He's taller in person. Very tall.

It was a stupid thought, but the first to pop into her head. Of course she knew the second he walked in who he was. Ally had stared at his stupid blue eyes and perfectly styled dark hair in enough financial magazines and pictures to know Vincent Wolf. He came dressed to impress today in a very fitted navy blue suit, a shade darker than his eyes, silver cufflinks and white dress shirt-no tie. He rarely wore a tie in his photos either–not that she was keeping track.

Vincent Wolf sat down leaning back in his chair and crossed one long leg over his knee pushing back the dark locks from his eyes. Light stubble framed his chiseled jaw that held just enough of a playful smirk to entice you closer. It was vile.

"Hello." He addressed the room with authority in his tone. " I figured it was only proper that, as the CEO of Shield Security, I attend in person. Get to meet those that I'll be working with soon on a personal level." She hated the way his voice seemed to dip even lower on the last two words. Hated it more that her stomach did that little excited flip just because it recognized the added testosterone in the room. Stupid hormones. It's not like she was a cave woman falling for any alpha looking asshole that came her way. We have Matt she reminded her lady bits, which seemed to do the trick.

"A little forewarning would have been nice. I'm sure, as CEO of a software company you know how to use a computer to send an email, or phone..." Ally couldn't keep the sneer from her face or voice. Everything about this man irked her. Arrogant, handsome, pompous- asshole.

The asshole in question fixed his gaze to Ally, cocked his head and asked, "and you are?" in the same tone she had asked Ryan Wolf, only moments before Vincent walked in. She felt the flush of rage creeping up her neck, hands fisting on the table.

Four. Three. Two. One. She counted, before deigning to answer.

"Ally Hoodman. The CEO of the company you just took over?" The question was sarcastic but he answered anyway.

"Ah yes, Miss. Hoodman. Pleasure. My apologies, I knew you in name only, but it's nice to finally put a face to it. I can see where she gets her looks." He turned to Elenor with a smirk that wasn't quite a smile. Was that a compliment to Elenor or an insult to her? Ally didn't know. Did she even care to know? Of course not...

"Catch me up to speed Ryan." Vincent Wolf turned to his brother, taking over the flow of the conversation.

"We were just discussing the financial impact of the merger while waiting for Miss Hoodman to start the quarterly review. Miss Hoodman if you would?"

God bless his brother. At least he had the common sense to toss the reins back to her.

"If you'd turn to page two of your reports Vera handed out, we'll start there." Ally jumped in. But of course. She looked at the raised hand of Mr. Wolf. "Yes?" she bit out.

"Did you have another copy? Seeing as I am part of the board now." So the fox finally shows his tail. Of course this was the reason he ruined her happiness- to join the dinosaur museum. He'd fit right in with all the greedy goblins on the board.

"I'm sorry I-"

"You can have mine," trust-fund Bobby piped up before she could finish, sliding his folder across the table. "I'll share with Anthony, here." Bobby pointed to the stout, salt and pepper haired man to his left.

"Thank you." Vincent Wolf opened the first page. Fucking Bobby. "Why is there.." Oh God. He had the decency not to finish the sentence but the smirk on his face told Ally he could see the mortification in hers. Now, in addition to her job, and her dignity he also had her bloody fingerprint. Maybe he'd frame it to commemorate his victory?

"Alexandra?" Elenor, who had been uncharacteristically quiet thus far- and no help- nudged her to continue.

Ally cleared her throat trying to gather back the board's attention and her thoughts. "If you'd look at the financial summary, we'll start with the current valuations and move on to projected metrics."

She led the board quickly through her report, gaining confidence as she went. Making sure to bring up key points that had been addressed from last quarters meeting and that they were on target for year end returns, which would mean a bonus payout for shareholders and staff. That earned some smiles from the room. Ally left pauses for questions and addressed concerns as they came up in discussion, finishing with their wins this past quarter- a new grocery store chain deal-and immediately handed closing remarks to Elenor. Not wanting to give Mr. Wolf a foothold to speak. Though, he had been quiet thus far, nodding along with focus, she didn't trust him. Her gaze always sweeping to him when she addressed the room just to be sure.

"Thank you Ally, that was wonderfully presented. Would be a shame to lose such a competent CEO, don't you think Mr. Wolf? I hope you plan on keeping management at Corner Sweets. It's such a hassle in this economy to find a competent CEO." Elenor pinned him with her stare.

"Well, we're planning on keeping most of the staff."

Ally threw a glare and he returned it with a raised eyebrow and a smirk ghosting his lips. But before she could open her mouth, her grandmother was quick to respond.

"Your a smart man Mr. Wolf. I'm sure you know when it's impolite to bite the hand. You've got a seat at the table now. Don't make me take it away." Bull in a china shop. Elenor didn't even bother to hide her welsh accent or the overt threat that rolled from it.

Vincent cleared his throat, an easy smile slipping on his face. One, Ally was learning, seemed reserved for placating people. "I recognize this started as a takeover, but I'm hoping for an amicable relationship. We can look at a merger proposition to ensure that it's a fairly seamless transition. I'm open to your requests."

