Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 78521 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78521 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
“I can agree to the undergarment restriction,” Heather says, “but corporate was very clear that they want the toys to be a part of the posts.”
“Then I’m sorry,” Skye says. “I agree with Braden. I’m happy to pose in your clothing line and post about it, but I can’t post pictures of myself using your toys.”
A wave of relief settles through me.
Our personal life is our personal life, and I don’t want any toys in Skye’s posts.
“Let me be clear,” Heather says. “You don’t need to be using the toys. I’m not asking you to do anything X-rated. Just holding up a toy and saying a few words about it.”
“No,” Skye says. “I’m sorry.”
If possible, I think I fall in love with her even more. Skye is strong, whether she believes it or not.
“I’ll check with corporate, then, and I’ll let them know your terms.” She glances at her phone. “Goodness, I have to run. I’m so sorry to cut our meeting short. This should cover your dinner.” She lays several fifty-dollar bills on the table.
I pick them up and hand them back to her. Already I know how this will end, and I don’t want her money anywhere near Skye.
“Please keep your money.”
“I wouldn’t think of it.”
“I insist.” I shove the bills into her hand.
“All right, if you insist. Have a fabulous dinner.” She rises hastily, her napkin drifting to the floor.
Fabulous dinner? We haven’t even ordered yet.
Once Heather is out of earshot, Skye meets my gaze. “We need to chat.”
I peruse my menu. “About what?”
“About this. About you sticking your nose into my business.”
“Skye, when it comes to you posing half naked holding up leather whips, that is definitely my business. Besides, they weren’t going to let you take your own pictures.”
“And I was going to negotiate that.”
“They’re paying less than Susanne.”
“They’re a smaller company than Susanne. I’m new at this. I need to take what I can get.”
“She let her claws show, Skye.”
Skye won’t be able to deny my words. When Heather felt forced into a corner, she made it clear what her true opinion was. I can’t disagree. Skye did get her foot in the door by working for Addie and then by dating me. But she’ll stay in the door because she’s a talent in her own right.
The waiter comes and takes our order. I order a dozen oysters on the half shell, and Skye smiles.
“Any other news, Skye?”
“No. I’m pretty sure I just kissed the Crystal’s Closet contract goodbye.”
“You’re better off not being associated with a company that sells sexy undergarments and bedroom toys.” I clear my throat. “Are you sure there isn’t any other news?”
“Yeah.”
Interesting. “No…impending trips, maybe?”
“You want to explain how you even know about that trip? Have you hacked into my emails or my phone?”
“Of course not. That would be a violation of the trust between us. Do you want to explain why you haven’t told me about the trip?”
“Honestly? I forgot about it. I’m sitting here after you busted into the middle of my meeting with a potential source of income and blew the whole deal. New York next week isn’t the first thing on my mind.” She meets my gaze. “Now, can you explain to me how you know about New York?”
“Eugenie called me.”
“What?” Her brown eyes blaze.
“She called to let me know you’re meeting with her early next week, and she wants to take us out to dinner and asked what restaurants I liked.”
“What restaurants you like? Shouldn’t she be more interested in the restaurants I like?”
“Of course, but she knows you’re not familiar with New York. I am.”
Skye scoffs. “And she just assumed you’d be coming with me?”
I sigh. “Skye, stop making this bigger than it is.”
“Heather is completely right,” she says. “No one gives a shit what I think. They give a shit what Braden’s girlfriend thinks.”
I nod. I won’t try to convince her it’s not true. That would be dishonest. “That’s a big part of it. You knew that from the beginning.”
“I suppose you’re going to tell me you’ll be commandeering my meeting with Susanne.”
“As a matter of fact, I won’t be. I’ll have meetings all day in the city as well for my own business. Remember my own business?”
That was a low blow, and I immediately regret it. Her new business is important, and I don’t mean to minimize it. But my business is important, too, and I have million-dollar deals on the line every day.
She stands. “I’m suddenly not hungry.”
“Sit down, Skye. Stop being petulant.”
“Fine.” She obeys and sits. “Then you stop being patronizing.”
That smile tugs at the corner of my mouth again, but I’m nothing if not determined. “Deal.”
As if on cue, our oysters arrive.
“It’s time you learned how to slurp an oyster, Skye.”
Chapter Eleven
By her sixth oyster, Skye has the slurping thing down. And I’m horny as hell.