He chuckles and I stand frozen, watching his lips, my fantasies of kissing him very close to the surface. He does kiss me, but it’s on the forehead, my hands creeping toward his stomach to clutch at his shirt.
What the hell was I thinking shouting all that out in the street? There’s nothing I want more than him to claim me. In public or in private, it doesn’t really matter. No woman gets this close to her childhood idol without wishing her daydreams would come true.
With a swipe of his finger across my chin, Cole jerks me back to reality and kisses my forehead again. “Come on. I can’t be in a quiet bedroom with you and be unaffected, even if that is the lumpiest bed in the world.”
We laugh and the previous easiness between us is restored. I pick up my bag and he takes my suitcase. He bangs the door behind us when we leave and pulls out his phone when it beeps. “Ahh. Patty sent the room details. All we need to do is pick up your key at the desk. She’s done the rest.”
“I don’t think I thanked you for this.”
I follow him down the stairs. “No thanks needed. Like I said, it’s a business decision. I can’t have our star upsetting the makeup team because she couldn’t sleep in a lumpy bed.”
I laugh at his back as he leads the way toward a waiting taxi. “Don’t you dare tell her we were out so late. It’s nearly one o’clock. I’ll never hear the end of it since I ignored her the very first night.”
“Rubbish. That’s what makeup is for. They’ll cover every blemish, and no one will know. Trust me.”
He sits with me in the back of the cab and promptly takes my hand and rests it on his thigh. Our fingers twist together, and he gives them a little squeeze. My eyes are transfixed, my mouth watering at the idea this night might not be over. But I keep repeating my list item to myself.
Stay clear of Hollywood relationships.
Stay clear of Hollywood relationships.
Stay clear of Hollywood relationships.
The mantra means nothing when we glide into a vast driveway and Cole pulls me along with him, taking charge and handling everything. He retrieves my bag, we claim my key and before I know it, I’m gazing out a sparkling window, the lights of the Strip twinkling as far as I can see.
“This is amazing.” My voice is breathy, which squeezes a giggle from my lips. Cole called me a starlet earlier, and I’m living up to that title without meaning to.
I take a deep breath to settle my nerves and turn around, searching the room for the man who has occupied my every thought since he invited me to dinner. He leans against the wall a few feet from me, watching me in the dimly lit room. I smile and take a step toward him, but I stop, not sure what happens next.
Not even sure what I want to happen.
His eyes hold a challenge, telling me one of us has a definite plan. Now I need to decide if we’re on the same page. Do I ignore the straightforward path I’ve laid out for myself? The one that got me here—all the way from childhood dreams, to starring opposite an Academy Award winning actor.
Do I want to sleep with that same actor? Do I want to add complications I haven’t planned for and don’t know how to navigate? Or should I put a stop to this now? Thank him for the room, remind him we’re professional colleagues, and push him out into the hallway. Yes, that’s what I should do.
I can’t shake the feeling that specific events brought us to this spot, though. The courier job that took me right to his door, when days later I was due to star in his movie. Dinner with his friends, who were so loved up that they couldn’t be ignored. Stopping in a doorway to a dance club—a place we both immediately embraced, our bodies fitting together like we’d spent hours practicing.
Is all of this a coincidence? My twisting insides say it’s not.
They shout for me to ignore all my carefully laid out plans, the list I’ve held close to my heart, and any reservations I might have.
Who am I kidding? There’s no insides dictating my actions.
I want this. I want Cole Grant.
Maybe it’s because there’s been a man-drought of epic proportions in my world. Maybe it’s because he’s every woman’s dream, or because I’ve had his posters secreted in my diary from the time I decided to move to LA. Maybe it’s none of those things, but the direct result of spending time with him and discovering we have quite a bit in common.
Or his declaration that he’s not pretending.
Whatever it is, I have no chance against that stare. There’s magic in the air, just like I felt on the set today. Magic I want to grab with both hands and capture for myself.
