“There’s a lot that goes into making a movie. Many moving parts you never see.”
I turned back to admire the landscape. “That would be cool to see some time.”
“I can arrange it. Just tell me when.”
“I may take you up on that, but first, can I ask you a question?” It was something that had been bothering me since our texting the night before. Something I needed to clear up.
“As many as you want.”
“Am I just another conquest?” I asked.
He blew out a breath. “I get why you’re asking, and the honest answer is no. You aren’t some battle to win and move past to the next. I don’t play those games. I won’t say I never did, though, but I was a lot younger then, and fame was new. Pussies rained like confetti, and they still do, but that’s not what I’m looking for.”
“What are you looking for?” I asked.
“Something more. Someone I can talk to and laugh with. Someone where I’m not Reid Gallagher superstar, but just Reid,” he elaborated. “I want to be myself, not some image.”
“It’s lonely, huh?” It was an interesting insight. The more he divulged, the more I felt for him. A beautiful bird in a gilded cage.
“It can be,” he confirmed. “Constantly surrounded by people, but not knowing who to trust and who is just out to use you.”
I slipped my fingers between his. “Well, I’m happy to get to know you.”
“Don’t misunderstand, though,” he said, twisting his arm to raise my hand. His lips pressed against my palm before lowering it back down. “I’m very attracted to you, but I’m not using this as a way to get you to bed.”
I nodded. “Good to know. There are much simpler ways to accomplish that.”
“Oh yeah? What are those?”
Every scenario I’d thought about since the moment I met him circulated through my mind.
“Picking me up and throwing me on the bed, then ripping my clothes off would be perfectly acceptable.”
He let out a groan and leaned back against the couch. “You’re killing me.”
“Sorry. Somehow you make my body go into overdrive,” I said with a shrug.
“Have dinner with me tomorrow.”
“Dinner?” The invitation was so sudden I was caught off guard.
“Somewhere that isn’t so close to a bed where we can talk more without temptation, because I can throw Tre and the others out right now and we can go back and do that. Trust me, it’s tempting.”
I worried my bottom lip. “Sorry. Nervousness makes me blurt out embarrassing thoughts.”
“It’s adorable. Now, back to dinner.”
I racked my brain trying to remember what was going on. Sarah would push me to agree no matter what, but when I remembered Rob was coming in that night, it was quite perfect. They needed some alone time when he arrived, and therefore I would be alone anyway.
“I’d love to.”
He blew out a breath, a dazzling smile lighting up his face. “Great.”
“Were you nervous I’d say no?” I asked, and he gave a nod. “Seriously? Say no to a date with the most gorgeous man I’ve ever met? You’re crazy.”
He leaned in, his gaze boring into me. “I want to kiss you.”
“What’s stopping you?”
“Fear.”
I blinked at him. “Of me?”
His hand slipped up my neck, sending tingles cascading across my skin. “Of not being able to stop because I learned early it’s even more perfect than I’d fantasized. You’re special, and I’m not bullshitting you.”
My heart hammered against my breastbone, hard and fast. “You barely know me.”
“I know, but I’m going with my gut, and it’s telling me to chase you.”
“That’s constipation.”
He chuckled. “Seriously, though, I feel like there could be something here. You’re worth the chase.”
“Am I?”
His brow furrowed as he studied me. “Someone really fucked with your head, didn’t they?”
I looked down to my lap as I fidgeted with the hem of my shirt. “It’s not just that.”
“But I’m right.”
“That’s beside the point.”
“What is the point?” he asked.
I tore myself away from him, standing to walk back over to the railing. “I’m just an average person living an average life in Ohio. You’re an international superstar.”
He stepped up beside me. “Who once upon a time was an average boy living an average life in Ohio. Probably only a couple of miles from you.”
“That’s kinda unbelievable. To be so close and to have never met.” How many instances had we been in the same place at the same time?
“You never know, we could have met. What year did you graduate?”
“2008. You?”
“Well, I was in L.A. at the time, but 2004.”
At least I roughly knew his age to be around thirty-two.
A ringing made up both jump and he pulled out his phone. “Yeah?” he said as he answered. “Okay, I’m coming.” He blew out a breath as he hung up the phone. “Time’s up.”
“That was way too fast,” I said as we headed back to the elevator.
“Agreed,” he said as he took my hand, giving it a squeeze. “Have fun tonight.”
“You, too.”
We stepped into the elevator and he hit the buttons for the penthouse and the lobby. “I’ll probably be doing stunts until three in the morning.”
“Then dreaming about our date.”
“Damn straight.” The door opened and he straddled the opening and pulled me close, placing a kiss to my forehead. “Goodnight, beautiful.”
He reluctantly pulled away, his gaze never leaving mine until the doors closed.
More than excitement coursed through me. It was a lightness in my chest, a feeling I’d long ago forgotten. It was the high of attraction, and it was euphoric.
CHAPTER 5
“You are my idol,” Sarah said the moment my eyes cracked open. She was snuggled in, choking out another pillow as she waited for me to wake up, a creepy-ass smile on her face.
I groaned. “I can’t believe this is happening.”
