I wrap my arms around her, hugging her, and she stiffens, but then she slowly relaxes in my arms, her arms sliding around my back, holding on to me.
I can’t even imagine what her life has been like. My family is amazing. I grew up knowing I was loved. There wasn’t a day my mom and dad didn’t tell me that I was loved with either words or actions.
My cell starts to ring in my back pocket.
I sigh. Loosening an arm from around her, I slip it out and glance at the screen. It’s Aiden.
Charly steps away from me. I frown. I don’t want her going anywhere.
“Yeah?” I answer.
“I’m outside,” Aiden says.
“Okay. I’ll be down in a few.” I hang up and slide the phone back in my pocket.
She’s standing over on the other side of the room, her butt resting against the dresser, fingers curled around the edge of it.
“Aiden’s here,” I tell her.
“Okay. We should probably leave separately.”
I don’t see the point, but I don’t argue.
“So, I’ll see you later?”
“Yeah.” She smiles, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes.
I don’t like this. I don’t like her like this. Distant.
She’s only a few feet away, but right now, she looks like she’s thousands of miles from me.
I feel like a dick. And I really don’t want to leave with her feeling like this.
I shouldn’t have probed about her family. It’s not like me to be so fucking nosy, but I guess I just wanted to know her.
And, now that I do know a little, it’s made me want to know more.
Knowing how hard her life has been makes me want to take care of her.
It’s not a feeling I’ve ever known with a woman, especially not one I’ve known for such a short space of time, but it’s there.
I walk over to her. I take her face in my hands and kiss her.
Her body goes lax against me, and she opens up her mouth for me, moaning softly.
Forcing myself to break away, I press a kiss to the tip of her nose.
Crossing the room, I pick up my ball cap and pull it onto my head.
Hand on the door handle, I look back at her. “Don’t make any plans for tonight that don’t include me, Pins, because you’ll definitely be seeing me later.” I wink, and then I disappear out the door.
Charly
“Drinks tonight?”
“What?” I look up from the shirt I’m sewing, my thoughts not actually on what I’m doing but on something else.
Someone else.
Vaughn.
I can’t seem to get the man off my mind…and what he did to me last night and this morning…
“I said, drinks tonight?” Ava repeats, cutting into my sex thoughts. “You, me, and Logan. I thought we could go to that new bar on Sunset Boulevard.”
“Oh, I can’t. I already have plans.”
“Don’t make any plans for tonight that don’t include me, Pins, because you’ll definitely be seeing me later.”
I get shivers, just thinking about his departing words. And I do really want to see him. And it’s not like I can exactly bring Vaughn along for drinks. Surefire way to blow our cover.
Blow.
I want to giggle.
I’m such a pervert.
I’ll just have to make it another night for drinks with them. Tomorrow night.
“Ooh, what are you up to?” she asks before I can suggest tomorrow night.
Looking at her, I see a gleam in her eyes, and I instantly know what she’s thinking.
She thinks I have a date. And she’s not far off. I do have a date, a sex date with Vaughn. And I can’t freaking wait.
“Oh, I, er…” Think, Charly. “I said I’d call Nick. Then, I was going to wash my hair.”
That’s the best you could come up with?
I give myself a mental slap.
She laughs. “So, call Nick early. Then, wash your hair, get dressed up, and come out with us.” She rests her elbows on the table, her chin in her hands. “I’m not taking no for an answer, Charly. You need to go out and have some fun.”
From the look in her eyes, I know she means she needs to have some fun, and then it makes me wonder what that jackass Jeremy has done to upset her this time.
And I know I can’t say no. I’ll have to put Vaughn off.
My vagina cries out in protest.
Sorry, girl. Hos before bros.
“Count me in,” I say.
She smiles big.
And I feel good that I’ve made her happy…even if my vagina is in pain right now.
“You want a coffee?” she asks.
“Homemade or Starbucks?” There’s one just across the street from the studio. And Ava’s coffee is like mud.