Instead of falling into his arms, which I can see he expects as he watches me, I quietly walk past him to the soft light spilling from the bathroom. I peer inside, nod my head, and turn back to see he’s tilted himself to watch me. My teeth find the edge of my lip and I acknowledge this is the tipping point. The moment when I send him on his way or invite him to take the next step with me.
“Patty got me a room with a spa bath,” I murmur.
His eyebrows lift and a slow grin creeps across his features. “And it’s…”
A question hangs in the air and I nod, convinced this is the sign I need. The sign that he just might be for me after all. “It’s big enough for two,” I whisper.
If I thought he’d back off and be sensible enough for both of us, I was wrong. Instead, he’s standing in front of me in the blink of an eye. I can feel his breath on my nose and when I look up, he rewards me with a lazy smile and contradictory words. “I’m telling myself this is a bad idea. So why do I want to stay?”
“Because sometimes bad ideas are the most fun?” I mentally kick myself when my tone raises at the end of my sentence. If we’re going to do this, I want him to know that I’m one hundred percent confident in my choice. “It’s been a long time since I gave in to a bad idea.” I’m relieved my voice comes out sounding normal.
“Me too.” Two short words filled with the meaning I want to hear.
Cole’s hands are on me in the next breath. They twist in my hair as he stares at me, his gaze flicking to my mouth and back to stare into my eyes. “Are you sure about this?”
I nod and inch closer, the smell of his aftershave registering for the first time. It’s faint and spicy and it makes me want to move my face to his neck so I can breathe him in. I close my eyes and do just that, while his arms wrap around me and pull me tightly into his chest. A sigh escapes me and that shouty voice is back inside my head, telling me to keep cool. Not to ruin this before it’s even begun.
He kisses my hair then pulls back and takes my hand. “How about we get some water in that tub that’s made for two?”
“Okay.” My voice is croaky, and I quickly move away, turning my back to him to hide my feelings and to get the bath started. He leans against my back and puts his arms around me, holding up a small bottle of bubble bath which I bend forward to pour under the flow of water. There’s a groan behind me and suddenly he’s spinning me around, his lips on mine for the first time, his hands lifting me to deposit me on the bathroom counter. My legs snake around his and we grind together, like a couple of horny teenagers.
I’m smiling when we pull apart and I drag his shirt over his head. No teenage dream I ever had looked like the magnificence that is this man. My fingertips explore his chest while his hands work on my buttons. When my shirt flies across the room I laugh, and Cole settles his face between my breasts. I squeal when he leans me back, the cold mirror pressing against my bare skin. He smiles and pushes my legs together, sliding my pants over my hips and dragging them off my feet, along with my shoes.
He’s rushing now, tearing off his own clothes as I laugh and watch him hurling things through the bathroom door. Laughing with him is sexy and I’m ready and willing when he settles himself between my thighs. I slide my bottom forward, fingers clinging to his shoulders and we kiss as he guides himself inside with a growl. I exhale, enjoying every moment as the bath water roars a few feet from us. The small room fills with steam and I breathe it in as we mo
ve together. Excitement churns through my veins, my breathing shallow, little moans escaping every few seconds. Cole leans back and slides his hand between us, his movements pressing his fingers in all the right places. The delicious friction escalates until I clench around him and he says, “Oh fuck.” My eyes squeeze shut as my release bubbles to the surface and I explode, holding him tight. He thrusts deep and pulls me close, moaning in my ear when his own release hits.
We stay that way for another minute, both of us breathing heavily. I don’t want him to move. I want him to stay right where he is for as long as possible, while I enjoy the moment and replay it in my head.
I can’t believe I just had hot and heavy sex with Cole Grant.
I want to do it again.
Chapter Eleven - Cole
The bath water is hot, almost too hot, but I ignore it as Melody sinks down to join me, her back against my chest, her long legs stretched out. I run my hands across her belly and up over her breasts, swishing the bubbles so they pile on her chest. She sighs and lets her head drop against my shoulder and it’s the most natural thing in the world.
