Me: Uh, I’m not bringing Reid. And no to the photo-shoot with him either way. Don’t get any ideas. Just picked up Zoey. Tootles.
I don’t give him time to respond before I silence my phone and turn off the message alerts so that my car Bluetooth won’t pick them up.
Zoey finally emerges with her bag and her phone pressed to her ear. It takes her a minute to disconnect the call and drop her suitcase in the back before she climbs inside.
“Big Apple here we come!!” she squeals, causing me to shake my head.
“You’re insane, you do know that, right?”
“Whatever. I plan on enjoying the city life this weekend. And, guess who’s meeting me at the hotel!”
Damnit. I’m going to kill Zoey if she bails on me. “You did not.”
“Look, you can’t blame a girl for wanting the D, I mean. Dylan knows how to fuck. And since his BFF is coming, he figured he’d join in on the fun!”
“You realize shit always goes sideways when Rhys and I end up at a signing together, right? And – it’s usually because you ditch me!”
“Nice try. It’s because you want his D, which I can’t blame you. I mean that time I popped by, just before he was about to boink you? You could tell he wasn’t lacking.”
Leave it to Zoey to remind me about her impromptu visit on Wednesday before Rhys left to head back to Tallahassee. We’d just put Reid down for a nap and things got a little hot and heavy in the kitchen when he went to kiss me goodbye.
“Christ. Stop talking.”
“Just sayin’.”
Seriously. I swear, sometimes I wonder if she’s not secretly a teenage boy as horny as she is twenty-four seven. I guess that’s probably why she also tends to write more erotica.
“Hey, speaking of boinking. How’s the relocating coming? Have you told him yet?”
“No, I’ve not told him that I’m probably going to move in with him. I’ll let him sweat it out. You know you’re helping me pack when we get back right? It’s in the girl code book.”
“Well, shit. Can’t I boycott this? Oh! I have a great idea…instead of moving in with Rhys, I’ll come with you, we can move in together.”
“No offense, I’d rather live with Rhys.”
I did the roommate thing with Zoey, briefly – just out of college. Never again. She’s far too wild to live with, especially with a baby.
We make it to the airport and are checked-in in record time. We’re in the air for an hour and fifteen minutes before we land in Atlanta for our hour and a half layover.
I’m ordering a drink at Starbucks when strong arms wrap around me. I immediately lean to the left and swing my elbow back, a move that I learned in a self-defense class that Zoey and I took together. I’m about to make an even bigger scene when the man grunts and curses my name.
When I spin around, I don’t know if I should laugh or apologize. Laughter wins because Smitty is hunched over trying to catch his breath while Rhys and Zoey are standing behind him laughing their asses off.
“Stupid ass, you’re a goddamn cop, and you didn’t see that shit coming?” Rhys gasps between chuckles. “That’s what you get for touching what isn’t yours.”
I look over at Zoey who is almost in tears, “You told him to do it, didn’t’ you?” What can I say? I know my best friend.
“Maybe.” She doesn’t show an ounce of remorse either.
“Venti Caramel Macchiato for KJ,” the barista calls out. I pick up my drink and turn back to Smitty, who is at least standing upright now. “I’m sorry. Hopefully, you’ve learned a valuable lesson about approaching unsuspecting women. You might want to go back to basic training though. I’m pretty sure you should have been able to see that coming, like Rhys said.”
“Yep,” he squeaks. “I think I need an ice pack for my nuts now.”
Why the hell am I even shocked that these two knuckle heads are on the same flight out of here? I’m willing to bet Zoey had something to do with that too. I wouldn’t put it past her to have shared our flight info with them when she booked our flights together because my best friend is awesome like that.
I’m damn sure she’s behind it when we board the flight and Rhys slides in the seat next to mine.
“Well, would you look at that? I get to spend the next two hours next to you.” I’m ready to smack him upside his head when he leans in and whispers in my ear, “Maybe we can join the mile-high club.”
