Read Online Sinfully Sexy by Linda Francis Lee - Free Book Online Page A

your apology?" he asked.

"Do you like it?"

His jaw really started working then. Good.

Crossing her arms over her chest, she forged ahead. "A more pressing
issue, however, is what is
Prescott Media's decision? Are you going to ruin us or help us?"

She actually scoffed, since she was so certain of his answer.

"I'm going to help."

Chloe blinked, then sat down with a thunk on the ridiculous leopard
sofa. "You're going to help?"

She felt many things. Surprise, sure. Then a second of relief, no
question. Followed closely by suspicion. "Why? How? What's in it for
Prescott?"

The man sat in a side chair, leaning back as he studied her. He looked
intense, totally hot, and completely unfazed by her pointed questions.

He tugged his cuffs, looked at his brother for one long second, then
returned his gaze to hers. "Sterling Prescott is really nicer than
anyone appears to believe."

Ben chuckled.

She couldn't help it when she snorted. "You've probably never even met
him."

"Chloe, please," Julia implored.

And rightfully so. Chloe had never acted so childishly in her life. But
the combination of the bathroom incident and this man who could ruin
them left her out of sorts and fighting mad. And she would fight if she
had to. Growing up with an unbending grandmother and no other family to
speak of forced a girl to give in or fight. Chloe had always fought.

Today was no different. They couldn't lose KTEX. Even if it meant
accepting this man's assistance.

"Sorry," she stated.

"Ah, another of your heartfelt apologies."

This time Chloe raised a brow. Mr. Tanner had a snippy streak in him,
too.

"So what's the deal?" she persisted.

He glanced one last time at his brother, sighed, then said, "The deal
is I spend a month of my time, graciously donated by none other than
Sterling Prescott, and turn this station around."

"And again, what's in it for Mr. Gracious?"

The man muttered something she knew wasn't nice, then he considered
her. "I'll work on a contingency basis. Prescott Media earns a percent
of the increased ad revenue that I bring in."

"That's it?" Julia breathed.

Chloe glared at her for caving so easily.

The Tanner guy looked amused. "Yes, that's it."

But Chloe knew they weren't out of the woods yet. This was sounding too
good to be true. "What kind
of a percentage are you looking for?"

She watched him shift into a purely business mode with ease. She hated
that she was impressed—and
not just a little turned on.

He glanced at Julia. "A sixty-forty split."

"Sixty for us?" Julia asked hopefully.

"Julia! No way," Chloe stated. "Ninety-ten in our favor."

"That's absurd," he barked, then visibly reined his temper back in.
"The best I can do is seventy-thirty
in your favor."

"In your dreams. Eighty-twenty."

"Chloe," Julia implored.

The man studied Chloe over steepled fingers, then said, "
Seventy-five-twenty-five."

Chloe opened her mouth to counter.

He cut her off. "And that's final."

This time Chloe studied him. She knew she had reached his limit.
Besides, it was a fair deal. "Seventy-five-twenty-five sounds all
right. Julia?"

"Agreed," the owner stated in a rush of relief.

It was done. It was happening, and suddenly every ounce of bravado
faded away and Chloe was left
with the horror that now she was going to have to see this man again.
And again. For a month.

"I suggest we waste no time and get started," Julia said.

"Mr. Tanner"—Chloe would have sworn he grimaced— "why don't you give us
your initial assessment
of KTEX?"

"There's no secret here. You need more revenue to offset your mounting
debt and accruing interest.
And to do that, you need to bring in more advertising."

"As I mentioned earlier," Chloe said, "we are planning more programs
like the golf episode of Getting
Real."

"That will help, but that's too little, too late." He looked at Julia.
"Isn't that correct, Ms. Boudreaux?"

Chloe felt a chill run down her spine, and she glanced over at Julia to
see if this was true. The woman's