Bait for a Gentleman novel Chapter 16

Audrina shook her head, offering a soft smile. "Nothing."

A moment passed, and she glanced up at him again, wearing an expression that practically screamed she was dying to ask him something but was too afraid to say it.

Zachary frowned. "What exactly is on your mind?"

Audrina bit her lower lip, her voice sugar-sweet. "Darling, I need a favor."

"Spit it out."

"Our program wants to do an exclusive interview with Mr. Hawthorne." She looked at him, her eyes bright and hopeful. "But I heard he never accepts interviews, and my colleagues have been rejected multiple times trying to book him."

Zachary's gaze drifted over her.

Audrina had already changed into a pure silk robe. The thin, impossibly smooth fabric clung to her curves, cinched loosely at the waist by a delicate tie. The neckline plunged dangerously low, dipping right down to the center of her chest. It was agonizingly obvious there was absolutely nothing underneath.

She stood up from the vanity, leaning closer to the mirror as she carefully wiped away the very last trace of her lipstick.

Zachary sat on the sofa directly behind her. It felt like an eternity since he had seen Audrina look quite like this. She seemed entirely different from the woman he thought he knew.

He stood up from the sofa and closed the distance between them.

Just before his hands could settle onto her waist, Audrina gracefully sidestepped, moving toward the bathroom door. Leaning against the frame, she asked in that same honeyed voice, "Can you help me?"

Going through Zachary was undeniably the most efficient way to get to Sebastian.

At first, Audrina genuinely hadn't been sure if he would take the bait. After all, he had been nothing but cold and dismissive the day she returned.

But judging by his sudden surge of interest just now, she knew she had him exactly where she wanted him.

A scumbag through and through!

Zachary frowned slightly when she dodged his touch. Still, he asked, "You want to interview Sebastian?"

Audrina nodded eagerly. "I just started at the network, and I really want to prove myself. I know he's basically impossible to book, but you two grew up together, so I was hoping... if it's not too much trouble, could you put in a good word for me?"

Zachary looked down at her. She was beaming up at him with such flawless innocence, making her little evasion just moments ago seem like a complete accident.

Audrina continued to lay it on thick. "Please? Just let him know for me?"

Zachary let out a breath. "Fine."

It wasn't that massive of a favor anyway. If he refused to help her and she decided to go crying to Waldo about it, the old man would undoubtedly tear into him again.

Audrina smoothly pulled her robe tighter, securing the knot at her waist.

Zachary glanced at the screen. The caller ID glowed with two words: Vera Yates.

He ignored it, dismissing the call entirely.

Since he had already promised Audrina, he figured he might as well get it over with. He dialed another number.

"Sebastian, Audrina's program is looking to do an interview with you. If you have the time, do me a favor and make it happen."

Sebastian stared out into the pitch-black night beyond his window, his eyes as dark and unreadable as the city skyline.

"Sebastian?" Zachary's voice echoed through the speaker. "Are you there?"

"I'm here. Which program?" he asked.

"Kingshire Financial News. She just started working there. Cut her some slack if it's convenient."

Sebastian slowly closed the case file on his desk, meticulously twisted the cap back onto his pen, and set it down.

"It's convenient."