“Believe it. Reid-fucking-Gallagher will be at this door tonight to sweep you off your feet. Just don’t forget us little people when you’re living it up.”
I couldn’t tell who was more excited about my date—me or Sarah.
“What the fuck are you talking about?”
“You know, when you move to Hollywood to be with him. Don’t forget your bestie braving the cold Ohio winters.”
I scoffed and threw a pillow at her. “It’s a date.”
“Uh huh. I’ve seen the smitten looks you throw each other.”
“So? That doesn’t mean anything. All that says is we haven’t fucked.”
“If that was it, he’d have nothing but lust in his eyes, and there is more than that. You got to him.”
After leaving Reid the day before, I returned to our room and Sarah descended. Question after question. It was an inquisition, and she wanted every last detail and answers I didn’t have. In the end, I bribed her with a show to stop talking about it because she was sending me into full panic mode. I was already nervous enough. I didn’t need to be revved up even more.
I even sweetened the pot by suggesting one of two shows I knew Rob wouldn’t go to—Australia’s Thunder From Down Under or Backstreet Boys. With the way things were going and her attachment to my current love life pop-up, it wasn’t much of a surprise that she picked the hunks.
“Even if that’s true, I leave on Sunday, remember?”
“Stop being a pessimist.”
“It’s not pessimistic to be a realist. I like him, really I do, but reality is a stuck-up baseball player’s shoulder, a whiny fifteen-year-old basketball player who doesn’t want to do the work, and three new patients on Monday.”
“Does that asshole still think he’s God’s gift to women
?” she asked with a roll of her eyes.
I sat up with my legs crossed and hugged my pillow. “Yes. Can you believe he told me to fly back on our normal days to get his sessions in?”
“There’s like five other therapists there,” she said.
“Exactly, and Andy took him on, but that didn’t make him happy because Andy’s a guy.”
“Doesn’t he have like an in-house therapist?” she asked.
I nodded. “He’s down for the season so they sent him to us.”
“Here’s an idea. You could become Reid’s personal therapist.”
My expression dropped, and I gave her my best resting bitch face. “Let’s see if he still has interest in me after tonight, and then you can plan the rest of my life out.”
“Oh, he’s going to fall head over heels for you. I can feel it.”
I twirled my hand in the air. “That’s just your lady bits missing Rob.”
“That too,” she said with a wag of her eyebrows.
“When does he get in?” I asked, thinking about our schedule.
“Around six.”
That gave us roughly ten hours to run errands and have some fun before she checked into their room.
“What am I going to wear?” I asked, eyes wide. With years separating my last first date, I didn’t have a clue how things went.
She threw the covers off her and sat up. “Casual or dress up?”
I stared blankly at her. “I have no idea.”
Her arms stretched high above her head. “Better to ask, then we can buy you a first date outfit to drive him crazy.”
“I brought plenty of clothes.”
“But no first date with Reid Gallagher clothes.”
I pulled out my phone and shot him a text.
Morning, handsome. What’s the dress code for tonight? – Harper
Whatever you want or nothing at all – Reid
What happened to PG? – Harper
Morning wood and your name on my screen – Reid
My eyes widened as I stared down at my phone. Reid’s body was hard, taut, and suddenly all I could think about was another part of his anatomy with that same description.
Sorry – Reid
But not really – Reid
“What?” Sarah asked, and I realized I was gaping down at the words.
“He’s hard.”
Sarah scrambled over to me, her expression bordering on manic. “Did you just get a dick pic?” The excitement fell from her face as she looked down at the screen. “Damn, I was really hoping it was a dick pic.”
Me, too. Though not really. I wanted to see it, but unsolicited dick pics were not cool. Barely two days had passed since I’d crashed into him, but it felt like it was a longer period of time.
Uh oh, did I lose you? – Reid
Oh! No. My brain just stopped at morning wood – Harper
Rebooting – Harper
Ha! Let me turn this off so you can turn it back on later – Reid
And it’s Vegas. We can swing casual to black tie, whatever you want – Reid
Kind of a dressy casual? I’m just imagining you in jeans and a button down with the sleeves rolled up and the top buttons undone – Harper
Just like the day we met.
I can definitely do that – Reid
Any requests? – Harper
I don’t care what you wear, I’ll just be happy to be near you – Reid
I couldn’t help the huge grin on my face.
Ditto – Harper
It felt good, freeing, to flirt again. I’d forgotten the high that went along with someone showing interest in me.
“Dressy casual,” I called out to Sarah who had moved to the bathroom.
She popped out, brush in hand. “You’ve got some great ass jeans with you. Now we just need to find you a top because I know you didn’t bring anything with you.”
“Ass jeans?”
“Make your ass look banging.”
I rolled my eyes and slid off the bed. “I did bring things.”
“Not for a date with Reid Gallagher,” she stressed.
“I’m dreaming, aren’t I? Like, did I die? Or am I in some catatonic state? That has to be it, right?”
Sarah grabbed onto my arms and looked me dead in the eye. “Reid Gallagher is taking you on a date in real fucking life. So, while we’re picking up some things I need for the wedding, we’re also going to find you a top.”
