Page 42 of You Rock My World
The hallway outside the women extras’ dressing room is a tangle of actors and crew. I’m exhausted but still thrumming, as if I’d plugged myself into an open socket and got charged by the surreal experience of being on a TV show.
My phone vibrates with a text.
Dorian
Have you forsaken your knight in shining armor?
I smile, amazed that he’s already washed off the fake mud and blood. It feels like I just got to the studio, but it’s been hours. The scene Dorian wasn’t in dragged on.
Josie
Isn’t patience a knightly virtue?
His typing bubbles pop up, but I reach his dressing room before his reply is delivered.
I knock, and Dorian opens the door, freshly showered and relaxed in a plain T-shirt and jeans. His damp hair falls in tousled waves, so sexy the lust fairies themselves must’ve styled it.
He looks maddeningly good, the kind of handsome that short-circuits my brain.
Despite his undeniable charm also in civilian clothes, part of me mourns the armor. Earlier, when he stormed into the hall, he was a hero straight out of a fairy tale—or a smutty romantasy novel. Even the fake scar carved into his cheekbone turned me on. I would’ve kissed him in a heartbeat, mud and all.
He leans against the doorframe. “Why are you still looking at me like that? The armor’s gone.”
I plant my palms on his chest and push him into the dressing room, kicking the door shut behind me with my foot. We’re finally alone, protected from prying eyes. “But the memories are not.”
He catches a loose lock from my medieval updo and lets it fall through his fingers. “Is that why you’ve kept your hair like this? To torture me?”
I smile, still jacked up with adrenaline. “I would’ve kept the gown too, but they made me give it back.” I turn serious now. “Thank you, Dorian. Today was a dream come true. Being treated like a royal, even if it was all pretend… it felt surreal.”
He mock-bows. “I am your loyal subject, my lady. Here to serve.” He straightens, opening his arms. “Come here.”
I go to him, the contact growing more familiar yet no less exhilarating. I press my cheek to his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
“If the elevator was in the top ten of your life experiences, how does today rank?”
I pull back my head, fisting the soft fabric of his T-shirt. “You’re in a solid top eight.”
He beams down at me. “What gets me in the top five?”
Without hesitation, I bury my face into the crook of his neck again. “Just keep holding me.”
Dorian kisses the top of my head. “I can do that.”
After soaking in his warmth and filling my lungs with his scent, I reluctantly pull back.
“I’ve already missed too much work today.” I flash him an apologetic smile. “I have to prep the press for your interview and check in with Tessa about the behind-the-scenes special.” I frown as a sudden thought strikes me. She must’ve thought it was weird to do my job today. I hope she doesn’t resent me. “Does she know about us?”
“Tessa’s chill. She knows you’re a friend from the elevator. And we all cover for each other sometimes.”
“Okay, I’ll go thank her and tell her I owe her one.”
Dorian tilts his head. “Of course, go be responsible. But.” He pauses as he grabs another lock of my hair and lets it flow through his fingers. “Have dinner with me tonight?”
“I can’t.” I sigh. “I have to be at my mom’s. The Monroe women get together once a week.”
He quirks an eyebrow. “Are men banned from these sacred gatherings?”
A sudden, all-consuming sadness grips my heart. “There are no men left.” I swallow, fighting the familiar lump in my throat. “Daniel died. My parents have been divorced for twenty years. I call us the Monroe women, but I’m actually the only one. Mom went back to her maiden name five minutes after signing the papers and has refused to live with another man ever since. Aunt Moira doesn’t believe in marriage. She’s still living in the seventies and isn’t seeing anyone right now. And Lily has kept Daniel’s name and given up on romance after losing him.”
