Kane (Face-Off 2)
I park in the circular driveway, closest to the front of the house, sucking in a deep breath as I prepare myself for what may turn out to be a very long afternoon. Sydney had insisted I keep up the charade of dressing as if I rolled out of bed. So, I threw on the first outfit I could find that looked frumpy enough to wear for the interview.
Man, I’m slumming it today in this oversized jumper dress and matching black leggings. That part of my outfit is semi-normal it’s just not the boho chic look most people would expect when talking about a jumper dress. The pink and multi-striped UGGs are what make this outfit a real train wreck. You can spot me a mile away in these boots. I even paired it with a hot pink jacket with fur around the collar that was part of Sydney’s pimp costume for Halloween one year.
After seeing that Tyler had commented on my blog post the other day, I was afraid to write about our little experiment out of fear he would figure out that I’m testing this theory on him. I cannot have him back out of the interview. I need the money that could come from an exclusive too much to screw this up. My one-on-one with Dane Fisher saved my ass for the next few months with all the ad sponsors he drew into Sports Buzz. But that money will run out in no time.
Walking up to the door, I slide the messenger bag up higher on my shoulder and think of all the questions I want to ask Tyler so I can make this as painless as possible. If I’m lucky, the interview should last no more than an hour, and I’ll be home in time to eat takeout with Sydney and plot our blog posts for this week.
Before I can knock, the front door swings open. Looking hot and well put together, all ripped muscle and broad shouldered in a fitted gray tee and black track pants that hang from Tyler’s narrow hips, he is fucking perfection. I hate myself for thinking of him in any way other than a subject I am here to write about, but he is so damn sexy without even trying.
As our eyes lock, he smiles wide, revealing a set of perfect white teeth. His gaze lowers and travels down my body, a frown crossing his lips as he appraises my body. I feel exposed with the way he stares at me, not speaking a word until he takes in every inch of me.
“I have to say I’m disappointed you didn’t wear the bandage dress you promised. Instead, you chose…” He doesn’t even finish his thought, the disgust evident in his expression. “Somehow you still look kind of hot in this.”
I fold my arms across my chest, annoyed. “Are you going to let me in or stand there like a jackass and ogle me all day and make stupid comments about my clothes?”
The corner of his mouth turns up into a cocky smirk. “I like it when you’re mean. I’ll consider this foreplay for later.”
Moving my hands to my hips, I sigh in frustration. Tyler makes everything so much harder for me. “How about you just consider it me being mean and let’s get to the reason I am here. Sound good?”
“Sure thing, sweetheart.” He steps to the side, holding out his hand and allowing me to step in front of him and into the monstrosity of a house.
Tempted to yell something to see if it will echo off the vaulted ceiling, I hold back my childish instinct. I used to do the same thing in the house where I grew up all the time. My mother hated it, and once I started, my younger sister would join in on the fun, the two of us saying random things just to hear our voices reverberate through the house.
Tyler shuts the door and escorts me down the long white-and-gray marble hallway, the house as cold on the inside as it appears from the outside. No one lives here that much is clear.
“W
hat do you need such a big house for when you live here by yourself?”
“Who says I live here alone?”
We walk into the living room, the open space light and airy with an enormous flat screen TV hung above a brick fireplace. Several sets of couches and lounge chairs are scattered throughout along with a few tables containing electronic devices on them. It’s the ultimate bachelor pad.
“Considering we already established that you do not have a girlfriend over coffee, I assume you live here alone.”
“Well, you assume wrong. If you recall, I also mentioned Roxie lives with me.”
“Oh, right.” I nod and take a seat on the black leather couch closest to me. “You have a puppy.”
“Roxie,” he corrects.
“Where is she?”
“In my bedroom.” His eyes drift over to the black, fluffy doggy bed on the other side of the room. “I wasn’t sure if you like dogs.”
“I love them.”
“Wanna come up to my room and meet her?” He says this with a snicker.
I roll my eyes at his comment. “Um…no. Stop trying to trick me into sleeping with you.”
He moves closer, his body blocking my vision. “Is it working?”
I shake my head. “Nope.”
“Shame,” he mutters under his breath.
Setting my purse on the floor, I dig through my messenger bag for the tape recorder, notepad, and pen before looking up at Tyler who has decided to position himself in front of me.