My phone ringing again, not ten minutes after I hung up with Vinny, makes me debate ignoring the call. But I don’t, I answer it, although without the enthusiasm I usually greet people with.

“I’m still thinking about you. The look on your face after I kissed you outside your building today. I’m lying in bed with a hard-on remembering the way your body reacts to me.” Vinny’s voice trails off. “Even in public. It’s uncontrollable and so god damn sexy, I just needed to hear the sound of your voice again.”

Swallowing hard, my voice is throaty when I respond, “It was a good kiss…”

“Tomorrow night. I’m going to do things to you that’ll make you scream my name over and over.”

Ummm…how do you respond to that? Other than having your ni**les harden and feeling the flesh between your legs swell in anticipation. “Okay,” I say softly.

“Night, Liv.”

“Night, Vinny.”

I hang up, tossing my phone into a pile of papers, and eventually drift off to sleep with visions of Vinny making me scream, rather than thoughts of the story I had to come to terms with writing.

Chapter 24

Liv

I woke today with a new outlook on life. I’ve decided the story just isn’t true. God just couldn’t be that cruel to bring this man back to me and then make me crush his only honorable family memory. One that he utterly cherishes. Lots of people have pale blue eyes and rugged square jaws. Hell, there’s a whole community of beautiful people out there that could pass for a relative of Senator Knight or Vinny.

Arriving at my office bright and early, I’m ready to dive in head first. I just need to clarify a few things with Sleezeball before I get on my merry way.

“Good morning, James. Do you have a minute for me?”

“I’ve got whatever you need. Come on in.” His dirty smile tells me his choice of words is not coincidence. I feel the need to shower at his gross double entendre. Yet I smile all the same as I take my place in the seat he motions for me to sit in.

“I spent a lot of time thinking about the Senator Knight story last night.”

“I figured you would.” Sleezeball leans back in his chair, touching his fingertips together in a praying like pose.

“What happens if I work the story for the next few weeks and, in the end, it turns out that Senator Knight is not Vince’s father? Where does that leave me with the job?”

“We’re confident we’re right with this one.” He sits up in his chair. “But no one has been able to prove it one way or the other. Bring us the proof and the job is yours. They’ve had some heavy hitters working this one for a while now, but Senator Knight has it tied up tighter than a virgin’s ass. The fighter’s our only way in…and seeing those pictures of you outside, I’m thinking pillow talking that man will be like taking candy from a baby.”

Ignoring his crude remark, I go for professional and to the point. “I’m going to need travel and expense funding.”

“Done.”

“I’ll also need a cover story, something to get me time with Senator Knight. I was thinking we suggest a multi-page expose on him and his family. Tell him we want to recreate the Kennedy feel in our family values article. That will get me access to his wife and son.”

“You got it.” He sneers. “I like the way you’re thinking now.”

That comment alone should scare the shit out of me.

Chapter 25

Liv

Friday night I have no desire to go out and celebrate. It’s been such a long week, I’d much rather crawl into bed in the fetal position and sleep for twelve hours straight than spend the night barhopping with Ally. But it’s her birthday and I promised her we’d have fun. I know I need to put the week of dead end research behind me and let it go for a while, but it’s easier said than done. I feel guilty for keeping my assignment from Vinny, but I don’t want to hurt him by making him question his father for no reason. A soldier he never knew, a man he always cherished.

I’m still surprised that Ally invited Vinny to join us the other night when he came to pick me up. Normally birthday celebrations are strictly girls night out. But apparently one mention of bringing a few of the guys from the gym was all it took. The birthday girl is easily swayed at the mention of hard bodied fighters with tattoos.

“What do you think?” Ally emerges from her bedroom wearing a skimpy skirt and heels so high she must be close to six feet, even though she’s normally just five foot six.

“Is that a shirt or a skirt?” I tease.

“Some of us don’t have a sexy beast ya know.”

“I’m guessing you’ll attract a beast with that outfit.” I take a sip from the glass of wine I just poured, hoping it will relax me a bit.

“Ya think?” Not catching the sarcasm in my voice, Ally takes my comment as a compliment, looking down at her outfit. Satisfied with what she sees, she continues, “Go get dressed…we need to find this birthday girl a gift to unwrap later.” She wiggles her eyebrows.

It was never a question in my head what I was going to wear. Every girl has that one outfit she loves, the one that gets more compliments than she receives in total for the rest of the year. Mine is emerald green. The simple dress is fitted on the bottom, hugging my curves and coming a little above my knee. The top blouses out after it reaches my waist, and lies draping artfully from my shoulders. From the front it’s simple, the color and fit being the most impressive part of the dress. The emerald green color contrasts with my pale skin and auburn hair, setting off a beautiful palette that people definitely seem to notice.

Although it’s the back of the dress that’s the showstopper and I know it. The same draping that shows just a hint of demure cle**age on the front, hangs on the back, only the draping extends lower on the back. Far lower. Revealing a scant hint of pale white skin from the top of my neck, down to just above the top of my ass. Like a treasure map, it leads the eyes down my back to where the emerald color gathers tightly across my ass. Something tells me Vinny is going to love the dress. I’ve noticed he seems to have taken a liking to my backside. I may pretend I don’t notice where his eyes frequently drift to as we go about mundane things, but I do. And tonight I’m dressing for him.

Pouting playfully as she sees me come through my bedroom door dressed, Ally confirms I’ve picked the right outfit. “It’s my birthday. How is anyone going to notice me when you wear that?”