by Kacey Shea
“We. Are. Not. A. Boy. Band,” one of them enunciates. He holds my eyes with his intense glower. The room remains silent. Oh, shit. I guess I shouldn’t have said that out loud. He stands, stretches his tall, slender build to his full height and swaggers toward me, slow and with purpose. I gulp and lick my lips.
Black skin-tight jeans ride low on his hips and are tucked into his combat boots. A fitted vintage tee gives way to arms covered in tattoos all the way to his fingers. His dirty blond hair is long, the curls hanging about halfway down his neck. His deep green eyes imprison mine from where he stands, resting his hands in his back pockets.
“Who the hell are you?” His eyes travel over my body in a lazy manner. My body warms with pleasure at his perusal despite the harsh tone of his words.
“Kate. Kate Bryant. Nice to meet you…” His eyes crinkle at the corners, and he glances around, making brief eye contact with those in the room before meeting my stare.
“Trent. Trent Donavan. Nice to meet you, Kate.” He offers his hand and I place my own firmly inside. I meet his stare with a confidence I can only conjure. His touch sends a shiver down my spine and I resist the urge to display a reaction. After putting my foot in my mouth I need to salvage this.
“I apologize. I didn’t mean any insult to you or the band. I was just taken aback by the collective sexiness between the four of you. You must really drive your fans wild on stage. I mean, I can only imagine.” I laugh, nervous but aiming to ease the tension that fills the room.
Trent releases my hand and glares.
“So how’d the Three Ugly Guys name come about? You are all obviously great looking.” At my question, a grin pulls at his lips.
“I’m the best looking, so the others are obviously the ugly ones.” He shrugs and holds my gaze with a twinkle in his eyes as the other members pipe up.
“Not a chance in hell. Y’all are some ugly ass motherfuckers.”
“Ha! No way. I’m best.”
“Nada… sorry to say chicks dig the piercings, I’m obviously the best.” They continue arguing and Trent smiles. I inhale sharply. Dear God, he’s beautiful.
“So, you get the gist, right? This is how the band name came about.” His teasing gives hope that I haven’t completely sabotaged this meeting. A smile plays at my lips.
“I can only imagine. It must be difficult working with such sexy beasts. Y’all argue over which one is the baby Jesus of the group?” Trent’s booming laugh silences the room.
“Marc, Steph, you really ought to prep your team before meeting with new clients. Seems like our girl Kate here has never seen us before. I kinda like it, though. Do we get to work directly with her?”
The way he says Kate sends shivers up my arms. Oh, fuck me. These clients will star in my fantasies for weeks to come. Focus, Kate. I need to keep my head clear and on task for the next few hours.
“Yes, Kate here is our Director of Client Relations. She will be your go to for anything and everything.” Thanks Marc. The way he speaks insinuates I’ll be available for more than just professional matters.
“Well, now that the whole team is here, why don’t we go to lunch and talk business. We’re extremely honored to be considered for the upcoming projects and we’d like to hear more about what you’re looking for.”
Steph speaks and brings the band’s attention to where she sits across the table. I step to the side, needing to put space between myself and Trent. The look he gave me earlier reminds me of the Big Bad Wolf and what troubles me is my initial instinct to put on a red hood.
“Okay, then, let’s head out. Kate, you and I will drive.” Marc nods my way.
“I call shotgun!” Trent winks and struts to my side. He meets my gaze with heat. Sex on a stick, that’s what he is. Oh hell. This will either be the best or worst client meeting of my life. I itch for my yoga mat. I already feel a loss of control as this rocker’s eyes bore into mine.
I turn on my heel and take long strides on my way out to the lot. I don’t bother to check if everyone else follows. Fuck. I cannot lose control right now. I’ve worked too hard to get to this place. I channel my breathing techniques and mentally steel myself for the panty melting smiles Trent’s sure to throw my way. I am Kate mother-fucking Bryant. No man can break me.
Clicking my fob to open the car doors, I turn to see the band and owners have made their way outside. I flash my most seductive smile. “Okay, ugly boys, who’s riding with me?”
