Uncontrolled Spin: The Power and Danger of Spin ("Un"missable Series Book 1) (10 page)

Jessica sighs. “Shit. You know we don’t have that kind of money. For the expansion maybe, but not for both…”

Nate nods practically. “Then I suggest you tell Sean fairly soon and see if he is interested in working out some type of arrangement. Because at this point, I see an expansion costing in the neighborhood of three million dollars and our gross receipts are currently sitting at one million, eight hundred, thirty-one thousand dollars and twenty-two cents.”

She cringes at the comparison of numbers, hugging her coffee mug closer. “I know, but couldn’t we assume a significant increase in revenue will accompany this type of expansion?” she asks, fishing hopefully for a good answer.

He shrugs. “Probably. But in what time frame, and will it be enough to make up the difference?”

“I just don’t know right now…” she says, plopping her cheek into one hand.

“Jess, I think it’s wonderful that SGM has gone this far with us, and God knows we need this expansion desperately. But before we get caught up in the possibilities of what could be, let’s bring our situation back down to earth and have a very frank discussion with Sean about our financial position. You have done a magnificent job with this company, but now that we are seriously talking about entering into the international realm of fashion design, we will be playing in the big leagues against the big names. I just want us to approach everything realistically, honestly, and cautiously so Beauty Boutique Clothing doesn’t become another statistic of promising fashion companies that expanded too rapidly and are no longer in existence.”

“So what are you suggesting?” she asks, looking slightly deflated.

“Well, what I’m saying is, let’s proceed full steam ahead but with due caution and circumspection, that’s all. This is an enormous step—the payoffs could be outrageous, and the pitfalls could be devastating. You’re a very intelligent businesswoman, so let’s continue to check and double-check the risks versus rewards ratio and make sure we can handle both appropriately for the sake of everyone involved in this expansion. You have a great team assembled. We all love you because you have always considered the impact that every decision you have made could have on everyone on the team. Let’s never lose sight of that quality of leadership.”

“Of course not. Without each of you, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I want to make sure, if we do expand, that everyone feels and receives the benefit of our increased profitability.”

“We all know you will do the right thing, and we all have confidence in you and the Beauty Boutique’s future. Everyone here is rooting for you. So go to Brazil with Sean, check out his plan and the facility, and we can regroup after you have a better idea of everything involved with such a bold move. In the meantime, I just need you to start finalizing this season’s fashions, then focus on finalizing the next three seasons, per Sean’s suggestion. Even if you decide not to expand, having those designs finalized that far in advance could never be a bad thing.”

Jessica smiles. “You’re right, as usual. Tomorrow let’s call a meeting with the design team and develop a scheduled time frame to make sure the new designs are accomplished in the next sixty days. We have a huge start in that direction already. I think sixty days is plenty of time to accomplish that goal without stressing everyone to the max. Do you agree?”

Nate nods. “Definitely. Now go home and get some rest. It sounds like the next couple of months are going to be brutal for us both.”

Jessica arrives home later than usual, thinks about going for a run, and decides against it. Instead, she plans to draw a hot bath, light some candles, and read a good murder mystery. As she is heading to the bathroom, her cellphone rings. She looks at the caller ID with every intention of ignoring it until she sees it is Bonnie. From much experience, she knows if she doesn’t answer, Bonnie will keep calling her until she picks up. With a huge sigh, she answers the phone. “What’s up, girl?”

Bonnie launches right in. “Did you meet with Sean today? Was he a dick to you like before?” Jess smiles to herself, “Yes, I did, and no, he wasn’t.”

She hears Bonnie gasp over the line. “Why did you leave a sister hanging all day long? I have been
dying
to hear all about it.”

Jess’s smile turns rueful as she watches her dreams of a bath dissipate. “I didn’t leave you hanging. I was just walking in the door when you called me.”

“Tell me all about it.”

With a huff, Jess plops into her favorite armchair and kicks her feet over the side. “Okay. I was actually pleasantly surprised. Sean was a complete gentleman. He was thoughtful in his approach and even apologized for being an ass. He has done a lot of research and wants me to go to Brazil with him in a couple of weeks. He said we would be staying at your villa, is that okay?”

