Mustang Hollywood: A standalone, small town, enemies-to-lovers romance (Mustang Ranch Book 3)

by Eva Haining

  Stepping inside, it’s eerie without Maddox and A.B. filling the space. I busy myself with the girls, going in search of pajamas and finding out who needs what teddy bear or blanket to get to sleep.

  J.J. is full of surprises. By the time I emerge with two bed-ready babies, he’s cooking up a storm in the kitchen. I was about to fix them some cereal, but he’s got French toast, scrambled eggs, and bacon ready with cute little place settings at the dining table.

  The girls scarf it down in minutes before running off to find a bedtime story for us to read. They don’t register how bizarre this all is, sitting down to eat at the Hale family dinner table with a movie star. I am so far out of my comfort zone, and again I’m rendered quiet as a church mouse.

  “The food okay? You haven’t touched it.”

  “I don’t eat meat or eggs.”

  “Seriously?”

  “No. I’m just playing. I’m a little weirded out.”

  “Why? Hasn’t a guy ever made you bacon before?”

  “Sure, but you’re not just a guy, are you? You’re you.”

  “I’m aware. My name is Jasper, I grew up in LA. Someone once told me I put my underwear on one leg at a time, just like everyone else on the planet.” But he’s not like everyone else on the planet, he’s more mouthwatering than bacon and hotter than the frying pan he cooked it in.

  “Well, I’ve been doing it all wrong. One leg at a time, you say?” Managing to play off my sad starstruck status, I dig into the colossal plate of food in front of me. Maybe if my mouth is full, I can’t say anything else that makes me sound as dumb as a bag of rocks. Sitting back with a wry grin, he seems to enjoy watching me shovel French toast in my face. It’s ridiculously yummy. There has to be some secret ingredient—mine never tastes this good.

  “I like a girl who isn’t afraid to eat. When you get to Hollywood, don’t let them convince you that you need to live on a diet of kale.”

  “I hate kale.” His smile spreads wider as I grab a piece of bacon and make a point of shoving the entire thing in my mouth.

  “I don’t know if Hollywood is ready for Maisie Bryant.” My gut twists with the realization—I don’t know if Maisie Bryant is ready for Hollywood.

  By the time we sit down to read a story, the girls are curled up in J.J.’s lap, eagerly waiting for me to begin. Floppy the Flamingo holds their attention, but as much as Ruby struggles to keep her eyes open, she loses the fight. When I’m done, she’s sound asleep. A little starfish clinging to J.J.’s chest.

  “Okay, Rae. Time for bed.”

  “Shh… Mr. Jasper is sleeping.” She gives me a conspiratorial grin. We’re the last two standing. It’s an achievement for a nine-year-old. My eyes travel to my co-star, peaceful in slumber with his arms wrapped around Ruby. I think my ovaries just exploded. Kaboom!

  “Come on, then. Let’s get you tucked in before I deal with that big baby.” She keeps her giggle to a whisper and leads me to her room. Thankfully, it doesn’t take long for Rae to drift off.

  J.J. is still fast asleep when I return to the living room, only stirring when I attempt to lift Ruby from his arms. He instinctively holds her close, refusing to loosen his grip until I jolt him awake. “J.J., let me take her to bed.” As I lean in to lift her, it hits me—she’s not going to be the baby of the family anymore. How can that be when she’s so tiny? Lost in my thoughts, I forget I’m an inch away from J.J.’s mouth—those sexy lips that know how to kiss a girl until she feels it down in her boots, even when he’s faking it.

  “You better take her. If you stay where you are, I’m going to kiss you, and that can’t happen for so many reasons.” His voice is a sleepy rasp with a direct line to my clit. With an audible gulp, I pull Ruby up into my arms like a shield, pushing myself to walk away. It affords me a few moments to compose my thoughts.

  Today has been so strange. In take after take, J.J. pulled me close, ravaging me with his mouth, his hands roaming my body, becoming more frustrated every time, my entire being set alight with a desire I shouldn’t feel. How can I expect to be taken seriously as an actress if I can’t separate what’s real and what isn’t?

  He’s been on my mind since the night we kissed. I didn’t want to enjoy it, but I did. He was drunk, and I convinced myself it was a one-time mishap. But, if that’s true, why did he just say he wanted to kiss me?

