Page 65 of Professional Consult

Alicia:I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but I’ll do it. It’s a deal.

Lexi:Really?

Alicia:Land the gossip, and I’ll coyly allude to its accuracy.

Lexi:Oh, my God—I can’t believe you’re going to do this for me.

Alicia:I’ll either get a role or watch you look like a fool. Either way, I win.

Lexi:Thank you!

I hang up the phone,dazed, hoping that the crazy plan I cooked up with Clint actually pans out.

Clint, that little opportunistic upstart that had me thrown in jail, might ironically be the person who helps me achieve what I most want in life.

The driver’s side door opening startles me.

Luke slides in and starts the cruiser. “You ready to go?”

I study his handsome face as his eyes rove my body, shifting over my curves with a palpable appetite for what I can provide. Then I realize his shift is over.

My hand moves to his growing bulge.

“I’ve been ready all day.”

“Dammit, Lexi—at least let me get home first.”

CHAPTER15

LUKE

My plan had been to take Lexi back home and fuck her as many times as I can before nightfall, but she’s not satisfied with going straight back to my place. Instead, she makes me pull up by the lake again and asks, “Whose boats are those?”

“Anyone’s. They’re just always there.”

“Tonight, one belongs to us.”

She bounds from the car, over to a boat, and starts pulling it into the water.

I follow, more than a little apprehensive because I’m still in my uniform.

But because I’m so eager to make her happy, I take over and say, “Get it.”

I push the boat towards the center, then stomp through the water to climb in across from Lexi. I use the oars to push off further, then take us towards the center.

She gazes around at the scenery. “This reminds me of a movie.”

“A comedy or a horror? I’ve seen a lot of horrors that take place in this setting.”

She casts me scathing eyes. “A romance, silly.”

“Aren’t romances supposed to have happy endings?”

Her face falls, and I realize what a jerk I was.

“I’m sorry, Lexi. It’s just—”

“No, don’t be sorry. It’s stupid to live in my head.”