Book Bitch (18 page)

“I was having brunch with Becky.”

Donovan’s shoulders relaxed. He tried to steer the interaction. “So you saw what Becky just did to me?” He was unaware of just how much his wife had witnessed.

“Oh yes, Donovan. I saw everything.” She glared at Katie. “
Don’t bother coming home tonight, or ever. You can stay with your bimbo until my lawyer has drawn up our divorce papers.” She turned to me. “I’m ready to go, Alex.”

“Yes, Mrs. Richards.” I escorted her out of the restaurant and back to the office.

She raced ahead of me into Rebecca’s office. “Becky, I’m so sorry. I had no idea Donovan was as ruthless as he turned out to be. Can you ever forgive me for being so blind?”

“We’ll talk about it, Mother,” Rebecca said. “I have a car waiting downstairs to take you home.”

“Let’s get together to fix this, Becky. I miss you.”

Rebecca smiled. When her mother had left, she hugged Prest
on. “You were fantastic! I never could have done all this without you, Preston. I owe you big time.”

“You know I wouldn’t extend myself for anyone but you, Rebecca. You’re my favorite agent.” He winked.

“Think about where you want to go for dinner, and check your calendar. I’ll clear whatever I have when you’re free.”

He smiled, kissed her on each cheek, shook my hand, and left.

As soon as the door closed behind him, I wrapped my arms around her. Before she could react, I pressed my lips to hers. Her body loosened and she looped her arms around my neck.

“You were amazing today,” I whispered. “You deserve the afternoon off.”

She smiled. “I like your thinking, but I have to make sure all of my ducks are in a row. Donovan will retaliate, no doubt.”

“What more is there to do?
Preston will spread news of Donovan and his sneaky ways around the industry. You’re contract to take over Margot’s company is done. The announcement was made to her staff…”

“I still have to make the announcement to our staff, and fire Katie and Lindsey. Sorry. I know she’s your friend, but she betrayed me.”

“She isn’t the person I thought she was. Do what you have to.” I thought about how I’d explain this to Connor. He might not ever speak to me again. And if he chose to stay with Lindsey, I wasn’t sure I’d want to know about it.

Rebecca lifted her phone. “Rose, can you ask the staff to meet me in the conference room? I have an announcement to make.”

Once she hung up, I walked over to offer Rebecca comfort, but stopped before putting my arms around her. She had her Book Bitch look on. I stood back as she collected her thoughts and then I followed her to the conference room. All the employees were arranged around the table, some even stood in the back of the room. Rebecca looked around at the faces staring at her. The air was heavy.

“I’m sorry to interrupt everyone’s day. I know you’re all incredibly busy. I want you all to know how much I appreciate
the amount of work you do to keep Stratford Literary in the top spot. It’s because of your commitment that I’ve been able to expand our company. Earlier this week, I purchased City Literary from Margot Tremont. Beginning next week, I’ll be shopping for a larger office space.” A low hum filled the room. “Now before anyone gets nervous, I want to assure you that everyone will keep their jobs; everyone except two individuals who have been caught trying to sabotage our efforts and the hard work that each of you contributes on a daily basis. Rest assured, those individuals have been taken care of. For anyone who has a concern, please feel free to come and see me. I’m well aware that the talk about me is that I’m an unapproachable, cold-hearted bitch. I’d like to prove to each of you that that label is completely false. I admit that my practices in the past have been solitary, but I always had everyone’s best interest at heart. However, I’ve recently learned that a successful partnership allows for wonderful results, and it’s quite enjoyable to share the rewards with others.” She looked at me and smiled. “That being said, since I’m viewing this new merger as the beginning of great things to come, I’d like to invite everyone out for a drink at the bar downstairs at the close of the day. You’ll all be given car service vouchers to get home tonight, and you can all come in two hours late tomorrow. That way we can celebrate properly.”

There was a collective cheer. It was loud within the confines of the small conference room space. Everyone split up and went back to their desks to complete whatever they were working on.
Rebecca and I walked back toward her office. Lindsey and Katie were sitting in the small waiting adjacent to Rose’s desk.

Rebecca stopped and looked at both women. “I trust you both have the personal belongings from your desks?” Lindsey and Katie nodded. Rose handed Rebecca two envelopes. “Although I shouldn’t do this, I understand what kind of
financial times we’re living in. This is two weeks’ pay for each of you. I will not be giving you any sort of recommendation so don’t list my name as a professional reference in your hunt for a new job, if you can get one once you’re reputation saturates the market. I strongly suggest you try a different line of work.”

