Role of a Lifetime: Out of Hollywood Romance

by Cora Davies

  "Ouch!" The door swung back towards Hailey and she jumped out of the way as Eric stepped through the doorway holding his arm.

  "I'm sorry! I didn't know anyone was in there," Hailey said. She felt her face warm at the sight of him. Her mind quickly flashed over the last time she was alone with him on the couch a few hours ago. Then it landed on being alone with him in the kitchen this afternoon. She felt a little weak in the knees. Eric smiled at her. It was a kind and quiet type of smile. She began to think he was a better distraction than hiding in her room with her music turned all the way up. Well, maybe still in her room...

  "You keep turning a brighter shade of pink," Eric said turning his head slightly to the side.

  "Oh, my god." Hailey pushed by Eric into the kitchen. "I'm just hungry, it's been a long day."

  She came to a stop as she entered the kitchen. The square dining table where Eric had set her earlier that day was covered in plates of small sandwiches, chopped fruits, and vegetables. "I hope you don't mind. I got hungry and figured since I was making dirty dishes I might as well make enough for you guys too."

  "You did this? I didn't even think you'd know how to butter a piece of toast, let alone make a spread like this," Hailey said in awe as she walked to the table. Everything looked perfect.

  "Oh, come on now. Even I can rinse off strawberries and toss meat between two slices of bread," Eric said suddenly behind her moving her hair off her shoulder. He kissed the bare skin of her neck and she warmed where his mouth had been. "Now eat."

  Hailey fixed a plate with a couple of sandwiches and a lot of fruit. After a self-conscious thought about her breath after eating vegetables and salad dressing, she decided to skip the vegetable tray. She could not make herself meet Eric's gaze. Everything had been topsy-turvy since he arrived, but after having his hands on her today, she was more confused than ever. She did not do confused. She did straightforward.

  "Eric, what do you want here? I mean... I know you want the movie rights, but..." Hailey forced herself to make eye contact with him. "What are you doing with me specifically? If you think this is a way to the book, you're wrong. My business mind and my pleasure mind are kept locked in two entirely different safes."

  The door to the kitchen opened and one of the security men walked in. Part of Hailey wanted to drag Eric outside and make him answer her. Part of her felt glad they had been interrupted.

  "Hey, Cooper," Eric said. "Have some dinner man."

  "Thanks, Mr. James," Cooper said grabbing a plate and a pile of sandwiches from the table.

  Hailey felt bad she had not learned the man's name yet. These men were here to help her and she could not even keep their names straight. She looked at Eric and realized he was staring at her. His gaze almost boring through her. There was something in Eric's look. Irritation? She was sure that was what it was. Shouldn't he be better at masking his emotions?

  Cooper pushed the door open and walked out of the kitchen. Eric grabbed the plate from Hailey's hand and set it on the counter.

  "If anything, being attracted to you should scare me." Eric touched her cheek. "It should make me think I'm blowing my chances at getting the rights on this book. But I can't help it. I can't stop touching you."

  Hailey's mouth was full and she was happy now she had not grabbed a handful of broccoli and carrots and instead went for a sweet handful of fruit. She was chewing furiously. She wanted to ask him again what he thought he was doing. She swallowed most of what was in her mouth then asked around the rest of the piece of fruit. "Then tell me, why do you keep kissing me?"

  Eric looked taken by surprise. She did not understand why he would be surprised. She just asked him the question a moment ago. He let go of her arm and ran his hands through his hair. "You're kidding me right?"

  Hailey looked at him wide eyed and shook her head. She finished swallowing the rest of the food. "No, I'm not kidding. I know why I'm attracted to you. It's embarrassing but it's natural. I mean, millions of people would probably kill to be in my position right now. You're fucking hot. You're Eric James."

  Eric closed the space between them so quickly Hailey almost wanted to run. Instead, she backed up without looking behind her and hit the wall. Eric stepped in front of her and leaned down to get face to face with her. His hands rested on the wall on either side of her. "Can't two people just be attracted to each other without there being some endgame? Some plan? Can't I just want to fuck you until you forget who I am besides just a man? And can't I just want you because you're brilliant, attractive, and an amazing kisser?"

