Dangerous Fling (Dangerous Noise 4)

It's makes my stomach clench. But— "It's exciting, knowing people are appreciating my work. Even if most of them are more appreciative of our bodies."

"You get used to it."

"I, uh… Danielle found out. She fired me."

"Fuck. You okay?"

My words catch in my throat. I'm not okay, but there are too many reasons. "Are you?"

"I'll feel better taking care of you."

"But you—"

"But nothing. Where are you?"

"Mal…"

His voice drops to the demanding tone. "Where are you, Lacey?"

"The Starbucks on Ventura. The second one off the freeway."

"Stay there. I'm coming."

"There's traffic."

He chuckles. "We live in Los Angeles. There's always traffic."

"You live in Orange County and I live in Long Beach."

"Still the greater Los Angeles area."

"Mal…"

"Yeah?"

I don't know what to say. I want you. I miss you. I need you. How can I need you when you're going through all this?

His voice shifts back to demanding. "Stay there."

I bite my tongue.

"Promise."

The need in his voice calls my attention. "I promise."

32

Mal

It takes me too fucking long to get to Lacey. She's sitting in the back corner of the coffee shop, her eyes on her cell, her expression twisted in a way I know too well.

She's famous now. It will pass, but it's not easy riding it out. Fuck, I'm going to kill the asshole who hit the button on this.

Even if it was inevitable.

Even if I'm the one who demanded this of her.

I need to soothe her.