Book Bitch (16 page)

“Thanks, Rose,” Rebecca said.

When Rose was completely out of the office, I closed the door behind her. I looked at Rebecca. By her expression, I could tell she was thinking the same thing I was. “How are we going to prove Katie is sharing information with Donovan?”

Rebecca sat in her chair. A pensive look furrowed her brow. A
few minutes passed. “I’ve got an idea. Get Preston Price on the phone.”

Chapter Nineteen

“I pushed all of my other appointments back the minute I hung up with you. I just couldn’t get out of the first two, sorry.” Preston Price, the ever-dramatic author, sauntered into Rebecca’s office. Rose had already left for the evening, as had most of the staff. I had made sure that Katie was bogged down reviewing the query she showed me earlier. I told her she should present it to Rebecca, mentioning that it could mean major points with her if she scored it right. She agreed to stay late to work on it.

“Preston, I’m so glad you could make it. Won’t you have a seat?”
Rebecca and Preston did their usual kiss on each cheek and Rebecca extended a hand to one of the seats in front of her desk. He sat gracefully, eager to hear what caused Rebecca to call him into her office in a most unusual way. I closed the door and took the seat next to him.

“I need a favor from you, Preston.”

“Anything. You know I owe you for launching and maintaining my career.”

“I need you and I to act out a scene for the benefit of one of my employees that I suspect is spying on me for Donovan.”

Preston’s eyes lit up. “I hate that bastard. Just tell me what I have to do.”

Rebecca filled him in on her plan as I went to get Katie into position.

The desk lamp was the only light on as Katie hunched over the desk reading over her proposal for the umpteenth time.

“Hey, so
are you ready to go pitch to Rebecca?”

“
Yeah, I think so.” She looked up from her desk with a nervous twitch.

“
Don’t be nervous. She’s really not the bitch the industry has labeled her as. And if you believe in this work, she’ll take an honest look at it.”

Katie laughed. “
Okay. Then I guess I’m ready.”

I joined her in the laugh
. “C’mon, let’s show her. We just have to wait. She’s in with Preston Price right now, but they’re in a heated discussion.”

“Oh?”

I knew she would take the bait. Her face lit up.

I placed
my hand in my pocked and pressed ‘send’ on the message I had typed before talking to Katie to tell Rebecca we were on our way. Just as we approached my office, Preston Price’s voice rose from behind the door.

“Well, that just won’t do, Rebecca. I told you if you didn’t get me the extension I was going to find another agent.”

Katie and I halted in the space just in front of Rose’s desk.

“But Preston I
’ve tried everything. They are insisting you change the manuscript, otherwise they’re threatening to pull out of the contract.”

Preston hesitated. “
Rebecca, I told you that I refuse to change my creativity. I’m afraid I’m just going to have to release you from our contract then. Find an agent who will respect me. Have the papers drawn up. I’ll come by in the morning to sign them, dissolving our union.”

The door swung open and Preston Price walked swiftly past Katie
and I, not even turning his head in our direction, and straight for the elevator. He didn’t have to wait long before the doors opened and he was gone. I walked into Rebecca’s office. ‘

“What happened?”

Rebecca’s head was in her hands. “He fired us.”

Katie and I looked at each other. “Perhaps we’ll do this tomorrow, Katie. Why don’t you go home now?”

She nodded and shot out of the office. Rebecca and I waited until she had gotten into the elevator before Rebecca called down to the security officer in the lobby to ask if Katie had indeed left the building.

“Yes, ma’am.
Just after she finished her phone call. She headed down into the subway.”

“Thank you, James.”

I looked at Rebecca. “What do we do now?”

“We wait.”

We went back to Rebecca’s apartment just in case Donovan showed up. She called Preston and told him to keep her informed of everything that happened.

It was so exciting to see her so in control. I loved that she wasn’t a victim. She took charge of
her surroundings. It got me aroused. I wanted to make love to her in the worst way.