If I wasn’t an actor, I’d be comparing our time together to some kind of romantic movie. Too bad I know all the hard work that gets those dreamy scenes on the screen, so I really can’t relate. Her satisfied smile makes me think she’s having her own romantic visions. There’s ten years between us; she definitely could be having dreamy ideas about where we go from here. That thought doesn’t freak me out as much as it should.
She picks up the soap and I hold out my hand to take it. When she drops it into my palm, I waste no time sliding it over her breasts, the slippery sensation coaxing her nipples to hardness under my attentive fingers. I’m hard again, too, which I find fascinating. I just had an amazing release and it seems I could go again. I haven’t wanted that with anyone in forever.
“It’s so weird that I don’t feel awkward with you.” She has her eyes closed; her hand draped loosely over mine as it glides across her skin. “This was not in my plan at all.”
“Your plan?” She had a plan? “Tell me I didn’t just fall into your siren trap, all the while thinking I was leading the show.” If she tells me she set her sights on me, I won’t even be annoyed. Right now, I just feel lucky.
“Not a plan with you. If anything, my plan says no taking my clothes off in a hotel room with Cole Grant.” She laughs and makes herself more comfortable, the water lapping at our shoulders and threatening to overflow. “I meant my success plan.”
I continue washing her and plant a kiss on her hair. “Tell me about the plan.”
There’s a pause and for a moment I think she won’t answer, but then she explains. “It’s a ten step plan I wrote out when I was seventeen. My own idea of how to achieve world domination.”
“What are the steps? Which one are you up to?”
“They’re silly.”
“Come on, you have to tell me now you’ve teased me.” I sit her up and start on her back. I put pressure between her shoulder blades, digging my fingers in and massaging with soapy hands. She groans and tips her head forward. “Tell me,” I cajole. “You don’t want me to stop do you?”
“Oh, don’t stop, please. That feels so good.” I spoil her for another few seconds and then she slides back into the water and leans against me. “I’ll need some of that on my front while I tell you,” she says, a cheeky grin on her face.
Who am I to argue with a lady? I do exactly what she asks, my cock jumping as my hands cup her breasts again.
“So, my plan was an easy ten steps. They’re nothing amazing.”
“What’s number one?”
“Get an agent. I managed to do that my first month. I’d sent a few emails to set up appointments before I arrived. Easy.”
I laugh. Only she would say finding an agent was easy.
“Number Two?”
“Two was to attend at least two auditions a week. Of course, I wrote the plan before I realised sometimes there’d be six or eight auditions in one week. That was a big surprise.”
“I remember those early auditions. I was terrified, but confident.”
“Right back at ya. I perfected my acting at home around my family. I was pretty sure I could convince a director or casting agent I have what it takes.”
“You don’t get along with your family?”
“Nope. I don’t speak to them.”
“What happened?”
She sighs before she answers, and it’s a sound weighed down with emotion. “It’s a long and sad story. I don’t think I ever forgave them for denying me my chance to try out for the Disney Channel. They came to our town to do auditions and my parents locked me in my room and forbade me to go.”
“That seems a bit harsh. How old were you?”
“Twelve. It was all I wanted. When I heard they were coming I was so excited, but I quickly found out I wouldn’t get my chance. After that I knew I’d leave one day and make my own luck.”
“What’s on the rest of the list?”
Melody easily shares with me now, her earlier hesitation tucked away. She holds up a hand and ticks the items off on her fingers. “Keep the press onside at all times. Insist on my own set conditions when I get a contract. Number five is stay clear of Hollywood relationships—that’s your one.” We laugh and she continues, “Never let the press get a bad photo. Don’t ever be drunk in public—so far, so good. Stay true to myself, otherwise subtitled don’t be a diva, and don’t agree to nudity I don’t want to do. Number nine is absolutely no babies, and ten is remember to take chances.”
