Chanel

The next day, Skye made up for bailing on me by paying for dinner at a seafood restaurant on Broadway. It was a high-dollar place, so few people were gathered there for lunch.

“You could have just made up with the usual subs from Subway,” I said, scanning the prices on the menu. “Fifty bucks for a salad? That’s insane!”

“Well, maybe I felt like treating my best friend,” she said, sipping her lemon water. Skye was hot, in the adorable kind of way. She was an inch taller than me and her honey-blonde dyed hair fared well with her mocha skin.

She was a lot thinner than I was, but it worked in her favor on the runway. She had freckles that she refused to let her makeup artists conceal. Her freckles created her signature look and, to me, they were what made her so damn cute. We’d been best friends since I was twenty.

“I saw your shoot with Cosmo!” she squealed. “Fucking superstar status now! I also just got a nice check from The Lace Club so, yeah, this lunch is on me. We’re celebrating.” She placed her glass down as I shrugged and sipped my water. “I swear you have a new bodyguard every time I see you,” she said, pointing a manicured thumb in Kobe’s direction.

Kobe was sitting at the bar—with what looked like Pepsi or Coke—watching a football game. He sat sideways, and when he felt me looking, his eyes shifted and landed on mine. I looked away, focusing on Skye.

“Yeah. My dad hired him like two days ago. He’s supposed to be one of the best in the city so I’m sure he’s costing my dad a pretty penny.”

“He’s definitely eye candy, that’s for damn sure.” I laughed as she did. I loved her southern accent. It was homey and sweet. “And you said he stays only a floor up? Why’s he in the same building? That’s a first.”

“I think it’s because of the whole Matthew Hall thing. He wants the bodyguard close, just in case.”

“Ah. Yeah.” She cringed, same as I always did, just thinking about Matthew Hall. “Makes sense.” She gave Kobe a long glance. “But there’s something about him. Like he’s got a lot of baggage. He’s not like the others.”

Tell me about it, I wanted to say. “Yeah. I think the same thing.” I pressed my lips as the waiter refilled our waters. “Can I tell you something? About me and him?” I asked when the waiter left, a grin splitting my face.

“I mean, am I not your best friend? Fucking spill, Chanel.” I had her complete attention, which was rare.

“Well, the night you bailed on me, something happened with me and him.”

“Oh, my God,” she gasped, “I knew there was something different about you! You’re acting so nonchalant today!”

“Shh,” I shushed her, trying to avoid having to look in Kobe’s direction. “Seriously, no one can know. Dad is harder on the bodyguards now. If he finds out, Kobe will be finished and honestly, I don’t want to have to deal with meeting another bodyguard. Kobe also said something about really needing this job so I don’t want to ruin that for him.”

“Babe, your secrets are always safe with me. I am a vault. You know this!”

“I know, I know,” I sighed, feeling much better after telling her. I trusted Skye like a sister. I was just so paranoid. “But he is hot, right?”

“Fuck yeah he is.” She grinned over her straw. “Tell me what happened. I need to know all the things, woman.”

“It was kind of second base-ish. He…fingered me. And he made me come, Skye. With just his fingers. Riley could never do that.”

“Ugh.” She pretended to gag. “Screw Riley. He’s an amateur. Kobe over there looks like he knows a thing or two between the sheets.” She put on a broad grin. “Maybe you should try something with him…keep it just between the two of you. Of course, you’ll have to fill me in on the details later.”

“What?” I scoffed. “Yeah right.” I said no, but really her statement made my mind whirl with too many fantasies. I truly wondered just what he could do in the bedroom, completely naked. I mean, he worked magic with his fingers and his lips. I could only imagine what his cock could do.

“It can be your little secret. I’m sure he won’t say a word about it. He doesn’t seem like that kind of guy. He’s only a floor up, he’s the one watching you and filling Nicole and your dad in. I’m sure he can leave out the details about how he’s boning his boss’s daughter.”

I snorted when she said that, my water spurting out of my mouth and landing on the table, catching the attention of the people two tables away.

“Skye. Seriously. You have to stop,” I laughed. “I don’t think he’d go that far. Right now, we’re just…teasing one another.” I waved a dismissive hand. “I don’t know. It’s honestly nothing. We’ve literally just met and what happened that night just…happened.”

“Well, sometimes shit just happens, Chanel. Just like when I cancelled on you—I met a guy and things just…happened. And speaking of…”

Skye went into great detail about her date—a model from Scotland who was dangerously handsome, had a strong jaw line, and was really good with his tongue. But while she filled me in, I couldn’t help stealing glances at Kobe.

Most times I looked, he was already watching me.

Even when my attention was on something else, I could feel his eyes on me. Skye had my mind spinning. She was right. If it went as far as third base, no one would know. I’d never tell—hell, the tabloids would be ridiculous—and I was certain he wouldn’t either. He said he needed this job.

I was tempted.

But I wasn’t sure how far he was going to take it.

Maybe that kiss was as far as it went with him.

I guess there was only one way to find out.