by Cindi Myers
“There’s nothing for him to find out. There’s nothing going on between us.”
He pushed her aside, and slid into the driver’s seat and slammed the door. She tapped on the glass and he reluctantly rolled down the window.
She leaned down farther, and looked him in the eye. “She’s only using you, you know. She’s ambitious, and she saw you as a way to get what she wanted.”
“Like you did, Bonnie?” He turned the key in the ignition and the engine roared to life. “Only it didn’t work for you, did it?” Without waiting for an answer, he pulled away. She stumbled back from the car. When he looked in the rearview mirror, he could see her still standing there, staring after him, no doubt with hate in her eyes.
Would Erica one day look at him that way, too? As much as he told himself he wanted to put some distance between them, her admiration was a salve to his ego. One he didn’t know if he could bear to give up.
HAVING STRUCK OUT with Adam, Erica talked Tanisha into going out with her to dinner. After Thai food in LoDo, they headed out to Spinnaker, a hot new dance club. “If nothing else, maybe we can meet some hot guys and dance,” Tanisha said as they settled at a table.
Erica looked around at the neon-accented bar and the sunken oval dance floor. “Yeah.”
“You don’t sound that enthusiastic. Let me guess. There’s only one guy you want to dance with right now.”
“What am I going to do? As long as we’re on the air he’ll talk to me, even flirt with me. But as soon as that red light goes out, he can’t get away from me fast enough.”
“Maybe he’s being smart. He doesn’t want to get fired.”
“It’s a stupid rule.”
“Yeah, but it’s still a rule. Is any guy worth losing a great job?” A waitress arrived with their drinks and Tanisha handed her a ten. “I’ll get this round.”
“Thanks.” Erica sipped her margarita. Tart and strong. Enough of these and maybe she’d work up the nerve to do something about Adam. “I’ve thought of trying to make him jealous, but who with? There aren’t that many guys to choose from.”
“There’s Nick.”
Both women made a face. “There’s Jazzman Jerry,” Erica said. “But he’s, what, fifty? And he’s married.”
“I’m pretty sure the new intern, Davie, is dating someone. I’m pretty sure Mason is gay. And Charlie is engaged to that jock from KGSY.”
Erica took another sip of margarita. “I’ve thought about going over to his house and demanding he have sex with me.”
Tanisha shook her head. “Girl, you are pathetic. Have you thought about just playing by his rules?”
“What do you mean?”
“Accept that it’s not going to happen between you two and move on. I mean, no sense mooning after some dude who doesn’t even appreciate you.”
Erica shook her head. “I can’t do that.”
“Why not?”
She looked out over the dance floor, above the gyrating mass of bodies, and debated whether or not to say out loud something she’d scarcely admitted to herself. “I just feel really…I don’t know, obsessed with him.”
“Come again?” Tanisha leaned over the table toward her, one hand to her ear. “Obsessed?”
“I know it’s crazy. I don’t even understand it myself. I get that way about things sometimes.” About men, about jobs or even her hair. Erica would be going along with her life just fine, then out of the blue some new urge would hit her. Following those urges had led her to change majors and give up on relationships, not to mention cycle through a dozen different hairstyles, drawn by the lure of something she was sure was better.
True, such impulsive choices had often given her grief, but she knew from experience she wouldn’t be satisfied until she gave into them. It was a quirk of her personality she’d learned to live with.
Besides, Adam was different. Her feelings for him went beyond mere preoccupation. She pushed aside her half-finished drink and put her elbows on the table, chin in hand. “What happened that weekend at the Furniture Gallery was amazing. We were so close.”
“You ought to know by now that when a guy has sex with you it doesn’t always mean anything. You were there, you were naked, you had fun—but that’s not love.”
“This was different.” She shook her head. “I can’t explain, but Adam and I really had a connection. We talked about all kinds of things. Just being with him felt so…so intimate. I’ve never experienced anything like that.” In a way, it was scary, but people should confront their fears, right?
Tanisha frowned. “So you’re saying the only time the man can open up is when he’s having sex.”