“Of course it is, sweetie, even if I didn’t know anything about it.” Bonnie chuckles. “Is this trip for business or pleasure, my dear?”

Jessica snorts, picturing Bonnie wiggling her eyebrows. “It’s all business. He wants me to tour a factory south of your villa to see if it could be converted for the use of Beauty Boutique Clothing.”

“Oh, do you mean the old Nike factory?”

“That’s the one,”

“It’s a fabulous facility. You’ll love it. How did Sean find out about it?”

“Apparently when he was down there last month, he toured the factory with the Beauty Boutique in mind, and he has a preliminary strategy for our expansion if the facility works for us.” Jess finds herself smiling again and makes a face.

“Honey, that’s amazing. So SGM is going to represent you?”

Jessica sighs again. “Not so fast, girl. All of our discussions are preliminary right now. Besides, I’m not sure I can afford SGM.”

“If Sean’s gone to that extent for preliminary discussions, he has something in mind, and he sees real potential in you and Beauty Boutique Clothing. Otherwise, he would have never gone to that extreme. I would bet you a million bucks that Sean smells money, and a
lot
of it, or he wouldn’t be going back with you, even on a preliminary basis. Unless, of course, he intends to fuck you at the villa.”

Jessica gasps. “Bonnie!”

“Well, why not? You’re a beautiful, sexy woman, and if I were male, I’d want my dick inside you.”

Jess shakes her head, chuckling a little. “You’re disgusting. Do you really think he would be plotting something like that?” she asks, a hint of concern tingeing her voice.

Bonnie chuckles. “You’d think you’d be used to me by now. And no, I have never known Sean to mix business and money with carnal pleasures. I’m just screwing around with you. The fact of the matter is that Sean probably sees an opportunity to make lots of cash, and that’s why he has done so much work before getting you signed as a client. He is also probably fully aware of where you stand financially, so he has something in mind there too, that he hasn’t revealed to anyone yet. But mark my words; he is interested in representing you. So when are you leaving for Brazil?”

“Two weeks from Thursday. Sean is picking me up at 8:00 p.m.”

“Very nice. Just remember, it’s a ten-and-a-half-hour flight in Sean’s jet, and there’s the time difference. Brazil is four hours ahead of us, so if you’re in the air by 9:00 p.m., you’ll arrive at 7:30 a.m. our time, and it will be almost noon in Brazil. You’ll need to sleep on the plane, and keep your toothbrush with you so you won’t have morning breath when you arrive.”

“Thanks for the advice,” Jess says gratefully. “Sean says he wants to hit the ground running.”

Bonnie laughs, “Hang on to your panties, because when he makes statements like that, he has a lot of work planned immediately. Be sure to rest and get ready to work at a pace only obsessed people work at. Oh, who am I talking to? You’ll be just fine; you’re a work obsessed woman. One bit of advice though: take some time for yourself over the weekend. The villa is beautiful, the staff is fabulous, and Brazil is a kick in the ass, so make time for you to have a mini vacation, okay?”

“Okay, I promise I’ll save some me time and enjoy Brazil, with or without Sean Green.”

“Oh, yeah!” Bonnie exclaims, laughing. “When you meet the factory owner, Ricardo Montes, check out his ass. He is the cousin of Mark’s business partner, Hugo. Single, rich, maybe a little creepy, but
very
sexy. Maybe you and he could—”

Jessica interrupts with a laugh and says, “Stop trying to get me laid! I’m good to go in that arena.”

She can practically feel Bonnie rolling her eyes over the phone. “Stop trying to convince me of that. What’s it been? Seven months for you?”

“Not that it’s any of your business, but I have been very busy with work.”

Bonnie snorts. “How long?”

Jess huffs out a breath, hesitating. “Well, if you really must know, it’s been a year and a month, and it wasn’t very good the last time, anyway.”

“Holy shit, girl, you better pack some lube because you have probably already dried up down under, if you know what I mean.”