"And the jobs?" Ally prodded.

"Nothing in senior management," Vincent waved his hand as if losing her job wasn't even a thought to him. A short lived wave of relief washed over her, quickly replaced with rage. Couldn't he have put that at least in an email? She'd pined over her pending job loss for weeks with late night drinks and slipping out for afternoon cigars in the alleyway. And she really wanted a cigar right now, if only to shove it up his nose for all her sleepless nights. "We'd be looking at making cuts in transportation and storage on the distribution side."

"Why?" Ally blurted. "Those people are dependent on their jobs and Corner Sweets depends on the distribution schedule. We've built relationships with them over the years and I doubt you could get a better deal on-."

Vincent held up his hand magically causing Ally's mouth to snap shut. Asshole. His eyes hardened slightly like he could read her thoughts, meeting her gaze head-on. "I would have to take a look at the numbers. But I own a few restaurants and we have our own distribution channels. It would make sense to consolidate some departments to cut costs. It's just smart business."

The board murmured and nodded, much to Ally's dismay. Would it make sense if I shoved my pen up your ass?

"I would really like it if we could discuss the jobs further. I'm uncomfortable with cutting out partners we've dealt with for years. It may affect some of the other companies under Hoodman Group, affecting our low distribution fees. Which isn't smart business." Ally smirked throwing his words back in his face.

There it was again that easy going smile.

"Of course Miss Hooman, but I don't think now is the time or the place."

"We'll you're already here. And the place can be my office." I dare you buddy.

"So eager.." he purred, rising from his chair with annoying grace. If it weren't considered un-lady-like–and a criminal offense–she'd tackle him right in that boardroom and pummel that pretty face. The mental image alone was quite gratifying. I bet Matt could get me off with a warning...

Ally scowled at the other end of the table, earning herself another amused grin. Fuck. He was getting on her nerves, and it seemed Elenor had picked up on the tension as well, her eyes calculating the situation while her lips drew into a thin line.

"I appreciate your willingness to flex with us Mr. Wolf and the Board at Shield Security Corp Eleanor turned to address Vincent and the screen, but I think it's going to take a while to sort through everything. My Ally can be quite stubborn." She patted Ally on the back effectively turning her into a five-year-old again in front of the board. "Why don't you take one day a week to work with Ally. Get a feel for the Hooman Group and how we run our companies. You can work on a positive PR image together while drafting the terms over the next month or so."

"I'm afraid I'm quite busy, perhaps I can send a proxy."

"Come now Mr. Wolf," Ally strode toward him, his tall frame swallowing her as she came only chest level, craning her neck to glare at him. "At least let us put on the façade that this was mutual. After you so generously waved your wallet at our shareholders like they were common whores."

"Oh I wouldn't say that," his tone, thoughtful. "For the price I paid they were more like Geisha's, maybe?" Several board members coughed around the table, loosening their ties as if the room had suddenly gotten a few degrees hotter.

I'll kill him. Murder was now officially on the table.

"Vincent." Ryan barked a warning from the screen.

Yes, listen to your brother. Ally could already tell he was the smarter of the two.

"Why don't you two discuss this in Ally's office. You can draft and non Disclosure agreement and settle on a date to review things weekly." Elenor interjected in a n effort to diffuse the situation.

"We haven't finished wrapping up a few deals, I don't think it'd be smart to let an outside company member into a building where we conduct affairs for multiple companies." Ally didn't want him on her turf anymore if there was to be any discussions it should be in a neutral setting and preferable with mace in her hand.

"Oh nonsense," Elenor waived her hand like they hadn't just made a deal to try and merge her company with the devil himself.

"Yes, "Vincent added and then in a whisper, "That's what the NDA is for."

I hate him. I hate him. I hate him. I hate him.

"Fine!' Ally seethed, clenching her jaw so tight she thought her teeth might crack. "If there are no other topics for discussion?" She paused, opening the floor for the board to speak up, hell even the other side of the screen. Crickets... "Okay then, meeting adjourned. If you would follow me Mr. Wolf." Ally strode out. "Gentleman." She nodded to the dinosaurs as she passed, not even summoning the strength to glare at Bobby, she needed all her energy for the evil shadow following her out and down the halls.

"I'm sure we can find you something useful when you come here," Ally spoke as she opened the doors to the elevator begrudgingly waiting for him to step in before hitting the fortieth floor. It only crossed her mind once to close the doors on him–progress right? "You could help mop or something, it would make a great PR story. CEO cleans up his act with the Hooman group."

She felt the breath on her ear not realizing he'd crowded her space. "Oh, that seems like a vast waste of my talent, Ms. Hoodman. I'm sure I could serve you better in other areas."

Ally's ears flushed at the silkily delivered comment, her mind running in lewd circles. And the door dinged open.

She all but jumped out, striding a little faster down the hall to cool down the heat that was pooling in her 'nethers' as a myriad of naughty images rose to her mind much to her horror. She'd never hated someone before. What she felt for this man was peanuts compared to Bobby.

Refusing to acknowledge his words with a remark, she continued her brisk march towards her office. She'd make sure he knew exactly who he was dealing with.