by J Darcy
Not only would his groomer kill him, but her makeup artist, stylist, and the fashion house that was lending her the dress would happily contribute to his funeral costs. So, all he could do was gape and plan in his head the sixteen ways he planned to fuck her when they got back home.
“Fuck. You’re a tease, you know that?” He breathed out, staring into those big, green eyes. “Why would you say something like that to me right before I have to answer hundreds of questions from the press?”
Kellie batted her pretty eyelashes and shrugged. “You’re a tease too, Cade.” She explained, her hand gently tracing up his arm. “Do you have any idea how fucking hot you look in a tux?” She shook her head and let out a groan that had him shifting in his seat. “It’s like I can’t catch a break. You look good in jeans. You look good in superhero spandex. You look good naked. And then all these tuxes? It’s not fair. It should be illegal.”
Cade smirked and placed his hand over hers, stopping her movement. “Now you know my struggle every single day. Your dresses are so difficult to get off.”
“Then imagine wearing them.” She shot back, albeit her voice playful. With a groan, she shifted in her seat, kicking her legs out. “We’re not even there yet and my feet are killing me. Who decided that women needed to wear torture traps on their feet?”
He glanced at the strappy heels peaking out from underneath the billowing skirt of her gown. He had no idea how she managed to wear them. He also knew how much pain she was in after every award show. “I don’t know. It’s not fair.” With a smile, he nudged her gently. “But when we get home, I’ll rub your feet for you.”
“Only my feet?” She asked, her lips twisting into a seductive grin.
Cade grunted and rubbed at his eyes. “Honestly, woman. You’re going to kill me. I will gladly rub down every inch of your body if you ask nicely enough. I’ll just need your help taking the dress off.”
Kellie threw her head back, a delicious laugh escaping her lips. “Oh my gosh. That reminds me of after the Globes. You were like a fifteen-year-old trying to take off his first bra!” She keeled over, continuing to laugh, “It was so funny!”
Apparently, Cade had a much different memory of that night. He was glad Kellie found it funny, because it was borderline mortifying for him. No matter what he did, he couldn’t figure out how to take the dress off. Her entire back was filled with intricate laces and buttons and looked straight out of a period film. Despite his best efforts—and her coaching—she was stuck in the dress.
Since Kellie was worried about one wrong move causing a tear or irreparable damage, they had no choice but to call someone from the fashion house’s team simply to get her out of the dress. At nearly two am it was an embarrassing nightmare, especially since all he wanted to do was get her naked and have his way with her.
Instead, like an old married couple, once the ordeal was over, they both fell asleep atop the covers, entirely clothed and with a dog between them. Cade of course made up for the lost time by fucking her twice the following morning, but he wanted to celebrate their first night of going public with something a little more memorable.
Well, looking back, the dress fiasco had been memorable, but not in the way he desperately wanted. But, even the unfortunate experience, he still smiled at her words. “You need to stop picking such complicated dresses. Or, we start a trend and show up to the next award show in jeans. That’s personally my vote.”
Kellie looked at her feet and wiggled her toes. “I support that decision if it means I get to wear flats. Sneakers, preferably.”
Cade hummed in agreement. “Sneakers, jeans, sweatshirts. You name it. Raph comes. Imagine how much more fun these events would be if we were casual and had dogs as our dates.”
“And if they served cheeseburgers.” She added, her face growing wistful, “I can only eat so many jackfruit tacos and vegan hors d’oeuvres. I do have a limit.”
Before Cade got a chance to respond, the car stopped. One glance out of the tinted window showed the madness of the Dolby Theatre, with hundreds of press and guests wandering about. Their car was one in a long line of black SUVs, filled with other nominees and guests of the show. Fans stood in barricaded lines, hoping for a glimpse of their favorite celebrity along the red carpet. There were no words he could come up with to describe how extraordinary of a moment it was.
“Oh god.” Kellie mumbled, looking away from the window to meet Cade’s gaze. “This is it. We’re really here. This is really happening.”
He smiled softly and took her hand, offering another soft squeeze. “It is. You’re going to have fun, ok? The show will run long. You’ll have to answer the same questions from the press. You’ll see some friends and some people you don’t like. Eat some bad food. But these will be memories you have for the rest of your life.”
She swallowed and nodded. “What if I don’t win?” She flinched, before adding, “Oh god. What if I do win?”
Cade smiled and kissed her hand. “You’ll figure it out. You’re a natural.” When the door on his side opened, he gently nudged her leg. “And, when we finish tonight, I’ll make sure to get you a cheeseburger.”
Her laugh had his heart in his throat. She was perfect and she was his. He still didn’t think he deserved any of this—his career success, his happiness, Kellie—but he was going to damn well appreciate it.
“Ok. I love you.”
Cade smiled. Hearing her say that would never get old. “I love you too. Now, should we go? There’s a red carpet and a legion of fans just waiting for your arrival.”
Kellie gulped and nodded. “Yes. Let’s do this.”
He took her hand and helped her out of the car. Through polite waves and quick hellos, they navigated towards the elusive red carpet. As they walked down it, stopping to pose for pictures and answer questions from the press, Cade just knew there was no way his life could get any better.
