AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He breathes words into my ear, tickling my lobe. "Any mumbo jumbo you speak will be highly sensual, and I will need to make love to you afterward."
"But you haven't even heard what I'm going to say."
"Doesn't matter. Your voice is all it takes."
"If I'd known it would be this easy, I wouldn't have bothered to dress sexy on our first official date." The tone of his voice and the sensation of his warm breaths on my earlobe turn me on. But I have important information to convey, and I will not let him derail my speech. Not even if he licks my lobe. Nope, doesn't matter how hot he is. "Try to concentrate on what I'm going to tell you, okay? It's all about your business."
The rat pulls my lobe into his mouth and suckles it. "Mm, I will pay attention, gràidh. You have my word." He skates one finger across my bottom lip. "But I can't promise not to arouse you."
"You're going to tease me the entire time, aren't you?" So much for my plot to get my way by seducing him. He beat me to the punch.
Thane grins. "What else would I do?"
"Listen carefully to what I'm saying, that's what you're supposed to do. But never mind that. I can resist your charms for at least ten minutes."
He gives up my earlobe, and instead, rests a hand on my inner thigh.
I can play this game too. If he wants to get naughty, I'll go tit for tat. "We've discussed the basis of my campaign a few times. It centers on you, the man behind the whisky, the master distiller and master maltster. The Thane brand doesn't exist without your sexy self."
"You want pictures of me for adverts."
"Pictures, videos, audio recordings, everything. Your inimitable sex appeal is the cornerstone of our promotional efforts."
He laughs softly in that smoky, sensual way. "I've never been called inimitable before. I like it."
"Phase one of the campaign involves getting the word out. Once people know your company exists, we'll move on to phase two." I flip my portfolio open and lay it on my lap so he can view all the data I've collected while I talk. "With the right brand positioning, we can show everyone how unique and incredible your products are. But we also need to engender brand awareness. If nobody realizes your company exists, they won't know they need your products. We want the Thane brand to be foremost in everyone's minds when they think of single-malt Scotch whisky."
He glides his hand lightly up and down my thigh. "I'm listening, Rebecca."
Oh, that sneaky man. He knows his voice affects me more powerfully than any aphrodisiac. "I need your full attention, Thane. Stop staring at my tits and look me in the eye, please."
He slowly raises his focus to me while he continues petting my thigh.
"Demand generation is vital." My voice has grown sultrier, thanks to his efforts to derail me with sexy teasing. "We won't have customers unless we can convince them that they need the product. I've already run two surveys to find out how many people in the Highlands have ever heard of your whisky. The combined results show that less than eighteen percent of respondents have heard of Collaidh Sgeul-Rùin. Only two percent have bought your whisky."
"You were right. It's a bloody awful name."
"Rebranding ought to alleviate some of the name recognition problems. That's why I also stopped in at more than a dozen restaurants and bars in the Western Highlands, from Loch Fairbairn to Fort William and even Kyle of Lochalsh in the north."
Thane stops teasing my thigh and stares directly into my eyes. "When did you do that?"
"During the week when you were avoiding me."
He winces. "I'm sorry about that."
"It's okay, water under the bridge."
"What did you learn from your travels?"
"That although most people haven't heard of your whisky, they would be interested in trying it. I took a few bottles with me---Fiona approved that---and gave out glasses of one-sip samples."
His lips twitch, almost a smile, and his blue eyes shimmer in the muted lighting. "That was a brilliant idea. What was the result?"
"Everyone loved the taste tests. I've been working on some contextual marketing too, but I believe we don't need to go overboard with this stuff. The ads will be what initially draws people to the product." I slide my finger under the page's corner, preparing to flip to the next page. But I hesitate. "Before I show you the next part, I need you to promise you'll give it serious consideration and not simply scoff at it."
"You have my word. Should I cross my heart too?"
"That won't be necessary. Would you mind closing your eyes? I want to get your honest first impressions."
