Rock Your Body: A BWWM Romance

by Susan Westwood

  They all were more concerned about themselves and what they looked like. Not having a good time in bed. Tamra had been a wild animal.

  He slid off of her and pulled her close to him. He was still catching his breath. “You feel alive?”

  “Yes. Very.”

  “Damn. Tamra. That was amazing.”

  She turned her blue eyes to him. “Really?”

  “Seriously. And I guess it was okay for you since I may have scars on my back.”

  He rolled away so she could see what her nails had done to his back. She put a hand on them. “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. Those are badges of honor.”

  “Huh? They must hurt?”

  He rolled back. “If I take my shirt off and some guy sees those, he’ll know I got those from a woman. And that I must be pretty good at it.”

  “Really?”

  “Really. So you can mark me any time.”

  She laughed. “Okay.” She blew out a noisy breath. “We still have to do dishes.”

  “Not yet. They’ll keep for a few minutes.”

  “I may fall asleep.”

  “Then we’ll do them in the morning.”

  “I don’t want to face them then.”

  “A few minutes and we’ll get up. I need to recover,” he said.

  ***

  Detective Quinn called Kelly that night. She answered while sitting in bed. Her daughter was still up, probably on Facebook or doing her homework.

  “This is Detective Quinn.”

  “Hello. Do you have news for me?”

  “Yes, the clerk didn’t remember the person who paid for those flowers.”

  “Guess it wasn’t a young girl. He would have remembered her.”

  “Well, unless he was gay.”

  “True. So a dead end. No video in the store?” Kelly said.

  “No, it’s a fairly safe neighborhood. No burglaries or robberies, per se.”

  “Well, thanks for your time, Detective Quinn.”

  “Let me know if he received anything else suspicious.”

  “I will.”

  She hung up and her phone rang again. She was a popular gal tonight. This time it was Larry.

  “Hi.”

  She settled down into her covers, hoping this was pleasure, not business.

  A thrill went through her. “I just wanted to say goodnight,” he said.

  “Nice of you to call.”

  “Are you tucked into bed?”

  “Yes, I am. I’m under the covers in my pajamas.”

  “Oh. What do you wear to bed?”

  She looked down at her attire. “It isn’t exciting.”

  “Tell me anyway.”

  It’s a t-shirt and some pajama pants.”

  “Fun pajama pants?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Do the pants have some character on them?”

  “Tweety bird.”

  “So a t-shirt and Tweety Bird pants. I’m sure you look adorable.”

  She laughed. “Not sure about that, but you’re welcome to think so.”

  “Trust me, I have a great imagination,” Larry said.

  “Now I’m feeling a little vulnerable. You’re thinking of me naked.”

  “Well, I am a guy. A guy who is interested in you, so of course we think about someone we’re attracted to. We think about them naked.”

  “You’ve just broken the bro code.”

  “Probably, but I wrote a lot of those rules so I can break them.”

  “You are too funny,” she said. If anyone saw her they’d say she had a silly grin on her face.

  “Have you come up with some ideas for our afternoon?”

  “Yes, show me places in New York that even most New Yorkers don’t know about.”

  “Okay, deal.”

  ***

  Colin slipped out of bed when he knew Tamra was asleep. He padded down to the kitchen in just his boxers. Their dishes sat where they left them. He laughed at the sight of them.

  “Guess we had to get busy in a hurry.”

  He filled the sink with hot, soapy water and began to wash dishes. His phone was on the counter and it rang. He dried his hands and picked it up.

  “Hello Colin.”

  He hadn’t recognized the number. “Who is this?”

  “Your biggest fan. Are you safe?”

  “What?”

  He’d only been half listening to the person, but now his attention was fully on it.

  “Are you safe?” the caller said.

  “Who are you?” Colin said.

  “I’m your biggest fan.”

  He began to suspect it was a recording but he wasn’t sure. Why? Why was someone doing this? He strode out of the kitchen, hoping he could get upstairs before the person hung up. He wanted Tamra to hear this.

  “What’s your name?”

  “I’m your biggest fan.”

  He was beginning to be creeped out and chose not to turn on the hall light in case the person was outside. Tamra hadn’t gone out to check before bed. He’d distracted her.

  Now he understood her concern about getting involved with him.

  “But what is your name? Don’t you want a picture? I can sign it for you.”

  Tamra was still asleep. He nudged her awake, then turned on the light. He mouthed, “Listen.”

  He put the phone to her ear.

  “If this is a joke it isn’t funny,” she said into the phone. “This call can be traced.”

  Tamra shook her head.

  “They hung up?” Colin said.

  “Yeah.”

  She yawned.

  “Sorry to wake you.”

  “No, I’m glad you did.” She sat up. “Give me a moment then I’ll boot up my laptop and we’ll search that number. I bet it is a prepaid phone. We’ll never trace it.”

  He sat on the bed, waiting for her. His pulse was up a bit. “That was weird. How did someone get my cell phone number?”

  “There are ways for the determined. You may have to get a new number, but I’d wait until we catch this person,” she said.