  We need to talk about whatever is going on, or tomorrow will be just as awkward on set. With Ruby snug in her bed, I steel myself for the uncomfortable conversation that’s about to happen. What do I say?

  He’s pacing the floor like a caged animal, ready to pounce at the sight of me.

  “Maisie, I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I shouldn’t have…” I cover his mouth with my hand.

  “Shh. Keep your voice down. I don’t want to risk waking the girls.” His breath is warm against my palm, his lips soft in stark contrast to the stubble on his jaw. The rise and fall of his chest quicken in time with my own. Electricity courses through me, leaving me scrambling to put some distance between us.

  “Please hear me out.”

  “You don’t even like me. You’ve made that abundantly clear.”

  “I hate how you affect me, but if we don’t talk about it, I’m going to lose the shirt off my back when this movie tanks because I can’t pull off a love scene.” Now he’s just being dramatic.

  “You’re a multi-millionaire.” A flash of something crosses his flawless features. “What? Did you blow it all in Vegas on gambling, women, and booze? I could see that.” The second it comes out my mouth, I regret it.

  “You really have a low opinion of me, don’t you? Doesn’t matter what I say or do, you want to see the worst.”

  “It’s easier.” I hate to admit it. “Do you think I want to be attracted to you? You’re the epitome of Hollywood.”

  “Why do you believe everything you read? You know my ex lied, you overheard that conversation.”

  “What about Hazel? You’re living with her right now, and you’ve been photographed kissing her. And then…”

  “Then, what?”

  “You kissed me, and it was confusing. Then, today, you act like it’s the hardest thing in the world to fake being into me.”

  “Are you kidding me?” He’s struggling to keep the volume down. I should leave, but I can’t push myself to the door.

  “You’re good at being fake. That’s acting, and you’re the best there is. Then this afternoon with the girls and tonight with Ruby. It’s making my head spin.”

  “God forbid I could prove you wrong, show you I’m a good guy. That all the hype is just bullshit,” he says, storming over to where I stand, caging me in. “You want to know the real me?”

  “Yes!” My breath hitches at his proximity. “Is that so wrong?”

  “Nothing I say will change your mind. You want to believe the worst, and so you do. Cece was a lying, cheating bitch. Hazel would rather get in your pants than mine. And my squandered millions? I sank every dime I have into this movie. The one you’re starring in. If it bombs, I’m broke.” I search his gaze for any hint that he’s lying, but all I see staring back at me is stone-cold truth.

  “Why would you do that? I’m nothing. I’m a nobody. You shouldn’t be risking your livelihood on me.”

  “No shit, Sherlock, but here we are, and I need our chemistry to stay strictly professional.” His gaze drops to my lips. “But, fuck me, I can’t concentrate on set when my traitorous cock wants to sink balls deep inside you. I want to strip you bare and kiss every inch of your sun-kissed skin. I want to silence your smart mouth with my tongue.”

  “J.J., I…”

  “I know you have a boyfriend. Whatever I’m feeling is one-sided. I’m achingly aware.” Running his hand through his tousled mess of hair, I can barely breathe.

  “I don’t have a boyfriend.” His eyes widen, his stare so intense it bores into my soul. “Not after you kissed me. I couldn’t. He didn’t make my pulse race with desire. He didn’t make me ac
he the way you…” My words are engulfed by his mouth crashing down on mine as he presses my back to the wall.

  “Tell me, no. Tell me to stop, and I will.”

  “I can’t.” The taut muscles of his chest are hard against my curves.

  “You hate me,” he bites out between kisses.

  “I want you.” I don’t recognize the fever pitch of my strangled confession.

  His hands fist in my hair, pulling me deeper into his kiss, the soft scent of his cologne rendering me defenseless to resist. This is different than our scripted attempts at intimacy. I’m ravenous for his touch as his hips grind into me, sending a delicious lick of yearning straight to my core.

  Lost in the moment, I grip the bottom of his shirt, pushing it up until he breaks free, tugging it over his head before discarding it on the floor. Bereft at the loss of his kiss, I pull him close, running a hand over his washboard abs—soft skin over hard muscle—a heady cocktail.

