Better than the Book: A Romantic Comedy (Charitable Endeavors Book 4)

by M. E. Carter

  The green light unlocking my door flashes and I step into the room. Maybe if Celeste and I have a repeat of last night, I can convince her to come to my suite. Not that there was anything wrong with her room, but it seems ridiculous for me to have this huge space and not use it. Besides, there are more surfaces here for us to christen.

  Walking into the bedroom, I toss my wallet on the dresser and kick off my shoes. As I unbutton my shirt, I see the red light on the hotel phone flashing. A message. I should ignore it. My phone is powered down for a reason. I need to relax. A thought of my parents unable to reach me is the only reason I pick up the receiver and listen to the message.

  “Hunter why is your phone going to voicemail? Is it broken? Did something happen? I knew this was a bad idea.”

  Eddie rambles on. Asking questions and drawing his own conclusions. He is an excellent manager and I owe him my career, but the guy can’t take a hint for shit. Hell, not even a hint. I flat out told him not to call me. I need forty-eight hours off. I guess he’s doing that new math my nephew bitches about because I haven’t been here forty-eight hours.

  After the fifth message he seems to relent and accept I’m off the grid. “Fine. Look, there may be some scheduling changes in the next few weeks so make sure you check in with me when you’re back stateside. Don’t get too comfortable. Remember the press lurks in the shadows and someone you think is your friend may be using you. Don’t hook up with any randoms either. We don’t need your junk on the cover of the tabloids. Not that I mind extra press, but it’s not the image we’re going for.”

  With that final warning, I hang up the receiver and pad my way into the shower. Another bonus to this suite is the massive walk-in shower and multiple jets to work out the tight muscles in my back. Letting the hot water beat my skin, I drop my chin to my chest and replay last night in my mind.

  Holding Celeste close to me as we swayed to the music, so far off the fast beat it was laughable, I was happy to stand in the middle of the space with eyes on us. Mostly Carrie’s eyes as she waggled her brows and made kissy faces at Celeste. It was the first time in a long time I can truly say I didn’t mind being front and center in a public space. Contrary to what some may think about actors, not all of us love being the center of attention unless it’s on the stage or screen. Hand me a script and give me direction and I’ll stand beneath the hot lights and act my ass off. I’ll demand attention and relish in the accolades. The applause and words of affirmation filling my soul.

  Yet, last night, still incognito to almost everyone thanks to my apparently lumberjack costume, I pretended not to notice the whispers, because I didn’t care. I saw them, but for once, I didn’t mind. Not when I know it was because they were looking at her. The way her body molded to mine and the way her blonde curls blew in the breeze.

  Shaking off the memories of that hair feathered across her pillow as she looked up at me, I turn to the taps and crank the handles to cold, letting the switch in temperature calm my need to rush to her again.

  These towels are plush and soft. No surprise there. This hotel doesn’t skimp on anything, and with the price I’m paying for this room, I should hope not. Running the white cotton across my long hair, I use my other hand to wipe the mirror, now foggy from the steam. As I fasten the towel around my waist, I contemplate shaving off the beard. I can’t do much about the too long hair on my head, but the beard is something I can handle. Except, I think Celeste may revoke her offer of a day on the beach today if I do. She made multiple mentions last night of the way it tickled her skin in the best way and I wouldn’t want to deny her that. Nor would I want to deny myself seeing her in a bikini. The beard stays.

  A knock at the door pulls my attention from my morning routine. Nobody knows my room number and I didn’t call for room service but perhaps it’s housekeeping. To my surprise it isn’t a woman pushing a cart of linens. It’s so much better.

  “Hey gorgeous.”

  Bright pink tints her creamy skin and my heart thuds in my chest.

  “Hi.”

  I purse my lips to hold back laughter at the way her eyes settle on the towel low on my hips. Her tongue peeks out between her lips, and if I’m not mistaken, her breath hiccups before she releases it and darts her eyes to mine.

  Smirking her way, I step aside and motion her into the room.

  “No way, mister. I step through that door and I’m going to do very wicked things. I just wanted to let you know I checked at the front desk and they do have open cabanas today.”

