Bastard.
He probably started laughing the moment I walked out of his office.
“Excuse me, I need to make a phone call.” I shoved the contract at Castillo and stepped out of the office into a short hallway. I punched the call button when I brought up Spencer’s number.
He answered after two rings, “You already agreed to take the job.”
“That was before I knew what it entailed,” I growled into the phone. “Which you failed to share with me.”
“I knew you would refuse.”
“No shit I would have refused.” I clenched my fist to keep from punching the pristine beige walls.
“Just do the job Raynes. They’re paying a fuck ton, and this could lead to other high-profile clients, which you know pays for our other, more clandestine and less profitable operations.” He was speaking of the jobs that didn’t always come from paying clients. Sometimes a job needed to be done even when there was no paycheck in it. Sometimes people needed help who couldn’t afford to pay for it. And sometimes bad guys needed to be dealt with when proper authorities couldn’t. That’s when we donned our figurative capes and masks and did what needed to be done, sort of like a fucked-up Justice League, without the spandex and super powers. It wasn’t always on the up and up as far as the law was concerned. It took a shit ton of money to run those kinds of ops under the radar and pay off the right people to make sure they didn’t come to light.
I still wasn’t going to do this.
“This isn’t part of my fucking job,” I spat.
“Right now, it is.”
“Do you hate me?” Was this some sort of punishment because I had a thing for his wife.
Let me clarify that; had as in used to, and it was before she was his wife.
“The opposite actually. If I didn’t respect you and have faith in your ability to remain professional I wouldn’t have even considered sending you. That’s why I didn’t even suggest Tripp do this job. He’d protect her, but he’d also try to fuck her.”
“So you’re saying if I was more of an asshole like Tripp I wouldn’t be here? That’s bullshit.”
The door to the office opened up behind me and I spun around to see Castillo standing there, papers in hand. I pulled the phone away from my face. “If that’s the contract, you can keep it. I can’t take this job.”
“It’s not. This is the report from the break-in at Riley’s. Please just look at it and then decide if you’ll take the job.” He held it out to me. I hesitated a moment before grabbing it. “Give me a second, Shaw.”
I let my eyes scan the incident report. The list of items stolen or damaged was extensive, but that wasn’t the worst of it.
Fuck.
My blood simmered, and I clenched my fist around the paper in my hand, crumpling the corner of it. I met Castillo’s eyes.
“She doesn’t know about the last part yet, and I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tell her. She’s been through enough.”
I closed my eyes and drew in a resigned breath before I brought the phone back to my mouth. “I’ll take the job,” I told Spencer.
“What made you change your mind so quickly?”
“They collected DNA evidence. From her bed.” The perv got himself off.
“Fuck. Let us know what you need. I’ll get our guys digging for anything that could help turn up Baker. In the meantime, don’t kill the client. Or fall for her.”
“You don’t have to worry about the second one. That won’t happen.”
As for the first one . . .
Shit. I was going to regret this before the job was over.
Hell, I already did.
Four
Riley
James Raynes despised me.
But he showed up.
He actually showed up.
So maybe he didn’t despise me as much as I thought?
Not only had he showed up, he was in Luis’ office right this very moment signing the contract that would not only have him providing ‘round the clock protection but posing as my boyfriend as well. The one that said he could hold my hand in public and kiss me. What would I do if he kissed me?
Orgasm on the spot.
How many times had I imagined it? Too many. Like a pathetic number of times.
What did I get myself into?
Good Job, Ri. Brilliant plan.
I leaned forward and whisper shouted at Jayne, “Why the hell did he agree to this?”
She shrugged. “Maybe he’s human after all and not so immune to Riley James. Which, if so, is disappointing. I kind of liked that there was one guy in the world who didn’t cater to your every whim.”
“Shut up,” I smacked her bare leg. “We both know that man would just as soon toss me off a bridge as kiss me, so what gives? I know this was my idea, but I didn’t actually expect him to agree to it.”
She shrugged. “I guess it’s a mystery.”
I relaxed back in my lounger. “You do know how I love a mystery.”
That earned me a laugh. “We both know it’s not the mystery you’re going to enjoy. It’s having that man in your house to torture.”
I folded my arms behind my head and closed my eyes, not bothering to deny it.
From the moment our paths collided, he . . . unsettled me. Yes, unsettled. That was the word. The first time we met, he was completely unaffected by me. I wasn’t used to that with straight men. And he was straight.
A smirk pulled at my lips when I thought about how I’d tested that theory.
Yup, definitely straight, but other than finding me physically attractive, I got nothing from him. His professionalism bordered on detached and aloof. At first, I’d found it annoying, maybe even a little infuriating, but then it became a challenge. Anything to get him to break that calm and cool demeanor. Getting a reaction out of him was like finding that toy at the bottom of a box of your least favorite cereal. Hard won and so rewarding.
“I can tell from the way you’re grinning that you’re thinking about him.”
I ignored her.
Thinking about James was exactly the distraction I needed right now.
