Chart Toppers (Star Maker Book 3) (12 page)

Kit’s
attention whipped back to Maxine.
 
“You have a thing for Jimmy?”

She
giggled.
 
“I’ll never tell.”
 
She sipped her drink and raised her
eyebrows.

Sully
smiled at all of them as he approached.
 
“Hello, ladies.
 
What are we
drinking?”

Kit
smiled up at him thinking how fun it would be to do body shots with him all
night long in celebration of her victory at Diamond Records earlier that day.
 
She decided she might have to try that
later.
 
She was instantly reminded,
though, that she had friends sitting across from her and decided to keep things
G-rated.
 
She nodded.
 
“Margs, baby.
 
Want Max to make you one?”
 

He
pulled up a chair and sat at the head of the table.
 
He extended his legs and got
comfortable.
 
“Sure.
 
I’d love one.”

Juliana
stared at him as he reclined in the chair with his eyes closed, soaking up the
sun.
 
She looked at Kit and mouthed
“Oh my God, so hot!” And pointed to Sully.

Kit
burst out laughing and nudged Maxine so hard she almost spilled the tequila
while making Sully’s drink.
 
Kit
grinned and mouthed back “I know,” while Maxine shook her head in annoyance.
 
Kit took the drink from Maxine and
pushed it toward Sully. “Babe, here’s your drink.”

He
opened his eyes and grinned.
 
He
leaned forward and grabbed the drink.
 
He took Kit’s hand in his and kissed
it.
 
“Thanks, babe.”
 
He winked at Maxine.
 
“Thanks for the drink, girl.”
 
He shifted his attention at Juliana and
extended his hand.
 
“Hello.
 
I don’t believe we’ve met.
 
And you are?”

She
wanted to giggle but refrained as a grin remained permanently affixed on her
face.
 
She gently shook his
hand.
 
“I’m Juliana.
 
I work for
Platinum
magazine.”

Kit
pointed.
 
“She doesn’t just work for
Platinum
, Sull.
 
She’s Lex’s editor in chief.”

He
nodded, keeping his attention trained on her and making her weak in the
knees.
 
“Ah-ha, a journalist in our
midst.
 
I guess I better watch what
I say.
 
I wouldn’t want you to
misquote me.”
 
He grinned
seductively and winked at her.

Juliana
smiled.
 
She couldn’t deny she was
completely enchanted with Sully and his charms, but made sure not to cross any
lines.
 
Kit was becoming an ally
that she needed in her corner, plus she was best friends with her very own
boss, Alexa.
 
 
The last thing she wanted to do was
jeopardize any of that.
 
She sat
back in her chair and folded her hands in front of her.
 
“Don’t worry.
 
I won’t.”
 
She chuckled and shot Kit a glance.
 
“’Cuz if I did, your wife would sue my
pants off for libel and slander.”

Kit
giggled.
 
“I would not.
 
I’d just get Lex to print a retraction.”

Maxine
looked at him.
 
“How’s writing these
days?”

He
shrugged his shoulders and yawned.
 
“It’s going.
 
Honestly, it’s
hard to get back into the groove.”
 
He took Kit’s hand again.
 
“I’ve been enjoying spending time with my wife.
 
We were on the road for so long.
 
We came off of it a little burnt out and
crispy. Trying to get back into the swing of things.
 
We go back to the studio in a few
weeks.”

“That’s
cool.
 
Need a backup singer?
 
I know a few gals looking for work.”
 
Maxine shot him a hopeful look.

He glanced
at Kit and grinned proudly.
 
“I
dunno.
 
You’ll have to ask our
producer.”

Maxine stared
at her.
 
“You’re producing?
 
Really?”

Kit
nodded and grinned, still feeling a bit unsure about the new venture.
 
“I am.
 
And to answer your question, yes, we
will need a girl or two for backup vocals.”

Maxine
let out a squeal of delight and clapped her hands.
 
“This is so exciting!
 
I’m so happy for you, Kit-Kat.”

She
chuckled.
 
“Thank you, but hold your
applause until we’re certified triple platinum next year.”

Sully
chuckled and patted her hand to reassure her.
 
“We will be.”
 
He slung back the last of his drink and
set his glass down.
 
“Well, ladies,
it’s been a pleasure.
 
I’m going to
head inside now.
 
Have fun.”
 
He got up, winked at Juliana and then
gave Kit a quick kiss as he headed toward the house.

Kit exchanged
looks with Juliana and Maxine and started giggling once he was safely in the
house and out of ear range.
 
Juliana
shook her head.
 
“Like I said, how
in the hell do you get anything done with someone like him around the house
every day?
 
If I were you, I’d want
to be doing things with that man that are illegal in forty-eight states all
hours of the day or night.”

Kit
laughed loudly.
 
“Believe me, there
are times when that has crossed my mind.
 
My hubby does have it going on.
 
This has been clear to me from day one. I’m a very lucky lady.”

Maxine
looked repulsed.
 
“Ew.
 
Seriously, ew.
 
I didn’t need that visual of you
two.
 
You’re like family.
 
Ok, I’ve had enough.
 
I’m out of here.”
 
She got up and went into the house.

Juliana
laughed loudly.
 
