Page 12 of Faking Love

Chapter Six

Brandon leaned hishead against the wall of the shower, and the cool of the tile seeped into his forehead. Scalding water poured down his back. For the first time since he started touring the con circuit, he dreaded spending the day with the crowds and fans. Not because his appreciation for the atmosphere had changed any, but because he’d rather spend the time with Molly, ordering room service, getting acquainted, and if they could get away with it, not getting dressed.

Well, maybe dressing long enough to drop by the hotel gift shop, for a box of condoms.

But then what?They’d still have to go their separate ways tomorrow. And it was never meant to last more than one night. She never implied she wanted otherwise—which was a shame, as far as he was concerned. A woman like her deserved better than a random fling in a hotel room.

This way his agent wouldn’t kill him, for adding a layer of truth to the rumors.

He pushed the regrets aside. It was over, and it had definitely been amazing. No reason to ruin the memories by focusing on the downside. And they were good memories—her fingers digging into his back, her quiet sighs, and her loud moans... His cock reacted to the images.No time for that. He switched the water to cold. He had things to do today.

Fifteen minutes later, he was dressed and riding the elevator down. The familiar scents of bacon and coffee teased him, as they wafted from the hot-breakfast buffet below. Running into her again would be awkward. He should grab his food from the drive-thru down the street. He’d still be back in plenty of time for his first panel of the day. Despite his resolve, he cut a straight line for the complimentary coffee, only taking his attention away from the lobby long enough to mix cream into his drink.

He found a spot away from the crowds—one with a good view of the room. Part of his brain screamed that he was acting like a lovesick puppy. The other part stepped in, to remind him she wasn’t here for the con. His odds of seeing her in the costumed crowds were slim.

“Brandon, I was hoping I’d run into you.” A pleasant tone interrupted his surveillance.

He hid his wince. Trent from Funami, the company that refused to work with him anymore. Brandon pasted on a smile, turned to face the other man, and returned his handshake. “How’s it going?”

Trent was a few inches shorter than Brandon and thin, but the confidence the blond man exuded made him seem taller. Trent’s posture was casual, one hand in his slacks’ pocket. “Could be better, but could also be a lot worse. You must be busy lately.”

Brandon almost choked on the pleasantry. He’d never seen sarcasm pulled off so flawlessly. “Not as busy as I could be. Always looking for my next gig.”

“Really? Then it’s too bad we can’t get Adeline to return our calls.”

The words slammed into Brandon’s brain, making him fumble.Calls?“I’m sorry, what?”

Trent laughed. “It’s why I was hoping to run into you. I hate to go around your agent, but we’ve picked up this new series we really think you’d be perfect for, and we want you to come in and read.”

Brandon worked his jaw up and down for a few seconds, fumbling for a response. “What about the rumors?”

“The...” A blank look crossed Trent’s face. “The love-’em-and-leave-’em complainer?”

The cold assessment of the situation bothered Brandon. He might not have been interested in her, but he still didn’t like that she was hurt by the whole thing. “I suppose.”

Trent waved a hand. “Shit like that happens all the time. You can’t let it get to you, you know? Kids—whether they’re fifteen or fifty—say things that simply aren’t true. You can’t let something like that keep you from going after work.”

Brandon was missing something, but he was catching up quickly enough to realize that thesomethingseemed to be on his agent’s side, and not on Funami’s. “Good point.”

“Glad to hear it.” Trent clapped him on the shoulder. “Have Adeline call us, set up a time, and we’ll get you in to read. You’re free next week?”

---