“Starbucks.”
“Then, yes.”
She sticks her tongue out at me, and I laugh.
“Can you grab me a sandwich as well?”
It’s way past lunchtime, and I haven’t eaten anything. I reach for my bag, but she waves me off.
“It’s on me. What do you want?”
“Anything with turkey in it and a caramel latte.”
“Turkey. Caramel. Got it. I’ll be ten.” She waves and disappears out the door.
My phone chimes, so I grab it out of my bag, expecting it to be Nick. We’ve been texting all morning about you-know-who.
When I check the screen, Vaughn’s name is lighting it up.
Butterflies swoop in my stomach, and I feel like a giddy schoolgirl with a crush.
I guess I am, except I’m no schoolgirl.
I swipe the screen, opening the message.
Vaughn: I was serious about tonight. I need to see you.
Need. And the butterflies go mental. Then, they drop at the remembrance that I can’t see him tonight.
Me: I can’t do tonight. Ava has corralled me into going for drinks with her and Logan. I think she’s feeling a little down. I couldn’t say no. Sorry. I’ll make it up to you.
I press Send and set my cell on the table, waiting for his reply.
It comes immediately. I pick my phone back up.
Vaughn: Unacceptable, Pins. My cock desperately needs your attention.
I laugh out loud.
Me: I’m sure your cock can manage one night without me, West.
Vaughn: Nope. I don’t think you realize the seriousness of this situation. I’ve had a boner all morning. I can’t stop thinking about those fucking boots you’re wearing and how good they’ll feel wrapped around my waist.
I look down at my boots. I didn’t even know they had an effect on him. Then, I smile, thinking that I’ll have to wear these boots more often.
Me: Tomorrow night? I’ll wear the boots and nothing else.
Vaughn: You’re killing me here. I’m gonna have to go jerk off in the bathroom.
Me: Aren’t you on set right now?
It’s a closed set today for some reason. I was told to take the clothes over and then leave. I don’t know what they’re filming, but they didn’t want many people there to watch.
My mind instantly goes to another sex scene, but they didn’t close the set for the one yesterday, and that was as explicit as I’ve ever seen, so it can’t be that. I’ll have to ask Vaughn when I see him. Tomorrow.
Sigh.
Vaughn: Yep. Just taking a break. In the bathroom. With my hand. Picturing you.
Me: Perv!
Vaughn: I don’t deny it. Then again, you could come here and give me a hand…
Me: Sounds like you’re doing just fine yourself.
Vaughn: I’m so hard, it hurts, baby.
Baby. What is it about a man calling you that, that makes you turn to jelly?
Me: I can get rid of your hard-on right now with a few words, if you want me to?
Vaughn: Not possible. But you can give it a try.
Me: I’m hemming a shirt. Using pins.
Vaughn: And it’s gone.
>
I laugh again and then send him a laughing emoji.
He pings back a text seconds later.
Vaughn: You’re fucking awesome. :)
Me: I know. :)
Vaughn: Babe…I have to go. I’m needed back on set.
A second later, I get another text from him.
Vaughn: Where are you going tonight anyway?
Me: Some new bar on Sunset Boulevard.
I don’t hear back from him again, and I’m guessing he turned off his phone to go back on set.
Ava turns back up a few minutes later with my sandwich and coffee. We sit and eat and talk about the night ahead of us. All the time, Vaughn is ever present in my thoughts.
Charly
The music is pumping out, and I’m having a great night. Originally, I was disappointed about not getting to spend it with Vaughn—I might be a little bit addicted already—but it’s so good to come and let loose. Ava is, as always, so much fun, and Logan is really great.
We’ve snagged a table near the dance floor, and we’re drinking, talking, and people-watching. I’m having a great time. I’m also on my third drink of the night, and we’ve only been here for an hour, which is some quick drinking for me. I’m drinking a cocktail that looks as pretty as it tastes.
