Page 74 of Torrid Love
Wow.
“Thanks,” I repeat.
“And the shoes… a touch of good girl, but the daring print says otherwise.” Joel pauses. “I approve!”
Zoe is right. I have an impressive collection of Converse shoes. In my line of work, they’re practical. I can move around with ease and still look cute. Along with the hair, my cousin Johanna was instrumental in nudging me to make a lot of big changes. So today, instead of jeans and a t-shirt, I opted for a fitted cap-sleeved top, a maxi skirt that ties at the waist with a long belt. Both in black. I completed the look with a pair of leopard print flats. To make life easier for myself, I brushed my hair up in a high ponytail. I also dabbed on a little bit more makeup than usual… just because.
“Oh, stop it, Joel,” I laugh nervously.
“No, love, you’re––”
“Maybe the two of you might want to press the pause button on the heavy flirting for a minute or two.” Rod’s comment stings.
“I’m just paying the lady a compliment,” Joel quips.
Rod takes several steps forward. His threatening vibe rolls off his shoulders. I’ve witnessed it many times before. At six-one, Rod stands four inches taller than Joel. In other words, he has an unfair advantage. “You’ve only met her a couple of times,” he shrugs. “She doesn’t need your approval on the way she looks.”
Holy shit.
My gaze shifts as fast as a ping pong match, back and forth between the two men butting heads.
“I’ve been told,” Joel says carefully.
“You have,” Rod says, his nostrils flaring. Don’t let the feign calmness of his voice fool you. He’s nearing boiling point inside. His gaze meets mine. His eyes are as cold as ice. “Time is money. We should get started. We have a full crew waiting.”
My jaw drops in shock.
I’m so upset, the only thing I can do is shoot daggers at him.
How dare he cut me at the knee in front of everybody.
“All right, boys and girls!” Loki shouts, “let’s shoot a kick ass video, make the client happy and turn Brawn Impulse into a sensation!”
Everyone around us cheers.
Joel’s mood seems to lighten instantly.
But not mine.
And not Rod’s.
My best friend and I stare at each other like bulls in a ring.
CHAPTER 17
Roderick
Dom and I spent the better part of the day ignoring each other. The tension between us when we’re near is ridiculous. I guess it’s easier to pretend we didn’t have a major blow up after our blazing weekend. Right. Best to sweep the memories under the rug. As if yesterday’s fight wasn’t detrimental enough, I had to act like an alpha silverback gorilla, pissing around who I deem belongs to me to ward off a bastard––I mean an adversary––who thinks he can charm her with some sweet talk.
Fucking pompous accent.
I intended on approaching the whole thing with finesse, but the way Dom was blushing like a schoolgirl from Joel’s compliments, set me off. Maybe if she didn’t look so damn good in her sexy black outfit, I might not have chewed up Joel like I did. Now, I feel like a fucking idiot and I don’t know how to patch things up since she won’t even look at me.
Way to go, Wolfe.
I usually don’t spend this much time on the set when Dom is working her magic, but I can’t help it. I’ve been going back and forth between important calls, urgent emails, pressing staff inquiries and the set. Every time I pass Loki’s office, he just looks at me as if I’ve lost my marbles.
Maybe I have.
