Bet Me Something (Something Series Book 3)

by Aubrey Bondurant

  He fought a smile, his entire body relaxing with my words. “You told him you were into me when we were in New York?”

  “In my defense, I only brought it up because he noticed your reaction to me leaving with him that night.”

  This time he smirked.

  I shook my head. “I’m so confused.”

  “That your boyfriend wouldn’t be happy his girlfriend has made it clear to another guy that she’s into me?”

  “More like you wouldn’t care about his connection to your brother.”

  “Right.” He seemed to finally get the point I was trying to make but was still grinning over the first part. “I suppose it would be best not to confirm we’re together, but I quite enjoy the idea of him knowing you have feelings for me.”

  Now I got it. “Ah. You want me to tell him I’m into you, effectively making me off-limits, but not outing the relationship entirely. How annoyingly clever.”

  “I don’t think you even have to. It’ll be obvious that you’re still into me when you say my name on a sigh while missing me tonight.”

  My eyes rolled of their own volition. “Just when I thought I’d tamed that ego of yours. So was that jealousy before? I don’t think I’ve ever seen that look on your face.”

  “Yeah, well I don’t think I’ve ever felt it before.” His admission surprised me.

  As a knock sounded at the door, we broke apart reluctantly. Rhonda came in with lunch, setting it down on the table next to the couch.

  We both thanked her and, after she shut the door, Colby crossed to lock it. “Are you super hungry, or could you wait a few more minutes?” he asked huskily.

  I tried to keep a straight face. “Depends. What’s for lunch?”

  He laughed before pulling me back into his embrace. “God I love your smart mouth.” He kissed me softly. “Does it make me sound completely whipped to say the thought of the next three nights away from you makes me crazy?”

  “No, because I’ll miss you, too.”

  He looked happy with my answer. “I return Thursday and have a movie premiere that evening in Hollywood. Would you like to be my date?”

  My stomach fluttered with the thought, and I ran my hands over his backside. “Would I get to grab your butt?”

  He chuckled. “Afraid not.”

  “Mm, hold your hand?” Mine threaded with his.

  “Probably not.”

  I pretended to mull it over. “See you naked afterwards?”

  “Absolutely. In fact, I’ll get a hotel room nearby. Might be a good night to collect on my wager from last night.”

  I smirked. “In that case, I’d love to be your date.”

  He nuzzled my neck. “Now then, I have you to myself for the next hour, and I intend spending very little of it eating lunch. However, being aware of how much you enjoy your food, I’ll reveal there are turkey clubs in the bag and let you choose.”

  He backed me up towards his desk, lifting me up on it and standing between my legs.

  “Hmm, I really love turkey clubs, but I think the fact I’m picking this instead should tell you how much more I feel about you.”

  His lips parted in surprise, and I realized I’d inadvertently phrased that I loved him more than turkey clubs. Shit.

  The good news was instead of being freaked; he seemed pleased and showed me over the next hour how much I didn’t regret my choice to wait on lunch.

  ***

  “What kind of dress do you wear to a movie premiere?” I posed the question to Will as we sat in the twenty-four hour diner after clubbing it earlier with a group of other models. We’d been the only ones opting to leave at one o’clock in the morning in search of food.

  “Because I’m a model, I’d have the answer?” he teased.

  I shrugged. “You probably know more about fashion than I do.”

  He studied me across the booth’s table with a wry smile. “Why don’t you ask pretty boy since I’m assuming you’re going with him?”

  After laughing at the irony of the pretty boy across the table calling Colby one, I shared the thought. “It’s kind of funny you, of all people, are calling him that.”

  “Ah, nice way to avoid answering the question.”

  “Theoretically speaking, say Colby and I did, you know, eventually start something. How do you think Josh and Haylee would react to the news?” He was friends with the both of them, so I valued his opinion on it.

  He contemplated the inquiry, answering after the food arrived. “Haylee would be thrilled because she’s always had a soft spot for Colby. Josh would be tougher given his friendship with Brian and his little brother’s, uh, previous bachelor status.”

  “That’s a nice way of putting it.” I concentrated on my hash browns.

  “I think the real question is would you care? In other words, if everyone disapproves, would you stop, theoretically, being in love with him?”

  I shook my head. “No way, but I think their acceptance means a lot more to him. Timing is important, hypothetically speaking, as it may be better to tell them after we’d been together months plural rather than only a few weeks.”

  He shrugged but acted as though he wanted to say something.

  “Don’t go holding back now.”

  “Okay. What you need to ask yourself is if you’re waiting because you wish to prove it to them or to yourself. It’s reasonable you might want to see if this works out before involving others, but make sure you’re both agreed on the real reason you’re not telling anyone.”

  “You’re really good with advice.” It didn’t take a rocket scientist to guess Colby didn’t have a lot of confidence in being successful with a long-term relationship, but considering how hard he was trying and the fact that I was no expert, I was willing to give it more time.

  “You’ll both figure it out, I have no doubt. The last piece of counsel I’ll offer is that the way they react may come down to how you tell them. What you don’t need is for them to find out and make assumptions. Better to do it on your terms, don’t you think?”