“You’ll have to explain the baby thing to me one day, but maybe I qualify for number ten, too? If any phrase describes the two of us getting involved, it’s taking chances.”
“True. When you asked me to dinner, I referred to the list before I said yes.”
I snicker, thinking back to her face when I invited her out. “You did look like you were seriously weighing your options. Where does delivering invitations to hotel rooms come on the list?”
“I wondered when you’d bring that up. I deliver things to make money between jobs. It’s more flexible than a job waiting tables. For the record, I nearly died when you opened the door. I was sure you’d recognise me.”
“I feel a bit stupid knowing I didn’t. You seemed familiar but you kept your face hidden and I really had no idea.”
“Well, now you know. I’m a part time courier and every decision I make has to go past the list.”
“It’s a list of only nine items now, which doesn’t have the same ring to it. Number five is blown out of the bath water.” I flap my hand in the water to make my point. “You’ll need something new.”
“I had an eleventh possibility. I want to go to an amazing industry event. Any one of them. An awards night. Maybe a party. I wouldn’t even knock back an invite to an art gallery event, or a movie premiere.”
I laugh and wrap both arms around her, squeezing her tight. “You’re going to have to tick that one off, too, I’m afraid. I have two invites to the Fourth of July Gala next week and I’d love you to go with me.”
“You’re joking.” She jerks upright, twisting around to look at me.
“I’m not. It would be a shame not to continue with my record of knocking things off your list.”
“I might just have to keep you around, Cole Grant.” She chuckles, then settles back, her foot resting on the cold tap. “I haven’t even told you about my bucket list.”
Chapter Twelve - Melody/Cole
Melody
“Cut!” Greg calls out the familiar words and suddenly there’s movement and quiet murmuring around the set. Cole lifts his head from my naked breast and pulls the sheet up to cover me.
“Are you okay?” He asks, concern filling his heated gaze.
I nod, resisting the urge to nudge the hardness pressed against my thigh. I’m sure he doesn’t want the whole crew to know what he’s hiding down there.
The makeup team rush forwa
rd, one of them touching up my chin where Cole’s stubble grazed it, the other pulling at my hair and fluffing the side. Greg steps forward and places a hand on my bare shoulder and I feel Cole bristle beside me. I want to laugh. Less than twenty four hours and he’s getting all protective.
“Melody,” Greg gushes. “That was excellent. You’re a natural. And Cole.” He turns his head and Cole raises an eyebrow. “I think this could be some of your best work. You two are great together. The chemistry on the screen is amazing. Amazing. Wait until you see.”
Cole glances at me and I'm expecting a smile, or at the very least a smirk, but his face is neutral. I was right. He doesn’t want anyone to know about our little dalliance. I’m mildly disappointed, but not surprised. We arrived separately this morning, even though he spent the night in my bed. I don't particularly care if anyone knows about us, my only concern was whether we’d be awkward today. And we’ve been anything but, especially since we agreed over breakfast to spend tonight together, too.
Somehow, all my worries over being so exposed on set evaporated once we got started. I feel safe with Cole and he’s shown nothing but care for me, especially when he covers me up every time the cameras stop rolling.
All I’ve had to do is lie back and pretend the cameras, and the twenty people standing around, aren’t there. The scenes have been easy. I didn’t even laugh when he whispered between takes that he’d considered getting up early this morning and lobbying for the sex scenes to be cancelled. I saw Greg glance at him, though, so I’m going to guess one of the microphones picked up his words.
Whatever plans Cole had to keep this quiet, flew out the window with that confession and our performance this morning. Anyone seeing the way we moved together would swear it was real, and I channelled every bit of excitement at being naked with him that I could.
That same excitement blooms inside me whenever I think of him moving against a very naked me for the last hour. It was breathtaking, and I could have been talked into doing it for real regardless of who was watching.
The Billionaire's Spark: Secret Billionaire’s Club Book Five Page 5