I blushed. “That’s not on the table.”
He paused and then laughed out loud. “Come on, Brie. You think I’d blackmail you into fucking me?”
“Not sure what you’re capable of.”
He got serious for a second. “If I’m going to fuck you, you’re going to beg for it first.”
I blinked, feeling the heat spread between my legs at the intense look he was giving me. For half a second, I believed him.
“Uh, okay. What do you want then?” I managed to say.
“Actually, it’s something you’ve already agreed to. I need another interview.”
I let out a breath. “Is that it?”
“Turns out, filming me working out all day long isn’t exactly compelling stuff. Jess is pushing me to go outside my usual comfort zone. I’m hoping another interview with you will get her off my back.”
“And if I do this, you promise you’ll do whatever your mom wants for this charity thing?”
“Fine. I’ll do whatever you want.”
I ignored that. “Okay. You have a deal.”
He grinned and then stood up and walked over to me, his hand held out. I paused. Then I reached out and shook, his hand firm in mine, his face a playful grin. His touch lingered for a second, and I thought he might try to pull me to my feet, but instead he let my hand drop and he stepped away.
“Pleasure doing business with you, Brie baby.”
“Wish I could say the same.”
He walked over toward the door. “Interview is tomorrow, around noon. Dress nice.”
“I always dress nice,” I shot back.
“Perfect. Bring that fire and wit, too.”
I rolled my eyes as he left the room. I watched him go, my heart racing in my chest.
I kept putting myself through this, kept pushing him away only to get drawn back in. And as much as I hated it, I also couldn’t get enough.
It was only an interview. We’d be in a room full of people. It would be too dangerous for him to try anything or to say anything about what had happened.
So why was I already nervous?
Chapter Twelve: Lincoln
Interview #2
I shouldn’t have been nervous. I adjusted myself on the uncomfortable stool and cursed under my breath. I had a theory that Jess chose the most awful seats possible for the interviews just to make sure that people could never get their balance.
Which wasn’t helping my nerves. Jess had agreed that the interview would be a good thing, another check mark in the “helpful Lincoln” category. Hopefully it would keep her and Cliff off my back for another week or two.
But I was still nervous for some insane reason. I had already done this with Brie, had already sat in these seats and pushed her buttons for fun. For some reason, though, things were different. I didn’t know what to expect.
All because of that kiss. That perfect fucking cock-stiffening kiss.
“How you feeling?” I asked Brie under my breath as the team bustled around us, setting up the lights.
“Fine. Nervous.”
“Don’t be nervous. I’ll be good this time.”
She gave me a look. “You better be. I’m doing this as a favor.”
I grinned. “You’re doing this to get me to help my mother out.”
“Yeah, okay. That too.”
Jess came over and began to clip a mic onto Brie. When she was finished, she came over to me, but I held my hand out for it instead. She handed it over, walking back to her chair. I clipped the thing on myself.
“We almost set?” she asked the crew.
“Lights, camera, action,” Brent said. Brie laughed and he smiled at her.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” Jess replied.
“Yeah. Just need to check the mics.”
“Test test test. Fuck me sideways with a telephone pole. Susan sells porno down by the seashore.”
“Got it,” Brent said. “Aubrie?”
“Testing testing. One two three four.”
“Boring,” I mumbled.
“All good,” Brent replied.
“Okay,” Jess said, leaning back in her chair. “Let’s do this thing. Cameras up?”
“Cameras running,” Brent called out.
“You two ready?”
We both nodded.
Brent walked out, snapped the clapper, and then returned to his spot behind the camera. He wasn’t the head camera guy, but he sure was getting a lot of attention lately.
“Okay then. First question is for you, Aubrie. How is your relationship with your father?”
I glanced at Brie. Jess really wasn’t fucking around if she was going right for the parental jugular. But Aubrie just smiled.
“Things are good. Me and Dad have always been close, especially since Mom died.”
“Tell me about that.”