  I nodded, then wanted a change of subject. “Tell me what’s new with you.”

  We chatted it up through the rest of breakfast, then I dropped him off at his hotel and drove home. After a shower and climbing into bed at close to three o’clock in the morning, I sent a text to Colby, figuring it was around lunch his time.

  “Miss you.”

  My phone rang immediately with his number, and I answered. “Hi, you.”

  “Hi. Are you only now getting in?”

  “About a half hour ago. Took a shower, now I’m crashing.”

  “You sound sleepy. How was the club?”

  “Loud, but fun. Then Will and I hit a diner for breakfast. I dropped him off before coming home.”

  “And how is pretty boy Will?”

  I fell into a fit of giggles over the same terms they had for one another. “He’s good, and I happen to think you’re prettier.”

  “Glad you think so. Did you talk about how smitten you are with me?”

  “No, but I did ask him where I could get a dress for a movie premiere. I don’t think he appreciated that I thought he’d know.”

  He chuckled. “No, I don’t suppose he would. How about I have you meet with a stylist at Barney’s this week so you can pick something out? Or, if you don’t have time, I could have them send you a few to see which one you might prefer.”

  “You don’t need to pay for my dress.”

  “Since I invited you, I’d like to. Which option do you prefer?”

  “Option B, please. And I’ll pick one easy to get out of because that’s all I can think about.”

  “You’re not the only one as I’m already counting the minutes. I’m in meetings most of the day, but I’ll call you tonight.”

  “Mm, sounds good.” I was starting to fade.

  “Sweet dreams, Kenz.”

  “‘Night.”

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  By the time Thursday rolled around, I was a bit
nervous. This was Colby’s world and, although I was comfortable in most situations, I had no clue what to expect tonight at the premiere. He’d surprised me earlier today by having beautiful long-stem red roses delivered. I wondered if he’d put any thought into the color as representative of his feelings but then dismissed the idea because trying to figure out someone’s emotions by way of the color of a flower was dumb. Nevertheless, they made me extraordinarily happy.

  Earlier in the week, a woman from Barneys had come by with a variety of dresses and shoes from which to choose. I’d known which dress I wanted the minute I laid eyes on it. It was fire engine red in a halter style, with a modest top and an A-line skirt that hung to the floor. It was the slit which showed off quite a bit of my left leg that made it hot. Once I put it on, I felt sexy and sophisticated. The matching strappy red heels gave me three more inches of height and complemented the dress beautifully.

  Glancing at the clock in my apartment, I realized it was time to get ready as Colby would be here soon. I slipped the gown on, smiling in the mirror at my reflection. I was anxious for him to see me in this dress and even more excited about him taking it off me later. I’d decided to keep my hair simple by pulling it back into a chic high ponytail with my bangs in front and a couple tendrils left loose. I’d gone by the hospital earlier, and the volunteer coordinator had been nice enough to do my eyes up, sans the princess sparkles. Diamond studs that I’d received for my eighteenth birthday completed the look.

  I heard the knock on the door, felt my heart jump up in my throat, and opened it with a smile.

  Holy Mother of all things religious, Colby Singer in a tuxedo was just—Wow.

  His hungry gaze raked over me from head to toe, then fixed on my face. “Christ, I don’t think I’ll be able to last the night. You look stunning.”

  “Right back at you.”

  He pulled me close, kissing my neck. “I missed you.”

  “I missed you, too.” The smell of his cologne assaulted my senses, triggering my hands to move with a mind of their own under his jacket, caressing the hard muscles of his back.

  “We have to go if we don’t want to be late.” He made no move to break away.

  “Mm-hmm. Thank you for the roses, the dress, and the shoes.”

  He leaned back, kissing me softly, and then sighed as he pulled away. “You’re welcome. Here, this is for you, too.”

  I watched him reach inside his jacket and pull out a long velvet box.

  Taking it from his hands, I opened it to reveal the most stunning three-strand diamond bracelet. “It’s beautiful, but—”

  He took it out of the box, holding it up. “But nothing. I read in the handbook that boyfriends buy their girlfriends jewelry.”

  What irony to receive such a thoughtful gift on a night that I couldn’t tell anyone about us. But I refused to let such a thought ruin the moment. “I do love that handbook, and I love the bracelet. Thank you.” I kissed him again before he broke away grudgingly.

  “Let’s go before I forget all about this premiere and keep you here.”

  ***

  After handing my overnight bag to the driver, then helping me into the back of the limo, Colby pulled me onto his lap. “You have no idea how much I want you right now. The last few days have been torture.”

  I could feel his erection under me. “How long before we arrive?”

  “Maybe twenty minutes, but no funny business.”

  I attempted to turn around, but his arms held me in place. “We could take the edge off.”

  His lips found the sweet spot by my ear. “It wouldn’t be enough, besides I don’t want to mess up your dress or makeup.”

  Wiggling against him, I felt him groan. “But what are we going to do about this?”

  “Save it for later. Now behave and let me hold you. Did the man from the record label call to schedule your audition?”

  I shifted so I could see his face and put my arms around his shoulders. “Yes, he left a message to call him back.”

