Page 28 of Princes of Hollywood

I make a note to clarify that. Dishes. Straightening. Vacuuming the main area. Apparently, they want a housewife. For what they intend to pay me, I’ll buy a bunch of fifties dresses and aprons and heels and do whatever they like around the house. Minus the martinis, of course.

“What’s that smile for?” Aiden’s voice still makes me starstruck.

Setting the tablet on my lap, I raise my gaze to find Aiden with his muscled arms crossed on the edge of the pool. His hair is slicked back. How long was he watching me?

“The smile, little warrior?” He cocks his eyebrow.

Shit. What was I thinking about? “Oh, that I should get fifties-style dresses, an apron, and heels to do all my chores in.”

His smile spreads. “You want to be our little housewife?”

“You know I’m more than my size.” I pick up the tablet and scroll through the list more.

The sound of water sliding off him makes me raise my gaze to watch him lift himself out of the pool. Where Roarke and Wyatt are built thick, Aiden is all lean muscle. I swear he gets out of the pool like he’s being filmed. Graceful, without a hint of awkwardness.

The sunlight glints off the water caressing his skin. His defined abs and that V disappear into his square-leg, tight swimsuit hugging his hips. And I’m checking out his package, noting its large size before dropping my gaze to his legs.

Sex doesn’t normally preoccupy my mind, but I’m going to blame them for even putting the thoughts into my head. They’re way too gorgeous to go around saying they want to have sex with someone like me. People like me are just not used to that kind of attention.

He walks to the chair next to me and grabs his towel off it. I didn’t even notice that I’d sat next to it. He pats himself dry and sits on the chair facing me.

“What are you looking at?” He rubs the towel over his hair and the curls all bounce back into place.

I hold up the tablet like a proud toddler. “My list of chores.”

He smirks. “Mason likes things a certain way. I wouldn’t tell him about the fifties vibe or he’ll make it happen.”

I set the tablet on my lap. “I get that I need to help around the house. But what do you need from me? It would help if I knew your typical schedule.”

With a smile, he reclines on the lounge chair next to me. “What I need is a loaded question, little warrior.”

“Why?” I turn on my side to watch him. “I’m being hired as your sobriety buddy. You must have some expectations from me.”

“I’m glad you’re taking this job seriously.” He turns his head my way and squints in the sunlight. “I’ll give you as much access as you like. You want to know my routine, just follow me for a day.”

“Okay.” That sounds easy enough. It’s not like I have other things to do. “What do we do first?”

“Shower.” He gives me a grin that makes my insides melt.

My lips curve even though I try to hold it back. “Fine, but I’m taking one in my bedroom.”

“Sounds like a plan.” He sits up.

“On my own,” I stress.

“Someday I’m going to use the recovery card.” He eyes me up and down, making my toes curl. “Do you know how much play I could be getting?”

Probably a lot. I ignore his question and the heat pooling inside me. “Do you have therapy?”

“Individual and group. Once a week and when needed.” Aiden runs a hand through his hair. “One of the guys will come with. There’s a nice restaurant across from the office building where you can get something to eat while you wait.”

“That sounds nice.” I want to ask him more, but I also don’t want to pry. Certain things always made my mother backslide. Does he have anything like that? Something I need to watch for? But when he’s looking at me like this, I don’t want to remind him of the bad times in his life.

He seems happy and healthy, practically glowing in the sunlight. He stands and holds his hand out to me. Without a thought, I slip my hand into his. Sparks travel up my arm as I let him help me stand.

This is all so delicate. He’s recovering. Roarke made me come in my apartment. Wyatt almost kissed me. And Mason wants to dissect me. Not how I saw my day going at all.

Aiden doesn’t release my hand but leads me through the house to our end of the hallway. He lifts my hand up to his mouth and brushes his lips over my knuckles. Tingles skitter down my spine, as his blue eyes hold mine.

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