  He makes short work of the buttons on my shirt before pushing it off my shoulders and letting to drop to the floor.

  “God, you’re beautiful,” his lips find mine as his hands roam my naked flesh, palming my breasts over my bra. I want him. Our tongues twist and tangle in a frantic fuck, driving me wild. I reach for the button fly of his jeans, popping them with one sharp tug. Sliding my hand under the waistband of his boxer shorts, I follow his happy trail to the promised land. His cock is hard, every inch of him ready for me, and he’s huge. I need him to sate the throbbing ache between my thighs.

  “Jasper!” Exploring the length of him, I’m rewarded with a sexy-as-hell groan rumbling deep in his throat. He pushes his jeans and boxers down just enough for his cock to spring free and heavy in my hand.

  “Bro, it’s bad form to rock your cock while babysitting. Even I know that.” Jax! Shit. J.J. immediately yanks his jean up, visibly pained as he wrestles a raging hard-on into the stiff denim, all the while shielding me from Jax’s amused grin. I drop behind him, grabbing my shirt and handing him his.

  “Holy shit, Jax. I didn’t think you’d be back so soon,” J.J. manages through jagged breaths.

  “I can see that.”

  When I emerge with my bra no longer showing, Jax shoots me a knowing smile. “Hey, Mais. Nice to see you. Wasn’t expecting to see so much of you.”

  “I’m so sorry. The girls are sound asleep. I bumped into them earlier in town, and I just came over to help get them settled.” My cheeks are burning. I dare not chance a glance in J.J.’s direction. I’m mortified.

  “Calm down, girl. We’ve all been caught with our pants down. I’m the worst offender. Don’t sweat it.” I’m aware of J.J. slipping his shirt on in my peripheral vision. My pulse is racing, the adrenaline of moments ago still coursing through my veins with no possibility of release.

  “You’re here.” It suddenly dawns on me. “Does that mean A.B. had the baby?”

  “Sure does. Robert Clark Hale arrived weighing eight pounds three ounces.”

  I squeal, rushing into his arms in congratulation. “How’s A.B.?”

  “Mom and baby are doing great. Mad, on the other hand, looks like he’s been dragged a mile by a mustang.”

  “That’s great news,” J.J. chimes in. “I should go.”

  His eyes find mine, full of apology and frustration as he rakes his hand over the scruff on his jaw drawing attention to his kiss-swollen lips.

  “You can’t go yet. We need to toast the newest Hale. So, I saw your cock. It’s not the end of the world. I just really need Mais to wash her hands before I hand her a glass.” I want the floor to swallow me whole right now.

  “I’m going to go freshen up. I’ll be back in a minute. Double shot of tequila for me.” I disappear down the hall, but I can hear J.J. chastising Jax for poking fun at me.

  “Please, don’t make jokes. It was my fault, and I have a feeling she’s already regretting it.”

  “And what about you?”

  “I regret not locking the doors.” Jax’s familiar laugh echoes through the house.

  “I’m all for getting down and dirty, but Mais isn’t the kind of girl you dick around with. You hurt her, I hurt you. Got it?”

  “I know. I’ve been trying to keep my distance.” I stand by the door, open just a crack, just enough to eavesdrop.

  “Don’t muddy the waters of business and pleasure unless you’re sure it’s worth it.” I want to scream at Jax. I know he’s looking out for me, but I don’t think I can get through this movie if I don’t scratch this itch and get it out my system. It’s purely physical. We can fuck it out, move on, and make a great movie. I can’t be the reason J.J. loses everything.

  “Maybe it’s just a physical thing, but what if it’s not? What if I’m not sure what I’m feeling?”

  I close the door, unable to hear anything else over the whooshing in my ears. I flip the lock and slide to the floor. My heart is hammering so hard, I think it’s going to gallop straight out of my chest, his words hanging in the air around me.

  What if it’s not?

  Chapter Thirteen

  JASPER

  After an awkward-as-fuck conversation with Jax and raising a glass to the birth of Robert Hale, he asks if I can hang overnight, so he can go pick up his wife at the hospital and check on his own kid. Of course, it wouldn’t be Jax if he didn’t get a laugh at my expense.