Erica straightened and reached for her drink. “I guess that’s it.”
“Then he has problems maybe you can’t solve.”
“Maybe he has problems he needs me to solve.”
Tanisha rolled her eyes. “I never pegged you as one of those women.”
“What do you mean?”
“Women who are attracted to men who need them.”
“I’m not attracted to Adam because he needs me.” Erica trailed her thumb around the rim of her glass. “Well, not much. I’m attracted to him because he’s…he’s Adam.” Sweet, sexy, strong in a way she couldn’t describe. She’d glimpsed a side of him most people didn’t see.
“It’s okay.” Tanisha patted her hand. “Nobody ever said these things made sense.”
Erica drained the last of her drink. “This is too depressing. Let’s not talk about it anymore. What about you? How’s it going with that guy in your building?”
“I saw him in the laundry room last week.”
“And? Were you wearing the harem girl outfit?”
“Nah. I didn’t have the guts to do that. But we talked for a while. Flirted some. I think there’s a chance he’ll ask me out soon.”
“Why wait for him? You should ask him out.”
“Maybe. I’m not sure I have the guts you do. I sure as hell couldn’t seduce a man I hardly knew just because he turned me on.”
“Why not? Especially if you were spending the weekend in bed with him anyway.”
Tanisha laughed. “There is that.” She picked up her drink, but froze with her glass halfway to her lips, her eyes widening. “Get a load of the couple that just walked in.”
Erica looked over her shoulder. “Who?”
Tanisha swatted her hand. “I told you not to look. It’s that redhead and her boy toy, in the S & M getup.”
Erica ducked her head and pretended to dig through her purse. Out of the corner of her eye she watched a tall woman with flame-colored hair saunter across the room. As far as she could tell, everyone in the place was watching her. Judging by her outfit, that was exactly what Red had in mind. The black vinyl bustier and micromini hugged every curve, leaving little to the imagination. She wore stiletto thigh-high boots and her hair was drawn back in a severe ponytail. A muscular man with a shaved head trailed behind her, dressed in black leather pants and vest, a studded dog collar around his throat.
“What are they supposed to be, some kind of circus act?” Tanisha whispered.
From their table, the two friends had a good view of the dance floor and the bar. Usher began to play and the redhead led her escort onto the dance floor. Despite the other dancers crowding around them, the couple was easy to spot. The man was several inches taller than most of the men, and the woman’s bright hair glowed like a candle flame even in the muted lighting of the dance floor.
“He’s not much of a dancer, is he?” Tanisha said.
“I don’t think she minds.” The man stood in the middle of the dance floor, shuffling his feet slightly while the woman moved around him like a pole dancer. She shimmied and slid up and down him, her hands flat against his chest or clutching his shoulders. At one point she straddled his thigh and blatantly rubbed against him, their eyes locked.
Tanisha fished the olive from her martini and popped it into her mouth. “The woman is sick.”
&
nbsp; “She’s an exhibitionist,” Erica said. “She likes to be the center of attention.”
The song ended and the pair moved off the dance floor to the bar. The woman spoke to the bartender and in a moment he brought two shot glasses.
Her partner picked up one of the shot glasses. Red left the second glass untouched, and leaned back against the bar. But instead of drinking the shot, the man held it over her, tipping the glass until a thin stream of liquor dripped onto her throat, and ran down to the valley between her breasts.
“Is he going to do what I think he’s going to do?” Tanisha asked.
“He’s doing it.” Erica held her breath as the man bent and ran his tongue down Red’s chest, licking up the shot. Her heart pounded as she saw, not this stranger, but Adam. And she was the one laid back against the bar, his tongue cleaning up every drop of the sticky liquor.
“I can’t believe they’re doing that in public,” Tanisha said.
“Have you ever done anything like that before?” Erica asked.
“Body shots? Not in public. That’s just sick.”
“Not in public. But what about in private?” She turned to her friend. “Did you ever have a man lick you that way?”
Tanisha’s cheeks darkened. “Not with shots. But I did have a guy pour chocolate syrup on me once and lick it up.”
