“Romance is what King of Hearts does,” he said. “It’s what they want to do, and they do it well. I’m not interested in pursuing the romance division any longer.”
“Why? Is the romance division losing money?”
“Some. Yes. But not everything is about money, Jessie. I want R and R to be one of the most respected publishing houses out there. I want to do serious literature. I want big names.”
“Uh, hello. What am I? Do you know how many books I’ve signed this weekend? Better yet, do you know how many books I’ve sold over the last month?”
“Romance is not what I want R and R to be known for.”
She propped her hands on her hips and glared at him. “I don’t believe this. You really are a romance snob. Not just your personal life, but your business, too. You own one of the most successful publishing houses in the U.S. and you want to ditch the romance line? Even if you don’t personally like romance, what kind of sense does that make?”
“It makes perfect sense if you’re not interested in offering the same story with the same happily ever after in every book. A couple meet. They have some issue to overcome. One of them makes a big grand gesture and they fall in love. The end.”
“Well, that’s belittling. You can simplify a formula for every book out there, no matter what the genre is. It’s fun to read about love and romance. It makes people happy. It gives them hope.”
“It makes people delusional and gives them unrealistic expectations. Nobody rides off into the sunset with a happily ever after. Plus, do you really think you’re going to be nominated for a Pulitzer with your next erotic romance?”
That stung. And now she certainly knew how little he thought of her work. “Screw you, Grayson. I’m not trying to change the world. But if I can entertain someone, or take someone’s mind off their problems, or maybe give a woman hope that good men are out there and do exist, that’s enough for me.”
She looked around and finally found her other shoe. “And by the way, the sales from my meager little romances are probably paying R and R’s rent so that you can go mine for that one little chunk of gold fiction you think is out there somewhere. Maybe you need to think about that.”
“Okay, wait just a second.” He put his hands on her arms and guided her back to the chair. “Please sit for a second. You’re looking at this all wrong. King of Hearts is good at what they do. The contract they’re offering is solid. You’ll make more money with them than you would if you stayed with R and R. Their advertising and marketing are amazing. You’re going to like it there.”
“Well that’s not really your call is it? My contract is void if you sell the romance line. And you know it. Lila and I will decide what publishing house we want to be with.”
“Jessie, will you wait just a damn minute and be reasonable? Why on earth wouldn’t you want to go with King of Hearts? They’re chomping at the bit to get you. You could probably negotiate anything in the contract that you don’t like. I don’t want you upset about this.”
“Well, I am upset.” She stood and squared off with him. “It pisses me off when people dismiss the romance genre as frivolous when love and relationships are the most basic, important thing in every person’s life. Plus, I’m not interested in giving King of Hearts an even bigger monopoly in this industry than they already have. But whatever, do what you have to do and I’ll do what I have to do. You can talk to Lila about how to handle this.”
“I’d rather talk to you. For five fucking minutes will you sit and hear me out. The author that King of Hearts wants most is you.”
The truth finally drilled through the dense stupidity in her head. She swallowed back the bile that had risen in her throat. When the capability to speak returned, she murmured, “Does the sale of the romance division depend on whether or not I sign with King of Hearts?”
His expression was a guilt-stricken look if she’d ever seen one. Her shoes slipped from her fingers. She dropped back into the chair. “You’ve got to be shitting me. I fell for you. Again.” She looked up at him. “You didn’t sleep with me because you wanted me. You were trying to soften me so I’d sign with King of Hearts.”
He kneeled in front of her. “No, I wouldn’t do that. I’ve been trying to get you alone, to talk to you—”
She held up a hand to stop his lame attempt. “Just answer one question. When you walked into the Masquerade this weekend, what was your main objective for being here? The whole time, have you been trying to figure out how to get me to sign a contract with King of Hearts?”
He stood, then paced across the room. “That is not a fair question.” He turned back to her. “Because when I walked into this conference, I thought you had snuck out on me last year. Just like you thought I’d snuck out on you. So yes, I had hopes of clearing the air and discussing the new contract.”
“But after, when we figured out the truth. Why didn’t you just tell me then?”
“I wanted to. I tried all day Saturday to get a free moment with you.” He plowed his fingers back through his hair. “You don’t honestly believe that I would seduce you in hopes of getting you to sign a new contract. You may be angry, but give me a little credit. That’s ridiculous. I was trying very hard not to sleep with you so that we wouldn’t have this issue, but last night…”
She studied his expression, trying to find some kind of truth that didn’t make her feel used and stupid.
“Is it always like that for you?” Tears stung in her eyes after she’d asked the question, but she had to know. “Was last night typical—”
“No. That’s what I’m saying. Last night happened because I wanted you more than I’ve ever wanted anything. You and me—us—it’s off the charts, and it complicates things, I know.”
She swiped at the tears, really, really wanting to believe last night had meant something to him.
He picked up her hand. “Whatever happens business-wise, it doesn’t have to impact whether or not we keep seeing each other.”