The women took the envelopes, surprise on their faces. They started to walk toward the elevator, wordless. “Oh, before you go,
” Rebecca said. “Will you tell me why you did it?”

Lindsey turned. “You gave the promotion to Alex.”

“What?”

“I’
ve worked just as hard as he had. I’ve signed three more authors than he has. But you gave him the apprenticeship.”

Rebecca’s mouth opened
. “This was all because you were jealous?” Lindsey was quiet. “Even though you’ve signed more authors, he’s been here twice as long as you. His representation of manuscripts has caught the eye of bigger publishers. They look forward to the writers he brings to them. He’s gone out of his way to make both authors and editors happy, in the process of making all sides money. Although your authors are doing well, only one of them is on the Best Seller list, and I haven’t heard anyone sing your praises as they have Alex’s. I have a folder of complimentary letters regarding his handling of clients and publishers. Alex has had twelve authors on the bestseller lists in the four years he’s been here. There’s no doubt you’re a talented agent, Lindsey. I just wish you came to me with your concerns instead of trying to undermine and hurt me. Where has it gotten you? I’m sure no one in this industry will hire you now, with your questionable ethics, except maybe Donovan.”

Rebecca
turned toward Katie. “And you, what was your motive?”

Katie looked down. “He said he loved me.”

“You poor thing. I might feel sorry for Lindsey, but I know she’ll end up on her feet because she’s a fighter. You, on the other hand, I have nothing but pity. You are swayed too easily by what others promise. You’re doomed because you don’t think for yourself.”

Rebecca turned and walked into the doorframe of her office. She turned to look at the girls again. “Please don’t ever come
back here.” Rebecca walked into her office and closed the door. Lindsey looked at me, sadness in her eyes. I shook my head in disappointment. Then I walked through the door to the office I shared with Rebecca. She was on the phone with the security desk in the lobby, giving instructions to relieve the women of their security badges.

At five o’clock, Rebecca challenged everyone to race her down to the bar, where we celebrated with several rounds of cocktails.

Since she was totally wasted at the end of the evening, I took her to my apartment and put her to bed. The day had been too tightly wound for me to even consider falling asleep, so I called Connor.

“Dude, I just wanted you to hear from me what happened today so you could decide what you wanted to do, regarding Lindsey.”

“What are you talking about, Man?” he said.

“I know you and Lindsey have been dating.”

“I wouldn’t say that. We went out once, a few Saturdays ago. That was it.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, she wasn’t really my type. All she talked about was you and your new promotion. Kept asking me if I talked to you about it. I got the impression she really just wanted to get to you, not me. I didn’t call her after that. I know we haven’t talked a lot lately. I met this really awesome girl at the gym I joined. I’ve been going there every day after work. I’m beat when I come home, so I’ve been out of touch.”

I smiled. “Nah, that’s okay. I’m happy for you. What does she do?”

“She’s an attorney. She’s really smart, and fantastic.”

“That’s great, Con. I can’t wait to meet her.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

The next morning, I woke up on the couch, to the sound of Rebecca being sick. I knocked lightly on the bathroom door. “You okay?”

I heard the water run and then she opened the door. Her hair was a mess and her make-up ran down her face. “I think I drank too much.”

“I’ll make you some breakfast. You take a hot shower.
There are clean sweats and tee shirts in the drawer. Take whatever you want. You’re going to relax today. The boss gave us the day off.” I laughed.

She nodded. A few minutes later, I heard the shower run. Thoughts of joining her danced through my head, but she wasn’t feeling well, so I decided to leave her alone. I made grilled cheese sandwiches and a cup of tea for her. She walked out of the bathroom in just one of my tee shirts.

“How is that fair?” I asked. “I’m trying, with great difficulty, to leave you alone because you’re dealing with a hangover. How am I supposed to stay away from you when you know how I feel about you in my tee shirt?”