“How was it?”
She grinned. “Sticky, but fun. We used half a can of the stuff before the evening was done.” She laughed. “I had to throw the sheets out, though, they were such a mess.” She glanced over to where the man was finishing up the last of the shot, to the applause of onlookers. “Liquor might not stain as bad.”
“Hmm. I never thought I’d say this, but I sort of envy her.”
“What? You want that bodybuilder licking shots off you?”
She laughed. “No. But look at her. The woman screams sex. No man ever tells her she looks too young or innocent to know what she really wants. I mean, I’d never have the nerve to have a guy do body shots on me in front of a bar full of people, but I can see how much of a turn on it might be.”
“I get what you mean. Like one of those fantasies we have but would never do. Like getting it on with two guys at once.”
“I bet she’s done two guys at once.”
“I bet she’s done a guy and a girl at the same time. Maybe even two girls.” Tanisha’s eyes met hers. “You ever think about that? I mean, I’m not propositioning you or anything, I just want to know.”
Erica shook her head. “No. Doesn’t do anything with me. I’m pretty traditional in my fantasies.” All she wanted was one guy. The man she was sure could satisfy all her desires. If only she could make him see that she could satisfy his.
10
“GOOD NEWS, you two.” Carl strode into the broadcast booth in the middle of Erica’s third week on the job. “According to the latest Arbitron ratings, the Hawk and Honey Show is second place in the four to 8:00 p.m. time slot in the Denver market. Up two places from last month.”
“Guess our listeners prefer you to me on my own,” Adam said to her. “Can’t say I blame them.”
“They prefer us together. Obviously we have smart listeners.”
“Does this mean we get a raise?” Adam asked.
Carl narrowed his eyes. “It means you won’t be looking for other work for a while at least.” He slapped a stack of papers down on the console between them. “I have a new on-location gig for you two. Next Friday you’ll be broadcasting from Outback Charlie’s Bar and Grill, over on Kipling.”
“Outback Charlie’s?” Erica picked up a flyer featuring a cartoon parrot holding a mug of beer. “Never heard of it.”
“It’s a new place. The owner figured a promo with KROK was a natural. We’re going to have you two set up there during happy hour, along with Ronnie.”
“Ronnie?” Erica traded skeptical looks with Adam. “You’re going to have a live alligator on location? Isn’t that dangerous?”
“The bar owner’s installing a sand pit and pool just for him. And there won’t be any problems. Ronnie’s a sweetheart.” He turned to Adam. “In fact, we could have you get in the pit with Ronnie, show everybody he’s harmless.”
Erica bit her lip to keep from laughing at the horrified expression on Adam’s face. “Absolutely not. No alligator wrestling.”
“Not wrestling. Just tussle a little. Any injuries would be covered by workers’ comp.”
“No.”
Carl shrugged. “It was just an idea.” He consulted the papers again. “It’ll be a beach theme, so we’re talking swimsuits, sandals, sunglasses. Think party music. We’ll have some contests. I’m thinking we can do rock trivia, so be coming up with some good questions, Adam.”
“I can do that.”
“Erica, I want you to come up with some games and activities to keep people entertained. Think beach party.”
“So, like, a limbo contest or dance contest?”
“That’s it.” He gathered up the papers again. “One more thing. Bonnie’s going to be on location with you. She’ll do her regular weather and traffic updates, mingle with the crowds, stuff like that.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Adam said.
Carl gave him a sharp look. “Outback Charlie wants it. He’s paying for it, so he gets her. That won’t be a problem, will it?”
“Of course not.” Adam’s jaw tightened.
Carl nodded. “Good job, both of you. Keep it up. Next month I want to see number one in the drive-time slot.”
“Sure thing,” Adam said to Carl’s retreating back. He turned to Erica. “A beach party. I can’t wait.”
“It’ll be fun.” She nudged his shoulder. “You remember how to loosen up and have fun, don’t you?”
“Let’s just say my idea of fun and Carl’s aren’t necessarily the same. For instance, mine doesn’t include alligator wrestling. Or Bonnie.”
