by Anna Brooks
He shrugs. “You’re not wrong.”
“Who wants to dance?” A girl comes up to our table wearing a black mini skirt and a red tube top with matching nails and lips. Gio whips his head around, eye-fucks her, then offers her his signature smirk. He grabs her around the waist and whispers something in her ear, making her giggle, then salutes us as he walks away. Not surprising.
“That took longer than I thought.” Q laughs, swirling the ass end of his beer. “I’m surprised his ass made it out to the table.” We all chuckle along with him, but mine dies when I see a group of guys inching their way toward Billie. She’s totally oblivious, dancing and smiling with the girl next to her. One of them gets closer and tries to casually bump into her. Jesus, can’t take my eyes off her for thirty seconds.
Brenden follows my death stare and hits me in the side with his elbow. “You’re gonna have to make a statement.”
“Sure. I’ll just go piss on her.”
He shrugs. “If it’ll keep the other dogs away, I’d do it.”
“Nah,” Q butts in. “You gotta show your girl you trust her. Don’t make her think you think she can’t handle herself, or she’ll get sick of that shit real quick. Look at her.” He lifts his chin in Billie’s direction where she’s still moving to the music in a more robotic sense as the guy finally makes his approach. “She’s clearly not acting interested, but you can tell she’s a friendly person, so she’s not gonna be a straight-up bitch and reject him.”
“She won’t, but she also just had to deal with her boss touchin’ her, so before this guy does something that’ll force me to have to step in, I’m gonna grab her and get outta here.”
They both rear their heads back, and Q’s neck gets red. “You didn’t take care of that fucker yet?”
“Oh, trust me, I will.”
“What happened?” Brenden reaches over and grabs his beer from the table.
Billie glances up at me, and a sense of relief crosses her face before she smiles as she takes a step back from the guy. Yeah, I’d love nothing more than to charge up there, ram my fist in his face, and throw her over my shoulder, but I have a feeling she wouldn’t appreciate that. And I don’t want to scare her, either. He keeps a respectable distance, but it’s still too close for my liking, so before I go to her, I tell the guys about Pax. “He cornered her and got in her face for being late, then told her there were ways she could make it up to him. When she didn’t bite, he put his hands on her and shit.”
“He’s still breathing because…?”
“Because he’s flagged,” Q states.
“Whose flag?”
“Erik,” we answer in unison.
Brenden sighs. “Fuck. You know why?”
I hitch my thumb at Q. “He does. I haven’t talked to Erik yet.”
“Why the hell not?”
“I’m gonna deal with him, trust me. Unlike you, I have this little thing called patience. I almost lost my shit in front of her when we went back to get her stuff, but she’s got a history with abuse, so I wasn’t about to beat his ass with her right there. I’d rather give the fucker some time to live in fear ’cause he knows I’m coming for him, just not when.”
“True that,” Q agrees. “Revenge should be smarter, not faster.”
Brenden whistles. “That’s deep, man,” he jokes.
“It’s true. So many of you fuckers have such short fuses you don’t get to enjoy the anticipation of the actual explosion.”
“On that note”—I laugh—“I’m gonna grab her and get outta here.” I can’t wait to get inside her any longer.
I feel my temper rising at the fact that it’s been like a full two minutes and this guy hasn’t taken the hint. It’s not like me not to jump in right away, but I wanted to give her a second because she’s constantly saying she doesn’t need my help. I don’t want to make her feel like I think she’s incompetent.
But when I get within hearing distance, and I hear their conversation, that’s when my patience vaporizes.
“So if you’re not here with your boyfriend, who are you here with?”
My hand finds her waist, and I slide it around to her stomach and pull her against me. She tilts her head back and flashes a smile. I don’t reciprocate because I’m too busy having a nonverbal conversation with the guy trying to pick her up at the same time trying to cool my temper.
He lifts his chin in realization and walks away.
