Book Bitch (17 page)

Chapter Twenty-One

The secretary escorted us to the conference room, where all of Margot’s employees were assembled. Margot began her speech sharing her original vision for her company and how it grew to become City Literary. “But now my time has come to an end. I need to pass on the torch. Without a doubt, it must be someone confident and knowledgeable. Someone who’s been in the business and isn’t afraid to take this company to the next level. That’s why after careful thought and consideration, I’ve decided that Rebecca Stratford would be the best suited for this situation. She’s proved with her own agency, that she can be the force that’s needed to carry on City Literary’s positive standing.” She held her hand out, open palm, to Rebecca.

A small buzz filled the room as Rebecca walked up to Margot. The women hugged and Margo
t stepped back. Rebecca waited for the hush to die down.

“Good afternoon everyone. I assume from the reaction to Margot’s announcement that you’re all aware of who I am. Now, I know the nickname I’ve been given in the industry affectionately refers to me as the
“Book Bitch,” but if working hard to get everyone what they want by useful compromise means being a bitch, well then I wear the title proudly. It’s no secret I go after what I want. And what I want is success. I pride myself on making clients and publishers happy so that everyone can make money. A lot of money. That’s the goal of Stratford Literary. It’s the continuing plan for City Literary under Stratford. I plan on building on what Margot has invested herself into for so many years, to carry on her wonderful progress. I hope you will continue with me as we merge both into one mega agency. All of you are a huge asset to making this a smooth transition. I know that Margot has filled her house with spectacular talent. I value all of you and hope you’ll stay on so we can continue our upward motion. Please know that you can come to me with any concerns you might have. Thank you for your time.”

I fully expected the buzz to remerge, but I was pl
easantly surprised when the room filled with applause and cheers. Some employees even shook her hand and welcomed her. I think Rebecca was just as surprised as I was. She glowed as she moved closer to the door, where I was standing.

Margot and Rebecca spoke for a few minutes in the lobby before w
e left the office. When we were in the elevator alone, I pulled her close to me. I gave her an urgent kiss. Even when the doors opened in the lobby, I didn’t release her. “I want to show you how proud I am of you,” I whispered.

She smoothed out her dress and we walked out of the elevator.

Back at the office, we ordered in lunch and worked behind closed doors for the rest of the day. My gaze never left her. I was in awe of all she was: confident, intelligent, savvy, beautiful, sexy.

At six o’clock we decided it was a full day. We went back to my apartment, where we ordered Chinese take-out. We sat on the couch as I massaged Rebecca’s feet and we reviewed the different parts of the day.

“So, what’s going to happen tomorrow?” I asked.

“I’m going to make Donovan pay for everything he’s ever done to me.
Then, I’m going to tell our staff about the new Stratford Literary Agency.”

Rebecca changed into a pair of my sweatpants and tee shirt and we cuddled on the couch.
I loved stroking her soft skin and running my fingers through her long, brown curls. And the way she moaned her approval resonated through my body.

As she lay with her back against my chest, I
massaged her arms. She tilted her head to look at me.

“
It’s strange, but I feel so relaxed.”

I smiled. “I’m glad I have that effect on you.”

“Oh, you have lots of effects on me,” she said. “All of them good.”

I bent my head down to kiss her nose.

A few minutes of quiet settled between us. “You know, I meant it when I said I love you,” she said.

“I meant it
, too,” I said. “I haven’t been in many relationships, but I think I can honestly say this is love. I’ve never been this happy in my life.” Again she tilted her head and looked at me. I bent my head again, but this time I kissed her lips. It was a long, passionate kiss. Despite the steady temperature in my apartment, my insides were getting very, very hot.

Rebecca turned on her knees
in the space between my legs. Her kiss became more insistent. My blood raced. Her fingers laced in my hair, pulling me closer. Just as my temperature started to rise, she grabbed my hand and pulled me into the bedroom. With a finger, she pointed to the bed; a silent command to lie down. I did as I was told. Grabbing the waistband, she pulled my pants off my legs. She rubbed her hand over the bulge in my briefs. I went to reach for her arm.