As she scrambled some eggs in a skillet, I inched up behind her. I cupped her breasts and began to
smooth my hands up and down her body.

“I’ve got a hot pan here.”

“And I’ve got something hot for you, too.” I said as I grinded my erection into her behind. Without looking at her face I could tell she was smiling.

She turned the burner off and spu
n around. Her lips were on mine. Her hands palmed my shirt, pushing it up my body. I pulled it over my head as she did the same with hers. I pulled her skirt down over her hips. I was grateful it was one with an elastic waistband. Her hands fumbled with my belt. I pushed them out of the way and finished the job for her as she removed her blouse. I reached behind her and unhooked her bra. She stood in front of me as I took a moment to marvel at her fantastic breasts; always fantastic. As she shimmied her panties down her legs I slipped a finger into her sex. Wet. It was such a turn on. My other hand glided up her body, stopping on her neck. I circled her, pushing my body against hers so she’d feel me on every inch of her skin. And then I leaned her over the breakfast bar and took her from behind, grabbing her breasts as I impaled her. Whimpers of delight came from her with each thrust. It wasn’t just that I wanted her; I had to have her. I needed her.

I pulled back and slammed her again. She called out. It fueled me. Another quick
prod. The sensation vibrated through me. I rocked back again and pushed in and squeezed her breasts as I exploded.

Rebecca turned and looked at me. “Where did that come from?
I thought you were into ‘making love’.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—“ I looked down, ashamed of being so aggressive.

She placed her finger over my lips. “I liked it, I just haven’t seen that side of you before.”

“You’re just so… sexy
, especially when you’re in control of your business. I’m so turned on by you. I couldn’t think straight. I only knew I wanted you. I lost it.”

“Well, I like when you lose it,” she said. “But we’ll have to eat something other than eggs
now, they’re cold.”

I smiled.

We got dressed again and ordered in a pizza. At eight o’clock, Preston Price called to tell Rebecca that Donovan had phoned him. She put him on speakerphone but held her finger in front of her lips to indicate I should listen quietly.

“He said he had heard, from a reliable source, that you and I were on the outs. He swooped in and offered me representation.”

“What did you say?” Rebecca asked.

“I told him I was going to think about it and call him in the morning.”

“Good job, Preston. I owe you a dinner. A restaurant of your choosing.”

“Will you bring that delicious
assistant with you?”

Rebecca smiled at me. “If you’d like me to.”

“Oh yes. I like to look at him, even though I can tell he has a thing for you.”

“
Oh? Why do you say that?”

“It’s all in how he looks at you,
with that reverence we all want.” He sighed.

Rebecca laughed. “Okay, Preston. Let me know when you call Donovan back. We’ll be at the meeting place.
Thank you for your participation.”

“Okay,
Love. Thanks for letting me be a part of this. I can’t wait until you put Donovan Richards into the ground. Talk to you tomorrow.” He hung up.

Rebecca looked pleased. “And now I’d better go take care of you before Preston Price steals you away from me.”

I pulled her into my arms. “Not a chance.”

Chapter Twenty

The next morning, Rebecca called Rose at home and filled her in on what was happening and she asked her to keep a watchful eye on Katie.

When she walked out of the bedroom, my mouth opened. The most incredible electric blue dress clung to her amazing body. It showed all of her curves. The thin black belt acc
entuated her small waist and black, patent leather heels emphasized her long, shapely legs. Full, dark curls hung just over her breasts, which were parted with enough of a dipping neckline of her dress that it intrigued anyone who’d look at her without giving away too much. She looked absolutely perfect.

“Can we just stay home so I can look at you all day?” I kissed her neck so I wouldn’t smudge her make-up.

“Mmmm, if you keep kissing me there, I might just take you up on that.” She giggled.

“You have the best laugh.”

She tilted her head and leaned her neck further into my kiss. “What else?”

I began my list with a kiss in between each attribute. “Your skin is so smooth.” Kiss. “Your hair is soft.” Kiss. “Your curves are…” Kiss, kiss. “Perfect.”

