by Marni Mann
I hadn’t just brought her in here to persuade her.
I’d brought her in, so I could see the room one more time and picture where my kid was going to sleep.
When the first tear dripped from her eye, my chest felt like it was going to fucking explode.
I caught it with my thumb, and as I bent down to kiss her, she stopped me and said, “I know where I’m going to put that little suit.”
It was currently in storage since we had limited space and Eve had enough clothes for ten closets.
“Yeah?” I said, grazing my lips across her cheek, letting her feel my whiskers. “Where’s that?”
She used her head to nod toward the closet. “In there.”
I smiled, knowing what that meant.
And, suddenly, a whole different kind of feeling came through me.
“You know, Nancy is all the way downstairs,” I growled near her mouth.
“And?”
“And I just want to make sure I like the height of the countertops in the bathrooms.”
“Because?”
I pressed my hard cock against her, so she could feel what she did to me. “Because I plan on putting your ass on top of those counters every goddamn day and fucking you until you’re shuddering on the stone.”
“Max…” Her expression told me she was hesitant. And, by the way she looked between the hallway and me, I was sure she was going to tell me it was a bad idea to fuck right now. Until her lips rose into a grin, and she said, “I seriously don’t know what you’re waiting for.”
God, I fucking loved her.
Epilogue
Max
It was New York Fashion Week, and I was sitting in the front row, inches from the runway, at the Horse Feathers show.
Eve had been in Manhattan all week, preparing for today. I’d only just flown in yesterday, stopping for a few meetings on my way to the East Coast, including one at my realtor’s office.
I had picked Scarlett, James, and Samantha up in Miami, and we’d all come in together. Now, they were sitting next to me.
I knew Eve was nervous. This was her first design gig, but I was positive it wouldn’t be her last. Word had spread that Horse Feathers’ summer collection was something that needed to be seen.
And this place was fucking packed.
Damn it, she was one talented girl.
One hell of a businesswoman, too. She now had three assistants, a real office space, and a client list that was as impressive as my own.
“I’m freaking out for her right now,” James whispered, her hand over her mouth so that no one could read her lips.
There were press and paparazzi everywhere. Cameras pointed at us. Pictures of the four of us were already on every gossip site, and more would be added as we continued to sit here.
“She was so stressed this morning,” I replied, my fingers also hiding my lips. “I tried feeding her a shot, and she wouldn’t take it.”
“That’s because her stomach is in a knot.” She nodded toward the other side of the runway. “Those are all buyers over there. This show is going to determine what pieces of the collection they want, if any, and how many of those they’re going to order.”
“No pressure,” I said.
She laughed. “Not even a little bit.”
The lights flickered, letting us know the show was about to start. Then, slowly, they dimmed until only a glow was left. The runway was made of Plexiglas, and a bright white light shone through it. The sound of dripping water came through the speakers.
The mood had been set.
Now, the first model was hitting the stage. She was in a dark gray dress that had cuts across the top, the fabric sliced and pointed at the tips of her shoulders.
I didn’t know much about fashion, especially the pieces that women wore.
My specialty was taking it all off.
But I could hear the reactions around me, the movement of cell phones as they lifted into the air to get a shot, the whispered compliments.
She deserved every one.
What I’d seen so far was incredible. But what I noticed almost immediately was the lack of color among the collection.
White, gray, and black.
That was it.
And why it stood out so much was because Eve’s closet in our houses in LA and Miami were like a rainbow explosion.
She had told me the pieces represented the emotions she’d felt while she was away.
I could see our breakup. Her tears.
Fuck, I could even hear her cries.
When the last model left the stage, the first one entered again. She was then followed by the rest of the group, and they circled one final time.
As soon as they finished, the applause got louder, and Eve’s moment came. Holding the hand of the brand’s owner, she walked onto the stage. She waved at the crowd with the most beautiful smile on her goddamn face.
I stood, my hands clapping together as I tried to keep my emotions under control.
My eyes were fighting hard, trying to fill with water, but I wouldn’t let them.
Once Eve and the owner made it halfway down the runway, they turned around and disappeared behind the stage.
James then said in my ear, “Max, our girl fucking killed it.”
I nodded and smiled and listened to Scarlett and Samantha have the same reaction, all while the audience continued to clap.
When the lights turned on, everyone made their way to the exit.
The girls and I waited for the crowd to thin before we got up.
A reporter immediately came over to me. “Mr. Graham, Gwyneth Lowry with E! News. I’m wondering if we could do a short, on-air interview?” She then looked at James. “Mrs. Young, I’m hoping we could do one with you next?”
I looked at James, reading her reaction, before I acted as her agent and said, “We’d be happy to.”
She waved the cameraman over along with a lighting guy, and they got set up. When the cameraman eventually held up his hand, showing a countdown with his fingers, I knew we were going live.