Her finger wagged. “Nu uh.”
She stripped off the sweats she was wearing and crawled over me. She straddled my waist. I placed my hands on her hips and she covered them with her own, guiding them to her breasts over her shirt. As I felt her fullness, she shifted her hips until she was positioned over me. Her barely audible exhale was the key in my ignition, as she adjusted herself and lowered herself onto my length. Her hands gripped mine as they closed over her breasts. And then she moved. Up and down. Rocking over my hardness. I slid one hand down the front of her and rested it on her hip. I used the other to palm the front her sex, pressing the heel of my hand against her clitoris. It caused her hips to move faster. Waves of her wetness ran over me. It made me fervent. Faster and faster she moved. I switched the position of my hand so that my thumb took over the clitoral massage. The exchange made her gasp.

“Don’t stop,” I commanded.

She continued to ride me, making me harder with each pass up and down. The build from inside happened quickly. I couldn’t think. All I could focus on was the intense sensation. I bucked my hips as she came down hard. She screamed out some garbled words and I felt her tighten around me, and then release. I pushed up twice more and then stilled and filled her. I helped her roll off me and onto her side of the bed.

The only sound was our panting, which didn’t slow until the temperatures of our bodies had cooled. Rebecca’s skin was smooth and
supple.

I pulled the blanket around us and we fell asleep.

The alarm woke us the next morning. Rebecca and I showered and dressed quickly and called a car to pick us up. On the way to Preston Price’s apartment Rebecca grasped my hand. “Thank you for being so supportive.”

I smiled.

Preston was dressed in a simple black suit, white shirt and black tie, so unlike the wild, bright colors of his usual attire. It was so out of character for him. Then I knew it was going to be an interesting morning. He got into the cab and we drove to where he was to meet Donovan, Lindsey, and Katie.

Mrs. Richards met us on the street in
front of the restaurant. The maître d seated us in the back with Rebecca’s mother complaining of improper treatment.

“Why are we pushed back here? We should have a table up front. There’re are several places they can seat us, why back here?
And what’s with all of these plants blocking our view? I feel like I’m eating in the jungle. I can’t see the rest of the dining room.”

“Be quiet, Mother. There’s something I want you to see and you’ll ruin it if you’re out in the open.”

Mrs. Richards’ attitude shifted. Elation covered her face. “A surprise? For me? Oh Rebecca, that wasn’t necessary. You shouldn’t have.”

“Hush, Mother. It’s not a good surprise.”

We sat and waited, looking over the menu. Donovan was the first to arrive… with Katie on his arm. They giggled and cuddled as they waited to be seated. Since the rest of their party wasn’t there, they felt comfortable enough to continue the snuggling as they sat next to each other in the booth. Donovan stroked Katie’s hair and gave her a long, passionate kiss. Katie chased him for more, of which he obliged.

Mrs. Richard’s mouth fell open. Clearly, she had no idea of Donovan’s extra curricular activities. “He told me he had meetings. I didn’t realize what sort they were.”

She began to rise from her seat when Rebecca pushed her back down. “Wait.”  She held a finger to her closed lips. Mrs. Richards nodded. We all watched and waited.

Lindsey entered the restaurant. She discovered her partners in crime and walked straight to their table. “I trust you two had a nice evening.”

Katie smiled. “Yes, we most certainly did.” She looked at Donovan. He kissed her again.

“Good. Well, I hope you got some rest. I don’t think winning Preston Price over is as easy as you think it’s going
to be.”

Donovan sipped his complimentary water. “Relax, Lindsey. You worry too much. He’s finished with Rebecca. We’ve offered him the world. I’d be surprised if he didn’t bring all of his oddball, writer friends along to join him at Richards’ Literary.”

