“Well, you better hurry because the news van is waiting for us. It’s time for us to get on the road already. No time to hang about, no matter what you’re up to.”
I decided to ignore that prodding little remark. I put my nose in the air and stalked past Ben, not that he was leaving me to go alone. He descended the plane only a little bit behind me and we walked to where the news van and our crew were waiting for us. All eyes were on me, everyone expecting me to say something, so even though I really wasn’t in the mood, I gave a little encouraging speech.
“Okay, everyone, thank you all for being here.” I smiled, hoping to spread some joy even if my own mood was a little scrambled. “As you all know, people at home are depending on us to report the games, so we can’t miss anything. We need to make our audience feel like they are here alongside us. The last thing we want to do is miss out on something other news shows are broadcasting about.” All of a sudden, I realized that sounded a bit demanding, a bit serious. “But of course, we can all have fun as well…”
My words trailed off, the rest of the unprepared speech falling apart on my lips as a limo pulled up beside me. It was so close that I knew the occupant wanted something from us. I stepped a little closer as the window rolled down. Alek. Of course it was, he would always travel in style like this.
“Karly, want a ride?” he asked suggestively as his hungry eyes ran all over my body. My core thrummed in anticipation. “There’s plenty of room back here…”
I swallowed hard. I wanted what he was offering. I wanted more, so much more. But I didn’t know if what I wanted was more of his cock, or more of him. For that reason alone—well, and the fact that my whole crew was starting at me—I regretfully shook my head no. I forced myself not to get sucked in by his charming, effortless smile and I let him know that I couldn’t.
“I better ride with my crew. Thanks though.” I nodded sharply. “I appreciate the offer.”
An intense pang consumed me as the window rolled back up again, and the limo rolled away. I felt like I was free falling, like I was risking too much already. I couldn’t put more of my heart on the line for Alek because it was only going to get crushed and shattered into a million pieces. What I actually needed to do was start protecting myself in any way that I could.