Page 61 of Is It Casual Now?

“Right.” Jamie’s tone made it obvious she understood the pointed comment all too well. “And here you are making sure I’m getting all the right lessons about being censored in the entertainment business.”

“It’s not censoring,” Siena hissed in reply. “It is protecting my clients.”

“So you do this with everyone who interviews your precious Bunny and Piper?” Jamie took one finger and ran it around the rim of her coffee mug.

“I don’t need to,” Siena snapped back. “When Bunny and Piper typically book interviews, it’s with people who have a far greater understanding of how this industry runs.”

“And that right there is the problem.” Jamie shook her head. “You and your manager friends have such a strong hold on your clients, the artists don’t even get a real say about how they want to connect to their audience.”

“Here we go again.” Siena rolled her eyes. “You love to take everything that doesn’t cater to you and turn it into some twisted conspiracy. Like I’m controlling absolutely everything that’s out there about Bunny and Piper, like I’m fabricating these people who don’t exist. But theyarepeople.”

“Is that how you justify what you do?” Jamie scrunched her nose, but she didn’t take her gaze from Siena’s face.

“I’m not the one needing to justify my position.” Siena was trying not to get worked up, but Jamie was just so damn good at it. And she knew all the right buttons to push.

“There are far more fun positions then sitting here being scolded like a schoolgirl.” Jamie hummed, her eyes lighting up at Siena’s reaction.

Heat flashed over Siena’s cheeks and raced down her body. No doubt exactly what Jamie had intended by her words.

“Then again, maybe being spanked over my knee is exactly what you want.”

Siena ignored her. “If you’re willing to take my suggestions on these last questions, then we can schedule an interview date.” Despite Siena’s physical reaction, she had to keep her words at the very least focused on the reason they were actually there. And she had to figure out exactly how she was going to intervene during the interview when Jamie no doubt pushed the boundaries. This was definitely one that she was going to insist on being present for.

“That’s it?” Jamie’s eyes furrowed even before she looked down at the folder she now held open in her hands. “No comment at all about what position you like the best?”

“No.” Siena leaned forward.

She knew it was the right thing to do, to end anything but professionalism between them. So why did she keep balking at saying that? Why were the words thick and hard to force out of her mouth?

“No?” Jamie’s smirk wavered a little on her lips, and Siena felt sick seeing this mighty woman doubting herself. She never wanted Jamie to have self-doubt or shame over what they’d experienced together. Because it had been amazing. Siena would never deny that.

“Those…” Siena emphasized the word, “…positionsyou’re so keen to talk about are a conflict of interest to our jobs.”

“So now you’re going to tell me you didn’t enjoy them?”

“Of course I enjoyed it.” Siena’s mouth spoke before her mind could re-engage and shut her up.

Jamie’s smile grew wider, more satisfied.

Pushing forward, Siena continued, “Our times together have been extremely pleasurable. But had I known who you were when you first approached me, none of that would have happened.”

“You knew who I was at my apartment. You knew who I was at the Halloween party.”

“Yes.” Siena rubbed the bridge of her nose with her thumb and index finger. “And I enjoyed it. However…”

“However?” Jamie nudged as Siena’s silence lingered in the loud ding of customers and cutlery.

“However, as I said, it’s a conflict of interest. And I’m not going to risk or give up my career for a good fuck.”

“And you really think we can’t do both?”

“Yes.” Siena pushed her shoulders back and steeled herself. This was the right thing to do. It didn’t matter how Jamie made her feel. Not that she allowed herself to fully examine exactly how she did feel. But it didn’t matter.

She was happy with her life.

“I don’t agree.” A shadow passed over Jamie’s eyes. Those gorgeous baby blues that were so damn expressive and would no doubt be Siena’s undoing.

Siena’s own doubt reflected back at her, and while it was somewhat a relief to know that beyond the flirting, Jamie had thought about the reality of it all. She bit back a smile, because Siena had no doubt that Jamie had thought this through. She thought everything through. And Jamie wasn’t innocent or stupid, despite the sunshine that radiated from her, the confident swagger of her presence, and the brain people often didn’t see beyond it that was incredible and amazing. Most people would take her as a girl next door when they first looked at her.

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