  “You could have called,” I comment as I rest my hands on my hips, letting the door rest against my elbow.

  “I don’t have your cell number and if I had, I wouldn’t have seen all of this.” Her hand swirls between us like she’s a magician and I’m her surprise for the audience.

  Stepping into her space, I slide my hand around the back of her neck, my hands missing her curls since she has them piled atop her head. Leaning down, I smack a quick kiss to her lips.

  “I’ll book the cabana and meet you in the lobby in thirty?”

  Sighing, a small smile appears on her lips. “’Kay.”

  Once I’m left alone, I do as I said and book our cabana, having the staff add a few salads and snacks along with waters and other non-alcoholic beverages. Celeste and I may not have been drunk last night, but I know we both drank more than we normally do and could use a little hydration today.

  The resort is bustling by the time I make it to the lobby to meet Celeste. She’s standing near a large fountain talking to the Roberts family as I approach. Matthew spots me first, a knowing smile appearing on his lips. He can’t see my eyes with my polarized sunglasses which is probably a good thing because if I could shoot lasers at him, I would.

  “There he is. How’re you feeling, whiskey man?”

  Gripping his palm, I squeeze a little harder than necessary. “Is that my new superhero name? I don’t think the studio would approve.”

  Carrie giggles as her new step-daughter tugs on my arm. Looking down at her, I wait for her to speak.

  “Carrie and Miss Celeste said you’re way hotter than on television. I don’t know what the TV has to do with it, but our room had air conditioning that made it so cold I needed a blanket. Maybe you should use our room.”

  The adults around us bark out laughs, causing the pint size cutie to look at them like they’ve lost their minds before turning her attention back to me. I school my own laugh and say, “Thanks for the offer. I’ll see what I can do.”

  Satisfied with my response, she skips away, and I look to Carrie and Celeste. Neither will look me in the eye as they suddenly find the water in the fountain much more exciting.

  “Well, that was awkward. Ready, babe? We should claim our seats on the shuttle,” Matthew suggests as he snuggles into his wife’s neck, causing her to giggle. “You two play nice today. Hunter, I’ll be in L.A. next month for a seminar if you want to meet up. It’s for my day job so I’ll be more than happy to get away from the suits for a while.”

  “Sounds good. Send me the dates and I’ll see if I’m in town.”

  The happy couple strolls away, hand in hand leaving Celeste and me alone. This time, it’s me who takes the time to peruse Celeste’s body. The dress she is wearing should conceal her curves, but it doesn’t. Instead, the deep V at her chest gives me a peek at her cleavage while the thin fabric, skims her hips before stopping just above her knee.

  “Ready for a day of fun in the sun?” I ask as I grab her hand, interlinking our fingers.

  The smile she gives me in response is worth more than the contract I just signed for a new ad campaign. Together, we make our way out to the beach and a day with no commitments and nowhere else to be but with each other.

  • • •

  “A rubber band pulled tight and set on fire. That’s how my skin feels. I thought a cabana meant we would be shaded.”

  She flinches as I rub the aloe into her skin. Her very pink and hot skin. Hours playing like a couple
of teenagers on spring break, we didn’t do the one thing my mom always reminded me to do hourly—reapply sunscreen. What can I say? I was distracted by a hot blonde in a floral print bathing suit. While my dreams had Celeste in a tiny bikini, the real life version of her in a one-piece suit that hugged every curve and accentuated her lean legs was even better.

  “It was all the time in the water that did us in.”

  “Not us. Me. You and your perfect “I can tan and never burn” skin tone are barely pink. My white ass is burnt like a piece of bacon.”

  Sitting before me with only a towel wrapped around her, I gently apply the aloe but watch as her warm skin absorbs it instantly. When we returned from the beach, I convinced Celeste to grab her belongings and move to my room. We’re both flying out tomorrow morning, coincidentally enough, on the same flight, so there’s no reason we can’t spend our final night together and share my car to the airport. I immediately directed her to the large shower and set the water to cool, hoping to pull some of the heat from her skin.