Sure it did. Because she wasn’t at all positive that the most intimate night of her life had been real. She hated the ugly suspicion. But it would be so easy for him to charm her, even for a few more weeks, or maybe a month, until his business deal went through then drop her like the dead weight she’d have become.
“What happens if I don’t sign?”
He shrugged. “I’m not sure. I suppose I’ll try to renegotiate with King of Hearts. One way or the other, I’m selling the division, Jess. It would be really helpful if you and Lila would just look at the contract and consider signing, too.”
It didn’t make sense. After last night, she couldn’t believe she was looking at the same man. “Why are you doing this?”
“Because the business projections for the next five and ten years tell me where I want to be and how I’d like R and R to be established in the industry. There are a few very valuable authors just hitting their stride. With the overhead from this sale, I’ll have the resources to entice them to sign with R and R.”
“So this decision is based on a calculated hope that a few random authors will sign with you. But screw the authors that have already worked their asses off to make you successful.”
“It’s business, Jess. It’s not personal.”
“The hell it’s not. Look me in the eyes and tell me the way we left things last year didn’t give you the teeniest, tiniest incentive to screw me and the romance line. Then tell me that I shouldn’t take it personally that you value an author you don’t even know more than you value the ones who are making you good money right now.”
“You’re completely incapable of looking at the big picture. Not everything is about you. It’s about what is going to affect our bottom line the most over the next ten years.”
“Fine. What if I signed a contract that said I’d write more books for R and R? I won’t ask for more money or more advertising dollars. You don’t just have me, you’ve got several up and coming romance authors who are hot right now. I know I could get them
on board. None of us want to see one less romance publisher out there.”
She’d just offered him a hell of a deal. Without Lila’s consent or advice. But if he had any respect for her professionally, he wouldn’t ask her to write for a publishing house she didn’t want to write for. And if he had any real feelings for her personally, he wouldn’t be so eager to push her away. “Will you reconsider?”
None of what she way saying was making a dent in his determination, she could tell. He could claim whatever innocence he wanted to, but he’d come here for one reason this weekend and that was to get rid of her and the romance division.
“So after last night, after everything I’ve offered, you still want me to sign that contract? Surely you know I can’t write for King of Hearts and date the CEO of R and R.”
He didn’t answer straightaway. Because of course he knew it. And he’d known it last night, too.
He put a finger under her chin and tilted her head up. God, she was stupid and embarrassed, standing there with tears rolling, praying he was going to agree to give the romance line, and their relationship, a chance.
“It’s in everyone’s best interest if you go with King of Hearts.”
“Okay.” She kept her gaze locked with his and choked back the burn in her throat. When Grayson Reynolds decided to fuck you, you certainly knew you had been completely and thoroughly fucked. “Just send the contract to Lila, and I’ll sign.”
He put his hands on her shoulders “I know you haven’t read it yet, but I have. It’s a good contract. I promise.”
“Okay.” She excused herself, went into the restroom, and got dressed. She picked up her purse on the way back to the foyer.
“Damn it, Jessie. So I make one business decision you don’t like and you leave. Now you get why I believe people come and people go, but the business is forever. Score one for gramps.”
“You know, there’s a big difference between people leaving you and you pushing everyone away. You really should crack open one of those romance books you publish and read it. You might be surprised what you’d learn about people taking a real risk once in a while.”
He stepped closer to her. “Risks are your specialty, not mine. I never lied to you. I was honest about who I am.”
“Yes. You were. I was the one who was wrong. Because I actually thought if we had one more night you’d change your mind about what was important. But now I actually understand who we both are.”
“I shouldn’t have let last night happen, knowing that we still needed to have this discussion. I’m sorry.”
“I’m not. Like you said, stupid risks are my specialty. Calculated business is yours. But now I know you and I are two very different creatures. And that’s never going to change.”
“Honestly? Are we? We work in the same business. We both work our asses off for success. And have you ever—even once—come close to having what we have in the bedroom with someone else?”
“No. I haven’t and that’s just it. If someone made me choose between writing another book and being with you, I’d never turn my computer on again.” She opened the door to his suite, then reached up and kissed his cheek. “Good-bye, Grayson.”
Chapter Ten
Ten days later
“Grayson.” A voice penetrated the flashback of Jessie in that damn dress of hers.
“Grayson, are you okay with that?” The guy from the accounting department continued to stare at him.
Grayson cleared his throat and looked around the conference table. “Let me think about it some more, and I’ll get back to you tomorrow.”
The numbers had started to blur about a half hour ago—right about the same time the accounting manager had shown a PowerPoint of their new business strategy. Jessie’s picture popped up on the screen along with the amount of yearly income they estimated losing when she signed with King of Hearts.
“That’s enough for today,” Grayson’s grandfather said. “Everybody take off. We’ll email a time to resume this tomorrow.”
Grayson sighed and scrubbed his hands up and down his face a couple times. Gramps was about to hand him his ass on a platter. It wasn’t like he didn’t deserve it. Jessie had been right. He’d been handed money and power. Walked into the position of CEO in a thriving business. Nice car. Hell of a penthouse. Enough cash at the ready to do pretty much anything he wanted to do.