She put the microphone under her mouth and said, “Gwyneth Lowry here, standing inside the warehouse where the Horse Feathers show was held just a few moments ago. With me is Max Graham, music agent to all the stars, and boyfriend to designer and stylist Eve Kennedy, who was a major contributor to tonight’s show.” She turned toward me. “Max, what did you think of the designs?” She put the microphone near my mouth.
“Well, if you want our introductions to be correct, then Eve is technically my fiancée.”
“Well, well, well. A congratulations is definitely in order then,” she said. “We at E! News didn’t know that you two had gotten engaged. Have you set a date?”
I smiled at the camera. “We have a few in mind.”
“Any that you’re willing to share with our viewers?”
“Not at this time.”
“We’ll be on the lookout then.” She paused, shifting her stance. “Let’s get back to the show. What did you think of your fiancée’s first co-design?”
“I think the collection speaks for itself. The pieces are unique, timeless, especially with Eve’s ability to see both sides of the design process. This show has proven how talented she is in both avenues.”
“Will she be designing more collections?”
“You’ll have to wait and see.”
“Thank you for speaking to us, Max.”
“It’s my pleasure.”
The light stopped shining in my face, and she pulled the microphone away from my lips. “Thank you again,” she said off-air.
I nodded, and she moved on to James. While she was getting mic’d up and the girls were waiting for her, I went backstage. Eve was standing with the owner to her right and the lead designer on her left. I’d met them both last night and heard stories about the time Eve spent in Italy.
That only confirmed my stop at the realtor’s office was definitely going to pay off.
When she saw me, she turn
ed toward me and rushed into my arms. I picked her up and held her against my body.
“Jesus fucking Christ,” I said. “Do you know how brilliant you are? Those clothes, Eve, they were gorgeous.”
“You really think so?”
“Yes, baby, and so did the entire crowd. I don’t know if you’ve gotten any feedback yet, but the other designers need to be afraid because you’re about to dominate the fashion world.”
She pulled her face out of my neck and looked at me, chewing on her bottom lip. “I would die if that happened, Max.” She released it and bounced in my arms. “Alberto just heard from one of the top buyers, and they’re placing an order that triples the highest one he’s ever had.”
I set her on the floor, so I could hold her face. “Fuck yeah. That’s my girl.” I pulled her against me and kissed the top of her head. “After all your hard work, this must feel so good.”
“It does.”
“You know what’s going to feel even better?” I lifted my mouth off her hair and tilted her back, so I could see her face.
“I hope you’re about to say a nap and a foot rub because I could use both. I’m beat.”
I leaned my lips into her ear. “You’ll get both of those when we’re on the plane.”
“Plane? I thought we were spending another week here, so you could get some business done?”
“We’re flying out tomorrow morning.”
She pulled away from me and searched my eyes. “Max Graham, what are you up to?”
I shrugged. “I just bought something for us.”
“What?”
“A condo.”
Her eyes widened. “A what?”
“In Milan.”
“You bought us a home in Italy? Are you insane?”
I pressed my lips against her and said, “It’s your happy place. Now, it’s going to be mine, too.”
Acknowledgments
Jovana Shirley, I love you so hard. Thank you for being so flexible because I couldn’t have done this without you. Your support, your knowledge, your love, the way you bring all my words together—there’s no one like you and no one I trust more than you. XO
Nina Grinstead, I don’t even know where to begin. I said that last time, and I need to say it again. It’s impossible to express how grateful I am for you. You’re everything—my everything—the most amazing publicist and friend. I can’t imagine doing this with anyone but you. Love you so much.
Judy Zweifel, I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done or express how much I appreciate you squeezing me in. You’re amazing to work with, and I just adore you.
Kaitie Reister, I love you, girl. You’re my biggest cheerleader and such a wonderful friend. Thank you for everything. XO.
Letitia, I’m so in love with your work. You nailed this one, lady.
Kimmi Street and Crystal Radaker, my soul sisters. I never would have finished this book if it wasn’t for you two. You helped me through one of the hardest periods of my life. You encouraged me to keep fighting. And you gave me the strength to do it. I love you both so much.
Ricky, my sexyreads, I love you.
Extra-special love goes to Donna Cooksley Sanderson, Ratula Roy, Stacey Jacovina, Jesse James, Kayti McGee, Carol Nevarez, Julie Vaden, Elizabeth Kelley, RC Boldt, Jennifer Porpora, Melissa Mann, Pat Mann, Katie Amanatidis, my COPA ladies, and my group of Sarasota girls whom I love more than anything. I’m so grateful for all of you.
Mom and Dad, thanks for your unwavering belief in me and your constant encouragement. It means more than you’ll ever know.
Brian, my words could never dent the amount of love you give me. Trust me when I say, I love you more.
My Midnighters, you are such a supportive, loving, motivating group. Thanks for being such an inspiration, for holding my hand when I need it, and for always begging for more words. I love you all.
