Her cheeks turn pink while those green orbs give me an apologetic look. “I’m really sorry about all that. If you need me to pay for—”
“I’d never take your money.”
“But I did make you waste your time.”
“Not really.” That piqued her interest, her brows furrowing while my smile broadens. “Will you give me a few minutes of your time to explain? I swear it’ll be worth your while.”
“I don’t know...”
“Aren’t you curious about who I’m replacing you with?” Gabriella’s reaction to my words is instantaneous. Her eyes narrow and lips thin, hand clenching a bit around her cup. It causes the lid to pop a bit and a few drops to drip down her fingers. “I mean, she’s not our first choice—”
“Sure. Let’s go talk about my replacement.” The latest half is muttered under her breath, and fuck me, her sour expression is adorable. Makes me want to bite her. To wrap those red locks around my fist. “Where’s your...never mind.”
And I follow those thick hips toward the table Tero’s sitting at, his light blue eyes filled with a mirth he won’t display. Her scent swirls around me, pulls me in closer, and I’m only content when my hand meets the small of her back.
I let it linger there and she doesn’t complain, gifting me with the small feel of warm skin on my fingertips.
“Miss Moore.”
“Uh huh.” Gabriella waits beside a chair, and I pull it out for her before taking a seat myself. Her fingernails drum on the wooden top, eyes searching the two contracts in plain sight. “So, that’s her?”
“Yes.”
“I see.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? Is there something I’m unaware of?” I’m not lying to her. This is my backup plan, but I won’t deny playing dirty in order to change her mind. Because no one likes to be replaced and she’s no different, reading down Cecily Marie’s achievements and sales figures to her last show in the states. “Please speak up if there is. Whatever you say stays here.”
“She’s brilliant, no denying that.”
“But?”
“Her reputation is one of diva status and problematic with both staff and clientele. That’s on you if you want that headache on your hands.”
A smile threatens to escape but I hold it back, nodding instead as though understanding. “I’ve heard a few things but have been left with little to no choice. The artist and dates will be announced this week. I don’t have time to scour the country for the next up-and-coming gem.”
“You could still do better.”
“Cecily Marie isn’t my first choice, but...”
At my trail off, her arms cross over her chest and lips purse. “Oh, you’re good.”
“How so?” I ask, giving her a perplexed look. Feeding her an innocent lie.
“Tero, how—”
“I’m just an observer here.” The man holds both hands up, almost tipping over his coffee cup in his haste. “That, and he does sign my check.”
“You both suck.” Petulant behavior has never been a trait I find attractive, but with her it’s endearing. But then again, there’s nothing I don’t like. No part of her I don’t want or crave.
“That’s mean.”
“You’ve given me no choice, Gabriella. I do need to fill the spot and—”
“Don’t.”
“Don’t what?”
“Just give me a good enough reason. Just one.”
“Because you earned this, Gabriella. Simple as that.” At my words, tears spring to her eyes but she blinks them back, not allowing them to fall. She’s also quiet, her emotions unreadable, but the small catch in her throat is a sign I’m getting through to her. The way she lets me grab her hand, entwining our fingers together, is a step in the right direction. “Your work speaks for itself, while your reputation is one of professionalism and dependability. Elise didn’t give you this—fuck that. The only reason I agreed to that brunch was you. Without Gabriella Moore there is no deal, and that’s a truth that can’t be negated or changed.”
“Are you just saying that so I—”
“Gabriella, I want you. No one else.”
There are many ways she can take that, and the fact is they’re all accurate. She’s what I want. All of her.
In any capacity. In any way.
“Okay,” she says after a minute of silence. It’s low, almost too low, but I hear her as if she’d shouted this from a rooftop. Gabriella takes in a deep breath before letting it out slowly. Her shoulders straighten out while her head lifts a little higher, a small smile finally stretching across those sweet lips. “Okay. I’ll do it.”
“Are you sure?” I ask while from the corner of my eye, Tero produces a pen for her to sign. Cecily’s contract is beside hers and the sums of money are blatantly unfair, Miss Moore being the clear victor—further proof of my choice always being her.
“Give me the contract.”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
“You’re going to be demoted to number six in the first impression chart if you don’t let me sign, Mr. Astor.” The little tease, innocent or not, makes my cock jerk behind the confines of my pants. Sassy little thing. “What’s it going to be?”
My answer is to rip the other contract in half after placing Gabriella’s in front of her. My beautiful little artist doesn’t disappoint either, grinning at my action before signing her name at the three designated areas.
It takes less than sixty seconds.
The binding agreement is set in stone.
You’re mine, gorgeous.
10
Gabriella
I knew what he was doing the moment I sat down at their table, and I’m not ashamed to admit I’m thankful. Relieved. So grateful, because missing out on this opportunity would’ve hurt me.
Emotionally. Career wise.
Something that Theodore saw and rectified when he preyed on my humanity. Because jealousy is a part of life, and the feelings that overcame me—the ones that made me sign after arguing someone else’s merit—aren’t ones I’m proud of. Nor do I negate them, because I know I’m better
