Test Shot by Cari Quinn

about anyone but not to this extent. His chest actually tightened as he waited for her to speak.
    “I…God, I’ve never done anything like this before.”
    “Just go ahead and say what’s on your mind. I can take it.”
    “I’m not certain I can.” She let out an unsteady laugh. “Look, can I speak frankly? If you want to hang up on me or never take another of my calls, I understand.”
    “That’s not going to happen, Layla.” He made his voice soothing to contrast with the high-pitched level of hers. “I’m listening. Go on.”
    “Well, ah, I felt a connection with you. Your pictures drew me in. I wanted to sign you for the agency, I think you can do great work for us, but there’s more to it. At least I felt…something.”
    “I did too.” He gave a short laugh and raked his fingers through his hair. “It’s fucking weird is what it is. But you’re almost married.”
    “Yes, I’m engaged, but—”
    Would she just spit it out already? “What?”
    “My fiancé and I are looking for a third.”
    “A third what?” he asked, then fell silent as realization dawned.
    No fucking way. Sweet, wholesome-looking, fresh-scrubbed Layla did not just ask him to be a third with her and another guy. The guy she intended to marry. Forever and ever I do.
    And I’ll do you too.
    “Christ, you’re serious?”
    “I know it seems strange,” she said hastily, her anxiety practically pouring over the phone line. “The idea that I’d entertain doing this when you’re considering signing me as your agent is beyond unprofessional. It’s probably immoral. Could even be criminal.”
    He had to laugh. Talk about judge, jury, and executioner all in one. “Easy. The operative word is considering. Neither of us has signed anything. If we, uh, pursued something, I could just as easily sign with Manda.” At her silence, he scratched the back of his neck. “Or Con or Drew. Assuming they’d be interested in me. You haven’t even given me the company spiel yet. We need to talk percentages and all the other standard legalese. Plus I need to know who some of your clients are so I can discuss their experiences with them. There are a lot of things I need to hear before I sign with you or anyone at Hot Shots.”
    “All reasonable requests.” She sighed. “I wasn’t thinking straight. I should’ve given you some materials to take home.”
    Materials. Like what? Book covers? Pictorial spreads? Pornos?
    “Look, the more I talk to you, the crazier this all sounds. Hormones aren’t an excuse to do insane things. Why don’t we just—”
    He heard a low male voice in the background. Her fiancé, no doubt. Encouraging her to keep talking? Or hang up?
    “No. Wait.” Sawyer rested his elbows on the table on either side of his plate and massaged his temple. “Let me think. This is all a shock.”
    “I know. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have called.”
    Her obvious misery stirred all his protective instincts. He couldn’t help wanting to make her feel better. He also couldn’t deny that his heart hadn’t stopped racing since she’d made her offer.
    “I think I’d like to hear more.”
    “No, I’m sure you don’t. This is nuts.” More scuffling. More whispering. Another sigh. “What do you want to know?”
    “Not over the phone. I need to see you. Talk to you.” Touch you . Except it wasn’t all about her and him. There was someone else involved in this scenario. “I need to meet your fiancé too. What’s his name again?” How the hell can he share you? Is he crazy?
    “Aidan McMurray. He’s a doctor, though he’s not practicing right now. We’ll need your discretion if we go any further with this.”
    This ranked as one of the oddest conversations he’d ever had, bar none. And it wasn’t over yet. “I’d say discretion is the name of the game all around. We all have reputations to consider.” Which made even discussing this completely loco. But he was never a guy to go halfway. “So when can we meet in