Chapter Four
As expected, Anders refused to accept that Josie wasn’t interested. Over the next several days, he poked and prodded at her, causing more than a few heated arguments. His teasing, negative comments about her work never failed to garner a reaction, so he brought it up whenever she tried to ignore him. Because of this, when he had a legitimate complaint, it came as no surprise that she blew him off.
“Something isn’t right.” Anders tugged on the waist of his pants, his face scrunched in annoyance.
Josie crossed her arms over her chest. “No way,” she scoffed. “There is nothing wrong with those pants.”
The pair stared at each other in silence. After a beat Anders exhaled and closed his eyes. If he couldn’t rein in his skyrocketing temper, another pissing contest would soon follow. “Look,” he began, relaxing the tightness in his jaw. “We both know why you’re here. I could continue to pretend it’s because of your work, but it’s time we stopped dancing around the real reason.”
“Oh?” Josie lifted her brow. “I’m not sure I understand. Tell me, Mr. Ellis. Why am I here?”
Anders let out a throaty chuckle and stepped closer. “You’ve presented me with a challenge.” He trailed the back of his fingers down the length of her arm, his laugh becoming louder when she flinched away from him. “I love a good challenge.”
“You’re an asshole.”
He nodded. “I’ve never denied that, but it doesn’t change the fact that you want me as much as I want you.”
“If I didn’t dislike you so much, I’d worry about these delusions you’re suffering from.”
Anders shook his head. “You don’t dislike me, Ivy.”
“My name is Josie.” She fought to ignore how her stomach fluttered when he called her Ivy.
“Not to me.”
“I’m leaving.”
“Wait,” he huffed, wrapping his fingers around her bicep and halting her movement. “I’m not kidding about these pants. They don’t fit. These are for the new scenes, right? They weren’t part of the original set?”
Josie eyed him for a minute before nodding. “Yes, they’re new. That’s why you’re being fitted early.”
“Okay then. I’m telling you, something isn’t right.”
Josie pushed her annoyance to the side and stepped closer. While she doubted there was anything wrong, she couldn’t let personal feelings get in the way of work. “Okay, what’s wrong?”
“The inseam is too short, and the waist is too snug.”
The thought of measuring his inseam appealed to Josie as much as setting her hair on fire. Still, refusing wasn’t an option. After pulling in a calming breath, she tugged the waist of his pants. They didn’t fit. “Shit,” she whispered. The room and its annoying occupant faded as her mind locked into work mode. She grabbed her phone and sent Madison a text to come to his trailer.
“Lift your arms,” she instructed, pulling out her measuring tape.
He did as she said, taken aback by her sudden change in demeanor. She wrapped the tape measure around his waist and pulled it together. The plastic pen lodged between her teeth cracked when her jaw tightened. In a swift motion, she pulled it from her mouth and jotted the measurements on the back of her hand. “You can put your arms down. Spread your legs.”
Anders smirked and shifted his feet apart as Josie crouched in front of him. “Isn’t that supposed to be my line?”
Josie’s balance tipped when his words registered, causing her to rock forward. All thoughts of teasing vanished when he saw her on her knees. His lips parted as he dragged his eyes over the arch of her neck, the hair spilling down her back, and the flush creeping over her exposed skin.
Josie was ready to tell him off, but when their eyes locked, the look on his face stopped her cold. His eyes were intense, his expression darkened with determination, desire, and trouble. So much trouble. He brushed his fingers along the curve of her jaw as he used his thumb to trace the outline of her parted lips. He wanted to drop to his knees, replace his thumb with his tongue, and taste the plump swell of her lips. Josie saw it—the desire—but still, she didn’t move.
“Hey, Josie, what’s going on?” Madison asked, pushing open the door. Her mouth fell open and her eyes widened as she took in the scene in front of her.
Anders snatched his hand away from Josie’s face like it burned and stumbled back. As soon as the contact broke, Josie let out a shaky breath and rose to her feet. Not sparing Anders a second glance, she moved to Madison and thrust the pen and measuring tape into her hands.
“These pants are the wrong size. I’m pretty sure these measurements were for Walker. I have somewhere I need to be. Will you finish up here then call the design department with the correct measurements, please?”
A look of concern crossed Madison’s face. “Sure.”
“Thanks.” Josie fled his trailer without wasting another second, and Anders didn’t try to stop her. Anders knew she didn’t have anywhere to be, but he wanted her to leave as much as she did. He wasn’t sure what just happened, but he didn’t like it. He needed to clear his head, and he couldn’t do that with her there.