My eyes widen, he gives me that megawatt panty melting smile.
“No. And when we get there…Pretend we don’t know each other.”
“What? Why the fuck would I do that?”
“Um, I’m there to work. Not start a gossip mill.”
“I’m not following.”
“Seriously, Rhys. Have you not figured out how this whole book world works yet? If we’re caught together, tongues will start wagging there will be all kinds of assumptions made and there’s no doubt some, if not all, of your groupies will come after me with pitch forks.”
“First of all,” he rubs the back of his neck. “I don’t have groupies.”
“Rhys Mitchell. You are absolutely insane. And naïve. It’s kind of charming. You’re a fool though. You have groupies, babe.”
“Do not.”
“Do too.” I laugh.
“Okay, whatever. I don’t get why it matters though.”
“If people see us together. At an event? I prefer to keep my private life private. KJ and Kelsey are two different people.”
“Says you.”
“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”
“KJ and Kelsey seem a lot alike if you ask me. And I don’t get the big deal about keeping it private. Eventually they’ll figure it out. There will be other events we will both be at, and I’m not always going to walk around hiding the fact that I’m with you.”
And so, we spend the next two hours debating and arguing over how much contact we’ll have with one another this weekend. Apparently, Rhys is also pissed that I didn’t let him know that Reid would be with the sitter before now.
The flight ends with me feeling emotionally drained, and Rhys pissed off. At least he steers clear of me once we’re off the plane. I don’t have the time or energy to deal with him right now. I’ll let him cool off on his own and figure it out later.
Pissed seems like the right word for exactly how I feel right now.
Yeah, I’m annoyed with Kelsey for wanting to pretend we don’t know each other. But, I’m pissed at myself because I’m pushing her too hard and I know it. When I sit back and think about what she’s saying, it makes perfect sense. She’s got every right to feel the way she does. Things are still new and maybe coming out to the book world as a couple, with a baby together, isn’t the brightest idea right now. Doesn’t mean I don’t want to stake my Goddamn claim on her though.
Especially during the Friday night mixer when I watch her work the room, networking with other people. She doesn’t even realize she’s doing it, but she’s got this effect on people. They want to be in her space and all the men in the room have their eyes on her.
“You grip that bottle any tighter it’s going to shatter in your hand.” Smitty elbows me from his bar stool. “I thought you didn’t drink at these things anyway.”
“I didn’t, until her. If I don’t take the edge off, I’m gonna wind up doing something stupid and really pissing her off.”
“God, you’ve got it bad,” he chuckles at me.
“And you don’t? Dude your ass followed her here just for some pussy. The guy I know can get it whenever he wants, back home.”
“I can. If that’s what I want. Just so happens she’s the flavor I want right now. Plus, she’d doing some big cover reveal during the actual signing. So, watch out now buddy, I’m making my modeling debut tomorrow. You won’t be the only hot cop anymore.”
I can’t help but smile at him, “You bastard. You could have told me.”
“Could have, but what would be the fun in that.”
> “Are you really going to dive head first into this? I mean if you are, that’s great. I’ve certainly had fun with it.”
“Nah, it’s not for me, but she wanted me on a cover, so I did it.”
“And yet you don’t have it bad. Right. Keep telling yourself that.”
“Speak of the devil,” Smitty teases as Zoey walks over to him and grabs his hand.
“Come with me, I need to introduce you to someone.”
Like a goddamn puppy, my friend sets down his beer and follows after her.
And here I sit, alone, at the bar.
Except I’m not really alone for long. Soon enough a few women flock over fighting for my attention. They all want to snap pictures with me and by the time they’re done I’m half blind from the flashes on their camera phones.
One girl practically climbs in my lap and I have to gently put some space between us.
My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I pull it out.
KJ: Still think you don’t have groupies? Tell the bitch to take her hands off you.
Me: You come handle it. I don’t know you, remember?
