It was risky, trying to break into acquiring talent, instead of just utilizing what was already out there. We would receive push-back from record companies, for sure. But I had to follow my gut on this one.
The key to it all was Aaron. He had proven himself to be invaluable to SXz with his management of the company. We had given him a basic strategy for the business when we had first started, and he had made it happen. It was easy for Hayden and me to have ideas, but Aaron turned them into reality. His operations skills were unprecedented.
So, he was the natural choice to implement this program. It was important that we produced excellent music and he specialized in talent management. I had written a proposal for Aaron to review days ago. Hayden and Damian had already signed off on the idea, but Aaron’s cooperation was the key to success here. If he agreed, I was sure the risk would pay off in a big way.
Entering his office, I tried to read Aaron’s face, to get a sense of his thoughts, but he was like a closed book. He was standing by the window, his cell phone up to his ear. He held up a finger when he saw me, indicating he’d be a minute. I took a seat and waited.
“I want a copy of our previous agreement sent to me. We can consider a new contract, but we aren’t going to lose our shirts on this. It just doesn’t make sense,” Aaron said into the phone, turning to look out the window.
I looked around the office. Aaron was a sports buff and that was reflected in the way he had decorated the space. There was a signed picture of Joe Montana hanging on the wall behind the desk and an old football carefully positioned on the bookshelf. I knew it was a game ball from his college days. There was a little basketball hoop mounted on the wall above his trash can. He even had a calendar on his desk shaped like a baseball.
The man himself was tall and broad, so big that he made the office around us feel smaller. Anyone that didn’t know better might consider Aaron a dumb jock, but they’d be wrong. He was a leader.
“What’s up?” Aaron asked as he ended his phone call and took a seat behind the desk.
“Did you get a chance to look at the growth opportunity I forwarded to you?”
“Yeah, you have funny timing. I was just talking to Mark about our contract with Lynn Davis.”
“The country singer?”
“That’s the one. She’s not happy with the money she’s been making with us and is considering withholding her new album.”
“That’d be a shame. We pay out the standard rate?”
“Yep, 70% percent of revenue for her work is being paid out. The problem is the label. They take so much that she’s getting ripped off.”
“And the blame for that falls on us instead of the record company.”
“As usual. This is happening too much. People aren’t going to keep using SXz if their favorite artists jump ship.”
“So, you want to pursue this idea? I was thinking we could start with new artists that have a following but haven’t signed with a label yet. We’ll see how that goes.”
“My thoughts exactly.”
“It’ll put a lot on your plate.”
“I think it’ll pay off though. It’s innovative and will change the music industry,” Aaron said, after a moment of contemplation. “Let me crunch some numbers and I’ll get back to you with a plan of action.”
“Great. Let me know if you need anything.”
Leaving Aaron’s office, I was lost in thought until I thought I heard someone say my name. Pausing, I looked around, seeing no one. I was outside of Hayden’s office and the door was slightly ajar.
Curiosity getting the best of me, I slowly pushed the door open, revealing Hayden and Gigi sitting together. They were side by side on the couch in the corner of the room, talking in low voices. They didn’t seem to notice me at first.
“Are you sure?” Hayden asked.
“Definitely, it was obvious.”
“Great! Our work is done. That was easy.”
“I’m not so sure. Why haven’t they said anything?”
“Who knows? Why did we have to get involved in the first place? They should’ve-” Hayden broke off mid-sentence as his head snapped in my direction.
“Hey!” he said, jumping to his feet.
“What are you two doing?” I asked. It was weird to see Gigi and Hayden together so much lately. Talk about an unlikely pair.
“Nothing,” Gigi said, also standing. Hayden shifted uneasily, and I narrowed my eyes.
“You two aren’t…uh, I mean, you’re not…” I didn’t know how to articulate the question without being an asshole. I didn’t think either of them were the type to stray, but they were being so jumpy, I couldn’t help my suspicions.
“Oh my god, no!” Gigi exclaimed, catching on to my insinuation.
“Are you crazy?” Hayden asked, looking affronted. I had clearly offended them both.
“Okay, okay. What the hell is going on then?”
“What’s going on with you? How’s Judy?” Gigi asked, crossing her arms and raising one eyebrow. She looked at me expectantly.
“Isn’t Judy your best friend? You probably know how she is better than I do.”
“Whatever,” Gigi snapped and walked out of the office, closing the door forcefully behind her.
“I think you pissed her off,” Hayden said.
“Ya think?” I said drily.
“So...how is Judy doing? Have you seen her lately?” Hayden asked nonchalantly.
“She’s fine. I saw her two days ago. We’re planning a party together, remember?”
My phone beeped at that moment, indicating a text message. It was Judy.
You up for a little afternoon delight at your place?
I felt my body react immediately. I was definitely up for it.
“I’m taking the afternoon off,” I told Hayden while walking out the door, typing a quick response to Judy.
“Where are you going?” Hayden called after me, but I didn’t answer. I was too eager to get home.
