His to Protect: A Second Chance Billionaire & Virgin Romance

by Vivien Vale

  “Hellooo,” someone purrs, and I look up.

  Emma’s face is now inches away from mine. She smiles brightly. Briefly I notice her tight, low-cut V-neck T-shirt. It reveals a little more than it should, and that’s because she’s bending over me.

  If I wanted to, I could catch a good look at her perky breasts. But I don’t want to.

  Which is fucking weird.

  Instead I try and look past the second grade actress.

  Not to be rude, I reply with a short “hi.”

  Not to be deterred, Emma continues to lean toward me, almost shoving her boobs into my face. I shift in my seat and then move my chair over to the left just a little, enough to get Emma and her breasts out of my face.

  She gets the hint and straightens up. Her arms cross in front of her body.

  “Who knew you’d be such a prude. I thought you were a bad boy, Todd?”

  I ignore her. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in life, that is to never take the bait if you don’t want the challenge. I don’t want the challenge. I want to sit here and enjoy feasting on my sweet little Sophie.

  “I don’t think we have been formally introduced,” Emma leans toward me again. “I’m Emma.”

  I shoot her a sideways glance.

  Is she kidding? We’ve been in a couple of scenes together. And who gives a fuck about formal introductions.

  “I hear you’ve got quite a reputation for…you know,” she purrs into my ear and leaves the last few words hanging. “I’ve heard you’re always up for a game.”

  There’s too much red lipstick for my liking around her pouting lips. She’s licking them and at the same time puts one hand on my thigh and the other on my shoulder.

  I push her hands off me and make to stand. Whatever game she’s playing, I don’t want to be part of it.

  “I’ve long stopped playing games, Emma,” I say with my most icy voice. “Now if you’ll excuse me.” I start to walk past her.

  To my surprise, Emma stands in my way, and she follows my gaze before raising her eyebrows.

  “Really? You’ve got to be kidding. Her?”

  With each word her tone rises a little, like someone playing the piano scales.

  “I thought a man of your caliber would have better taste than to fall for trailer trash.”

  It’s as if someone’s punched me in the gut. What did this bitch just call Sophie?

  “I mean, look at her,” Emma drones on. “There’s nothing sexy or particularly interesting about her.” She pirouettes in front of me. “If you take me, on the other hand, I’m the complete package.”

  “I beg to differ,” I say through clenched teeth. “Sophie is far better than you, and on so many levels.”

  To make sure I don’t stoop to anything below my best behavior, I walk off the set altogether.

  Steam is coming from my ears, and I feel the need to hit someone, or something. Perhaps I should get myself one of those punching bags in the trailer. Putting might be too tame a past time. Mental note to self, get Jordan to buy me a punching bag.

  Walking to my trailer, I mull over what Emma said—about Sophie being trailer trash and nothing compared to her.

  Images of Sophie’s naked body flash through my mind. Perky nipples, firm breasts, and delicious round ass cheeks are difficult to ignore. I turn back briefly to catch one last glimpse of the girl of my dreams before I exit and find my trailer.

  I flop into my super soft lounge chair under the awning of my trailer. It’s a beautiful day, and I don’t want to be cooped up inside.

  Jordan is there, working away on his laptop. What does that guy do all the time?

  “What’s up, man?” Jordan gives me one of his all-knowing looks.

  “That Emma chick just hit on me,” I say and lean back against the cushion.

  “And that’s a problem because?” Jordan shuts his laptop and goes to get me my espresso.

  “Have you looked at her?”

  Jordan laughs. “Yeah. I thought she’d be your type for sure. What’s not to like about her? She’s a socialite, and she’s probably up for something noncommittal during this film.”

  I pout. I can’t believe what I’m hearing. I thought Jordan knew me.

  “You’ve got be kidding? I mean, have you really looked at her? Those blood-red lips.” I cringe at the thought of them. “Makes me think of a vampire every time I look at them.”

