I held down the button and tapped in my code when the screen came to life. I had ten text messages and three missed calls.
I hadn’t even cleared two texts when the phone started singing.
With a sigh, I touched the screen.
“Hey, Rhonda.” I winced, rubbing my eyes.
“What the hell, Sean! I told you to take her somewhere quiet. Did I not say that to you?”
“We wanted to go dancing.” My voice sounded flat and hollow.
“So, choose some celebrity-less dive.”
“That club has the best DJ in town. I wanted her to have a good night.”
“Well, yeah, she obviously did. I mean, I think. The reports say you arrived with some blonde girl and left on your own. What did you do with her?”
“I snuck her out the back.” I propped myself up on my elbow and rolled onto my side. “Did they get any photos of her?”
“No, just you man-handling some little drunk bird.”
“That bitch punched Morgan in the gut.”
Rhonda sighed. “That’s why I told you quiet.”
“Look, I got her out and went back in and did some damage control, okay.”
“Yeah, I guess I have to admit there’s some great shots of you here.”
I grimaced. “What does it say?”
“After a minor altercation with a drunken Abigail fan, Sean Jaxon made the most of his night, dancing with his fans and flashing his stunning smile at the camera. He remained tight-lipped about his current work, but told us that something would be brewing in September. We all wait with eager anticipation to see what Mr. Bulletproof has in store for us next.”
“Well, that doesn’t sound so bad.”
“I haven’t read the other one yet.”
I groaned.
“Who is Sean Jaxon dating now? Arriving at Club Hybrid last night with a tall blonde, Sean ended up leaving the venue alone after an altercation inside. No one knows the mystery woman’s name, but I’m sure we’d all like to know what Abigail Tripoli thinks about it. Having just broken up with her rock star lover, rumors are floating that the pole-dancing actress is hoping for reconciliation with her ex-boyfriend.”
“That is such bullshit!”
“I know, I know, but this will blow over. Just don’t talk about your love life. You know, I really think, for your sake, that you should refrain from dating...or at least public dating, for a little longer. If you like this girl, you really don’t want to pull her into anything.”
“Yeah, I know. She doesn’t deserve this shit.”
“The trials of being a celebrity, huh? Well done for working it to your advantage.”
“Yeah, thanks,” I mumbled.
“Oh, and expect a call from Andrew today. You know he’ll want every detail.”
I cringed thinking about my publicist and how long that call would take. He liked to analyze everything, making sure all the angles were worked to the best advantage.
I hung up the phone with a heavy sigh, not wanting to check the rest of my messages.
Throwing it onto the covers, I rolled to my stomach and buried my face in my pillow. I wanted the world to stop moving for a couple of days. I wanted to sink into my mattress and not exist.
How the hell was I supposed to face Morgan tomorrow?
What the hell was I going to say to her?
*****
I took the chicken’s way out and spent most of the next day buried in work. I saw Morgan flash past me a couple of times, but I didn’t chase after her. Thankfully, Travis was keeping her so busy she didn’t have a chance to corner me, either.
It ended up being a really shitty day. There was a problem with the lighting, and we had to re-shoot all our morning’s work in the afternoon. I was so over watching the “Lady Marmalade” dance and giving Ashlee a disappointed glare at the end of it.
For such a show-stopper, I think everyone was hating the song by the time we left at the end of the day. It was nine thirty when I finally started heading for my car. I was tired, flat, and wanted to crawl into bed. Sleep would be a sweet respite.
“Sean.”
I placed my hand on the roof of my car, tempted to open the door and drive off before she could reach me. But my pop had taught me better, so I slowly turned to watch Morgan approach me.
She paused her step, waiting for a car to drive past us before closing the gap. I leaned against the car and crossed my arms, glancing across the lot. It looked like there weren’t many left. I was glad I had ignored my designated spot and parked in the back corner this morning. I had felt like being in the shadows today and my hunch was right. I didn’t want people seeing me and Morgan together. If any of them had seen the headlines, they’d be able to piece things together too easily.
