Page 2 of Room Ten: Put on a Show

“All right, sugar. You’re scheduled to arrive at the after party in about fifteen to twenty minutes. Try not to stay up too late this time, will you, sweetie? I know it’s the weekend but you have recording sessions booked bright and early Monday morning.”

“You ruin all my fun, CeCe,” I replied lightly. “I’m sure Baron and Merrick will keep me in line, don’t worry.”

CeCe chuckled, shaking her head.

“Kenna, honey, I’ve seen the way you devour attractive men like a spider with a fly caught in her web. The only reason Baron and Merrick are still standing is because they’re so damn good at their jobs. Anyway, I better get going. There’s a hiccup with the VIP passes that I need to sort out before you show up.”

She moved toward the door, giving Merrick’s bicep a squeeze as she passed.

“Gentlemen, if our wild girl starts getting out of hand, give me a call. You have my number, as usual.”

After CeCe was gone and the door closed behind her, I moved to the vanity along one wall. As I started taking off my neon purple earrings, I watched Baron’s reflection in the mirror. He crossed his arms and planted his feet shoulder-width apart.

Here we go…

“You disobeyed a direct order, Kenna,” he said. “Do I need to remind you how dangerous that is?”

I shrugged, tossing my earrings onto the counter.

“Everything worked out fine.”

“That’s not the point.”

I turned to look at him as I leaned back against the vanity.

“I know the drill. You give a command and I obey without question.”

Baron clenched his jaw, his gray eyes steadily trained on me. I could tell I was annoying him, playing the part of a spoiled brat who didn’t want to be tamed by anyone. Pushing the boundaries.

I’d never been able to get a rise out of Baron any other way.

Reaching behind my back, my fingers found the metal of my zipper and I dragged it down. My sparkling hot-pink top loosened until I could shrug out of it easily, leaving me standing there in my strapless bra.

I got rid of that, too. The cool air of my dressing room made my nipples harden.

Baron’s gaze shifted upward, fixated on a point just over my shoulder. Merrick’s throat worked as he swallowed but he kept his gaze resolutely on my face.

“It’s a matter of your safety, Kenna,” Baron said, determined as ever to stay focused, duty-bound despite me standing there half-naked in front of him.

I unzipped my black leather mini skirt next and let it drop to the ground. The only thing keeping me half-way decent was the black lace thong I wore and that was just a scrap of fabric.

Baron didn’t even risk a peek. Damn him.

Merrick released a steadying breath and shifted his gaze up to the ceiling. I couldn’t help noticing how his arms were no longer at his sides. Now, his hands were crossed in front of him, assuming a military-like stance.

If I didn’t know better, I might have thought he was hiding a hard-on.

“It’s our job to assess the threats,” Baron continued, calm as ever. His voice didn’t waver, didn’t rise or lower in pitch to betray any kind of hint that I was having an effect on him. “If we say it’s time to go, you move. Is that clear?”

A shiver rippled up my back at Baron’s commanding tone. Maybe if I rubbed my bare body all over him, that would get him to break.

I sighed, wistful. Probably not.

Turning back to the mirror, I plucked a tissue from the nearby box and wiped off my dark purple lipstick. Even though it put my ass on full display for Baron and Merrick to admire, I wasn’t working that angle this time.

They weren’t even looking anyway. That’s what I get for throwing myself at unavailable men.

Your daddy issues are showing,I told myself.

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