“She’ll be okay. She should be in a good mood, getting her share of the spotlight.”
“You don’t know her as well as I do. Bonnie wants all the spotlight to herself.”
“And she’ll have it. When she shows up in a bikini, nobody in that bar—at least none of the men—will be paying attention to you and me. We’ll be able to do our show in peace.”
His gaze flickered over her. “Don’t sell yourself short. You’ll be getting your share of attention, too, I don’t doubt.”
“From you?” She studied him through lowered lashes.
The lines on either side of his mouth deepened. “Right.” Though his tone was less than enthusiastic, she didn’t miss the way his eyes darkened, as if he was imagining her in a skimpy bathing suit.
“It’ll be just like old times,” she said. “You and me on location for a promo. Only instead of lingerie, I’ll be wearing a swimsuit.”
“But instead of a bed we’ll have Bombshell Bonnie and an alligator in a sandpit.” He shook his head. “Somehow it won’t be the same.”
She lowered her voice. “I have a brand-new bed at my place, remember?”
His expression grew serious, and he held her gaze so long she felt a flush rise to her cheeks. “You never give up, do you?” he said.
She shook her head. “Not when I know you still want me the way I want you.”
“How do you know that? I haven’t said anything.”
She put her hand on his chest, her fingertips brushing the triangle of hair showing at the open collar of his shirt. “You don’t have to. It’s in your eyes every time you look at me.”
He turned his head away. “You’re imagining things.”
“Oh, I imagine lots of things.” She dropped her voice to a whisper and leaned close, her lips almost brushing his ear. “I imagine you making love to me. Do you remember what it was like there, in the dark at the Furniture Gallery? How close we were? How it felt when you were in me?”
With a strangled noise, he turned away, and stormed out of the control booth, slamming the door behind him. She s
tared after him, hope fluttering in her chest. Adam might try to deny his feelings for her, but they were there. If she could only break past his fear of making a mistake.
AS PREDICTED, Bonnie showed up at Outback Charlie’s wearing a gold lamé string bikini and gold high heels. A short, ruddy man with thinning brown hair, Charlie Mattingly, or Outback Charlie, rushed to greet her. “Miss Remington, it’s such a delight having you here with us,” he said, taking her hand.
“I wouldn’t have missed it.” Bonnie looked around at the large wooden deck decorated with fake palm trees, neon flamingos and colorful beach umbrellas. “Cool place you have here.”
“Could we get a picture together?” Charlie gestured toward one of the waiters, who held a digital camera.
“Sure.” She posed with her arm around Outback Charlie, chest thrust forward. Then she obliged half a dozen other men with their own cheesecake photos.
“Hello, Bonnie,” Adam said as he passed the photo session on his way to the stage set up at one end of the deck area, next to Ronnie’s sandpit. The alligator hadn’t moved since he’d been dropped off an hour ago. If Adam hadn’t known better, he’d have sworn the animal was fake, another prop adding to the outback theme.
Bonnie lowered her sunglasses and surveyed his board shorts and blue and white Hawaiian shirt. “Didn’t you get the memo. We’re supposed to be in Australia, not Hawaii.”
“Even Australians wear Hawaiian shirts.”
Erica passed them. Today, she wore her hair in dozens of tiny braids. “Hi, Adam. Hello, Bonnie. What a great setup, huh?”
Sure. Great setup. For the next four hours I get to work between a woman with a hair trigger who hates my guts, and a woman I want more than I’ve wanted almost anything, except this job.
Bonnie lowered her sunglasses again. “Nice suit. Very…girlish.”
Erica glanced down at the bright red one-piece with deep cut-outs on each side. As far as Adam was concerned, that peekaboo suit was way more sexy than Bonnie’s let-it-all-hang-out look. He was thankful for his own shades, so she couldn’t see how he was staring at her. “Thanks, I like it.” She flashed them both a smile and made her way past them to the stage. Adam followed her with his eyes, mesmerized by the way the red spandex clung to her perfect ass.
