I’ve stalled going downstairs as long as I could. Three hours of finishing my romance novel followed by a long soak in the tub. Lily knocked on the bathroom door about an hour ago to tell me the guys had no rehearsal today. Apparently, Diesel has some live interview down in Houston and Melissa left with him. They guys are grilling on the beach until it’s time to tune into the interview. My stomach grumbles for the fourth the time since then. My granola bar and banana are wearing off. I change into a pair of cutoffs and a tank. I have no plans to get in the water. I just need to get some food in me. I’m thankful Melissa left as well. I’m not in the mood to face her.
I pad down downstairs, only to find everybody glued to the flat screen in the living room.
“Turn it up,” Keyser shouts. “There’s Diesel.”
And there he is in HD. He crosses a jeans-clad leg over his knee and sinks back into the leather. He runs a single hand through his hair, giving the host a charming smile. His band tee clings to his muscular chest … just pure perfection. The questions start simple enough. He begins with telling a little about the band, but the interview quickly transitions into questions about the recent twin scandal and Beck Investment Firm. The room goes quiet as we listen to how Diesel will handle this.
He explains that there was never a scandal. He confirms that his father is indeed terminal and his last trip out of the country was to plan how he wanted to move forward with handing over the reins of the company he worked so hard to build. He gave the controlling shares to Sevyn in case he didn’t survive the trip. He further explains he was a contingency plan in the interest of joint ownership should those reins be passed on to Sevyn prematurely. Claude not only knew about it but also gave the plan his blessing. Without going into specifics, he informs the hosts that a threat has been launched at his family’s company—one that he can’t divulge, but that was the reason for the transfer of controlling shares. His father is protecting what he’s built as well as his shareholders and board members.
I’m not sure if it’s all true, but the woman interviewing looks satisfied with his reasoning. She thanks him for the exclusive and iterates that The Round Table wanted to get his perspective out there. Then she asks one last question—a loaded question that Diesel uses to turn the whole damn interview on its head. She asks him if there anything else he wanted to share … to set the record straight.
“I have a penchant for control,” he admits.
“Oooh, okay,” the woman says, unsure of the relevancy or what to do with that answer.
“That control filters into the bedroom,” he explains, now leaning forward.
She now crosses her legs, and I can’t blame her. Holy. Fucking. Shit. I recognize what’s he’s doing. His damn alter ego is transitioning right on live TV. His dominant has a look. It’s in the eyes, but the voice as well. My pussy throbs—unable to stop my reaction to him.
“Um. So, you’re saying you’re a dominant?”
“Something like that, but not in most people’s vanilla definition of it. The things that get me off are depraved and not for the faint at heart.” He gives her a small wink, and she blushes.
“Well, this is live TV, so we can’t go into the specifics, but wow, wasn’t expecting that.” She fans herself. “Was there a reason you wanted to share that with the world.”
“There is a reason for everything I do,” he promises. “There are those who’d like to exploit my predilection to complete submission. As if our sexual nature is reason enough to be shameful or worthy of a scandal with my family’s business. What we do in the privacy of our bedrooms or wherever we choose to partake is independent of our business relations. I’m just putting it out there before anyone else thinks of using it against me. I don’t share this part of myself with every woman I sleep with. In fact, I have to recognize the submissive trait, and even then, I may pass. I’m very selective.”
“Glad you had to get that out there. We’ve definitely learned a lot today—more than we could have imagined.” The host laughs. She wraps up the interview by again thanking him for his time.
I’m too stunned to move. I can’t believe he aired that on live television. Oh, the questions that must be circulating in the guys and Lily’s head. Was I one of his submissives? Lily looks over at me, and I can read it all over her face.
“Desiree is going to kill him.” Keyser chuckles. “He survived the interview—managed to squash all the shit being spread in the news about him and Sevyn trying to steal their father’s company from under him while he’s on his death bed.”
“Yeah, then he goes and gives the media something else to latch onto. Brilliant actually,” Mitch surmises. “Who will be worried about company politics when they can talk about what a kinky bastard he is? I can see panties being soaked everywhere. Their heartthrob just gave them a fantasy to run with.”
“I wonder if that was his plan all along? I mean, why else bring up his sex life? The interview was done. The topic had no relevancy to his reason for being there,” Keyser points out.
They nod in agreement.
“Desiree is still going to kick his ass. She hates surprises,” Xander speaks up. “A damn PR’s worst nightmare. Now we’ll just have to wait to see if this little spin of his results in more media slaying.”
“I wonder if that’s what he and Melissa are up to behind closed doors? She is from his past, so maybe that’s why she’s here. None of the groupies could quell his thirst,” Anderson jokes.
My stomach drops at the possible reality of that statement.
Mitch turns off the television. “I don’t know, but I, for one, don’t want to think about Diesel’s dick or the shit he’s into. I’m starving. Come on. Let’s get our barbecue on, folks.” He is already halfway out the door.
I follow them out, but Anderson had a point. Coupled with the little talk I had with Melissa last night, I’m more than sure she’s his original submissive.