“Well,” he snapped, flicking his gaze to Madison. “I don’t have all day.”
Madison smiled and sauntered over to him, amused by how frazzled he appeared. It seemed Josie wasn’t the only one who got her panties in a twist when they were alone together. She wasn’t sure what that meant, but at least it evened the playing field.
As one week blended into two, Anders’ persistence and Josie’s stubbornness caused the tension between them to grow. So much so that it began to affect their interactions with others. For Anders, who always had a chip on his shoulder, the change was subtle. Josie, however, was a different story. It wasn’t until she nearly reached the end of her rope that she realized something about Anders that would save her sanity. When anyone else was around, Anders behaved. No innuendos, no accidental contact, and no mention of wall sex 2.0.
She also didn’t miss the utter looks of disdain he gave to anyone who interrupted them. She knew it was a game. His goal was to sleep with her again, but she couldn’t deny that a part of her was beginning to enjoy the attention. She was positive he’d never had trouble getting what he wanted before. The fact that she was the current object of his frustration gave her more than a little thrill. If she had to suffer his advances, it was nice to know he was suffering as well.
That knowledge was why she found herself smiling in front of the mirror Friday morning as Madison let herself in the front door. Pulling a brush through her hair, she twisted her leg to the side to check out her ass. Josie wasn’t conceited by any means, but she wasn’t lacking confidence either.
“That’s some outfit you’re wearing, Josie,” Madison commented, noticing Josie’s sly smile when their eyes connected.
“Oh, this old thing?” With a flippant wave, Josie rolled her eyes and spun to face Madison.
“You’re up to something.”
Josie laughed as she led Madison to her car. “Of course I’m up to something. As much as I love to dress up, wearing shit like this to work isn’t the least bit practical.”
“Josie,” Madison began, her voice gentle. “Do you really want to play this game?”
“Look.” Josie sighed and pulled in a deep breath, taking a moment to figure out a way to explain how she felt. “He drives me crazy. He called my boss and demanded I be at his beck and call because he doesn’t like being told no. He’s rude, pushy, and an all-around womanizing asshole. But I can’t deny that part of me gets off on the fact that he’s trying so hard. Turning him down has completely floored him. If I have to endure his shit every day, don’t I deserve to have a little fun in return?”
“I’m not saying you aren’t justified. What I’m saying is this is his style, not yours. You don’t do things like this. You don’t play games. I’m worried you’re diving into a shark tank and you’re not going to make it out without being bitten.”
Josie shook her head and smiled. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.”
Inside the design room, Josie texted a couple of interns and instructed them to meet her at Anders’ trailer in a half hour. Once at her cubicle, she grabbed a pad and pen and locked her purse in the drawer before heading back outside. Since he was expecting her, she tapped on the door once before stepping inside.
“You decent?” she joked. Nothing about him was decent.
“What the fuck are you wearing?” he spat the moment he saw her. The black leather pants fit like a second skin and her top, if it could be called that, followed the curve of her breasts and dipped between them. The snug fit caused the swell of skin to plump at the top as wide straps wrapped over her shoulders and left her neck and collarbone exposed.
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me. Why are you dressed like that?”
“I have plans later. I don’t have time to go home and change.”
Anger. It was the only word Anders could come up with to describe the white-hot feeling burning through him. Anger toward her for dressing that way and anger for whomever she’d dressed that way for. So, like always, he lashed out. His face clean of emotion, he gave her a condescending smile. “Oh, another wrap party? You got your eye on someone else already? Well, dressed like that I’m sure you’ll have no trouble getting what you want.”
Her mouth dropped open in shock before her own anger crested. She stormed across the room until they stood chest to chest. “Fuck you,” she spat. Her hand flew toward his face, but Anders was faster, catching her wrist seconds before she made contact.
“I didn’t realize you like it rough,” he taunted, wrapping his free hand around her waist and pulling her flush against him. “Is that what you want, Ivy? Because I can give it to you rough if that’s what you want.”
“Go to hell.” She ripped her arm free and stepped back. He moved to follow when there was a knock at the door. Josie breathed a sigh of relief and smoothed her hair. Her eyes never left Anders’ as she yelled, “Come in!”
Two interns entered the room, their demeanor timid as they took in the stance of their boss and the actor both girls had a crush on. “Are we interrupting?” Amelia asked.