It’s an asshole move, but if she wasn’t standing on the other side of the room right now, I wouldn’t be dealing with this. At least I’d hope they’d have enough respect that they’d keep their hands off me.
The party ends, and I make it back to the empty room I’m supposed to be sharing with Smitty. I’ve just pulled on a pair of sweatpants when there’s a knock at the door. I won’t even lie, part of me is afraid to even look. The later it got, the bolder the women got. I wouldn’t be surprised if one of them didn’t follow me back here. I hope like hell they didn’t.
I’m relieved when I see Kelsey standing on the other side.
As soon as I open the door, she pushes inside and pokes me in the chest with a finger.
“YOU!” Poke. “Are.” Poke. “An.” Poke. “Asshole.”
On the last poke, I grab her wrist and intercept her. “That shit hurts.”
“Yeah well so does watching you flirt with everyone!”
“Me! Did you not see the way every guy in the room was watching you?”
“Oh please. Whatever. You’re the one who had women crawling all over you.”
“And everyone that tried, I pushed away. Did you not see that part either?” I cross my arms over my chest and stare her down. “Let me remind you, YOU are the one who wanted to keep this thing between us a secret. So as far as they all know, I’m single.”
“UGH!” She throws her hands up in the air. “I hate you!”
“You don’t, and you know it.” I can’t help but smirk at her.
“Nope. I really hate you right now Rhys. I do. Do you know that Selena asked me if I’d consider letting her shoot us together? Are you scheduled with her this weekend?”
“I am. Tomorrow after the signing. Before the after party.”
“She wants me to pose with you. I laughed at her, but she said she’s serious. Did you put her up to that?”
I hold my hands up in surrender. “Honestly, I didn’t.”
“I’m not cover model material. I prefer staying between the pages.”
“It’s pretty fun once you get into it,” I stalk closer to her. “I could teach you a thing or two. You’d be comfortable.”
“And then we put Selena out of business when none of those pictures sell.”
“Oh, they’ll sell.”
She snorts, “Whatever.”
“Watch,” I guide her over to the mirror and situate us much like a photographer would for a book cover. “Now look at us. Look at you. I want you to see what I see.”
She looks at her reflection and the tiniest of smiles pulls across her face. “I don’t see what you see. But I like the way we look together.”
“Then come play with me tomorrow. What have you got to lose?”
“I hate you,” she whispers.
“You don’t. Now, before I have my wicked way with you, get back to your room. You wanted to behave this weekend,” I give her a kiss and swat her ass before she walks to the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Don’t worry, I won’t say hi.”
She flips me off and pulls the door open, slipping out into the hallway.
Kelsey’s gone for fifteen minutes before I given in and sent her a text.
Me: I should have gotten you to Skype Crystal and Reid before you left. I miss him.
KJ He’s in bed by now, goof. It’s after midnight. I talked to her before the mixer though. He’s fine. Lucy chewed up your shoes that you left at my house though. #notsorry
Her. Dog. Ate. My. Shoes. And here I thought I’d won the canine over.
Me: She can’t sleep in our bed, and she’s not allowed on the couch anymore.
KJ: LOL! I thought she was your friend?
Me: I did too. Until she ate my shoes. Damn. She’s probably mad that we left her with Zoey for a week.
KJ: Probably.
Me: Smitty’s still MIA. We could be snuggling together right now, instead of sending messages like teenagers.
KJ: I’m going to sleep. You should too.
Me: Fine. Yes, I’m pouting. Night. I love you.
KJ: I love you too.
This signing is crazy compared to the one I did with Annabelle back in March. It’s hard to believe that’s been six months since that signing and a whole year since that damn picture went viral. So much shit has changed.
I’ve barely had time to look Kelsey’s way, which is saying a whole lot considering she’s sitting directly across from us – but all the way on the other side of the room. She’s doing a damn good job of pretending we don’t know each other too because when I have taken a glance, she’s not looking for me.
Time is almost up when I see her step into the hallway, so I look to Faith and excuse myself too.
