by Kris Cook
Neither Clint nor Beth answered. His buddy glared. She shuffled papers, refusing to look at him.
Damn.
Their time together burned up the airways. They knew it. He wanted to add Beth permanently to the mix professionally—and personally. But as the show’s ratings rocketed through the stratosphere, Clint’s mood grew more sullen. Beth had admitted to Dustin that, regardless of results, she didn’t believe management would keep her on the show much longer. Dustin would have to work harder at convincing Clint to expand their duo to a trio. Otherwise, Clint would do his dirty work and Beth would be gone.
He smiled broadly, hoping it might be contagious. “It’s like we’ve been working together for years. We sound great, and I’m having a blast.”
But the tension he felt between Clint and Beth told him they weren’t. No matter what he tried, he couldn’t get them to lighten up. Only when the mics went hot did they show any spark. And then fireworks boomed.
He needed to think of something, or one of them would soon explode on air and slaughter their chemistry.
Dustin looked up just as Candi walked into the studio from the hallway.
Attractive? On the outside, maybe. But on the inside? He knew the type. Candi’s career ruled everything. Not that ambition was a bad thing, but clearly she wasn’t climbing the ladder through mere hard work and talent. He imagined that the woman would walk over the bodies of dead friends, though he doubted she had any, to get what she wanted.
She sat in the guest chair closest to the door. “Though it’s early, corporate decided to run a phone survey last night. If the numbers are anywhere close to correct, in the next rating cycle you guys will dominate this time slot in all the key demographics in the entire market. We might even get a five to ten point gain with the twenty to thirty-five year olds.”
“In just two weeks?” Beth’s jaw dropped.
“Yes,” the boss lady answered. “Congratulations, guys.”
Beth looked up with a smile, but he didn’t miss the flash of disappointment in her eyes. “I guess you were right about the innuendos, Dustin. Congratulations, boys.”
He turned to Clint. His friend’s face showed satisfaction and something else. Regret?
That look worried Dustin. What the hell had Clint done?
Then he turned back to Beth. “And congratulations to you. You’re as much a part of the success as Clint and I.”
He meant it. Though he and Clint had always made great radio together, Beth being in the mix produced something that far exceeded anything they’d ever fashioned before. She kept them both hopping with her stinging questions, quick wit, and sexy voice. With her, they’d created not just something good, but spectacular.
Now, Dustin craved something beyond the professional from Beth. An image of her naked and waiting on his bed had been flashing neon in his mind for the past two weeks. After several glances at Clint, Dustin knew his friend shared the same desire. A night with Clint and Beth would be unparalleled. And might be just what they needed to cut the rising tension and get his co-announcers talking to each other.
“Thanks, Candi. We’re thrilled, of course,” Clint added, but his tone belied something else. Something hidden. What?
Dread sliced at Dustin. The entire two weeks whenever the microphones went live, Clint’s delivery blazed, sharp, masterful, always directed at Beth as if he couldn’t wait to get her naked and begging. The second the broadcast stopped, Clint’s demeanor dropped to twenty below zero. Yes, he leaned to the serious side, but he’d hit an icy chill since arriving at the station. And today his cold shoulder had grown even worse. The North Pole would be balmy next to him.
“You’re welcome,” Candi answered. “And since we have two birthdays to celebrate today, I thought I’d take all of you to lunch.”
“Two?” Beth asked.
Candi stood up. “Yes, yours and Dustin’s.”
He and Beth shared a birthday? He’d never given his birthday much of a thought, but now Dustin couldn’t help but smile at the idea it gave him.
Maybe he could use their shared birthday to spur Beth and Clint to better moods. Beth wouldn’t dare deny him his birthday celebration—and hers. All the three of them needed some time away from the station to really get to know each other, one step in bringing Clint and Beth together.
He decided to go for it. “Happy birthday, Beth. I’ve got an idea.”
“Happy birthday to you, too. But your ideas scare me.” Beth unplugged her headphones. “Thanks, but no thanks.”
“We have to celebrate,” Dustin informed. “This is a decade birthday for me. Goodbye twenties.”
