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Chapter 18. Briana Ford

Noah POV

After meeting Brent, I went back to the office.

“Good morning, Mr. Hunter.” My assistant met me at the door and followed me inside the office.

When I sat down behind my desk, he handed me my schedule for the day.

noticed I have a TV guest this afternoon. “Did you check with the studio coordinator who are my co–guests in the interview?” I asked, wanting to plan.

As the CEO of one of the oldest chains of hotels in the country, I have often grace shows as part of our PR campaign. Though it was something I did not enjoy doing, I felt the need to engage in activities such as this for exposure.

Not only does it help expand our clientele, but provides us an edge over our competitors.

“I heard the Fords are coming into Redwood. Their new hotel completed construction last month, and the management is gearing up for a grand launch. Their CEO will be joining you for the television interview this afternoon.” Chris reported.

He mentioned another company aspiring to get a chunk of Redwood’s hotel industry’s market share.

The Fords owned multiple business interests all over the country and our staunchest competitor in hotel service. However, it did not pose a problem before since our identified locations allowed us to

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maintain our distance from each other.

But now, it seemed like we were going for the inevitable once they opened their newest branch here in Redwood.

The news had me sitting up straight in my chair.

“Competition is good, but I am sure our hotels are far superior than them,” I said with pride.

Hunter Hotels has offered world–class service over the years. Our length of service can attest to our popularity.

I looked at my assistant and smirked. “Should we let them eat dust?” I asked, grinning.

I know Redwood and the hotel industry like the back of my hand. Suddenly, I was looking forward to the interview.

Chris grinned. “Don’t be too hard on them, Noah.” He reminded me and left my room.

Once I was alone, I started tackling my tasks. I got so busy reading reports and approving and rejecting proposals that I did not notice the time until I heard my phone ring.

It was Brent calling.

I swiped the screen on my phone excitedly. “What’s up? Did you get anything?” I said, trying hard to stifle the excitement in my voice.

Brent clucked, but then his words dampened my mood. “I am sorry. There was no record of Briana Johnson in the airlines‘ manifesto, but I have here a record of Briana Ford.” Hearing the last name piqued my interest.

think this Brana Ford is connected to the Ford Hotels,” I

mentioned

Best whistled, but I was not interested in her.

Not until I saw her on the television program with cameras rolling and whitting around us.

1 kept staring at her with unblinking eyes in stunned silence.

She was the same woman I saw at the airport arlier – the one I had mistaken for Briana Johnson, my ex–wife.

My eyes squinted as I watched her sitting on the opposite side of

She was talking about their hotel’s attraction and what people should expect from them but my head could not follow her words because I was busy studying here

She looked so much like Briana but different, too.

This one had an air of sophistication that my ex–wife did not possess, and she looked fierce and deadly.

My gut tells me to get away from her – and fast, but I could not take my eyes off her.

Her beauty is perfection personified in the way she speaks. It was like she was luring you to her web.

I swallowed because just by looking at her, something inside me throbbed much to my shame and delight.

Delight because for the first time in so many years, my buddy down there showed an interest to anyone.

But it was a tad embarrassing, too So, I pressed my legs together to cover my arousal

“Noah, you had been very silent. Cur host said while I was trying to hide my hard–on.

My sharp ears picked up the subtle hint of flirting in her tone.

Amy Smith grinned at me when I shifted my gaze, and our eyes locked. She kept looking hungrily at my chiseled chest,

accentuated by my fitted dress shirt and vest all throughout the interview like she wanted to devour me.

I glanced surreptitiously at my co–quest and noticed the almost imperceptible snort.

“I am listening. I agree with Ms. Ford…” I said, looking pointedly in her direction to let her know I caught her before giving my full attention to our host.

….quality service, exciting attraction, and good management is a must to ensure the success of every hotel.”

The interview ended. I rose to my seat to thank Amy and buzzed her on the cheek as customary in the media industry.

Then she turned to kiss Briana Ford’s cheek while I waited on the

side.

I was itching to interact with Briana Ford. But after saying goodbye to Amy, she pivoted on her heels and left without glancing in my direction.

I could not believe it.

Briana Ford snubbed me in front of our host and her production.

Chapter 1 Brianaford

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