by Ali Parker
It was going to happen soon. I could feel it in my bones.
I checked my hair and lipstick one more time before walking out of my dressing room and taking the long way over to studio six. I passed by the practice rooms where Clayton taught me so many things and paused.
He and Ethan might have had a vendetta against each other, but I missed him. I'd played the fool somehow, and yet I wasn't sad about it. I reached up and brushed my fingers down the small square piece of glass in the door as my favorite memory of the handsome acting teacher rolled through my mind's eye.
He was in his mid-thirties and far too old for me, but he was insanely dreamy. Dark hair and charcoal-colored eyes. I hadn't known a woman that didn't swoon over him. He was Ethan, less playful, more grown up. Solemn. Beautiful and talented, and unfortunately bitter.
"Sorry to keep you waiting." I walked in and stopped short.
"Not a problem. That Ethan Lewis can captivate all of us, me included." He smiled. "All right. Shake out your shoulders. We're going to do some improvisation. You know what that is, surely?" He lifted his eyebrow and gave me a challenging smile.
"Of course. Throw your best at me." I rolled my shoulders and took a few deep breaths through my nose.
"We've been together for five years, and you've been waiting on a ring from me. We're at your favorite restaurant. Go."
"Are you here with me, or am I pretending like you're here?" I rolled my arms in big circles, not feeling nearly as foolish as I should have. He had a way of calming me completely. I loved it.
"No questions. Use what you want. Do what you need. Improv. Go."
"Oh my God." I pressed my fingers to my lips as tears filled my eyes. "Yes. Yes to all of it." I reached out and pretended to pull someone close to me, kissing the air and spinning around.
He clapped and laughed. It was a simple one, but fun.
"Bravo. You'd think for a ring I'd get a little bit of tongue action, but great job."
I laughed loudly and rolled my eyes. "You men are all the same."
"Are we?" He rubbed his hands together and pressed the tips of his fingers against his lips.
Tears blurred my vision. What had happened to throw him so off course? Could jealousy really do that to a person? I pulled myself away from the room and walked to the studio, the sound of voices forcing me to tuck my questions away for later analyzing.
Would someone stab me in the heart that I thought was a brother or a sister?
"Look. I know what we've been through, but I can't keep doing this. Tell me you'll go out with me this weekend, or I'm leaving for Miami, D. I love you too much to see you all the time and know that we're both just standing on the sidelines, waiting for the other to fuck up." Darren's voice surprised me, and I jerked over to the side of the hall, hoping like hell they hadn't seen me.
"I understand all of that." Deza sounded so lost. So hurt. "I just don't want to give you my heart again, and you find some reason to beat it up before you give it back. My career is very important to me-"
"It always has been," he bit out.
"Let me finish." She didn't sound too pleasant either.
I felt like an ass for standing in the hall, listening, but there was only one way out, and my shoes would clink all the way down the hall. There was no way I was fucking up this moment for them.
My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I pulled it out, fumbling with it to see a text from Ethan asking where I was. I didn't respond, so he dropped another text.
Tomorrow. Me and you? Day of fun together? The movie is over. Let's dance and drink tonight, fuck like rabbits when we get home and tomorrow... a surprise for my girl.
Excitement filled my chest, but I swallowed it down and held my breath, trying to make out the muffled tones of Deza and Darren again.
"My career means a lot, but you were right. It can't mean everything. I've loved you since I was a girl, you asshole."
His chuckle was sweet. "I know you have, sweet girl. Let's try again. Besides, your crazy white boy in there said he would send a hitman after me if I fucked with you anymore."
"Did he? I think he's lost his mind. The only one that goes after folks that fuck with us is me." She laughed. "Come here, handsome."
The sound of kissing filled the air, and I bent down and slipped my heels off. The night was starting out perfect, and if I knew my crazy white boy, it would end even better.
Chapter 17
Ethan
Riley wasn't too thrilled when I took her back to her apartment after we got sloshed at the party, but I told her my stomach was upset and I would see her the next morning. Not a good thing to do with a possessive woman in love.
I turned off my phone an hour after getting home and took a long shower as excitement bubbled up inside of me. I had big plans for the next day and had been texting on my phone all fucking night to get it all set up for her.
She was going to be blown the fuck away. Just knowing that it would be my fault had me giddy as I rolled out of bed the next morning. It was still early, but I was good with it. I wanted everything to be perfect.
I pulled out my phone and texted my brother, Deza and Riley’s best friend, Charlotte to make sure everyone knew where they needed to be and what part they were playing.
"And here you thought I was just sitting on my hands." I glanced down at my phone. The picture of us eating ice cream like two little kids always made me smile.
I hadn't just found a partner and a lover. I'd found a best friend.
A knock at the door caused me to jump. "Yes."
"Open up. Housekeeping. Would you like your pillows fluffed?"
I opened the door and rolled my eyes at my brother. "You have the worst housekeeping accent ever. You should try something else."
"Fuck you too." He walked in and handed me a bag of donuts. "Alright. The house is all set, and the patio is put together like you asked. The musicians will be there around eight-twenty, so don't be late. Alright?"
