Rock My World

Carl strode over to him. “I just saw the latest donation totals. You’re doing great.”

“Erica’s really impressed me. She has a flair for this.”

“You two are great together. So far you’ve struck just the right tone—sexy, but not too racy. We want to tantalize, but not offend.”

“I know. I’ve read the memos from corporate, too.” To please advertisers, listeners and government regulators, stations like KROK had to dance along the edge between a little wild and too outrageous.

“Just keep that in mind. I can’t step in and save your ass every time.”

“I know. Like you said, I’m a man who learns from my mistakes.” Had he ever learned.

Carl clapped him on the back, as close as the manager ever got to a gesture of affection, then left.

Others liked to grouse about Carl’s gruff demeanor and dictatorial tendencies, but Adam owed the man too much to complain. Carl had taken a chance on him when no one else would.

Adam had been at the station less than a year when the fiasco with Bonnie happened. He’d fully expected to be back on the street, and had steeled himself for Carl’s disapproval. Instead Carl had been amazingly calm. “I don’t have to tell you how badly you screwed up,” he’d said. “I’m taking the FCC fine out of your and Bonnie’s salaries.”

Adam nodded. He’d expected this.

“Since you’re both involved, I can’t say who’s the most to blame in this, though I have my ideas,” the manager continued. “But except for this, you’ve kept your nose clean in your time here.”

He waited, wondering at Carl’s choice of words.

“Your show gets good ratings. You never cause me problems with scheduling and stuff. You’re never late and you don’t slack off. Those things count with me, so I’m giving you another chance.” Carl’s eyes met his, hard as two lumps of coal. “Don’t screw up again.”

“I won’t.”

Not even Erica could make him break that promise.

“TANISHA, this outfit is definitely killer. But I don’t know if I have the nerve to wear it in public.” Erica stood on tiptoe and studied her reflection in the bathroom mirror. The black satin bikini panties and bra top were overlaid with a sheer black chiffon crop top and harem pants, decorated with random sprinklings of jet beads.

“Why not? Technically everything is covered except your hands, feet and belly button.”

“Yeah, it has fabric over it, but I wouldn’t call it covered.” She did a little belly dancer shimmy. The outfit was flattering.

“That’s the whole appeal. Covered, but uncovered. Guaranteed to drive a man wild.”

She turned her back on the mirror and faced Tanisha. “Do you think Adam has a wild man in him? He’s always so calm.”

“Every man has a wild man inside. All that testosterone, you know.”

“Right.” She’d had a glimpse of that testosterone doing its stuff this morning. “If anything can bring that side of him out, this outfit should do it.”

“I almost forgot. I brought you a few other things.” Tanisha reached into the shopping bag and drew out a bottle of perfume and a box of condoms. “The perfume is called Seduction, and it smells divine.” She handed over the bottle.

“And the condoms?”

“Better safe than sorry.”

“Uh-huh.” She spritzed some of the perfume on her neck. It smelled spicy, with a hint of musk. “Nice.” She glanced at her watch. She had a few more minutes before she had to be back in bed. “How are things at the station?”

“Would you believe people are sending Nick get-well gifts? The mailroom is half full of everything from stuffed animals to bottles of booze. One woman even sent him a pair of her underwear.”