The others silently assume their seats. Chloe shoots me a warning look as I take the seat to her left.
‘What was that about the desk?’ Ruby takes the seat to the right of Chloe. She’s not just a friend. She’s clearly Chloe’s right-hand woman.
‘Shh! Nothing.’ Chloe glares a warning at both of us. Ruby smiles knowingly.
Settling back into my seat, my mind reluctantly returns to business. After all, it’s the sole reason I’m here. Well, almost. I can only hope to god Chloe’s ideas aren’t egregious. I’d hate to have to shoot her down and forfeit my end of the bargain.
Her team launches into a strategic proposal with 3D images of potential themes and stage props sourced and priced in each city. I have to admire the thoroughness of their research and uniquely thought-out suggestions.
‘That’s not the best part.’ Chloe nods to a red-headed guy. I think she introduced him as Jack.
‘We were thinking of taking some pressure off Ryan by using a local legendary support act for each concert. Let him duet with someone they already love as much as him. One of their own local treasures.’
A list of suggestions for each city floods the projector to the left of the table.
I have to admit they’re onto something. Using a local support act would allow Ryan to perform for a shorter time and uniting him with a hero of their own is solid gold entertainment butter. It’s actually fucking genius. Especially if we could keep each duet a secret, ramping up speculation.
‘What do you think?’ Chloe demands, rhythmically tapping her pen against the desk.
I think I’d love to rhythmically tap your ass off that desk.
‘I’m impressed, honestly.’ The staff glance round each other, relief rolling between them like cresting waves.
‘There’s just one tiny thing. That’s an impressive list of potential artists to collaborate with there, but has anyone reached out to any of them to discuss the opportunity?’
‘You’re the agent. The ruthless negotiator, by all accounts.’ Chloe scowls at my hand. The same one that graced her underwear last night. ‘I thought you were happy to get your hands dirty.’
‘Oh, I am, Prin-’ I catch myself. ‘Email that list and I’ll run through it with Ryan. Great work everyone. This is shaping up to be epic.’
Though not nearly as epic as my evening’s shaping up to be now Chloe and her team have done most of the legwork. Ryan was right, again. She really is talented.
ChapterNine
CHLOE
Beneath this very conservative dress, a painfully blistering fire blazes through every fibre of me. Jayden was right. I should have let him make me come last night because I can’t think about anything else. I gave him a desk farthest from mine so he can scan our earlier proposals for himself, but the distance doesn’t offer even a modicum of relief.
He’s the one itch I know I shouldn’t scratch, but doing something I shouldn’t, only enhances the appeal.
The day’s dragging. Probably something to do with the deal we made.
In theory, it’s an horrific proposal, but after last night, the thought of being naked with him sends a jolt of arousal pulsing between my legs.
The fact he’s left me with pretty much no choice if I want this tour to go my way should make me angry. But oddly, there’s something disturbingly hot about the power he wields over me to get what he wants. About him wanting me so desperately that he’s happy to relinquish his say in organising this tour.
Clearly, I have bigger issues than I realised.
In the past, some men have been intimidated by my success. Others have tried to take it from me. I don’t think I’m going to have either problem with Jayden.
No, I think I’m going to have a bigger one.
He might just be the best I ever have, which would prove to be a monumental problem. Because even if I was brave enough to embark on an actual relationship again, clearly LA’s biggest player is the most unsuitable candidate.
His head jolts up from across the room. I look away, feigning interest in a spreadsheet on my computer, but there’s no denying the spark fusing across my spine.
How can a person flip from being so infuriating to so alluring in a single day?
Oh, Chloe, his allure was never in question.