“Of course not.” Josie smiled and walked over to the girls, all traces of anger wiped clean. “Mr. Ellis, these are my interns, Amelia and Kate. They’re shadowing me today.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Anders muttered. He pushed his hands through his hair in frustration before dropping them to his sides in defeat. “They better not get in my way.”
“We wouldn’t dream of inconveniencing you, Mr. Ellis.” The sarcasm in her voice was clear. For the next half hour Josie acted like Anders wasn’t in the room. Even when she spoke directly to him, when she touched him, it was as though he were a ghost.
Each time she bent over, each time she ignored him or dragged her tongue over her lips, she added fuel to the fire. She didn’t care. She’d never been mad enough to want to hit another human being, but she was today. He pushed her buttons in ways she didn’t understand, and anything she could do to return the favor she would. Tenfold if possible.
Anders’ agitation grew with each passing second. He knew what she was doing, and he was going to put a stop to it. The moment they finished his measurements, he straightened his back and cleared his throat. Turning his attention to the interns, he smiled—it was over-the-top and insincere.
“I hope you two gained some valuable experience today working with Ms. Bane, but I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you both to get the fuck out.”
Josie gasped. Amelia and Kate jumped in surprise, gaping at him as they stood frozen. He hesitated for a moment before speaking again, his voice full of authority. “Now.”
The interns scurried, barely avoiding a collision as they darted out the door. Josie snatched up her pad and moved to follow, but Anders was on her in three quick strides. He reached around her and slammed the door shut, his breath tickling the hair on her neck as he leaned into her and twisted the lock.
“Oh, no.” He chuckled, his voice low and dark. “Not you, Ms. Bane. You and I, we have unfinished business to attend to.” He spun her around and pushed her against the door, his stance dominating as he caged her body with his.
“I think we covered just about everything earlier when you called me a whore.” Josie’s voice was harsh, her anger rising again as she remembered how his words had made her feel, and worse, that he was justified to think that way.
“You’re playing a very dangerous game, Ivy. One you won’t win. I hope you realize that.”
“You’re so fucking full of yourself. You think everything is about you. That whatever I do is somehow connected to stroking that inflated ego of yours. Well, let me tell you something, Mr. Ellis. Your ego is the last thing I’m thinking about stroking tonight.”
She was provoking him, pushing the limits of his tenuous temper to the brink. Still, she was unprepared when he wrapped one hand around her neck, the other around her waist, and kissed her. It wasn’t gentle. It was possessive and needy, frustrated and punishing.
Josie grabbed the material of his shirt and pushed against his chest. She tried to fight the heat building and spreading through her limbs as he parted her lips and stroked her tongue with his. He twisted his hand in her hair and pulled her head back, arching her neck and exposing more of her skin. Suddenly she was no longer pushing but pulling. Her back bowed, bringing him closer. Only one word echoed in her mind: more.
Anders broke away and moved to the column of her throat, dragging his mouth over her heated flesh. “Fuck yeah,” he moaned, rocking his hips forward. The moment he spoke, the spell broke. Josie stiffened then pushed against his chest but with more persistence this time.
“Shit.” She pressed her fingers against her kiss-swollen lips. “This changes nothing.”
“I think you and I know better than that.” The rough edge to his voice and the dark glint of desire in his eyes sent a shiver down Josie’s spine.
“Kiss me again and I won’t give a fuck about the repercussions. I’ll make sure I’m never alone with you again. Understand what I’m saying?”
Anders’ jaw ticked with anger. The implication was clear, but her eyes gave her away; she was bluffing. Now wasn’t the time to call her on her lie, though, not when he was still reeling from their kiss.
“See you next time, Ms. Bane.” His voice was detached, his tone dismissive. Without a word she twisted the lock and stepped out of the trailer, letting the door slam behind her.
Anders stared in disbelief. He needed to clear his head, get away from the studio. He needed a distraction. So he called the one person who got him, who would help him figure out what he needed to do to break Josie.
“Maddox.”
Anders grinned at the familiar greeting. “Owen, hey man. You back in town?”
“Yes. Thank God. I’ve never been so happy to finish a movie in my life. I don’t think it could’ve been possible to pick a shittier place to film.”
“That’s what you get for taking on a movie about the South. You end up in the damn woods.”
Owen laughed. “Well, not all of us have Argent crawling back on their hands and knees begging for another chance.”
“Well, that’s a damn shame.” Anders’ sigh was full of mock pity. A smile stretched across his face as he thought about everything he’d been able to get out of the studio. His mind flashed to Josie, who was decidedly not someone he was able to persuade to do as he wanted, which reminded him why he called Owen in the first place. “What are you doing tonight? You want to hang out?”