To all the bloggers who read, review, share, post, tweet, Instagram—Thank you, thank you, thank you will never be enough. You do so much for our writing community, and we’re so appreciative.
To my readers—I cherish each and every one of you. I’m so grateful for all the love you show my books, for taking the time to reach out to me, and for your passion and enthusiasm. I love, love, love you.
Bonus Scene
Do you want to read the moment when Max proposed to Eve? If so, please sign up for my newsletter, and I’ll send you the exclusive bonus scene that isn’t available anywhere else.
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Marni’s Midnighters
Getting to know my readers is one of my favorite parts about being an author. In Marni’s Midnighters, my private Facebook group, we chat about steamy books, sexy and taboo toys, and sensual book boyfriends. Team members also qualify for exclusive giveaways and are the first to receive sneak peeks of the projects I’m currently working on. To join Marni’s Midnighters, click HERE.
About the Author
Best-selling author Marni Mann knew she was going to be a writer since middle school. While other girls her age were daydreaming about teenage pop stars, Marni was fantasizing about penning her first novel. She crafts sexy, titillating stories that weave together her love of darkness, mystery, passion, and human emotions. A New Englander at heart, she now lives in Sarasota, Florida, with her husband and their two dogs. When she’s not nose deep in her laptop, working on her next novel, she’s scouring for chocolate, sipping wine, traveling, or devouring fabulous books.
Want to get in touch? Visit me at…
www.marnismann.com
[email protected]
Also by Marni Mann
STAND-ALONE NOVELS
Signed (Erotic Romance)
Endorsed (Erotic Romance)
The Unblocked Collection (Erotic Romance)
Wild Aces (Erotic Romance)
Prisoned (Dark Erotic Thriller)
THE PRISONED SPIN-OFF DUET—Dark Erotic Thriller
Animal—Book One
Monster—Book Two
THE SHADOWS SERIES—Erotica
Seductive Shadows—Book One
Seductive Secrecy—Book Two
THE BAR HARBOR SERIES—New Adult
Pulled Beneath—Book One
Pulled Within—Book Two
THE MEMOIR SERIES—Dark Fiction
Memoirs Aren’t Fairytales—Book One
Scars from a Memoir—Book Two
NOVELS COWRITTEN WITH GIA RILEY
Lover (Erotic Romance)
Drowning (Contemporary Romance)
Sneak Peek of Negotiated
Turn the page to read chapter one of Negotiated, which is Scarlett’s story, releasing on August 2, 2018.
Chapter One
Scarlett
“Scarlett Davis, I wish you’d just give me what I asked for,” Hudson said in a sharp voice once I answered my phone.
I hit Speaker and dropped it onto my desk, my hands returning to my computer to finish the email I’d been typing. “You asked for our most up-to-date numbers.”
“I did.”
I smiled because it gave me so much satisfaction to say, “And that’s what I sent you.”
Hudson Jones was an attorney hired by Entertainment Management Worldwide, the management company that The Agency—the business I owned with my three best friends—was partnering with. Once the merger was complete, the actors, athletes, and musicians who were signed with us would now have access to managers in addition to the representation and PR services we currently offered.
That was, if the deal ever went through.
My partners—Brett Young, Jack Hunt, and Max Graham—and I weren’t budging on the terms of the contract. And to show why we didn’t have to, this morning, I’d sent Hudson a breakdown of the revenue we’d earned for the previous two months—the amount of time that had passed since he last saw our books. It included Brett’s newest client, an actor earning forty-five million a movie, Jack’s recently acquired quarterback who was worth one hundred ten million, and the
two pop stars Max had signed to labels, worth fifty million each.
“What you gave me was a forecast. There’s no way your revenue jumped ten percent in two months.”
Conversations like the one we were having used to only take place between Hudson and our attorney. My attorney would then forward me Hudson’s questions, write something irrelevant, and bill us an astronomical amount for the two minutes it had taken him to be the middleman.
I’d put a stop to it.
If Hudson wanted something, he would come directly to me.
And, lately, that had been happening all the time.
“Mr. Jones, I’m not a weatherman. I’m an accountant. The last set of figures you received is real; they’re not a projection. But what they do is prove that I have no reason to negotiate any of the terms we’re requesting.”
“Everything is negotiable.”
“We both know that isn’t true.” I crossed my arms over the edge of the desk and then rubbed at the corners of my eyes. “If you’ll excuse me, I have to get back to work.”
“Scarlett, there are two items still on the table. The percent of equity my clients want and the buyout terms. We’ve gone over both, and I highly suggest you take the numbers we’ve offered. They’re more than fair.”
This guy.
Since the moment he had first called me, there wasn’t a single item Hudson and I hadn’t argued about. And, before we’d even spoken, our attorney had tried battling it out with him.
I understood the term hard-ass.
I was one.
So were my three partners.
We had high expectations that we wanted to be met.
But this man wasn’t just a hard-ass. He was quickly becoming the biggest pain in my ass.