  Jordan shakes his head and disappears into the trailer. A few minutes later, he comes back with my caffeine hit.

  Grateful, I take it and have a sip. I instantly feel better.

  “And compared to Sophie, she’s a slut.”

  Jordan sits back at the table with his laptop. He stares at me.

  “Sophie? You and Sophie? Really?”

  Even if he does not mean to, I’m insulted.

  “What do you mean with really?”

  “Well,” Jordan says as he shrugs, “she’s not the sort of girl you’ve been going for. Emma is more your type.”

  “Bullshit,” I protest. I can’t believe what I’m hearing. How can my best friend be so wrong about me?

  “Mr. Alexander.” A young man with a clipboard is coming toward my trailer. He looks a little frightened.

  “That’s me,” I say in the most friendly tone I can muster.

  “You are required on set, Mr. Alexander.”

  The words are music to my ears. I stand and follow the intern and ignore the last comment from Jordan.

  It really isn’t worthy of a response anyway.

  18

  Sophie

  My deep breathing technique is letting me down. It’s meant to make sure I stay calm, but it’s having no effect whatsoever. I’m sure if someone was to take my blood pressure right now, it’d be two hundred over a hundred and fifty.

  “Let’s do it again,” yells Mason, and I try hard not to glare at Emma.

  For some reason, only known to the woman herself, she’s deliberately stuffing up the scene. What should be a quick and easy take has turned into twenty-four unsuccessful ones.

  I take my hat off to Todd who’s still smiling after all the time that has been wasted because of Emma’s bad acting.

  “It’s time to…” Emma hesitates and stops midsentence.

  “Cut,” Mason calls and I sigh. “Take five.”

  With my patience growing thin, I grab Emma by the arm and pull her away from Todd and the cameraman.

  “What’s going on, Emma?” I don’t even try to hide my annoyance. “You’re deliberately sabotaging this scene. What is the problem?”

  In my mind I’m replaying the last few days of shooting to pinpoint what might be troubling the young actress, but nothing comes to mind. I’m sure I haven’t said anything to offend or upset her.

  I shoot a quick glance in Todd’s direction.

  Has he said something to her? It seems unlikely. Perhaps I should check with him.

  Emma pouts. She flips her hair back and thrusts her chest out. Why I would want to catch an eyeful of her boobs is beyond me, but I say nothing.

  “It’s not my fault the director is not focused on the job.”

  My lower jaw drops. Did she just say it was my fault?

  “Pardon?”

  Maybe I misheard the woman.

  “You heard me. You wanna be a superstar. If there was a real director on this movie, it wouldn’t take twenty something takes on a simple little scene.”

  The little witch.

  “Listen here, Emma.” My voice is ice cold. “You’re the one who has been getting the scene wrong. You seem to be unable to remember the handful of words you have to say in this scene. What do you mean that if the director was better this would not happen?”

  Emma purses her lips further.

  “You heard me, Sophie. If you didn’t insist on playing the starring role and directing, this film would be a lot better. Have you never heard the saying ‘don’t bite off more than you can chew?’”

  A little bit of spit hits th
e side of my cheek.

  It takes every ounce of self-control not to do something I might regret later.

  “I can’t work like this,” announces Emma and walks out of the studio.

  Someone touches me on the shoulder. I spin around. Todd is right behind me.

  “You know she’s wrong.”

  I peer closely at him. All my confidence has vanished.

  Words are so powerful. They can caress, they can declare love, and they can destroy a person. Emma’s words have left a bitter aftertaste in my mouth.

  “Sophie.” Todd lifts my head and looks me direct in the eyes. “Repeat after me. Emma is wrong. I’m a great director and actress.”

  Despite my low mood, my lips curl into a smile.

  “I can’t believe she just walked out.” I shake my head. “This means a day totally wasted. And we’re not going to be able to finish the scene today.”

  Todd leans toward me and murmurs something in my ear.

