Page 17 of Princes of Hollywood

“It won’t take me long. I just need to run there and back. I’ll sign whatever you need me to.” The words rush out of me. I’m not ready for Roarke to not want me. I’ll be the first one to admit that I need to feel wanted. Even if I’m not ready to explore it.

Roarke shakes his head as he tips my chin with his knuckle. My breath catches at his touch as hot and heavy desire floods my veins. “If you think you can tell me your ex implied you needed to blow him to stay there and believe I’ll let you go there alone, you have another thing coming.”

His stern crystal-blue eyes lock with mine. My body is hyped up being so close to him. Honestly, he could pretty much ask me to do anything and I’d probably willingly do it. His smile tells me he knows it too.

A shiver rushes through me at the feel of Aiden closing in on my back. Caught between the two of them, I’m lost to the sensations flooding my body. Fuck, they’re potent. I’ve never been really adventurous in the bedroom, but suddenly the thought of the two of them has my brain spinning.

“You shouldn’t go alone if your ex is an issue.” Aiden’s smooth, dark voice sends sparks dancing down my spine.

One, I’ve been going it alone for most of my life. Two, what the hell am I getting myself into here? I’m going to be alone with these guys day in and day out. I don’t think I’ll be able to hold out for long. They’re barely touching me and my panties are soaked. Seriously, there’s a bed right there, and my libido is fully aware of it.

I don’t want to disappoint them, though, and that holds me back. Guys like them are used to a certain caliber of women, and I’m not it.

“Come on, poppet.” Roarke grins. “How good would it feel to walk in with me on your arm?”

Chad would lose his shit. Seriously. Which would be epic. I’m pretty sure I’m not getting out of here alone, so I need to take some control. And that means rules.

“Fine, you can come with, but”—I hold up my finger—“I drive my car and you try to look like a normal human—”

“Do I look like an alien?”

“And you stay in the car,” I end before I lose my nerve.

His eyes darken and his thumb trails along my jawline, making shivers course through me. “Ashamed of me, poppet?”

A nervous chuckle bursts out of me. “No, but I don’t want to deal with a horde of groupies either.”

“Give me five minutes, then.” He chucks me under the chin before his gaze lifts to Aiden. He grins. “Keep our girl warm for me.”

Butterflies spin drunkenly in my stomach at his words. No one’s ever called me their girl. Even living with Chad, I didn’t feel like I belonged. We were more roommates than lovers.

Our girl. Those words tempt me. Every time Roarke claims me as his, the knot in my stomach eases.

Roarke’s smiling eyes meet mine. His grin softens into a smile that makes those butterflies flutter higher.

“Five minutes, poppet.” He walks around me, and for a moment, I just breathe, trying to find my common sense.

It’s not real. None of this is. It’s like the paper dolls I had as a child. Fun to play with and imagine, but eventually they fall apart or tear. This whole thing is terribly fragile, and I’m worried I’ll end up the torn one at the end of it when they finally throw me away.

I might interest them because I’m new, but that’s all I’ve got going for me. It will wear off. I need a reality check, and fortunately, seeing Chad will do that for me.

“What are you fighting now, little warrior?” Aiden’s words are soft. He lifts his hand like he’s going to touch me, and my breath stalls in my chest.

“This is a mistake.” The words tumble from my lips. I turn to look up at him.

His light blue eyes search mine. His lips are pulled down. He rests his hand on my shoulder. Even though he doesn’t put any weight on it, it scorches through my T-shirt, igniting the flames inside.

“Which part?” His voice is soft and luring.

“I’m not used to this kind of attention.” I glance toward the open door, knowing Roarke will be back soon. “I’m not anything special. I’m nothing.”

“Just because you aren’t famous doesn’t mean you’re nothing, Greer.” When I lower my eyes, his hand cups my cheek. So fucking gently that tears press on my eyes. Sparks tingle beneath the heat of his hand. “I believe you can do this job, or I wouldn’t have insisted on hiring you.”

I open my mouth to protest, but he presses a finger against my lips. My mind blanks as my arousal burns even higher.

“You may think you’re nothing special.” He tips his head like he’s studying me and making mental notes. “But I’m not attracted to a lot of people. There’s something here, and I want to explore it. With you. When you’re ready.”

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