Page 3 of Out of Bounds

He was confident and collected, and I knew he was trying to rile me up. If that man thought I’d hop on the high road, he had another thing coming. I’d dig a trench.

"I’m sorry, Cleo. There’s been a real mix-up here." I twisted to face her and let loose. "I’m not here to suck this guy’s dick. That wasn’t on the menu tonight, so I will bid everyone adieu. It’s beenfun. It’s been ablast—"

The guy mock-saluted me. "Have fun sucking somebody else’s dick."

"Oh, I will." I turned to rise, but Cleo dug her claws into my shoulders.

"Kassie."

"Cleo."

"All I need are a few pictures."

"I’m good," I assured her.

"Five pictures, nothing else. You’ll have free dinner. And dessert!"

"A slice of cake isn’t good enough to toleratehim."

The man tried to wave me away with all the audacity in Texas. "Cleo, she can leave if she wants to."

"Listen to me, Kassie." Cleo buried her bright pink claws a little deeper and her breathing labored. "We’ve already got the hockey team fiasco. And our linebacker—Adam Russell—slept through his sponsorship shoot. The university mascot stuffedsquirrel was stolen out of the training center. The only report of its whereabouts is a grainy video of him catapulted out of a bra. Not to mention, my number one star.” She shot a nasty look at him. “He’s not even staying at Marrs—it’s been disaster afterdisaster."

My heart sank. Of course it wasn’t just my plans that were ruined. I bit my lip. "Look, Cleo, I’m sorry, but—"

"I just got promoted to head intern. I need this to work. Give me this.Please."

2

Kassie

A Hip Grab From The Most

Aggravating Man In The World

For as much as Cleo got me into this bind, I knew I was the only person who could help her out of hers.

Cleo softened her tone. "Kassie…this restaurant, it’s four stars. You don’t have to stay for dinner, you can order to go. Buy whatever you want. It’s billed to the school."

Whatever I want?

I hesitated.

Two weeks ago, one of the bars switched their payroll system from one that worked to one that sure as shit did not. They delayed my paycheck for another six days. And the bookstore checks never covered anything beyond rent. I had multiple roommates, and our fridge desperately needed a grocery run.

Fuck, I needed ananythingrun.

A restaurant run?

After all, it was only two more minutes tops in this private room of horrors.

It wasn’t like I’d gain back the chance to meet my hero. That ship hadn’t even come to port. Was I in the position to turn down free food?

Without responding, I sat back down in the chair.

The man’s voice was a low murmur. "That was a quick dick-sucking."

"Thanks," I replied, icy, "I’m a champ."

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