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“Four works for me.” If I juggle a few clients around, I can make it work. “Your homework is to practice your meditation. I know it’s difficult, but practice does make it easier.” Look at me being all professional. I’m buying myself a tiramisu latte on the way to my next client. “Keep your attempts short. Try for five or ten minutes of sitting quietly and focusing on your breathing. Maybe keep a journal of how it goes, and we can review it before our next session.”
Blake nods. “Okay. I’m not so sure about the journal, but I’ll give the meditation a try.” I offer him my hand, and he takes it. That buzz of delicious electricity sizzles under my skin and I have to force myself to let go of his hand. Blake is a client now. That’s all. “I’ll send you a meeting request and see you next week.”
“Right. Next week.” He walks me to the door.
Before things can get really awkward, I hurry out to the driveway, only turning back when I’m at my car. He’s still standing in the doorway, watching me. “Have a great rest of your afternoon!” I wave and slide into the driver’s seat, but not before I see his eyes light up and a grin spread across his handsome face. This is going to be the longest eight weeks of my life.
5
Blake
Don’tthinkofapink elephant. Or, in my particular case, don’t think of Stef Evans. Yeah. Right. The more I tell myself not to think about him, or that he’s probably the same person I hooked up with at Club Cake, the more it’s all I can think about. They both had the same smile, and a sparkle to their personalities. But it’s that ‘Have a great rest of your afternoon’, that Stef threw out as he left, just like my hookup had said ‘Have a great rest of your night!’ It’s all too coincidental.
I lean back in my chair and rub my eyes. It’s not as if I don’t have other things I should be doing. Jocelin sent me the revised contract for Gilbert Fox this morning, and he even highlighted the bits where he’d made changes. It’s now almost noon and I have nothing to show for the hours I’ve been sitting here. Every time I try to focus, I see Stef’s infectious grin—or the gorgeous blonde’s orgasm face. God, it was stunning. And obsessing about it isn’t helping my concentration. It’s also giving me a semi, and that’s not something I need, especially at work.
I groan in frustration and make another attempt at the contract, but ten words in, everything blurs as my brain helpfully notes that they both smelled like warm vanilla. Goddammit. I’ve been doing this all day. All of these random pieces of information slot together, the puzzle becoming more clear the more I think about it. Vanilla isn’t an uncommon scent, but if I add it in with the similar features and the exuberant smiles, it’s one more puzzle piece sliding into place.
And fucking hell, I’m off track again. Before I can make another futile attempt at work, I’m saved by a quick knock on my office door.
“Hey, Blake. Have a minute?”
I gratefully close my laptop. “For you, Gary? Absolutely. What’s up? The update on the new book isn’t due until next week.”
He drops into a chair near my desk. “I came to take Astrid to lunch, but I figured while I was here I’d talk to you about our current contract and the timing of the next book.” I give him my full attention, hoping this isn’t bad news. “As you know, my current book is in edits and I should get it back by the end of the week. I can dig in and have the updates to you within two after that. Once marketing has it, that completes my contract with Hibernian Press.”
Gary’s words have me immediately on edge. He isn’t usually careful with his phrasing, and today it seems like he’s treading cautiously. I rub the center of my sternum and try to breathe calmly. If he opts not to stay with Hibernian Press, then signing Gilbert becomes an absolute necessity for the launch of the new division. Especially if I want it up and running this year. “Are you thinking about not renewing?”
“No! God, no. You guys have been the best. You treat me like family, and give me whatever I need to get books written.” He grins. “Why would I give that up?”
I sag with relief. “Youarefamily, and that’s why we treat you that way.”
His grin is genuine, like everything else about him. “Sorry I startled you. I’m absolutely happy here and don’t plan to go anywhere else. I only wanted to get on your calendar to discuss my next series. A couple of the ideas go in new directions, and I’d like to run those by you.”
Feeling a little short of breath, I loosen my tie. “I’d love to hear what you have in mind. Jocelin is already working on your contract. I can have him hold off if there are things you want to change, because we absolutely love having you here and want to keep you happy. We’re already planning to increase your royalty percentages.”
“Blake, I’m all for higher royalty percentages, but what you’re paying me is fair. If it wasn’t, I’d have said something.”
What we’re paying himisfair. But Gary is an incredible author and a damned fine human being. Paying Gilbert Fox a higher royalty rate than him is unacceptable and makes my blood boil. In the entire time Gary’s been part of the Hibernian Press family, he hasn’t given me one ounce of the heartburn that Gilbert has. “Well, we’ve recently made some changes to what our top tier authors make. You’ve been loyal to us and I consider you a friend. I want to do this for you.”
He chuckles and shakes his head. “I won’t say no to increased royalties, but I’d stick with you regardless.”
The genuine gratitude in his voice makes me doubly glad to do this for him. It also helps me decide on something else I’ve been considering. “I want to talk about the kickoff celebration for the upcoming book. There’s an amazing winery in the area. It would be an absolutely fantastic place to host your next book launch.”
Before I can get into more detail, there’s another knock on my door. We both turn to see Astrid standing in the doorway, a soft smile on her face and eyes only for Gary. “I heard I’d find you here. I didn’t know you were coming in early.”
He glances at his watch and gives her a wink. “Eh, it’s almost noon now. I couldn’t wait to see you.”
She blushes but rolls her eyes as she walks toward us. “Is that why you came straight to Blake’s office?”
Gary grins and pushes up out of his seat, his arm immediately slipping around her waist, pulling her close. He leans up to kiss her cheek. “Busted. Actually, I wanted to talk to Blake about the latest book, and we ended up discussing my new contract.”
Astrid glances my way, one eyebrow raised. I hold up my hands. “It’s all good. Gary and I were talking about the new royalty percentages we’re offering our top level authors.” She and I have discussed the perks Gilbert wants and all the things that would impact, but since offering the new rates to Gary was a spur-of-the-moment decision, I expect her to be surprised. But she nods and makes a humming sound, giving nothing away. “I also suggested we have the launch party at Jupiter winery.”
Astrid grins. “Thatis a wonderful idea. I love that place. And not just because Tadhg and Quinn designed it, or because you’ll probably be in-laws to the owners one day.”
“I hadn’t considered that.” I laugh. “Maybe I’ll use the connection to get some extra perks.” I usher them toward the door as my phone buzzes in my pocket. “Go. It’s almost noon. Get lunch, and take your time. I’ll hold down the fort.”
Astrid squints warily at me. “I thought after your little hospital stint, you were going to take it easy. Skipping lunch isn’t taking it easy.”
