Hollywood Roommates: A Reverse Harem Romance

by Elizabeth Briggs

  He raises his nasty-looking green smoothie. “Protein shake.”

  “Ew.” I wrinkle my nose and he laughs. I’ve heard his laugh in movies before and in YouTube clips from interviews, but it’s completely different in person somehow. Maybe because it’s genuine. His presence seems to fill the room, his sheer charisma demanding my attention. It’s no wonder he’s the hottest movie star in the world right now.

  Matt appears at the top of the stairs, blinking his eyes, looking adorably sleepy and sexy. He’s wearing a shirt unfortunately, but underneath it—hot damn—he’s only wearing tight black boxer briefs. They show off the whole very large package, and I’m pretty sure the temperature just went up in here by about ten degrees. I almost start to fan myself.

  Are they purposefully taunting me with their forbidden hotness? Or do they always walk around like this?

  Matt plucks a coconut muffin from the tray. “Ignore my brother. I will gladly eat your muffin.” He flashes me a dirty smile. “And anything else you’d like to offer.”

  Luke snorts, then grabs one of the pumpkin muffins and throws it at his brother. Matt catches it in the air and takes a big bite out of it.

  “Mmm…delicious,” Matt says.

  I shake my head, trying to hide my smile. “You two are trouble.”

  “The best kind,” Luke says, with a wink, then turns to Matt. “You’re up early today.”

  “Audition.”

  “Ah. Good luck.”

  A stern voice interrupts our fun. “What the hell is this?” Shane asks, standing at the top of the stairs and staring at the kitchen in horror. Unlike the others he’s completely dressed, wearing black slacks and a white button-up shirt that somehow makes him just as sexy as the other two. “It looks like a bakery exploded in here.”

  “I made muffins,” I say, my cheeks turning beet red.

  “Did any of the ingredients actually make it into the muffins, or are they just all over the counters?”

  I put my hands on my hips. “I was going to clean it up!”

  “Don’t listen to him, he’s always cranky in the morning,” Matt says. “Also these muffins are amazing, you should totally try one, Shane.”

  Shane gives Matt a withering look and storms off, toward his office. A door slams a few seconds later.

  Luke shakes his head. “It’s not the morning that makes him cranky, it’s having to go to work with his ex.”

  “That would put anyone in a bad mood,” I say, softening a little. I don’t know much about what happened with his co-star Nadia, but last season on the TV show Talon their characters finally got together. If they aren’t actually together in real life anymore I can see how that could make for an awkward work environment.

  Which also gives me an idea.

  While the other guys wander back to their rooms to shower and get dressed, I pack up my muffins in two containers I find in a drawer. Then I march them over to Shane’s office and knock on the door.

  “Come in,” he calls out.

  I step inside, but am stunned speechless by the sight of the room. It’s more of a library than an office, like something out of Beauty and the Beast with floor-to-ceiling shelves completely stuffed with books. There’s even a reading nook in the corner. It makes my little English teacher heart thump faster and faster.

  “What is it?” Shane asks, from where he sits at a desk.

  “This room is incredible.” I leave the muffins on his desk and practically skip over to the shelves. He has all sorts of different genres, from non-fiction to sci-fi and fantasy. There’s also an entire shelf dedicated to books about the justice system.

  He eyes the muffins I left in front of him. “What are these for?”

  “To take with you on set today. Give them to the crew or your assistant or something.” I shrug. “If you’re this grumpy with them too they could probably use a nice gesture from you.”

  He stares at me with his mouth open for so long I fully expect another scolding, but then he reluctantly says, “That’s not a bad idea. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” I grin and decide to escape before he turns into a jerk again.

  Allie 1, Shane 0.

  Chapter Eight

  MATT

  Well, that sucked.

  Three hours of my life down the drain, and for what? For them to tell me they thought I should be more like my brother. Fuck that.

  I’m not sure why I even bother anymore. My agent sends me scripts and gets me auditions, but no one wants me. They all want Luke, the big action star who graces the covers of magazines every month. I’m just the younger, crappier version of him.

