“Program?” I blinked at him, probably just looking tragically confused.
He scoffed teasingly. “So you ask for a picture but don’t even pay attention to what I send? Typical writer.”
He’d sent me a picture?
What dating sites had I used lately?
Had I used any?
I took a step back and studied him as he sent the pictures of the papers to my email. That really had been a good idea…but who was he? The alpha was tall and built, with wide shoulders and narrow hips, and fuck, he had an ass I wanted to kiss. But how had we talked and I not remember him?
He was grinning as he straightened and handed me back my phone and the newly refolded papers. “That will work better.”
He was right…but I was starting to think he was crazier than Austin.
“What site did we meet on?” Had I been… “What’s the word where someone takes over your life online and pretends to be you?”
He chuckled. “Catfished?”
I nodded. “Yes, thank you.”
Shit, not what I meant to say. “I mean—”
“You haven’t been catfished. You’re just forgetful and it’s been two weeks since you were supposed to email me back.” His smile widened, quirking up at one side. “And we didn’t meet on a dating site, so get your mind out of the gutter.”
How did he know that?
He laughed before I could even ask that. “Because all you’ve done is look at my ass and package. You haven’t even looked at my face long enough to remember me.”
Had I?
I closed my eyes, ignoring the fact that I had to make an effort to look away from his body. “You’re tall. Easily well over six feet and big even for an alpha. You look almost like you could be one of Shane’s cousins, but he didn’t have a panic attack about any more kinky relatives, so it’s just a coincidence.”
But it would’ve been really funny if he was one of them.
What else? “If you were a character, I’d have you be a recently retired sports star. Something rough and dangerous and you’d have an injury or something you’re silently working through and covering it up with teasing and sex. Your hair looks great, but one day in about ten years you’re going to think it’s getting thin and then you’ll shave it and you’ll look rough and badass bald.”
Opening my eyes, I frowned. He was barely holding back a smile as he nodded and said, “But who am I, Dakota? Mr. Call Me By My First Name because you don’t like formality.”
“Huh?” I blinked a few times and tried to recall where I’d seen his face.
Something about his eyes was familiar. “You’re…you’re…”
His shit-eating grin was back again. “Almost got it?”
I finally waved my hand and gave up. “No. If you’re here today, then that means you’re kinky in some respect because Austin didn’t even hire a caterer for this thing. I can’t remember signing up for any dating sites recently, but I would only have asked for a picture if we were going to meet.”
My brain was starting to switch gears from the notes and the series that was going to be so good I could just feel it. “Two weeks ago I was…drowning in edits from the new editor who’s never read my books…I was arguing with Austin about something stupid, but I remember being mad at him…and oh, we had another pool party, but I can’t talk about that.”
What else had I been doing?
“Oh.”
Shit.
He laughed. “Yep. Now, where do you know me?”
“You’re not the short one from that picture.” Sighing, I just shoved my wallet back in my pocket and shook my head. “I’m going home and putting up a new ad. This obviously isn’t going to work.”
Eddie was supposed to have been helping me find someone open-minded but laid back…and not a sexy alpha. I was fairly certain I’d made that point clear.
Hadn’t I?
I should’ve made it extremely clear because being attracted to the guy who’d be my personal assistant would be a bad idea on many levels.
And knowing someone from my real life at the kink get-together was not what I’d signed up for.
This had to be Austin’s fault…I just didn’t know how yet.
The laughter almost stopped, but Tristan didn’t bother hiding his entertainment at the predicament. “I told you I was the one on the left. Come on. I think this is funny.”