“We’re leaving.” I take her hand and lead her through the yard and out the side exit to the sidewalk. The seconds that tick by are like a time bomb building pressure. She told him she wasn’t here with her boyfriend.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t—”
“Shush, honey.”
“Why are you mad?”
I hold her away from the curb as a car passes before we cross the street. “Who’d you tell him you were there with?” I’m wound up tight and hot now, adrenaline pumping through me like I’ve never felt before. Even riding waves never gave me this rush… the high of needing to be with her is incomparable.
“I didn’t mean—”
“I stood back. Waited a minute to give you the chance to get rid of him, and that was harder than I thought it’d be. Not only is it my job as a bodyguard to keep unwanted attention off my clients, but as your man, it’s my obligation. That shit would never happen at work; it should damn well never fucking ever happen to you.”
“I was fine. I’ve dealt with—”
I shake my head. “He was fine ’cause he thought he had a shot because you told him you weren’t there with a man.”
She sucks in a breath, finally understanding the shift in my mood. “Carter, I didn’t mean anything by it.”
“Exactly.”
We get to the stairs, and I hurry us up them, and then when we get to my place, I lift her up and press her against the door before I even turn the lights on. “What are you doing?” She gasps and wraps her legs around my hips.
“I still can’t decide if I like the fact that you have no fuckin’ clue how beautiful you are.”
Her tongue darts out, moistening her top lip. “Carter.”
“On one hand, I know you’re not playing games with me. Deep down in my gut, I know what’s happening is real. But on the other.” I run my nose along her jaw, loving the way she smells, like the fresh flowers she always has on her kitchen table. “You’re so oblivious to the effect you have on people that it’s just a matter of time before you realize it, and when you do, I’m afraid you’ll leave me for some other bastard who can give you the goddamned world.”
“I don’t need the world, Carter.”
I rest my forehead on hers. “What do you need?”
“For you to answer my question.”
“What question is that?”
Her head tilts up, lips ghosting over mine. “What are you doing?”
I breathe her in and absorb the sweetness that comes with her. “Making you scream.” Making you mine. I yank her underwear, ripping them in half, and then drop my pants. I take the time to slide on a condom before I slide into her, already wet for me. I drop my head, nipping and sucking the skin on her neck. “Fuck,” I growl. “So good.”
“Yes.”
“Nobody else gets you.”
She places her hands on my face, her gentle touch reassuring. “Only you,” she pants and tosses her head back. “Just you.”
I bring my hand between us and find her sweet spot. “There it is.”
Her head falls back and hits the door.
“Let me hear it, baby.”
“Carter.”
“Fuck, yeah. I’m right here.”
Her nails dig into my back, and she moans long and low. “Oh, Lord.”
“Give it to me. I want it, Billie. I fuckin’ want it.”
“Oh, shit,” she screams and clenches around me, which makes me see stars. Much as I want to be like this forever, she takes me right along with her, and I pound into her a few more times before I let go inside her
.
I pull my head back and kiss her forehead, then her nose. She drops her legs and runs her hands through her hair. “You ripped my underwear.”
“I know. Probably won’t be the last time if you keep wearing these hot ass little dresses.”
“I don’t plan on changing my wardrobe anytime soon.”
“That’s good, honey, ‘cause I really like your clothes… I like everything about you. You’re funny as hell.” I kiss the corner of her mouth. “I haven’t laughed as much in the past decade as I have in the past week with you. You are the sweetest woman I know; you’re beautiful, you’re smart, and I’m totally claiming you. Right here. Right now. If I wasn’t clear before, you’re mine, Billie.”
Chapter 8
Carter
I’m staring at my schedule, or I should say, I’m supposed to be working on my schedule. But all I can think about are the past couple of days and how amazing Billie is. How much more I want from her and how I can’t even blink without seeing her beautiful face. The way I feel when I wake up with her in my arms; the purpose she gives me that I thought I’d never get back.