  “Can I trust you two to stay clothed until tomorrow? Or at least take it to the guest room? I don’t want to explain why Ruby or Rae gouged their own eyes out at the sight of you two making the beast with two backs.”

  “Maybe I should just go.” Maisie’s cheeks are flushed as she chews on her bottom lip. The memory of the sweet taste of her tongue makes my cock twitch.

  Ironically, Jax comes to my aid. “Would you mind staying? They know you, it might be easier for them in the morning. I’ll be back first thing so y’all can get back to work.”

  “I can go.” I throw it out there, desperately hoping she asks me to stay. We need to talk. I have no idea what the hell is going on right now, and I need to figure out my shit if we’re going to continue to work together. I can’t have a repeat of today, and I don’t think I’ll be able to ravage her on camera after tonight. I’ve fucking shot myself in the foot.

  “No,” she blurts out.

  “Good. It’s settled. You’ll both stay. I’ll go and get Savannah, and y’all will take it to the bedroom if you’re going to resume your romp.” God, I want to punch Jax in the face. Grabbing his keys, he heads for the door. “And for God’s sake, lock the door.”

  The second he’s gone, the silence is deafening. All I want to do is forget about everything else for a couple of hours and lose myself in her, but from the look on her face, the moment has passed.

  “Want another shot?”

  “More than you know.” She slumps down onto the couch while I grab the bottle from the kitchen counter.

  “I don’t want to rack up more mistakes while on babysitting duty, so I’m only having one more. I’m going to go ahead and tell you to refuse me if I ask for another.” Her shy smile just about breaks my resolve.

  “Well, if you’re only having one, you need to do it properly. We need salt and lime.”

  “Do they have both of those things?”

  “Bless your heart.” She sashays over, the scent of her perfume light in the air around us. “You’re in Texas. It’s practically a prerequisite to have all the ingredients of a margarita on hand at any given moment. Lucky for you, that includes salting the rim and a twist of lime.” Rooting around in the refrigerator, she reappears with a devious grin and a couple of limes.

  Once she finds the salt, she gives me a generous pour of tequila. “Hold out your hand.” I do as she asks, but I’m not prepared for the heat of her tongue on the back of my hand. “You lick, shake…” she says, salting where she just assaulted my senses, “… drink, and suck.”

  My brain grinds to a halt.

  “Suck?”

  I watch as
she licks the back of her hand, douses it in salt, slings back her shot, and bites down on a wedge of lime, her eyes squeezed shut at the sour suck. Holy shit, she’s hot.

  “Now, you.” When I lick the salt from my hand, her gaze is locked on the spot where her tongue blazed a trail only moments ago.

  I down the shot before she holds out a wedge of lime for me to suck. Her fingertips graze my lips as I take a long, hard suck. The heat of her gaze sets me on edge.

  “Maybe we should talk about earlier. I think we should…”

  “Fuck it out?” A jolt of electricity sparks at her words.

  “I was going to say something completely different, but I like your suggestion better.” She’s on me in seconds, the taste of tequila fresh on her lips.

  “So take me to the bedroom, and let’s get it out of our system.” I’m going to hate myself for this in the morning.

  I pull back, adjusting my raging hard-on as I say the words my cock is begging me not to. “We can’t do this.”

  “You just said you like my idea.” Rubbing her hand down the length of my erection, a sly grin plays on her lips.

  “I do. I really fucking do. But…”

  “Hear me out.”

  “I can’t concentrate with your hand on my junk.” Taking a few steps back, she leans against the counter, pouring herself another shot. Holding the bottle to me in question, I decline. My head is spinning, not from the booze but from craving her beneath me.

  “You don’t like me, J.J. From the moment we met, you made it abundantly clear that I’m not your leading lady, but we both know our chemistry is off the charts. Maybe that’s normal, I don’t have experience of filming a love scene, but…” I cut her off mid-sentence.

  “It’s not normal. I’m sure you’ve seen one of the many sex scenes I’ve filmed in my career. Even with my ex, the ‘fake’ chemistry was never like this.” I gesture between us like a rambling idiot. “You’re right. I didn’t want you for the role, but I’m here, putting my money where my mouth is. You’re going to be a fucking star, Maisie, as much as I hate to admit it.”