She sighed. “Oh, I want you to do me right now, but we’ll be late.”

“Then promise…” kiss… “that…” kiss… “I…” kiss… “can…”
kiss… “take…” kiss… “care…” kiss… “of…” kiss… “you…” kiss… “later.”

She moaned in
my ear. My body tingled.

“I promise,” she whispered.

She reached over to the kitchen counter and grabbed her purse and walked toward the door. I had to take a few deep breaths and think about something rather boring to steady myself. Then I waddled to the door.

“Why are you walking like that?” she asked opening the front door.

“Because my erection is so hard it won’t let me walk normally.”

She laughed.

We hailed a cab straight to the restaurant. Seated at a table in the shadows, behind one of the decorative screens, not far from where Preston was supposed to sit with Donovan, we huddled and hid behind the menus. As we waited for them to arrive, I held Rebecca’s hand.

“I hope this goes well,” she said.

“It will,” I assured her and offered a supportive smile.

The waiter came
to take our order.

Five
minutes later, Preston walked in, just as planned, and was shown his table. A few minutes after that, Donovan walked in, with Katie… and Lindsey?

T
he blood drained from my face.

“
What is it?”

“That’s Lindsey.”

“Who’s Lindsey?”

“She’s another one of your junior editors. She’s dating my friend. What is she doing here with Katie and Donovan?”

“We’ll find out once they start talking to Preston.”

My leg twitched causing the table to rattle.

“Will you stop that? I can’t concentrate on them with your leg dancing like that. Why are you so nervous?”

I looked at Rebecca. “I just want to know what Lindsey’s involvement is in all of this.”

Rebecca and I strained to hear the conversation between Preston, Donovan, Katie, and Lindsey. From choppy bits and pieces we constructed a scenario that Donovan had employed the girls to forward inside information regarding Rebecca to him. He planned to destroy her agency from the inside out: bringing on bad authors, destroying good relationships with editors and publishing houses, even tainting partnerships with independent authors. Donovan’s goal was to break up Rebecca’s agency enough where she’d be weakened to say yes when he offered her either a partnership or a buyout. In exchange, Lindsey and Katie were paid handsomely for their contributions and promised elevated status to senior agents once Donovan was in full control.

Donovan
played it up when he told Preston he regretted the moment the author left him, before his books hit the Best Seller lists. He assured Preston the girls would be joining his staff once he left Rebecca and returned to Donovan Richards Literary. He even promised Preston he’d get movie deals for the first three of his books.

“And how would you do that?” Preston asked, feigning interest.

“Chester Martin has one of the top movie firms in his pocket, and since Chester owes me, I don’t foresee any complications getting you some movie royalty money.” Donovan was smug and pompous. The girls sat on either side of him, nodding their support.

“Well,” Preston dragged it on. “I’ll have to
seriously think about it.”

“P
reston,” Donovan hedged. “Consider all of the money we can make together.”

Preston paused for drama. “Let me just run to the little boy’s room. I think better with an empty bladder.” He stood and walked toward the back of the restaurant. Rebecca told me to stay at the table to
continue eavesdropping on what Donovan said to the girls. She followed Preston to the bathrooms.

Donovan wore a smug grin on his face. He turned to Lindsey, confirming she was
his contact person for this arrangement. “I told you. He just wants to rub shoulders with celebrities. He’ll sign with us. He’s motivated by meeting Brad Pitt.”

Katie rested her hand on Dono
van’s. “I know he’ll sign. How could he not? You’re the best, Donny.” She gave him a suggestive grin. Donovan leaned over and gave her a lingering kiss on the lips. It was then I realized that Katie wasn’t doing it for ambition; she was in it because she was sleeping with Donovan.

Preston walked back to the table. “
To be honest, I am intrigued by the whole movie aspect of it all but you know I have to consider the history we have, Donovan. I need tonight to think about it. I’ll call you in the morning. Thank you for brunch.” Preston said good-bye to the girls and left the restaurant.

