by Dani Rene
“Oh, I’m so sorry, your royal highness. In the future, I’ll ensure to tap out a message seconds before you’ve even sent yours.” She puts on her best posh voice, attempting a British accent but failing miserably, which only has me laughing out loud.
“That’s why I called.”
“Why?”
Silence hangs between us along the line before I reply, “To hear your voice.”
“Are you being cheesy again?”
Nodding to myself, I smile. “Maybe, but I’m also being completely honest. I know you don’t believe me. And to be fair, I don’t blame you, but I want to make sure that you get to know me. The real one, the person I am in the dark when nobody else is around.”
“I look forward to it,” she whispers back, and my mind is playing all sorts of filthy scenarios. Even though we’re talking about a heavy topic, the only thing I can think of as I listen to her gentle breaths as if she’s in bed. “You’ve gone quiet.”
“I’m thinking.”
“About?” Her prompt makes me want to admit what I’m thinking, but I wonder if it will be too much for her. Too much too soon. And I don’t want to offend Violet because I think we’re just moving on the right track. “I’m not a fragile flower,” she encourages when I don’t respond right away.
“I didn’t think you were.”
“Then tell me,” she coaxes, her voice lowering to a murmur.
“I was thinking about what you’re doing right now. Are you in bed? What are you wearing? And also, I wish you were next to me in my empty, cold bed.”
“Is that your British way of wooing me?” Violet teases with a playful laugh, which doesn’t help my growing erection.
“Yes, and it’s working.”
Another laugh tumbles over the line to me. Light and carefree. “And how would you know that?”
I can’t stop the grin on my face as I answer her. “Well, firstly, you haven’t hung up yet, and secondly, you haven’t refused a second date yet either.” They’re both facts. And she cannot dispute them because she’s gone silent. “Which means, my charming personality is clearly working unless you just like listening to my accent as you lie in bed, naked.”
“I am not naked!” Her outrage is playful, the giggle that greets me is music to my ears, and I want to hear it again.
“How do I know?”
“You will just have to believe me.”
“I’m sorry, I’m going to need proof,” I taunt her. The banter has my dark mood from earlier dissipating, and I enjoy the laugh that she gifts me.
“You are getting no proof,” she bites back. “I don’t send photos to guys I’ve just met.”
“How many dates does it take to get nudes?” I question, earning me a gasp of surprise. “A guy’s gotta try anything he can in this day and age.”
“You’re so annoying,” Violet declares, attempting to sound serious, but her voice is tainted with amusement.
“But, I’m making you smile.” It’s a challenge. This time, I’m not joking around. I’m serious because she is smiling, and she cannot deny it. If there’s one thing I learned in life, if you make a woman smile, she’ll end up giving you her heart. And I may not be that far down the line with Violet yet, but gut instinct tells me I will be in the near future.
16
Violet
“Smooth, Mr. B,” I tease with a grin. I feel like a teenager, talking to my crush on the phone, but deep down, that small niggle of doubt continues to take hold of me.
“Mr. B?” he questions, and I can hear the smile on his face.
“Yeah, Mr. Brazen Bachelor.” It’s the moniker they gave him for the line of underwear. He chuckles through the line, and I can’t deny it does things to me. Just the deep huskiness of his laugh sends shivers down my spine, and heat pools between my thighs.
“I think you like the fact that I’m cheeky,” he flirts. “And I think you’re lying on your bed thinking filthy things. All of those I promise to bestow on those perfect curves of yours.” His words hit me right at my center, and I have to bite my tongue because if I don’t, I will moan.
Silence fills the air between us. And I wonder if he’s hard. If his hand is there, on his cock as he talks to me. But I shake my head, hoping to clear it of all the dirty thoughts that are racing through my mind.
“Isn’t that right, Violet?” His challenge is clear. He wants me to admit how much I really like him. But I can’t, not yet.
“I think it’s time you went to bed,” I dodge instead. I’m skirting around the subject, and Colton can read right through me because he chuckles.
