One Bossy Offer (15)

It’s a few minutes before she responds, which is fine because I’m staring at the empty text window, wondering if I can find the words to be polite to Cromwell.

Pippa: Vampire man? Are you five?

I laugh.

I expected her to ask why I hate him so much, but I guess she’s right.

I should come up with a better nickname for a raging jackass.

Then my phone pings again. I brace for another round of teasing from my bestie.

Nice to know I’m 'flipping hot.' Is that why you’ve been giving me the silent treatment? You’re cute too, and I typically prefer blondes.

Huh? Why would Pippa say—

Oh.

Oh, crap on a flapjack.

I just butt-texted Miles Cromwell. And my fingers were a hundred times clumsier than my butt.

The phone rings then, and his name flashes across my screen.

My heart leaps into my throat and for reasons unknown to me, I swipe to answer.

“That wasn’t meant for you,” I rush out.

“Hello to you too, Miss Landers,” he growls back. “Relax. As much as I’d enjoy seeing you hot and flustered with your lying little tongue tied, I’d rather talk business.”

Prick.

I don’t know what else to say to that.

“It’s not like you deserve an apology. I was just stating the obvious, everyone knows you’re hot—and absolutely terrible.”

“Am I?”

Oh, nonono.

I’m glad this is a phone call. He can’t see my face throbbing red with anger or shame or something I don’t want to acknowledge.

“You know exactly what you are, Cromwell. I’m sure you also know you’re as graceful as a Neanderthal.”

“I pride myself on it,” he says smoothly.

“See? Nothing to apologize for then.”

“Of course not. It’s a compliment when a beautiful woman is so enamored with me that she has to text a friend about me on a Friday night. That’s not why I called, though,” he adds.

“I know. Goodbye,” I say.

“Miss Landers, wait! Your little slip made it seem like you’re interested in selling.”

“Not to you, Dracula. Never.”

“Stop with the flattery. Dracula was polished and devastating. I ate up every bit of Stoker’s book when I was ten years old,” he explains.

That figures. I roll my eyes. So besides being so radioactive he glows, he’s also well read.

“Did you hear the part where I said 'never?'” I flare.

“Dracula was also a force of nature when it came to getting what he wanted,” he says firmly. “An admirable quality, and awfully relevant here.”

“Yeah, no, this conversation is over.” My finger hovers over the red icon to disconnect.

“Fine. If you’re still not selling, have you considered my other offer?”

I bite my lip.

“I don’t date undead guys without reflections.” I know that’s not what he wants to hear, but it shuts him up for a second and gives me some control over this conversation again.

He laughs like it’s the most ridiculous thing in the world. “You know I wasn’t asking you on a date. I need you to work with me.”

The grit in his voice tells me he’s actually serious.

Exactly what I’m afraid of.

“I’m gainfully self-employed. But thanks for the offer,” I lie.

“That’s why I said with, not for.”

“Do you even know what I do?”

“I’m well aware you’re a free agent. I wouldn’t be asking to purchase some of your Odd Little Bee magic otherwise,” he says matter-of-factly.

“...what the hell do you want with a one-woman show? You own a whole media empire that has its own marketing department, right? I looked you up. You must have entire creative teams. There’s no way you put out the amount of content you do without one. Don’t play me.”

There’s an icy pause like he’s amused with me calling him out.

“Always so feisty. For some unholy reason, I like it.” His voice is a low purr, almost obscene. A chill sweeps up my back. “I have a strong creative backbone, Miss Landers. They’re good at what they do, but like any company my size, they adapt to new developments at the pace of a giant sloth. Marketing has changed by leaps and bounds the past couple years, as you’re aware. We can’t ignore it forever. You specialize in Instagram and TikTok, don’t you?”

“I’m pretty well versed in all major platforms, yeah. But I expect my clients to pick one and stick with it. Not that it matters. You aren’t a client.”

“I’ve been pushing my people for a bigger TikTok footprint for a while. They’re still just reuploading the same content and flailing for influencers, and it isn’t working out. The seal sanctuary series was the first thing that didn’t bomb there—”

“Because they can’t be good at everything,” I cut in. “You’re overwhelming them. That’s why I recommend a platform focus.”

“Regrettably, I don’t have a single team who handles video shorts well. Past consultants have overpromised and underdelivered. That’s why I’m trying to hire you, but you’re making that so difficult.”