“What is it you need again?” I asked as I followed her into the bathroom.
“Some Vegas-themed stuff for the guest gift bags. And said bags. I’m hoping to find something in Miracle Mile Shops and maybe The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. Either way, lots of options.”
Room service breakfast and an hour later, we headed down to the lobby to catch a cab. We were quite a few hotels away from where she wanted to go.
“What’s wrong with the stores on this end?” I asked as I pulled my sunglasses on. It may have been cool outside, but the sun was still blazing.
“We stayed at Elara last time, and I remember there being a few good souvenir shops in Miracle Mile Shops.”
We started there, and I was surprised by the complete circular pattern the mall made. After around twenty shirts were tried on and bags of baubles were purchased, we headed over to The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace.
I stared down the long hall, stores on either side and stories tall. “This is going to take forever.”
“Come on.” She tugged on my hand.
It took a few stores before we seemed to hit the jackpot of a dozen possibilities.
“What about a halter top?” Sarah asked, scouring the racks.
“It’s like forty out,” I reminded her. It may have been Vegas, but it was still January.
“Your weather app needs to update. There’s a heatwave today and it’s like seventy out. Besides, you’ll probably be inside.”
“Still not warm enough for a halter top.”
She rolled her eyes at me. “I’ve got that cute black cardigan you can borrow.”
It was cute and would help keep me warm wherever we went. “Fine,” I relented, glowering at the smug smile on her face as she pulled the garment from the rack.
“You’re a medium, right?”
I nodded. “Pretty much.”
“Now this could be something,” Sarah said, her eyes alight.
My eyes narrowed as I glared at the bodysuit Sarah held out in front of her. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“Not at all. You’re trying it on.”
“It’s a no,” I argued, even though it would get me nowhere. I was her resident try-on doll, after all. Whenever we went shopping, she was always throwing clothes at me to try on. Sometimes what looked like a cute garment on the rack had us busting out in laughter at how bad it turned out to be.
“It’s a yes.”
I shook my head. “There is no hiding all the flaws in that thing.” It was made for size two women who had zero body fat.
“Shut up and try it on.”
“I hate you.”
“You love me. Stop fighting it.”
She went with me into the dressing room, and I took my clothes off before pulling the offending item up.
The color was a soft red, like terra cotta, with white birds flying around. There was a keyhole peep of my cleavage with a little bow around my neck and a cap sleeve. It was tight around my waist, and the thong was settled between my ass cheeks. I slid my jeans up and buttoned them, and glanced at my reflection before cursing Sarah for being right. My jeans weren’t too tight creating the dreaded muffin-top look, and it actually accentuated my curves in all the right ways.
Sarah clapped her hands together, a huge grin on her face. “It’s perfect! Cute and sexy, especially with your Mary Jane wedges.”
“I hate you,” I reiterated.
“You only hate that I was right and you were wrong, and you need to just accept that my fashion is on point.”
I moved around in
the suit, watching the way it would bunch, hoping to find some flaw, but there was none. She was right. It was perfect.
***
Lunch, some light gambling, and a few hours later we were back in the room, and I was freshly showered. My whole body vibrated, butterflies tumbling in my stomach. I still couldn’t believe what was happening, what I was officially getting ready for.
Sarah helped with my hair and makeup, making sure it was on point before I poured myself into the bodysuit. I had to be braless due to the design, and when I clipped the neck piece I felt oddly exposed. The suit acted not only as my top but my only undergarments, and it felt strange.
It didn’t help that there was only a thin piece of cloth between my legs.
I turned to Sarah, the whole outfit on. “So?”
“Cute but sexy. Casual but dressy. I think you’re good for just about anything he comes up with.”
“I can’t believe I let you talk me into this thing.”
“It’s the perfect combo, and you look banging in it. Reid isn’t going to be able to resist you.”
“You mean he’s not going to be able to stop staring at my braless cleavage peeking out from the keyhole cut.” I pointed to the skin peeking out. I liked to wear V-neck shirts, but this was situated lower than normal and highlighted the curve of my breasts.
“That, too.” She threw her cardigan toward me, then continued to pack her clothes in her suitcase and zipped it up before moving to the bathroom to gather up her toiletries.
“It’s riding up my ass,” I complained as I picked up the cardigan and set it next to my purse.
“Get over it.”
“I hate thongs!”
“Deal with it,” she said with a smack on my ass as she passed by to the desk. “Now, I’m headed out to pick up Rob. You have a fantastic night with Reid, and I can’t wait to hear all about it in the morning. Check in every once in a while, and I expect you to be gone all night.”
“Not that you’ll be here when I get back,” I pointed out. Her nights with me were over once Rob checked in.
“True. I’ll be in Rob’s room hopefully with him between my thighs, just like you’ll be with Reid.”
“Great. Thanks. Now I’m getting performance anxiety. I haven’t had sex in eight months, remember?”
“It’s like riding a bike. Plus, it’s got to be better than a guy who just used you to get off on the regular. I mean, have you seen those muscles? I bet he’s got the skills.” She leaned in and gave me a hug. “Please have fun tonight, and stay safe, okay?”
Blackout: A Romance Anthology Page 97