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She giggles. “It means you’re fiercely loyal. Which is how I’ve described you in the article. Yet another thing I’ve said that’s totally true.”
I scoff. “I’m almost always motivated by selfishness, Georgina. One way or another. I just mask it well.”
She flashes me a look of total incredulity. “What about Zander? Were you being selfish when you helped him land a job as Aloha’s bodyguard?”
“Actually, yes! Ha! Aloha needed a bodyguard on her upcoming tour, and I knew Zander would be a perfect fit for her in terms of personality. And I also, selfishly, didn’t want Barry going on tour with Aloha himself—which was exactly what Aloha, little miss diva, was demanding. I selfishly wanted Barry to stay in LA and work on my shit. So, I pulled strings and arranged a win-win-win-win.”
“That doesn’t sound selfish. It sounds brilliant. Which, again, is exactly how I’ve described you in my article.”
“Georgie, I get what I want by giving other people what they want, too.”
“Exactly.” She laughs. “Wow, Reed, you’re such a dick.”
I run my hand through my hair. “Why didn’t you at least tell the golf story?”
“Do you want me to tell the golf story?”
“No. Not particularly. But I don’t want you to compromise your journalistic integrity by excluding it.”
Georgina shrugs. “I decided that story wasn’t on-brand for Rock ‘n’ Roll. Which is the publication I decided to write this for.”
I lean back in my chair, bewildered. “This is insane. You make me sound so nice. And we both know I’m not. I mean, I am. But not this nice. I’m short-tempered. Harsh. Vaguely annoyed at all times.”
“I’ve said all that.”
“But not enough. Oh! I’m arrogant, too. But you didn’t bother to say that.”
“Okay, I’ll add it. Fair point. Anything else?”
“Just paint an accurate picture of me, for crying out loud. Come on. Drag me.”
“Why would I do that? I had a thesis, which is that you have a heart of gold. Anything not supportive of that thesis isn’t relevant.”
“Not relevant?”
“This isn’t a biography, Reed. It’s a short little piece for Rock ‘n’ Roll about how unexpectedly wonderful you are—which is something the world doesn’t already know about you. And that, my darling, was my actual assignment from CeeCee. To uncover a side of you nobody has seen before.”
I shake my head. “I won’t approve the article unless you make it a more accurate depiction of me. You need to dick me up a bit.”
“No. If I do that, I’ll look like an idiot for falling in love with you.”
I grunt. “Yeah, about that ending...”
Georgie’s face falls in earnest. “You don’t like it? You want me to take it out?”
Oh, my heart. Fuck. “Come here, sweetheart.” I pat my thigh, and Georgina leaves her chair and slides into it. “It’s my favorite part. Thank you. But you can’t leave that part in for the version you send to CeeCee.”
“Why not? It’s the truth.”
“CeeCee will never print that.”
“Well, I guess there’s only one way to find out.” She nuzzles her nose into mine. “Please, let me submit this article, as is. If CeeCee doesn’t like something, she’ll tell me to change it. But this is the article I want to submit. This is my truth.” Before I can reply, she begins laying soft kisses up my jawline to my ear, licking and nipping and kissing as she goes, until I’m rock-hard and feeling incapable of saying no to her. “Say yes,” she purrs. “Let me submit this, as is.”
“It’s propaganda of the worst kind,” I whisper, but I’m smiling. Paradoxically, turning to steel underneath her while melting into a puddle of pliable goo.
Georgina’s lips find mine and skim softly, making me shudder. “I’ve peeled your onion, down to your very core, my love. And what I found there, is what I wrote about.” She places both palms on my cheeks. “Say yes.”
I still can’t believe this is what The Intrepid Reporter came up with, after everything she’s discovered about me. Especially given that she thinks her dream job at Dig a Little Deeper is still on the line. Yeah, I know CeeCee is planning to offer Georgina a full-time slot, but Georgina doesn’t know that. And, yet, Georgina is nonetheless willing to submit this puff piece for Rock ‘n’ Roll, rather than something that would surely lock down her dream job. “I just don’t want you compromising your professional judgment for me.”
She smirks. “Says the man who’s about to release a single for my stepsister.”
My cheeks flush. “But I’m not compromising anything to do that. Alessandra has all the makings of a quirky little indie star. She just needs some guidance and coaching.”
“And you’re willing to take the time to give Alessandra that ‘guidance and coaching,’ personally, because... why?”
I bite back a smile. She’s got me there.
Georgina presses her forehead into mine. “I’ve written this article about you, for Rock ‘n’ Roll, because I love you with all my heart and I believe in this article. Which is the same thing as you producing and releasing Alessandra’s song because you love me and believe in her. That’s love, Reed. It’s a two-way street.”
