AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She did, reading out loud, “Publicist, Autumn Troy, agrees to spend personal time with the client, Julian Locke, that isn't considered working hours.” Her eyes snapped to mine. “What the hell is this?”
“I’m a businessman, and these are my negotiations.”
She slammed the contract shut, roughly sliding it toward me. “I don’t need to read the rest to know I’m not signing that.”
“You’ll sign it, Miss Troy. If you refuse, I won’t do the tour, and you won’t make partner.”
All the color drained from her face when she realized I knew more than she’d wanted me to.
“Let’s face it, kid. You need me. I’m the key to your promotion.”
She scoffed out in disgust, shaking her head, “You’re unbelievable.”
“So you’ve said.”
“How did you find out?”
“You’re not the only one who knows the right people.”
“Get out! Now!”
I gave in to her demands. It was the least I could do. Before I left, I placed the contract on the table, where it would undoubtedly mock her, and then made my way to the door.
I’d won.
Game over.
She knew it too.
But I stopped dead in my tracks when I heard her exclaim, “I fucking hate you, Julian.”
Without turning around, I simply stated the truth. “It’s not the first or last time I’m going to hear those words out of your mouth, kid. You still haven’t read the rest of my terms, and I’m certain it’s only going to make you hate me that much more. Especially page three.”
“Is that where it says I have to have sex with you?”
“This isn’t about sex, Miss Troy. It’s much deeper than that.”
“Don’t use words you don’t understand, Mr. Locke. I was nothing more than a fuck, remember?”
Having her throw my own vicious statement back at me from all those years ago wasn’t a surprise. I just didn’t think it would happen this soon. Pretending as if it didn’t kill me to hear her say those words, I regained my composure and opened the door.
“I’ll be in my office by seven. Sleep well, kid.”
Shutting the door behind me, I left, and as soon as I did, a loud banging shattered against it.
I grinned and walked away.
Autumn shouldn’t have played with fire if she didn’t want to get burned.
Chapter Five
—Autumn—
Day 1 of Press Tour
I was already sitting in front of his desk in his office when he walked in the next morning with the contract in my lap.
“Good morning, Mr. Locke.”