“Hell, yes. I need to submerge myself back into LA nightlife, if you know what I mean.”
Anders shook his head. “Yeah, I know exactly what you mean.”
“Ten sound good to you?”
“Same place?”
“As always.”
Anders hung up and headed toward the set. For the next several hours he focused on work, not once allowing himself to think about Josie. Even so, as soon as the director called it a day, she was the first thought to enter his mind. Frustrated, he climbed into his car and sped out of the lot. It was just after seven, which gave him plenty of time to get home and shower. He hoped Owen would be able to help him figure out what to do about Josie. He was ready to put this game of playing hard to get to an end.
A little after ten, Anders pulled around to the back of Greystone Manor. He tossed his keys to the waiting attendant and walked to the side entrance. The bouncer unhooked the rope and stepped aside as Anders passed with a nod. As soon as he walked through the door, the club manager greeted him.
“Good evening, Mr. Ellis. Mr. Maddox is waiting at your usual table. We’ve already set up your bar. If you’ll follow me.”
He weaved through the crowd, loving the way girls’ eyes widened when they saw him. He wondered why Josie couldn’t react that way, why she had to be so goddamned difficult. Not for the first time, he questioned if it was worth the headache.
His mind flashed to earlier that day when they had been alone in his trailer. He thought about the way her eyes had blazed with determination, the stubborn set of her mouth that made her lips pout, and the way her tits pressed against the front of her shirt as she drew in deep, angry breaths.
Yeah, he thought, his grin widening, she was worth the trouble. Plus he only planned to deal with her bullheadedness until he got what he wanted. This was only temporary.
“Hey, man,” Owen greeted. He rose halfway from his seat and clasped Anders’ hand.
The pair had met on set a few years earlier and had become instant friends. Where Anders struggled to break into the business early on, Owen scored the grand slam of roles for his third movie, becoming an instant success. It wasn’t that Anders wasn’t successful as well—he was one of the most sought-after actors in Hollywood—but he wasn’t a new face. When he hit it big, he was already well-known from his countless independent films.
“Damn, what have you been doing down there, bench pressing rednecks?” Anders slid into the opposite side of the booth, laughing when Owen flexed his arms.
“Only the hot ones.”
Anders noticed a couple of girls working their way closer to the table and knew he wouldn’t have a lot of time to talk to Owen about Josie. He couldn’t believe there weren’t girls at the table already.
When he and Owen had started going out together, people swarmed around them. Owen and Anders were two of the most attractive men in Hollywood. They had a similar build, both tall and toned with chiseled features, ensuring women were never in short supply. At the age of twenty-seven, they had the world at their feet, exactly where they wanted it.
“So,” Anders began, downing the shot in front of him then pouring another.
Owen lifted a brow and grinned at his friend. “So?”
Anders huffed out a breath, a muffled curse falling from his lips before he resigned himself to the ribbing Owen was going to give him. “There’s this girl…”
“Shut the fuck up!” Owen laughed, slamming his palm flat against the table.
Anders narrowed his eyes and leaned forward. His words were low and almost unintelligible as he hissed through gritted teeth, “Would you let me finish before you lay into my ass?”
Owen chuckled and leaned back, holding his hands in a placating manner. “I’m sorry. You caught me off guard. I’ll keep my mouth shut.” For now, he added silently.
“There’s this girl…” Anders paused, waiting to see if Owen would have another outburst before continuing. “She’s a pain in the ass. She’s driving me crazy, and I don’t know what to do about it.”
Owen furrowed his brows. “Well, send her packing.”
“No,” Anders groaned. “I can’t send her packing. I could, but I don’t want to.”
“Because...”
“Because then I can’t fuck her.”
“Wait a minute.” Owen leaned forward and grabbed his beer as he stared at Anders. “You’ve met a girl who won’t fuck you? Is she married? A lesbian? Some religious freak?”
“Again.”
“Again?”
“I can’t get her to fuck me again,” Anders clarified. He dropped his eyes to the table and away from the incredulous look on Owen’s face.
Owen downed his beer and poured two shots. “I need a little more information because I’m confused.”
After knocking back their shots, Anders told Owen about Josie. “I’m serious. She’s the most infuriating woman I’ve ever met.”
“Then why waste your time? If she’s such a pain in the ass, albeit a hot one, why bother? It’s not like a hundred other girls aren’t waiting in line.” To prove his point Owen jerked his chin toward the dance floor where several girls were eyeing them, just waiting for their opportunity. Anders shook his head, the stubborn set of his clenched jaw and furrowed brows were all the explanation Owen needed.