I’d never met a man so self-assured. Not like the guys in Hollywood either, with over-inflated egos. His was the kind of confidence that didn’t need to prove itself. Seriously, who had that these days? While the rest of us competed to be the best looking, the richest, the most successful, have the most followers, or fans, or cars, or whatever it was, it seemed like James had figured out the only way to actually win was to not play. And that was sexy as hell, the little rebel.
Nothing makes a girl want to make a man care more than one who just doesn’t.
He wasn’t impressed by fame or money, and it’d been very clear that he was absolutely unimpressed by me.
James didn’t do pretend. If you wanted his respect, you had to earn it.
See how perfect we were for each other? My life was ninety percent of the time about pretending.
Too bad I’d already made such an ass out of myself before I figured out he wasn’t going to like me simply because I was Riley Fucking James.
He had this way of looking at you and seeing right past any front or façade you threw up. Intense is what it was. Made you squirm and wish your clothes would combust right off your body so he could ravish you . . .
Or maybe that was just me.
Sweet mercy, I bet he was a ravisher. I bet he gave good ravish. Total animal beneath that straight-laced exterior. I’d do—and had done—just about everything to get that animal to come out and play with me.
His self-control was saintly, let me tell you.
Men like him weren’t supposed to be real. They were reserved for heroes in movies and romance novels.
The real question posed to us now, was whether or not that man could act, because if he signed that contract, he was going to have to pull on some real Johnny Depp, Marlon Brando, Daniel Day-Lewis shit to convince anyone he was falling for me.
In that moment I hated him a
little bit. Why couldn’t he be like every other man who fell all over me with his tongue hanging out?
Is that really what you want?
Yes.
No.
Maybe just a little drooling.
Feeling a weighted gaze on me, I pried my eyes open. They were back. And James stood with an intense scowl marring his regal face—regal, that’s my favorite word for that chiseled jaw, those cheekbones, broody brow, and lips I wanted to bite. Surprise, the scowl was directed at me.
Oh yeah, this was going to be fun.
“I think that takes care of everything here.” Luis broke our connection.
“Yes, you two can spend a couple days at Riley’s getting comfortable before you make an appearance in public. James, make sure you get Jayne to sync up your calendar with Riley’s.” Angela snapped her fingers at Jayne, who jumped up and whipped out her phone.
“Can I get yours?”
James didn’t look like he wanted to hand it over, but he retrieved the phone from his jeans pocket and put in what must have been the password and placed it in Jayne’s outstretched hand.
“Right, now as far as when you guys are out, just let the relationship progress as it naturally would. When asked about it, be vague. Neither confirm nor deny, and—well Riley, you know. You can coach him.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure he’s up to it.” I sent him a teasing grin and watched his expression harden. I probably shouldn’t give him hard time right from the go—oh who was a kidding? I wanted to give him a very hard time.
I popped up from the lounger. “Let’s go lover.”
“Riley,” Luis chided.
“What?” I gave him my best innocent look. “Just getting into character.”
“I expect you to conduct yourself properly and show Mr. Raynes the same level of respect I’m certain he’ll show you.”
Baby, I’d let him disrespect me all day long. And night.
Too much?
“Of course.” I gave Luis a tight-lipped smile.
He returned it with an approving nod. “And before you go, I have a script I’d like you to look at.”
Ugghh!
“If it’s the rom-com you mentioned, I don’t think I’m interested.
“At least look at the script, and then decide. Let me just go grab it.”
“Luis,” I stopped him, “I’m tired of playing that role. I’m ready for something more serious and something more . . . just more.”
He squeezed my shoulder. “Riley, this part was practically made for you. This is what you’re good at. This is why people love you. This is what they expect from you.”
“I know, but I can do more. Promise Me and Red Red Rose weren’t romantic comedies.”
“I know, and now it’s time you got back to something more suited for you. You’re America’s sweetheart for a reason. People want to laugh and fall in love with you.”
My shoulders slumped. “Luis, I want to work with Scott Lengel on the Nancy Wake film.”
The lines of his face drew tight. “Riley, that’s not who you are. You need to listen to me. I know what’s best for you and your career. I’ve got the Jon Fletcher script in my office. Take it home tonight. Read it. I promise you’ll love it. It’s exactly the kind of movie you need to do right now.”
My stomach sank dejectedly. “I’ll look at it.”
“That’s my girl. Let me go grab it.” He gave my shoulder a light squeeze, and then hurried toward his office. I caught James watching me. I straightened my shoulders and blanked my face.
Luis returned with the script, assuring me again that I was absolutely going to love it.
Not likely, but maybe Luis did know what was best. He’d been in the business twenty years and gotten me this far. If he didn’t think I was ready for something more serious, maybe I wasn’t. What if I stepped into something completely new and different and blew it epically? It happened when actors tried to cross genres.
Maybe rom-coms and chick-flicks were what I was meant for.
God, please don’t let that be all I’m meant for.
I hugged Jayne goodbye and she whispered in my ear for me to behave myself.
Hugging Luis was always awkward. We’d never really reached that familial level of affection and comfort, so it always felt like hugging a weird uncle. I didn’t bother at all with Angela. She encouraged hugging about as much as a porcupine.