  Hailey felt the world spinning again, just like she had the moment she had first seen Eric in her living room. But it was not because she had a movie star who wanted to fuck her as much as she wanted him. It was because he was so close. She could smell the combination of his soap and the earth. She could see the flecks of gold in his brown eyes. She saw every ridge of muscle under his t-shirt. And he was right. She was just a woman, and he was just a man. Sometimes, that's all it was.

  Hailey reached out to touch him, but he grabbed both of her wrists and pinned them to the wall. "What do you want from me?"

  "Wh-what?" Hailey stuttered.

  "You asked me, and I told you," Eric said, just inches from her face. Right now, she only wanted his lips on hers again. She had not felt that much passion, that much connection in years. Not since... No, she would not think his name. Not right now. When Eric spoke again it was almost a growl. "Tell me why you kiss me back. Tell me. Tell me what you want from me."

  "I-I don't know," Hailey said and looked over Eric's shoulder as the door opened. Scott stepped in then immediately stepped back out. Eric did not let go of her. Did not turn around to see who had walked in the room. "That could have been anyone."

  "I don't care. I'm not going to let go until you tell me what you want from me."

  "Free labor." Hailey looked away from him. She had a feeling he would be able to tell she was lying.

  "You're lying." And she was right.

  "Okay." Hailey looked at him and felt her tension flow out. There was a dampness just thinking about what she was going to say. Could she really say it? She was Miss Straightforward, but was she really that straightforward? She whispered, the words feeling like marbles in her mouth. "I want you inside me."

  Eric smiled and his face was closer-his mouth almost on hers. "What?"

  "Oh, my god, asshole." She rolled her eyes but smiled. "Don't make me say it again."

  "I'll just make you say it one more time," Eric said as something mischievous passed through his eyes. "Well, I'll just make you say it one more time right now." He leaned in and kissed her slowly yet forcefully on the mouth. "But I can't make any promises about later."

  "I want you inside me," Hailey whispered, suddenly wishing it was later that night more than she had ever wished for anything in her life.

  "That's all I want too," Eric said letting go of her wrists and pulling her in for a deep kiss. He released her, pushed her into a chair and dropped her plate of food back into her lap before she realized what was happening. A second later, the door opened again and in walked Jason and Rebecca.

  "Food," Rebecca said clapping her hands together once before leaning back out the door and calling for her granddaughter to come down and eat.

  ***

  "Just call me when you get there, okay?" Hailey asked Risa. Her daughter was letting her hug her for the first time in ages and she did not want to let go. But Rebecca and Risa were leaving and she would have to let go.

  "I will mom," Risa promised.

  "I'll go to your school tomorrow and get your assignments and everything you'll need for the next few weeks and mail them immediately," Hailey said breathing in her daughter's shampoo. "So, don't worry about any of that."

  "Oh jeez, mom. Believe me when I tell you homework is the least of my worries." Risa rolled her eyes but Hailey saw tears welling up in them. "But a few weeks?"

  "It won't take that long but Dana said you can stay as lon
g as you want. If you need a break from me and life around here." Hailey held back a sob that was working its way up. She knew it would, in fact, be best for Risa to stay at Dana's until her stuff at school blew over, but she was still her little girl and she wanted her to stay home forever.

  Scott opened the back door of the truck. "We need to get going, Ms. Rogers."

  Hailey nodded. Scott and his team were taking Risa and Rebecca to the airport in Denver. They were taking a few vehicles so they could watch for tails, but Scott said it was just precaution. They were sure Hailey's family had nothing to worry about. They would be back as soon as possible, and all the security systems were up and running. Hailey would be fine for the next few hours.

  Hailey hugged Rebecca goodbye and the woman climbed into the truck with Risa. Scott got into the driver's seat, and Hailey and Jason stood at the edge of the driveway and watched as the vehicles drove off.

