Page 23 of Dirty News
“I wish we didn’t have this competition going on between us.” He shoved his hand through his dark hair. “I wish we could just be co-anchors.”
“Well, you know what they say, wish in one hand, crap in the other, and see which one fills up first.” I put the sandwich down to take a drink ofwater.
Duke chuckled. “Yeah, I know. But if I had my way, we’d both get that job. I think we’d make a greatteam.”
I thought so too. And in more ways than one. But I wasn’t going to get any of what I wanted with the man. “So, have you picked someone else tointerview?”
“Yes, I’m going to see Barbara Walters in her Manhattan home later this afternoon.” He smiled, seeming pleased withhimself.
“Now that’s a get! The thought crossed my mind to reach out to her team, but when I found out that Turner’s been a huge inspiration for Artimus, I went with him instead.” It seemed that we really did think alike. “By the way, I like how you interacted with that little girl back there. That was sweet. I didn’t know you did sweet,Duke.”
“I can do sweet when I want to.” His expression softened as he looked at me. “Lila, do you think aboutme?”
“All the time. You are my competition, after all.” I laughed a little, then ate a chip, feeling a little thrown off by thequestion.
“I’ve been thinking about you a lot too, Lila.” He took a drink of his bottled water, looking at me as hedid.
My body went hot. Something in his eyes told me he didn’t just mean in a professional capacity. The idea that he might be having very … unprofessional … thoughts about me made my heartbeat pick up anotch.
I had to remind myself that this particular man was off-limits to me. “I suppose you have to, in order to stay a step ahead of me in thisthing.”
He’d finished his meal, and nodded as he got up to throw his trash away. “I’ve gotta get going. I have to change clothes before going toManhattan.”
“Speaking of Manhattan, Nina very graciously made a call and helped me find a new home. At least for a while. I’ve got a room in the bed and breakfast that her aunt runs.” I took another bite of my sandwich as he tossed his trash into the nearbyreceptacle.
“Good, so you’ve got a place. That’s good to know. I did wonder if you’d be able to find something.” A smile filled his handsome face. “For the record, if you hadn’t found something, I was going to tell you about some openings for roommates in the building I live in. But it’s probably much better staying in a bed and breakfast. You won’t have to share a bathroom withanybody.”
“And free breakfast too,” I added. “I’m glad to know you thought about me, Duke. Thank you forthat.”
“I’ll see you around,” he said with a nod, walkingaway.
I watched him as he left. My eyes were glued to his muscular body as he walked away from me. My mind wandered, imagining the two of us alone in the cafeteria; him sitting right next to me, our hands resting on each other’slegs.
In my alternate reality, Duke was telling me he had to go, and I was leaning in for a goodbye kiss. Our lips touched, and fire shot through me. The kiss went from soft and sweet to hard andlustful.
My hands moved over his back, pulling him closer to me. His hands tangled in my hair as our chests pressed against each other. My core pulsed as he ran one hand down to caress my sex. Only the material of my thin slacks separated his hand from my yearningflesh.
Suddenly I could hear heavy breathing. I opened my eyes, realizing it was me who was making that noise. A couple of older ladies sitting at the next table were staring at me with their mouthsgaping.
Shit!Busted.
I had to get the hell out of there, andfast.
ChapterTwelve
Duke
A text the night before had informed me that we all had to attend a class on compassion at NYU the next morning. It was going to be the last class we had to go to, making me glad this would soon beover.
Heading into the lecture hall, once again I found Lila with an empty spot next to her. Nina hadn’t shown up yet, so Lila was alone as I took the seat next to her. “Hi there,stranger.”
Her face lit up when she looked at me. “Hi, Duke. I’m glad you came to sit with me. I wanted to ask you how the Barbara Walters interviewwent.”
“It was great, actually. She’s a very interesting person. I never imagined I’d ever sit down to have a chat with her, but I have to admit that her presence is something else entirely. She’s so genuine. I can see now how she was able to get so many people to trust her enough to let her interview them.” I put my pen and pad of paper on the table in front of me, noticing Lila’s fingernails were now painted a light, sparklypink.
She tapped her nails on the table. “Man, I wish I could’ve been there too. I envy you so much,Duke.”
“Don’t envy me—you got to talk to Ted Turner! That’s a coup too, you know.” I chuckled as I satback.