  He picked up quickly on the way I’d phrased that. “And did you?”

  I sighed. “Not yet.”

  He was quiet but then spoke softly. “If you’ve changed your mind, you know I’m supportive, no matter what.”

  “You don’t think I’d be chickening out on an amazing opportunity?”

  “If it’s not one you’re looking forward to doing, then no. Are you nervous over having to perform?”

  Raw honesty didn’t come easy. “I’m afraid if I don’t do well, I’ll never want to do it again.”

  “Audition or sing in general?”

  I bit my lip, trying to figure out the best way to explain it. “Sing. When I do it for those kids, I do it because they appreciate it, flaws and all. It’s the only reason I can think of that I don’t get nervous in front of them; because I know they love it. But the thought of auditioning in front of people critiquing every facet freaks me the hell out. What if I suck and lose the desire to do it ever again? And that’s not even mentioning the fact that I would have to go out on tour with whoever it is. We could be talking months on the road.”

  I could tell by his expression he hadn’t thought about that aspect. “Well, I think you need to decide whether you’ll regret never taking the chance more than you’d regret taking it and not succeeding. There are some things in life you don’t want to think back on and wish you would’ve at least tried. But for other things, it might not be worth the risk. Only you can decide that.”

  Could I live with never giving it a shot? Or would I regret taking the chance? “I suppose you’re right.”

  Pulling up in front of the movie theatre was a welcome distraction. “We aren’t walking the red carpet, are we?”

  He shook his head. “No, but there will be pictures. The hard part will be not touching you since there will be media and people from my office there who—”

  “Know Josh. Yeah, I get it.” And I didn’t want to be reminded of it.

  He flashed his PDG. “I’ll make it up to you later.”

  “Oh, I know you will. And by the way, your PDG has been rendered ineffective this evening.”

  He pretended to look wounded as the driver opened the door. “How’s that?”

  I leaned in and whispered, “Because I’m not wearing any panties to drop.”

  The hiss of his breath was immensely satisfying, but not as much as being pulled back inside against him.

  He looked towards the driver. “Give us five minutes.”

  My face heated knowing it was obvious why. The door barely closed before his hand was up my dress. “I thought you said we didn’t have time for funny business?”

  His breath was warm against my ear when he replied, “That was before you announced there was nothing between my hand and your pussy underneath your dress.” He wasted no time bringing his fingers right up to my heat.

  Shifting to allow him more access, I moaned with the sensation of his fingers inside of me, his thumb circling my clit.

  “I want you to make a mess on my hand, then as I’m in that movie premiere, I’m going to smell you the entire time and think of what we’re doing tonight.”

  Jesus. “Your dirty talk could almost make me come alone.”

  He kissed down my neck. “In that case I want you to think about later, when I’m going to have you—”

  “Oh god.” Just the thought of what we had planned for tonight pushed me over the edge. I convulsed against his fingers feeling the waves of pleasure consume me with my climax. When my eyes flickered open, his proud smirk greeted me.

  “Watching you come like that was the hottest thing ever.” He straightened my dress and adjusted himself. “You ready?”

  Actually I kind of needed a nap after that orgasm. Wow. I swallowed hard, knowing I probably looked fine from the outside, but on the inside I was jelly. “Yeah, I think so.”

  As the driver helped me out the door, and we stepped into the fray, flashes from the cameras were everywhere. It occurred to me
I hadn’t once inquired what movie this was, or who was in it. Nevertheless, I smiled, feeling his hand in the small of my back as he guided me through the crowd.

  Before we entered the theatre, he lifted my hand, brushing his lips against my knuckles in a sweet gesture. On a regretful sigh, knowing he couldn’t touch me any other way, he led me into the theatre and started the dizzying number of introductions and greetings. All the while, I thought it might be progress that he didn’t once mention me as his friend’s little sister.

  I noticed more than one woman fixing her gaze on him only then to assess me from head to toe as the competition. But Colby paid them no attention, seemingly oblivious to the appreciative looks he was receiving.

  By the time we took our seats, I was already exhausted from the entire experience.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  “Yes. It’s a little overwhelming, but you handled it like a pro. Uh, what movie are we seeing?”

  He chuckled quietly. “You really don’t care, do you?”

  I smiled apologetically. “I was looking forward more to seeing you tonight than what we were doing. At least tell me if this is one that belongs to your production company.”

  “It does and, according to critics, may be a contender for one of the top movies of the summer.”

  “Then you must be very proud. I bet it feels amazing to see all those late night meetings, contract negotiations, and hard work you put into it pay off, doesn’t it?”

  He leaned in, whispering, “Thank you.”

  “For what?”

  When the lights lowered, his hand found mine in the dark. “For getting it. And me. And why I love what I do.”

  ***

  After the sci-fi action premiere, which starred several great actors, we crossed the street for the party. Over the next hour, Colby made his rounds and mingled while I was happy to watch him do so. I met quite a few people, but could hardly concentrate on small talk with the heated glances he kept throwing my way.

  He found me sipping champagne and chatting up his special effects supervisor. I didn’t know much about filmmaking, so listening to him sure gave me a newfound appreciation.