  "I'll stay here tonight, Hailey," Jason said. "I'll sleep in Rebecca's room. She'd feel better, well, we'd both feel better if you weren't alone tonight."

  "You don't have to do that, Jason," Hailey said feeling a little guilty and not knowing why. "It's been a long week. Why don't you go home and get a good night's rest?"

  "I'll rest better knowing you're not alone," Jason said. Hailey heard the crunch of gravel and turned as Eric walked up behind them. He stopped next to Hailey and putting his arm around her shoulders.

  "She won't be alone," Eric said. Hailey felt a strange mixture of embarrassment and excitement as Eric touched her.

  "Hailey, don't do something stupid," Jason said and Hailey blushed.

  "That is what I don't understand," Eric said dropping his arm from Hailey's shoulders and taking a step to Jason. "Have I missed something? Everyone keeps telling Hailey not to be reckless, not to do something stupid, and to grow up. But she is one of the most responsible people I think I've ever met. She is successful, runs this ranch, and has a daughter who she loves more than the earth. Why do you people insist on talking to her like she is a kid?"

  Hailey felt a little bit of pride, someone finally standing up for her. But guilt too because Eric did not know the whole story. He was not there the nights she was not so responsible. It was not until the past couple years that she had pulled herself back together. But when she looked in the mirror she still saw that girl who made so many mistakes. Who locked herself in her room night after night crying while her mother took Risa to Girl Scouts and dance practice. He did not know the Hailey who had been so reckless all the way until the past few years when she finally started to grow up.

  She pushed the guilt away. For just this one night, I won't beat myself up. I won't remember every dumb thing I've ever done and I'll just enjoy this moment. As long as I keep my emotions locked up I can have fun.

  Jason was still standing staring at Hailey and refusing to acknowledge Eric. Hailey sighed. "Jason, everything is fine. Go home. I'll meet you outside first thing in the morning. Let you know I'm still alive. The team will be back before daylight anyway. Okay?"

  Jason grunted and readjusted his baseball cap as he walked to his truck. He turned around right before he climbed in. "Call me if you need anything, Hailey."

  They watched until Jason's taillights began to fade from sight. Eric moved behind Hailey. He wrapped his arms around her stomach and pulled her in close. She could feel his hardness against her back and trembled in excitement.

  "What do you want from me again?" He asked in her ear and Hailey squealed in delight as he lifted her over his shoulder and carried her into the house.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Eric did not let Hailey down when they stepped into the house but instead kept her over his shoulder as he typed the security code into the new system. "This is such bare bones of what this system is capable of... Scott said he can't get a local electrician out here until Monday..." while he was mumbling, he set Hailey down to trace a cord on the wall. A throat cleared from above, and he turned around to find Hailey upstairs leaning against the banister with a devilish look on her face.

  "This has been," Eric said as he climbed slowly-one word on each stair. "The longest day of my life. All I have been able to think about since the other night in the field... is getting you naked."

  Hailey blushed and at the sight of her embarrassment from his compliment, he felt a stiffening immediately in his pants. She had no idea what she did to his body. The anticipation hit him harder with each step he took. All he wanted was to be inside of this crazy woman.

  "I've been thinking about you, too," she said, her voice light. She chewed her bottom lip-a subconscious move he could tell-and he watched it slide out from between her teeth. He lost the will to make this anticipation last a moment longer. He ran the rest of the way up the stairs grabbing her when he reached the top and tossed her over his shoulder with more force than he had outside. She erupted with laughter. "You're a Neanderthal!"

  "No, but I've played one on TV," he said turning towards her hip that rested next to his ear. He bit her ass and she laughed louder kicking her legs into the air. He walked into her open bedroom and kicked the door shut behind him. Eric dropped her on the bed and stood over her, taking in every inch of her as she fell back.

  "What?" she asked suddenly looking self-conscious. How quickly her expression could change.

