Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 59395 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 297(@200wpm)___ 238(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59395 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 297(@200wpm)___ 238(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
I grab the robe from behind the door, slip it on and run for my phone. I find it on the floor by the bed, no longer ringing, but with a cluster of text messages from Dash that seem to be about the studio.
I punch in Dash’s autodial and sit down on the bed. “What’s going on?”
“You still sleep like a rock. The studio head I didn’t want to work with called me.”
“He called you?”
“He did and we talked for over an hour. He’s willing to meet all my terms and then some if we sign a letter of intent today, and up the money. He said he’d talk about that with you. He also said he’d come to you at your hotel. I think he wants to hold you captive so you don’t go to the competition. Text him the time and address and he’ll be there.” At this point Tyler is wearing his pants, sitting next to me, trying to pick up pieces of the conversation. “I’m on it. How do you feel about this, Dash? Is this where you want to land?”
“How do you feel about it? What’s your opinion?”
“I think the new studio head at our existing studio is going to screw you.”
“Then make it happen,” he says. “Let’s seal this deal.”
“Do you want us to meet with the existing studio just to be safe before we agree to anything?”
“Oh, that’s right. ‘We’ means you and Tyler. He’s there with you. How is that going?”
So very good and so very bad, I think, but what I say is, “It isn’t yet. We haven’t met with anyone. What do you think? Do we meet with both studios?”
“If you can get me a written document this morning, let’s say adios to the new studio head and his dickhead attitude. After all, I do have a wedding to plan.”
And so does Tyler, I think bitterly. “You do,” I say. “Let’s make all of this happen. Stay close to your phone. I’ll need you to sign a document.”
“I’ll be around. Knock ‘em dead, sis.” He disconnects.
I shift toward Tyler. “The studio head he previously disliked called and offered him everything and the book, including more money, as long as we sign a letting of intent today.”
“And he wants to take it?”
“He does. He seemed ready to make this happen. And the studio head is coming here. I need to text him a time. Do you want to do it in the suite at the table?”
Tyler leans across me and grabs the hotel phone from the nightstand. “I’ll see if the hotel has a conference room we can use.” He glances at his watch. “Tell him ten. It’s seven now. In light of this new development, we need plenty of time to grab a bite and talk through our strategy.”
“Agreed,” I say and he makes the call, securing a conference room. With location and time in mind, I text the studio head, who confirms and agrees with the plan almost instantly. I set my phone down on the nightstand. “We’re all set.”
“I need to go grab my suitcases. Can you order us a carafe of coffee?”
“Of course,” I say, but when he would move away, I catch his arm, halting his departure. “Tyler, I think we can go home tonight.”
“We’re going home Monday, baby. Unless you object, I’m keeping you for me this weekend.”
Yes, please, I think, but I’m also not thinking logically. I’m fairly ready to admit most things I do with Tyler are a combination of hormones and emotions. “Do you think that’s a good idea?”
“Hell, yes, I do,” he assures me. “I want to stay the weekend. Do you?”
“I do, I just—”
He leans over and kisses me. “Then we’re staying.”
“But we fly home commercial,” I counter. “When we head home, I need to just slip back into boss and employee mode. I just…I do.”
“Okay. If I get you for the weekend, we’ll keep our commercial flights home. Coffee, woman. I need coffee to get my bad cop juices flowing. Be a good cop and order.”
I laugh and watch him pull on his shirt and shoes, and then head for the door. I order the coffee and breathe out. I’m really, really deeply invested emotionally in Tyler.
I am going to hurt when we get home. I’m going to hurt when I see the show with his new fiancée. I might have to leave the company. I don’t know if I’ll have a choice.
Chapter Forty-Five
Bella
Tyler and I shower together, and I finish what I started last night on my knees, with him against the wall and his fingers twined in my hair. When it’s over, he returns the favor, and leaves me trembling, my knees weak.
“You are better than any fantasy, baby,” he tells me, kissing me all slow and sultry before we slip out of the now-cold water.