“I knew it, Kit!
 
You can tell.
 
He is one hot piece of ass.
 
He just drips sex.
 
Damn, I’m going to go home and have
fantasies about your husband.
 
I’m
all hot and bothered now.
 
How
twisted is that?
 
Totally not fair.”

Kit
giggled.
 
“You and millions of other
women.
 
Chicks dig him for sure.”

“Can
you blame them?
 
Jeez, God broke the
mold when he made Sully.
 
He’s
delicious.
 
Thanks for my fix of eye
candy for the day.
 
It was quite
enjoyable and put me in better spirits.
 
Very yummy.”
 
She fanned
herself with her hand.

Kit
leaned back in her chair.
 
“You’re
welcome.
 
We try to make all our
guests happy here.”
 
They both
erupted into a fit of giggles again.

“So,
what did you find out?”
 
Kit was
eager for a response and clung tightly to the receiver of the phone.

“We’re
good, Kit.
 
We can acquire
them.
 
I discussed it with our new
CFO, my dad and the rest of the board.
 
Everyone gave it a green light.
 
Daniel is going to start the process tomorrow.”

Kit
grinned.
 
“Excellent!
 
How long do you think this will take?”

“I
don’t know.
 
It depends on how they
react.
 
They may roll over and be ok
with it, or they may fight us.
 
Blake is a real prick, so we’re anticipating some push back.
 
Once we close Templeton, you’ll have
your imprint and can move GT.
 
As
far as developing artists, you have the green light.
 
If you see anything hot out there call
me, and we’ll talk budget.”

She
nodded.
 
“Got it.
 
Remember, I go into the studio in a few
weeks with GT.”

“Yeah,
I’ve got it in my notes.
 
And I
talked to Giselle.
 
She’s in and can
work whatever hours you need her.
 
She’ll be calling you tomorrow to discuss everything.”

“Thanks
for taking care of that.”

“You’re
welcome, Kit.”

“Oh,
and Jonathan?”

“Yeah?”

“When
it comes to Templeton, show no mercy, ok?”

He
chuckled.
 
“You better believe it,
Kit.
 
I’ll be calling you.”

“Thanks.”
 
She hung up the phone smiling and
noticed Sully standing in the doorway to her office.
 
She looked at him and stood up, waving
him over.
 
“Why are you standing
there?
 
Come in, baby.”

“You
were on the phone.
 
I didn’t want to
interrupt.
 
Did Juliana leave?
 
I didn’t hear her go.”

Kit
chuckled.
 
“It’s because she’s still
here.
 
She’s passed out in one of
the guest rooms sleeping it off.
 
She had way too much tequila.
 
I couldn’t let her leave.”

He
grinned. “Good call. How was your meeting at Diamond, by the way?”

She
smiled and took his hand.
 
“C’mon,
let’s go into the entertainment room.
 
I’m done with work for the day.”

Sully
raised his eyebrows and grinned.
 
“It’s only six-thirty and you’re done with work already?
 
I’m liking this already.”

She
finished telling him about her day at Diamond and all that had transpired.
 
The most recent news was that they were
attempting to steal Templeton Records out from under Blake the asshole, his
eyes widened with amazement and his jaw dropped open.
 

Sully
managed to snap himself out of his awe and started laughing
uncontrollably.
 
“Babe, you never
cease to amaze me.
 
Congratulations,
honey.”
 
He leaned forward and
kissed her.
 
“I’m proud of you.”

She
smiled.
 
“Thanks.
 
I’m actually going to be getting to do
all the things that I have fun doing and getting paid for it.
 
Imagine that!”

He
laughed.
 
“Welcome to paradise,
baby.
 
I’ve lived here for a few
years.
 
It’s fantastic!
 
Nothing like doing the fun stuff and
getting paid for it.”
 
He winked at
her.
 
He took her hand in his and
gazed into her eyes.
 
“We’re gonna
have to celebrate.
 
How about a
little weekend getaway?
 
A drive up
the coast maybe?
 
Maybe SB?”

She
grinned.
 
“Ooh, I love that
idea.
 
We haven’t been to Santa
Barbara in ages.
 
Let’s go
tomorrow.
 
Why wait until Friday?”

He
shook his head.
 
“Because we
promised Jimmy and Diana we’d go over there tomorrow and see the baby.”

Kit’s
eyes widened.
 
“Oh, wow, I totally
forgot about that!
 
Yes, we have to
do that.
 
I’m excited to meet their
little bundle of joy.”
 
She looked
at Sully, pointed and grinned.
 
“Now,
don’t you go getting any ideas.
 
We
have a huge year ahead of us, and I don’t need any undue pressure.”

He held
his hands up in defense and chuckled.
  
“I’m not gonna get any ideas.
 
I just wanna practice.”
 
He leaned forward and kissed her deeply.

She
giggled.
 
“Practice I can do.
 
Speaking of practice, I have a few
ideas.”

He
raised his eyebrows and smiled wide.
 
“Ideas?
 
Oh my! Really?
 
What kind of ideas exactly?
 
The naughty kind?”

She
giggled again and nodded.
 
“You
looked really hot today walking across the lawn half naked after your sesh in
the pool, babe.”