Page 15 of Five
Thank God.
“Great,” I reply, and I move my knee slightly, so her touch falls away.
She’s pretty vanilla-looking, and although I’m well aware that looks can be deceiving, I’m fairly sure there’s no way she’d be into the things I’m into.
We’re into.
A smirk curls my lip at the thought. Yeah…the guys and I… we’re definitely not vanilla.
An assistant comes over and mics me up, testing the feedback by wiggling and tapping the receiver. He gives a thumbs up to the cameraman. “And we’re good.”
He steps away as the cameraman begins to count us down, and the reporter begins speaking into the shine of lights and the blank maw of the camera.
“Good evening, Florida, and welcome to the Key’s Books Galore, where we have a special treat for everyone. Treat being James Hunt, of course, ofSuspicious Scandalsfame.”
I take a moment to adjust to the pen name as she turns to me. It always throws me a bit, answering to something other than Oliver or Ollie. “So, tell me, James. Where do you get all of those sexy ideas for your books?”
I groan inwardly. Like I’ve never heard that one before, andwhy the fuckdo they always focus on the sex?
I make the decision to fuck with her and look her way with a smile.
“I just have a really excellent imagination. I’ve never actually had sex…” I feign embarrassment as the crowd ripples with shock. “I know, I know. I watch a lot of Hallmark and Lifetime movies, though, and I think I have a pretty good handle on what the ladies like.”
Beyond the glare of the lights, I see my agent go pale. Cope snickers. Oscar drops his chin and shakes his head. Remi passes a hand over his mouth and jaw, closing his eyes briefly. Jesse is stone faced, as usual, but if I look hard enough, I can see the hint of humor in his eyes.
Asshole.
“Well…I…wasn’t expecting…” The reporter stammers.
“It’s okay,” I reply, deadpan. “I’m living a very fulfilled life without sex.”
The reporter gathers herself. “I have some questions about that, actually.” She holds up her phone, and I bite back a curse as I see my Polyapp profile appear on the display.
Fuck it all, that’s no one’s business.
The people on that app don’t even know me as James Hunt, and that’s the way I like it. If they did, I’d be overrun with groupies wanting me for my superficial value: the rich, famous bachelor author.
And not that it makes a shit bit of difference to me, but now everyone who sees this interview will know I’m into polyamory, and that could impact Oz’s job. Plus, my agent might not appreciate it…
I grab the phone out of her hand. “That’s not up for discussion, and furthermore, it wasn’t on your list of approved topics,” I grit out, and turn to the crowd. “I hear we’re due for a question answer time prior to the signing,” I say, dismissing the reporter. “Who has a question for me?”
Hands wave and I pick a woman at random.
“Um, thank you…oh, my God, this is so amazing.” She waves one of my paperbacks in front of her face. “So…how long does it take you to write a book? Anddoyougetturnedonwhen you write one of those scenes?“ Her fanning increases in tempo. “Because they arehot.”
Okay, so I guess I’m not getting away from that line of questioning.
“Usually takes only a month or two for me to write a rough first draft. Then it goes through several more months of editing and polishing, and usually finds its way to you in just under a year.” I pause for dramatic effect, then waggle eyebrows. “And I wouldn’t be much of a writer if I didn’t get turned on, now, would I? Next?” I peer over the crowd.
Beside me, the reporter grits her teeth and smiles. “I’m sure everyone would be interested in knowing who all these friends are with you? Brothers…?”
She’s a fucking dog with a bone. I turn to her reluctantly. “Oscar there is my brother. The others are good friends and roommates.”
I try to turn to the crowd again, but she seizes on that one word. “Roommates?”
“Yes. Several of us were in the military together, and we honestly might as well be brothers. I can’t imagine life without them.”
“That is so sweet! You’re seriously so sensitive. I suppose that’s why you’re able to write the love stories you do…you’re really connected to your feelings.”