“YOU AREN’T SLEEPING WITH MY best friend, are you?”
Fuck. Is Evie a mind reader now? I’ve spent the day working side by side with QT on our current case load. All the while attempting, unsuccessfully at that, to get the image of Kate bent over in front of me as I slid in and out of her sweet, wet—oh hell. I’m doing it again. I can’t for the life of me get our night together out of my head.
Living with the damn temptress isn’t helping, either. Catching her practice yoga every morning in her panties has my imagination going wild with all the ways we’d fit together. And it pisses me off that she acts as though nothing ever happened. I mean, I know that’s how we settled things. I knew the score when we crossed the line, but I want more. More than she’s willing or wanting to give. Irritating. I need to man up and get over it already.
I close out of my laptop browser and spin my chair to face Evie. I force a casual grin. “Now, where did you get that crazy idea, QT? Kate and I are more likely to murder each other than go there.” Relief fills her face and her shoulders relax into the chair.
“Oh, good. I don’t know, I guess I always thought there might be something between you two, and now with you living in close quarters… she’s single, you’re single… It’s not so crazy to think it could happen. Besides, Tate has this theory that your anger toward her is just pent up sexual frustration.” She laughs and I try to join in. Of course, Evie’s boyfriend sees past my front. I’ll have to do a better job at leveling out my reactions to Kate.
“Crazy, I know. I told him to leave the matchmaking to me.” She smiles and I’m relieved. I don’t want to lie to Evie, but I made a promise to Kate that I wouldn’t say anything, and I always honor my word.
My cell sounds from the desk and I answer, glancing to see a blocked number flash across the screen. “Harper and Beltran, this is Jon.”
“Beltran, Collier here. You got a sec?”
Detective Collier works for Scottsdale PD and we became business associates after a private investigation case almost turned deadly. Since then, he’s put a good word in for me and I take on contract work with the department on a regular basis. I respect his no bullshit attitude. You always know what you’re getting with Collier.
“Yeah, what can I do for you Detective?”
“We’ve got a bite on an underground drug and gambling ring. I could use some help casing a few locations and potential players. Not the usual suspects, though. These guys are mid-fifties to mid-sixties, retired, no priors. Making it a fucking pain in my ass. You in?”
“Sounds good. Just send the details and I’ll block out some time in my schedule.”
“Will do. Be in touch.”
The line goes dead and I set my phone down. I’m going to have a packed schedule for the next few weeks with this extra assignment. That’s good. Keeping busy will help keep my mind from wandering to the blonde goddess and her severe lack of clothing.
“So, I’m going to head out for the night unless there’s anything else we need to discuss. Are you going to do a little digging with the McAllister case tomorrow?”
Evie busies herself packing up her laptop bag and putting away loose files while I stand from my chair and stretch.
“Yeah, I think I might try checking out his office tomorrow to see what I find. I’ll need back up, though. You free for a few hours?”
“Sorry. I already told Carly I’d watch the boys so she could pick up a weekend shift, and Tate’s working. Otherwise, I would.”
“That’s cool. I’m sure I can find someone.”
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“Wait. McAllister doesn’t have office hours tomorrow. How are you going to check things out?”
Sliding my hands into my front pockets, I purse my lips to whistle. I don’t quite meet Evie’s hard stare.
“Jon. We talked about this. Nothing illegal. I mean it. We do our investigating on the up and up, you hear me?”
“Loud and clear. I won’t do anything dangerous. I swear. But if he just happens to forget to lock the back door to his building tonight and I just happen to be walking by said door tomorrow, I can’t really be blamed for going inside to check things out.”
“Ugh! I’m going to pretend I never heard you say that. And for the record, I think it’s a bad idea. So far, this case seems bogus anyway. I think his wife’s just hormonal and paranoid. We’ve found nothing to solidify her suspicions.” I follow Evie out our front door and down to where her car’s parked.