“It’s because she won’t,” Owen surmised.
“Exactly.”
“You always did like a challenge. Maybe I should have a go at her once you’re done, see what all the fuss is about.”
“Yeah, good luck with that.” Anders laughed. He tipped his beer at Owen with a nod and downed the rest, but it wasn’t in cheers. It was to hide the flash of anger that exploded in his chest at the thought of Owen touching Josie. Anders wasn’t sure if it was sexual frustration or a territorial instinct that caused him to burn with jealousy, but whatever the reason, he hated it.
“So what can I do?”
“I need you to tell me how to break her, how to wear her down, because nothing I’m doing is working.”
Owen nodded. “Well, first you have to stop trying to fuck her.”
“Why the hell would I do that?” He shouldn’t have come to Owen for advice.
“Because that route isn’t working. You’re treating her like all the other women you fuck, and while that worked the first time, things are different now.” Owen paused, waiting to see if Anders was going to interrupt. When he didn’t, Owen continued. “Here’s the thing. You’ll never convince her that sex isn’t your ultimate goal. She’s in the business and you have a reputation. Plus you’ve already told her that’s what you want.”
“So what do I do?”
“Back off. Don’t let the first thing that comes out of your mouth be about sex. Ask personal questions, or comment on something she won’t take as you being a pervert. It’ll catch her so off guard she’ll answer before she can stop herself. It’ll give you an opening.”
Anders cupped the back of his neck. He didn’t want to make small talk. He just wanted to fuck her. End of story.
“It’s that or give up.” Owen shrugged and took a sip of his beer. “I still don’t understand why it matters so much.”
“Neither do I,” Anders muttered. “So ask her questions? Talk to her about shit that doesn’t involve getting naked? Then what?”
“Jesus man, has it really been that long since you’ve had to do anything to get a girl to sleep with you?” The blank stare on Anders’ face answered Owen’s question. “Are you sure you want to do this? Because it’s not going to happen overnight and you’re not the most patient person.”
“Yeah, I’m sure,” Anders nodded. “It won’t take long. She obviously finds me attractive. She’s the one who approached me. I just need to back off a little. I can do that.” Anders had a plan, an idea of what he needed to do. “How do you know all this shit anyway?”
“Anders, here’s the thing.” Owen leaned back and took a long pull from his beer before continuing. “The difference between us is the reason we refuse to settle down. For instance, you fuck different girls because you don’t want to get attached. Which is understandable after the bullshit that happened to you. But me? I love women. All women. That’s why I won’t settle down. Not because I have issues with relationships, but because there are a lot of women in need of love I’m more than happy to give.” He swept his arm out toward the crowd of women on the dance floor, their long silky hair flowing down their backs, their short dresses putting miles of glistening, sweat-slickened skin on display. “Who am I to deprive the world of love?”
Owen poured two more shots and slid one across to Anders. “You good?”
Anders chuckled. “I’m good.”
“I’m going to piss.”
Anders nodded, the motion causing the room to spin. He looked at the scattered empty beer bottles and shot glasses in front of him and shook his head in disbelief.
One of the girls who’d kept a close eye on them used Owen’s departure as her opportunity to approach their table. Undeterred by the spiteful glares from other girls not brave enough to approach, she crossed the room.
“Hi.” Smiling, she trapped her lip between her teeth, causing Anders’ gaze to zero in on her mouth.
Turning to face her, he flung his arm over the back of the booth. “Hey.”
“I’m Clare.”
“Uh-huh,” was his only response.
“Want to buy me a drink?”
“What do I get out of it?” His tone was playful, his expression roguish as he slipped back into his comfort zone, the place where he hid behind bright lights and a bad reputation, where emotions were non-existent and the endgame was always the same: predictable and safe.
“Whatever you want.”
Anders chuckled and motioned for the waitress keeping an eye on their table. He tilted his head toward Clare. “One of whatever the lady would like and a shot of tequila in a shooter tube.”
As Clare ordered her drink, Anders took a moment to look her over. Her hair was dark blonde and her legs were long and lean. Without conscious thought, an image of Josie flashed in his mind. He blinked hard, trying to wipe away her image and focus on the easy conquest in front of him.
“Come here.” He slid his feet together and pulled her closer until she straddled his legs. “Why don’t you have a seat while we wait for our drinks?”