  "I just want to look at you. All of you." Eric said spreading her legs and stepping between them. He placed a splayed hand on her stomach. He loved the feel of her soft flesh under his fingers-a real woman. She made him feel like he had never touched someone real before. Every woman he had been with in his life had felt so physically frail, void behind the eyes, and empty of real laughter. But Hailey had all of it. Eric told himself he needed to back off right now and run out the door before it was too late. But he knew he was falling down this rabbit hole.

  Eric pulled Hailey's shirt off, exposing her tiny black bra and milky white skin. She sat up a little on her elbows. "Would you do me a favor?"

  "Anything." Short of her asking him to leave the room he meant it. Or at least, he thought he meant it until he heard her request.

  "Can you turn off the lights?" She asked almost silently. He shook his head. No. That was not going to happen. "Eric, please. You probably don't understand. You're constantly under a light being inspected but it makes me uncomfortable."

  Eric was on top of her, his mouth against hers and one hand on her breast while his other elbow propped him up before she could say anything else. He pulled his mouth away from hers and growled, "When I'm done with you, you'll be the most comfortable you've ever felt."

  "Is that a line?" she asked around a giggle.

  "That... is the Eric James guarantee," he jokingly promised as he took his hand off her breast to slide it behind her back and unhook her bra. His hard-on cried at the sight of her creamy breasts spilling free. Eric pulled away and lifted Hailey, lying her down on the bed so her feet hung off the edge before crawling to her side. His left hand found her breast which fit perfectly within his palm, while his mouth found her other breast.

  His tongue glided forcefully across her nipple, flicking the rough tip. He loved the way it beaded into his mouth immediately. His fingers played with the other nipple, twisting the textured skin until it was taut, then tugged as roughly as he thought he could get away with. He was rewarded as Hailey arched her back and cried out in pleasure. Her legs were moving now, her foot sliding up the seam of his jeans. He bit down gently on her nipple, and her body shuddered and rocked toward him even closer.

  "Oh god, Eric." She moaned and twisted her fingers through his hair. Again his body seemed to call for her when her hands were on him.

  The anticipation of the past two days was building inside of him stronger with each touch, each stroke of her body. He desired her for the passion of it all, but he needed that connection. Hailey was making him want to be one of the men in her books. He took his mouth off of her breast and began to travel down her stomach until his hand passed by a
scar. Her breath caught and her hand went to his head and she tried to move him away from that scar as soon as he kissed it.

  "Please, just ignore those-"

  "Shut up, Hailey," he breathed against her skin.

  "You probably don't see a lot of stretch m-"

  Eric's hand covered Hailey's mouth. "I know you've had a child, I'm not an idiot. So shut up and stop trying to ruin my moves."

  He felt her stomach shudder briefly-a laugh. He continued his travel to her lower regions playing with the thin black barbell that pierced her belly button. Then traveling again, he reached the band of her jeans and quickly unzipped and yanked them down over her hips in one swift move, exposing tiny black cotton panties.

  "The piercing is sexy-but not as sexy as this," Eric's finger traced the wet line on the front of Hailey's underwear. He loved how wet she was for him. For years, he had been having sex in altered states with women in similarly altered states. He was almost never greeted with dampness.

  Hailey's thighs strained to close, and her body quivered as she laughed again. Eric cocked his head but smiled. "You've been laughing so much; you're going to give me a complex."

  "That tickles."

  He looked at his hands; one on her wet panties and the other tracing lines on her inner thigh. He stopped tickling her thigh but mentally filed the trick away for later. Eric looked at Hailey, as her body relaxed and she looked at him from under her eyelashes. "I promise it won't tickle much longer."

  He pulled her panties to the side and stuffed a finger inside her and began to pump quick and without mercy. Hailey gasped and sat up on her elbows grabbing her breasts. Eric watched as she played with her nipples and knew he could not take it much longer. He should have turned the lights off just so he could pleasure her without distraction to himself. He charged inside her body-knowing exactly where to turn his finger to get a woman off and to bring her to orgasm. "Do you like that?"