Page 5 of Princes of Hollywood

I stifle a chuckle and raise an eyebrow, even as my hands grow clammy. I’m five feet tall, not exactly model material. Glancing down at my current state, I give him a look that asks really? “Neither.”

“Do you know how to cook?”

“Yes.” It’s one of the things I love to do. One of my foster mothers, Cindy, was a baker.

“Cleaning up will be part of your duties, but we do have a maid who comes by twice a week for deep cleaning. We’ll have a list for you. Do you have a problem with that?” His dark eyebrow lifts, challenging me.

“Not at all.” I’ve spent years picking up after other people.

When I glance Roarke’s way, he winks, making my whole body flush with heat. This is worse than any test anxiety I used to have. I’m hyperaware of all of them. The other guys lounge nearby, studying me. I twist the bottom of my T-shirt around my finger to give my hands something to do.

“Your main purpose will be to keep Aiden sober.” Mason glances at Aiden, who snorts and leans back like he doesn’t have a care in the world. “He’s fresh from rehab, and we have a lot of money riding on this film. We can’t have the fuckups like his last film.”

It’d been in all the tabloid news: his divorce and subsequent breakdown, followed by a stint in rehab. I don’t look at him, knowing that’s what he expects. I always hated the pitying looks from people, like you meant to fuck up your life. Like you’re flawed somehow for feeling things deeply.

“You obviously didn’t show up intending to try to seduce any of us.” Mason waves a hand at my outfit and smirks.

A breath rushes out of me, and I meet his eyes with an honest gaze. “My ex was being a dick, so I left in a hurry. Roarke asked if I could interview now, so I came straight here. I’m looking for a job and somewhere to stay. Not a man to bone. Besides, I’d hate for you to think I’m polished all the time. That would take hours to accomplish.”

“See, told you you’d like her. No fuss, no muss.” Roarke chuckles and pushes Mason’s shoulder. Like Roarke could get all that from our brief phone conversation.

Mason barely moves but glares at Roarke. Not moving his gaze from Roarke, Mason says, “We’ll need a urine test now and a blood test later. Unfortunately, someone will need to go into the bathroom with you to make sure it’s your urine.”

Roarke opens his mouth, but Aiden stands. “I’ll do it. People have been watching me pee for the last few months. It’d be a change to watch someone else.”

I don’t think my face can get any redder as he gestures for me to follow him. When I send a quick glance at everyone else, they all just watch us go. This is a normal thing, apparently. All right, I’m just going to follow the Aiden Clyborne and pee in front of him.

Fuck. How humiliating. But then I think of Chad wanting a blow job and know I’d do anything to get out of that place. Fuck, I’d probably blow all of them to get out of that apartment. My cheeks heat more as that thought doesn’t actually repulse me. It must be this place and being starstruck.

We walk down a set of stairs and pass a movie room. This is a one-in-a-million chance to see how the other half lives. My mouth drops open as I take in the expensive fixtures and pretty decorations. Did they pick this stuff out, or did a decorator come through?

With my attention distracted by all the pretty things, I crash into Aiden’s back when he stops. His back is hard as I steady myself on him.

“Sorry,” I mumble as I take a step back.

He smells like oranges, and I want to lean into the scent. But when he turns, I hustle back, trying to look like I wasn’t just sniffing him. He raises an eyebrow with that face that makes the bad guys cry in his action films.

Intimidating as fuck. I clasp my hands tight behind my back.

“Don’t run the water. When you’re finished, let me know and I’ll come in and get the sample so you can wash your hands.” Aiden’s voice is smooth like the best chocolate.

“Wait?” I point to the bathroom. “You aren’t going with me?”

He steps closer and lowers his voice. Suddenly, his heat and that citrus scent surround me, and it feels overwhelmingly intimate. He glances upstairs before returning his gaze to me. “I’ve peed enough in front of strangers to know how dehumanizing it is. If you let me pat you down, I can make sure you aren’t hiding any bags of urine on you.”

“First, ew. Second, people do that?” I tilt my head as I meet Aiden’s blue eyes.

“Yes, addicts do that. They do a lot to get their fix.” He drops his gaze before meeting my eyes again. “So what’s it going to be?”

I bite my lip and try not to stare at him, but fuck, who wouldn’t? Even if he weren’t a famous movie star, the guy is hot. The thought of his hands on my body makes my insides swirl with heat. But peeing in front of him would be humiliating.

Normally, that’s a relationship killer, and while I don’t think I’ll be in a relationship with him anytime soon, I will have to work with him day in and day out. So maybe some boundaries would be good.

I hold out my arms and spread my legs like I’m being arrested.

He shakes his head, but a hint of a smile quirks his lips. “This won’t take long.”

“Is that a short joke?” I give him a look like I’m offended. It’s not like I haven’t heard them all.

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