Page 13 of The Publicist
She bites her lip, and it’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen. Her white teeth are a stark contrast to her ruby red lips and it makes my pulse race. I’m going to have a heart attack soon with the way my body is reacting to her.
“Goodnight, Caleb.” She kisses my cheek and lets herself into her room, closing the door behind her. I’m stuck in the hallway with a raging hard-on and no one to help me with it.Fuck! I replay the events of the evening in my head, trying to figure out where I went wrong. We flirted, she kissed me, she climbed onmein the back of the car.Shestarted this, not me!What a tease!
I don’t care about the image Quinn is trying to create. I make my way down to the bar in search of someone to take my mind off her. I want a tall, skinny, blonde bimbo that looks nothing like the girl who’s currently driving me insane.
Chapter 13
I wantto run over to his room and pound on his door, make him open it for me. The kiss at the gala, in the car,the elevator; it was mind-blowing. He definitely knows what he’s doing, and I’m sure he would carry through with his promises to make me come until morning. I’m dealing with the raging war inside my head, wanting to give in to my animalistic urges instead of my prefrontal cortex.I’m here to do a job, nothing more.I used Caleb as a way to get Tait off my back at the gala, and the champagne impaired my judgment.That’s all.
My feet are happy to not be shoved into such a high heel once I kick off my shoes, and I flop down on my bed. When I close my eyes, the room spins sideways.I’m way too drunk to think reasonably.I sit up and smile, a stroke of genius hitting me like a freight train. I can pretend I don’t remember anything the next morning. He’s had a few too many drinks and so have I. Who’s to say we can’t have some fun and pretend it never happened?
Jumping up, I throw on my pair of black chucks and leave the room with a giant smile plastered on my face. I knock on his door and wait patiently—okay, impatiently—for him to answer. I knock louder when he doesn’t answer.Is he asleep?My smile fades, and I head back to my room, defeated. I’m going to use my trusty blue toy tonight and think of what could have been. I stand in front of my door and realize I didn’t take my key out my purse before I left.Shit!
I walk to the elevator and step in, pressing the button for the first floor so I can go to the front desk for a new key. I’m not tired in the slightest and decide maybe a trip to the bar will help make me sleepy. Once it slows to a stop, the doors open, exposing the beautiful lobby.Was it this pretty earlier today?I smile and walk to the front desk.
“Hi, I’m staying in room seven-two-five-two and locked myself out of my room. Are you able to make me a spare key?” I smile and look down with embarrassment.
“No problem. Can you tell me your name please?” He types into the computer.
“I’m Quinn Harrison. The reservation may be under Steve Powell or even Caleb Evanstan.”
He looks to me at the mention of Caleb’s name, and his eyes go a little wide. He clears his throat and makes the key quickly before handing it back to me in the paper liner.
“Thanks.” I take it from him, giving him a strange look. “Is everything all right?”
“Yes, why wouldn’t it be?” he asks, keeping his head down.
“I said Caleb’s name and you got weird on me.”
“I’m sorry.” He sighs heavily. “My daughter is a huge fan and was trying to get an autograph earlier but couldn’t. She came home all upset today. I saw him walk into the bar a few minutes ago, and I’ve been trying to find a way to get his autograph for her. I can’t ask though. Honestly, I shouldn’t even be telling you; it goes against company rules.”
He’s down at the bar?I push the thought from my mind and focus on the current conversation. “What’s your daughter’s name?” I feel bad for the guy.
“Amelia. She’s his biggest fan.” He smiles warmly at me.
“Well,” I look at his name tag, “Henry, are you going to be here tomorrow?” He nods. “I will get you the autograph and leave it for you to give to her.”
His grin is so big I can’t help but smile with him. “Thank you so much, Ms. Harrison. You have no idea what this is going to mean to her. She’s going to be so surprised.”
“No problem. Thanks for the key,” I say and walk toward the bar in search of Caleb. I see him cuddled up in a booth in the back with a skinny blonde—shocking, I know—hanging on his every word. Her giggle rings through the mostly empty bar, and I have to hold back my urge to vomit. He downs his drink and pushes the glass away as she playfully swats his hand and giggles again.There is no way he is that funny.I sit at the bar and order a pomegranate martini.
Her giggle is like nails on a chalkboard and, when the bartender hands me my drink, I take a huge swig. I just want to get out of the bar quickly and unseen. The last thing I want is for Caleb to see me here, alone, after I refused him. I’m dangling my feet from the barstool when I hear a quiet chuckle behind me. “That’s an interesting choice of footwear for that dress.”Tait.
I put on the prettiest smile I can muster and turn my attention to him. “I didn’t know you were staying here as well, Tait. I could have arranged a meet and greet for both of you earlier.”Work. It’s a safe topic.
“Looks like your boy is a bit busy tonight, huh?” He takes a seat next to me and orders a Guinness.
“Yeah, looks like it. Why did you leave so suddenly tonight? We could have had you and Caleb pose for some pictures together before calling it a night.”I know why, but I want to see what excuse he will come up with.
“I got a call from my agent and had to take it. I’m glad I found you here though.” He smiles.
“Oh yeah? Why’s that?” I take a sip of the martini and look over at him.
“I’m still serious about that date. I don’t know if you will actually call me, and I hoped I could get your number so I can call you.”
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea either, Tait.”
“Can we not be friends? Is that not allowed?” He chuckles and takes a long sip of his beer.