Chapter Thirteen: Feelings
No words were spoken as J.D. met me at the door. I stepped over the threshold and kicked off my shoes, jumping into his arms and wrapping my legs around his waist. He kicked the door shut behind me and his mouth devoured mine in a passionate kiss. I could feel his erection through our clothes. He was ready for me and I let out a purr in pleasure.
Lost in the feeling of our bodies entangled, I hardly noticed where we were going until he sat down hard on his couch, taking me with him. I rose up, straddling him as I ripped my shirt off, exposing my lacy pink bra. J.D. licked his lips and his eyes darkened as they focused on my chest.
“Fuuuck,” he moaned as I ground into him. Pulling his shirt over his head, I threw it over my shoulder and took his lips in another kiss.
My body was on fire, I wanted him so badly. I raked my fingernails over his chest and felt his body shudder beneath me. I broke our kiss and pulled myself off his lap.
“Lose the pants,” I demanded, and he scrambled to comply.
When he was bare before me, I knelt in front of him and wrapped my hand around his thick length. He kicked his head back into the sofa cushion and I saw his hands fist at his sides. Working him up and down slowly, I licked the tip when a drop of liquid appeared.
“Judy!”
His voice had a pleading tone to it and I decided to give him what I knew he wanted. Grasping his base firmly, I ran my tongue along the underside of his erection as I took him into my mouth as far as possible. His hips surged forward, and the back of my throat was prodded. I didn’t pull away, just readjusted and started to bob up and down.
J.D. plunged his hands into my hair but didn’t push my head down. He seemed to need something to hold onto as I worked him with my mouth. He was moaning loudly, and I felt powerful knowing that I caused him such intense pleasure. I was a sex goddess and he was putty in my hands.
Looking up at him through my eyelashes, I saw that he was watching me intently. The lust in his stare was potent and I felt my body r
esponding to it, heat pooling in my stomach. Pulling my mouth off of him, I swirled my tongue. J.D. let out a gasp
Then, before I could even register what was happening, he had pulled me up and thrown me down on the couch. Hovering above me, J.D. ripped open my jeans and yanked them off in one swift motion. Pausing to look at my matching lingerie, his expression softened.
“So beautiful,” he murmured before sliding my panties off as well.
I spread my legs as he positioned himself between them. Pressing a kiss to my lips, he buried himself inside of me and I let out a small scream of pleasure. Using the front clasp, J.D. opened my bra and latched onto my nipple as he rode me in a slow, steady rhythm.
The sensations were mindblowing, and I felt my stomach clench. I was close already. J.D. bit down lightly on my nipple and my breath hitched.
“More, J.D. Harder,” I demanded. I reached around and grabbed hold of his ass, trying to pull him in even deeper.
“Judy, I’m…I’m-”
“Yes. Do it,” I exclaimed, bucking under him. I was completely overwhelmed as we came together, holding on to each other for dear life.
* * *
J.D. was in the shower. He had tried to get me to join him, but I had declined. I told him I was too sore for another round, but the truth was that I needed a few minutes alone to collect my thoughts.
It had only been two weeks ago that we had agreed to keep things casual. I had meant it at the time, but I had already broken the no emotions rule. I was falling hard.
A part of me wanted to ignore it, but I had tried to ignore my attraction to him all this time and look where that got me. I had to lay my cards on the table now, before getting even more invested in this thing between us.
I was sitting on the couch, fully clothed, when J.D. walked back into the living room. He had a white towel wrapped around his waist and was using another to dry his hair. There were water droplets running down his chest and I suddenly regretted declining his shower invitation.
“You hungry?” He asked, perfectly relaxed. Meanwhile, I was a bundle of nerves. I shook my head.
“We need to talk,” I said shakily.
“What’s wrong?” The concern in his voice encouraged me.
“I can’t keep doing this. I just, I need more from you,” I told him a rush. There was no point in beating around the bush.
“What do you mean?” he asked, but his frown told me that he understood exactly what I meant.
“I can’t do this casual sex thing. I have real feelings for you.”
“You said that it was fine. You agreed to it.”
“I know I did. I wanted you so badly that I decided to take you any way I could get you. But it’s not enough anymore. The sex is incredible, but I care about you way beyond that. I know you care about me, too.”
“You don’t know anything,” he said, refusing to meet my eyes.
“Don’t be like that. You think I don’t see what’s happening here? You want to have your cake and eat it too. You want the sex and companionship without actually admitting you give a damn about someone else.”
“Or maybe I really don’t give a damn. Did you ever think of that? Maybe you’re just a good lay.” He shrugged and leaned against the wall behind him.
I knew that wasn’t true, we had been good friends for over a year, but the words still hurt. I tried to push that aside and have a rational conversation. I stood and walked forward until I stood directly in front of him. I was close enough to reach out and touch him, but I kept my hands at my sides.
“Why not give it a try? I know that you don’t want to open yourself up to anybody, but you can trust me,” I wanted to be that person for him.
“No, I clearly can’t. You told me sex was all you wanted.”
“You don’t have to be so shitty. I can’t help how I feel.”
“Are you sure? Did you even try?” He finally looked directly at me, his expression remote.
