On My Knees: The Complete Series Box Set

by C. J. Thomas

  “And those flats, are those new too?” My focus went back to the road in front of me.

  “Yes.”

  I glanced back into the rearview mirror, letting my eyes roam her body as if I was looking at her for the first time. “Lots of fancy things for a young woman studying film.”

  “You told me to get new clothes so I got new clothes.”

  I laughed and flipped my blinker on. There was the attitude she’d shown me that first day on set—the kind that got me hard. “And you need to get more.”

  She gave me a look like, how could she afford to do that?

  I turned onto the off ramp and came to a stop at the sign. She lived in a decent part of town, near the campus. “What is it?”

  She had a pinched expression. “Nothing,” she whispered.

  “Don’t give me that bullshit. What is it?” I accelerated past a slow driver.

  She tossed her hair over her shoulder and turned to look out her window. “I don’t know how I’m going to afford anymore new clothes. I’m not like you, Nash. I don’t have mon—” She bit her tongue.

  I knew she wasn’t the type to be looking for an easy handout. And even if she was, there was no way in hell I’d give it to her—at least not until she earned it.

  I might spoil my women once I made them truly mine, but they’d have to work for it first. “You do anything it takes to get better clothes.”

  She rolled her eyes.

  “Don’t you believe for one second that honors and school awards will get you anywhere in this industry. You’re going to have to do things you might not want to do to make your big dream of becoming a Hollywood director come true. Including looking and acting the part.”

  She glanced at me from beneath her brow. “You know I’d do anything to make that happen. It’s been a dream of mine since I can remember.”

  “Then you’ll do what I just said.”

  “I’m not sure that looking the part includes cleaning actors’ toilets.”

  “Anything it takes.” The words rolled off my tongue nice and slow.

  Silence filled the car for a minute and neither one of us said a word.

  “You asked me what I’m into?” Alex gave me a knowing smirk.

  I shifted in my seat and pushed myself up on the center counsel with my elbow. Her young face filled the frame of the rearview mirror gorgeously. “I did.”

  “I know I’d be into the Assistant Director position.” Her gaze was unwavering.

  I took my eyes away from hers and weaved between cars.

  “Not what you wanted to hear?” She arched a brow.

  “You’re not alone.” I glanced at her.

  “That’s what I’m into.” She smiled and turned to look out the window. There was a gleam in her eye that said she wouldn’t let this go until I gave her the position.

  “Isn’t everyone?” I slowed the car, pulled off to the side of the road, and parked next the curb outside her building. “Nice place.” I leaned over and looked up.

  “I’m looking for somewhere new.” She avoided eye contact.

  I turned around. “Look at me.”

  She glanced in my direction and pulled her skirt further down on her thighs.

  “I might just give that position to you.”

  “But?”

  “But you’re going to have to do something for me.”

  She clucked her tongue as her cheeks flushed a cherry tomato red.

  “It’s not what you think.” I smirked. “You’ll give me that, when I ask for it.”

  “If you’re lucky.” Her lip curled. “Then what is it you want?”

  I tilted my head and paused. After a moment, I said, “C’mere. I’ll whisper it in your ear.”

  29

  Alex

  KENDRA COULDN’T KEEP her eyes off me.

  I kept tugging on my earlobe, avoiding direct eye contact. There was no way I could meet her gaze with that look she was giving me—like she knew what I was doing with Nash.

  Her lips pursed around her martini glass as she took a sip. “Don’t make me drink alone. That shit was expensive.” She pushed my glass closer to me.

  It seemed like I was dividing my time between her and Nash. When I wasn’t with Nash, I was with Kendra. And when I wasn’t with her, I was with Nash. It was this perpetual cycle, like being in the eye of the storm. I couldn’t seem to escape. And yet, through all of it, I hadn’t found the balls to tell her about him.

  “You didn’t have to buy me an expensive drink.” My face drooped.