Luck must be on my side because by the time I make it to the bathroom she’s walking back out. I lace her hand in mine and quickly duck into the stairwell nearby and pin her to the wall.
“This isn’t pretending we don’t know each other,” her breathy voice tells me she’s not unaffected.
Good.
“It’s not, but I can’t be that damn close to you and not touch you or kiss you,” I say right before my lips meet her. I expect her to fight me, at least a little but she doesn’t, instead, she parts her lips and slips her tongue into my mouth. I press my hips against her, and she moans.
“Damn it. Fuck this keeping quiet shit,” she says as we break apart.
“You’re the one who said we should keep it under wraps.”
Before I let her go completely the door opens, and Selena walks in.
“Whoa. You two. I knew they’d be sparks there,” Selena doesn’t even hesitate.
“It’s not what it looks like,” Kelsey automatically defends.
“It’s exactly what it looks like,” I growl.
If looks could kill, I’d be on the service end of a gun.
“Hey, I don’t care what it is or isn’t but the two of you together? We could burn the place down,” she dramatically fans her face. “I’ll let you two get back to it. Rhys, I’ll see you in an hour. Kelsey, think about what I said. I mean it. I’ve got clients who are looking for what you’ve got. This one here,” she points to me, “can give you the details, or maybe he can drag you along,” she winks before open walking down the steps. “Oh, and whatever that was or wasn’t, not my business, so my lips are sealed.”
As soon as she’s out of view, Kelsey smacks my chest. “THAT is what I was afraid would happen.”
“You’re the one who wanted to keep quiet. I could have done this earlier today if you didn’t spend so much time avoiding me.”
“Ugh! Rhys. You’re dangerous.”
“I’ve been called a lot of things babe, dangerous is not one of them.”
“Let me go. Shit. I need to get back to my table. DO NOT walk out right behind me.”
I probably should have told her to run her hands through her hair,
but she walked away to quick. Oh well. Not entirely my fault that she looks like she was thoroughly kissed.
When I get back to the table Faith is packing up, as are the authors around her. I offer to help and do whatever she asks me to do to get her things loaded up on to the cart thing she brought with her. Like that, another signing is in the books. Pun intended.
I’m not sure what it says about me, but I let Rhys (and Selena) talk me into it.
I’m kneeling in the middle of a hotel bed, with Rhys’ arms wrapped around me while the camera clicks. My only thought right now is thank fuck I packed my brand-new lingerie. I lost my bra about ten minutes ago, and my tits are smashed against Rhys’ hot skin. But damn if my ass won’t look good in these cheeky panties I’m wearing.
“Put one hand in the back of her hair and lean in like you’re going to kiss her. You want her so bad right now, but you’re taking it slow, let me feel it.”
Rhys moves one hand to my hair and leans his head down. “Oh, I certainly feel it,” I whisper and shift ever so slightly and graze his hard cock with my thigh.
He closes his eyes, and for a second, I think he might go for it and actually kiss me. I almost want to dare him to.
“Yes, perfect. Now put your forehead on hers, and both of you close your eyes, pretend you’re lost in the moment.”
Oh, I’m lost in the moment. This may be the craziest thing I’ve ever done with Rhys. Something about being watched, the sound of the camera clicking in the background. I’m not an exhibitionist in the least, but man do I see the appeal. As much as I am aware of two other people in the room, watching us, I’m completely lost in the moment as if it’s only me and him.
“Ok.” Selena’s voice cuts in. “Let me see what I’ve got, and maybe we can do somewhere she’s wearing your dress shirt and tie, straddling your lap. I’ve got some cuffs too, maybe we’ll try a few with those dangling from her fingertips. KJ, you can put your bra back on for these ones.”
“Turn around and face the wall. I’ll hand you your bra,” Rhys whispers and does his best to hide my body until I’m able to turn around.
Hot Cop (Too Hot To Handle Book 1) Page 17