“Oh my God, Bonnie, not everyone has to have as much sex as you do to be happy!” Jess exclaims.

“Bullshit!” Bonnie scolds in her crass manner, “You need to go get pounded, and soon, before you become an old spinster. Maybe you should consider one of those Internet fuck buddy sites.” She pauses as if considering which would be best, and Jessica cuts in.

“Okay, you know I love you dearly, but I’m not taking sex advice from a woman who would drop her panties for someone new every day if she wasn’t happily married. I’m not like you. You’d think you’d be used to
that
by now.”

“Well, honestly, that’s why I married Mark. He’s a pervert, and I love that about him,” Bonnie replies smugly.

“Oh, jeez,” Jess says, feeling her face pale at the images that popped into her brain. “That’s way more than I needed to know about Mark. Besides, it’s late. I’m going to bed to get some much needed rest.”

Bonnie grunts. “At least take care of yourself before you sleep.”

Jess makes a sound of frustration and exclaims, “Goodnight, Bonnie!” She immediately hangs up the phone, glaring at it for a moment before she rises and heads to her bedroom.

On the other end, Bonnie laughs and shakes her head, thinking,
Jesus Christ. After over a year without sex, I’d be such a bitch. How does she even do that and remain sane?

CHAPTER 10

TACTILE

T
wo weeks pass very quickly, and Jessica is finishing up her packing Thursday evening when she hears her doorbell ring. She looks at the clock beside her bed and smiles.
Right on time. He is prompt,
she muses. She makes her way to her front door and opens it to Sean, dressed in blue jeans and what appears to be a collared linen shirt.

“Hi, Sean. I’m a very tactile person. Is your shirt linen?” she asks, eyeing him.

He smiles at her abruptness. “No, it’s actually pima cotton.”

“May I touch it?”

“Um, sure. Why not?”

Jessica puts her hand on Sean’s chest and is amazed at the feel of his shirt, then realizes he is an extremely fit man with very firm pecs. She removes her hand from his chest, flushing, and to distract herself asks, “Why pima cotton over linen?”

Sean immediately says, “I think it breathes better and it doesn’t wrinkle like linen. I hate wearing wrinkled shirts, so pima is a better choice for me. Are you ready?”

Jessica nods. “Absolutely. I have two bags. Would you mind grabbing one for me?” Sean nods, and they grab her bags and leave her house.

Sean opens the trunk of his BMW, places Jessica’s bags inside, then opens the passenger door for her.

She looks around the interior of his car, noting the extreme cleanliness, and asks, “Are you always this fastidious in everything?”

Sean laughs, “I had the car detailed this morning so you wouldn’t be offended. Fastidious? No. Obsessive compulsive and a bit narcissistic?” He shrugs. “Probably.”

Jess laughs, too. “Narcissistic, definitely. I’ll let you know about the obsessive compulsive by the end of the weekend.”

Sean smiles over at her and says sarcastically, “Well, that is really something to look forward to.”

“Hey, you pointed out your flaws. I’ll just let you know if I agree with them by the time we return to San Francisco.”

“Well, funny, I don’t recall inviting such an analysis,” Sean chides good-naturedly.

“Too bad. It’s actually a habit of mine when it comes to business partners,” Jess responds, grinning.

They enjoy small talk during their drive to the airport, and Sean tells Jessica that she can have the sleeping berth on the jet. He will take the secondary sleep space for himself.

Jessica protests, “Oh, I couldn’t I wouldn’t want to put you out during the trip.”

Sean insists, saying, “It’s no imposition. Besides, this way you will have complete privacy so you can actually get some rest.” He drives up to the Cessna Citation and opens his trunk so the suitcases can be loaded while they board the jet. Jessica stops at the entrance of the jet, and her mouth drops open. The interior is luxurious, with a leather sofa and chairs, end tables, and a complete bedroom in the back.

The stewardess, Rachel, nods to her and gestures for her to come all the way on board. “Welcome, Ms. Silva. What can I get you to drink before we push off? Mr. Green, your scotch will be ready in a moment.”