And knowing I have to go out of town tonight and be without her is fuckin’ tearing me apart.
Erik walks into my office with two men who I’ve never seen in my life, and if I wasn’t so busy thinking about her, I might not be so caught off guard. “Gang’s all here.”
“Come again?”
“Q filled me in on a fun fact.”
My head falls back, and I blow out a breath. I should have known he’d take matters into his own hands after he found out at the bar a couple of nights ago that I hadn’t paid a visit to Pax yet. “He shouldn’t have.”
“I’m a man of my word, Carter, so when I told Jay here”—he angles his head at the tall guy with a silver chain around his neck—“I’d let him know if Paxton Ray ever stepped over the line again so he could get in on the action a while ago, I was on the phone with him the second I found out that Paxton fucking Ray put his hands on one of my guy’s women.”
I lift my chin at Jay. “Again?”
“He touched my Livvie.” Jay grunts.
“Who are you?” I nod at the other guy with dark eyes.
“Smith.” We shake hands, and while I’m at it, I hold mine out for Jay, who reciprocates. Smith jerks his thumb over his shoulder at Jay. “He used to be my partner when I was in the force. And I knocked up his sister.” He smirks.
Jay narrows his eyes at the man, and Erik laughs, then explains. “Smith and I go way back, so when Jay found out Paxton put his hands on his girl, he hit me up because he knew I’d be able to get him the information he needed. I pulled in Q, who worked his magic and found out what a piece of shit Paxton really is. I happily passed that along to Jay so he could teach Pax a lesson.”
“He’s obviously not a fast learner,” I state.
“Which is why I’m here,” Jay speaks up. “Smith just wanted to come for the show.” He chuckles.
I glance around the room at the three other men. “Appreciate the backup, but I don’t need it.” I look pointedly at Jay. “And you need to stay clean.”
“Didn’t bring my badge.”
“Riiight.” I draw the word out, then cross my arms. “Erik, I—”
“You didn’t say shit to me because even though that fucker was flagged, you were gonna deal with him behind my back.”
I shake my head. “Honest to Christ, I wasn’t sure what I was gonna do. I went to get my girl’s shit with her from the restaurant he fired her from because she wouldn’t put out, and she held me back from dealing with him. It was after that I found out he was your flag. I didn’t know why, and swear to you, man, I hadn’t thought about him more than I’ve been thinking about Billie.” I drop my hands. “Wouldn’t go behind your back like that.”
“Good.”
“Your girl doin’ okay?” Jay asks.
“I’ve got her now, so yeah.”
He nods his head, understanding in his expression. “Well, we’re here, so let’s go pay our man a visit.”
And that’s exactly what we do. Q had already hacked into his schedule, so we know where he is. We walk into his office, and the four of us, all big dudes in our own right, cross our arms. Paxton looks up, his eyes darting from me to Jay, then back to me; he opens his mouth, and then he passes out.
And when he wakes up, he’s given one more lesson I’m positive he’ll listen to this time…
Billie
“I don’t like this shit.” Carter grunts over the phone.
“Me either.”
“I’ll be back tomorrow from this assignment, but I won’t be reachable tonight, at least not until late.”
I pause in front of the bathroom mirror and check my makeup one more time. “Let me know when you’re back at the hotel either way.”
“Okay, honey. You still have Gio’s number in case you need anything?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Good. Now go kick ass at your audition.”
“I will. Stay safe at your thing.”
“I will.”
I drop my phone in the sink and grab my eyeliner, coloring over my eyelids again. I decided to take an Uber since my nerves are so shot right now. The last thing I want to do the first time I drive Carter’s car is crash it when he’s not even here. I get the alert that my ride is here, and take one last look at my appearance in the mirror before I go downstairs.
Traffic was a bit of a nightmare, so I only have a few minutes to spare by the time I arrive to the audition.
The door opens before I knock on it, and I put on my interview smile. “Hi. I’m Billie Bishop. I have an appointment at seven.”
