Did I mention that I would be at the table next to the Hot Cop today?
Call it divine intervention, or karma – whatever the hell you want. I’ve known for the last three weeks that out of 199 other options, I’d be seated at the table next to author Annabelle Lawson and her model. None other than Rhys Mitchell.
You would think, the signing should be no big deal. The hard part is over. I gave my keynote speech at last night’s dinner and wowed the crowd, I might add. Even if Rhys was sitting in the audience, watching me the whole time. Managing to avoid him, and his ‘date’ was another win for me. Okay, so it wasn’t really a date, but he looked awfully cozy with the winner of the ‘Dinner with a Hot Cop’ contest that Forever Valentine sponsored.
It was kind of insane that they were able to raise five thousand dollars for a local charity promoting a more positive police presence among youth. All for a date with Rhys Mitchell. Who looked refreshed compared to Thursday night.
Now though, there wouldn’t be a crowded ballroom separating us.
I tried desperately to convince Zoey to switch sides with me since we were sharing a table. I even tried guilting her into swapping last night, after she admitted she’s been crushing on Dylan Smith, Rhys’ partner, the last time we were here.
Turns out she’s been talking to Smitty since around the time Rhys became “Hot Cop.” She saw his name pop on a comment, so she reached out to him. I know Zoey, which means, she’s up to something. Her being friends with Rhys’ best friend, is NOT going to end well. I don’t doubt her loyalty, but she has a terrible habit of meddling.
My last hope is that Annabelle Lawson will put him on her left – far away from me.
Tossing the last box on to the luggage cart, I let out a sigh and check my appearance in the mirror one last time. Satisfied that this is as good as it’s gonna get, I send a text off to check on things at home and start tugging the cart toward my hotel room door and pull it open.
I’m forever grateful for Nora who left about five minutes ago to hit up the coffee shop and grab both of us a large caramel macchiato while I finished getting ready. The lack of sleep over the last few months has taken its toll. I’m going to need all the caffeine to make it through today.
Zoey and Katie are already down in the ballroom setting up their table and making sure that I am that much closer to Officer McSteamy, I’m sure of it.
Maybe I’ll get lucky, and he won’t show up until just before go time, that way I have a few less minutes to be distracted by his gorgeous face.
Pushing the button for the elevator, I wait and try to calm my nerves.
The elevator dings, the door opens, and I half expect to see him standing in the elevator. I’m relieved that he’s not. Nora is though. And she has my coffee in her hand. She grabs the cart with her empty hand and trades me.
“Your drink.” She smiles as she pulls the cart into the elevator.
Something tells me I shouldn’t trust that look, but when the first taste of sweetness hits my tongue, I could care less. The silky-smooth caramel mixed with the expresso is divine.
The elevator makes two more stops, and were able to fit one more author and all their things inside with us. We make small talk about the signing and agree to swap books before we reach the lobby and exit the elevator.
There are readers already lining up and chatting excitedly as we make our way down the hall. A few call out my name, and I pause for a picture with them. I’m in my element now. My game face is firmly in place. It’s thrilling, knowing that each and every one of these people are here to meet their favorite author or authors. The readers and bloggers who take a chance on the words I write, on the words my colleagues write – they are what makes all of this possible. It’s because of them that I’m able to live my dream.
In the same ballroom from last night, that has now been transformed into aisles of tables and chairs, Zoey is nearly completely set up. As is Annabelle.
When I stop in front of my half of the table, I let out a groan. Turns out, fate is ignoring me. Judging by Annabelle’s set up, I’m going to be sitting right next to Rhys. Minus the two feet between our tables.
Zoey and Katie are nice and comfy on their side of our table and quite enjoying my distress. Bitches. I look at Nora who starts laughing and shaking her head ‘no.’ She’s my last hope, but she’s bailing on me too.
“You need to be on the outside, for pictures and things,” she waves her hands dismissively.
“I hate you, Nora.”
“You don’t. I brought you coffee. Now, let’s get this table set up.”
At least he’s not here yet, I think to myself as I begin pulling my books from the box and setting them up on the display Nora arranged. I’m lining up copies of my best seller, Hot Cop…Or Not when the energy in the room shifts. I hear a few of the author's voices begin to pick up, there are the flirty giggles and I know he’s arrived.