“Are you okay?” She sounded so concerned it made my chest restrict.
“Yeah.” I rubbed my hand over my head. “Yeah, how about you? Your stomach okay?”
“All good.” She rubbed it with a short smile. “I’m really sorry about the weekend. I didn’t mean to make it worse for you.”
“Hey, you didn’t.”
She shook her head. “I should have kept my mouth shut with that chick, but I just hated the way she was talking to you. You don’t deserve that. She doesn’t know anything.”
“Some fans are...a little over the top.”
“A little.” She scoffed. “That bitch was insane.”
“Drunk.” I shrugged.
Morgan pressed her lips together, disappointment flashing over her face as she read my expression.
She tipped her head to the side and nodded, reaching into her bag and pulling out some money.
“Here, this is for the cab ride.” She held out a small wad of cash.
I lifted my hand. “Don’t be insane. I wanted to pay.”
“No, it’s the change. I appreciated you paying for it. Thank you for getting me home.”
“Keep it.” I flicked my hand.
“Sean, it’s your money; I don’t want it.” She stepped toward me, holding the cash.
“Neither do I.” I closed my palm around her hand, my breath catching in my throat. The current traveling up my arm was intense. I wanted to pull her to my chest and finish what I started on that dance floor.
She swallowed, her eyes sad. “I know you don’t want to date me anymore. I like to think it’s because you’re trying to protect me, rather than not wanting to spend any time with me.”
“Of course that’s the reason. Damn, Morgan, you...you’re gold.”
Her lips rose with a little half-smile. “I’m not afraid, you know, of the cameras...and the fans. I can do it.”
“You deserve better than that.”
“I don’t want better. I want you. I’ll take whatever risks come with that.”
Her words stumped me. I wanted to argue with her, to tell her she was wrong and she’d regret it later, but... she wanted me and dammit, I wanted her, too.
I squeezed her money-filled fist and tugged her toward me. She landed against my chest, her soft breasts pressing into my shirt. I held her against me, spreading my hands over her lower back and loving the way her spine curved. I loved her shape. She wasn’t a skinny arrow; she was an hourglass. I ran my free hand over her shoulder, gliding my fingers up her long neck, my thumb skimming her sharp chin.
Damn, she was beautiful. Her breath whistled over me as she closed the distance between us.
The pressure of her lips on mine sent my senses to a new planet. My fingers gripped the nape of her neck as her tongue brushed my lower lip. We opened our mouths together, our tongues dancing a smooth tango. She tasted like peppermint. I gently sucked her bottom lip into my mouth before pulling away from her.
“Girl, you must have some kind of magical powers or something. I ain’t never gonna be able to resist you now.”
Her breathy laugh kissed my skin and she looked me in the eye, her brown gaze dancing with pleasure. “So don’t.”
With a grin, I pressed my palm into her bac
k, melding us together and diving into another kiss that held a new level of intensity and passion.
Yes, there were risks, but we could face them. We’d just keep things quiet like Rhonda suggested. No one had to know we were dating. That way I could keep Morgan safe and we could be together, because after this taste, I didn’t think I had the power to let her go.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
SEAN
I was right. I couldn’t let her go. Everything about Morgan drew me in. Like a moth to a flame, I was done.
I watched her from the corner of my eye as she spoke to Lisa, my conversation with Isabella from only an hour before skirting through my head.
“You’re smiling again.”
I ran my fingers over my lips, my mouth making a big O as I tried to eradicate my constant grin. It was damn hard. Morgan had been on set all morning, and every time I got a glimpse of her smoky hotness...damn, it was getting hard to control myself, especially since I hadn’t seen her in nearly a week.
We’d been secretly dating for just over a month. We hadn’t openly said we should keep it hidden on set, but we both did it. Maybe it was a sixth sense or something, but when we saw each other, we acted as if everything was normal. At least I thought that was what we were doing.