Lindsey leaned across the table. “I sure hope you’re right.”

“Of course I am. Aren’t I always?” He looked at Katie once more,
offered a seductive grin, gave her a quick kiss on the nose before he shrugged into his ‘professional’ façade.

Preston
sashayed in from the place we dropped him off. Donovan stood as he approached the table. Rebecca grabbed my hand. Mrs. Richards’ focus was shifted temporarily, but then she looked back at Donovan’s table with curiosity.

“Preston,” Donovan said confidently. “I hope you slept well.”

Preston shook Donovan’s hand and sat down across from the new hopeful troop. He smirked as he quickly assessed the situation between Donovan and Katie. “As I’m sure you did.” Katie blushed and looked down into her lap.

A waitress took their order. Rebecca was ready to pounce. I held her arm back to indicate she should wait.

“So, Preston,” Donovan began again. “Have you come to a decision?” The waitress came back with a tray of coffee cups. The conversation stopped until she distributed all of them and left. “We can go back to my office after brunch and you can sign the paperwork.”

“Well,” Preston, ever the dramatist, leaned his elbows on the table and clasped his hands together. “I have been giving your proposal a great deal of thought. Even bounced the idea off a friend. I am intrigued by the idea of the movies. I’ve always dreamed of walking down the red carpet at the Oscars.” He looked at Lind
sey. “Maybe with a hot young escort on my arm. Perhaps two. A blonde and a brunette.” He looked at Katie. “Don’t have a particular interest in gingers. Sorry, dear.” Katie scowled.

The waitre
ss came with their food. They stopped talking until she was finished and gone.

Preston took a few bites of his breakfast, then a sip of his coffee. Donovan squirmed in his seat. Preston wa
s making him sweat. Rebecca enjoyed Donovan’s having to work so hard.

Preston swallowed what was in his mouth. “Although I am tickled that you’d want me back, Donovan, I’m afraid, with our history, I’m going to have to pass on your offer.”

Donovan’s face drained. He clearly didn’t expect that. “Preston,” the first half of the name came out strong, then trailed in a softer, smoother tone. “Preston, all of that’s water under the bridge. Let’s talk about this. Maybe an extension on each manuscript would make you feel more at ease with coming back? Adding extra movies to the pot? What about mega book release parties? Tell me what is it about the proposal that you’re not happy with?” The air of desperation was apparent. Donovan needed Preston’s prior success – success that was due to Rebecca’s hard work – in order to sustain any semblance of good standing for Donovan Richards Literary.

Preston stood. “All of it is wonderful,
Donovan, one that any author would jump at. But, the part of the deal I’m not happy with is the part where you’re involved.” He was about to walk away, when Rebecca walked over. Preston’s face produced a wide smile. “Oh, Donovan, I’d like to introduce you to my friend. You know, the one I bounced those ideas off of.”

Donovan stood. “Preston…”
Donovan’s voice trailed.

Rebecca offered
a little, smug grin. “Donovan. Katie. Lindsey, I believe.”

Preston linked arms with Rebecca. “Rebecca and I have resolved our differences. We’re stronger than ever. I appreciate all you’ve offered, Donovan, but it’s really not water under the bridge. You
see, you didn’t believe in me when I came to you. Not even enough to try. Trust me, I’ve asked around as to what your thoughts are regarding me. It seems you like to spew your opinions everywhere, like shit in an outhouse. It seems that what you say changes with whom you are speaking. If you talked with someone who likes me, your opinions were reserved, but if you talked with someone who doesn’t care for me, well, you were quite cruel. I can’t trust someone like you with my work. You don’t have my best interests in mind. And since I travel in multiple circles, you can be sure I’ll be sharing my thoughts on you with those members.” With that, he and Rebecca walked out the door.

While Donovan realized what had just happened to him, I walked to the front of the restaurant with Mrs. Richards. Donovan’s face morphed
from shocked to surprise as his body tensed. “Clarissa, what are you doing here?”