  Except, I knew she did. She couldn’t wait to get me to loosen my tongue and tell her why I was going through my radical transformation of buying expensive clothes and shaving my girl parts.

  “Oh, fuck yeah, I did.”

  My glances darted between her and my martini. Here we go, I thought to myself.

  “So . . .” She leaned back to scope the place out. “Who will be the lucky S.O.B to drink from your sparklin’ new juice box?”

  “Oh, God. Gross.” My body quivered.

  Kendra laughed. “Don’t get me wrong, you have a beautiful snatch.”

  I turned my head away, and when I did, I could still feel Nash’s deep baritone voice whispering into my ear. I couldn’t stop thinking about what he told me when he dropped me off at my apartment earlier. With each word, his lips brushed against my earlobe, getting me wet all over again.

  But I didn’t like what it was he wanted me to do.

  I wasn’t sure I had it in me to spy on Ricky Moran. And especially when I knew it had something to do with Wesley Reid, too. The combination of the two would be sure career suicide if I got caught. I couldn’t afford to put my reputation on the line—especially for someone I hardly knew.

  I was too young. Didn’t have any real experience I could add to my pathetic résumé, and here I was, already having to take sides. Thanks, Nash.

  I rubbed the back of my neck.

  “I told you I’d get you drunk.”

  “Because you think I’m hiding something?”

  “Baby doll,” she slid her elbows across the table, “I know you’re hiding something.”

  I looked away and bit the inside of my cheek.

  “See?” She pointed at me.

  I glanced at her from the corner of my eye.

  “Only guilty people look away and do what you just did.”

  My fingers spread and I slid the stem of the glass between them, lifting it to my lips. The alcohol burned when I swallowed.

  I hated Nash for asking me to do him this favor. Why couldn’t he ask someone else?

  “Something is on your mind. I can see it.” Kendra nodded once as she lifted her drink to her mouth. “You know you can tell me.” Her eyes sparkled above the rim.

  I wore the same flat expression I’d had since Nash dropped me off.

  We sat in silence for what felt like an eternity and all I could think about was how in the world was I going to explain this one to my best friend. Then I heard my name being called from behind.

  “Alex Grace, is that you?”

  Kendra’s lips curled into a closed-mouth smile and I turned around. “Andy?”

  “God, it really is you.” Andy closed the distance between us before hovering over me. “You look amazing.” His eyes traveled down my front. “How have you been?”

  When I glanced at Kendra she leaned back, crossed her arms, and raised her eyebrows. “I’ve been good.” I nodded.

  “God it’s been forever.” He looked over at Kendra.

  Kendra was clearly waiting for me to introduce her. “Andy, this is my friend Kendra.”

  “Hi.” Kendra held out her hand and Andy shook it. “How do you two know each other?” she asked.

  Andy scrunched his brows and looked at me. “We’re . . .” he stalled, “old friends.”

  “We used to date,” I admitted.

  Kendra’s eyes widened when she glanced at me before turning back to Andy. “Sit down. Stay awhile.”

 
“Oh, no.” He looked at me. “I can’t.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. Sit.” Kendra pointed at the empty seat next to me.

  I gave her a warning look and wanted to plant my face into the palms of my hands.

  Andy must have read my expression perfectly. “No, really. I was just leaving when I saw you.” Our eyes locked. “Maybe we can get together sometime? Catch up. It’s been far too long.”

  When I didn’t say anything, Kendra kicked my knee under the table.

  “We could do a group night?” He shrugged. “You bring your friends and I bring mine.” He glanced at Kendra as if looking for approval.

  “She’ll do it.” Kendra rolled her shoulders back and took control of the situation.

  I flashed him a weak smile. The last thing I wanted to do was participate in a group date with my ex.

  “It was good to see you, Alex.”

  “Yeah. Good to see you, too.” My voice wasn’t convincing at all.

  He nodded, smiled, and turned on a heel, leaving us.