  “Okay that’s enough for now,” I say, snapping the aloe vera bottle shut. “I think it’s just the initial burn, nothing major. It wouldn’t surprise me if the sting was gone by morning. Thankfully, we don’t have to leave this room. We can order dinner, cue up a movie, and never leave this bed.”

  Turning around and searching my eyes, she lifts her lips into a smile. “I love when you talk dirty. Will it bother you if I slip between these cool sheets and take off this towel? It’s driving me nuts, but I don’t think I can put on a shirt let alone a bra.”

  “Would you being naked in my bed bother me? Have we met?”

  Rolling her eyes, she slowly moves to the bed and slips between the sheets, tossing her towel on the floor. I scoop it up, hand her the remote, and leave her alone while I go shower the day off myself.

  A dinner of burgers and fries with two flavors of milkshakes behind us, we’re halfway through a classic romantic comedy of Celeste’s choosing when I notice she’s quieter than usual. Looking down to where she’s settled at my side, I find her sound asleep. Gently, I slide out from next to her and she turns to her side, hugging the pillow to her chest.

  Quietly, I clean up our mess and use the bathroom before killing the lights and sliding in next to her, spooning her to my front. The heat from her sunburn is warm on my chest and a reminder of a weekend that has reset my soul. I have the woman in my arms to thank for that.

  Chapter Twelve

  Celeste

  The warmth of the tropical breeze blows over my naked skin. It’s soothing and relaxes me in a way nothing in the city has for months. As I stretch out the kinks of a night of amazing sex and a good night’s sleep, I enjoy the bright sunlight shining in the room. That can only mean one thing… this day is going to be great.

  No, that’s not right. It means something else. But what?

  “OHMIGOD WE OVERSLEPT!”

  Between my outburst and my Olympic track-and-field-like launch out of bed, Hunter wakes up.

  He sits straight up in bed, eyes wide and assessing. “What? What’s wrong?”

  “It’s eight forty-five! We have to leave for the airport, like, now!”

  “Son of bitch,” he grumbles and slowly rolls off the world’s most comfortable mattress as if we aren’t about to miss our flight to Atlanta. I assume we’ll part ways for our connecting flights, but I don’t have time to think about that right now.

  “What? Why aren’t you moving faster?” I ask as I pull on my bra, hissing at the sting of my sunburn as the clasp snaps in place. So much for my skin being healed by morning.

  Picking up the phone, he presses the one for the concierge. Is he ordering room service? We don’t have time for this. “Yeah, we are running late for check out. Myself and Celeste Pump… Pumpa…”

  “Pumperkin!” I yell.

  “Right. What she said. I have a driver waiting for me downstairs. Can you please tell him we’ll be about ten minutes?”

  Hunter gives them more information so we can check out quickly and then hangs up, turning to me. “There. Fixed.”

  “That was so much easier than trying to catch the shuttle to the airport,” I admit, throwing clothes into my suitcase willy nilly.

  “Stick with me, baby, and we’ll go places.” He waggles his eyebrows, apparently not realizing he just quoted The Lion King, not Casablanca. I’d find it cheesy. Instead it’s just another endearing part of this man I have enjoyed so much.

  “While you have mad skills on getting our transportation cleared up, Hunter, it’s still a thirty minute drive to the airport and we have to check in, get through International security and find our gate. All in less than two and a half hours. Got a magic wand for that?”

  The way he crinkles his nose makes me pause. He does, doesn’t he? The man is about to pull out some more magic, I just know it.

  “We’re already checked in and have priority boarding. Plus the driver will have TSA waiting to escort us through the airport so we make it on time.”

  I drop the shirt I just picked up off the floor. “What do you mean they’ll escort us?”

  He shrugs sheepishly, and I don’t think the beginnings of a sunburn is pinking his cheeks. Nope. That’s a blush. “It’s sort of a celebrity perk. That way we can get in and out of the airport fast without having to stop and look at directions or signs. Keeps us from getting stopped by fans.”