“Are you fucking serious?” Okay, the time for that rational conversation had passed. “Of course, I tried. You think I wanted to have this conversation with you? I knew you’d deny having feelings for me. I knew that you’d end this to protect yourself.”
“Well, don’t you just know everything.”
“Okay, I’m leaving. This is done,” I said, glad that I sounded strong. I didn’t want my voice to reflect the shaky feeling I had inside.
Standing still, I looked into his eyes for a second before turning away. I was silently pleading with him to stop me, but he didn’t. He just stood there as I walked out the door.
Chapter Fourteen: Shattered
My mind was reeling as I stood in my living room, staring at the couch where Judy and I had devoured each other just half an hour ago. It felt surreal now, as I heard her car start up and she tore down the driveway. She was running, and I couldn’t blame her.
How did everything turn sour so quickly? I thought about the things I had said to her, and I cringed.
I’m a piece of shit.
Turning away from the empty couch I couldn’t stand to look anymore, I stomped back into my bedroom. Ripping the towel from around my waist, I threw it in the hamper and collapsed onto the bed.
I rubbed my eyes roughly with the palms of my hands. I hated the image of Judy’s hurt face that was implanted behind my eyelids. I had never seen her look like that, never seen the light in her eyes dimmed so much. It rattled me.
Okay, so I overreacted. I was self-aware enough to know that I had been too defensive. Her words had taken me by surprise, was all. I felt like the rug was pulled out from under me. We had such a good thing going. Why did she insist on making it into something more?
I need a drink.
Tugging on a pair of sweats, I went to the kitchen and pulled out a new bottle of Lagavulin. Pouring myself a generous helping, I tipped the glass back and savored the smoky taste before it slid down my throat. Warmth immediately spread from my stomach and I poured myself more.
It was difficult to categorize my feelings about the situation with Judy. I knew I was angry. Angry with her for changing things by bringing emotion into the equation, and angry with myself because I knew better than to start things up with her again. I had been aware that it could only end badly, but it was like I lost my self-control and better judgement when she was near.
Now I had surely lost one of my closest friends. Just fucking great.
It’s better like this, I told myself. Better to end it now. If she was already getting attached, things would only be worse later. I didn’t want to hurt her, and I was already ashamed of how I spoke to her, but I couldn’t change feelings, hers or mine.
My glass was somehow empty once again. Without hesitation, I poured myself one more, choosing to ignore the fact that it was already making my head spin. I shouldn’t have skipped lunch today.
Taking my glass with me, I walked out of the kitchen. Avoiding the living room like the plague, I wandered aimlessly through the house. From room to room I walked, not sure what I was even doing. I wanted some kind of distraction but found none. I found nothing but white walls and modern furniture that I didn’t even pick out myself.
This house was so empty, I thought idly. So big and impressive on the outside but hallow within. I chuckled darkly at that thought. It was just like me.
* * *
The sound of my front door opening brought me into consciousness with an unpleasant jolt. I had ended up on the couch, apparently trying to torture myself, and passed out in a drunken stupor.
“Judy?” I called out stupidly. Of course, it wasn’t going to be her.
“Did you sleep in here?” Hayden asked, walking into the living room and looking around.
I didn’t want him to know that I was hungover, but the half empty bottle of Lagavulin on the coffee table was pretty damning evidence.
“Yeah, the couch is really comfortable,” I said, contradicting my own words by rubbing my sore neck as I stood.
“Rough night?” Hay
den asked, following me down the hall to the bathroom.
“Just a quiet evening at home,” I replied, opening some aspirin and swallowing the tablets dry. It left a nasty taste in mouth and I grimaced.
“What’s with the hangover?”
“Why are you here?” I asked. I wasn’t in the mood for company.
“I told you I’d be here at eleven to pick you up for the game.”
“Game?” My mind was sludge, I had no idea what he was talking about. The pounding headache wasn’t helping much.
“The Giants game. Starts in two hours. Aaron’s meeting us there.” Hayden was speaking slowly, and looking way too concerned about me.
“Right. Yeah, the game. Of course. Can you wait for me in the kitchen?” I asked, walking toward the toilet so he’d take the hint.
When I was alone, I splashed cold water on my face and looked in the mirror. Yikes. Dark circles under red eyes were a clear sign of the alcohol I had consumed. I had a long day ahead of me, but I wouldn’t cancel my plans.
Hayden would drive me crazy trying to figure what was wrong if I skipped this game. Besides, life had to go on. Without her.
Chapter Fifteen: Girl Talk
My doorbell was ringing incessantly. I grumbled with annoyance as I shuffled down the hall in my slippers to answer it. Couldn’t a girl wallow in self-pity for one day without being disturbed?
Pulling open the door, I wasn’t exactly shocked to see Gigi standing there. Naturally, she would come check on me since I texted her claiming to be sick.
She was wearing jeans and a t-shirt, making me think that she didn’t go to work today either. Her hair was piled high in a messy bun and her face was free of make-up. I stepped aside to let her in.
Tech Titans: The Complete Billionaire Romance Series Page 27