  I slap the back of his shoulder lightly.

  “I’m serious, Todd. It’s a total waste of a day.”

  “Come on.” Todd takes my hand. “Let’s have a little break. We’re all getting a bit tired.”

  I shake my head. It’s nice of Todd to stand up for me and try and cheer me up, but I’ve got to talk to Emma.

  “I better go and talk to her and see what’s really eating her.”

  Easier said than done—Emma is not keen to speak to me. At first, she won’t even open the trailer for me to come in.

  “Look, Emma,” I start and search for the right words.

  “I don’t know why you’re here,” Emma cuts me off. “I told you. You shouldn’t be playing the lead role and directing. You’re not as great an actress as you think you are, and don’t get me started on your ability as director.”

  Where has this evil beast come from? Did Emma have a twin sister and they switched places to play a trick on their work colleagues? If so, at what point in time will someone say fooled you?

  “I’m not sure my ability as director has anything to do with your inability to play your minor scene correctly today.”

  Emma has her hands on her hips and glares at me.

  “If this film had a proper director, my acting would be a lot better. I would shine.”

  Anger is taking hold of me. How dare this little bitch insult me and blame me for her shortcomings.

  Her acting wasn’t fantastic before she took this role. Some of her critics even went as far as saying she couldn’t act, and she only got parts where she could sleep with the producer or director.

  “Perhaps you need some time to go over your lines,” I say and leave the trailer. There’s nothing more to say to her. And I really don’t want to hear how useless I am again.

  Alice and Eric find me.

  I’m close to tears, and Alice notices it. She hugs and wraps her arms around me.

  She’s good that way. Reassure first then ask questions next.

  “What happened?”

  I wipe my eyes with the back of my hand. I know I’m overreacting.

  “I just went to talk to Emma, and she keeps telling me I shouldn’t be in the lead role and directing the film. In fact, she says I shouldn’t do either roles.”

  Eric laughs.

  “And on what does she base this?”

  I shrug. I don’t want to share my theory of evil twin sister.

  “Don’t worry, Sophie.” Alice hugs me again.

  “I’ll go and have a talk with her,” Eric says. “Let’s call it a day. We could all do with a bit of a rest day.”

  I watch them leave arm in arm and feel a sudden wave of sadness.

  “So…will you hang with me now?”

  I turn to see Todd behind me.

  19

  Todd

  My fingers play with the back of Sophie’s hair. I love curling strands of her hair around them and watch it run over my skin before it falls onto her swanlike neck.

  She sighs, and I watch her chest rise and fall. I lean forward and kiss her gently on her naked shoulder.

  Lucky for me, Sophie really wanted to…ahem, hang out. And here we are now, lying naked on my trailer’s bed. But there’s an expression of concern on her face, one I don’t like.

  “Something troubling you?” I’m amazed at my own question. Not that long ago, I would never have asked a chick if something was troubling her.

  In fact, I doubt I’d even think to ask.

  Sophie rolls onto her back and looks at me with sad eyes, maybe they’re thoughtful, but they certainly aren’t sparkling with happiness.

  At first she just shrugs. Words seem to elude her.

  “Oh, you know,” she mutters and grabs the white sheet scrunched around her feet to pull it toward her.

  Any other time I would have stopped her or said something funny, but not this time. I sense her tension.

  “The way Emma spoke and what she said has rattled me,” she confesses and plays with the sheets.

  I furrow my brow. What does she mean? How could anything that low-level actress says affect her? She’s a Palmer, and the Palmers are godlike in the movie industry… surely Sophie knows this.

  “Really?” I know it’s not much, but right now I can’t think of what else to say. “How can you pay any attention to her?” I try and stress the word her as much as I can.

  Another shrug from Sophie.

  “What if she has a point?” Now she’s gnawing on her bottom lip. “I mean, what if I really have chewed off more than I can chew, and what if I am no good at directing and acting in the movie at the same time?”