“I am in bed.”
“Well, go to sleep.”
“Oh, I will,” he informs me. “And I’ll dream of you.” The promise is there, and I don’t want him to take back what he just said. “Goodnight, Violet. I’ll call you tomorrow.” Before I have time to tell him anything else, he hangs up, and I’m left with a needy body and a black screen.
I glance down at the sheets tangled between my legs and wonder just what it would feel like to be beside Colton right now. How he’d feel. He definitely has my mind spinning with what he said, because yes, I had been thinking about going all the way, but then, so have many other females.
The thought of any other woman out there touching him, wanting him, or even looking his way makes me insanely jealous, but he doesn’t belong to me. Nobody owns anyone else, and I just don’t know if I would be okay with dating a man who possibly every female on the planet wants.
Sighing, I roll over, pull the sheet over my head, and allow sleep to steal me. Tomorrow is another day, and an exciting one at that.
By the time I reach the office, I’ve checked my phone for messages from the boss lady, but there have been none. The traffic was insane today, and it was the first day I chose not to take the subway. Of course, I was stuck four blocks from the office, which has now made me fifteen minutes late getting to my desk.
“Violet.” One of the receptionists sitting at the double-wide desk calls to me when I make my way onto our floor. “Something arrived for you about fifteen minutes ago. I put it on your desk.”
“Thanks, Caroline.” I smile at her. She’s one of the full-time receptionists that has been working here for as long as I have. When I get to my desk, there’s a bouquet of flowers waiting for me just like she promised.
Beside the dozen pink roses is a Venti Macchiato from Starbucks and a chocolate muffin. Thankfully, the coffee is still hot, and I take a tentative sip, sighing when the java flavors hit my tongue.
I have no time to check the card on the bouquet before my phone starts ringing. Expecting to see Clarissa’s name, I'm surprised when it’s not. Instead, I see the name I’ve been dreading since I moved to New York to get away from her and my family.
“Hello, Victoria,” I say into the speaker, plastering on a fake smile. I know it’s my fault she’s calling because I messaged her to tell her I have a date. I only did it because I needed to make her see that her previous message, telling me she’s engaged, will ensure I’ll be able to have a plus one at the wedding.
Perhaps it was me foreseeing a future with Colton, or at least, hoping for a future, but right now, I want the ground to swallow me whole. Speaking to my sister is not something I enjoy.
“Violet,” she greets in a clipped tone. “I wanted to let you know that the wedding has been moved up. We’ve decided to get it out of the way to ensure there aren’t any rumors as to when I got pregnant.” Her words slam right into my gut. My chest tightens painfully at the thought of my sister bearing a child before me. It might sound stupid, and yes, jealousy is raging inside me, but I recall her conversation with me when I told her how much I wanted a family one day.
Her admission from that day hits me in the chest. "Kids are nothing but anchors pulling you down. A career, a man, and a life come first." Those exact words had poured ice in my veins, and I realized my sister would never want a life like I did. A happy family, a husband who actually loves you,
and a home filled with joy.
“Oh,” is all I can muster as shock has probably painted my expression.
“So, I’ll be sending out the invites today. I just needed to know if you’d come. If not, I won’t bother with your invite.” I should say no. I should tell her that this is something that she’s never wanted. Instead, my sister wanted to be the best lawyer in the state. She focused on being cold and callous. She hated any family gatherings, she was appalled by shows of affection, and now, she’s building a family.
“Sure. Yes.” My stuttered words make her sigh on the other end of the line, which once again makes me feel like an idiot. Life around Victoria had been difficult. Always trying to live up to her expectations was a chore, but even though she was always a raging bitch, she is my sister.
“Great. And don’t worry about any dress fittings and such. I have Kara standing in as a maid of honor, and I don’t have any bridesmaids. I’m sure that you’d rather enjoy your time as a guest anyway.” Her icy tone makes me slump in my chair, and all the excitement of the morning dissipates along with my happiness at the flowers Colton had delivered. I know it was him because no other person in my life would do something sweet like this.
