Still, even as beaten down as I feel right now, I can’t bring myself to take him up on his offer to move in with him and let him take care of me. That’s just not who I am.
Winnie’s been harassing me to talk to him to try to make up. But what’s changed, really? He’s still deeply rooted here. I’m still willing to travel wherever I can find work. I should probably go back to LA soon. There’s more audition opportunities out there. Except some part of me won’t let go of Sean.
You know what? If I’m going to be staying here in Brooklyn just because I can’t let go of him yet, then I should talk to him. I’ll ask him to meet me somewhere public. Maybe at the park. If I see him, and every instinct tells me to be with him, I’ll tell him we need to nail down a plan that puts us on equal footing. And if he walks, well, it can’t be any worse than the past couple of weeks.
I stop on the sidewalk and text him. Can we meet at Prospect Park to chat sometime?
How about now?
I smile, surprised at the quick response. Maybe he’s on his lunch break. Sure, how long will it take you to get here?
Look up.
I look up to the brownstone, where I live with Winnie, but I don’t see him in the window. I shift my gaze, looking down the block, and there he is, a distance away, looking right back at me.
He lifts his hand, looking solid, strong, and steady in his blue Byrne Construction T-shirt, jeans, and work boots. Everything in me reaches out to him.
I let out a cry and run to meet him, throwing myself in his arms. He hugs me tight.
Tears sting my eyes. I didn’t realize just how much I missed him until I saw him again. I was so bogged down, and now I feel light, like all of my burdens suddenly lifted.
His voice rumbles near my ear. “That’s some reception.”
I wipe my eyes and look up at him. “I missed you so much.”
He strokes my hair back and cups my jaw. “I missed you too.”
“I don’t want to be apart.”
“Me either.”
I smile through watery eyes. “We need to talk though.”
“Agreed. Is it okay if we go to your place? It’s more private than the park, and it’s right here.”
“Of course.”
He takes my hand and walks me back toward the brownstone where we first met. “How’ve ya been?”
“Terrible,” I admit.
He gives my hand a squeeze. “Me too.”
“I feel like such an idiot. Winnie kept telling me just to talk to you. She swears you’re not sexist.”
“Nice to know Winnie put in a good word, but it’s you I’m concerned about.”
“That audition rejection threw me for a loop, and everything has sucked since then. I just gritted my teeth through a yogurt commercial. They’re probably wondering why they brought me in.”
“Yogurt is gross. No wonder you gritted your teeth.”
I laugh. “It’s not gross.”
He grins. “That’s what they’re trying to sell you with all those glowing healthy people in the commercials. Eat this gross stuff and you can be glowing and healthy too. I say pizza is the answer.”
“And takeout.”
“And lots of water to balance it out.”
I smile up at him. “It sure hasn’t hurt you.”
He points to his neck. “This corded neck is courtesy of pizza.”
I laugh. “You know how I feel about your corded neck.”
We arrive at the brownstone, and I let us in with my key. He walks in behind me, and I gesture for him to take a seat on the couch. It’s not his couch; he moved his stuff out. This one is a neutral beige couch from the staging company. All of the furniture is rented except for Winnie’s bedroom furniture.
He looks around. “The place looks good. I’m sure it’ll sell soon.”
“There’s been a lot of people through here already. The real estate guy says Winnie should have multiple competing offers by the end of the month.”
“Good.”
“Sean,” I say at the same time as he says, “Josie.”
“You go ahead,” he says.
“I’m in love with you,” I say over the lump in my throat, my eyes stinging. “It’s been really hard not being with you.”
He cups my cheek and kisses me. “I know the feeling. I love you too.”
I pull back and wipe my eyes. “Okay,” I say in a shaky voice. “We need a plan, okay? I need us to be on equal footing. I don’t want you to feel like you have to take care of me. I don’t want you to see me as someone who can’t deal with my life. I’ve made it this far, and I’m determined to keep going no matter how hard it is.”