Calvin Harris and Rihanna’s “This Is What You Came For” starts to play. I love this song.
“Dance?” I say to them.
“Hell yeah!” Ava says.
“I’m not a dancer. I’ll watch the drinks,” Logan replies.
“You’re sure?” I check.
“Go dance, and have fun.”
I jump down from my stool and grab Ava’s hand. I lead her onto the dance floor and into the crowd. We start dancing.
It’s hot and crowded but amazing. I’m having so much fun.
The song eventually ends, and another comes on that’s not so good, so we head back to our table. Logan’s on his phone.
“Sexting?” Ava nudges him with her elbow.
“I wish. No, I’m checking Twitter to see what’s happening here.”
“Um, can’t you just look around,” I quip, “and see what’s happening?”
“There was a commotion upstairs, smart-ass, and I couldn’t see what was happening, hence checking Twitter for the deets.”
He points, and my eyes follow to look up at the upstairs balcony that circles the whole of the bar. But I can’t see much of anything.
“What kind of commotion?” Ava asks him.
“Just some screaming. And I saw some big, burly guys walking around.”
“Oh, maybe there was a fight.” Ava grins.
“Yeah, probably.” Logan puts his phone down on the table. “I can’t see anything on Twitter. I thought maybe a celeb had arrived.”
“Like Ryan Gosling?” Ava asks.
“Now, that would be heaven. I swear, whose dick do I have to suck to get a job on one of his movie sets?” Logan chuckles, making us laugh.
“Probably his wife’s,” I joke.
Out of nowhere, I feel a tingle on the back of my neck. Then, voices around us seem to get louder. And I see a few people looking at the upper balcony. Others are pointing. A few are getting their cameras out.
“What is going on?” I ask.
“Celeb for sure,” Ava and Logan say at the same time. They laugh and fist-bump each other.
“Please be Gosling.” Logan presses his hands together, praying.
I swivel on my stool, looking around upstairs, and then I see him.
Vaughn.
He’s upstairs, leaning on the railing, bottle of beer in his hand, and he’s looking down…right at me.
His lips curve into a sexy smile.
It hits me right in the chest—and panties.
Then, he pushes off the railing and walks away.
He’s here. What’s he doing here? And why did he just smile at me and walk away?
“Was that Vaughn?” Ava asks in my ear.
Dragging my eyes from where he was, I turn back to her. “Yeah, I think so.”
“Makes sense with all the squealing that went on. Is it sad that I’m not excited he’s here?” She giggles. I think the drinks are going to her head. “I mean, I see him at work every day, so it’s not as exciting anymore.”
“No,” I say. “I get what you mean.”
But it’s a lie because I am excited that he’s here. I could never tire of seeing Vaughn.
“I wonder who he’s with,” Logan says.
“We should find out,” Ava says. “He could be with Julian Jacob and Gabriel Evans.” Her voice goes all dreamy while saying Gabriel’s name, making my ears perk up. “They’re who he parties with now since Cain shit all over him with Piper. We should go up there, see if we can get in. You should go first, Charly.”
“Me? Why?” I feel a whip of paranoia that she knows I slept with Vaughn last night, but I quickly scrub that off, knowing I’m being stupid.
“Because you’re his dresser. You know him better than we do.”
“Um, I know him exactly the same as you do. Less because I’ve been working on set less time than you guys.”
Liar, liar pants on fire.
“Ah, come on, Charly. You’re braver than we are. There’s no way I can go up there and ask to go in, but stuff like that doesn’t bother you.”
Doesn’t it?
No, she’s right. I’m not afraid to do stuff like that usually. I’m just feeling weird that he’s here, and I’m here.
Maybe he thinks I followed him here. I mean, surely, he doesn’t because I didn’t even know he would be out tonight. But he knew I would be, and…
Hang on, when he asked, I didn’t exactly tell him the name of which bar I was going to, but I did tell him I was going to the new bar on Sunset. This is the only new bar on Sunset.
