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He knew how important this event was for her and he knew how to promote this so it could be huge.
“So you think it’s worth it?”
“I know it’s worth it. Plus, there are tons of things you can do to promote that don’t cost a penny.”
“I was going to send out newsletters to my subscribers, post flyers around town, and mention it on my podcast next week, which will have a sexy bookstore legend as the guest.”
“You mean the King of Books,” he corrected.
She nipped his nipple—hard.
“Just remember, payback is a bitch,” she said, and he chortled.
“You can also have bookmarks made up and leave them by the cash registers of local shops. I know that I’d put them by my registers.”
“You would?” She sounded so surprised he wanted to kick every asshole who’d come before him.
“Of course.” He ran his hand up her spine, and then back down until he was cupping her ass cheek. “You can also run a discount. Bring a friend to the signing and get twenty percent off. You can join forces with other book retailers and ask them to do a newsletter swap. It will cross-pollinate your audience.”
She cleared her throat. “Mister CEO of BookLand, would you want to do a newsletter swap with me?”
“You didn’t even have to ask. I was going to do one already.”
“Even though it’s a disruptor that’s meant to take away from your opening.”
“Even then.”
“Then I will send one out announcing the opening of your new bookstore.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
She slid up his body until their lips were aligned. “I want to,” she said against his mouth, and then gifted him with a kiss that was hotter than the fucking sun. His Summer didn’t disappoint when it came to brightening the day of everyone she came into contact with, including a pessimist like Wes. She was like a fresh ray of sunshine in his world of darkness and betrayal.
“As you wish,” he moaned against her, drinking down every last sip she was willing to give him. When she pulled back he nearly cried.
“Anything else I should be aware of?”
“Besides the erection that’s pressing against your stomach?”
She smacked his chest. “I meant the contract.”
“It’s a pretty standard and straightforward contract.”
“Would you sign it and agree to five thousand dollars?”
He studied her for a long moment and saw the desperation in her eyes, the lack of confidence, the uncertainty. It made him want to go into fix-it mode, but he wasn’t sure that was what she needed. And if he’d learned anything over the past couple of weeks, it was that sometimes she needed him to just listen. “Are you looking for a sounding board, or advice?”
She thought about that for a moment. “I think both.”
“Five grand is a steal. I know it seems like a lot right now, but you will triple your revenue, gain new listeners, and expand your customer base. If it weren’t for the money, would you hesitate?”
“No,” she said immediately.
Well, that was an easy fix. “Let me give you the money.”
She cupped his cheek. “I can’t take your money, Wes. I know that most people would jump at your generosity, but I need to do this my way. Plus, I’d feel like everyone else who’s taken your money over the years.”
This was new. The people in his world came up to him practically with their hands out. He always picked up the tab when he went out, even with his co-workers, women like his ex had always expected lavish presents, and the board was always trying to undermine him and get a bigger chunk. And here was a woman, torn between parting with what seemed like the last of her cash and hosting the event of the year, and she wouldn’t take a cent from him.