Chapter 3

Jay

“For someone who claimed to have no plans for the weekend, you sure do look exhausted,” Mitchell joked, walking into Jay’s office, just as he ended a phone call.

“How was the soccer game?” Jay asked, as Mitchell settled into the same seat he sat in at the beginning and end of each work day.

“Just like every other one. Mitch scored two goals, so that was cool,” Mitchell shrugged, leaving Jay to silently question what had changed since their conversation in the elevator when he first learned of the game.

That was what scared him about married life. Mitchell always seemed to be in such a rush to return to his family at the start of the weekend, but upon returning, he was always wiped out as if work was his recess.

“I read the book you gave me,” Jay changed the subject, hoping to draw Mitchell out of whatever funk he was in.

“You did? What’d you think?” He responded with enthusiasm, and Jay was grateful to see him look more alive.

“I loved it. So much so, I reached out to the agent that represents her. She needs to be in-house. Imagine what she could do with our resources,” Jay held his hands out as if he was the resource, and the idea was not lost on Mitchell, who took the opportunity to warn him of his limits.

“I’ve done a bit of research on Kasey Wright, she’s one of those supremely loyal agents—somewhat of a unicorn in this industry—but she fights like hell for her clients, and has been with that shithole firm for over five years. Everyone has tried to poach her,” he explained to his overly confident best friend, who is obviously overdressed for the occasion in a sleek Tom Ford suit and platinum Hublot watch.

“Everyone isn’t me, Mitchell. It’s what I’ve been trying to tell you since freshman year. I’ve seen her talent, I’m sure she’s aware of mine, all she needs is some one-on-one time to see I’m serious about adding her to the team. Not a scout, not a hiring director, the CEO. It doesn’t get any bigger than that,” Jay reasoned, before checking his vibrating phone.

He didn’t see the challenge in speaking with Kasey. The head of his security department had sent over a file with her background check the night before, but he’d yet to even skim over the pages. He didn’t need to know her weak spots, or career aspirations, all he needed was to swoon her over.

Of course, this wasn’t a date, but as always, he knew his looks and charm would take him far enough. Besides, he wasn’t trying to get in her panties, he just wanted her under his thumb, bringing her skillset and clientele to Passions Publishing, to help his company dominate the competition further than they already were.

“I’m just saying. For her, it’s always seemed to be more about connections than business. Something tells me she’s not as black and white as other prospects,” Mitchell added nervously.

It was obvious he felt his partner was ahead of himself, but without any personal experience with Kasey, he felt inadequate to steer Jay away from discussing the possibility with her. It wouldn’t be the first time Jay had surprised him, but in the back of his mind he doubted his ability, for the first time in their long friendship.

“Don’t worry, Mitchell,” Jay responded absentmindedly, still scrolling through the new email that had stolen his attention.

“When are you meeting with her?”

Glancing at his wrist, Jay looked up to Mitchell with a childlike smirk, “In thirty minutes.”

“Are you serious? We can get some background on her. Maybe figure out what we should offer. With a talent like this, you only get one shot,” Mitchell’s words were pouring out of his mouth as he followed the folder Jay was carrying to the door of his office.

“And I only need one shot. Everyone’s got a price.”

With his confidence overflowing, Jay said his final goodbyes to Mitchell after promising to update him immediately after the meeting. Walking through the office, Jay was a superstar as always, everyone stopping what they were doing to wave or ask him how he spent his weekend.

When it was time to make his way to the conference room, Jay had just ten minutes to devote to reading Kasey’s background check. From all accounts, she was an angel as far as the criminal background check was concerned.

Her transcript from the University of Minnesota showed she was a stellar student, but it was the last page that intrigued him the most. Despite having dismal resources, in the past four years, Kasey had brought seven unknown authors to the top of the literary world—all becoming New York Times Best Sellers, with two going on to international success.

That accomplishment was impressive on its own, but knowing how much more she could have at her fingertips working for him made him wonder how brilliant she could be as his exclusive agent. She must have some magic touch to be able to take writers to the next level, and he wanted her at Passions Publishing.

Just as he finished skimming her profile, the intercom on the conference table buzzed, alerting him to a message from reception.

“Yes?”

“Mr. Canton, Ms. Wright has arrived,” the cheery voice chimed through the speakers.

Waiting an extra few seconds before responding, Jay straightened his tie before leaning over the intercom. “Bring her in.”

He knew it would take a few minutes for them to arrive, since he had strategically scheduled the meeting in the back of the floor, ensuring Kasey would have to walk through the sea of offices and cubicles, sure to be impressed by the vastness of the operation in comparison to the small firm she currently worked for.

Jay spent the time smoothing his jet black hair back, happy to feel it was still styled to perfection. He ran his hands down his suit, double checking every detail of his appearance since he was sold on the idea that the look of success attracted more success. If you look good, people want to work with you, and Jay Canton looked very good when three soft taps sounded on the glass door to the conference room.

Again, he made the receptionist wait a moment before inviting them to enter. He wanted Kasey to be overwhelmed by the prestigious, and beside herself with intimidation as she realized how busy this man must be. His plan was for her to feel honored to even be in a meeting with him, but that all changed the second his eyes landed on her.

Instantly, he regretted not having a current photo in the file provided by security, and made a mental note to reprimand whoever failed to inform him of her stature. He was expecting a book worm type, with thick glasses and even thicker ankles. Kasey Wright was anything but.

She glided across the floor after placing her hand on the receptionist’s wrist, whispering something that made the young girl forego the escort, and immediately retreat towards the door.

Kasey wore a simple black dress, because her body required no frills, it was enough of a show stopper, and her curves showed as much as possible, stopping short of being too distracting for a business meeting. Jay’s eyes drifted from the hem at her knees, to the thin ankles, ending at her stilettos, before returning to her gorgeous face.

Her dark brown hair fell over her shoulders in deep curls, accentuating the almond shaped eyes that seemed almost too big for her narrow face. She was stunning, and this wasn’t coming from a man who had never seen A-List actresses, or slept with cover girls.

What struck Jay most about Kasey was her aura. She walked with a confidence that he’d only seen in himself—a swagger that let him know she was not intimidated and wouldn’t be. He liked it. She was more than looks, something he hadn’t seen from a woman in a long time.

“Nice to meet you, Kasey Wright,” Jay introduced himself with his right hand extended after waiting until the last minute to rise out of his seat.

Taking his hand in hers, with a handshake that was firm and feminine at the same time, Kasey refused to return his smile, and instead dropped her hand back to her side as she looked directly into his dark blue eyes.

“What is this about?” she asked sternly, but the feeling went straight to his manhood.

She was more than he even expected, and he was now more certain than ever that he had to have her working for him. Her success made sense now, and he wanted her to succeed under his umbrella. It didn’t matter what it cost, or how much time it took, Kasey Wright was going to work for him, of this he was certain.