The whole secrecy gig, combined with the long hours at work and the fact Travis had Morgan driving from one side of LA to the other running meaningless errands, made it really hard to see her. We snatched moments when we could, but I needed to make an effort to snatch moments that mattered. Travis had poor Morgan working like a dog. I’d been leaving most nights before her, and so far our relationship consisted of more late-night phone calls than anything else.
Part of me wanted to be waiting on her doorstep when she got home from work, but I didn’t want to freak her dad out, and I definitely didn’t want anyone spotting me, or my car, near her place. I knew she said she could handle the media, but did she really know what she was talking about?
In saying that, brushing her arm as I passed her in the hallway was no longer cutting it. I needed to take things to the next level. There was no point denying it; I wanted Morgan Pritchett...all of her.
My lips grew with a grin as I pictured various scenarios, my mind ticking over with ways I could make it happen.
“There you go again.” Isabella shook her head, reaching past me to snatch a sandwich off the tray. I threw her a dry look and headed to the round table in the back corner of the lunchroom.
The petite dancer followed me, her impish grin making it impossible to be mad at her.
“So.” She sat down, resting her chin on her palm, and winked at me, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Who is she?”
I dropped my gaze, picking at the top of my crusty bread roll. “Like I’m gonna tell you.”
“Oh, whatever, I know it’s Morgan.”
My eyes popped up. “She told you?”
“No.” Isabella chuckled. “It’s just so obvious. The way your face lights up when she walks into a room. The way she takes in that slow breath when she sees you and then kind of nips at her lower lip. It’s like the rest of the world doesn’t exist when you two share the same space.”
I winced, rubbing at my forehead. “I thought we’d been doing a good job at hiding it.”
“To be honest, I think everyone else is too busy to really notice, but I love the idea of you guys together.” She squeezed my forearm. “So, when are we going on a double with Dean?”
“Bells, come on. It’s still new. We don’t want anyone to know.”
“Why?”
I shrugged. “I guess I just want to protect her from the limelight. I don’t want anyone screwing this up. She’s important, you know.”
“Wow.” Isabella lightly bit down on her thumbnail. “You got it bad, dude. Like way worse than Abigail. I mean, she enchanted you, but this...” She wagged her index finger at me. “This is different.”
“Maybe it is,” I mumbled, a thrill racing through me.
“Well, I think you should claim it. You want her. She wants you. Just do it.”
My eyes popped up, heat rushing across my face as my crotch did a happy dance at the words “do it.” What was I, sixteen now? I shifted in my seat.
“There are already too many secrets in this world and most of them are bad. I don’t see why you should have to hide something like this.” Isabella grinned. “I know work hours are long and your one day off is usually filled with family commitments. What’s so wrong about making her part of those? At least you’d be together.” She tucked a thick curl behind her ear and shrugged. “This is all just my opinion, of course, but Morgan’s a strong chick. She can handle whatever you throw at her; I’m confident of that.”
I knew she could, so why was I playing coy? I wanted to jump across the sound stage right then and glide my arm across her lower back as she talked work with Lisa. On the days I finished filming before her and left for the night, I wanted to kiss her goodbye on the way. I wanted to whisper in her ear that I’d wait for her outside and we could drive to my place together. Why the hell was I stalling on this?
Morgan nodded at Lisa again and turned for the door. I took my chance, pushing off the wall and following my girl into the corridor. The phone in her pocket buzzed and she paused to extract it. With a grin, I stepped up behind her, snatching her arm and opening the door to our right.
I flicked it shut with my foot, spinning her in my arms and planting my lips on hers before she could protest. She let out a soft moan, dropping the phone on the counter behind her before opening her mouth to me. Her tongue was warm and sweet. I ran my hands down her smooth curves, lightly squeezing her butt and pushing myself against her. She responded with a nudge of her hips, and I wanted to lift her onto the countertop and take her right there.
