Page 89 of Misadventures with a Time Traveler

“And I—”

“Ssshhh,” I soothe when her own sob is her interruption. “You do not have to say it.”

Because I already know it.

Because I always have.

“I—I want to say it,” she whispers. “But…”

“But you have only known the words to bring sorrow.” I kiss her with steadfast warmth as our bodies merge with persistent fire. “I understand why you do not trust them.”

More moisture wells in her conflicted gaze. “Oh, Max.” She wraps her arms around my neck as she molds her delectable body against mine. We rock together, treasuring the feel and fit and perfection of each other. “Can’t…can’t we just…”

“Can’t you just what?”

She and I freeze. Also together, we snap our heads toward the human willow reed standing before us, impatiently tapping his black-booted foot. He pins us with a brilliant glare from beneath his dying flower hair.

“Dmitri.” Alessandra’s voice is still woozy, as if he’s merely walked in on us slumbering late. “Wh-What’re you—”

“No, missy. What are you—” His jaw falls as soon as his stare does. “Balls of Jesus. At the most important soiree of your life, are you out here fornicating with your boy toy?”

“Is that really any—”

“And if you are, why didn’t you notify the press first?”

“No!” She lurches to her feet, leaving my erection exposed. “No press!” With a fresh gasp, she plops back down. I groan from the impact in tandem to the approving jump of Dmitri’s brows.

“Well, fuck a goddamn duck.” He chuckles hard enough to spill his drink. “Though I’ve never seen a duck built like that.”

I narrow my gaze with insolent intent. “And you have…observed…that many ducks in such a state?”

The man snorts out a louder laugh. “Quackity quack and get back, baby. I really like him, Allie.” He licks some of the cosmo off his hand. “Still, you really owe me for this one, wench.” He dumps the remainder of the drink into the fountain and then clunks his empty glass down on the ledge, freeing a hand to beckon to Alessandra. “But we’re making the next round champagne, as soon as you come with me.”

“I don’t think so.” She huffs and folds her arms. The motion ensures that every inch of my cock is brutally aware of her backside’s perfect cushions. I grunt to restrain my fresh groan.

Dmitri’s lips twitch again. “Well, think again, sassy,” he says. “Because the Hemline crew wants to talk some hard business with you. Right now.”

Alessandra pops back to her feet. Fortunately, I am ready this time. While I stuff myself back into my trousers, she blurts, “Are you seriously shitting me, mister?”

“Uh-uh.” Dmitri copies her pose, one hand on a cocked hip. “You’re coming with me, Miss I-Just-Hit-A-Million-Followers.” He tosses his head back as she gapes again. “Close your mouth, dear. Flies in the teeth aren’t sexy.”

But it is I who finds the wherewithal to speak next. “A million?” As I rise, I throw my stunned stare between them.

“Yeah.” Alessandra nods, tearing up again. “That’s a lot.”

“Ding, ding, ding.” Dmitri taps the air with his forefinger. “And that’s our magic word for negotiating the salary for your deal with these bad boys, okay?”

She stumbles, grabbing at me for support. “D-Deal? As in…for the show? It’s still on the table?”

“Not just on the table, gorgeous.” Her friend flounces his head back. “Right now, you’re the fucking fabulous centerpiece.”

Alessandra steadies herself enough to pin him with a full gape. “Wh-What do you mean?”

Dmitri rolls his head back into alignment and then fans his feathers, savoring his full peacock mode. “Just what I said, darling. They want to talk to you about headlining their fall lineup.”

Alessandra grabs my hand with one of hers. With the other, she leans and seizes Dmitri’s. “Are you freaking kidding me?”

ALLIE