She squeals and hugs me around the waist, doing funny things to my insides.
“But,” I insist, “only if the situation calls for it, and only for this event. Don’t think you’re getting lucky tonight.”
She looks me up and down, clearly enjoying what she sees. I’ve never blushed so much in my life.
“Can’t blame a girl for trying.”
I tug at my collar again, sending her into another fit of giggles. She’s different tonight, her comments and body language way past the usual innuendo. A tiny voice in my head wants to ask what all this means. If she’s reconsidered giving us a try.
I shove the thought aside just as we arrive at the venue. The lights are blinding even through the car’s tinted windows. There’s no room for wishful thinking right now. It’s showtime.
An hour and change later, we finally have the chance to breathe.
I don’t know how she does it! There are still spots in my vision from the flash mob of photographers when we first arrived.
The gauntlet, as she called it, was no better. She did the same three poses from three different anglesevery three feetof the red carpet, all while paparazzi hurled questions meant to provoke her.
Kendra! Have you heard about your ex’s engagement?
Kendra! Is it true that you lied about the cheating to get more money in the divorce?
Kendra! Did Andre divorce you because you wouldn’t lose weight?
Kendra! Did you know Andre and Julie are already trying for a baby?
As she predicted, I wanted to punch all their teeth in. See how smug and bold they could be with a fat lip and a black eye. But Kendra’s smile never wavered. I was in awe.
The promo photos for the event go smoothly as Kendra demonstrates the difference between a pretty face and a supermodel. She’s a pro, even suggesting additional shots and a hashtag to boost engagement online.
After the shoot, she moves through the room while I follow closely behind, handing her either a champagne flute or a minicrab cake. She knows everyone, asking about people’s children, or their projects still in development, or their sick pet. Her mind must be an endless Rolodex.
To my utter surprise, she sometimes bringsmeinto the conversation. Her agent, Morty, has a couple of clients in the NBA. Her friend Daniela has an aunt who moved to Spain years ago that she still visits regularly. Despite being here to make her night easier, she makes sure I never feel left out, working to find the connection between me and the people in her world.
“My feet are killing me,” she complains while leaning heavily against me. “Why do I have to wear heels when I’m already so tall?”
I personally love the heels, especially the way they accentuate the long line of her legs, but I’m smart enough not to comment. I flag down a passing server instead, grabbing steak en croute and some kind of mini sushi cone.
“You look great. And I still haven’t seen Andre. Maybe you’re in the clear.” I hope she is, though that probably means I won’t be getting that kiss.
It’s cool. I’ve been touching her all night—a hand on her back, a graze of my nose on her neck, our pinkies interlocked as we moved through the crowd. My dick maynevergo down.
“Fingers crossed,” she mutters just loud enough for me to hear. “That means I can finally relax and enjoy the party.”
She tilts her head from side to side, loosening her neck, and I automatically reach for her, kneading my thumbs into her tighttraps. The moan she releases is almost obscene. If I thought I was hard before…
“Oh God! That feels heavenly!” she groans with her eyes closed.
Getting traded. Technical fouls. Accidentally deleting my player in NBA 2K.I think of the most unpleasant things I can to keep myself from sliding my hand lower, inside her dress this time. It doesn’t work.
Kendra opens her eyes, and they lock with mine immediately. Her mouth is open; she’s nearly panting. A quick glance down reveals her nipples are hard and her chest is rising and falling with her quick breaths. Is the kiss happening after all? With no one to make jealous?
I look at her mouth again and lick my lips.Fuck it.I’m tired of fighting this. I lean forward and—
“Well, well, well! Fancy seeing you here!”
Kendra’s body immediately tenses. I barely hold back a snarl.
“Is it really surprising, considering Pumped Energy is paying me and I’ve been posting about it all week?” Kendra sounds almost as annoyed as I am by the interruption. Andre doesn’t take the hint.
