Dirty Bad Boys Box Set: Forbidden Romance Collection

Crap! She knows Charlie. Game over.

“That I am,” I answer politely.

She introduces herself, “I’m Presley Malone.”

Haden coughs while shooting her an annoyed, wary look.

“Sorry, Presley Malone-Cooper,” she says, rolling her eyes at him.

I laugh softly. “Ahhh... the wife.”

Definitely game over.

“When the title fits,” Haden quips, stroking his beard.

“Stop being a jerk, Haden,” she fires back, trying her best to disguise her smirk. “Anyway, it’s great to have you onboard. I hope Haden was kind enough to invite you out for drinks tonight?”

“I hadn’t gotten around to it, yet. It’s what happens when Mrs. Know-It-All interrupts,” he complains. “So, Noah, are you free for drinks tonight?”

“I had plans but I can change them to later tonight.”

“I’m sure you men will have fun. Listen, I’m off. If you need me, I’ll be trying to get through to an author about her manuscript having too much sex in it.”

“And I told you, there’s no such thing,” Haden states with a playful smile on his lips.

I’d have the same smile if I were tapping her sweet ass every fucking night.

“Are we having this argument again? There needs to be a plot. A story to make the readers want more. A sex scene on every page is overkill.”

Their argument continues on, and the more I observe, the more I see that Haden purposely riles Presley up to get a reaction from her. It’s comical, to say the least. I see now why Charlie and Kate joke about him being a jerk.

After not agreeing on anything, Presley walks out, leaving Haden and me alone.

“My wife,” he says with a small laugh. “Do you see what I have to deal with every day? Ballbuster. Too damn stubborn.”

“Headstrong is a preferable word.” I laugh. “Much like Charlie and her friend Kate.”

“You know Kate?” He follows with a whistle. “The three of them together are like Charlie’s Angels… excuse the irony of the name. Trying to battle with everyone while standing up for equality for women. Kate’s a troublemaker,” he finishes with a soft laugh.

“Interesting, I only met her today. A feisty Brit at that.”

“She’s fun. Not as uptight as Presley and Charlie. I think they have this need to protect her from the awful men lurking around New York City. They’re forever on her back and don’t seem to get that she’s a free spirit. Doesn’t care what people think, just does what makes her happy.”

Interesting way to describe Kate. She came across as fun-loving and relaxed, not one of those women desperate to get married and have babies. Maybe that’s why I like her—I don’t feel this unwarranted pressure around her.

“Look, I’m gathering that you’re hooking up with someone tonight so don’t worry about drinks. Seriously, I totally get it.”

I don’t want to tell him it’s Kate. Having only just met Haden, I don’t know if he’d encourage me to spend time with her or warn me against it. Despite what he’s just said, people have a funny way of reacting to things, and it’s best to keep it on the down-low for now.

“Someone invited me to some bar in Malibu but it’s no trouble.”

“I’m not getting in the way of a man and some pussy. Trust me…” He laughs. “We’ll have drinks later this week. I’ll try to convince Lex to come out but knowing him, he’ll be out of town as usual.”

I spent the remainder of the day being shown the ropes. By five pm, I was beat. I’d made my way back to Charlie’s for a quick change. I want to use her bike and it takes a lot of convincing, especially because it’s her baby, and after an hour-long lecture on road safety she finally hands me the keys. I pack some extra clothes, unsure of where the night might lead me.

Between Kate’s legs... hopefully.

It’s bumper-to-bumper traffic to Malibu. Some dick lost his load which causes a major traffic jam. Thank God I’m riding her bike, swerving in and out of the traffic to avoid further delays. By the time I arrive, I head for the bar, and couldn’t be happier to have a drink in my hand. I know I have to consume less so I can ride back home.