Page 65 of Pucking the Team

“This? And where the fuck is Eduardo?”

“What is it…oh…?” I clasped my hand over my mouth. Was I seeing right? How could it be? And…oh fuck if I was. “Give me that.”

I grabbed Dylan’s phone and stared at the image of Eduardo and I in a steamy embrace up against the wall ofCiao!It was every bit as passion-infused and erotic as the photographs of Steven and Cheryl outside Ecclestone church. My mouth dried, and my heart rate ramped up. “How…and…shit, is this…is this the only one?”

“Why, could there be more?” Dylan folded his arms, his knuckles pushing on his biceps and making them seem even bigger than they already were. “Photos that are more…more…invasive or intimate.”

“It is invasive! An invasion of privacy.” Ben was at my side, his hand on the hollow of my back. “And who is or areOrlando, the Eyes and Ears?”

“Some small-time blogger who wants to be press.”

“So it’s notinthe press?” I asked.

“No, it’s just on this guy’s blog. He must have taken the shot, today, I’m presuming.” Dylan’s jaw tensed. “Could there be more? What else did you do? You look like you’re ready to fuck hard and fast against that wall.”

I swallowed, and my knees felt a little weak. I leaned onto Ben, glad of his solidity.

“It’ll be okay,” Ben said softly. “Honestly it will. It’s just a kiss.”

“We went to his car,” I said, quietly.

“And you fucked, in his car?” Dylan rolled his eyes. “I thought the guy had more class.”

“No, we didn’t fuck, we…we kissed a bit and…”

“You made out,” Ben said, “that’s okay, Pippa, but where was the car parked?”

“Round the back of the restaurant. It was private, there was no one else there, Eduardo checked.”

“He had a raging hard-on, he’d have said anything.” Dylan shook his head.

“Why are you so mad?” I asked him. Was he jealous? Was Dylan staking a claim on me?

“Because you have been through enough, Pip.” He unfolded his arms and scrubbed his hand over his short hair. “This sort of shit messes with people’s heads, I know it does.”

“I agree it’s not ideal, but I’m okay,” I paused. “And thank you for your concern, Dylan.” I stepped away from Ben and up to him, rested my hand on his forearm. “I appreciate it, I really do, and I’m glad I know about it, that you spotted it, because now I can call Trevor and he can put a lid on the story, or try to.”

“Yeah, good idea.” Dylan’s eyes searched mine. “You sure you’re okay?”

“I will be.” I forced a smile despite dreading the conversation with Trevor. “And I’m making paella if you want some.”

The front door went again, the doorbell ringing with it as though for dramatic effect. “Ma choue,where are you? My heart misses you so.”

Eduardo walked into the room. His black t-shirt hugged his chest, and his beige shorts were tight on his wide thighs. He was grinning broadly.

Theo was with him. He wore a Tommy fleece and faded jeans and paused to take in the room. “What’s going on?” He directed his question at Ben.

“You okay?” Ben asked him.

“I will be when you tell me why Dylan looks like a bull who’s just been shown a red rag, and why Pippa is so pale.” Theo studied me with a frown.

“This.” I flashed the pap shot at first Theo and then Eduardo.

Eduardo snatched the phone from my hand, his grin slipping instantly. “Merde!”

“We were seen,” I said. “And by some guy with a blog, he’s posted it online.”

“I am so sorry.” Eduardo set the phone on the island and took my hands. “I am so sorry, I would never do anything to hurt you, to make your perilous situation even worse for you.”