Chapter 472 - Proposal I

Chapter 472: Chapter 472 - Proposal I

Roxie checked the address on her phone before looking up at the enormous townhouse.

"Damn Prescott."

She’d already searched the property online, but seeing it in person was another matter. The building was beautiful, with tall windows, expensive stonework, and an entrance that looked like it belonged to a luxury hotel.

The idiot actually bought himself a mansion.

She smiled briefly, remembering how Zac used to talk about buying an enormous house when they were teenagers. Apparently, he’d meant every word.

Roxie adjusted her cream blouse and walked toward the entrance. She’d spent the afternoon preparing her interview proposal, and although she’d rather have spent the evening doing practically anything else, she was determined to make this meeting worthwhile.

She needed Zac to agree. She could admit that much to herself.

A woman in a dark suit greeted her at the door and invited her inside. Roxie followed her through an entrance hall that was probably larger than her apartment’s living room. Beautiful paintings decorated the walls, and the furniture looked expensive enough that she wondered whether anybody actually sat on it.

"Would you like something to drink, Ms. Jones?"

"Water would be lovely, thank you."

"Certainly. Mr. Prescott is in the gym. I’ll take you there."

Roxie paused. "The gym?"

"Yes, ma’am. He’s expecting you downstairs."

She checked the time on her phone. Eight o’clock.

Well, perhaps he was finishing something. Professional athletes had demanding training schedules, and she was visiting his home at night. She could be understanding about that.

Besides, she’d come here asking for his help.

The woman escorted her downstairs and opened a set of glass doors.

"Mr. Prescott, Ms. Jones is here."

Roxie stepped inside.

Zac was working out.

He was shirtless, wearing black athletic shorts, and lifting weights in a private gym that looked better equipped than most fitness centers she’d visited.

He glanced at her through the mirror.

"Hey."

"Hi, Zac."

She smiled politely, ignoring how ridiculous it felt to greet him like a business acquaintance after everything that had happened in Italy.

"Thanks for agreeing to see me."

He acknowledged that with a slight nod and continued lifting.

Roxie looked around while the woman placed her water on a nearby table and left them alone. Several weight racks occupied one side of the room, while cardio machines and recovery equipment filled the other. Apparently, Zac had invested in enough equipment to train an entire football team without leaving his house.

"Impressive setup," she said.

"Thanks."

He finished another repetition, and Roxie waited for him to put the weights down. Instead, he continued.

Well, all right.

"I appreciate you making time for this. I know your schedule’s busy, so I’ll try to keep the discussion brief."

"Go ahead."

She glanced at him. He was still lifting.

"Would you prefer to finish first? I can wait."

"I’m listening."

Roxie hesitated before nodding.

"Okay. Well, I wanted to discuss the possibility of having you as a guest on my interview series. I mentioned the program in my message, but I brought a proposal in case you’d like to review it."

Zac continued exercising, so she took her laptop from her bag and settled at the small table near the windows.

She could do this. She’d negotiated interviews with politicians who refused to answer the simplest questions and executives whose publicists practically had to approve their breathing.

At least she already knew how to deal with Zac’s personality.

"Our series focuses on successful personalities and the experiences behind their careers," she began. "The first episode featured Natalie Brooks, and we’re currently looking for guests from different industries. I think you’d be an excellent fit."

Zac pulled the weight toward himself.

A low grunt escaped him as he completed the repetition.

Roxie’s eyes moved toward him.

Oh.

Sweat had gathered across his shoulders and chest, and his muscles tightened as he worked through another repetition. A thin trail of moisture slipped down his abdomen before disappearing beneath his waistband.

She swallowed and returned her attention to the laptop.

God.

She’d seen him naked a few weeks ago. She knew perfectly well what he looked like, and yet watching him exercise was apparently enough to make her forget what she’d been saying.

"Anyway, I’d like to focus on your career beyond football. Your investments, endorsements, and the businesses you’ve established. Most of your interviews revolve around the NFL, and I think viewers would appreciate hearing about your other accomplishments."

Zac exhaled sharply through his teeth as he pulled the weight again.

Roxie’s fingers stopped over her keyboard.

Fuck.

That sounded familiar.

