Page 27 of Bad Love

"Do you notice anything similar between these products?" I goon.

"Um. That one has balls?" Nelsonsuggests.

"They’re all designed for female pleasure. And your product isn't cuttingit.”

"Is that your professionalopinion?"

This is fromHunter.

"It's the only opinion that matters—the opinion of your customers." I hit a button on the center of the table, and a screen comes down, connecting immediately to my laptop. I press a few keys, and a website popsup.

"Your product has few reviews, and the ones it has aren't good.” I scroll through the list. “By contrast, the best-selling products in this market are raved about. Worshipped.Shared.”

A cough has me looking over at my audience. “By ‘shared’ I mean the word,” I add quickly, but I swear Hunter’s brow twitches. “Customers tell their friends. Their colleagues. Everyone. The bottom line is…Don Draper couldn't sell ten thousand Red Rocket II’s in ninety days. Not unless he bought themhimself."

Nelson's chuckling, but Hunter's thoughtful, his fingers bridged in front of hisface.

"All right, Nellie, you’ve outlived your usefulness,” Hunter says at last. “Getout."

The other man leaves with a look of triumph. Now I'm alone with Hunter and Daisy andRena.

I wish I knew what he was thinking. If he's pissed or disappointed orwhat.

"We could look at changing the target to something more reasonable," I say, but he holds up ahand.

"No." The words are uttered with a finality that shocksme.

I need this to work out. My son’s camp and my ability to pick my clients are on theline.

Hunter reaches for the vibe and switches it on. “This all it does?” he asks theroom.

“Ah. There’s a switch for another setting.” I gesture to the base, and he presses it. The sound changes from low pitched tohigher.

I force my gaze away from Hunter holding the vibrator, using the excuse of clicking off the screen and shutting my laptop. "It's a growing market, and there are possibilities. But the competition's fierce. We can put together a marketing plan and copy and drive traffic, but the product has to be great. That said, we may be able to reach a lower sales volume,or—"

I let out a squeak as something hits my hand. It takes a second to realize Hunter dropped the vibe on the table and sent it rolling across the surface to its final resting place against the back of myhand.

I swallow, refusing to cringe as I reach for the vibe and switch it off, standing it on end and setting it back in the center of the table. My fist barely wraps aroundit.

"No.” His voice is commanding. Not the usual Hunter, like the cocky kid used to getting his way. This is a boardroom version that's sexy and maddening at once. “If the product won’t work, we’ll pick another one. But we’re going to sell ten thousand vibes in ninetydays."

I cut a look at Daisy to see if she’s following this, but she’s checking the time on her phone before shifting out of her chair. "Something’s come up.Rena?”

My colleague nods, then Daisy turns back to Hunter and me. “I agree the current product has limitations,” she says, meeting each of our gazes in turn. “I trust you two can agree on the rightapproach."

She's out the door with Rena before Hunter turns back tome.

“What do you mean we’ll pick anotherone?”

He stares me down. “There’re a dozen others from the company website. Choose another vibe. Sell ten thousand ofit.”

I blink athim.

I feel as if I’m in some alternate universe. All my other clients treat their work with seriousness, but with this man, it’s as if our entire project is a joke. Until his goal comes up, and the deadline. Then he’s more stubborn than anyone I’ve ever workedwith.

“What’s really going on here,Hunter?”

His jaw twitches. “What’s going on is I need you to help me sell vibrators. And I’m sparing no expense to doit.”

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