Page 133 of Nothing to Fear

“Oh my God,” the younger one whispered.

Yep, her sentiment too.

“Everyone happy?” Roxie came in behind them, wearing an unbuttoned man’s shirt that she held closed. “We have strapless bras, tit tape, chicken fillets, anything anyone needs. Panties are optional, wear them or don’t, but it’s at your own risk. Management takes no responsibility for damages, accidents, losses, or thefts of pussies or their contents.”

“How does someone steal a pussy?” Astrid asked.

“I’ll explain later, honey,” Roxie said, winking at her friend. “Any questions? No. Good. Hair and makeup are setting up in the salon. Touch-ups or cleansing only, each one of you is beautiful, and extremely fuckable, in your own right. Anyone says otherwise, bring them to me.”

As the others got into it, she backed up to Roxie. “I don’t know if I should—”

“Of course you should,” Roxie said, stroking her arm. “It’s for charity. I’ve heard you can’t say no to charity.”

“Charity? How is it—”

“The car wash is tomorrow, honey. We’ll be chatting it up all night with the big dogs hoarding bundles of cash, and many, many cars. Imagine how much we’ll raise and all it takes is a little cleavage!”

“But I can’t be on the—I’m not on the Breckenridge team, I quit and—”

“No, you’re on the Crimson team,” Roxie said, reaching past her for the dress Toria presented. “You’re one of us, beautiful.” Roxie kissed her cheek. “Let’s get changed.”

FORTY-FOUR

IT WASN’T ONLY the woman’s affable nature that got her in the mood, the wine helped. As did the Gin and It drink freely handed out to the women. God, it felt like a million years ago.

“Savvy!”

That call was way too bright and cheery for a morning after the night before. Was that Roxie? How did the woman stay so fresh and bright all the time? Roxie was a professional partier. Yeah, that had been repeated to her several times the previous night.

She couldn’t even remember getting to bed. But she had. Because she was in one. Sitting up, eyes barely open, the city view was very bright. Too bright. Oh, the city. That vista? This was Roxie’s penthouse.

“Whose idea was a car wash event in November?” she mumbled to herself.

“Up, shower, I’ll have your uniform brought in.”

At a guess, the “uniform” would be crimson. Roxie sure was big on branding.

Shower. Right. Slithering out of bed, her head dropped into a hand, why was it so heavy. It didn’t help that even when she got to the shower she couldn’t work the thing. There were spouts and sprays and rainfall and—who needed so many options in a shower? Even Darroch’s wasn’t so—no. No Breckenridges allowed in her brain.

Shit, last night, she said something about—oh, God, it was to Zairn Lomond. What were she and Zairn talking about on the couch? How had she even got on the couch? No one got on the couch. That startled her into a little more sense. Zairn…Zairn Lomond, damn, she’d poured her heart out to the world’s number one playboy. Why the fuck would he care about…? Here was hoping the guy could keep a secret… or had amnesia.

Her bed was made by the time she got out of the shower with a towel wrapped around her. Who made her bed? When was—they must have staff for everything. Her head rotated on her neck, scanning for any hint someone may be watching. How did they know she was up?

And what was…? Red sneakers on the floor by the end of the bed drew her eye. Oh, God, the uniform… Was that a shirt dress? Small mercies and all that. At least it wasn’t a… opening the shirt dress laid on her bed, the required bikini was beneath. Okay. She sighed. She shouldn’t be surprised, the Breckenridge team had discussed the same thing. Breckenridge. She swallowed. Darroch could be there. Not on her team, so he wouldn’t get too close, but it was the first time she’d be seeing him since…

“You better not be obsessing in there,” Roxie called. “Are you decent?” The hostess didn’t wait for her answer before swanning in. “Forget about him.” She came over to hug her. “Start charging rent if he’s taken up residence in your head.”

“How did you know I was—”

“Because we all do it, honey,” Roxie said, stroking her hair. “I obsess about Z all the time too.”

“You don’t obsess he’ll blindside you, or humiliate you, or that you might accidentally meet his eye and melt.”

“We won’t let you melt. You’re Team Crimson. Darroch won’t be allowed near you. No fraternizing with the competition.”

It was charity, not industry, but she appreciated Roxie’s solidarity. The Breckenridge teams would be head-to-head, as always. Having that competition go on while not being a part ofit would be a first. She’d never thought it mattered to her, now she wasn’t so sure.

“How would we stop him? It’s a warehouse site. I don’t think we can bring security, people will need to drive in and out.”

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