Suddenly there was no one left to say goodbye to, or any reason to stall. Time to take James home. My stomach twisted into knots with the dread of going back there after it’d been broken into and violated.
Suck it up, buttercup. Don’t let him see you be weak.
Not him.
I stole a fortifying breath and we made our way back through the house and out to the drive. James started for the big black SUV parked on the other side of Baby. It made a little beep beep as the lights flashed.
I stopped, digging my own keys out of my boho style bag. “I guess we’ll drive separately.”
He turned. “I don’t think so. Get in.”
I shook my head. “I’m not leaving my car.” I set my hand on Baby’s hood.
He eyed the car and then me. “The Camaro is yours?”
I nodded. “And I won’t be without her, so if we’re riding together, you’ll have to hop in.” I hit unlock on the fob in my hand. Adding power locks and windows and an alarm system were the only modern changes I’d made to her.
James eyed the car again and strode around her, skimming his hand along the hood. I wanted him to touch me that way.
He stopped in front of me. I forgot how tall he was. I had to tip my chin up just to look at his face.
“What are you doing?”
He held out his hand. “Keys.”
I took a step back. “Uh uh. I don’t think so. You’re not—”
Like a cobra, his hand shot out and snatched them from my grasp before I could finish telling him there was no way I was letting him drive Baby.
“Hey!” I tried to grab them back, but he caught my wrist and then shoved it away.
“Get in,” he ordered.
“Please give them back.” I laid my hand on his forearm.
His gaze dropped to where I touched him and then he raised his eyebrow at me.
Shit, I’d done that without thinking. I pulled it back, offering him a dazzling smile.
“No, and batting your eyelashes and pouting your lips at me isn’t going to work.”
“Come on. Baby’s my—well she’s my baby. I don’t let anyone drive her. No matter how politely they ask,” I smirked.
James’ expression remained stony. “I’m driving. So, pick a vehicle and get your ass in.”
I folded my arms across my chest. Fine if playing nice didn’t work, I’d try another tactic. “Is this some kind of ego, power-trip thing? You have to prove you’re the man? Can’t let a female drive?” I rolled my eyes and snorted.
A slight grin tugged at one corner of his mouth as he leaned his face in close. Close enough for me to see the icy swirls of blue in his grey eyes. A girl could get lost in those babies. I wanted to take a swim in them. A naked swim. Yes, I wanted to skinny dip into the pools of his eyes.
Crap, he was speaking.
“I have no problem letting a female . . . drive,” the connotation in that one word wiped the smirk from my face, “but not you, Princess.” He pulled back. “You can pout and flirt and be coy and try to manipulate me all you want. That shit might work on everyone else, but not me. So, you can either get in, or I can put you in.”
“I might like that,” I shot back.
“Trust me, you won’t. Because if I have to put you in, I’ll toss your ass in the trunk, so I don’t have to listen to you the entire way.”
An involuntary growl worked its way out of my throat. I had zero doubt he’d do it.
I stomped around to the other side of the car, wrenched the door open and flung myself into the passenger’s seat. I would have slammed the door t
oo, but Baby didn’t deserve my anger.
I watched through the mirrors as he retrieved a large black duffel from the SUV and tossed it in my trunk before coming back around and folding himself behind the wheel. Rather than ask me for directions, he punched my address into his phone and started Baby up. The second she purred to life, some of the scowl lines around his eyes smoothed out. I could have sworn he was even fighting a smile.
He might not like me, but he had a crush on Baby for sure. She was a little tramp. Made all the boys go gaga.
His hand went to the gear stick, and holy shit, something about the way he shifted her out of the drive and onto the road had me forgetting why I hadn’t wanted him to drive. He should always drive. It was sexy as hell the way he took control of Baby, and she preened under his touch.
Such a tramp.
She was purring and growling louder and faster than ever before, like he’d awoken something in her. He handled and maneuvered her with precision and control, and she responded like a greedy little whore finally being driven the way she’d longed to be driven. Fast, hard and just a tad bit rough, but with the kind of reverence reserved for a lover. He knew her limits, knew just how much she could take, and—holy shit what was wrong with me? I was turning driving into a porno.
I had to peel my eyes away from him and force them out the window. I rested my forehead against the cool glass and watched everything blur by. At some point I closed my eyes, and they didn’t open again until we were pulling in to my neighborhood. He shut off the GPS as I sat up and directed him to my place. When he pulled into the drive, I leaned over him and hit the button for the garage door. Then I looked back at the house while we waited for it to open.
What did he see as he took it in under the glow of the soft outdoor lighting? I thought it was extra-lovely and charming at night, but did he think it pretentious and garish? It was hard to tell from his expression. He kept his face neutral as he rolled Baby into the spacious garage.
We slipped from the car and after James retrieved his bag, he unlocked the door inside with the keys he still hadn’t returned to me. He stepped in first. I hesitated.
What if Warren came back?
Worse, what if it didn’t feel like my space anymore? What if he’d taken that from me along with all the personal things he stole?
A Taste of Pink (Shades Book 4) Page 5
