Page 80 of Stroked by (Stroked)
“God! Pocket, get away from me, you’re breathing like a cow.”
“I did just sprint in here.”
Bellini pushes her to the side. “Yes, we can all see that from the out-of-shape platypus look you have on your face. Gah, you’re really disgusting right now. Is that sweat on your brow?”
“It might be?” Pocket touches her forehead. “It was a long run from outside to in here.”
“Security,” Bellini calls out. “Please remove the sweaty, fowl-smelling stork standing next to me. Stick her up in the stands, downwind from others.”
“Yes, ma’am.” And just like that, Pocket is escorted out of the interview room without one ounce of remorse from Bellini’s pursed, devil-blessed lips.
Christ, this woman is the worst.
“Tic Tac!” She points to her mouth again, calling out to me.
And this is what my life has become: popping Tic Tacs into the mouth of a heinous human being. Yup, so proud of myself right about now.
“All right, let’s get these interviews done, Reese has to prepare himself. Bellini, please step up next to Reese.”
Ashley, Reese’s publicist is giving him a pep talk off to the side, Jasper is directing everyone in position, and Bellini speaks closely to Pope Francis, lifting his ear so she’s speaking directly into it.
“Amen,” Bellini says, finishing up her pep talk. IREALLYwant to know what she just said to him. And to be that dog, who quite literally is a saint for putting up with his owner. If only I could read his mind, I wonder what he would say.
Melony stands next to me, bumping me with her side. “Long night last night?” She wiggles her eyebrows and I can’t help the smile that pops up.
“No,” I answer honestly. “Hard and fast, and then a good night’s sleep.”
“Oh damn.” She fans herself. “I bet he’s really good in bed.” She whispers so our conversation can only be heard between us. Jasper sets up Bellini and Reese, and we watch over them.
“You have no idea.” I refrain the pathetic sigh of infatuation from releasing.
“Are you going to miss the beard?”
I think about how I stroked it last night, let it prickle across my fingertips, loving the way it roughened up my soft hands. Hell yes, I’m going to miss the beard. It makes him look dark and mysterious, sexy and rugged. Lucky for me though, he’s all man and will have it back in no time.
“I will, but he’s told me it grows back quickly so I won’t have to miss it for too long.”
“That’s a good thing.”
Together we watch Reese and Bellini interact. Of course Bellini is all over Reese, holding his hand, leaning into him with Pope Francis in her other arm, looking up at him with affection in her eyes. Does she really like him? I find it quite impossible for her to like anyone other than herself. I can only think of her as asexual. For her to have any feelings for another human being seems an insurmountable challenge.
Then I take in Reese: he’s holding her hand right back; he’s smiling down at her, laughing with her and even . . . kissing the side of her head.
My heart erupts in my chest the moment his lips connect with her temple. I know they’re supposed to have a fake relationship but it never dawned on me that he would have to be physically affectionate with her.
I feel like I’m having an out-of-body experience as they sit down in a chair together—Reese on the chair, Bellini in his lap, and Pope Francis resting in her arm. Reese encases her with his strength, his arm wrapped around her, his hand on her thigh and his head resting on her shoulder. She snuggles into him and he does the same. The media practically salivates over the scene in front of them while I turn away, physically nauseated.
“It’s all an act,” Melony whispers into my ear, sensing my aversion to the scene in front of me.
I know she’s right, but I still can’t help but feel a little betrayed. The way he looks at her, it seems all too familiar.
I grip Melony’s arm and say, “I need to step into the hallway. Text me when it’s done or if Bellini needs anything. I will meet you up in the stands.”
“Paisley, it’s nothing.”
“I know.” I nod my head, wondering why Melony is defending Reese so fervently.
With a quick squeeze to her arm, I take off past the snarly security man and into the hallway where staff continues to prepare for the event. I lean my head against the wall and try to clear my mind.
