Taking Something Read Online Free Page B

time. “You're a beautiful grown woman now who can think for herself and it's about time that people appreciated the fact.” She smiled and nodded as I told her everything she wanted to hear. “I think between me, you and these two”—I pointed at Vince and Hollace—“we can figure out the perfect way to introduce your fans to your new sound while managing to pick up some new ones. A more mature sound means more mature fans.”
    “That's sounds fantastic.” Sadie smiled as she sat back down and placed her lips on the top of her sparkling water bottle.
    Her phone chimed after about fifteen minutes of me mindfucking my way into the studio.
    “My car's here,” she announced, standing up to leave. Hollace, Vince, and I all stood up to excuse her and as she leaned into hug me to thank me for agreeing to help her produce the album she wanted, I made sure to let the heat of my words hit her neck in that spot that drives all women crazy.
    “Really looking forward to seeing you again, Sadie,” I whispered.
    “Likewise,” she agreed, giving me another sultry smile as she exited the restaurant.
    “Well that went better than I'd expected.” Hollace exhaled audibly as the three of us sat back down. “I'll admit you do have a way with the ladies, Kline.” He laughed and gave me a nod of approval.
    “Yeah, nice work. But here's your real task,” Vince stated, handing me a jump drive. “These are the songs that we need Sadie to sing on her next album. They’re not what she wants to record, but it's what will sell.”
    I nodded taking the drive from his hand. So much for mixing my own original tracks. I guessed I had to take what I was given and run with it.
    “So how much creative liberty to do I have with these?”
    “It's not as teeny bopper as her last album, but it's still not what she wants,” Hollace informed me. I figured as much. “You take whatever creative liberty you need to get the job done. As long as it sounds good, I don't care.”
    That was a relief. I was fairly certain that the songs on this drive were full of tracks that lacked the artistic touch I knew I could bring.
    “Here's the other thing,” Vince broke in. “We need this album cut, polished, and a song on the radio as quickly as possible. She's been putting it off for too long. We can't keep postponing it because she's having temper tantrums.”
    “Got it.” I assured them. “Consider it done.”
    They seemed satisfied by my confidence. Honestly, they just seemed relieved to have someone else dealing with her crazy ass. We ordered lunch as they continued to tell me how important it was that Sadie sang the songs they'd given her. Apparently they'd spent a lot of money and time getting this track list specifically written for her.
    “Hey, Pops,” a voice called out behind me. “You ready?”
    I turned around to see Landry Westwood, Hollace's son and the top-selling R&B singer, standing behind me.
    Lila would have died had she been there—or at least gone into some fan-girl fit over him. Landry was the product of Hollace Westwood and his blond, centerfold mother, Evette Brady. I hated to admit it, but he was a good-looking guy. Just enough DNA from his dad's side to give him the perfect complexion and jet-black hair he wore closely cropped to his head. But the thing that made all the girls, including my favorite sister-in-law, swoon? Bright blue eyes that had come from his mother. Throw all that in the pot with the fact that he could sing in tune while simultaneously rocking his hips in rhythm and he might as well as have had “panty dropper” tattooed on his forehead.
    “You must be the new guy taking on Psycho Sinclair.” Grinning, he reached out a hand to me. “My dad mentioned you.”
    “That's me.” I smirked as I shook his hand.
    “Landry Westwood. Nice to meet you.”
    “Likewise.” I really wanted to tell him about the ideas I had for his career but didn't think it was time or place. Nothing says pathetic like being