What he told Kellie earlier was true. It didn’t matter if he won or lost the top award that night. With Kellie on his arm, by his side, just in his life, he was already the biggest winner of all.
Hopefully someone would add that to his Wikipedia page.
Upcoming Books by J. Darcy
STAY TUNED FOR THE THIRD PART OF THE HOLLYWOOD CHRONICLES:
The Golden Tease:
An Enemies-to-Lovers Millionaire/Nanny Romance
They were playing a dangerous game.
Hollywood director Dean Chambers is finally seeing his dreams come true. He’s one film into his superhero trilogy and months away from starting production on his passion project.
Until tragedy strikes. After his brother’s untimely death, Dean is now responsible for his young niece and has no choice but to seek out the help of an experienced nanny.
Ava Anders is no stranger to the Hollywood lifestyle. She’s nannied plenty of kids in the Hollywood Hills, and has experienced more celebrity cheating scandals, divorces, and paternity battles than any of the major tabloids. When her brother’s writing partner is in need of a live-in nanny, she’s happy to accept the job.
Except Ava didn’t know that said writing partner is the same guy she went on a horrible blind date with years ago. Her relationship with Dean is contentious at best, but she’s willing to put aside their differences for the sake of Luna, his niece.
But as Ava spends more time living and working with him, she finds herself drawn to the creative savant, and can’t help but want to mess with his head. It’s not hard either—with just a tweak of her hips and a set of sexy pajamas, Ava can do a lot of damage.
Dean quickly takes notice of her teasing behavior and can’t help but join in on the fun.
If there’s anything he’s learned in a competitive world like Hollywood, it’s that two can play at that game.
COMING JULY 2020
AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER NOW
Books In This Series
The Hollywood Chronicles
Follow the love stories that come out of the city of angels, from film
executives, to actors and directors, and everyone in between. The only thing hotter than the LA sun is the chemistry between these couples.
The Golden Rule: An Enemies-to-Lovers Office Romance Novella: The Hollywood Chronicles Book 1
He had one rule. She made him break it.
Brady Lane is overworked and overwhelmed. As a major executive at a film studio in Hollywood, managing movies from script to screen requires more hours than humanly possible. Thankfully for Brady, he loves his job, even if one woman has made that work difficult.
Elsie Watson is a passionate publicist with an eye for talent and a sassy mouth that is always ready to put Brady in his place. The two of them in the same room are like oil and water—they simply don’t mix. In fact, their constant bickering and rivalry over the course of six years has made Brady break his one golden rule:
Don’t fight with women.
With Elsie, it’s too easy.
As they prepare for a three-premiere press tour for their latest film, Brady finds their sexual tension too much to handle. When it boils over in the form of a furiously hot kiss, he knows he’s in trouble.
Suddenly, there’s a lot more that he wants to do than fight with Elsie.
The Golden Boy: An Enemies-to-Lovers Celebrity Romance: The Hollywood Chronicles Book 2
Cade Campbell was Hollywood’s newest golden boy. After landing a leading role in Hollywood’s biggest superhero franchise and with an Academy Award nomination almost certainly coming his way, he should have been flying high.
Instead, he was falling. Falling fast.
Cade wasn’t sure if it was the footage of him fighting with fans, or his rumored drinking problem, but the press didn’t seem to think he was all that great.
Neither did Kellie Allen, his three-time co-star. In fact, she seemed to hate Cade, even after the two of them spent one unforgettable night together.
But Cade isn’t convinced things are over between the two of them. Especially when they’re set to star in another movie together. Kellie’s hatred of him burned bright, but it was nothing compared to their passion.
He’d just have to prove it to her.
The Golden Tease: An Enemies-to-Lovers Millionaire/Nanny Romance: The Hollywood Chronicles Book 3
COMING JULY 2020
Hollywood director Dean Chambers is finally seeing his dreams come true. He’s one film into his superhero trilogy and months away from starting production on his passion project.
Until tragedy strikes. After his brother’s untimely death, Dean is now responsible for his young niece and has no choice but to seek out the help of an experienced nanny.
Ava Anders is no stranger to the Hollywood lifestyle. She’s nannied plenty of kids in the Hollywood Hills, and has experienced more celebrity cheating scandals, divorces, and paternity battles than any of the major tabloids. When her brother’s writing partner is in need of a live-in nanny, she’s happy to accept the job.
Except Ava didn’t know that said writing partner is the same guy she went on a horrible blind date with years ago. Her relationship with Dean is contentious at best, but she’s willing to put aside their differences for the sake of Luna, his niece.
But as Ava spends more time living and working with him, she finds herself drawn to the creative savant, and can’t help but want to mess with his head. It’s not hard either—with just a tweak of her hips and a set of sexy pajamas, Ava can do a lot of damage.
Dean quickly takes notice of her teasing behavior and can’t help but join in on the fun.
If there’s anything he’s learned in a competitive world like Hollywood, it’s that two can play at that game.
About The Author
J. Darcy
Writing has always been a passion for J and she finally decided to make the jump and try her hand at novel-writing. She's extremely excited to share her love with other romance-lovers out there.
To contact J, email [email protected].
Visit her website at jdarcybooks.com.