Clare giggled and did as he asked. Anders wrapped his arms around her and cupped her ass before pulling her flush against him. As soon as the waitress arrived with their drinks, he plucked the shooter full of tequila from the tray and grinned.
Without a word he leaned forward and ran his tongue over her swell of cleavage. He grabbed the saltshaker, sprinkled it over her skin, and then he slid the shooter between her breasts, unable to stop himself from imagining his cock sliding in that exact place. “Cheers.” He chuckled. Dragging his tongue over her salt-covered skin, he wrapped his lips around the rim of the shooter and dropped his head back. Setting down the empty glass, he grabbed a lime from the tray and sucked it between his lips. Just as he pulled the tart fruit from his mouth and moved in for a kiss, the sound of Owen’s laughter rang out beside him.
He turned, confused to see Owen staring at him. “Anders, you’re a fucking idiot. That”—he laughed, pointing at the girl occupying Anders’ lap—“cannot happen if you ever plan on fucking that chick.”
Anders’ brows pulled together as he wrapped his hands around Clare’s waist and pushed her off his lap. “What the fuck are you talking about?”
Owen shook his head. “You really are stupid. More than a dozen pictures were just taken of you. Those shots will end up online or in a magazine in less than two days.”
“Yeah. And?” Anders shifted his eyes to Clare, who stared at him with a mix of confusion and embarrassment. He lifted a brow, his expression making her dismissal clear.
Owen tsked and grabbed his beer. “The girl—Josie? The one you’re so determined to fuck? She’s going to see those pictures and then it’ll be even harder to get into her pants.”
“Wait a fucking minute,” Anders stammered. “You mean I can’t fuck around with other girls while trying to hook up with her? What the fuck?”
“Anders. She’s already turned you down for a second round. If you’re trying to show her you want more, fucking around with these bitches isn’t going to help convince her.”
Anders scrubbed his face with his hand and blew out a harsh breath. “Goddamn it.”
Owen raised his brow. “Still worth the trouble? Or the lack of pussy?”
Anders hesitated. He wasn’t sure. Her image from earlier—defiant and strong-willed in her certainty of never sleeping with him again—flashed in his mind again. The answer was clear.
He downed the rest of his drink and stood. With a humorless chuckle he shook Owen’s hand. “Well, it looks like I’m going home to jerk off for the first time in years. Have a good night, asshole.”
Owen’s laugher trailed behind Anders as he walked out of the club. He kept his head down, not daring to make eye contact with any of the women as he passed. Instead he pulled out his phone and scrolled through his contacts until he got to the one listed as Ivy. Without giving any thought to how she would react to finding out he had her number, he typed out a text.
Who’s your favorite band?
Sitting in his car, a feeling of apprehension twisted his stomach at the thought of getting involved with Josie, even if it was all an act. The last time he opened up any side of himself that wasn’t carefully orchestrated, he got screwed over in every way. It didn’t matter that this was different; it felt the same. That fact both pissed him off and scared the shit out of him. His phone chimed, snapping him out of his head.
That’s a very personal question. I don’t share those details with just anyone. Who is this?
He started his car and flipped on the lights before typing, hoping to keep his identity hidden a little longer.
Depeche Mode is one of my top bands. Corrupt is perfection.
He shifted his car into drive, the road blurring when he accelerated. He shouldn’t be driving, but unlike Walker, if he got pulled over, the incident would never see the light of day.
In a house across town, Josie tucked her feet under her and studied the text. It was past two in the morning. None of her friends would text so late, especially about such a random topic. Something about the song her mystery texter mentioned caused her heart to beat a little faster. Deciding to play along, she typed out a response.
What an interesting song choice. It’s very similar to one of my favorite Muse songs, Undisclosed Desires. You still haven’t told me your name.
As he waited at a traffic light, he read her reply, grinning when he realized she was just as tenacious with strangers as with him.
There’s something freeing about anonymity don’t you think? And you still haven’t told me your favorite band.
Josie read the text and shook her head. The flutters in her stomach felt like the wings of hummingbirds. She typed a response, staring at the words for several seconds as apprehension rose within her. She traced the outline of her lips that still burned from the venom of poisoned kisses. Somehow she knew her mystery texter and the person invading her mind were one in the same. She had no intention of getting burned again.
In my experience people who prefer anonymity are hiding something. What’s your secret?
Powering down her phone, she set it on the table and stood from the couch. Once in her bedroom she stripped and crawled into bed. As she stared at the ceiling and waited for sleep to claim her, she wondered how long it would be before one of them snapped.