His blue eyes are intent on mine. “You remember how Winnie said I was protective, and you liked that about me? I made you feel safe.”
“Yeah.”
“That’s all I was trying to say before. I wanna protect you from the harshness of, well, everything. I wanna tuck you close and keep you safe with me. But I realize that’s not the way you need to feel safe. Josie, I watched your reel again and again and again.” He pauses at my laugh. “And I honestly believe you have what it takes. You’re talented; the camera loves you. I believe in you.”
My chin wobbles. “Even if I keep getting rejected?”
“Fuck them if the industry can’t see what I can see. But I think they will. You’ll get that yes soon. You’ll be on your way, and I wanna be by your side.”
“I like the sound of that, but how? I can’t ask you to leave your family business.”
One corner of his mouth lifts. “I figured out a way for us to be together long term.”
I bite my lip, holding my breath as hope flutters in my belly.
He tucks a lock of hair behind my ear. “I found a niche for myself that could include you and your world. I’d be in charge of the philanthropic arm of Rourke Management. Our goal is to raise funds to build parks and playgrounds with every development. There’s a lot of actors in Brooklyn who’d probably like to see neighborhood revitalization. And if we travel for your job, I can meet more actors who might be interested in donating to the cause.”
My heart thumps harder. “But what about the construction side? Your brothers depend on you.”
“I’d be there too, but I’d always planned eventually to get more into the business side of things. I told ya before I’m ambitious. This gives me a way to branch out and still be with you.”
I can hardly believe it. It never once crossed my mind that Sean’s path could fit with mine so beautifully. He made it happen because he sees a future for us. And I want that more than anything. I take him in—the sincerity and, yes, love, shining in those blue eyes. I couldn’t ask for a more supportive partner. He truly does believe in me.
A slow smile dawns. “And if I never need to travel, like, maybe I landed a local gig, you could still work with local people here with deep pockets.”
“Exactly.”
I let out a little laugh. Elation fills me, making me want to dance and sing. It’s everything I hoped for! But then, a small voice in my head tells me to think of him. What’s best for Sean and his career?
“What?” he asks. “You looked like you were about to throw yourself in my arms, and then you got serious again.”
My lips part in surprise as it occurs to me he can read my expression as well as I can read his. And that makes me so happy to know we really connect.
I kiss him. “It’s okay with me if you can’t stay with me for months at a time, as long as we visit. If I have a paying gig, I could cover the cost of travel for you to visit me whenever you can get away.”
He takes both my hands in his. “This can work. We’ll make it work. Just don’t walk out on me like that again. It reminds me of your cousin, and I can’t deal with it. Talk to me, break up with me if you have to, but don’t just walk.”
“Oh, Sean, I’m so sorry. It wasn’t like walking out at all to me, and I hate that it felt like that to you. I just needed to take a step back, and the
n I didn’t see how to get back to where we were. I should’ve talked to you sooner. I really was trying to figure things out.” I shake my head, my lips pressed together, my eyes stinging. “And you can forget the other part too. I’m not going to break up with you ever.”
He frames my face with his big hands and kisses me tenderly. I return the kiss passionately.
A long time later, I let him up for air. “If I ever make it big, I’ll take care of you.”
One corner of his mouth lifts. “Now who’s sexist?”
My heart is full to bursting. I beam at him, grab him and hug him tight. “We’ll take care of each other.”
“That sounds like the perfect plan.”
He kisses me again and pulls back, his eyes intent. “Will you move in with me? I’ve got that couch you love plus a real bed. And all the protein bars you desire.”
I laugh. “I’d love to.”
“Tonight.”
I nod, smiling so big my cheeks hurt.
He stands and pulls me up with him. “In the meantime, we’ve got some catching up to do.”
“Oh my God, we so do.” I lead him upstairs to my room on the fourth floor. It’s furnished now by the staging company.