Lily links her arm through mine as we walk down to the beach. “Any of what Diesel said pertain to you?”
I knew that was coming. “Not in the way you’re probably thinking. And not in a way I’m willing to share. Some things are better kept to ourselves.”
“That’s way harsh.” She feigns hurt.
“Uh, do I ask what kind of sex you and my brother have?”
“The regular kind,” she teases. “Just kidding. I get it. That’s personal between you two. Just curious, with the rest of the world I’m sure, after that interview.”
“I’m sure Melissa would be the expert on that subject.”
“Speaking of that twatwaffle, you were supposed to tell me what happened last night.”
I know she has no plans of letting the subject go, and I admit it might make me feel better to get it all off my chest. I tell her about the surprise I had for Diesel, but how she ruined it with her early return. I go on to discuss how I almost spilled the beans about what Thomas did to me, and Melissa’s warning when she visited the room last night.
“I know you shouldn’t hate people, but I really despise the hell out of that chick. She’s nothing but trouble, and Diesel is a damn fool if he can’t see that. I can’t believe he lied about you being stood up just to appease her.”
“I’m pretty close to throwing in the towel. How can I fight for something when I’m the only one fighting? It appears he’s made his choice. I’m just a fuck until he works things out with her.”
“Stop giving up the goods then. He can’t have it both ways. He either wants you back or wants to work things out with her. I say reduce your effort some until he meets you halfway.”
“That’s just what that bitch wants. For me to back off.”
“Don’t think about her. You’re not surrendering to her—you’re surrendering to your own sanity. Diesel will never realize what he’s lost if you make it too easy for him to get some pussy here and there. It has to be about more than sex. Remember, I suggested making him remember why he fell for you—just without the sex part.”
“You have a point. It’s just so hard to even want to try. Every time we take a step forward, we take two steps back. We’re not getting anywhere as long as she’s here.”
“I have an idea,” she says, suddenly excited. I’m afraid to ask.
“What is it? Should I be worried?”
“Nope. Why don’t you follow through with his lie? Teach him a lesson and show the twatwaffle you have other options.”
“You mean go on a date?”
“Yep. Let’s create you a profile. I’m sure you’ll have several matches lined up by morning. I’d bet anything on it. Then we can set up a meetup right away.”
“Reeks of desperation, Lil.”
“No, it doesn’t. You’re a gorgeous girl. Time to make him sweat some. Make him pay for his lie.”
I haven’t spoken to Diesel since last night, but I admit that Lily’s plan has merit. He has Melissa waiting in the wings, so I can give him a glimpse of what it would look like if I had the same. Only this time, my date won’t stand me up.
“Okay. Let’s do this. I hate the thought of playing games, but I’m involved in one whether I like it or not. Sometimes, the best defense is a strong offense.”
“What does that even mean?” She chuckles.
“Hell if I know in this situation, but it sounded right.” We both laugh.
“So today we relax, then we’ll create your profile tonight and watch all the available matches roll in by morning. You never know. You may find somebody—”
I shake my head adamantly before she finishes that statement. I’m doing this with one goal in mind. To give Diesel a wake-up call and show him what it would be like if I moved on with someone else. What it felt like to have to watch him with someone else. I don’t have any hopes beyond that.
“This is my last effort, Lil. I don’t think I can continue watching him with someone else even if he claims it isn’t sexual. She at least has him emotionally. He cares what she thinks. He’s holding on to her for a reason.”
“I can understand that, and it’s fair. Besides, if this doesn’t wake him the hell up, then I don’t know what will.”
We join the guys and pig out on barbecue and potato salad. I’m so stuffed that I can barely move. My state of content is soon interrupted, though, by the arrival of Diesel and twatwaffle. The guys hoorah him as soon as they see him.
“Where is Desiree?” Xander is the first to ask.
“Ah, she didn’t even come back with us. She had the driver take her to the hotel in Houston. She’s flying home in the morning.”
“We watched your interview. Was she pissed with you?” Keyser asks.
“Oh. That’s an understatement. She bitched me out the entire ride to her hotel. Her exact words were that I was a fucking PR nightmare. Can you believe it?” He grins at the audacity. Melissa spins on her heel and heads toward the house, obviously not impressed.
“Those were my exact words,” Xander jokes. “I called that shit.”
“Well, Desiree isn’t the only person unhappy with your little stunt.” Mitch points toward a disappearing Melissa.
“Yeah. She’ll get over it.”
“I’m guessing she didn’t like you sharing what you two did in the bedroom?” Mitch adds.
Diesel doesn’t bothering answering. He didn’t deny it, so there it is. The fucking truth. She is his submissive. She’s had him the way I’ve had him, but on a deeper level, I’m sure. Bile threatens to rise from my throat. Suddenly, none of this seems worth it. I’ll go through with the plan that Lily and I concocted, but after this, I’m done. If he chooses her, then I’ll walk. I can’t remain on this tour, especially with her around. I’ll just have to find a way to convince Lily to stay.