by Jennifer Ann
“This shit-storm doesn’t bode well for either one of you!” she barks, pacing my living room floor with her coffee in one hand, an unlit cigarette in the other. “First that shit with Theo and that blonde bimbo last weekend, and now this thing with your bodyguard…it makes for bad press! Why exactly did you hire that Neanderthal without talking to me first?”
I huff in response, angry that she’s confronting me, and relieved Asher’s over at his place instead of listening to this crap. “You always tell me no press is considered bad because it draws attention to the fact that I exist. Why is this any different?”
“Have you been online at all today? Your alleged affairs are trending with ridiculous hashtags! They’re saying you’re as slutty as your characters!”
Arms crossed, I lean back on the couch. Truthfully, this is what I always feared would happen if I become involved with Asher. At the same time, it may be the exact kind of opportunity I’ve been waiting for to move on, and quit Theo for good. “What if we stage a breakup?”
Her eyes pop wide like I just announced I’m quitting the business. “Are you crazy? People would hate you for it. You’ve become the hottest celebrity ‘it’ couple. You need to make a public show together proving that you’re stronger than ever, or they will shred you apart.”
“Why me and not Theo?”
“Because hormonal women make no goddamned sense! They carry a torch for Theo because he’s hot and they think he’s charming. They’d do anything to be in your shoes. Once they think you’ve thrown him aside like yesterday’s garbage, you can bet your ass they’ll be turning those torches back around on you!”
“That’s sexist,” I grumble. “It looks like he was cheating on me first.” And the worst part of this whole mess is that I know for a fact he’s been sleeping around with other women since day one. Keeping up appearances can be more exhausting than I would’ve guessed. “Can’t we just make a statement together that we’ve decided to move on?”
“You’re still new as an actress—your career wouldn’t survive that kind of negative publicity. You need at least another season under your belt before you can part ways with Theo…if that’s still what you want by then.”
Pain spreads through my chest when I realize I’m going to have to break it off with Asher. The risk of being seen together in public again, fueling the rumors even more is too high.
“You have to hire a different bodyguard.”
My stomach drops. I sense color draining from my face as I sit taller. “What?”
“Unless you want to kiss your career goodbye, you have to fire this friend of yours. Try to find someone this time that’s more homely…maybe you can find one that’s buck-toothed or cross-eyed.”
“No fucking way!” I shoot to my feet, setting my hands on my hips. “I asked Asher to drop everything to take this job! I’m not going to take it away from him a couple weeks in!”
“Then I guess you’re going to have to choose which is more important—this friend, or your reputation.” Shrugging, she pops the unlit cigarette into her mouth and starts for my patio, leaving me to stew with anger.
It’s one thing to stop sleeping with him. I’m not about to send him packing this soon. There has to be another way to fix the rumors.
Asher stands in his kitchen wearing only a pair of gym shorts, his face darkening to a shade of crimson red right before my eyes. He’s painfully beautiful, making my heart race even before he barks, “Please tell me you’re joking.”
“It’d just be for the weekend. Bridgette thinks it’ll help the rumors if I’m seen alone with Theo.” I hate lying to him, but it beats what Bridgette actually suggested. I shuffle my feet and glance down at my hands. “You’d still get paid.”
“I don’t care about the fucking money, Angelina.” He comes at me, vehemently shaking his head. I’m not exactly afraid of him, but I wish I had another pill close to ease my erratic pulse. “I’m more worried about leaving you alone with that clown. For too damn many reasons.”
“Babe, I’m not going to sleep with him…I swear to you. I’ve only held his hand since I started sleeping with you.” My body reacts to his on its own, leaning into him and slipping my knee between his legs. It’s the most natural thing in the world to be intimate with him, and I can’t imagine being forced to give that up. “It’s not my style to be with two guys at the same time. You have nothing to worry about.”
“Not worried about you sleeping with him either,” he grunts, although the concern in his expression says otherwise. His hands wrap around my elbows. “What if you’re mobbed by fans? What if that woman who broke into your apartment is actively stalking you? You can’t tell me Theo’s going to protect you.”
I wince with the mention of stalking. It’s way too late to confess the story about John’s new wife without humiliating myself, and I don’t want him looking at me differently. We have enough to deal with the way it is.
“We’ll keep one of the guys from his security team around.” Letting out a deep sigh, I stroke his hard chest. “Please try to understand why I have to do this, Ash. If there was any other way to convince the public we’re still together, I’d be all over it. I’m not doing this to hurt you, although I know it’s not even fair of me to ask. I’m doing it to save my career.”
“I still don’t get why you can’t just break it off with him.”
“I know. I’d rather be spending the weekend with you.” I drop my head on his chest and lock my arms around him. Whatever manly body wash he uses makes him smell scrumptious, making this charade harder to execute when I simply wish to drag him back to bed. “Hopefully this will kill the rumors so we can move on.”
He releases a heavy sigh, slipping his fingers into my hair and massaging my scalp. “Does this plan to ‘move on’ include me?” His voice softens, becoming wistful. “Because I’m not ready for whatever we’ve got going on to end.”