"And the chef?" I walked behind him, eating the food he bought far too quickly. I reached back in the bag to find it empty. "Really? Just two."
"Fatty." He walked over to the fridge and pulled out a gallon of milk, opening it and drinking from the jug.
"Gross. You can't do that shit once Riley moves in." I sat down at the bar and smiled as he glared back at me.
"I like this girl a lot, but don't you think this is just a little too fast?"
"Nope. Not in the slightest." I leaned my head back and lifted the empty bag, shaking it above my face in hope of some crumbs.
He snatched the bag and gave me a stern look. "Cole got married to his wife in a matter of months, and look at them now. Divorced and he's having to change his whole fucking life so he doesn't run into the mean bitch."
"He didn't leave Cali for her, Liam. You know he's wanted to restart his career and become a cop. He's good at security, but owning your own business left him answering phones and filling out payroll." I swatted at my brother as he ruffled my hair. "It's the reason neither of us wanted to own our own shit."
"I basically own mine." He walked toward the living room. "You gotta set it up right, or it ends up biting you in the ass."
"Alright. Thank you for the business lesson." I walked him to the front door. "Thanks for breakfast. Wish me luck."
"Nope. You're on your own, ass sucker."
"Ass sucker?" I walked out onto my driveway and waved at the couple across the street that called out 'good morning.' "Fuck me. People are up this early?" I mumbled and walked my brother to his latest sports car. "Anything new with that pretty girl that has you acting like a prick?"
"Mona? No." He opened his car door and gave me a look. "She's lucky she has the board behind her. I'd spank her ass and have her on her knees, worshiping my body by the afternoon if not sooner."
I snorted. "I'm not even believing that shit."
"No?" He lifted his eyebrow.
"Nope. She might have you under her desk, drinking from her fountain of yout
h, but your ass ain't breaking this girl. I saw her. She's gotcha by the balls."
"You're wrong, little brother. She ain't got nothing on me." He shrugged and got in the car.
"You got a hard-on?" I leaned over the top of the open door. Sure enough.
"Fuck you too. Good luck with your woman. Call me and cry to me when it blows up in your face." He smiled and winked at me. "I'll eat ice cream and watch sappy movies with you."
"You will?" I used as feminine of a voice as I could muster.
"Nope. Bitch." He pulled the door closed and hit the gas, leaving an ugly black mark on my circular driveway. The looks on my neighbor’s face made it all worth it.
My brother was in big trouble with this woman. No matter what he said. He was fucked.
***
I knocked on Charlotte and Riley's apartment door and moved back, the red flowers in my hands holding one white rose.
Riley opened the door rubbing her eyes. "Baby? What are you doing? It's before ten."
I handed her the flowers and pulled her into my arms, laying a few kisses on her lips and smiling down at her. "Get dressed. We got shit to do."
"This early?" She blinked and looked around as if confused. I'd never seen anything more perfect in my whole life.
"Yeah." I moved away and pointed to the moving truck. "Our trucks waiting right there. Let's get your stuff and get moving. This day isn't going to wait much longer for us."
Her eyes widened, and she turned her attention back to me. "Wait. I'm moving in today?"
"Yep." I walked past her and winked at Charlotte. "Jace coming to help?"
"Already here, man." He walked out from the kitchen and extended his hand to me. "I never thought I'd see the day where I'd help someone steal Riley from me, but I guess it's come, hm?"
Charlotte walked into the kitchen and wrapped her arms around Jace. "And you have a new girl."
"I'm going back to bed." Riley walked past us and picked her walk up to a jog as I laughed and took off after her. I scooped her up and dropped her in her bed before pressing her to the mattress and grinding into her.
"You didn't tell me Charlotte and Jace were seeing each other." I kissed the side of her neck and settled between her legs as she cradled me.
She crinkled her nose. "It's weird, but I'm trying to get used to it."
I leaned down and pressed my mouth against her ear. "It is weird. Now, get dressed and let's get this thing rolling."
"Why didn't you tell me we were moving today so I could have packed last night?"
"I packed for you." Charlotte walked in with Jace in tow. "In the closet. Everything is in boxes, marked and labeled."
"And you're okay with this?" Riley asked Charlotte.
The pretty girl smiled and put her hands on her hips. "I want whatever makes you happy, and this guy seems to be doing the trick. Now, if he stops-"
Jace butted in as he carried a big box out of the closet. "I'll kill him."
"Love you too, buddy." I winked at him and got up to start helping.
Riley sat up and moved to the edge of the bed as Charlotte dropped down beside her.
I ignored them and let them have their moment as I worked beside Jace to get everything loaded. It took less than an hour, which was great. I was right on schedule. Now to stay that way.
"Come on, baby," I called out from the living room to Riley.
"Coming." She walked around the corner in a cute black skirt and pink tank top with flip flops and her hair in a short ponytail. "Do I need to dress nicer?"
"You have all of your clothes in those boxes?" I pointed over my shoulder.
"Yeah."
"Then, no. We'll change for dinner later." I extended my hand to her. "Come on. We have a full day ahead of us."
