Page 27 of Eluding the Billionaire
Only then do I look up at Drew, who is still standing, watching me. “Please, sit down, Drew.”
He retakes his seat, which puts him directly in front of me, and his eyes lock with mine. I quickly look away. “Why are you here today? Jackie isn’t in the office, but I’m sure Laura, my personal assistant, will be able to book you an appointment for tomorrow or the day after. You can see her on your way out.”
“Katie, I didn’t come to see Jackie. I came to see you.” My mouth drops open.
My hands squeeze tightly together, the only physical sign of the tension in my body and the only way I can stop them from visibly shaking. “Why would you want to see me? We have nothing to discuss … I’m not involved in the arrangements for your book tour.”
“Aye, I understand Jackie is handling everything regarding promotions, and she’s doing a good job. However, I have a special request for the boss … which would be you.” He smiles at me. I wish he wouldn’t. He looks too damn good. He’s put on some weight since I last saw him, and it’s obviously been added as toned muscle based on the way he appears to be filling out his shirt.
He leans his elbows on the table in front of him and those muscles strain against the fabric. I wish he’d kept the jacket on, which is currently tossed across the back of a chair beside him. I don’t need to be noticing the way his fitted, pale-blue button-up shirt stretches across his upper body and shoulders like a second skin.
“Fine, Drew.” I look down at my watch. “But I only have ten minutes before I have to be at ascheduledmeeting.”
“Plenty of time.” He’s grinning now, and I have no idea why. Honestly, it’s making me feel very uncomfortable about what might come next.
He leans back in his seat, stretching his arms up above his head, like he has all the time in the world. I wasn’t lying about having a meeting in ten minutes. He doesn’t have to know it’s only a virtual meeting and I’m an optional attendee, so I can easily skip out. But I’m choosing not to.
I tilt my head to the side. “Maybe this was all you had on your schedule today, but I’m a busy woman. I don’t have time to be sitting around pandering to one difficult author.”
He sits up straighter and leans toward me again. “I’m not going to do the national book signing tour.”
“What? You have to,” I stutter in shock. Jackie has spent weeks putting together a comprehensive two-week book signing tour that covers the major cities up and down the country and includes a couple of television interviews.
He shakes his head, and he looks deadly serious now. “I’ve reviewed the schedule that Jackie sent through, and it’s too much.”
“Drew, it clearly states in your contract that you’re obligated to do all promotional events organized by Carlson Publishing, within reason. Ten events over the two-week period isn’t an unreasonable ask.” I ensure my tone is firm and professional, but it’s hard to keep out the bitchiness I’m feeling.
His brow draws down. “Katie, you know my feelings about public events.” He’s right, I do, but this is business. I cross my arms over my chest and shrug my shoulders. I don’t trust myself to remain firm on this point.
His voice is gravelly and harsh when he says, “I’m prepared to negotiate. If I have to do the national book signing tour, then I’m only available for one week, and I’ll only do five signings, one television appearance, and one radio interview.”
“Ten days, not seven, and then I think we can work with that,” I reply, not missing a beat. It’s not unusual to adjust the schedule following discussions with the author.
Then he drops a bombshell. “And you have to do it with me,” he adds with a smug smile. What the hell?
I jump up from my seat and brace my hands on the table. “Don’t be ridiculous.” My voice rises as I continue. “I don’t have time for another of your ridiculous demands that serves no purpose other than to boost your ego.”
He’s back to grinning. “I’d be disappointed if you agreed straight away. But, Katie, so we’re clear … that’s my final offer if you want me to do this tour.”
I stare angrily at him, and unfortunately, I flinch first when I drop back into my chair.
“Why?” I ask softly, all fight in me gone.
“Because we’re not done yet, Katie,” he replies.
“You had your chance, Drew, and you blew it.” I stand up again, and this time, I walk toward the door.
But before leaving, I turn back to him. “And you’re wrong. We are done.” Then I walk away from him.
Back in the privacy of my office, my shoulders sag under my tailored jacket, and I’m no longer the strong, independent, professional woman. I’ve become the age-old cliché of a woman falling too hard for a guy who wants nothing more serious than a few nights with her in his bed.
Chapter fourteen
Drew
Bollocks.Thatdidn’tgothe way I’d hoped.
I guess if I was honest with myself, I’d say I couldn’t stay away from her, and I was looking for any excuse to see Katie on my first visit to London since the accident. What surprised me was the frosty reception I got.
