Provoke_ A Seaside Pictures Novella (Seaside Pictures #3.7) - Rachel Van Dyken Page 0,20

and more. That’s how the program works. And it does work, Braden. We’ll figure this out.”

“What if I don’t want to?” he suddenly asked, his eyes lazy as they drank me in. “What if I fail on purpose and hold you hostage?”

“Pretty sure that’s also called kidnapping.” I yawned again. “And you’re going on tour, it’s important we get you ready for the crowds. Plus, I have another client set up for next month.” I hated myself in that moment, hated saying it out loud, admitting it.

I hated everything.

His face fell. “Right. Client. Because there’s a lot of us that need help.”

“Braden?” I reached for him. “I didn’t mean it like that. I just…this is my job. You know I obviously like you, I thought—”

“Nope,” he interrupted and grabbed his phone. I could see his arousal through his black briefs and instantly looked away, guilty. I’d had no business kissing him, flirting with him when I was leaving. But I couldn’t help myself; it was too easy with him, too easy to get lost in him. “I don’t want you explaining anything, least of all to me. I know it’s your job. I’m your job. And I don’t want to jeopardize that. Besides, it was just kissing, right?”

I gulped then swallowed the golf ball in my throat. “Right.”

He stared at me for a bit longer and then whispered, “You’re a shit liar, Coach, but don’t worry, I won’t tell your boss that you’re the best kiss of my life, or that I plan on doing it for the next two weeks. It will be our…” He leaned in and pressed a kiss to my neck. “…little…” He jerked me against his chest, his length pulsing between our bodies. “…secret.”

I leaned in to kiss him just as his phone went off. With a grin, he pulled away and said, “Looks like the courier’s almost here. Be right back. Try not to fall into the fire or get bitten by anything else while I’m gone. All right, small-fry?”

Ugh, I was in so much trouble.

I grabbed the pillow again. This time, I did scream into it.

Too bad it didn’t help. If anything, it just made my blood heat even more at the sight of his six-pack as he brought food and coffee back into the room.

“I’ll pay you back,” I said quickly when he handed me the tray, only to have him pull it back the minute I said that. “What?”

“I have house rules, and those rules state that if I buy food or drink, you don’t pay me back. You say ‘thank you’ and eat with fervor, understood?”

“Understood.” I reached for my coffee once more. Again, he pulled it back. “Now what?”

With a wink, he shrugged. “Just like being my provoking self!”

I shook my head slowly and grabbed the cup then tried to stand. He was there in a heartbeat, helping me to my feet, and then he pulled away.

No lingering stares.

No wondering if he was going to kiss me.

Just…being helpful, almost annoyingly platonic.

Ugh, what was wrong with me? Normal adults didn’t just make out all day, did they? Maybe they should.

“So.” Braden cleared his throat. “Enough with the secrets. What’s on our agenda for today? You know, after I add to my very special board.”

“Let me drink some coffee, and then we’ll go over our plans for the next few days, all right?”

“Yup.” He gave me a salute and then handed me a scone. “It’s okay if you scream my name. God knows I’ll be moaning yours.” That was the last thing he said before grabbing his guitar and walking out to the balcony.

My jaw dropped.

He didn’t turn around.

Two could play this game.

I took a big bite and yelled. But instead of Braden, I screamed, “Drew.”

He turned around so fast he nearly dropped his guitar. “Oh, it’s like that, huh?”

I chewed and then started to laugh, only to have him stalk toward me like the sex god he was. He pulled me against him, which was weird since I was still chewing, and then he turned my head to the side and very slowly licked up my neck. He finished the lick with a soft bite, moaning my name, then followed it up with, “Since you needed a proper demonstration.”

I swallowed the last bite of my scone. “Of?”

“What I’m thinking of when I eat my orgasmic scone. It will definitely be a tie between licking you and eating it. Then again, I could eat you too.” He left me staring at