I pulled back before I could, knowing I’d regret my first time with this gorgeous woman being a quickie in a storage room. Although the idea was kind of thrilling.
“Well, hello to you.” Morgan panted, reaching for my lips again.
I gave her a light peck and rested my forehead against hers, squeezing her hips.
“I couldn’t stand it. I had to taste you before the end of the day.”
She grinned. “Thank you for your impatience. I, for one, really appreciate it.”
We chuckled together, our breaths mingling. I wanted to swoop in and kiss her again, the dancing light in her eyes tearing at my resolve.
“I gotta have you,” I whispered.
She brushed her teeth over her bottom lip, pulling in an electric breath that told me she was in.
“I know we’re busy and work is making it impossible to see each other, and as much as I love talking to you on the phone, I want more, baby. I’ve missed you this week.” I glided my hands up her back. “I need you. I need your skin. I need your touch. I need your lips.” I dove for hers again, cupping the back of her head and pouring all my pent-up passion into the kiss. I wanted her to know I wasn’t kidding. This had to happen...and soon, even if it meant the world finding out.
Her arms wrapped around my waist, her fingers lightly dragging up my back.
“So come over tonight,” she murmured against my lips.
I swallowed. For some stupid reason, I still felt nervous about the idea of anyone seeing us together. It was the weirdest sensation, and I couldn’t figure out why the hell I was hesitating. Isabella was right; I should be claiming this girl.
I opened my mouth to invite her to my place when the door handle jiggled. We jumped apart, Morgan pulling her shirt straight and flicking the loose wave of hair off her face. She reached for her phone, clearing her throat as the door flew open.
Travis McKinnon jerked to a stop when he saw us.
“What the hell are you doing in here?” He pointed at Morgan.
“I was just helping Mr. Jaxon find...”
“That’s not your job! I texted you five minutes ago. Why haven’t you responded yet?”
“Sorry, I just got dist
racted helping—” She pointed at me.
“You don’t get distracted on my watch.” He stepped toward her, getting in her face.
I resisted the urge to push him away, my muscles straining as I stood my ground. I hated the way he spoke to her.
“You do what I say, when I say it. You respond to my texts immediately...not when the hell you’re ready, but when I’m ready! And I was ready five fucking minutes ago!”
Morgan flinched as some flyaway spittle landed on her cheek. Her finger was shaking as she nipped it off her face, but her voice remained calm. “What is it you need me to do?”
“Read your damn text messages!” He flicked his hand at her, indicating she head for the door.
With a small nod, she slunk past him, lifting her phone and clearing the text as she exited the room.
My fingers curled into a fist as he turned to face me, shaking his head with an eye roll as if I should somehow sympathize with his plight.
Grinding my teeth together, I forced a tight-lipped smile. “Do you have to talk to her that way? She was just helping me out.”
Travis froze, his easy grin disappearing. His beady eyes narrowed a touch further as he studied me.
I felt like a kid in the principal’s office, beads of sweat breaking out on the back of my neck as I stood tall against his glare.
Straightening my shoulders, I lifted my chin to the door. “She works so hard for you. She’s probably the best gofer I’ve ever seen on a set. She uses her initiative, she goes the extra mile, she’s intelligent. Everyone thinks she’s great.” I crossed my arms, still unnerved by his unflinching expression. “I just don’t understand why you have to treat her so bad all the time. You don’t talk to Lisa like that.”
“I used to.” He crossed his arms, his eyes sparking. “Sean, are you questioning my methods?”
Rubbing a hand over my head, I rested my hand on my hip, hoping the stance looked casual. “I mean no disrespect, but yeah, I guess I am.”
“I wouldn’t.” His voice was sharp and metallic.
“Excuse me?”
His face exploded with a broad smile as he chuckled and shook his finger at me. “You know the best thing about being showrunner, Sean?”
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