The moment the door shuts behind us, we slam together in a hungry tangle of need. His mouth is on mine, his hands tugging at my clothes as I pull at his.
Our clothes fly, and we land on the bed, still tangled up together. He rolls me under him, spreading my legs and settling into place.
“Sean!”
He leans down to the floor for his wallet, pulls out a condom triumphantly, and rolls it on. Then he’s back, his hands pinning mine to the mattress as he thrusts deep. I moan and lift my hips to take him deeper.
His breath is harsh by my ear. “My sweet Josie.”
“My sweet Sean.”
There are no more words.
His eyes mesmerize me, love flowing between us, intense and all consuming. Then I’m gone, lost in pleasure, my cry joining with his groan.
He gives me his weight, nuzzling into my neck. I wrap my arms around him tight. I’ve finally found home.
Epilogue
Three months later…
Sean
I’m in Atlanta with Josie, where she’s filming her very first movie. I’m so damn proud of her. She’s got a supporting role in a movie based on a band that was popular a couple of decades ago. Even though it’s supporting and not the lead, there’s a lot of opportunities for her to shine. She gets to sing, act, dance, and has her own romantic subplot. Yes, there’s kissing. I’m handling it. Not happy about it, but handling it.
The production company paid for a five-star hotel for the cast, where I’m working remotely for the week. It’s a sweet gig for me, to be honest. They’re filming for two months, and I’m here one week each month and every weekend. They need me too much at work to stay here for the full two months, but that’s where we’re at now. I’m here for her as much as possible and, once filming wraps, she’ll be back in Brooklyn with me until our next adventure.
I’ve met a lot of cool people and gotten referrals to more people in Manhattan and Brooklyn, who like what we’re doing at Rourke Management. They especially like our royal connection. Since my royal cousins already had a charitable foundation, Royal Rourke Foundation, we made an affiliate for the US, Royal Rourke Foundation US, to focus on giving back to local neighborhoods we develop. The great thing is that a lot of the administrative headache associated with a nonprofit is taken care of by their experienced people. The other great thing is that my Villroy cousins can easily contribute to our cause through the foundation. And, of course, I get to be the boss man here in the US. Once I’m in a position to, I plan on directing some donations toward Villroy’s local causes too. It’s the least I can do for their generosity in teaming up with us. Besides, Villroy is my kingdom too. I want it to thrive for future generations.
Today’s the last day of filming with the big finale number, and I’m on the soundstage set to watch. After this, there’s a wrap party, and then tomorrow we fly home together. I watch as they run through it five times before the director calls it good. A cheer goes up, and I clap along with the crew.
Josie hugs her costars and then spots me and races into my arms, still in her glittery silver dress, her red hair a wild mass of waves. I catch her and swing her around. “Congratulations!”
She beams and kisses me. “It’s so bittersweet to leave. This group is like family to me.”
“Then what am I?” I ask in mock outrage.
Her eyes go soft. “You’re home.”
“Maybe we’ll have our own family one day.”
“Sean! You’re so sweet. Yes, I’d love that.”
“Glad to hear it. That makes this less awkward.” I drop to one knee and hold up a diamond ring.
She lets out a high-pitched squeak that has heads turning. The cameraman swings his camera toward us. He’s filming this. Why not?
I take her hand. “Josie, you are my heart, my love, and my home. I will love you and care for you for the rest of my life. Will you marry me?”
Her eyes well. “Yes!”
She grabs the ring, slides it on, and throws herself at me, nearly knocking me down. I rise with her in my arms and kiss her with all the love in my heart.
The cast and crew applaud, and she breaks the kiss, her eyes wide. She turns and throws her arms up in a V of victory. Funny thing is, Josie never was a cheerleader. That’s just her natural enthusiasm. “We’re getting married!”
“We know!” several people say back in unison, grinning at us. A chorus of congratulations follow.