“Big deal. It’s a decade birthday for me, too. I’m leaving the decade you’re entering and the last thing I want to do is celebrate,” Beth said, then turned back to Candi. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m beat. I just want to go home, have a bath, and put this day behind me. I hate birthdays.”
He just couldn’t let Beth not commemorate the day. She needed her spirits lifted, and he would gladly accommodate.
“I love birthdays. It means you’re still alive.” He turned to Clint for agreement. “Right, buddy?”
Clint glared, saying nothing.
“Beth, you might as well give in.” Dustin insisted. “I won’t let you off the hook.”
Just then, Candi’s cell rang and she stepped out in the hall. “Important meeting, gang. Sorry. Another time.”
When the door closed, Dustin commented. “She is always so…”
“Corporate.” Beth offered, brow arched.
“Exactly,” Dustin agreed.
Clint glared at them both. “Candi is the boss. And she hired us, Dustin. Or did you forget?”
“That doesn’t mean she’s someone I’d like to socialize with, especially after she half-heartedly offered to take us all to lunch to celebrate for Beth’s and my joint birthday. I bet she thought of some hamburger dive to fill the bill. Candi should be taking us to dinner to some swanky restaurant for lobster or steaks. Hell, and for drinks, dancing. We’re on top of the ratings, which makes her look good, and it’s our double decade birthday.”
“Do you always get your way?” Beth sounded exasperated, but he saw her smile lurking.
Dustin smiled back. He’d never tire of that sight. She seemed almost relaxed. Definitely sexy.
A fresh wave of craving moved through his cock. “Today, at least. Besides, forty or not, you’re one hot woman.”
She smiled. “You’re such a liar, Dustin Lake.”
He must push for more. For victory. For conquest.
“Forget Candi,” Dustin said. “The three of us are going out on the town. Don’t even try to say no. Your words tell me that you don’t have any plans. And a decade birthday is a big deal. We’ll have a blast, I promise.”
Beth rolled her eyes then turned to Clint. “Does he have an off button?”
“No. I’ve known him since college. The good thing is Dustin never breaks a promise. So, as he put it, you should have a blast.” Clint scribbled something on a piece of paper and handed it to Beth.
“What’s this?” she asked.
“My cell number,” Clint answered. “I’d give you Dustin’s, but since he always forgets to charge his, mine is a better choice. Text your address. I’ll put it in the GPS for him.”
“For him?” Beth frowned. “Unless you join us, I won’t go. You know what a player he is.”
Clint’s eyes darkened. “Not a good idea.”
“What do you think will happen if he comes over alone?” Beth put her hands on her hips.
Oh, he’d have her naked and satisfied in an hour.
By the way Clint gritted his teeth, he knew it. “Fine. I’ll come, too.”
Dustin couldn’t help but smile. “Good. It’s settled. We’ll pick you up at seven.”
A night out together would do the trick. These two would fall in line with his ultimate want. Dustin couldn’t wait for the dessert.
“Okay.” Beth raised her arms to the ceiling w
ith her hands clasped.
Her breasts rose, and heat rolled through Dustin. Then Beth let out a long yawn. Even that seemed sexy. His dick hardened.
“We’re going to have an incredible time,” he vowed.
Beth hands fell to her sides. “It’s got to be an early night. I’m beat.”
“I agree.” Clint cast Dustin a glance, as if willing him to silence.
Not likely, buddy.
Beth continued, “But I don’t want steak. I want Chinese. And I don’t want to go out. I want to watch a movie. Something funny.”
Dinner at her place? Even better. Dustin grinned. “Great idea.”
He’d make sure that Clint’s sour mood and Beth’s birthday blues would get swept away tonight. They needed a good dose of fun. It might take some coaxing on Dustin’s part to sweeten these two grouches. Birthday cake and sex ought to do the trick.
The best birthday present for him would be unwrapping Beth out of her clothes. Dustin let his imagination run as he pictured her naked and willing between him and Clint.
That would be the best birthday present ever.