  “Well, well,” I say playfully. “Isn’t that a nice addition to this vacation. In that case, I’ll take the extra two minutes to actually fold my clothes instead of shoving them inside my suitcase.”

  He smiles and gestures over his shoulder with his thumb. “I’ll use the facilities first and grab all my toiletries, then we can switch. We’ll make it, I promise.”

  My head cocks to the side as I watch him saunter away from me. That man has one fine back and shoulders. The muscles he sports are possibly my favorite part of his body. Well, second favorite part.

  As soon as he’s out of sight and I can keep myself focused, I move at a steady pace, and it’s a good thing we don’t dawdle. By the time we’re dressed, clear out of the room, and find our driver, we have less than two hours until take off. We are not going to be at the airport three hours ahead of schedule like the airlines recommend. Knowing how close we’re cutting it stresses me out. At least I can pull up my boarding pass on my phone and make sure my ID is handy.

  But of course, there’s another problem.

  “Shit.”

  “What?” Hunter leans over to see what has me freaking out this time.

  “Something’s wrong with my reservation. The ticket I pulled up has me in first class.” I laugh as I search around the app to see how to fix it. “That is way out of my paygrade. I should be in the back over the engine. Probably in a middle seat next to a screaming baby.”

  Hunter doesn’t laugh with me. Instead he tenses up. There’s that faux sunburn on his cheeks again.

  “So, um…” He clears his throat like he’s nervous. “I took the liberty of upgrading you to first class so we could sit together. But only if you want to,” he tacks on quickly.

  I am a strong, independent woman. I can take care of myself and pride myself on the fact that I’ve been able to survive and thrive in one of the most expensive cities in the world. But knowing that Hunter has enjoyed getting to know me, that he’s enjoyed spending time with me so much that he dropped at least two grand so I can sit next to him in luxury for a few hours has my heart melting. I knew I felt this thing between us but wasn’t holding out hope for much more. If it ends up being a weekend fling, I’m okay with that. But to know he finds our budding relationship, whatever status it is, easy and something he wants more of makes me smile.

  “I’d like that. Thank you.”

  The relief on his face is evidence of his nerves in even offering. And once again, I find myself endeared by Hunter the man. If only our real lives weren’t so far apart in not only distance but life situation. Bummer.


  Pulling up to the airport, I grab my purse just as the driver opens our door. As promised, a very large man who is muscular in all the right places, and based off his uniform works for security, is standing at the curb.

  “Mr. Stone.” He holds his hand out to shake. “My name is Raf and I’ll be helping you and your party to the gate today. Do you have any bags that need checking?”

  Before Hunter or I can reply, the driver drops our luggage next to us. Raf signals another airport employee to grab our items. Speaking quickly and in hushed tones, he directs them to which flight is ours and they’re off with our suitcases, only pausing to hand us the tags to claim them later.

  “Thank you, Raf. Is that short for something?” I ask as I slip the tag into my purse.

  “Rafael, miss. Only my mother and wife use my full name. Usually if I’m in some sort of trouble.”

  Smiling at the kind man, I glance to my travel partner and notice he’s donned a baseball cap which is pulled low on his forehead. I watch as everyone scurries around us, seemingly unaware of the celebrity in their midst. Holy shit. Hunter wasn’t kidding when he eluded to it being red carpet service. Here I was worried about missing out flight and they’re going above and beyond to make sure we don’t just get there on time, we do it without any stress. It’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced.

  Hunter Stone, on the other hand, fits in seamlessly as he discreetly passes a folded bill to our driver and his sincere thanks for getting us here on time. I don’t want to know how much the gratuity was. The way all of this is happening, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was an amount close to my last light bill. I’ve learned in the last few days with him that Hunter isn’t just a movie star, he’s so much more. But when it’s time to put his fame to use, he does it well.

  By the time we cut to the front of the long security line, courtesy of our new pal Raf, and arrive at the gate, our plane is already boarding. As priority members, Hunter not me, we bypass the passengers waiting in the general boarding line and quickly make our way to the ticket handler. It’s fast but with our VIP treatment, we are settled into our plush seats within minutes.