  Kendra didn’t waste any time telling me what she thought of him. “I’d fuck him.” She shrugged and gulped down her drink.

  “What was that?” I couldn’t believe her. I wasn’t interested in going on some group date. Why did she think that offering me up on a platter sounded like a good idea?

  “What?” She was nonchalant about it.

  “I can’t do a group date with my ex.” My voice squealed.

  She set her drink down and quirked a brow. “Why not? I bet he has sexy friends.”

  I finished my drink, the burn settling hot in my stomach. “Because I’m kind of seeing someone else.”

  “I knew it!” She pointed at me and laughed.

  My posture slumped.

  Kendra called over the waitress and ordered two more drinks—one for each of us.

  “So . . .” Kendra shook her head and tossed her hair. “What’s his name?”

  My heart hammered in my chest.

  Silence clouded over our table.

  She stared.

  I rubbed my knees and said, “Na—” I cleared my throat, “sh.”

  She leaned forward and her brows lifted high on her head. “I’m not sure I caught that. Did you say, Nash?”

  My toes curled up and my knees drew together.

  “Umm, I can’t hear you.” She cupped her hand behind her ear and leaned that side of her head in my direction.

  “It’s Nash Brooks.” I dropped my face into my palms.

  Her jaw hit the floor. “That’s who you shaved your snatch for?” She leaned back, looked toward the bar, and laughed.

  My head nodded inside my hands.

  There was no way I could look at her. This was so embarrassing and I didn’t know why. He wasn’t someone I should be ashamed of hooking up with. Yet I was.

  Slowly, I peeled my hands away from my eyes. “You don’t have anything to say?”

  It was so unlike her to be tongue-tied. That alone should be cause for concern.

  The waiter came back with our drinks and Kendra immediately put the rim to her lips and took a long drink. “Is he really as big as they say he is?”

  I took my eyes off her and glanced around the bar uneasily.

  “I mean,” she sat upright and leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table, “assuming that you’ve seen it.” Her eyes popped wide open. “You have seen it, haven’t you?”

  A thickness swelled my throat.

  She gasped. “Holy shit. You saw it.”

  My eyes watered.

  “That’s why you shaved your pussy.” She rolled through a fit of laughter. “Did he tell you to do it?”

  I squished my cheeks between my hands and nodded.

  “Is he as big as everyone says he is?” Kendra’s voice dropped low as she asked a second time. “Please tell me you’ve seen it.”

  “The biggest.” My chin dropped when I giggled.

  She narrowed her eyes. “Is he giving you money?”

  “What? No.” My brow lowered. “Who do you think I am, a call girl or something?”

  She leaned back. “It’s just one minute you’re broke and the next you’re making expensive purchases.” She shrugged. “What am I supposed to think?”

  I knew what it looked like through her eyes. Telling her about Nash was one thing, but the money I found was a completely different animal. And I wasn’t about to wrestle that one to ground tonight. “It’s not like that.”

  “Did he give you a credit card, then?”

  “Yeah, something like that.” I gulped down more of my drink, not wanting this to go any deeper than I’d already let it go. “And he’s telling me I need to update my wardrobe. Start acting like the Director I want to be.” My head bobbed back and forth on my shoulders as I imitated him.

  “So what, he’s basically saying you need to dress sexier for him?”

  I licked my lips. “Yeah. I guess so.” It was tough to admit, but she was absolutely right. Maybe this didn’t have anything to do with dressing for the industry or the position I was going for. In fact, maybe this was all for him—a way to establish his dominance over me.

  “Then what the hell are we doing here?”

  I angled my head and gave her a suspicious look.

  “If that’s what Nash Brooks wants,” she tossed back her drink and slung her purse strap over her shoulder, “then that’s what Nash Brooks will get.”

  30

  Alex

  “HERE.” Kendra held up a string bikini. “Now that is hot.” She whistled.

  I held out a long sundress and glanced over my shoulder in Kendra’s direction. “I’m not sure that would be considered work attire.”

