by E. L. Todd
“He basically threatened to kill you.”
I rolled my eyes. “I’m like a cat. I have nine lives.”
“And what life are you on now?”
I thought of all my close calls, all the assignments that were too dangerous for people to take. “Probably five.”
“Then you’re running out.”
“Eh.” I shrugged. “We gotta die sometime, right?”
He swirled his glass again before he took a drink. Then it was empty, and he pushed the glass to the edge of the table, as if he knew it would get the attention of the busty bartender.
It did. She came right away and refilled his glass.
“Thanks.” He pulled it back to him and took another drink.
Damn, this man could drink.
“What was your most dangerous assignment?”
“Iraq.”
His eyebrows rose again, slightly.
“ISIS.”
“You went alone?”
“It’s actually easier to travel alone than in a group. Draws less attention.”
He stared at me, that focused stare, like he had no problem with intimacy, like he was so confident that silence only strengthened him, not weakened him. Without saying a word, he expressed his opinion, found me respectable rather than crazy. “How long were you there?”
“About four weeks.”
“That’s a long time.”
“When it comes to complex situations like that, it takes time to really understand the problem, to get people to trust you enough to talk, to share information with you that could get them beheaded. I’m usually working on multiple stories at a time, so I also utilized that stint to discuss life for the women there, the sexism and prejudice they face on a regular basis.”
“And the danger doesn’t scare you?”
I shook my head before I took a drink. “I can handle myself.”
He looked into the contents of his glass, a slight smile on his lips. “I believe it.”
It was surprising how many men chose to give me a lecture about my profession, especially when I never asked. They warned me about the dangers, that it was no place for a woman, that I should stick to the lifestyle section of the paper—even though there wasn’t one. “So, why is a hunk like you sitting alone in a bar?” Guys like this didn’t grow on trees. When they did exist, they were usually so arrogant and stupid that a simple conversation with them was painful. But this guy seemed to have the looks…and the brains.
“My date canceled.”
“This must be a blind date, then. Because if she knew what you looked like…” I shook my head. “That bitch definitely wouldn’t cancel.”
A slight smile spread his lips. “No, we know each other.”
I appreciated the fact that he didn’t lie, that he didn’t just say whatever I wanted to hear to get into my pants. A man like him probably had regulars on top of regulars. There was never a lonely night. If he wanted someone, he could just send a text, and she’d show up at his door in a few minutes, like hot pizza delivery.
I would love to be one of his regulars.
“But I’m glad she canceled.”
I tried to suppress my grin by drinking from my wineglass, not letting that comment get under my skin. But he was smooth, and after I licked my lips, I smiled.
“I never would have met such a badass woman.”
“Badass, huh? I think most people would just call me a bitch.”
“Sometimes I wonder if they’re the same thing.” He took a deep drink then licked his lips.
I liked that comment—a lot. “You want to go out Saturday night?” I had no problem asking a guy out. If I waited until the end of the night, it was guaranteed he would make a pass at me. But I never liked to wait for things to happen to me. I chose to happen to things.
He didn’t smile, but his eyes lit up a bit. “I’d love to.”
I pulled out my phone then stared at him.
He smiled then told me his number.
I wrote it down and quickly typed Boy Toy #2 under his name. Then I put my phone back into my clutch. “I’ll see you then.” I grabbed the glass and finished the rest of my wine. “And thank you for the wine.”
He didn’t ask why I was leaving or where I was going. He watched me scoot out of the booth and stand. “Dax.”
“Carson.”
He got to his feet then extended his hand to me.
I took it, giving him a firm shake. “Really nice to meet you, Dax.”
He squeezed my wrist gently before he let me go. “The pleasure is mine, Carson.”
“Oh my god. Shut up and listen to me.” I walked through the door and tossed my clutch on the entryway table.
Charlie stilled at the round dining table, his notes scattered around him next to his laptop. He looked up, bewildered by the comment. “Done and done.”
I sat in the chair across from him and slipped off my pumps, my feet screaming from the long walk from the bar to our apartment. “I met the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen. He’s got dark eyes, which I love, and this sexy stubble on his jaw.” I dragged my fingers across my jawline, where his hair would be. “He’s got dark hair too. You know, dark and dangerous kind of vibe. And he’s the strong and silent type. Doesn’t say much. Damn. Sooooo sexy.”
Charlie stared at me blankly. “Then why are you home right now?”
“Come on, I’m not gonna go home with him right away.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Because…?”
“Because I want him to think about me for a bit. That way, when it does happen, it’ll be super hot. You know, I’ll send him texts of me in my lingerie, make him look forward to it. He’ll be like a bronco coming out of the chute.”
“When are you seeing him?”
“Saturday.”
“You’re bringing him along, then?”
“Yep.”
“What about Boy Toy #1?”
“What about him?” I asked. “He sees other people, and so do I.”
“But I thought you liked him.”
“I do.” I was playing the field and loving every second of it. I liked having a man to call when I needed some companionship. Men had regulars all the time, so why couldn’t I? Dax probably had a message box full of admirers. Why couldn’t I have the same? I never led anyone on. My complete detachment was clear.
