Page 66 of Princes of Hollywood

She’s this fragile flower that wilts without praise and blooms with it. She hesitates, but we don’t. Well, except me.

So far, Roarke’s allowing me to withdraw, but only when it doesn’t hurt her. Which makes me curious. Does he want more from her, or is this his normal two-week fling? He murmurs something to her that I can’t hear.

She releases a little laugh, and it curls around my insides and tugs. It would be easier if I only wanted her body, but I want those smiles and that laughter. I want to hold her in the dark and chase away her demons. But I’m barely chasing away my own.

He sets her back on her feet. As she walks away, he smacks her ass. She turns and glares at him, but he just chuckles as he heads downstairs.

Her eyes seek me out. I love that she does that. I love that she relies on me to guide her. It’s a need. Almost as addicting as the feel of her warm body pressed into mine when we sleep.

When she finishes working in the kitchen, she stares outside for a second. A wistful look falls over her.

The next few lines of the script jumble together, and I set it to the side.

When I stand, she straightens.

“Come on, little warrior. Let’s go for a walk.” I hold my hand out and she joins me. My large hand swallows hers. Siobhan was almost as tall as me with her heels. Our hands naturally fell together with her thumb over mine.

Greer’s thumb slides beneath mine, and it feels different but right.

She tugs me to a stop at the door. “Oh, wait, shoes.”

She holds up her bare feet. I can’t help smiling at her dainty feet and toes.

“We’re walking on the beach. You don’t need shoes.”

Shrugging, she follows me around the pool deck. When we climb past the chairs Wyatt and Mason smoke in, she pauses and checks out their setup. They didn’t actually smoke last night.

I’m curious what they discussed, but I’m sure it’s the same thing that has me spinning.

Greer. She’s already beginning to change things around here. I don’t know if it’s for the better yet.

#

GREER

We crest the dune, and a wooden pier stretches all the way to the beach and ocean. The smell is amazing. Crashing waves, sea birds, and my pounding heart fill my ears.

My hand tightens around Aiden’s as the ocean spreads out before me, seemingly endless. I can’t contain my grin. It’s just how I remember it. Though the beach was more crowded wherever we were.

My mother was healthy then. I have vague memories, but the warm ball of love in my heart I remember clearly. The hazy picture of a man with us that I can only assume is my father, but the only proof I have of him is that one picture.

My mind can’t lock on him or memories of him. Except that one day at the beach. The memory I held onto during the hard years that followed. The way I want to remember my mother and not the cold stare.

Aiden wraps his arms around me and rubs my arm. “I should have let you grab a sweater.”

“I’m not cold” automatically comes out of my mouth before I even check to see if I am. Don’t be a bother. It’s been drilled into me by foster parent after foster parent. If you’re too needy, they send you away.

His hand runs up my arm. “I can feel your goose bumps.”

“I don’t want to go back. I’m fine.” I give him a genuine smile. “Let’s take a walk.”

I want this time with him. Alone when we aren’t fast asleep in each other’s arms. Maybe I should feel embarrassed that I’m becoming comfortable being manhandled by Roarke. Or that I’m not ashamed that Wyatt and Mason both made me come too. Or even that Aiden watched me.

I’ve never had a chance to embrace life before, and I can’t wait to do more. Aiden leads me down to the sand, and I pause when my feet sink into the soft, warm sand.

“How long has it been?” He smiles down at my wiggling toes.

“I don’t know, honestly. Before Dad left, back when Mom wasn’t addicted.” It’s hard to remember that there were good times. Hard to remember that, at one point, my mom and dad took care of me and not the other way around.

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