Did he come here because he knew I’d be here?
Now, I want to go up there because I want to know the answer to that question.
“Fine. I’ll see if I can get us in.” I slip off my stool, grabbing my purse and drink. I tuck my purse under my arm.
I head for the stairway, which is unsurprisingly crowded, with Ava and Logan at my heels. I have to push my way through to get up to the top, which is now roped off. It wasn’t earlier.
The power of celebrity.
There are two security men at the top, and nearby, I spot Aiden, but he’s just a little too far away for me to call to.
Reaching the top of the stairs, I smile at the security man. The huge guy makes me feel like I’m the size of a toddler.
I decide to just go with the direct approach. “Hey, I work for Vaughn West. Can you let us through?”
He stares down at me, his eyes hard. “Yeah, and I’m Barack Obama. Michelle will be along any minute now.”
I do laugh at that. “You’re a funny guy. But, seriously, I do work for Vaughn. Indirectly. On the set of his new movie. I’m his dresser.”
“She really is,” Ava pipes up behind me.
“I dress Natasha Warner,” Logan chimes in.
“Well, that’s real nice for you all. I dressed myself tonight.” He sweeps a hand down himself. “And this area is still closed off to the general public. I can’t let you through.”
He turns his back on me, which pisses me off. I’m actually considering pulling my cell out and just calling Vaughn, but then I realize, to Ava and Logan, that might look like I’m a little too familiar with him.
And, anyway, Vaughn knows I’m here. If he wanted to see me, he would have come and gotten me.
It’s not like we’re dating. He just wants to fuck me.
God, he probably doesn’t even want me up here.
Not wanting to look like a stage five clinger, I turn, ready to tell Ava and Logan that we should go back downstairs, when I hear a voice that sends tingles running through me.
“Let them through.”
I spin back around, and I’m greeted by the sight of Vaughn. Then, immediately after, there’s the deafen
ing sound of screaming behind me.
I smile at him. He doesn’t smile back. Just looks at me like he wants to devour me whole.
I have to stop myself from visibly shivering.
The security guy unclips the rope and lets the three of us through.
“Hi,” I say to Vaughn. “Thanks for letting us in.”
He finally smiles, but it’s a secret smile. One that says he’s seen me naked and he’s thinking about getting me naked again real soon.
My stomach starts flipping around like a fish out of water.
“Yeah, thanks, Vaughn,” Ava says, glancing around like she’s looking for someone.
“Thanks, man,” Logan says to him.
“No problem,” Vaughn says, eyes on me.
“Is that Gabriel Evans?” Ava asks in that weird voice again, making me stare at her.
“Yeah, it is. You want to meet him?”
“Really? He won’t mind?” she squeaks, her face brightening.
I laugh to myself. I’ve never seen her get all fangirl over a celebrity like this before. I think someone has herself a crush.
Vaughn starts walking toward Gabriel, and we follow behind.
It’s like stepping into a whole other world.
There are quite a few people up here, some cast members and some people I don’t recognize.
I find myself watching Vaughn’s ass as he walks. It looks good in the jeans he’s wearing.
I had my hands on that very ass last night while he pounded in and out of me.
Holy shivers.
His shirt is molded to his body, and I just want to rip it off. With my teeth.
Vaughn stops at a group of guys. One of them is Gabriel Evans, and I recognize the other as Julian Jacob. Both of them are actors. Gabriel does movies. Julian is in TV. He does this big show about this cop who dies and comes back to life to avenge his murder. Unsurprisingly, it’s called Dead Cop. I haven’t seen it yet, but I’ve heard it’s awesome.
The three of them are the golden boys of Hollywood. And it’s easy to see why. I know Gabriel is part Italian, and it shows in his dark looks and lean, muscular body. Julian is the all-American boy with blond hair and blue eyes. Both are tall.
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