“So…are we going to talk about what you actually went out for?”
“Oh shit.” I smacked my forehead playfully. “Of course. Well, Jerry is a big sleazebag—”
“Guys who commit corporate fraud tend to be.”
“He was picking up a whore when I intervened. I tried to grind him down, but he wouldn’t talk. Told me to mind my own business if I didn’t want to end up in an oil drum.”
“And that doesn’t concern you?” he asked with a raised eyebrow.
“You know how many times I’ve been threatened like that?” I started counting on both hands. “Like a hundred times. And I’m still here.”
He shook his head slightly. “So, he wouldn’t go on record?”
“Nope. Douchebag.”
“Can’t blame him for not incriminating himself.”
“But he seems to think they might get away with it, even though they’re being investigated. Getting those fancy lawyers won’t save his ass.”
“Those fancy lawyers save most asses.”
“Well, my article will rip them all to shreds.”
“And probably have no real consequence, because the bad guys always get away with everything.”
It was depressing to think about, but it wouldn’t change my integrity. My articles made a difference, changed the world, broke the news people least expected. I’d had articles that launched investigations from the CIA and the FBI. “This article will be different.”
“Hope so. Did you tell Vince?”
I nodded. “I sent him a text. He didn’t respond.” I relaxed into the chair and crossed my legs. “Have you bagged any dates lately?”
I pitied Charlie because he was in a complicated situation—and there was nothing he could do about it. “You know, I could always move out…” Charlie was my closest friend, and I loved living with him. Our personalities were compatible, and we balanced each other out. Some people thought it was strange to have a guy roommate and assumed we hooked up all the time, but there was no attraction between us. “Move in with Denise or something.”
He shook his head. “It’s okay, Carson.”
“I just don’t think it’s ever going to get better. Maybe some space will be good.”
He shook his head again. “Carson, you’re my person. I don’t want to sacrifice this friendship for anything.”
I grinned. “I thought Matt was your person?”
He chuckled. “He’s my best friend, but I can’t talk to him the way I talk to you.”
“Because I’m a woman?”
“No. You just understand me better. I tell you things without getting judgment in return. We work together, so I have someone to talk about those things with. I’m not sure what I’m going to do, but I don’t want you to move out.”
I leaned over the table and smiled at him. “You love me.”
He rolled his eyes.
“Come on, admit it.”
“I’d rather die.”
“Oh, shut up.” I swatted his hand where it rested on the table. “I’m your bestie.”
“Matt is technically my bestie—”
“But if you can’t say that to his face, then it doesn’t count.”
He sighed in defeat. “Fine… I love you.”
I grinned wide, with a hint of victory. “I love you too, Charlie.” I blew him a kiss.
He brushed it away with his hand.
I chuckled at his rejection. “Looks like we’re roommates forever.”
“I hope not. I was hoping to get a raise or promotion at some point.”
“Yeah, that’s never going to happen.” There just wasn’t enough money in publishing. People wanted free content, so no one bought newspapers anymore. If this were fifteen years ago, I’d be making a phenomenal salary, but now I made just enough to live in the city. But I’d never been in this for the money, so it wasn’t an issue. I would probably have a roommate for the rest of my life. “But we’re going to be together forever, so it’s fine.”
“I do want a wife and kids at some point.”
“That’s fine. I can just live with you guys.”
He chuckled. “That would happen, wouldn’t it?”
“Yeah, because whoever you marry is gonna be an awesome chick, so we’ll be best friends, naturally, and she’ll never want me to leave. Plus, free babysitting.”
“And what about when you get married?”
I continued to plaster the smile on my face, but it was forced. I didn’t feel it in my heart where it belonged. “I’m too wild to settle down. With all the travel required for my job, the late hours, and the alleyway meetings…it’s not for me. Plus, you know how many hot guys I’m gonna meet?”
Charlie watched me with a stern expression, but his eyes slowly turned apologetic, like he didn’t believe a word I said but chose to let it go. “Yeah…a ton.”
Three
Carson
Kat stood beside me at the high-top table, her untouched cosmo in front of her. She kept glancing at Charlie and Matt at the bar, her long dark hair pulled over one shoulder. “So, where’s this guy?”
“I don’t know. I told him to meet me here thirty minutes ago. I’ve sent him lots of dirty pictures throughout the week, so he’ll definitely show.”
“Ooh, let me see.”
I pulled out my phone and showed her the pictures, wearing a bodysuit in one, a baby doll in the other.
“Damn, girl. You look hawt.” She scrolled through the pictures. “He’ll definitely show up. No doubt about it. He’s totally jerked off to these, by the way.”
“I’m waiting for the real thing.”
Both Kat and I snapped our heads in his direction, seeing him standing at the table beside us, drink in hand, looking sexy as hell in a black t-shirt and jeans. He gave us a slight smile as he regarded us.
Kat dropped the phone onto the table, where it made a loud clank. Then she turned to me and whispered, “You weren’t kidding…he’s super hot.”
“Girl, if I say a man is hot, he’s hawt,” I whispered back.