  When I get home, I grab a beer from the fridge and head to the den to lose myself in some video games before work. I find Allie sitting there still in her pajamas, her nose in a book with a half-naked guy on the cover. Her red hair is tied back in a lazy ponytail and the cutest reading glasses are perched on her little nose. Her pretty feet are curled up at her side, dotted with pink nail polish.

  She glances up at me with a smile. “How did your audition go?”

  For a second I’m too distracted by her casual sexiness, the kind she probably doesn’t even realize she has. She’s all lush curves and soft lips and warm eyes and I have the strongest urge to snuggle against her while we watch TV together. And maybe slide my hand into those pajama pants to touch her bare skin.

  Problem is, I can’t do either of those things. Thanks a lot, Shane.

  I sigh and sit beside her, stretching my long legs out on the coffee table. “It didn’t go well.”

  She sits up with a frown. “What happened?”

  I shrug. “I wasn’t what they were looking for, I guess.”

  “How is that possible?” She gestures at me. “I mean, look at you.”

  I raise an eyebrow at her. “What does that mean exactly?”

  A slight pink flush touches her cheeks. “Oh, you know you’re gorgeous. You could be an underwear model with that face and that body.”

  I grin at her compliment. Sure, I’m good-looking and plenty of women have told me so before, but it’s different hearing her say it. Maybe because she’s so genuine, or because she’s not trying to get in my pants. “I have done a bit of modeling on the side. It pays the bills. But I really want to act.” I take a sip of my beer. “Back to reading through scripts and hoping for a decent one.”

  “What was the part today?”

  “A low budget action sci-fi movie. Like what my brother got started in. But they just wanted a copy of Luke.”

  “I’m sorry. I’m sure you’ll find something that’s a perfect fit soon.”

  “I wish I had your optimism.”

  Allie rests her hand on my arm, her touch soft. “It’ll all work out. I’m sure of it. You just have to keep putting yourself out there and someone will see how special you are.”

  I chuckle. “That sounds like relationship advice.”

  “Oh, I’m definitely not giving you that. I’m no expert on relationships, obviously. That’s how I ended up here, after all.”

  I take the hand that was on my arm and slowly run my thumb over her soft skin. “How are you doing with that?”

  She sighs. “I’m fine. More mad at myself than anything.”

  “How could you possibly be mad at yourself?”

  She glances away, as if embarrassed. “I should have noticed something was wrong. Should have seen the signs he was cheating on me. Looking back, there were definitely some hints, but I ignored them all. I told myself he was busy with work. Now I realize how stupid I was.”

  “Hey.” I wrap an arm around her shoulders. “You are not stupid and none of this is your fault. Your ex was clearly the stupid one to cheat on you in the first place.”

  “Thanks. That’s nice of you to say.”

  “I mean it. You’re beautiful, kind, smart, and make amazing muffins. I’ve only known you a day and I can already tell a man would be a fool to give you up.”

  She gives me a shy smile. �
��Well, your flirting is definitely good for my ego.”

  I stare at her lips with the strongest urge to kiss her. From the way she gazes back at me I think she wants that too. There’s an electricity in the air between us, and with her in my arms the draw to her mouth is so overwhelming it takes everything in my power to resist.

  “Then my job here is done.” I wink at her, then pull away. “All right, I need to get ready for work. I’ll let you get back to your book.”

  I actually have plenty of time, but I need to get away from her or I’ll be tempted to tear up Shane’s roommate contract, push her down on this couch, and go down on her until she stops thinking about her ex. That’s what she needs—someone to make her forget that asshole and give her some confidence again. Someone to make her feel good.

  That’s my specialty.

  I pause at the door. “You should come to the bar where I work tonight. Bring Brooke if you want. It’ll be fun.”

  She bites her lip. “I’m not sure I’m ready.”

  “What else are you going to do? Mope around in your pajamas and watch cheesy movies?”