Chapter Four
Standing outside Beth’s apartment building, Clint glared at him. “Dustin, it’s not going to happen.”
Clint had been arguing with him all day. And he refused to believe it.
“Why not?”
“Not with Beth. You know the rules.”
“Your rules, not mine.”
“What do you think will happen if, by some miracle, she lets us take her to bed tonight?”
“Amazing sex.”
“Maybe, but if she doesn’t agree to it, then what?”
Argue all you want, buddy. “She’ll agree. I’m good at persuasion.”
“And what about after? It’s going to be awkward. Even if we fuck her, I won’t concede to keeping her on the show. Period. If that’s what you’re hoping for, drop it now.”
“With the numbers we’re getting, I don’t believe Candi will remove her from mornings. Let’s sideline that topic for later.”
Dustin wanted Beth and had no doubt that Clint did, too, regardless of his protests.
Sharing women wasn’t new to them, but Beth wasn’t like any woman he’d ever known, with or without Clint. Dustin believed Clint would grab the opportunity to fuck her, should it arise. And if he didn’t, well, a night alone with Beth would be an incredible runner-up.
Dustin took the single flight of stairs up to Beth’s door. “Let’s just see where the night takes us.”
Clint stepped behind him and grabbed his arm. “Dammit, you aren’t listening. I know you want her. But I am not going there. Got it?”
“Settle down. I’ll take the reins tonight. You just sit back and relax.”
Before Clint could respond, Dustin broke free and knocked on Beth’s door.
Every day at the station, Beth wore a baseball cap with her hair in a ponytail. But when the door opened, her long, dark locks hung loosely to her shoulders and her eyes sparkled. His hunger multiplied, refusing to be curbed.
Dustin looked over at Clint. His friend’s eyes were locked on Beth like handcuffs.
Deny all you want, pal. You want her as much as I do.
He turned back to Beth and winked. “We’re going to make this the best birthday of your life.”
* * * *
Beth half expected to start drooling over Clint and Dustin standing outside her door. They held some DVDs, two bottles of wine, Chinese takeout, and a birthday cake. Clint wore a dark blue, long-sleeved dress shirt with black pants, and for the first time since she’d met him, Dustin wore something besides shorts. Instead, he’d donned jeans that clung to the right places and a knit, short-sleeved collared shirt.
Delicious duo, indeed.
Something warm and mushy filled her chest when she spotted the words on the rectangular dessert underneath the plastic protector. Happy decade birthday, Beth.
Fortified with the news that Candi shared that morning about the phone survey, Beth demanded Clint come with Dustin tonight in hopes of sealing her place on the show. Dustin hinted that he wanted to keep her on mornings. With Clint, she had to meet him on a logical level. With the survey information that women, ages twenty-five to forty-five, liked her on the show, Beth could now make a strong case to him. Without her, Clint and Dustin would deliver good ratings. With her, they’d be fantastic.
If after tonight Clint still didn’t want her with them, she hoped Dustin would side with her. The more she thought about it, discord between these two might be the only way. She didn’t like this tactic, but couldn’t think of any other way to remain on the show she loved.
Beth felt like her mind was spinning on a carnival ride. She’d insisted on staying in rather than going out. Home field advantage. Also, she’d thought she’d be able to keep a lower profile in her own home than in one of the city’s nightspots. Now, she worried about her self-control. If she gave into the desires that Dustin kept fanning, would Clint think she was trying to sleep her way to a permanent place on the show?
“May we come in?” Clint asked.
Being a consummate broadcaster of fifteen years, she kept the nervousness out of her delivery. “Yes, of course.”
This wasn’t how Beth wanted to spend her birthday, being reminded of the impossible. Forty years old and having wicked thoughts about the two men, ten years her juniors, who were taking over her morning time slot and sweet-talking her out of a job.
She stepped aside and motioned them in. “Set the food and the wine on the kitchen counter by the sink. You can put the DVDs on the coffee table.”
Dustin smiled and walked into her kitchen as instructed. She couldn’t stare at his incredible backside enough to satisfy her. Walking back into the living area empty-handed, he flipped his jacket over one of the chairs.
