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.