My assistant’s face is smiling at me from the screen, and I swipe the glass to answer. Does she have another job lined up for me already? “Hey, what’s up?”
“I have an important client that wants to talk to you.” Her normally chipper voice sounds a little subdued, like she’s in shock or something. Hmm, must be an interesting job.
“Okay, when?”
“I was just told to pass along a message. Get into the limo.”
Carter
“Seriously, Carter. How long are you going to keep doing this?” the woman on the video call says, her eyes skeptical.
I actually roll my eyes this time. “Come on, Lola. You’re joking, right? I’m making you so much money right now that we’d all be insane to end it.”
What the fuck? First Chase, and now Lola—both telling me I can’t keep this up forever. I don’t get it. Head Hunter is the most watched show on any network and online. We’re all making bank.
I look over at Chase, who’s sitting next to me on the private jet we’re taking to New York City, and give him a scrutinizing look, my eyes narrowed.
Lola Anders is the network executive. She should absolutely be on board with keeping this up. Am I missing something? Glancing back at the screen on the wall in front of us, I give her a charming grin.
“What’s the matter? Have you decided you’re tired of watching these other women crawl all over me and want a piece for yourself?”
It’s Lola’s turn to roll her eyes. I can totally bullshit with her like this. I’m her money machine. I can say whatever the fuck I want. Plus, I’ve seen the way she looks at me. She does want me. I mean, hell, they all do. And she’s been watching me get my cock sucked for almost five years. I can’t say I blame her.
“Look, Carter,” she says, trying to be all business. “You’re twenty-six now. It’s just not right for someone as hot as you to remain a virgin.”
I laugh out loud. I knew it. She does want me.
“Let me guess. You want to be the lucky lady to end it all?” I lean forward and wink, my voice dropping into a gravelly growl that I know makes all the women wet. “Lola, baby, if you want some of this, all you’ve got to do is ask.”
Her eyes narrow, and I can tell I’m pushing her close to her limit, but I don’t fucking care. What's she going to do? Fire me. I don’t think so.
My grin widens. “But I have to tell you, Lola. After all these years I’ve been waiting, you might not be able to handle me.”
I glance over at Chase and see him hiding a smile. I’d give him a high five if it wouldn’t make me look like a total asshole in front of Lola. I mean, she does still sign the checks, even if I do get away with fucking with her more than I should.
Lola clears her throat. “No, Carter. I don’t want to be the one to take your virginity.” She averts her eyes. Lies. “But I do think you should consider letting one of the women in the last part of the season do it. Like I said, you’ve waited way too long for this. You deserve it.”
I let out a scoff, my eyes widening. “No fucking way, Lola.” This bitch has lost her mind. Playtime is over. I’m not in the mood to mess with her now. “Why would I do that?”
She purses her lips. “I just think it would be good for ratings. We can make it the finale. The Head Hunter finally gives in. Can you just imagine the money that would bring in for us?”
My lip curls up, and I look at Chase again. He’s not smiling anymore. “Hell no,” I practically snarl. “If I lose my virginity before the end of my contract, you know what that means.”
I’m certain she does. But I never expected her to stoop so low as to try to convince me to do this.
Part of my five-year contract stipulates that if I remain a virgin for the full five years then I get a two billion dollar bonus payout. I’d be an idiot not to do that. Especially when the end of that contract is right around the corner.
“Ten episodes,” I tell Lola, my gaze pinned on her image on the screen. “Ten weeks. That's nothing compared to the five years I’ve been doing this. You expect me to give it up in the next ten weeks when I’ve waited this long? For some ratings? You know we’ll get the ratings regardless.”
Lola grimaces, and then Chase leans forward, jumping in on this conversation. I’m sure he’ll have my back. He’s not just in charge of filming. He’s my network liaison, but he’s also my friend.
“Lola, I know what you’re playing at here. This isn’t about ratings.”
I look at Chase, wondering what he knows that I don’t.
“Carter, you know when they put that incentive in your contract they didn’t actually think they’d have to pay it out, right?”
My gaze flicks to Lola, who looks furious now, then back to Chase. Lola keeps talking.