She remembered hearing him breathe like that in Italy, and the memory brought an embarrassing rush of warmth to her face.

She was supposed to be asking this man for an interview, and her mind had decided to revisit the night they’d spent together.

"How long?" Zac asked.

Roxie blinked. "What?"

"The interview."

"Oh! Approximately an hour, although we can adjust that depending on your schedule. We’d also coordinate with your management team regarding filming arrangements."

He nodded and continued.

Roxie tried to find her place again. The room was air-conditioned, but she was beginning to feel uncomfortably warm. Every time he exerted himself, another rough breath escaped him, and she kept remembering things that had absolutely nothing to do with her proposal.

Was she seriously getting turned on while asking for a professional favor?

She pressed her thighs together beneath the table, irritated with herself.

Then she glanced up and caught Zac watching her through the mirror.

His mouth curved slightly.

Oh, that bastard.

He’d noticed.

She looked down immediately, her face growing even warmer.

Wonderful. Just fucking wonderful.

"So, what do you think?" Roxie asked after explaining the format.

"About?"

She looked at him.

"The interview."

Zac finished another repetition. "What about it?"

Roxie took a quiet breath, reminding herself why she’d come here.

"I wanted to know whether you’d be interested in joining the program. I understand you receive plenty of invitations, but I believe this could be a worthwhile opportunity."

"For you."

Roxie blinked.

"Well, yes, the show is still growing," she admitted. "We gained more than three thousand subscribers after the Giants clip went viral, and our first interview is finally getting attention. I’m hoping to build on that."

"Hah."

Zac returned the weights to their rack and selected another pair.

Roxie watched him.

That was it?

She’d explained the format, the potential audience, and why his participation would be valuable, and all he’d given her was a dismissive little sound.

She tightened her fingers around the edge of the laptop.

Still, she tried again.

"If you’re concerned about the topics, we can agree on the general scope before filming. We can also arrange a private location if you’d prefer to avoid unwanted attention."

Zac continued lifting.

"Obviously, your schedule would be our priority. Victor can coordinate with your representatives, and our production team can handle the arrangements."

Another repetition.

Roxie waited, hoping he’d finally say something useful.

He exhaled heavily and lifted again.

She glanced toward the clock.

Nearly half an hour.

She’d spent almost thirty minutes making a professional proposal while he behaved like she was some annoying salesperson who’d interrupted his evening.

Perhaps she was expecting too much. Zac had always been arrogant, and she knew he enjoyed getting on her nerves.

But this felt different.

She was asking him for help, something she’d already found humiliating enough after the way they’d parted in Italy.

And he knew it.

Roxie closed her laptop.

"Zac, would you prefer that we schedule another meeting? I can come back when you’re available to discuss this properly."

"I’m listening."

"I know, but I think we’d have a more productive conversation if we could sit down and discuss the proposal."

"Then discuss it."

She stared at his reflection.

Was he deliberately trying to make her feel stupid?

Zac looked at her through the mirror.

And smiled.

That fucking smile.

Something inside her finally snapped.

"Just fucking tell me if you want this or not!"

Zac stopped.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Roxie regretted raising her voice, especially after spending the entire evening trying to remain professional, but she’d reached her limit.

Zac returned the weights to their rack and walked toward the bench opposite her. He picked up his towel and took his time wiping the sweat from his face and neck before dragging it across his chest.

Roxie’s eyes followed the movement.

Fuck her eyes.

And fuck him.

She looked away, furious with herself for still finding him attractive when she was already angry enough to scream.

When she glanced back, Zac was sitting on the bench with his elbows resting on his thighs.

He was looking directly at her.

Smirking.

The bastard.

He’d done it deliberately.

He knew she was trying to stay polite because she needed something from him, and he’d been enjoying watching her struggle.

"Finished?" he asked.

Roxie narrowed her eyes. "With what?"

"Complaining."

She inhaled slowly.

"Zac, your representative specifically told me to contact you. You invited me to your house at eight, and I’ve spent the past half hour talking while you exercise. If you’re interested, I’d appreciate an answer. If you’re busy, we can arrange another time."

Zac leaned back slightly, still holding the towel.

"You came here because you need me."

Roxie stared at him. "Excuse me?"