She turned to Clint. Her heart picked up pace at his powerful stare. Her knees weakened. Had he seen her staring at the cowboy’s ass? Was he angry? He looked aroused. God, she could only imagine what a night with Clint would be like. Intense.
Being attracted to Dustin, while stupid, made sense. His contagiously happy demeanor entranced her, despite her best efforts to resist. However, Clint’s taciturn bearing, even with his sexy, muscled body, shouldn’t have any appeal for her. Yet she could not deny the potent pull he had over her. He’d drop any woman to her knees. The image of him bending her to his will shouldn’t have any appeal for her. She swallowed. It did.
Dustin smiled. “Beth, your place is great. It’s got your mark all over it.” He pointed to the large painting over the sofa. “Very much you.”
Her stomach flip-flopped. The canvas swirled with rainbow colors. Beth was proud of the piece, though she’d never told anyone that she’d actually painted it. Other paintings by legitimate artists decorated her walls. He’d chosen the only work of hers she’d ever hung. How had he picked up on how much it meant to her?
She hoped like hell she wasn’t blushing. “I like it, too.”
Clint still wore his black overcoat. His expression resembled a hunter’s catching the scent of his prey. She swallowed.
“You staying, pardner?” Dustin asked Clint.
Clint hesitated, glanced at Beth, then nodded at Dustin as he slipped off his trench. “Do you have a coat closet, Beth?”
“No. I can hang it in my bedroom closet.”
Beth held out her hand. He folded the garment precisely and handed it over to her. His scent permeated the fabric. Shivers ran over her skin.
“Thank you.” His voice came out deep and rich.
He made her whole body buzz, as did Dustin. And now they were here, in her home. Tingles spread up her spine. How would she ever manage to keep this cozy night professional yet friendly when all she wanted so much more?
“You’re very welcome.”
“Where’s your bottle opener?” Dustin asked.
“I thought I put it on the table before you got here.”
“I don’t see it, darlin.”<
br />
That Southern accent drove her wild. Her brain short-circuited as heat spread into her pussy.
She wanted to smile at him, but didn’t dare. Who knew where he’d run with that? His teasing and flirting had grown during their two week acquaintance, intensifying her wicked thoughts.
Every moment with Dustin and Clint exercised her self-restraint. Her gut tightened every time they got near her. On one hand, she should’ve remained pissed at these two gatecrashers. On the other, she could’ve quit, leaving the two to fend for themselves. But she hadn’t done either. She wasn’t sure why. Instead, she’d worked with them, desired them, staring at them like a golden pocket watch swaying on a chain, back and forth, until completely hypnotized. Having them in her house, all alone, with wine and Chinese food now seemed like a very bad idea.
She pointed to the other side of the table. “It was right there, Dustin.”
“I see it there, on the floor.” Dustin pointed. “I must’ve knocked it off with my jacket. Sorry.”
He bent over to pick it up. A tingle spread up her spine as she enjoyed an even better vantage of Dustin’s perfect butt. Damn, she needed to get it together.
Flushing, she turned away. “Don’t worry about it, Dustin. Let me hang Clint’s coat up. I’ll be right back.”
“And I will have wine waiting for you, birthday girl.”
“Please stop the birthday girl bit. I really am not thrilled about today.”
“Dustin, cut it,” Clint ordered, then nodded toward her.
They both knew Dustin wouldn’t, but she loved that he’d tried. It was the nicest thing he’d done for her since getting her that first cup of coffee. Since then his mood had turned more and more gloomy. He’d barely spoken to her, except when the microphones came on. Then he turned a blazing sexual heat on her. Why, she couldn’t imagine. Worse, she’d been unable to get either of them off her mind.
Beth walked into the bedroom and shut the door. She needed a minute. Several, actually. At that moment, slipping out her window didn’t seem terribly crazy.
They were so different from Beth. She loved her routine, took comfort in it. Once the guys left for their next gig, she’d get her show back, if she wasn’t shown the door first.