  ***

  Tamra put her clothes back on and they headed down to the kitchen where her laptop was.

  “Something to drink?”

  “Just water,” she said.

  She yawned. He’d woken her up in a bad part of her sleep cycle. She might never fully wake up. Not good when she knew there was a threat to Colin. Maybe not imminent, but these things could escalate

  How had the person gotten his cell number?

  Colin poured her some water and put it next to her. He shifted a stool closer then sat on it. In her personal space.

  He had one hand on her shoulder. His touch warmed her and she knew she could get used to it. She probably shouldn’t because their lives would not work together. He craved the spotlight and she shunned it. She never wanted to be the focus of the media.

  Ever again. Someday she’d tell him that story.

  Not today. She clicked the keys on her keyboard and, of course, was unable to trace the number. “It just tells me that it was prepaid. There’s no location services and the carrier will not have any record of who bought it because the person bought it at a Wal-Mart or a convenience store.”

  “Even nowadays everything isn’t searchable?”

  “No. It’s pretty easy to stay under the wire.”

  He rubbed a hand on her neck. “Thanks for trying. “

  “It’s my job.”

  He kissed her cheek. “You going back to sleep?”

  She frowned. “Not sure I could.”

  “Sorry to wake you then.”

  “No, I needed to know this. I’ll contact the police later in the morning.” She looked around the kitchen. He hadn’t finished the dishes. “I’ll help you with the dishes.”

  He smiled. “No, I’ll do it.”

  “If you cook, I’ll clean up.”

  He cocked his head, a sexy grin on his face. “Okay.”

  “As long
as you cook. I might kill both of us with mine,” Tamra said.

  He laughed and swatted her on the butt as she moved past him to the sink. She liked the easy affection between them. And his body was beautiful. He wasn’t shy about showing it to her either.

  She dipped her hands into the soapy water and washed a dish. He came up behind her and put his arms around her, his head resting on her shoulder. “I’m glad you’re here.”

  “Did the call spook you?”

  “Yeah, it kind of did. How are you doing?”

  “Still a little off-kilter from losing my apartment. I didn’t lose anything that important, but still it was sort of a home for me.”

  “Well, your home is here.”

  “For now.”

  “For now?”

  “I can’t stay here forever. I’ll stay as long as there is a threat,” she said.

  Did he think this was permanent? That was optimistic. He’d tire of her and move onto his usual date of some more high profile and gorgeous white woman.

  He stepped away. “Really? That’s the only reason you’re staying?”

  “Well, not exactly, but I’m not counting on this being forever. I think it’s too soon to be talking about that.”

  She glanced over her shoulder at him. She’d hurt his feelings. He was pouting. It was that very moment that she knew she was in love with him.

  “Okay, I guess you’re right.”

  ***

  Colin went down to his studio after his conversation with Tamra. It had unsettled him as much as the call from his biggest fan had. She wasn’t thinking about them long term. He usually didn’t think much else. Each time he began dating a woman, he was never thinking about the end.

  He guessed no one did, but it seemed to him that Tamra already had an exit strategy. How cynical. He’d have to change her mind. She’d clearly been hurt badly once and was gun shy. He’d have to proceed carefully.

  Roger would know what to do. Colin glanced at the time and wondered if Roger would be awake. He kept odd hours just like Colin did.

  So he dialed the number. Roger answered right away, not sounding sleepy at all.

  “Did I wake you?”

  “No, I’m just waiting for Lenny to get home from work. He stayed late to clean the place for the health inspection.”

  “Nice that you two keep similar hours.”

  “It is. I’m guessing you didn’t call to talk about keeping hours.”

  “I called for two reasons. One, I had strange call today from someone who called themselves my biggest fan. It sort of sounded like a recording. The person didn’t answer my questions, just kept asking if I was safe,” Colin said.

  “Just like the card on the flowers.”

  “How do you know about that?”

  “Tamra called me. She wanted to know if you’d ever received anything like that before. Had I ever seen that wording on any correspondence you got.”

  Tamra was on top of things. He had to give her credit. “Have I?”

  “No. Not that I remember. I think she called Larry, too.”

  “Probably.”

  “So you got a call. On your cell?”

  “Yeah. Spooked me for sure,” Colin said.

  “Wow. Is Tamra back in the house?”

  “Yes.”

  Roger chuckled. “In your bed?”

  “Yeah, that too. How did you know?”

  “It was a matter of time. You guys have this vibe that would be obvious to a blind man. The way you look at each other is almost disgusting. I saw some unedited pics of your photo shoot. Steamy.”

  “Really? I hadn’t thought we were that obvious.”

  Roger laughed. “Yes, you were. What else did you call about?”

  “Well, I think Tamra’s a little skittish about this whole relationship and I want to be sure I proceed with caution.”

  “I need to be your Jiminy Cricket?”

  “Yes. Make sure I don’t do anything stupid,” Colin said. He knew he could count on Roger.

  “That’s my job anyway.”

  “Hey, it’s been a long time since I called you from some strange woman’s bed to come get me.”