I agree with Evie. When we first met a very pregnant Susie McAllister three weeks ago, I initially thought maybe her claims were true, but after hours of investigation I wasn’t so sure. Susie, seven months pregnant, is under the impression her husband of five years is having an affair with his secretary Tammy. Who, by the way, is also seven months pregnant. Susie’s deduced he must be the baby daddy since Tammy’s single and isn’t sharing with anyone who the father is.
Susie’s claims are all based on feelings that her husband Robert has been more distant, stressed, and less interested in sex since she’s become pregnant. He also spends most of his time at work. I’m not sure what’s happening, but Evie and I are doing due diligence to rule out Mrs. McAllister’s claims and hopefully relieve her paranoia.
“Yeah, I’d have to agree with you. I still want to check out the office. It’s the place he spends most of his time, so if there is anything he is hiding from his wife, it’ll be there.”
“Do what you gotta do. Just don’t call me when you get arrested for breaking and entering!” She opens her car door, tosses her laptop bag inside and slides in to start the ignition.
“Oh, hey, I got a text from an old army comrade who may be flying into town to meet with a specialist next week. Is it cool if I let Alex stay here for a few days?”
“Fine by me. A friend of yours is always welcome in our house.”
“Thanks, Evie. Good night.”
“’Night, Jon. See you Monday.” I smile and close the car door. Backing up, I head straight for the cold AC. Summers are a bitch and I’d forgotten just how bad. It was almost six o’clock and still over a hundred degrees. Sweat drips off my brow and down my back as I turn the lock.
Heading into the kitchen I chug down a protein shake, fill my water jug, and grab my keys. I’m already sweaty and gross, might as well get a quick lift in before this day’s over and the next begins.
“Kate. You hear me okay?”
“Talk dirty to me.”
I roll my eyes even though she can’t see me from where she’s parked outside the commercial storefronts. Bringing Kate along today wasn’t my first choice, but she’s one of very few friends I can even ask. Of course, Kate being Kate insisted that she drive because, I quote, “I need my own wheels if I’ve got to drive the getaway car.” Kate loves bad cop dramas more than anyone I know. Every time she helps out with a case she behaves as if we’re acting in one.
I glance over each shoulder before jiggling the back door open with my pick set. Rob McAllister runs his own insurance brokerage and leases an office front on a busy street downtown. The lot in the back is for overflow parking, so at this hour it’s dead. From tailing McAllister over the past few weeks I know there isn’t a security system and the lock in back is finicky so he prefers to use the front. Kate’s posted in the front on the off chance he comes by.
“Just checking to make sure the Bluetooth works.”
“Gotcha, Army. I’m here. This is boring, though.”
“Yeah, most surveillance is. Just keep an eye on the door, okay?”
“What do you say?” She sings into my ear.
“What?”
I make it inside and scrutinize the small space. McAllister’s work area is separated from his secretary’s desk by a half wall. Her workspace sits directly in front of a small waiting area with chairs and a magazine laden table.
“You know. Say the magic word. I need to hear you say it.” I release a frustrated sigh and give into her stupid request.
“Please.”
“Thank you. Was that so hard?”
“Harder than you know.”
Methodically checking the drawers in his desk, I find nothing more than a killer candy stash and the usual junk that clutters a desk. I turn, my back to the front door, and examine the contents of the large filling cabinets lining the back wall.
I squat down to flip through file after file, moving as fast and as diligently as I can. I don’t want to miss something important, but so far all looks normal and in place. I hear the sound of voices talking outside the tinted glass office front. Could be a pedestrian but I don’t want to assume.
“Kate. Kate, you there?” I whisper into my Bluetooth.
“Here! Ready, locked, and loaded. What do you need, big guy?” I can hear her smacking gum and her voice booms in my ear.
“First off, I need you to talk softer. I may not have a working eardrum.”
“Anything else you’d like to criticize?”
I continue to flip through files as fast as my fingers allow but the voices increase in volume near the front doors. Peeking my head over the half wall that shields my body from view, I take a look. Shit.
“Kate. Kate, I need you to listen to me. This is really important. Do you see the front door? Do you see people out there?”