His eyes shifted back and forth between us as he could hear every word. He grinned slightly, like he was amused by it.
“I’m gonna excuse myself to the restroom to give you a second to chat,” Kat said. “But ask if he has any hawt friends.” She gave my side a gentle pinch before she turned to him and shook his hand. “Kat. Lovely to meet you.” She winked then headed to the restroom with her clutch under her arm.
Now that she was gone, he moved closer to me, a scotch in hand. “I’ve got a few guys.”
“Ooh…perfect.” I held my cosmo as I came close to him, my hand sliding over his forearm casually, lightly giving him affection without overdoing it.
His eyes moved down to my body, looking at my figure in my tight dress. He wasn’t discreet about it because he didn’t want his intentions to be discreet. He pivoted his body toward me, pulling his arm away from my touch and placing it on my hips, bringing us closer together so our mouths were close.
Jesus Christ, he was so hot.
His stubble was gone because he’d shaved, but it showed off his rugged chin, his sexy lips. His brown eyes were deep and complex, like he had a million thoughts going through his brain at once. His hand was large against my body, with long fingers and webs of veins all over the top. “It’s been a long week.”
“Yeah?”
“Torturing me with those photos.”
“Torture?” My fingers immediately moved to his chin, feeling the softness now that the coarse hair had been removed. My thumb swiped across his bottom lip, wanting to feel his gorgeous features with my bare fingertips. “Honey, you ain’t seen nothing yet…”
His eyes darkened slightly, the change of expression so subtle it was easy to miss. But it was obvious to me, sexy to me. He could convey so much with just his looks, his sexy, brooding lips.
Matt and Charlie came back to the table with their drinks.
“Damn, that was fast.” Matt set his beer on the table. “Leave the woman alone for a minute, and a new man is up to bat.”
I kept my eyes on Dax, my fingers moving down his neck to his chest—his rock-hard chest. “This is the super-sexy guy I was telling you about.” I turned away and looked at Charlie. “Dax, this is Charlie, my bestie.”
“Hey.” Charlie moved his hand over the table to Dax.
Dax took it and shook.
“Wait, bestie?” Matt asked, looking at Charlie. “I thought I was your bestie?”
Charlie rolled his eyes. “You’re a guy. You can’t be my bestie.”
“But I’m gay,” he snapped. “I’m totally qualified.”
I snapped my fingers repeatedly. “Matt, focus. This is Dax.”
“Sorry.” Matt shook his hand. “And you’re right, he’s gorgeous.” He winked at Dax.
Instead of being uncomfortable, Dax grinned. “Thanks.”
“You got any gay bros with you?” Matt asked.
Dax shook his head. “Unfortunately, no.”
“Damn.” Matt took a drink of his beer.
Charlie looked past me. “Denise is here.”
“Ooh.” I looked past Dax and saw her walk inside wearing a short pink dress. “And she’s fire.”
Dax didn’t turn to look, his arm remaining around my waist. “You’ve got a lot of friends.”
“Actually, she’s my older sister. But she’s also a bestie.”
Denise came to the table and hugged Matt before she turned to Charlie. “Hey.” She hugged him next.
Charlie’s arms wrapped around her waist, and he
held her, his arms completely covering her body, holding her tight, embracing her much longer than a typical hug.
I waved my hand in front of his face while she looked the other way. “Keep it together,” I mouthed.
Charlie gave me a glare before he released her. “Can I get you a drink?”
“Sure. A cosmo would be great.”
“Got it.” Charlie headed to the bar.
Denise turned to me and hugged me. “You look so good in black.” Then she turned to Dax. “Oh geez, you weren’t kidding.” She looked at me and waggled her eyebrows.
“Dax, this is my sister, Denise.”
“Nice to meet you.” Dax shook her hand before he looked at me. “Anyone else coming?”
“Nope. That’s my crew.”
Kat returned from the bathroom and hugged Matt. “Saw a hot guy by the bathroom.”
“Ooh, thanks for the lookout.” He hugged her back then pulled away. “You look hot, by the way.” He gave her a thumbs-up. “Break some hearts tonight. Or break some dick.”
She chuckled then fell into a conversation with him.
Charlie came back with the drink and talked to Denise.
I turned back to Dax, my hand sliding over his hard stomach, the chiseled abs underneath that soft cotton. “You shaved.”
“You like it?”
“The shadow is hot, but I like it this way too.”
His arm curled around my waist again, and he pulled me close. “How’s that article coming along?”
I rolled my eyes. “The sleazebags don’t want to talk. But that’s fine. I’ve hit up the banks and talked to a few people there. I’ve got enough for the article, but I’d really like to pack it with quotes and as many incriminating facts as possible.”
“You sound more like a detective than a writer.”
“You have to be sometimes.”
“You’re fearless. Pretty sexy.”
“Yeah?” My arms moved around his neck, and I held him close.
He nodded. “I can see you’ve mentioned me to your friends.”
“Oh, I’ve been talking about you all week. I would hope you’ve been doing the same.”
His hand flattened against the curve in my back, taking up most of my body. “I’m not really a kiss-and-tell kinda guy.”