  “Pretty much, yeah,” she says, with a sad laugh.

  “You’ve been doing that all day. Getting out will be good for you.”

  “I don’t know…”

  “Come to the bar and I’ll make you the best drink you’ve ever had. When the guys fall all over you, you’ll thank me. Trust me on this.”

  “Okay. Maybe. I’ll think about it.”

  “Good.”

  I head back to my room, but as I change my clothes all I can think about is Allie. She’s like those muffins she baked us this morning: warm, soft, and sweet. I bet she tastes just as delicious too. She’s normally not my type at all, but there’s something about her I can’t stop thinking about.

  I blame Shane. By making Allie forbidden, she became ten times hotter. I want to fuck her to get her out of my system, but that isn’t going to happen. I probably just need to get laid. It has been a while. Like a week, maybe? Hey, that’s a long time for me. But it’s not a problem. I’m sure some girl at the bar tonight will be happy to take care of me.

  Except the idea of sleeping with some random girl tonight no longer sounds appealing. There’s only one woman I want to get in bed, and she’s off-limits.

  Chapter Nine

  ALLIE

  Why oh why did I let Matt convince me to go out tonight?

  I’m so not ready to move on. I told myself I was, but damn, breakups are hard. I’m still going through all those stages of grief over Parker, like anger and denial, and I’m not even close to acceptance yet. Even though I shouldn’t waste a single minute thinking about him, he still finds his way back into my thoughts anyway. Being with someone for a year, living with them, and thinking you were going to get married will do that to you, I guess.

  Going to the bar where Matt works seemed like a good way to stop the endless cycle of why, why, why? that was going through my head. Now I’m starting to think I made a big mistake.

  The only saving grace is that this place is gorgeous. Sea Spray Lounge is an open-air bar resting right on the beach, up against the ocean. You can either sit at the covered bar, looking out at the water as the sun sets over it while the cool breeze brushes against your face, or walk out onto the patio where waves crash against the see-through barrier, which is lit with soft blue LED lights. More fairy lights dance along the top of the dark bar, giving the place a magical feel.

  It’s definitely more upscale than I imagined when Matt said I should head to a bar with him to pick up guys. People in here have money or are hoping to land someone with money, which I probably should have realized since we’re in Malibu, after all.

  The bar’s fairly empty tonight and I take a stool at the counter right in front of Matt. Brooke couldn’t make it and I feel awkward being here by myself. I’ve never been good at picking up guys in a bar, and despite what Matt said, guys don’t usually hit on me either. I’m cute, but a lot of guys in LA aren’t into women like me. Normally it doesn’t bother me—I tell myself they can’t handle these curves anyway—but now it reminds me that I’m alone and unwanted.

  Geez, someone needs to slap the emo out of me already.

  I distract myself by checking out Matt, who looks especially handsome in a black button-up shirt that’s open at the neck to show off a hint of skin, just enough to make my mouth water. His sleeves are rolled up too, revealing his masculine wrists and forearms.

  He leans on the bar in front of me with a sultry smile. “What’ll it be, gorgeous?”

  “Surprise me.”

  “Hmm.” He tilts his head and a piece of wavy hair falls in front of his right eye. I have the strongest urge to tuck it back. “I’m guessing you’re the kind of girl who likes fruity cocktails. The girlier the better.”

  I laugh. “Yep, that’s me.”

  “Coming right up.”

  He turns around to prepare my drink and I check out his very nice ass in his black jeans. Then I scold myself in my head. I should not be checking out my roommates, no matter how hot they are.

  A guy in a gray suit slides onto the barstool next to me. “Hey there. Can I get you a drink?”

  I freeze up. This is why I’m here, isn’t it? To forget Parker with some new guy. But all I can do is blink at this man while opening and closing my mouth like some kind of idiot.

  He’s good-looking, though not nearly as drop dead sexy as any one of my three roommates, but on an equal level with Parker. Before meeting Matt, Shane, and Luke, I’d have been all over this guy. Now he seems…ordinary.

