“I had a run in with Presley at the studio.”
She let me go. Took a step back. “When?”
“Yesterday. I didn’t go looking for him. I bumped into him as I was leaving to pack to come here.”
“And what did you say?”
“I can’t remember exactly. Something about keeping his hands to himself. I probably landed a threat or two, but I think he got the message.”
She plucked at her bottom lip, then began to pace. “I specifically asked you not to engage him.”
“I know, and I heard you.”
“Yet you ignored my wishes.”
“Look, I don’t want to fight. Like I said, I didn’t go looking for him, but when I saw him, and he asked if I was with you, I lost my temper. It won’t happen again.”
She shook her head and muttered, “Men” under her breath.
“I know. We’re fucking idiots who haven’t evolved from the dark ages.” I went to her, standing in the way of her pacing. “I’m sorry. I promise it won’t happen again.”
“I handled it.”
“I know you did.”
“Did you physically assault him?”
“Does a hand around the throat count as assault?”
She let out a heavy sigh. “Yes, it counts. Jesus, Joz. Do I have to get the lawyers involved?”
“No. He won’t do anything. He got the message, and that’ll be the end of it.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“If I’m wrong, then I’ll deal with the consequences.”
“But don’t you see? They’re not just your consequences. If it gets out that my two recent signings are fighting, that will reflect not only on the label, but on my ability to manage my artists. Promise me you won’t do anything like that again.”
“I won’t.”
“Promise me.”
I gripped her upper arms and stared straight into her eyes. “I promise. I’ve said my piece. It’s done.”
“It’d better be.”
I clipped her under the chin. “Do you know how turned on I am right now?”
She grabbed me between the legs, and she wasn’t gentle about it either.
I winced. “You’re fucking magnificent. You know that?”
“Yeah,” she said. “I do. Now, strip. You owe me a few orgasms for badly fucking up.”
“What the lady wants”—I grabbed my shirt behind my neck and tugged it over my head, then unfastened my jeans—“the lady gets.”
She walked over to a dresser, opened the top drawer, and threw two objects on the bed.