"Alright. Let me say my goodbyes." She walked over and handed me her purse before kissing me several times. My body woke up and leaving her at her place for me to sleep alone the night before suddenly seemed like a stupid idea. I could have spent the night buried balls deep in her, and yet... here I was now with a million things to do trying to figure out how we could squeeze in a little bit of sexy time.
She walked back toward the house, and I turned and walked out into the mid-morning sun, jogging down to the parking lot and pulling out the keys. I got up in the moving truck and waited for her. I could have easily hired someone to do everything for us, but I wanted to give her the full experience, and if I were being completely honest with myself, I wanted the experience myself too.
I'd been sheltered all my life, which was alright, but it was time to bust out.
She walked down the stairs and glanced up, a smile touching her lips as she found me watching her. She got in the truck beside me and laughed. "You're just full of surprises today, aren't you?"
"You haven't seen anything yet." I leaned over her and pulled the seatbelt into place before kissing the tops of her breasts. "I missed you last night."
"Me too." She let out a contented sigh. "Your stomach didn't hurt, did it?"
"No. I lied. I'm an actor, so I'm pretty good at that shit." I pulled out and headed for the freeway. "You want to make any stops before we head home?"
"I don't think so. I'm still trying to wake up. I can't believe you planned all of this."
"Why not?" I reached for her hand and gripped it tightly.
"Because we were in the middle of trying to wrap up the movie and stuff. That's a lot of transition, plus all the stuff with Deza and Darren." The love in her eyes left me lost to her.
"And you know the best part of Deza getting back with Darren?" I asked her before pulling her hand up to my mouth and kissing at her fingers.
"Tell me." She scooted closer to me on the bench seat, undoing her seatbelt and getting into the center seat one instead.
"She didn't text me once this morning." I glanced at the clock. "Hell, it's almost eleven. My phone would have been blowing up at this point."
"She's focused on him?" Riley asked.
"I would think so." I pulled onto the freeway and headed toward the water.
"Where are you going? I thought we were going back to your place in the city." She ran her hand down my thigh and glanced at the road and back to me as I held my tongue. "Ethan. Tell me."
"You'll see." I gripped her hand and stroked myself with it a few times before wrapping my free arm around her and smiling over at her. "I love you. Have I told you that enough to where you believe it?"
"This isn't the actor talking, right?"
I laughed. "No, and it's not the same line I give all the girls. You're actually the only girl I've given it to."
"Then I'll take it, and believe it too." She leaned against me and closed her eyes. "I'm a little scared about all of this change."
"Good. It means you're alive." I kissed the side of her head before reaching up to turn the radio on. We sang several songs as I drove down the freeway, feeling alive for the first time in my long life. She had a way of doing that to me.
I prayed like hell that she always would.
Chapter 18
Riley
Butterflies danced in my stomach as we drove along the coast and finally pulled up to a white castle that overlooked the water. A maroon Lexus convertible sat in the driveway.
I glanced down at my clothes and gave Ethan a look. "Really? Why didn't you tell me to dress up? Whose house is this?"
He laughed and pulled behind another large moving truck. "Ours, baby."
"What?" Shock raced through me as he got out of the van and left me sitting there. "Ours?"
Did he buy a house on the beach? I'd just mentioned wanting one the day before. Late in the day on the day before.
I got out and jogged to catch up to him as a bunch of guys I didn't know walked out of the house.
"Alright. Just bring everything in from the garage, and Riley will tell you where it's going." He reached back and took my hand, half-pulling me into the house. I'd never seen anything like it in my life. I was majestic. Huge. White.
>
"Ethan." I was breathless, and my heart hurt in my chest. "Did you buy this place yesterday for us?"
"For you, but I'd like to share it with you if you're okay with that?" He touched the side of my face softly.
"No, you didn't." I swallowed the overwhelmed feeling that was building up at the back of my throat. I turned around in a circle and back to him, reaching for him, clinging to him. "You bought this place for us?"
"Yeah." He smiled and leaned in to kiss the tip of my nose. "You said you wanted a place in Santa Barbara on the beach. The truck we rode in has your stuff, and I cheated a little and had movers pick up and pack my stuff. I figured it would be-"
I wrapped myself around him and kissed him hard. The kiss deepened, and he picked me up and toted me to the master bedroom downstairs, kicking the door shut. He pressed me to the wall and ground against me before breaking the kiss.
"You like it?"
"I love it." I kissed him again and pushed at his chest. "Let me go check it out."
"No way. This is the part in the movies where the hottest sex scene happens. Don't you know these things?" He smiled and released me.
I laughed and walked around the room, moving to the floor to ceiling glass windows and pressing my hands to them. "Wow. You can see the beach. It's like right here."
"It's a private beach, baby." He kissed the side of my neck. "Come on, let's take the car and go down to the fish market. We'll get something for dinner, and you can pick out some new flowers seeing that you left yours for Charlotte."
"The car?" I remembered the Lexus in the driveway. "Did you buy yourself a new car?"
He moved back and reached for my hand as I turned around. "No. I bought you a car. You like it? If not, we'll go get you something else."
"I love it." I balked as we walked back through the house.