“Sure.” Once again, I’m a one-worded, mumbling idiot.
“Have a good day.” Her farewell comes in her fake happy tone before hanging up, and I sit there, gob-smacked at her for too long. My phone buzzes moments later, and I lift it, expecting an email from her telling me to come alone to the wedding, so I don’t outshine her, but it’s a message from Colton.
I open it with a heavy heart, but I don’t see what I expect him to say.
Colton: I’m taking you out tonight. Be ready at seven, and you can’t refuse. It’s already been booked and paid for.
Even though it’s a message I’d been waiting for since I opened my eyes this morning, I can’t find the joy in it. Not right now, anyway. He’s bad for me because I can see him breaking down my walls and finding the girl hiding underneath.
Moving the bouquet to the side of my desk, I open my laptop and log in. As the screen loads, I think of responding to Colton. But instead of typing out a message, I open my browser and head to the one person I trust, even though I’ve never met her.
Ida.
Once I scroll through her latest posts, I open my email and tap out an email to her, hoping as I write out my concerned query, she’ll have some form of advice for me.
Dear Ida,
Last night I went on a date with him. I wore the black dress, as you suggested, and it was perfect. The night was memorable and ended with a kiss on the cheek. Nothing more. And even though I wanted to invite him in for a drink, I didn’t. But as much as the happiness stuck with me through to this morning, I’ve been brought back down to earth by a call from my sister. My more gorgeous, more professional, and more everything sister.
I feel not good enough in every aspect of my life right now. I’m not sure what to do.
Signing off,
Frustrated in Brooklyn
I hit send and pray for a response. A quick one. Something that will confirm I’m not losing my mind. I shouldn’t let things get to me as much as they do, but I can’t stop my mind from playing tricks on me.
Settling in to work I have for the day, I focus, finding it easier as the day wears on. By lunchtime, I’m so lost in proofing my article, I don’t see the delivery guy walking up to my desk.
“Hi.” His deep voice causes me to practically jump out of my skin. My gaze flits to his in surprise, and he chuckles. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“No, it’s fine. What is this?” I gesture to the package he’s setting down on my desk before he hands me a clipboard to sign.
“Not sure, it’s for a … Violet?” he tells me.
“Thanks.” Once I’ve scrawled my signature, I hand him back the clipboard, and he’s out the door with a quick, "See ya," before I’m flicking open the package to find a plastic takeout container with salad and a soda. There’s no note, but I have a feeling I know exactly who it’s from.
17
Colton
Her call comes moments after I got the confirmation her lunch was delivered. Picking up my cell phone, I smile when I answer, “Good afternoon, gorgeous.”
“You’re very sweet,” is her reply, which makes the grin on my face crack even more. I want to show her I’m worthy of a relationship, that I can be romantic, and sweet, as well as know what she needs before she realizes it. I’ve never had to work for a woman’s attention, but I’m reveling in making her day easier.
“I told you I’m more than just a pretty face,” I tease, but she doesn’t laugh like I expect her to. “Are you okay?” The concern is clear in my voice and shocking to me. Granted, I was brought up to always respect women, but with Violet, it’s more than that. The emotion I feel is so much more.
“I will be. Perhaps we can talk tonight?” Hope rings in her voice, and I can tell she’s really looking forward to our second date.
“Yes. I’d like that. I have planned something, but if you’d rather stay in and talk, we can do that too?” Dropping my plans wouldn’t cause any issue, since it’s a friend doing a favor for me. Even though he charged me for the trip, I don’t mind, because I wanted to show Violet a magical night.
“No. I want to go. Let’s do whatever you have planned, and we can talk after?” Once again, there’s a slight hint of hope that lingers in her voice.
“Good. I hope whatever was bothering you earlier will be a thing of the past when you see what I have planned,” I tell her. With the help of Blythe, I can safely say that this may just be the most romantic thing I’ve ever done for anyone.
