“That won’t be a problem.” Clarissa smiles happily. Her face is alight with excitement, which doesn’t truly calm me, because what she fails to mention to Blythe is that I’m not a journalist — yet.
“I also want nothing mentioned about Colton’s…” She glances around, before continuing in a hushed tone. “Extracurricular activities.” Her gaze lands on me, taking me in for a long moment before turning back to my boss. “And if I find anything untoward going on, anything intimate going on between the journalist and my star, I’ll pull all collaboration from your publication.”
“That’s not something you will need to worry about,” Clarissa proclaims and then glances at me. “Violet is professional, and I trust her implicitly.”
My gaze snaps to my boss, who has never really said anything that nice to me since I started working at her publication a year ago. I’ve put up with her crazy tantrums, and the only thing that got me through was reading "Ask Ida" and getting advice from her on how to deal with a tyrant boss.
“Of course,” I finally respond, clearing my throat. “I’m here to do a job, nothing more.”
“Great.” Blythe smiles, she actually fucking smiles, before standing and shaking Clarissa’s hand. She looks down her nose at me, considering her next move, then offers me a hand, which I wasn’t expecting. “See you on Saturday. And …” She rakes her gaze over me once more, clearly unimpressed by my outfit, before saying, “I’ll send a dress for you to wear.”
Once she’s gone, Clarissa blows out a relieved breath. “I’m so happy you’re doing this.”
“It means a lot to me that you trust me with something so important.”
She smiles, nodding before telling me, “I do. You’ve shown up each day and proven yourself. And that’s why, once you land the interview and get that article written, I’m going to be looking at that promotion. Your name will be at the top of the list.”
“I’m … I’m so thankful.” I’m smiling from ear to ear when I leave the office at five. The sun is slowly disappearing, not hearting the early evening when I get out of the bus, which stops right on my block.
I decide to stop at my local pizza place to grab a small pepperoni-topped treat and then head home a block away. The scent of melted cheese has my stomach grumbling when I get to the kitchen of my small, one-bedroom apartment.
I was nervous about the thought of a party at Lush on Saturday, but the goal of landing my first major promotion has lit the excitement in my belly, and I know I can definitely make this happen.
There is one more day before the party, which means I need to get my hair and nails done on Saturday morning. If I’m going to party with the Upper East Side, I may as well look the part.
3
Colton
Friday night and the rooftop bar I’ve just been escorted into is filled with a bevy of beauties not wearing much who catch my attention as I move deeper through the crowds.
“Colton.” Blythe’s voice comes from somewhere amongst the people who look like they should be on a beach, not in the middle of Manhattan. “Come, meet everyone.” She smiles at me, her dark lashes along with the cat eyeliner that flicks up at the corners makes her look like an evil seductress.
If she wasn’t my agent, I might even bang her, but I never mix business with pleasure.
“Thanks for having me,” I offer as I sidle up to her. She’s a few inches shorter than me, even though she’s wearing the highest heels I've ever seen.
Fuck-me heels.
Working in this industry, I’ve gotten to know a lot about women’s style, fashion, and makeup. When you spend all day with dolled-up models, you definitely pick up a thing or two.
“This is Colton,” Blythe introduces. “And this is Regina, Bianca, and Karly.” She points to three women who are wearing strap dresses, which look more like mummy bandages wrapped around their tits and crotches, leaving their flat stomachs on show with diamond piercings shimmering from their belly buttons.
Blonde, brunette, and a redhead in order of introduction.
“Hi, ladies,” I greet them and get the general giggling responses of "Oh, I love your accent," and "Can you say that again?" It gets old after the first few hundred times I hear it. But they’re attractive, so I intend to invest my attention on them this evening.
“Come.” Blythe drags me from the gaggling women and stops at the bar. “What are you drinking?”
“Sparkling water, or juice,” I respond, reminding myself I have gym in the morning and don’t need a nasty hangover while working out. With all the bodies almost crammed together, it’s warmer here than it is outside, and I’ll be happy with a drink to cool me down. She orders water and a white wine, then turns to me.
“Tomorrow night, we’re having the launch party at Lush. It’s a local place, not far from your apartment, and it’s the place to be at the moment, which is the reason they chose it as the venue. It’s going to be filled with the who’s who of the media industry.”
“Sounds riveting,” I snark, but she doesn’t bite. I love a woman who’s able to banter with me, but Blythe is not that woman. Her cold exterior is not something I can handle. Even though she’s tough as nails, she does nothing more for me than look professional while helping me put dollars in my bank account.
“You need to be on your best behavior,” she warns me.
“Aren’t I always?” I chuckle. Picking up my drink, I head back to the three ladies I met a few moments ago and allow them to fawn over me. I take each one in, the blonde catching my attention first.
“So.” She sidles up to me, and I know what’s coming. “Do you have anyone to show you around?”
“No.” I take a sip of my drink as she drapes her lithe frame over me. “Perhaps you’re available to show me the sights of the city?” I ask. “I’ll pay handsomely.”
She laughs. “Perhaps we can leave here and go down to the hotel.” Her brow arches as her blue eyes dance with mischief and promise.
I’m about to answer her when I’m dragged away by my agent. “Like I said, behave.”
“Not my fault she wants to show me the sights,” I contend.
“Oh yeah,” she sasses. “I’m sure she wants to show you all the sights.” Blythe is stunning, but she’s aloof, closed off to any fun. Perhaps that’s what makes her the best in the business. But what she doesn’t get is that I’m single and I’m always ready for a party. And if Blondie over there wants to show me what’s between those slender thighs, who am I to deny her the privilege?
“Hey, I’m single. I’m guessing she is as well.” I shrug it off, taking a drink of my water. Blythe’s cold, shrewd glare is on me. She’s most certainly aware of my reputation back home. I may not be the guy you take home to your mother, but I’m certainly the man who will make you scream my name over and over again until you’ve forgotten your own.
“Just be careful,” she warns me in a hushed whisper. “The media is everywhere tonight. You don’t want to gain a reputation in New York too.”