Men For Hire by Jennifeer Denys Michelle Roth Bella Settarra Tina Donahue Page B

If the Frobishers wanted it instead of the hearts and flowers stuff she usually churned out she was more than willing to write more of it.
    “Frobishers are starting up an erotic line,” Paula explained.
    Richard seethed. “I didn’t know that.” He sounded infuriated, which took Naomi by surprise.
    “Is that a problem?” Aaron asked, his voice a little tight as he turned to Richard.
    “Well, it’s just not Naomi’s thing ,” Richard protested. “I don’t think she should have to write a different genre if it’s not what she wants.”
    “I agree.” Aaron’s voice was deep as were his dark eyes as he turned to face Naomi. “And what do you want, Naomi?”
    She felt her pussy clench at his question, and she knew he wasn’t really talking about books. The glint in his eye told her that much. She swallowed hard, trying to think of an answer.
    James must have sensed her discomfort as he came to her rescue. “Would you prefer to write Erotic Romance or Sweet Romance, baby?” he asked softly.
    She looked over to him and her heart melted. He was so gorgeous—they both were.
    “Perhaps you could write both?” Daphne offered as the main course was served.
    “She can’t do both. It’s one or the other. You have to choose.” Richard was adamant.
    “Hmm, like you have to choose,” Paula spat venom as she hissed at him and everyone stared.
    “I know what I want and I go all out to get it,” Richard replied through clenched teeth.
    Naomi felt herself go hot as the tension mounted. She had sensed a problem between them as soon as she’d seen them, but she hadn’t expected this.
    “Yeah, that’s the problem.” Paula snarled. “Trouble is, then you change your mind and go all out to get it back!”
    “Is there a problem, dear?” Daphne interjected and Naomi felt a thud in her heart.
    . Although she had been shocked that Paula and Richard had ditched both herself and Paula's partner Rob, she still felt some loyalty to them.
    After all, Paula had been a good friend and Richard and she must have been in love at one time, surely? The thought roiled in her mind as she tried to remember when exactly Paula had been a good friend—some time long before she’d run off with her partner, obviously. And Richard and she had surely been in love at one time, hadn’t they? Really? The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. James’s hand on her knee brought her back into the room and she smiled at him reassuringly.
    James and Aaron had been nothing but good to her and they hadn’t known her more than a few hours. Paula and Richard had known her for years and this was how they treated her? Not only having an affair behind her back, but now embarrassing her at her dinner party in front of her potential new employers!
    An uneasy silence had descended on the room while everyone waited for Richard and Paula to explain themselves.
    “So, what else are you planning to publish? Any non-fiction?” James smiled as he spoke to Daphne, tactfully changing the subject.
    “We’re thinking of it, dear.” Daphne seemed more than happy for the reprieve. “Until now Frobishers have only published sweet romance and children’s books. Now that we’ve had this windfall we’re thinking of trying lots more avenues.”
    “You should stick to what you know.” Richard’s words cut through the atmosphere, chilling the air.
    “Why do you say that? Have you any experience of the publishing business, Richard?” Sam asked politely.
    Richard’s lips tightened. “No,” he admitted, “but I know about people. People get comfortable with certain things and that’s what they need to stick with. When they find what they want they should stay with it. It’s human nature.” He looked pointedly at Naomi and she felt a thud in her gut as she realized exactly what he was talking about—he wanted her back!
    “You don’t think people might want to try out new things? Experience stuff they’ve never even dreamed about?”