damned fool if he let him.