  “Years thankfully, but I think you may have met your match.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I don’t think Tamra is just going to fall into line with what you want. She’s going to protect you at all costs and her job is going to come first.”

  “I guess that’s better. I’m not so spoiled as to get my way all the time.”

  “Yeah, ya are.”

  Colin laughed. “Don’t I pay you to be a sycophant?”

  “Nope.”

  CHAPTER 14

  Kelly drove to work with a smile on her face. Today was Friday. One more day of work and then she’d get to spend a half day with Larry. After last night’s conversation, she was beginning to warm to him.

  Tonight she’d do laundry after dropping her daughter off at her father’s. Hopefully she and her ex were truly on the same page about Sophie. Life was pretty good.

  Her phone rang. Since she had Bluetooth, she answered it.

  “Hi Tamra.”

  “You sound pretty cheery. You get laid?”

  Kelly laughed. “No, just in a good mood. What’s up?”

  “Colin had a strange call on his phone early this morning. The woman said she was his biggest fan and kept asking if he was safe.”

  “Just like on the card on the flowers. Must have spooked him.”

  “It did. The phone is a throwaway, but I’d like to give the number to the detective you talked to.”

  “I’ll e-mail you his information. Is Colin getting a new phone?” Kelly said.

  “Not for the time being. I was hoping if this person calls again we can track them down more easily.”

  Kelly pondered what all this meant. “How do you think she got his cell number?”

  “Haven’t figured that out yet. Any ideas?”

  “I’ll think on it. You back staying at his house?”

  “Yeah,” Tamra said.

  “How is the romance going?”

  “Really weird.”

  “Weird?” Kelly asked.

  “Well, just odd. He’s really easy to be with.”

  “Why is that odd?”

  “He isn’t how I expected him to be,” Tamra admitted.

  “You expected a brat.”

  “I did.”

  “Do you think Larry would put up with someone like that?”

  Tamra laughed. “If the person made him money.”

  “How else is it weird?”

  “He’s filthy rich. I mean a one percenter.”

  “He told you that?”

  “I asked him how much he was worth. We were having dinner and he said I could ask him anything. Not sure why that was what I thought of. I’ve never cared about money,” Tamra said.

  Kelly laughed. “That took balls, Tam.”

  “Yeah, I know and now I’m embarrassed that I know that information.”

  “He probably doesn’t care that you know. You could have Googled it instead of asking him.”

  “Yeah, I guess I could have. There’s one more thing.”

  “What?”

  “I do a search on him and there are all these pictures of him with these really hot women. I’m a little intimidated and not sure what he’s seeing in me.”

  Of course Tamra would feel that way. “You are an amazing woman. He is probably enjoying the fact that you are normal.”

  “I guess so.”

  “You don’t sound convinced. Just go with it. He’s a pretty hot guy.”

  Tamra laughed. “Do I have competition?”

  “Even if I were interested, he only has eyes for you. What do you need me to do?”

  “Nothing really. Glad we didn’t take down the cameras.”

  “Guess this case isn’t over.”

  ***

  Tamra sat at her computer, touching base with her other clients and her employees. That’
s all she could do from Colin’s house. She only stopped when her eyes threatened to droop closed.

  So she opted for a nap. Colin had not come out of the studio all morning. Before going upstairs, she checked that all the doors were locked. The outside alarm was on so she could sleep peacefully.

  She wondered what he did down in that studio, but sleep was calling and she didn’t want to disturb him.

  She dropped off as soon as her head hit the pillow. She was awakened by the outside alarm what seemed like not too long after.

  Something had breached the wall around the house. Tamra was instantly out of bed. She ran barefoot to the kitchen to grab her gun.

  Colin was just emerging from the basement.

  “Go back down and lock yourself in,” she said.

  “No.”

  “Yes.”

  She didn’t have time to argue as she jammed her feet in shoes and ran out the door. She hoped he would listen to her and not put himself in danger. With an intruder, she had enough to deal with.

  Outside the sun was shining. It seemed like a day that nothing could go wrong. Except that someone had come over the wall. She ran a perimeter of the house but saw no one. She ran the opposite way and still didn’t encounter anyone.

  She stopped in the backyard, listening. She didn’t hear anything. Her heart pumped loudly in her chest as she stood behind a tree for cover.

  Sirens sounded in the distance. Damn. She still didn’t know who had breached the wall.

  She also hoped that Colin had listened to her and was in the basement. Safe and sound. She walked slowly through the trees her eyes darting every which way. Still no sign of the intruder.

  “Put your hands in the air.”

  She did. “I’m the bodyguard.”

  “Drop the gun and get down on the ground.”

  She knew better than to argue. It had been a miscalculation on her part to be out here with a gun. She should have greeted the officers and had her gun away.

  She did as they said. An officer came up and yanked her hands behind her back, cuffed them, then yanked her to her feet. There was no need for that treatment, but then she was a black girl in a primarily white neighborhood.

  Hopefully she’d have a chance to sort it out before they got to the station.

  “You have a permit for that gun?”

  “Yes, in my purse. Inside the house.”

  “Inside the house? Huh?”