Champagne is passed around at my signal. I ordered it as a celebration for the end of the movie and the beginning of our life together. I was that sure of her yes. She’s so affectionate, so loving, and so grateful that I’m fully on board with her career. She basically adores me night and day, and I love every minute of it. I’ve never loved anyone more. I almost want to thank Winnie for leaving me because it brought Josie into my life. Plus Winnie let me stay on and finish renovating the house I fell in love with. It really was a labor of love, at times a headache, but ultimately immensely satisfying. Winnie is happy for us and has already said she’d be thrilled to have me as part of the family. Probably helps that she met someone recently, a sculptor, who she says is really grounded. I think it’s great. Winnie needs a grounded guy. And I need Josie.
Josie beams at me and clinks her plastic champagne flute against mine. “To us!”
“To us.” I go to sip when she stops me.
“Wait! We have to do the twist around, and I give you the sip and vice versa.” Her eyes dance merrily. “Romantic moment!”
She wraps her wrist around mine, and we tip the glasses to sip. She’s always declaring romantic moments. Sometimes it feels like she’s directing our real-life rom-com. Fortunately, I’m into it.
“I found the perfect place for us,” I tell Josie after our toast. Everyone is milling around, celebrating the end of filming. “I put an offer in this morning. I’ll show you when we get back.” She put house hunting in my jurisdiction since I know Brooklyn, housing value, and signs of a well-constructed home.
She bounces on the balls of her feet, her blue eyes glowing. “Is it in Park Slope where we met?”
“Yes. And it’s a bit of a stretch financially, but—”
She goes on tiptoe and whispers in my ear, “I’ll pay for it.”
I shake my head. “I’ll take care of it. My offer rests on me—”
She throws her arms around my neck and kisses me, cutting off my brilliant offer. I let her, enjoying her uninhibited passion. The woman is legit crazy for me.
She breaks the kiss and takes a step back, her expression serious. “Okay, now what did we talk about regarding our future?”
I know, but it’s difficult for me. I love her. I want to take care of her if it’s at all in my power, and this is.
I barrel on. “Listen, I made a brill
iant offer, which lets the owners off the hook for the repairs I pointed out the brownstone needs and gets me in there just a bit out of my price range. I know I can fix the place up perfectly. I got this.”
She smiles sweetly. “Sean?”
I let out a breath. “Yes, Josie.”
“Remember how we take care of each other? It’s not a strain for me now, and I want roots in Brooklyn with you, even if we travel. So I’m covering it, end of story. And you know what you can take care of for me?”
I can’t help my smile. I love this woman so damn much, and she gets that I need to do something for her. I can’t just let her do all the giving for me, which she does all the time. I’ve never met someone so generous. She always, always makes that extra effort. She still folds my napkin in a diagonal and pours water for me every meal. (I don’t trust her with hot beverages. Thank God she’s not a waitress anymore. Liability nightmare.) Plus, there’s her generosity with her affection, her compliments, her open eagerness to do anything I want in the bedroom and out. She’s a dream come true. She really is.
I pull her close. “What can I take care of for you, my fiancée and soon-to-be loving wife?”
She beams her sunshine smile, and my chest swells. “You can make us a theater room so we can cuddle on the couch and watch our favorite rom-coms together.”
I lean down to her ear. “Shh, don’t let that get out.”
She laughs and pulls back enough to look up at me, her eyes sparkling merrily. “Sometimes I feel like we’re living our own private rom-com.”
I knew it! I grin. “We’d probably break into song about now.”
She pulls away and does a little wiggle. “Or dance.”
I give her a slow, sexy smile. “Even better would be fade to black as we walk into the bedroom.”
“I like that one best,” she says before throwing her arms around my neck and kissing me passionately.
I scoop her up, cradled in my arms as we walk out of the soundstage and into the sunset for our special fade-to-black moment.
~ ~ ~
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Rogue Gentleman (The Rourkes, Book 8) Page 16