“I have to go, but I’ll see you later?” She poses it as a question, and it makes me smile. I want nothing more than to cheer her up today.
“You certainly will, love,” I affirm before we say our goodbyes, and I hang up. Blythe is watching me. Her gaze locked on mine. I know she wants to say something. But I honestly don’t want to hear it. However, I know my agent, and she’s not one to beat around the bush. If she has something on her mind, I can be sure I’ll hear about it.
“Are you going to make this poor girl fall in love with you?” she asks, her tone clipped, cold, just like Blythe. If I didn’t know her so well, I would think she’s angry with me, but that’s just her way. She’s got walls so high that I doubt anyone would be able to scale them.
“I don’t make anyone do anything, Blythe,” I inform her coolly. Resting my ankle on the opposite knee, I lean back and wait for the tirade. The temperature in the room drops when she sighs.
“You’re going to have her falling in love with you if you keep up this romantic shit. I know girls like her. I used to be a girl like her.”
“And someone broke your heart,” I finish for her, knowing where she’s going with this sob story. Don’t get me wrong. I do feel terrible that she got hurt, but I’m not her ex. I may have had a few too many fun times with girls, but it was mutual. Nobody ever asked me for a ring, and they knew that was the last thing I would be offering.
“I’m just saying, be careful. You live in the public eye. Girls like Violet Kennedy don’t do public.” Her gaze narrows as she regards my reaction, but I know she’s right. I can’t deny that Violet is someone who would most definitely shy away from the cameras that seem to follow my every move.
“What do you suggest? I get my arse on a plane back to London and never think of Violet again?”
“Can you do that?” Blythe challenges. We’ve known each other for years. Since I turned twenty-one, she has been my go-to for everything, and she pulled my career from a spiraling dead-end and turned it around.
If it weren’t for Blythe, I’d still be doing toothpaste commercials or trying to get into the West End. But I’m no actor. I can pose the hell of out an outfit, but standing on a stage for people to gawk at me reciting some lines wasn’t something I wanted to do. It was the second option. It was my fallba
ck.
“Perhaps not,” I admit. “If I have to be honest, I couldn’t hurt her.” My chest is tight with the admission. I haven’t said that about someone in a long time. The thought of seeing Violet cry only seems to twist guilt in my gut.
“Listen, Colt,” Blythe says, leaning her elbows on her desk. I know her speech is coming, and as much as I don’t want to hear it, I know I have to. “I like you, I like Violet from the few times I’ve come into contact with her, but you have to remember, at some point, you’re going to have to choose career or girl. Because she’s not going to want to walk out of her apartment every morning to a flood of flashlights.”
“What makes you think—”
“Because of this,” she interrupts me by sliding a stack of pages toward me. “Read it through and tell me what you think.”
I pick up what looks like a contract. An offer. The first line in bold black lettering sticks out at me like a beacon—Brazen Briefs brings you The Brazen Bachelor TV series.
Furrowing my brows, I ask, “What is this?”
“The CEO of Brazen Briefs pitched an idea to the television channels, and it’s been picked up as a series. They are in the market for the lead, and your name was thrown into the pot.”
“And they’re making an offer before they know if I can act?”
“Come on, Colt. You’re beautiful. You’re what every woman wants to see late at night on her television screen. They want you to be the face and body of the line as well as the show.”
“What does this entail?” I ask, not bothering to read the rest of the contract because I’m ready to refuse. As much as I enjoy modeling, this is a whole lot of wrong, in my opinion. If I were single, if I were someone wanting to use this to get the girls, I would sign up no questions asked. But right now, I’m not sure where I’m headed with Violet, and I don’t want to jeopardize it.
“Listen to me. If you don’t sign, just for one season, they’re pulling the contract for the underwear,” Blythe informs me with worry streaked across her expression. I don’t know why she’s so completely invested in this already. She has the money in her bank account, so there must be more to this than meets the eye.
