Page 27 of The Hot Shot

“To not to,” James says happily. “But then we both know I ignore most of your directives, oh mighty queen.”

The phone dings again. I eye it like a snake.

James unwinds the orange scarf wrapped around his neck. It clashes horribly with his hair and beard, but I suspect he likes that. “All right,” he says. “Who is harassing you? Is it that diva Maria? Tell her the camera can perform certain illusions, but it can’t wash the bitch out of her hair.”

I choke back a laugh. Maria is a model we worked with a while back. She had insisted that I’d shot her in unflattering angles. Not true. She is gorgeous. But insecure. And a complete pain in my ass.

“Thankfully, I haven’t heard from her since I told her there was a tornado warning in effect and to look out for flying farmhouses.”

James snickers as he makes a cappuccino. “So then who is texting your knickers in a knot?”

“Finn.”

He almost stumbles, foam sloshing over the rim of the cup. “Finn? As in Finn ‘he’s an asshat and I totally hate him’ Mannus?”

“I don’t hate him. We just got off on the wrong foot. Finn is fine.”

“Yes, heis.”

“Not what I meant.”

A slow, evil smile spreads over his face. “And now it’s Finn, eh?”

“That is his name,” I deadpan.

“Mmm...” He hands me the cup and turns to make another cappuccino for himself. “Why are you in a snit overFinn? Is he harassing you?”

“No.” I grab the phone but don’t look at the screen, so I won’t be tempted to answer. “He’s flirting.I’mflirting. And I like it.” I flop my arm in exasperation.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone be put out by goodflirting.” James sips his coffee and studies me with a frown. “You sure you’re feeling okay?”

The phone dings again.

GQ:Was that too much? Or has the possibility of massaging my fine ass made you faint?

A snort escapes me.

CC:Yes. You got me. The terror was too much.

GQ:It’s okay, Chester. A lot of women can’t handle this much hotness at once.

James’s voice turns droll. “You know, I don’t think I’ve ever seen that expression on your face.”

“What expression?” I wait for Finn’s reply.

“Besotted.”

“Besotted? Have you been reading historicals again?”

“Yes. And stop trying to burn a hole in my head with your eyes. There’s nothing wrong with liking this guy. You’ve had shit luck with men. Finding one you’re excited about is a good thing. Why are you fighting this?”

Heat churns in my chest. “Because he isn’t interested in dating,” I grit out.

“Then take a ride on that hot body of his and enjoy yourself.”

The heat moves from my chest to the back of my neck. “He doesn’t want that from me, either.”

James gapes at me in confusion. Which doesn’t help my bruised and confused ego. “Not possible. I saw the way he looked at you.”