“The preggo chick talking on her cell pacing back and forth. Yeah, I see her.”
“Okay, I need your help. You cannot let her come in here. I need you to cause a distraction. Anything you need to do, get it done. Got me?”
“I’ve got you covered, Army. On it.”
“And Kate, give me a heads up if you can. I’m gonna try and find what I need before I bail.”
I slide the cabinet door shut, and pull open the last drawer. If I don’t find anything here this treasure hunt is a bust. My fingers inch across the tabs of manila folders, eyes scrutinizing each label. Virgo. The title causes me to pause. Buried in a collection of addresses, vendors, and customers, an astrology sign stands out of place. I pull the folder to skim the contents.
Jackpot. Inside is a collection of ultrasound photographs, blood tests, paternity results, and a notarized legal document that I want to study in greater detail.
“Jon. There’s a man here. He just pulled up and hugged the chick. Looks like he’s got keys.
I pull my phone from my pocket and proceed to snap photos of everything in the file.
“Kate. This is your time to shine, babe. I need five minutes, ten tops. Cause a scene.”
“What should I do? Jon, they are two steps from the door! I’m still parked four cars over!”
“Shit. Kate. Anything! Do not let them inside!”
Screeching tires drift through the walls. Shouts. Metal on metal scraping. More shouting.
“Kate? Kate! Are you okay?”
Silence. I finish taking the last photo and shove the documents back into the file before I slide it in place. Slamming the drawer shut, I glance out the front. All I can see is a crowd gathering around two vehicles. Kate’s Acura is bent into a street light as well as the back bumper of a black Equinox. I don’t want to waste any more time so I jog my way out the back door.
“Kate? Are you okay? Tell me you are okay!”
“Uh. I’m fine. But, I uh, I had a little fender bender. I think we’re gonna need a ride home.”
“Shit, did you really just crash your car?”
“You said to make a scene!”
“I said cause a distraction, not endanger yourself with a wreck! You could have just flashed your tits!”
“Nice advice now!�
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“Hey, hey. I’m sorry. Thank you. I can’t let the couple out front see me. I’ll meet you down the street at Sozo okay? We’ll figure it out then.”
“Uh. I might be a while. Cops are here. I should probably get out of my car now.”
“Shit. Okay. Look, I’m glad you’re all right. I’ll wait as long as it takes. I’m not going anywhere. Tell them you fainted or forgot to eat breakfast. You can fake it, right?”
“I can fake it, but I prefer not to.” I can hear the smile in her voice.
“Seriously, Kate?”
“Sorry. Don’t worry, I’ve got this. I’ll meet you at the coffee shop. Gotta go now.”
“Bye.”
Taking long strides, I keep my head down until I’m out of the back alleyway and onto a main street. It takes me five minutes to reach the rendezvous location. I select a seat facing the front door and wait, tapping my right heel up and down.
I cannot believe Kate slammed her car into McAllister’s SUV. She could’ve been seriously injured. It was stupid and irrational, but something about her actions warms my heart. That woman, crazy as she might be, will do anything to keep me safe if I ask. I don’t have many people like that around me anymore. Her actions, although a little misguided, prove that she cares more than she lets on. I mean, who the hell causes a collision with their own car for someone else’s benefit?
I can’t contain the satisfied smile that pulls at the corners of my lips. I haven’t stopped thinking about my night with Kate. Maybe she hasn’t either. Maybe—just maybe, she’s interested in more. I sure as hell hope so because I’ve tried everything to forget. I can’t get the image of her ass out of my goddamn head. That and the feeling of sliding in and out of her pussy. The sweet sounds she makes when she’s about to come. There’s one thing I haven’t tried, though, and maybe I’ll man up and give us a shot.
Walking over to the counter, I order a green tea for Kate and a coffee for myself. When I get back to my seat, I pull out my phone and swipe through the documents I photographed. Holy shit. Mrs. McAllister isn’t going to like what I found today. Fucking A. I don’t want to be the bearer of bad news to a woman who looks like she’s about to pop. I’ll wait until Monday when Evie’s working to deal with that.
