Page 30 of Good at Being Bad (Rock Canyon, Idaho 8)

Get your emotions in check and stop being combative if you want this to work.

“Yes, sorry,” Ellie said.

“Well, I guess I would pick someone I was attracted to, who was funny and warm. She’d have to get along with my friends and family. She should be independent and trustworthy and just…love me, you know?”

There was something in Mike’s eyes when he said it, as though it was such an anomaly for someone to love him, that pulled her toward him. There was an overwhelming need to chase the sadness away.

“Well, with my help, we’ll find you exactly what you want, but you have to follow my rules.”

Mike lost the woebegone expression, an amused light flashing across his face. “Like don’t feed the Gremlins after midnight?”

“Laugh all you want, but never doubt my mad skills.”

“Okay, skills, what’s rule number six?” Mike asked.

“We can go over the rest of the rules later, and just start with image,” Ellie said, looking him up and down. “Who are your favorite actors?”

“I don’t really know a lot of names, but I guess I’d pick Malcolm McDowell, Sean Connery, or—”

“Okay, no, those are terrible choices. Try to pick someone who is at least in our generation.”

“Kevin Costner?”

“Closer, but what about Jason

Stathem or Channing Tatum? Oh, or Shemar Moore? That T-shirt and jeans look with boots and maybe a leather jacket. We wanna give off a biker meets rock star aura...Why are you laughing?"

Mike was bent over baying with laughter. Between gulping breaths, he said, “When you said biker meets…rock star, I…pictured you dressing me…in leather from head to toe.”

“Did I say BDSM Dom? No.”

“Good, cause I don’t think I could pull off a ball gag in my mouth,” Mike said, still chuckling.

“That’s not…you know what, I’m not getting sucked into this conversation. I’ll go shopping, and I’ll come over with a few different looks for you to try.”

“No leather pants. I don’t need to have my boys cooked or squished.”

“Whatever you say, boss,” Ellie said.

Mike’s phone went off and he pulled it out of his pocket, grinning. “It’s Wendy.”

“Who is Wendy?”

“She’s a woman who wants me to do some work for her.”

His tone was sly, almost giddy.

Yeah, I bet.

“Did you give her your number?” Ellie had a bad feeling she already knew the answer.

“No, but she took my card.”

“Do not answer!”

“What?” Mike looked confused. “Why? She is offering me a job.”

“Then she’ll leave you a message. You want to make sure this woman is legit or she’ll lure you in, get her hooks into you, and blam! Suddenly you’re in a hole in her basement putting the lotion in the fucking basket!”

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