  That isn’t the problem though. The problem is the fear that stuns me into silence, that whispers in the back of my mind this guy will hurt you too.

  I can’t do it. I can’t.

  Suddenly there’s a large, comforting presence at my back. “She’s with me.”

  The guy in the suit stares at the man behind me with wide eyes. Then he scrambles out of his seat, practically falling all over himself to move. “I’m so sorry, man. I didn’t realize. I loved your last movie by the way.”

  “Thanks,” Luke says.

  As the guy runs off with his tail between his legs, Luke takes his place. I gape at him, much the same way I did the last guy, except this time I find my voice. “What was that?”

  He shrugs, his voice smooth as he says, “I could tell you were uncomfortable.”

  “I would have handled it,” I say, even though I’m secretly grateful I didn’t have to.

  “And now you can relax instead.” He wears a black baseball cap pulled low that does a terrible job of hiding who he is. He’d need a full Darth Vader costume to stop people from recognizing him.

  Matt returns with a pink drink in a martini glass with a rim covered in sugar. “Enjoy.”

  “What’s this?” I ask. The drink is so pretty I want to snap a photo of it and put it on Instagram.

  “Strawberry limoncello martini. It’s my own specialty.”

  Luke snorts. “That’s the drink he gives women to get them in bed with him. Watch out.”

  “No, that’s the Screaming Orgasm.” Matt winks at me. “I can give you one of those later though.”

  I shake my head with a smile as I grab the drink. It’s a little sweet and a little sour and absolutely perfect. “Wow, this is amazing.”

  “I knew you’d like it.” He slides a whiskey over to Luke, without even asking what he wants, and Luke nods in thanks. Matt then heads to the other end of the bar, where a woman in a red dress is waving him over.

  “So let me guess,” Luke drawls, as he sips his whiskey and eyes me. “My brother told you to come here tonight and find a guy to help you forget about your ex and now you’re regretting listening to him.”

  “Yep, that about sums it up.” I take another sip of my divine drink. Matt may be struggling as an actor, but he is definitely an incredibly talented bartender. And with his looks and charm, I bet he’s never hurting for tips either.

  “Tha
t’s exactly the kind of thing Matt would tell you to do. And trust me, I tried his way too after Lana.”

  Lana. His ex, the famous actress. My eyes widen at the mention of her. I’m surprised he’s bringing her up at all.

  “But sleeping around never helped,” Luke continues, staring into his whiskey. “Neither did the drinking.”

  “What did help?” I ask.

  “Time and distance. That’s about it.” He rests an elbow on the bar, gazing into my eyes. “You’ve been betrayed by the person you loved. That’s a terrible thing for anyone to go through. Cut yourself some slack and allow yourself to be sad about it. And if you can, try to get closure.”

  I’m not sure how to do that. Parker kicked me out, after all. “Did you ever get closure?”

  His face darkens and he looks away. “I did. When we signed the divorce papers. That’s when I was finally over her for good.”

  “I’m sorry. That must have been tough for you. Especially since it was so public.”

  “I won’t lie, it’s been a rough year. I can’t go into the store without seeing my ex’s face everywhere, or go online without hearing about her new movie. Leaving the country to film a movie helped. Staying off the internet did too. But that’s part of being an actor and living in the spotlight. Everyone knows all of your business, or thinks they do anyway.” He drains the whiskey and slams it down on the bar.

  “I can’t imagine how hard it must be to live in the spotlight all the time like that.”

  “Don’t get me wrong, being an actor has its perks too. I signed up for this life and I’m not complaining. It’s just that when shit hits the fan, everyone wants to take photos of it.” He gives me a devastatingly handsome smile. “But I got through it, and you will too.”

  His words and his smile begin to unravel the knot of anxiety inside me. “Thanks for talking to me about all this. It helps.”

  “I’m glad.” He rests his large hand over mine on the counter. “And remember, you’re not in this alone. Even though you only moved in yesterday, we’re here for you. All three of us.”