“Me either.” Leaning back, I brush my lips over his, instantly hating myself for being selfish rather than letting him go like I should. But the thought of losing everything I’ve worked for is too terrifying. I throw him a quick, false smile. “We’ll just have to be more careful.”
Theo wasn’t overly enthused about my plan to spend the weekend together until I suggested an overnight trip to Islamorada. There’s something about the famous tiki bar that always gets him excited, and I’m guessing it has everything to do with the scores of barely dressed fans who hang on his every last word. Doesn’t matter to me as long as I can sip on a drink somewhere under a palm tree without being bothered. I’ve befriended the manager of one of the exclusive resorts, and know he’ll block off an area at my request.
Within an hour of calling Theo, we hit the road in his newly leased Aston Martin, one of the guys from his security team following close behind in a black sedan. There are a few times throughout the short drive where I wonder why I can’t simply fall in love with my costar. It’d be convenient, and there’s no question he’s attractive. Plus he has genuinely charming moments.
Then he opens his mouth, going on about how well he nailed his part this week, and how he was offered some big advertising deals. I’m soon comparing him to Asher who would never be so self-absorbed. How did I ever find Theo even remotely attractive after I was given a glimpse of his personality?
I interrupt his narcissistic rant mid-sentence. “You know this thing with us is bullshit, right?”
“Of course.” Flashing his million-dollar smile, his eyes flicker between me and the road. “I mean, I didn’t know it was bullshit per say, but I assumed it was a fun side-thing to help get things heated up on set. Why are you asking me this? Are you fucking someone else? Is that why you don’t want to fool around anymore?”
For a moment I consider telling him that I’m seeing Asher. But it may only deflate his ego, and upset him enough that he’d quit pretending. There’s also a chance he’d make Asher’s life a living hell, because he doesn’t seem to like him. “I had fun sleeping with you
, but it was never anything more than casual sex.”
“Did you ask me on this trip to tell me you’re done? A simple call would’ve sufficed. No offense, babe, but I could’ve made better use of my weekend.”
Picturing Asher alone in his apartment, I huff out a short breath of agreement. “We both know you’re the bigger star here,” I say, choosing every word carefully. “That means I can’t afford to come out of this scandal as the bad guy. I would appreciate it if you could help me sell the lie, and pretend everything is okay with us for a little while longer. Bridgette thinks maybe even until this season is released.”
“Just so we’re clear, we’d still be free to sleep with other people, right?”
I resist the urge to roll my eyes, nodding instead. Does he actually believe I didn’t know he’d been doing that all along? “Yeah, of course. As long as we’re discreet. That means you’ll have to try your hardest not to stick your dick in every co-ed you meet on this trip. We both know it only takes one picture for everything to fall apart.”
He lifts one eyebrow, giving me another charming grin. “If you kept me busy, it wouldn’t be a problem.” When I wince, he reaches over to squeeze my knee. “Come on, babe. It’s no secret you have fun when we sleep together. How about one last go for old time’s sake?”
“I’m moving on, Theo. I appreciate that you’re willing to humor me, but I’ll find different ways to return the favor. Sex is not one of them.”
“Does that include blowjobs?”
“Anything sexual!” I snap. “As soon as the paparazzi catches word that we’re in town, we’ll have to sell the fact that we’re together. That means kissing and holding hands. It’ll be like we’re on set, only dressed. And no coke while we’re there. I can’t handle you when you’re in one of your moods.”
“Fine!” He lifts a hand off the steering wheel to accentuate his point. “As long as I get to drink and pop pills with you, we have a deal.”
Not what I had in mind, but whatever makes him happy enough to execute this thing so I can return to Asher.
Sunday morning I roll over in bed with a blinding headache. There was way more alcohol involved the night before than I intended.
Theo upheld his side of the bargain, hamming it up at the tiki bar until all hours of the night, never leaving my side despite the large crowd of women that had gathered. The handful of photographers that appeared were eventually kicked out by the property’s manager.
With every mixed drink Theo ordered, his hands started to wander a little more, so I countered it by drinking a little more for added courage. Everything that happened after midnight became a hazed blur. I remember inviting a small handful of people back to our suite, and listening to music. I have no idea how late either of us stayed up, or when the women left. I vaguely recall a lot of selfies.
When I open my eyes, it’s like someone’s trying to push my eyeballs out of my head. I throw an arm over my face, moaning.
Theo’s dark laugh vibrates the bed. “Didn’t figure you’d feel so hot this morning. You were fuckin’ crazy last night.”
I dart upright with a gasp, finding him naked beside me.
And I’m naked too.
“What happened last night?” I ask, tucking the sheet beneath my armpits.
“You’re asking me? Jesus…I was so loaded I hardly remember coming up here.” He laughs again, slipping off the bed and scratching his bare ass. Before going out onto the balcony, he tosses me a cheesy wink. “I think it’s safe to say we sold your little lie.”
Oh my god, this turned into a complete nightmare. Who knows what kind of pictures will show up online when we both blacked out? I reach for my phone, quickly scrolling through my Instagram and Twitter, relieved that I at least had the presence of mind not to post anything after I blacked out.
