Changing Roles

She walked into my web so easily, I was surprised.

“Things have changed now. This—” I patted the top of the SUV "—will keep you safe. Now you can drive with the windows up and be comfortable in the heat.” I jerked my head toward the front gate. “They can’t take pictures of you through the tint. Pull down the visor and wear sunglasses, they won’t get much of an angle from the front either. You don’t even have to roll the windows down to get in the gate—there’s a remote inside the cab.” I added a little incentive. “Once this—us—dies down, I won’t worry as much when you’re out on your own.” I didn’t add it would be a while before that happened. Then I went in for the kill. “I would think, after what happened this morning, you’d want to make sure Ev and I don’t worry as much. We hoped you’d accept this, knowing how much it would mean to both of us.”

Her eyes widened, and she looked over at Ev, who stared at her, his face grave. She looked back at me, and I struggled to keep a straight face as he took a bow behind her. I kept my expression serious. “I don’t ask much, Shelby, but I am asking you to do this one thing. Drive this car. For me.”

She looked at the vehicle and then back at me. “It would make you feel better? Worry less?”

“Yes, it would. Please.”

Her voice became suspicious. “Does this have anything to do with the money?”

Bloody hell, my girl was a smart one. “No, Shelby. This has everything to do with your safety and my peace of mind,” I stated firmly. “It never even crossed my mind.”

She studied my face, which I managed to keep smooth, only conveying shock at her suggestion.

“Just checking,” she murmured as she looked back at the vehicle again.

My lips twitched as I dared a glance at Everett, who was smirking at me. I should have gotten another Oscar for my performance. Fooling her wasn’t easy.

She sighed in defeat. “It is a lovely color,” she murmured.

I pulled her against my chest, wrapping my arms securely around her. “It’s called ‘Performance Red Pearl.’ You know how much I love you in red.” I patted the hood. “And it sparkles. You love sparkles.”

She looked at me, no longer annoyed, but smiling.

“Oh.”

Everett groaned. “I am out of here.” He chuckled. “Cheeseball is back in the house.” He shook his head as he walked away. I ignored him. Cheeseball was working right now, and I was taking full advantage of that fact.

Lowering my head, I bit down on her sensitive lobe. “The windows are dark enough we could snog in the back seat somewhere. Just for fun.”

“Oh.”

I kissed the shell of her ear, tracing the pale skin with the tip of my tongue. “We could get in now and try it if you like.” I lowered my voice. “It would drive Everett crazy.” I opened the back door. “You wanna test it out?”

She whimpered.

I had her.

Score.The stories printed the next day were quite close to what Everett had predicted. Apparently, I was seeing Caroline as well as Shelby, which caused her to drink. One of the photographers got pushed while trying to break up the two of them, since they were about to start physically fighting over me. I glanced at Shelby, who was chuckling beside me.

“Hot, Beaker. Catfight.” I waggled my eyebrows at her, relishing her giggles. Of course, no mention was made of the fact that they were long-standing friends, or that Caroline was staying here and they had left to go for breakfast together. I shut off the monitor, shaking my head. It would never change. Half the time, even legitimate interviews misconstrued my words, twisting them to make it seem like I said something other than what I had stated. I was tired of it, and I had to admit, it was wearing me down.

I sat, sipping my coffee. “Is Caroline still asleep? What time did she get home last night?” I had crashed early, Shelby beside me reading, and Thor purring on my head as he snuggled in.

Shelby smirked as she placed the plate of French toast in front of me. I dug into the unexpected treat, famished. “She texted me to say it was late and she’d stay at Douglas’s.”

I paused, my fork midway to my mouth. “That wanker. He stole my other woman!”

Shelby laughed. “You Wright men are hard to resist.”

“It’s the British thing. I keep telling you. Resistance is futile.” I pulled her into my lap, kissing her with syrup-covered lips.

“So it appears,” she agreed. “It’s not like Caroline to move so quickly.”

I took another bite of French toast, chewing thoughtfully and chuckling as Shelby stole a bite off my plate. “Douglas isn’t usually one to act like this either,” I agreed. “I guess you were right. They are perfect for each other.”