Page 91 of Princes of Hollywood

Siobhan laughs, and her green eyes find me. They sparkle with life. Her dark hair flows down her back, and she looks as gorgeous as ever. She molds herself to Greyson’s body the way she used to cling to me.

“Fuck,” I whisper. She’s happy. She’s moved on. And I’m tangled in my addiction. Barely able to move forward, crawling inch by inch.

“Let me help you.” Greer’s words are soft and they draw me, tempt me.

When I turn, she’s right there. Beautiful, young, vibrant. I’m going to hell because I’m about to do something that should happen four months from now and in private, but because my ex is here with her new boy toy, I’m going to break my own rules.

When I cup Greer’s cheek, her hand goes over mine. So fucking trusting. I touch my forehead to hers and say softly so only she can hear, “I’ve wanted to do this since you walked through our door. Waiting would be the smartest course, but my pain is rising, and I need to lose myself in you, with you. Greer—”

I don’t make it through my speech as I press my lips to hers. She gasps a little, and I give in fully to temptation. I only meant to sample, but I knew one touch was all it would take.

I deepen the kiss, ransacking her mouth for the cure to my pain. As she slides her tongue against mine and whimpers in need, I find that moment of peace and bliss. A moment of pure joy that I didn’t think I’d be allowed to feel again. That I don’t think I deserve.

The noise around us fades until it’s just me and her. I soften the kiss, losing myself in the taste of her, of Greer. I was right. She’s addictive. The softness of her, the little whimper in the back of her throat, her hand clutching mine.

I already crave her, need her, but now I know her taste, and I want more.

If we weren’t at a party, I’d draw her on my lap and slide inside her, to make myself a whole person, to feel complete. But we aren’t alone, and the only reason I leaped into this is because I couldn’t handle the reality of my life.

A bucket of cold water wouldn’t have been more effective than that thought.

Fuck. I lift my mouth and press my forehead to hers, catching my breath. What did I just do? “I shouldn’t have, little warrior.”

“It’s okay.”

I open my eyes to her soft brown eyes. They’ve darkened as she smiles. I want to fall into her again.

“Didn’t realize you two would need a chaperone.” Wyatt pulls me out of the moment. I raise my gaze to him. And the realization of what I just did sweeps through me like an ice storm. I kissed Greer at a party.

“Fuck,” I whisper. How bad is it? I’m almost afraid to ask.

Wyatt smirks. “Your ex saw, but Roarke drew everyone else’s attention away by proposing a fight with Greyson. Even found sticks to use as swords. You okay?”

He’s asking me. Greer still holds my hand. Her worried gaze remains steady on me. Her lips are slightly swollen and so tempting that I want to lean back in and take them. To escape with her and discover every tantalizing inch of her.

“I’m good.” I inhale. “Really. I just needed…”

“I get you, brother.” Wyatt puts his hand on my shoulder, and I feel like a complete ass. He knows exactly why I did it. Siobhan looked happy, in love even. My life fell apart while hers soared. She destroyed me. I needed to show her she didn’t completely break me.

“I’m here for you, Aiden.” Greer’s soft voice draws my attention. “Whatever you need.”

I’m an asshole. I can’t even hold my own line in the sand.

“Stop.” Wyatt sits on the coffee table in front of us. “Whatever the fuck you’re thinking. Stop. You reacted, Aiden. That’s all. You’re fucking human. Your ex showed up and you didn’t go for a drink or drugs. You went for Greer. I’m counting that as a win. Right, kitten?”

She smiles, and my heart pounds. “Yes, definitely better than alcohol.”

“We should mingle.” Wyatt stands and holds his hand out to Greer. “If we go together, people will wonder what the fuck is happening if they saw the kiss.”

Fortunately, these are industry professionals. Typically, they won’t throw someone under the bus because they know we’ve seen them at their lowest or we will. It’s inevitable. But there’s always the possibility they’ll feed the tabloids this to stop their own story going live. We’ll need to tread carefully.

#

GREER

On Wyatt’s arm, I apparently gain some visibility. Or maybe it was the kiss. More people ask about me, but then Aiden steps next to me, and once again I slip into the background. Honestly, I don’t know how to act around these people.

Most of them seem larger than life to me. They all wear plastic smiles and talk about either business or simple small talk, neither of which I’m very adept at talking about.

---