Page 46 of Shot Taker

New and different.

“That’s it!” I exclaim, pressing a hand against his chest. “I’m adding to the original concept. I could make the case that the changes aren't covered by the contract.”

His fingers dig into my bare thigh. “Then what?”

I blink at him. “Then I’ll ask for more.”

But my words sound weak even to my own ears. I can’t picture asking James for more money.

“Based on what?” he levels immediately.

When Clay’s fingers find the wide leg of my shorts and slide up the inside, I hiccup.

I should be stopping him. I know what happens when I let my guard down with Clay.

“Based on how much merchandise you sell in the Bear Cave every night, you’d make more than that in a week.”

Instead of looking satisfied, the lines on his forehead deepen.Wrong answer.

"Actually, probably more than that in a day,” I amend. I was always decent enough with numbers to calculate in my head. “And fans love new concepts.”

His eyes meet mine, and something in them makes me shiver. I'm getting bolder and more shameless with each breath, and it excites him.

I feel powerful, and it’s a strange and heady thing.

“How much did you make this year?” I toss.

He lifts a shoulder. “Forty mil. Give or take.”

I try not to faint at the outrageous number.

“Then I’m already winning,” I decide.

“How do you figure?” His voice is husky.

“Well.” I gesture to our relative positions. “You make forty million dollars… but I’m the one on top.”

I swear his grin lights me up everywhere.

12

NOVA

Icheck my watch for the third time as I shift in the chair outside James Parker’s office.

“It’s a busy day,” the woman at the desk says semi-apologetically. She picks up her phone and punches a contact. “Yes, sir. Nova’s here.” Her gaze flicks to mine. “Yes, of course.” Her finger punches a button—mute, probably, from the way she addresses me at full volume. “He sends his apologies but says it would be best if you continued working on the wall.”

“I’m afraid I can’t move forward until we talk.”

Her lips purse, and she presses the button again. Before she can answer, the door swings open and the owner’s head appears.

“Nova. Please come in.”

The one and only time I negotiated for my salary at the design firm, they turned me down, citing budget issues. But it left me feeling as if I didn’t matter, as if my work didn’t matter.

The first week here, I was so worried about messing up that it never occurred to me I wasn’t getting my share.

Talking with Clay helped me see how I can advocate for myself, in a way that’s fair and reasonable, even in unfamiliar territory.

---