Page 36 of Princes of Hollywood

Something chases me in the dark, and I wrestle with whatever is holding me down. I bolt upright with my heart racing, flinging off the covers trying to hold me down. For a moment, I don’t know where I am or what’s happening. The nightmare felt real, so real, like too close to something that happened in the past. I push it away, hurrying out of the bed and stumbling into the bathroom.

The bright light makes me close my eyes, but I crack them open. I’m still in my dress. I’m at the mansion and must have fallen asleep during the movie. A shiver ripples through me. Given my memory of oranges, Aiden probably carried me to bed.

After washing my face, I wander into my room, turning on the lamp on the nightstand to find some sleep shorts and a tank to change into. When I climb back onto the bed, the nightmare clings to me, making my heartbeat erratic. The room is bigger than I’m used to. The house is eerily quiet. Maybe I can find some tea downstairs to help me back to sleep.

Grabbing a long cardigan, I pull it on over my tank top before opening the door to the rest of the house. I pause, standing in the light, listening. It’s quiet in the hallway, but there’s enough light from the full moon coming through the windows to see my way to the stairs. I don’t really want to run into anyone. As I get to the main floor, I can see a dim light is still on.

I hesitate, but what’s the worst that could happen?

I run into one of the four men who want to fuck me? It’s inevitable. I’m living with them. Releasing my breath, I walk into the kitchen. The light is the undercabinet lighting. The pool is also lit, giving a soft glow to the outside space.

Releasing my held breath, I check the pantry and find a small assortment of teas. With a peppermint tea bag in hand, I return to the kitchen. Seeing a silhouette of a man, I let out a small, startled noise.

“Greer?” Aiden steps into the light and my heartbeat begins to slow. Of all of them, Aiden is the easiest for me to deal with. He’s interested but also respects my space. Though with just sleep pants hanging low on his hips, he’s even more tempting.

“I woke and couldn’t go back to sleep.” I move toward the kettle and set my tea bag on the counter. “Figured a cup of warm tea would do the trick. Why are you up?”

Aiden runs his hand through his curls as he leans against the counter. “Insomnia.”

“Do you want some tea?” I fill the kettle with water and set it back on the pad to start heating it.

“Sure.”

I head back to the pantry. “Peppermint, chamomile, lemon honey, and there are a few more herbal blends.”

“What are you having?” His voice is deep and quiet like the night. It skates down my spine and settles low in my belly. It’s weird not to hear traffic and other city noises. Just the soft crash of ocean waves fills the room.

“Peppermint.”

“I’ll have that.”

I grab another tea bag and then get down two mugs before heading back to the kettle. “Do you get insomnia often?”

Focusing on the cups, I open the packages and put the tea bags in while waiting for the water to heat.

“Some nights.” He sounds off, which worries me. Off isn’t good for an addict. But I also don’t know him well. It’s hard to remember that when he seems like such a large part of my life. Movies and interviews with him don’t really count as getting to know him. I have to keep that in mind.

But he’s also a recovering addict.

“What do you normally do when you can’t sleep?” I glance around the kitchen. The wine is all in the wine room. He said he doesn’t like it, but that doesn’t mean it won’t do in a pinch. I haven’t seen other alcohol anywhere, but I haven’t looked for it either. I’m sure they have a liquor cabinet, but it should be locked.

Tomorrow, I’ll get a better tour. Maybe I’ll ask Mason to show me where all the hidden dangers might be.

“Drink.” He sighs. “It’s been a while.”

I resist the urge to turn to him. He needs my trust that he can control himself. I’m here for when things get bad, which being up alone in the middle of the night could potentially spell disaster. How often has he been restless and stood in this kitchen, wanting a drink?

Fighting that battle on his own has to be draining.

The kettle whistles, and I pour the hot water over the tea bags. I pick up both of our cups and motion to the living room. “Come on, let’s go sit over here.”

I sit in the corner of the couch and set the cups on the coasters on the end table before turning on the lamp. Aiden walks in and sits down heavily beside me. The light on the pool shuts off, leaving the outside dark, with the exception of the moonlight.

“We need to let it steep a little.” I tuck my feet under me and study Aiden.

He looks tired, and I don’t smell any alcohol on him. There weren’t any glasses on the counter. Not that he would need one.

He blows out a breath. “I didn’t drink, little warrior. I may want a drink, but I know I can’t even have a sip. There are no drugs in this house. So I’m clean.”

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