“Who said I’m dealing with a hangover?
” Her voice was playful and suggestive. Careful steps brought her to the half wall that separated my living room and kitchen. “And, who said you have to stay away from me?” She lunged over the counter and kissed me. I turned the toaster oven off and pulled her by the waist until she was up against me. Every nerve in my body came to life. Her hips gyrated against me as her hands ran through my hair. When our lips connected, a tingle ran through my body. She lifted my shirt over my head. She kissed my chest on each pectoral. Her hands skimmed down my stomach and stopped at the top of my sweatpants. She looked up through her lashes as she pulled the string that held them securely around my waist. Her palms pressed against my hips and she pushed the fabric down my legs, taking both my pants and briefs down. I stepped out of them and stood naked and ready in front of her. She pulled the shirt from her body, revealing her perfect figure.

“You’re so beautiful,” I said in a breathy voice.

She placed her lips on mine. I lifted her leg around my waist. She raised her other leg until she was wrapped around me. I shifted my frame until I was positioned at the apex of her legs. I waited for her eyes to give the silent command.

I pushed in. Skyrockets went off inside of me. This is where I loved to be, inside her.
Moving closer to the counter, I rested her on the surface. I shifted back and forth, pushing in and out as she built. Both of us were breathing heavy. She grabbed at my shoulders and I felt her close around me. I knew she was near climaxing. It was exciting, drawing me nearer to my own peak. She clutched and pulled me. I felt the warmth of her orgasm cover me. I thrust once more and reached my own.

Through ragged breath she said,
“You always make me feel so good.”

Trying to harness my own breath, I replied,
“Funny, I was going to say the same thing.”

“We make a good team, both professionally and privately,” she said.

I couldn’t agree with her more.

We dressed and walked through the theater district, which was only a few blocks away from my apartment. I bought her a hot dog from a street vendor and a rubber bracelet that said “I (heart) NY,” which she proudly wore from that moment on.  Any phone calls that came through her cell phone were
forwarded to voice mail. We enjoyed being together. Although I had only been involved with Rebecca for weeks, I envisioned myself with her always.

We stood in the middle of Times Square, staring up at the huge neon signs as if we were tourists. I wrapped
my arms around her and brushed my nose against her hair. It smelled like my shampoo. I could have stayed like that forever; let time wash over me as I reveled in her. Rebecca moved her mouth to my ear. Her breath brushed my neck. I felt it in my groin. “Take me home. I want you to do me again.” I grabbed her hand and practically sprinted back to my apartment.

I had barely enough time to lock the door when Rebecca had stripped down to just her lacy underwear. She reached behind her back and opened her bra,
letting it slip down her arms. It landed on the top of the pile of clothes now on the floor. Immediately, I took the cue and stripped off my own clothes. I followed as she backed up toward the bedroom. She stopped at the foot of the bed and slid her panties down. Then she lied on the bed and spread her legs, waiting for me. I crawled over her and positioned myself between them. I looked at her. Her large brown eyes silently begged me to begin. I eased into her. She gasped as I filled her.

Altering my rhythm, Rebecca climaxed three times before I came.

I ordered in a pizza for dinner. Just as it arrived, Connor got off the elevator. “Hey, Dude.” I greeted him. “What are you doing here?”

“I figured I haven’t s
een you in a while. Thought I’d come by and hang, tell you all about that girl I’m seeing. See I’m just in time for dinner.”

I moved away from the door to allow him entrance. Rebecca was curled up on the couch.

His expression became serious. “Oh, sorry. I thought you were alone.” He turned to leave, but I stopped him.

“Connor, this is Rebecca.”

His eyes widened. “THE Rebecca?”

She stood, wearing my tee shirt and sweatpants. “The one and only.” She laughed.

The two shook hands.

“Come in before the pizza gets cold.” He walked in and took a seat on the opposite end of the couch. I passed out paper plates and plastic cups. Rebecca started distributing pizza slices as I went to the kitchen for beverages. Connor sat on the couch, his plated pizza in hand, staring at Rebecca.

Rebecca looked back at him. “You’re the guy who sort of dated Lindsey, right?”               

That snapped him out of his trance. “Well, it was only one date. But yeah.”

“Sorry that didn’t work out,” Rebecca said.

“Nah, that’s okay. I’m seeing someone much better now.”

“Well that’s good.”

The three of us sat around, talking and joking. We ordered a second pie and Connor didn’t leave until ten o’clock. Rebecca stretched as I locked the door. I wanted her again, but she looked exhausted. I tucked her into bed and cuddled up next to her.
  It was the best place to be.