Once Upon a Dare (Risky Business)(42)
He shot her a dark look, but let it slide. “Look at you. You make a point of downplaying your assets so you aren’t accused of trading on looks, right?”
She chewed on her bottom lip. “Yeah, well, between the boys club and the kitty claws, I have to work twice as hard for respect.”
For the first time, he felt like she was sharing something real, a piece of herself she’d kept hidden far too long. It felt surprisingly good. He wanted more.
“I’ll bet a lot of women feel like you do, and yet there isn’t a single lingerie company in the market that recognizes real, working women. Lingerie ads focus on supermodels and soccer moms.”
“Tell me about it.” She rolled her eyes. “It’s like sexy on steroids—which real women can’t live up to—or granny panties—which don’t exactly inspire lights-on-for-sex confidence.”
“Exactly. There’s no middle ground,” he agreed, thrilled she was buying into the idea. It was the right approach. He could feel it in his bones, but he needed her on board and fully committed to make it work. They couldn’t afford to be split on this one. “Where does that leave a young working woman like you who aspires to more?”
Doubt lined her eyes. She flattened her brows and he knew he was losing her. She was a textbook example, but he couldn’t make it too personal or she’d balk at the whole thing.
“Where are you going with this?”
“Smart. Confident. Sexy as hell. That’s our audience,” he explained as he moved around the table, coming to rest behind her. He leaned down, bringing his mouth to her ear. “From the boardroom to the bedroom… Be a Vixen.”
Her sharp intake of breath told him he’d nailed it. It also put him in mind of her aroused face, but he did his best to push that thought aside. She’d made it clear at the fundraiser that she was done with their little arrangement, which was probably for the best anyway. Rules were rules, and he was beginning to be uncomfortable with how often he found himself thinking about Olivia.
“I like it,” she announced, once again all business. And damn if he didn’t find that arousing. He lo—No, appreciated, her take-charge sassiness, even when she was dishing it his way. “We’ve got a tagline. What else have you got?”
“We emphasize sharp women in powerful positions. It’ll have to be sexy, but believable.”
“It’s risky,” she pointed out. “If we screw it up, we’ll just alienate people. The women have to be authentic and so does the motivation. If the idea is to empower women, then we have to sell it right.”
“I’m more worried about competing effectively with prime time fashion shows without supermodels of our own.”
Olivia groaned. “It’s a wonder you survive yourself. Do you ever think about anything but sex? Seriously?”
Cole gave her a cocky grin and shrugged. “Might as well focus on the things I’m good at.”
“Do you really think women like me sit around and watch anorexic supermodels strut around on the catwalk?” With her hand on her hip, she reminded him of his sister, the other spitfire in his life with attitude to spare. “Or do you think it’s more likely men like you who watch that crap? Men, need I remind you, who don’t actually buy lingerie anyway. Check the research.” She tossed one of her binders at him. He caught it easily and pushed it to the side.
“I don’t need to look at the data.” He combed a hand through his hair. She must really think he was a sex-crazed idiot. He wanted to point out that the “Be a Vixen” angle was his idea in the first place, and he wasn’t a moron. He certainly didn’t become a partner at PBA by being a completely useless jackass. But then again, why would she think any differently? He was constantly trying to get under her skirt. Not to mention the fact they hadn’t managed to come up with anything constructive or usable in the last few weeks. Hell of a way to start his new job. “I remember. Men’s lingerie purchases are minimal and seasonally driven. We need to attract loyal, repeat customers,” he recited dutifully, raising his palms in a gesture of surrender.
“Good. I’m glad to see you were paying attention.” She gave him a curt nod and replaced her glasses. “Just keep in mind this has to be subtle. We’ll need a robust digital campaign, something that will go viral.”
Cole laughed and shook his head in disbelief. He wasn’t sure how it had happened, but suddenly he was taking orders from her? And he kind of liked it. She knew what she was doing in the boardroom and the bedroom. She deserved to take the reins on the Vixen account.
Hell, she deserved to be a partner.
Chapter Seventeen
Exhausted, Olivia crossed her arms on the desk blotter and buried her face. The hours they were pulling for Vixen were taking their toll and she needed a good night’s sleep. Preferably one that wasn’t filled with lustful dreams of Cole.
“Time for an afternoon pick me up,” Chloe sang, barging in without so much as pausing to knock. Already full of energy, she bounced across the room and placed a cup of Starbucks’ Espresso Roast on the desk.
Olivia perked up, happy to indulge in a caffeine fix with her best friend. “Have I told you lately that I love you?”
“Not today, but you can do me one better.” Chloe smirked, balancing on the edge of the chair across from Olivia’s desk.