Page 4 of Room Ten: Put on a Show

Baron stepped closer, his chest nearly brushing against my back. Before he could make a move on Troy, I reached out, tracing the tattoo ink, veins, and tendons of Troy’s exposed forearm.

Interacting with him on any level was playing with fire. These gossip columnists were shameless and they had no problem writing scathing pieces that could leave a celebrity’s reputation in a flaming wreck, burning it to the ground with one entirely untrue article.

I liked keeping him around though. Not only was he a delicious kisser but Baron and Merrick despised him and I was in the mood for a little revenge tonight.

“How did you get in here, Troy?” I asked.

He shrugged as he selected a small bottle of strawberry vodka and held it out to me. My favorite. Of course he knew that.

“I have friends in high places,” he replied.

I glanced over him. No VIP pass. A few journalists were usually granted access to after parties, but it was by invitation, and only if they remained on their best behavior.

Troy Sewell had never behaved a day in his life.

“I doubt that,” I said, sipping my strawberry vodka. “I think it’s more likely that you’re a cockroach who slipped in, uninvited.”

A smile tugged Troy’s lips up. He sidled closer, looping his arm around my middle. The warm expanse of his palm smoothed over my exposed lower back, skin to skin.

“Darling,” he murmured, his lips brushing my temple as he spoke. “Flattery will get you everywhere.”

I bit the inside of my cheek but I couldn’t stop the grin that spread over my face.

At my back, Baron huffed and retreated a few steps. Merrick looked like he’d swallowed an entire lemon.

“Let me guess,” I said, fiddling with the collar of Troy’s jacket. “You’re on the hunt for a story. Something that will get you a big, fat bonus at The Royal Scoop.”

He huffed a laugh, his lips grazing the corner of my mouth in the suggestion of a kiss.

“It’s a breakneck competition, baby. I could use all the help I can get. I’ll make it worth your while. You know I’m good for it.”

Before he’d even finished speaking, I tugged Troy around the corner and into the stairwell that led to the dressing rooms. It wasn’t entirely private—the party was stillright there—but that was the best part. Troy pressed me against the wall, grinding his hips into me, his mouth open and hot at my neck.

This wasn’t the first time I’d promised to give Troy a juicy quote or two he could use, directly from the source. And it wouldn’t be the last. Because we always ended up like this, tangled together, panting, hungry mouths and greedy hands.

I felt invincible after the concert, pumped full of energy that I desperately needed to burn. And I was more than ready to be fucked until my legs were shaking. Troy would do that for me, selflessly, and he was so damn good at it—happy to be of service,he always said.

Besides, if Baron and Merrick refused to put their hands on me, I would make them watch instead. Make them listen while I had my filthy way with another man.

A quick peek past Troy confirmed exactly what I’d been hoping for.

Baron’s shoulder was just visible at the top of the stairwell, his back toward us as he stood guard in case anyone approached. I buried my face against Troy with a smile and let out a moan that was sure to reach Baron’s ears.

Chapter Two

Baron

“He’s an asshole,” Merrick hissed beside me.

“I’d say that’s putting it mildly,” I replied in an even tone.

From the stairwell, a breathless,oh, yes, Troy, fuck that feels so good,made me clench my teeth until my jaw ached. Merrick waspissed, judging by the way he jutted his chin out, nostrils flared, posture rigid.

“I didn’t see him on the guest list,” Merrick said.

“Because he wasn’t there. I checked to make sure. Three times.”

“Then why didn’t you kick his ass to the curb as soon as you saw him?”

---