Beauty and the Billionaire (Billionaire Boys Club #2)(43)

“Well, can’t you put the project aside for a few days and finish this other one? Just have Bill shag Uranus in her anus and send it off.”

“Uranea and the publisher would freak out if I threw in butt sex.”

“Whatever, and the publisher’s freaking out right now because you’re grossly overdue. Gretchen, they’re going to fire you if you don’t get this book in. I’m your agent. I’m supposed to tell you when you’re doing bad career moves, right? This is a bad one. Very bad. Can you just sit down and hammer out a few chapters for me? Please?” Kat’s voice turned wheedling. “So I don’t have to make an ugly phone call about how my favorite client didn’t hit her deadline again?”

Gretchen pulled her laptop open and sighed. “I’m pulling up the document as we speak, Kat. I promise.”

“Good. Think you can send it to me by tomorrow?”

“Ummm.”

“I’ll take that as a yes. Don’t tell me otherwise.”

“Okay.”

“Since I have you on the phone, I did have a chat with Preston.” Kat paused for dramatic effect.

Gretchen racked her brain for a moment. “Preston Stewart’s the editor for the new publisher, right? What was the name again?”

“That’s him. Bellefleur Publishing.”

“Uh-huh. Did they ask for me because the Astronaut Bill stuff is pulp and I’m used to writing in some sex?”

“Huh? What does that have to do with anything?”

“The letters. Does he know these are dirty letters?”

Kat spluttered. “Say what?”

“I’m serious! The trunk is full of letters between a gal named Lula and her boyfriend, Ben. It took years for them to be together, and so apparently they spent all that time in-between visits sending dirty recaps to each other. Want me to read you a page?”

“Dirty letters? Are you sure?”

Gretchen picked up the letter on the top of the pile. “My dearest Ben. I woke up this morning, my woman’s flesh aching with need for you. I dreamed that you were deep inside me, your rod—”

“Okay, okay!” Kat laughed wildly. “Oh, man. Well, that’s going to be a wicked cool marketing angle, that’s for sure.”

“If you say so,” Gretchen said, amused. “Apparently these two lovebirds went to a lot of Victorian house parties and used every excuse to sneak off and make out while there. They’re kind of creative with things. It’s rather inspiring.”

“I’ll say. Anyhow, back to Preston. He’s super excited about your book, too. How’s it feel to be a lead title, kiddo?”

“I . . . haven’t given it much thought.”

“You haven’t?” Kat gasped. “What’s going on with you, Gretchen?”

“I’ve been, um, distracted. I met a guy.”

“A guy? Audrey told me all about that horrible butler. Don’t tell me you fell for him?”

“Jeez, Kat, when did you talk to Audrey?”

“We went for lunch the other day. I had some books for her to pick up for the charity and we ended up going out for drinkies.”

“I think I need to widen my social circle,” Gretchen muttered. “And no, I didn’t fall for the butler. But I just might be kinda-sorta shagging his boss.”

“You what? The billionaire?”

Count on Kat to be fascinated by the amount of money he had instead of asking anything about him. Gretchen rolled her eyes. “He’s different, Kat. I like him.”

“Of course you like him. He’s rich!”

“Can we talk about something other than how much he makes?”

“Sure. What kind of car does he drive?”

“Not funny. I like him because he’s different, not because he’s rich.”

“I’m just teasing you, Gretchen. It’s good that you met someone. I just wish he wasn’t directly tied to the job you’re doing. As your agent, that makes me a little uncomfortable.”

“It’s not like he’s actually involved in the project,” Gretchen told her. “He just happens to own the house the letters were found in.”

“Very, very dirty letters. You sure you’re not getting inspired by these dirty letters?”

“Give me a little credit?”

“Just a little. I’d like to meet this guy.”

“We’re just fooling around, Kat. It’s not like this is anything official.”

“I don’t care. I still want to meet him. Maybe he has a sexy younger brother.”

“He’s an only child. But I’ll see what I can do about getting some friends together. This house would be a great place to entertain.” Though, the thought of entertaining would probably drive Eldon to drink.

Kat squealed. “Oooh, maybe we can do a Victorian house party! We can invite your editor so he can get excited about the progress you’re making on the book.”

“I don’t know—”

“And the publicist! And a photographer. Think of the angle we can spin on things to get some in-house excitement.”

“I don’t know if the owner of the house is going to be particularly excited about this. He’s pretty reclusive. And by pretty, I mean completely.”