Then I come across a handful of posts I was tagged in, and my stomach lurches. I recognize a few of the girls from the night before. They start out as innocent selfies, until the four of us moved into the bedroom. Even without showing naked body parts, it’s obvious what Theo and I were doing together.
With tears burning my eyes, I run to the bathroom, barely making it to the toilet in time to vomit.
9
Asher
When Angie returns from her little getaway with the clown, I can tell she’s hungover as fuck the second I open my door. I’d seen a picture of her and Theo kissing on the beach, and swore I’d never torture myself that way again. I turned my phone off and hit the gym, going a round with a couple other amateur fighters until I was so beaten and bloodied that I could hardly stand on my feet.
The fact that she got that drunk with him triggers the same crippling anger I felt when seeing the picture. After learning about the night she spent in the ER, I’ve been keeping a close eye to make sure it doesn’t happen again. Obviously Theo doesn’t give a shit.
She steps forward, slumping against my chest. The smell of booze surrounds her like a second skin. “Please don’t make me talk about what happened. I promise I won’t ever do that to you again.”
Tension slowly leaves my body as her warmth seeps into me. I pull her into my apartment and kiss the top of her head.
As far as I’m concerned, the weekend never happened.
A month into my job, I find myself questioning what the hell I’m doing with every hour that passes. I know damn well a line was crossed when I first slept with Angie, and I know it’s wrong as shit to continue. But I don’t have the willpower to let her go.
What we started has gone far beyond a little fun and great sex. The way she makes me feel has become too fucking intense to hide anymore. Yet I’m forced to act like her employee when outside our apartments. After the brief scandal, she’s more insistent than ever that we aren't seen together in public unless I’m trailing behind her like a goddamned dog.
Couldn’t count how many times I’ve wanted to tell Charlie and Evelyn whenever they check in that I quit because I want to protect Angie in an entirely different way. I’ve stopped myself every time with the reminder that Angie’s treating our relationship like a dirty secret. She’s made it clear she’s not ready to give up the illusion she’s with her costar.
As many times as she swears she stopped sleeping with that douche, I’m not completely convinced they’re as platonic as she claims. The way they continue to get it on in front of the camera makes me believe it’s far from over, and Theo hasn’t caught on.
Since their weekend rendezvous, I’ve tried everything I can to prevent her from drinking after helping her get over that brutal hangover. The most she’ll ever have is 2 or 3, but even that’s too much, all things considered. Although she claims she’s done with the anxiety pills, every now and then she seems out of it enough that I suspect she’s still sneaking them when I’m not looking. I hate myself for not trusting her every bit as much as I worry she’s still struggling.
One lazy Saturday morning after a long night of phenomenal sex, the need to change things between us grabs me by the balls when she exits my bathroom without a stitch of clothing. Doesn’t matter how many times I’ve seen her naked—I’ll never fully absorb the perfection of her body. I don’t know how much longer I can watch Theo touching her without completely flipping my shit. I’ve come to think of her body as mine, regardless of whatever the hell games she’s playing.
Even if they’re still sleeping together, there’s no way her body sings for him the way it does when she’s with me. There’s no fucking way that selfish prick would worship her body the way I do, making her come multiple times every damn day. The only time I see a needful look on her face even remotely close to the one she gives me is when they’re acting out a scene. And that shit almost does me in.
She can pretend all she wants for whatever fucked-up reasons she thinks to be justified. We both know who she belongs to.
“How much longer?” I blurt.
She hooks a leg over my waist, brushing her bare pussy over my rousing dick as she climbs on. Swear to
god she intentionally shoves her cool tits against my warm skin, knowing how much I love the hell outta them. The smile she gives me while swiping a fingertip across my lips does weird things behind my ribcage.
Her eyebrows lift. “If you’re asking how much longer until we go another round, I’m always ready for your gorgeous ass.”
She bends into my mouth for a kiss, her soft hair tickling my chest. Reluctant as hell, I groan and hook my arm around her tiny waist, holding her back. “How long before you go through this public breakup with Theo?”
“Can we talk about this some other time?” With a wicked grin, she wiggles free to slide her hard tits across my pecs. “I’m far more interested in a morning ride.”
“I don’t want this thing with us to end.”
With a purr, she slides her tongue across my chest before stopping to graze my nipple with her teeth. Then she smiles up at me through thick lashes. “Who said anything about it ending?”
“I’m serious, babe. I take full responsibility for what we’re doing, but I want more from you than whatever this is.” I cup her face with my hands, forcing her to stop torturing me with her hot mouth. “Tell me you don’t want something more, and I’ll walk away. Not sure how I’ll do it when I can’t get enough of you, but I’ll somehow get by because I only want what’s best for you. If you don’t think I could be someone you see yourself with in five years, we should end this before I’m too far gone to back out.”
For a moment, her smile wavers. Then she sits tall, pulling one of my fingers between her lips and swirling her tongue around the tip. “Babe, you can’t ask me to make that decision now.”
I hiss and close my eyes with the memory of all the times she’s done the same exact thing to my dick. When she does that kind of thing, there’s no controlling myself. It’s the reason I’ve gone so far down this bullshit path without turning back. Connecting with her body is my favorite addiction.