Perfect timing, I suppose.
“KJ,” his gruff voice sends chills down my spine.
Swallowing hard, I try to ignore his effect on me. The way my pulse kicks up, the goosebumps and the clenching of my core. He shouldn’t still make me feel this way.
I’m standing between our tables, still setting up and know that very likely, he wants to get through.
He can go to hell.
I ignore him and continue to align my pen holder and the remaining tiny items on the side of my table. He doesn’t say anything more as he waits. Until his patience snaps and he grunts. Before I can move, he wraps an arm around my hips and quickly tugs me against him. I can feel every inch of his rock-hard body pressed up against mine. Instantly the heat takes over as I press even closer to him.
“Well, what do you know, me and your latest hero have a lot in common.” He tosses a copy of my book on the table. “You got two things wrong though, darlin.’ For one, we both know, I’m not a minute man. Nor did I leave you without a word.” His breath is hot on my skin, and in spite of my hate for the man, my body continues to react. “I gotta give it to you though. Most of those sex scenes were pretty damn accurate. Feel free to sign that and give it back, when you’re done.”
The moment is over before I have a chance to respond. His hands are gone, and I miss their presence. He’s slid past me now and is already seated and charming Annabelle by the time I have the courage to look in his direction. Rhys’ back is to me, but I don’t miss Annabelle looking at me with disgust as she says something to him. When he looks over his shoulder, I know whatever she’s said, it’s about me.
Trying to shake off the feelings swirling in both my head and my heart, I focus on final touches to my table, but it’s almost pointless. Especially when Katie decides to chime in on the topic.
“That was pretty fucking hot,” she dramatically fans her face with a stack of bookmarks.
I flip her the middle finger. Doesn’t stop her though.
“Seriously, what’s the deal with you two? You’ve got some serious chemistry. You should put it to good use and work out some of your sexual frustration.”
“Katie. Keep your voice down,” I mumble. “Better yet, shut the hell up.”
“Just sayin’,” Katie makes a kissy face at me as she stands and walks around the table. “Come on, photo time before this thing gets started.”
Zoey reaches over and tugs on my arm. Reluctantly, I follow them.
We take our silly group photo in front of the event banner like we always do and then line up for the official author photo. As soon as we’re finished, I excuse myself to go use the restroom before things kick off.
When I exit the restroom, I manage to run directly into a solid mass of muscle, belonging to none other than Mr. Hot Cop himself.
“Motherfucker. Are you following me now?” I gasp as his arms curl around me, preventing me from stumbling on my ass. “Suddenly you recognize me? Thursday I was nothing but a stranger.”
“You know better, KJ,” he warns. “We need to talk about a few misconceptions between us.”
I close my eyes and draw a deep breath. “Not here Rhys. Please. Not here. Not today. Please don’t ruin this for me okay?” The last thing I want to do is fall apart minutes before the signing begins. And I certainly don’t want to fall apart over him. Again. Once was more than enough for me. “We have nothing to clear up.”
“Really? Because your satire story says otherwise,” he snips out as I try to wiggle away from him.
My eyes flash to his face, and for a moment my mask slips and I feel exposed. I quickly compose myself and give him a hard stare.
“Get over yourself, Rhys. That book had nothing to do with you. I was merely giving the readers what they wanted.”
I manage to free myself from his embrace and storm off, confident that I look completely childish as I do. But there’s not a damn thing I can do about that. He brings out the best in me, I suppose.
Doors are opening, and readers are trickling in when I step back inside the room. I quickly rush to my table and take my place beside Nora – who has learned to read me well. She passes me a questioning glance as I smooth out my shirt and force a fake smile. She nods at me and gently squeezes my hand as an act of reassurance.
I had no idea that a year ago when I met Nora for the first time, she would become one of my very best friends. Much less that I’d be privileged enough to hire her on as my personal assistant. Or that I’d even need one. But I need Nora as much as I need my next breath. The woman keeps me sane. Most days.
And now? I’m counting on her to keep my mind off the model sitting at the table beside me for the remainder of the day.