Page 349 of Rock Me All Night
7
The mall is bright, clean, totally void of personality. Dark tile floor, high ceilings, big windows letting in the desert sun.
My eyes stay glued to Tom's jeans, to the pocket where he keeps his phone. Hard to remember what we're doing here. Hazel still hasn't returned his call.
She needs to say yes.
I have no clue what I'll do if she doesn't say yes.
The air conditioning sends goose bumps over my flesh. I rub my biceps with my palms to fight a shiver. It doesn't help. Abrrrescapes my lips.
Tom slides his arm around my waist, pulls my body into his.
It's not cold anymore.
It's scorching.
This is not at all appropriate for platonic friends, but God knows I'm not about to point that out. His body feels good.
Too good. My mind goes blank except for this loud voice screamingmore.
I step aside. It's the only way to keep my wits about me. We're ten feet from a chain department store. I guess we're here for clothes. So I can look like the proper kind of hit-the-clubs woman who belongs on Tom's arm.
My gaze goes back to the front pocket of his jeans.
"Willow. Hello." He waves his hand in front of my face. "What's interesting in my pants? Besides the obvious."
I say nothing.
"If you want me to whip it out, you should ask. Staring won't get you anywhere."
Whip it out? Seriously? The man is deranged if he thinks I'd actually ask that.
"You okay?"
I shake my head. "What if Hazel says no?"
"She won't."
"How do you know that?"
"You want me to call her again?"
"Of course."
"Hmm... I don't know. What's in it for me?"
"Please."
He lets out a soft groan but says nothing about it.
"Please." I press my palms together. Self-respect is much less important than working with Hazel Alexander. "I'll beg."
"Don't beg. I'll get ideas." He slides his arm around my lower back and holds me in place. His other hand goes to his phone. He dials and brings the thing to his ear. "Hey, Hazel. It's Tom."
Success! I can just barely hear her on the other line.
She's no-nonsense. "Yes... if you know she's dependable... Lot of grunt work... Look forward to meeting Willow tomorrow."