“Yes, come on in.” The man, who I don’t recognize, opens the door all the way and motions for me to enter. “Mr. Casey is expecting you.”
I pause in the entryway and wait for him to lead the way. As soon as I step foot into the room, I get an eerie tingling in my spine.
“There she is.” Mr. Casey stands up, and I smile at him, faking my happiness for being here.
“Hello.” He sticks his hand out, so I take it. “It’s good to see you again.”
Instead of shaking it like I think he will, he wraps his hand around mine and walks me deeper into the room. Several men are sitting in chairs behind a table. “Gentlemen, this is Billie Bishop. A sweet acting virgin girl who is eager to find her first gig. Isn’t that right, sweetheart?” He stops me in front of the men.
I gulp down the new wave of panic and nod. “Yes, sir.”
He squeezes my hand before returning to his seat in the middle of the table. “Miss Bishop.” He smiles at me. “I’ll be frank with you. This audition is one where these gentlemen have to be pleased with the actress’s appearance. We’re looking for a certain… type.”
My stomach spins as if a tornado is inside, and I wring my hands together.
“So that means I’ll need you to remove your clothing.”
“Excuse me?” I choke.
“You may leave on your undergarments.”
Time slows as I hear my heartbeat in my head. They’re all just sitting there… staring at me. I feel like these men are stripping me bare, soul and all. And it’s more horrible than I could have imagined. I’d rather have them beat me than this.
I cross my arms and take a step toward the door. I can’t take my clothes off. It’s… it’s not right.
“Miss Bishop,” the youngest looking man says. If I wasn’t so freaked out right now, I might even think he’s attractive. “Nobody in this room is going to harm you. We are simply looking for talent. And if you’ve been doing this for any amount of time, you surely must realize that sex sells in this industry. And the soap opera industry is dying, so we need fresh, new talent, and a reality show with beautiful, sexy women and attractive men will bring a crowd. If you’re not comfortable with this, then you might as well never plan on acting because it’s just part of the industry.”
He’s right. But I’m not sexy.
I’m what they’d call the girl next door. I do have big boobs, but the only reason I have an ass is because I still eat like I’m twelve years old. Fat with a side of sugar and butter.
“So if you want to be considered for the final part, which, by the way, is for a woman who will be wearing bathing suits often, you will remove your clothing so we can decide if your body type is what we’re looking for. Or you can go into the dressing room around the corner and put a bikini on. Your choice.”
My pulse hammers throughout my entire body. Everyone starts somewhere, right? It’s not like these men are going to assault me… They’re just doing their jobs. A bikini and my underwear are like the same thing. This is normal for a second audition, right? I mean, the first one was nothing like this, but this one is going to be a tougher selection process, so it shouldn’t surprise me. I try to take a breath to calm myself, but it does absolutely nothing.
I bend at the knees and set my purse on the floor. Refusing to look at any of them, I reach behind me and find the zipper, then lower it. My hand shakes so badly that it loses its grip a couple of times, which is a sign from heaven for me to stop, but I get it lowered anyway for some stupid reason.
My hands fall to my sides, and I shrug my shoulders, my sundress falling to the floor. I am so humiliated right now. It’s taking everything in me not to cry. I want to curl up in a ball… No, I want to run out of here and pretend this never happened.
I reach for my high heeled sandals, but Mr. Casey stops me. “Leave those on.”
Finally, I look up and find all the men leaning over the table, eyes on me, greedily staring at my nearly naked body.
“Turn around,” an older man at the end of the table demands, and I jump at his tone.
Deciding that the quicker I do it, the faster I can finish, I turn. One of the men groans, and I take that as my cue to dress. Forget this. I reach down for my dress and pull it up, refusing to let the tears fall down my face in front of these perverts.
I eye the door with every intention of storming out of here when Roger calls my name. “We want you back.”
“What?” I ask in disbelief.