  She moved across the floor and stood in front of me, holding the swimsuit up against my body. “Hmm . . . you’re probably right. But, damn, you’d look smokin’ in it.” Her eyes raked over me.

  I pulled it closer to my chest. I did like it.

  It was an aqua blue and pink polka dotted triangle bikini top matched with a single rise scrunch bottom that would be certain to keep men’s eyes stealing glances in my direction. “I don’t know.”

  “Why not just try it on?” Kendra’s eyes shined bright when she looked up at me. “It would be fun.”

  I glanced at the price. “No way.”

  “What do you mean?” She pulled the thin material away from me and held it up to her face.

  “Look at that number.” I twisted my hair over my shoulder.

  Kendra pinched the price tag between her fingers and turned it. “Whoa.”

  “Yeah.” I nodded. “I love it. But I don’t think I can justify paying that much for so little material.”

  She lifted it and angled it in front of her face, taking a second look. “Just give him the receipt and tell him to reimburse you.” She stole a glance in my direction.

  “That’s not how this works.” I barked a laugh.

  “Well, at least try it on.”

  I did like the idea of trying it on. “But what if I like it?” I reached out and took it into my hands.

  “Then you buy it, wear it once, get fucked because no guy will be able to keep it in his pants after he sees you in that, and return it.” Her eyes were bright like she had some kind of inside scoop.

  “Sounds like you’ve done this before.” My jaw set.

  “Dine and dash baby.” She puckered, then smacked her lips.

  I laughed.

  Kendra hooked her arm in the crook of mine and we began weaving between racks and racks of designer clothes—from swimwear to club dresses—until we were on the opposite end of the boutique.

  What did it matter, anyway, how much it cost?

  With the amount of cash I had stashed underneath my bed, I could certainly afford it. And Kendra was right. This bikini would turn every man into a walking hard on the moment they saw me wearing it.

  “Ouch.” I stepped away and looked at Kendra.

  Her nails dug deep into my arm and she gasped. “Ho
ly fuck. Is that him?”

  I stood on my tiptoes and craned my neck above the racks of clothes and looked to where she was pointing.

  “It is him,” she said, close to my ear. “Talk about coincidence.”

  When my feet fell back flat to the floor, my stomach flipped.

  With Nash, there was no way this could be coincidence.

  “He’s super hot.” Kendra turned and flashed me an approving smile.

  Nash was beyond hot.

  And what he could do to get me to come so easily was godly.

  But what was he doing here?

  “You know, if things don’t work out between you two, or if you’re looking for someone to join in on a gang bang,” she slapped my ass and I yelped, “I’m game.”

  I leaned back and scrunched my nose.

  “What?” She imitated my face. “I’m just saying.” She turned back to look in Nash’s direction. “What do you think he’s doing here?”

  “I don’t know.” A slight chill worked over me.

  Together, we watched him pace and browse the clothes around the dressing room.

  “Well, at least go say hi.”

  “I can’t.” My fingers grazed my throat. “Do you think he knew I was here?”

  Kendra shook her head. “I don’t think so. Look.” She covered her mouth and pointed.

  A lengthy young brunette stepped out of the dressing room and headed straight for him. He turned, smiled, and said something that we couldn’t hear. She held up the clothes and it was clear that they were discussing which ones were her favorite and which she could pass on.

  And when she leaned in and kissed his cheek, my heart stopped.

  “Oh, shit.” Kendra gasped.

  I knew I shouldn’t have listened to the things he said. He was just like every other man in this town—a playboy—and now I caught him out purchasing clothes for his other girlfriend.

  Talk about feeling used.

  It had only been a few hours since he had himself plowing inside me, and now it was as if he’d forgotten all that I had done just to please his silly demands.

  Fucking asshole.

  I spun around and tossed the bikini across the floor. When my phone buzzed with a text, I pulled it from my purse and swiped it alive.