Page 59 of Love Under the Microscope
Her mouth is pinched, and it’s clear she’s not happy. “I tried to pull or slow funding, but then Orchid took on a life of its own with partner products like vibrators, lubes, essential oils, and fragrances.”
“That sounds like a solid business plan to me.”
“Oh, it is.” Still, she pouts like a toddler. “But I don’t like it. The truth is, I hate it. You should see the advertisement mock-ups. They’re all about love.” She scrunches her face and raises her hands in the air. “What’s that all about?”
I can’t help but smile—seeing her grumpy and angry is a new thing. She probably doesn’t mean to be, but she’s cute like this, more human, and less put together.
“Is that so bad?”
“God, yes, Jack. It is.” Her tone is full of disdain. “Orchid isn’t supposed to be about orgasms and love. It’s supposed to be about women taking control of their own lives, not popping a damn pill so they come with as much force as a tsunami and make their partner feel like a sexual god.”
Well, there’s a thought that will run around in my head forever.
“You’re right. It seems they want to market it more like the men’s version rather than something women can use for their own empowerment and pleasure.”
She gives me a small smile. “Zentello will make billions with Orchid, but it’s not what we set out to do. We had no choice but to change direction, but we should at least market Orchid prudently.”
“Are you worried about being personally linked with Orchid if Nigel exposes you?”
“I am, not because I’m ashamed of Orchid, even though I hate the fucking storyboard they want to use for the advertisement, but everyone else, including Nate and his brother, Ashton, agrees this is the way to go. If it came down to a vote, Mr. Z would lose.”
The darkening of her eyes tells me that doesn’t happen often, which is why she’s so upset by this, but that there might be more here. Shit. I might have enough for an entire series of articles. If she agrees. “I can see that you’re angry.”
She shrugs. “I’m more disappointed than angry. I’m a private person who likes control over her life. If Nigel exposes what he knows, then I lose anonymity. People will discover the truth, that I created Orchid and am Mr. Z. That’s why I need to find those pages, so I can take back control from him.”
Her words give me an idea. Not that I want to take advantage of the situation, but this would help both of us. “I know how you can take back control.”
CHAPTER 14
ZELDA
Do I want control back? Yes, but something about Jack’s tone puts me on guard. “Let’s go into the living room.”
I grab the newly opened bottle of beer and leave the kitchen without waiting for Jack’s reply. I can’t believe I actually told him everything. Well, not everything.
As I plop onto the couch and curl my feet under me, I take a sip of beer. He’s right. This is better than what he brought. I hear Jack puttering around the kitchen. “Are you coming?”
“As soon as I clean up and put the leftover pizza in the fridge.”
For a journalist, he’s not such a bad guy. Nigel, however, is a fucking liar, so what he said about me being bad at sex has to be another lie. I enjoy sex. No one has ever complained to me nor walked out, never to return after a round of sex. Deep down, I believe Nigel’s only trying to get a rise out of me by hurting me. Still, I’m embarrassed by what he said about me. I don’t know why his criticism rattles me so much.
Heat pools on my cheeks. Oh shit. I don’t want Jack to see me like this.
I place the beer bottle against my carotid artery for a few seconds, then move it to the one on the other side of my neck. I hope that’s long enough to cool my flush.
I try to push Nigel’s words out of my mind. I could just have sex with Jack and ask him if it’s good. That’s one way to prove Nigel wrong.
Ugh. Why the hell am I thinking about having sex with Jack?
I take another drink. “Maybe we should just storm Nigel’s house with machine guns blazing.”
Jack carries his beer into the living room. “Machine guns blazing?”
“Just thinking out loud.”
“Well, if that’s your next plan, I’m out.”
I laugh. “Can you really see me storming his house like that?”