Donovan signed the credit card receipt for the meal and looked at Lindsey. “He’ll come around. I bet he calls before tomorrow.” The three of them got up from the table. Once out on the street, Lindsey said good-bye to Donovan and Katie.

“Just tell Rose I’m out sick,” Katie said. Lindsey nodded. Katie and Donovan left arm in arm.

Rebecca and I waited a few minutes until we were sure none of them were still in the area.

“That bastard. He’s cheating on my mother with that red-headed, no-talent tramp.”

“Are you going to tell her?”

“I know I should, but she chose him over me a long time ago. I’ll have to think about it. In the meantime, I need to focus on Donovan’s next move.”

We went back to the office. We already knew that Katie wasn’t there, but played along when Rose told us she
called out ill. Even Rose suspected Katie was up to no good. Rebecca confirmed Rose’s suspicions by telling her all that we had learned earlier that morning. Although I hoped I wouldn’t see Lindsey, I did. I ran into her at the photocopy machine. I had to pretend everything was status quo.

“Hey, Alex. What’s going on? How’s life in the upper class?”

I was suspicious of her friendliness now. Was she fishing for information? It turned my stomach to look at her. It wasn’t so bad working at Stratford Literary. Why would she turn on Rebecca? And was she using Connor to get information from me? She did come to hang out with me that first time they met. Maybe she was siphoning information from him so I wouldn’t notice. Well, Connor didn’t know what was happening with the agency. We kept to sports and sci-fi movies as our subjects of utmost importance to discuss.

“Not much, Linds.
” I didn’t want to talk about my position or Rebecca. “How’s Connor?”

“He’s great.” Her face lit up.
It seemed as if she really liked him but I wasn’t sure about any of what she said any more. I’d have to tell him what I knew about her and let him decide what he wanted to do. He was a man of honor. He might not understand this behavior, no matter what her motivation was.

“Good. Tell him I said hello.”

“Don’t you talk to him any more?” she asked.

“I do, but I’ve been busy.” I leaned in to suggest I had some secret information. “
Been putting in some extra hours so that Rebecca doesn’t think she’s made the wrong choice for protégé.” I smiled and looked down, pretending to be embarrassed. “And, well, I’ve been seeing someone. I haven’t had a chance to call Connor to hang out.”

Curiosity peeked in her expression. “Oh, anyone I know?”

“Nah, I don’t think so.”

Her face twisted in frustration. It killed
her not knowing things about Rebecca. “We should all get together.”

“Yeah,
I’ll give Connor a call.” I finished making my copies. “Well, I’ll see ya, Linds.”

“Okay, Alex. Take care.”
She seemed disappointed that our interaction was over, no doubt because I didn’t give her any viable information.

When I got back to the office
, Rebecca was on the phone with Preston, making the arrangements for the meeting with Donovan the next day.

When she hung up she walked over to my chair, sat on my lap, and put her arms around me. She
placed a soft kiss on my lips. I was lost in their magic. A heat swelled inside of me.

“Wow, what was that for?”

“For being so great. By the way, I phoned my mother and told her I wanted to talk. She’s thrilled. We’re meeting tomorrow, while Preston meets with Donovan.”

“Why are you meeting there?”

“Because I want her to see that Donovan is bedding Katie. He’s told her that he’s staying in the city overnight, because he has back-to-back meetings and traveling would be time consuming. It’s good he has a room. He’s going to need somewhere to stay once my mother sees him with Katie.”

My mou
th opened.

She nodded.

I kissed her nose. “You know, you’re very sexy when you’re wicked.” She pressed her mouth to mine. I almost forgot where I was. “You have no idea how badly I want you right now.”

She wiggled on my lap. “I think I do.”

Rose buzzed in to the office. My fun always gets ruined.

“Sorry,” Rebecca said, getting up from my lap. She answered
the phone. “Yes? Okay, tell her I’m on my way.” She raced to her desk and grabbed her purse. “Let’s go.

“Where are we going?”

“To Margot Tremont’s office.”