  I’m sure my frown deepens.

  “Sophie Palmer, earth to Sophie Palmer.” I gently shake her by the shoulders. “Are you listening to yourself?”

  Sophie avoids my gaze. “Stop it,” she mumbles.

  “Sophie, Sophie, Sophie,” I murmur into her hair. “I don’t know what to do. I should spank you.”

  “Stop it.” Sophie’s face is stern. “I’m not joking, Todd. What if she’s right?”

  “What if, what if? What if a meteorite plummets out of the sky and lands on our apartment? Or what if I get run over by a bus on my way to work tomorrow or, here is a novel thought, what if your movie cleans up at the Oscars?”

  Sophie rolls her eyes, and I can’t help but take her into my arms and smother her in kisses.

  I wish I could do more. But how do you tell someone they are brilliant? And why is it she’s more inclined to believe that Emma girl over me? Human nature, I suppose…we always latch onto negative comments and ignore positive ones.

  Her hand reaches for her pendant. I smile.

  “Come on, Sophie, you seriously can’t believe a word that comes out of that shallow bimbo?”

  Before Sophie can reply, my own phone buzzes. I reach over her and pick it up. Jordan has sent a message. What does he want?

  I open it and click on the “must read” link.

  Sophie rolls onto her front and rests her head in her hands, elbows on the pillow.

  I roll into the same position and put the phone down. As soon as I do, the swirling color wheel changes to an image of none other than Emma.

  “I can’t believe I agreed to work on this second-rate film.” Her red lips tell the world as a reporter holds a microphone in front of her face.

  I want to click out of the interview, but Sophie stops me.

  “I knew it was an indie film,” Emma continues and stares into the camera with rather large eyes. “But we all know some of those can be really quite good. Not this one. It has Sophie Palmer direct and star the main role. I mean, how can you do both those things well? I mean really?”

  Her eyes roll around her head and look as if they’re at risk of popping out. Has she smoked or taken something? To his credit, the reporter doesn’t say anything, and I wonder if his plan is to let Emma make a fool of herself without any help from anyone else.

  “Everyone goes on and on about how she’s a Palmer,” Emma continues
, “as if that means anything. I can assure you she’s no good at either of her jobs. If you ask me, she should be back at acting school.”

  “Let’s turn it off,” I plead, knowing Sophie’s close to tears. Thankfully, before she can say anything else, it’s over.

  I glare at my mobile as if it’s faulty. Why would the bitch do such a thing?

  Deep within me, something stirs. I can’t quite put my finger on it. Why oh why?

  And then it dawns on me. She’s paying Sophie back because I rejected her. Shit, is my ego so big I’m actually believing this? No, I’m sure I’m right.

  I pull Sophie toward me and kiss her—slow, gentle, and with as much love as I can put into it.

  “She’s wrong. Trust me. Actors should be professional, and even if she doesn’t like you, she should stay professional. You’d never badmouth her like that. I know.”

  Her lips curl up ever so slightly.

  This time I kiss the tip of her nose.

  “Do you want to come to dinner at my parents’ house?”

  The question blows me away. Sophie Palmer is inviting me, Todd Alexander, to have dinner with her…at her parents’ house? Her parents are both legends.

  “If you don’t want to, I understand.”

  “Are you kidding?” I hop out of bed and grab some clothes. “What are we waiting for? Let’s go.”

  She laughs, and a little of her spark returns.

  “I better have a shower first and find some clothes.” She skips past me, and I grab her.

  “I don’t know,” I tease her. “You look just fine to me.”

  She pulls back and pouts.

  “Only fine?”

  I slap her on the ass and grin. “You know I worship the ground you walk on, Ms. Palmer.”

  20

  Sophie

  My right hand flips down the visor in the car, and I examine myself critically in the little mirror.

  “You look fine, babe.” Todd’s hand rests on my thigh, his fingers caressing my naked flesh.

  I push desire aside and roll my eyes.