“Why are you ashamed? Is he bad in bed?”
Pen let out a peal of laughter. “If he was bad, I wouldn’t keep having sex with him. In fact, he’s the best fuck I’ve ever had. I’m ashamed because he’s barely legal to drink.”
“As long as he’s legal, who cares?”
“The world?” She laughed humorlessly. “My bosses will definitely care that I’m having sex with one of my clients who I’m supposed to be looking out for to make sure he and his fellow bandmates don’t get into trouble.”
I took a sip of my drink and tried to process what she’d told me. “It sounds like you’re doing a good job of keeping him out of trouble. If he’s in your bed or vice versa—since I don’t know your situation because you didn’t tell me—he’s not out doing drugs and getting all the ladies at his college pregnant.”
“Oh fuck off,” she swatted at me. “Why did I have to find a guy I’m interested in, and he’s practically a kid?”
“Are you really interested in him or just his dick and stamina?” I already knew the answer since she hadn’t told me about him. If it was only sex, she would have told me about it when it started.
“He’s smart. Smarter than any of the guys I’ve dated in the past, and he’s sweet with this bad boy vibe that I can’t resist.”
“Obviously. What will happen if Christiano finds out?”
“I’ll be fired from Titan Records, simple as that.”
“And he’s worth your dream job?”
Taking my drink out of my hand, she sucked down the rest. “I think he is.”
Smiling at her, I took my glass from her and picked up hers to refill them. “If that’s the case, I need to see a picture of him and for you to tell me his name.”
“What makes you think I have any pictures?” She giggled like a damn schoolgirl.
“Because I know you and how you like to take pictures. I bet if I opened your phone’s gallery, I’d find all kinds of things you don’t want me to see.”
“Oh no, that won’t be happening. I’ve got them hidden so only I can enjoy them. I’m not that stupid.”
“Of course, you’re not. You’ve had enough clients get in trouble because of pictures. Now,” I steepled my fingers under my chin. “If I don’t get to see a picture right now, at least tell me his name.”
“His name is Walker Pierce.” Pen practically swooned at saying his name, and I knew right then she was in trouble and more than likely in love with him even if she didn’t know it yet.
“That’s a hot fucking name. Now, I need to see if he’s as hot as his name, so dig through your phone and find me a picture you can show me.”
“Oh my god, you make it sound like there’s a bunch of porn on there or something. They’re not all bad.”
“There’s a reason why you’re not showing them to me,” I pointed out.
Pen held her phone to her chest. “Maybe I don’t want you to steal him away,” she laughed.
“Ha, as if. You know I’d never do that.” Poking her in the side, I demanded she show me a picture. This was so unlike Pen that I was dying to know what this mystery guy looked like.
“Fine,” she rolled her eyes but had a smile on her face. “Give me a minute to find a good picture.”
“Damn girl, how many nudes do you have on there?” I was only sort of joking because why else wouldn’t she show me? And I knew my friend, she liked to take trophy photos of the men she slept with.
“Not nearly enough.” She bit her bottom lip as she looked down at her phone. “Okay, here he is.” Slowly she turned her phone my way, but once it was facing me, I grabbed it out of her hand so I could get a good look. “No, what are you doing?” She laughed while she tried to take it back.
“I’m not going to go to any other pictures. I don’t want to see your man naked. Well, maybe now that I’ve got a good look of him.” My eyes devoured the image in front of me. Her guy was shirtless with tattoos all over his finely sculpted chest and arms. His eyebrows were a dark slash over broody eyes and long hair that hung almost to his shoulders. I knew the man I was staring at had all the college girls swooning, as well as my best friend, and I didn’t blame them.
“What are you thinking?” I heard her say quietly as if she was afraid I wouldn’t approve.
“I think I see why you’re willing to lose your job over him. He’s hot.” I was tempted to swipe to the left to see what I’d find, but I handed her back her phone. “I wish you wouldn’t have hidden him from me.”
Moving to sit right beside me, Pen leaned her head against mine. “It killed me, and I’m sorry. Now that you know, I can finally breathe fully. I swear it’s been a weight on my chest that I was dying to get rid of.”
“Now, when do I get to meet him,” I prodded. Seeing his pictures wasn’t enough. I couldn’t wait to see them together.
“Once you get your edits turned in or,” she drew the word out, and I knew I wouldn’t like what she was going to say next, “maybe it should be your reward once your book finally publishes.”
My eyes narrowed at her. “You know that’s out of my control and totally not fair.”
“Well, maybe I should give you a deadline. If you don’t get your edits done by a certain date, then you have to wait until your book publishes. That should get your ass in gear.”
Since this was my first book, I was having a problem trying to change a few things the publisher wanted once they read through my first draft. There were days I sat in front of my computer and stared at it all day while I tried to figure out a way to incorporate what they wanted.
“You don’t play fair, but it might be the push I need to finish.” I took a long draw of my drink. I needed it from just thinking about my deadline.
“Wow,” Pen stood and ran to the window. “Have you seen your neighbor? He looks like a fucking supermodel.”
Oh, I had seen him and drooled over him when I thought no one could see me. He was by far the hottest guy I’d ever seen with the most perfect body and blondish-brown hair. I hadn’t gotten a chance to see what color his eyes were yet. “No, I haven’t met him yet, or his wife or girlfriend or whoever she is. I’m not sure which, but she’s gorgeous with blue hair and tattoos. They have a blonde little girl that’s adorable or who I assume is their daughter. They spend a lot of time in that pool.”
“Their house is sick.” She let out a dreamy sigh. “I don’t doubt he’s got a gorgeous woman. Let me know when you meet them because I want all the deets.”
I came to stand next to her and shrugged. “Maybe, or maybe I’ll tell you in a few months.”
Pen glanced at me for only a moment before her attention went back to my new neighbors. “You’re never going to let me live it down, are you?”
“It’s possible when we’re old and gray. I’ll think about it, but not likely.” I hip-checked her to let her know I was only joking.
“Oh my god, they’re getting it on in their pool, and she is gorgeous.” Pen squealed with wide eyes.