He’d initiated major changes in their publishing house. The whole company had come together to implement how the transition would take place. And he couldn’t get his head in the game to save his soul.
After the room cleared, Grayson’s grandfather leaned back against the conference table with his hands in his pockets.
Grandpa had a bit of a tan going on. Wearing his golf shirt and khakis, he looked about ten years younger since he’d retired. Of course, he still occupied his office and had been at work more days than not.
“So does she have a name? Or should I be scheduling a CAT scan of your brain?” Gramps said.
“I’m fine.”
Gramps laughed. “Really? Because Jeffery in accounting just asked you if you were okay with ordering pizza for the staff luncheon tomorrow, and you told him you needed more time to think about it. If the lunch menu is tripping you up, I’m a little concerned about the multimillion dollar business contract.”
Yeah. Grayson was concerned about it, too. He rubbed his forehead. His brain hurt. But probably not half as bad as his pride was going to hurt when he told his grandfather he’d made the mother of all mistakes. “I’m fine. I’ve just got a few things on my mind.”
His grandpa scooted back and sat on top of the table. “I always planned to have a talk with you before making you CEO. When the heart attack happened, I didn’t get the chance to, but I think we should have it now.”
Grayson sighed. The last thing he needed right now was a lecture. “Look, I was a little distracted today. That’s all. Can we call it a day?”
“No, we can’t.”
With more than a little attitude, Grayson leaned back in his chair. “Fine.”
“It occurred to me somewhere around the seventh hole last weekend, that I’ve never once asked you if you want to be CEO of Reynolds and Reynolds.”
“Seriously? I get distracted during one stupid meeting, and that means I don’t want to be CEO anymore?” Grayson stood. “I don’t need this today. I really don’t.”
Grayson’s grandfather stood also. “Sit down, boy.”
Grayson hadn’t seen that particular brand of heat in his grandfather’s eyes in quite some time. Maybe not since he’d gotten thrown out of the college dorms and fined ten grand for making a giant Slip and Slide with a plastic tarp and a beer keg.
So he sat. “I’m sorry. The distractions have nothing to do with whether I want to be CEO or not. I assure you.”
“I didn’t build this company for you to feel obligated to run it. I built something with a net worth so you could do anything you wanted to with the money. Sell the damn company and buy a Starbucks if that’s what appeals to you.”
“Gramps—”
“I mean it, Grayson. All I’ve ever wanted is for you to be happy.”
“I am happy.”
“It doesn’t look like it. Not to me or your grandmother. And after that last conference, you’ve been moody and distant—”
“It’s Jessica Jameson, okay.”
Gramps was quiet for a long moment before he spoke. “Jessie James? Our author?”
Grayson nodded.
“Did you sleep with her?”
Grayson nodded again.
“Oh, God. Is she pregnant?”
Grayson looked up. “What? No.”
“Suing you for sexual harassment?”
In disbelief, Grayson shook his head. “No. Nothing like that.” Somehow he’d made the mistake of thinking that admitting to woman trouble might save him from a long chat about his professional aspirations. Now he was facing the third degree over Jessie.
“She’s an
gry because I’m selling our romance division to King of Hearts. Angry because I didn’t take her up on the offer to write more books for us. But I was just being honest. I told her business was always going to come before pleasure. You know that’s true. Hell, you’ve lived it.”
Gramps pulled a chair up to the long conference table and folded his hands as he did during so many meetings he’d led. “If I’ve ever given you the impression that this business was more important to me than you or your grandmother, I’m sorry, Grayson. That wasn’t my intent.”
“I didn’t say that. And I do love this business. But I’ve seen how much time you’ve put in. I know how important it is to be on top of everything—”
“Do you know why I put in so many hours?”
“Because there’s a fuckload of work.”
“Yes.” Gramps laughed. “There is. But no one says you have to do it by yourself.”
“You did.”
“But I did… Well, I did it because I missed your dad.” Gramps looked him in the eye. “There’s a kind of pain that goes along with losing a child that is indescribable. My deepest hope is that you never know that kind of pain in your lifetime. The only things that could distract me from it were you and work. You gave us a reason to go on. Your grandmother buried herself in taking care of you. I buried myself in work. It was just how we coped.
Grayson nodded but couldn’t quite find his voice. After a long moment he said, “Have you ever read one of Jessie’s books.”
“Oh, sure. Jessie is one of your grandmother’s favorite authors. Sometimes we read them together.”
Grayson pinched the bridge of his nose. The sex in Jessie’s books could make a sailor blush. That was not information he needed to know. “I spent the last few days reading them, too.”
“Yeah? What’d you think?”
Grayson merely shrugged, because heat traveled up his neck like a brushfire. He didn’t think anything. He knew that the Tessa and Ian love scene was a verbatim reenactment of his first night with Jessie. He knew Jessie had a hell of a talent for sucking you into a story, so deeply you couldn’t put the damn book down to save your soul. And he knew, well beyond any shadow of a doubt, that discrediting the stories she loved to tell, and selling the romance line, had been the biggest fucking mistake he’d ever made.
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