Chapter Eight
Kristen opened the fridge’s door. The fridge was stocked. If only the food could magically jump into the stove and cook itself.
She should’ve learned to cook. Throughout her childhood, she had never once thought there would be a part of her life without her mother with her. She’d always thought she could say ’Mom’ whenever she was hungry.
She sighed and closed the door, settling for making a cup of coffee for herself.
She’d just pushed herself onto the kitchen counter and taken a sip of her coffee when she saw Spencer walking toward the kitchen.
“Can’t sleep?”
“Yeah.” She’d been exhausted when she got home, but after taking a bath, she’d lain tossing in bed. Her mind kept rehashing the fun memories of the time she and Alvin had together. They’d laughed so much when they were together; they’d had so much fun. When had he started to get bored?
Kristen wasn’t hoping for a reconciliation. She wouldn’t take him back no matter what, but she was hurt by the things he’d said or insinuated about her in interviews.
It hurt her that someone she used to love couldn’t even be bothered to protect her in the slightest way.
“And you thought coffee would help?”
She cracked a smile. “I’m hungry. Coffee always makes it go away.”
“I’m kind of hungry, too. Grilled cheese sandwich?”
“Are you offering to cook?”
He grinned and grabbed the loaf of bread. “Get the cheese.”
“Okay.” She might not know how to cook, but she thought she fared pretty well as an assistant. She handed Spencer whatever he needed, then washed up everything he’d used before pushing herself up onto the counter and watching him cook.
In his light gray long-sleeved shirt and low-hanging black sweatpants, Spencer oozed sexiness—especially with his blond hair falling over his face in a just-got-out-of-bed fashion. His focus and seriousness when cooking just multiplied the charm he already had.
She slipped off the counter and went to grab her phone. Without him knowing, she snapped a photo.
“What are you doing?” he asked when she got back to the counter.
She turned the phone to him. “You look good.” She took another shot and smiled. “Ana will be proud.”
Spencer arched his brow.
“She used to be in her school’s photography club.” Kristen leaned back on the counter. “She gave me quite a few tips on taking photos.” She turned to him after another glance at the phone. “Looks good.”
He laughed. “Are you talking to me or the sandwich?”
“Both.” She grabbed her plate and held it out for her sandwich. “Looks yummy.”
“Are you all right?” Spencer asked after she’d sunk her teeth into the sandwich.
She frowned.
“Alvin.”
She chewed on her bite of sandwich for a long time, then swallowed. “It hurts to think about the things he said, especially after all we had. In my mind, we had a good relationship. Not perfect, but we had fun—at least I thought we were having fun.” She waved it off. “I don’t mind him moving on with Ruby, but it hurts that someone I thought was my best friend, someone I could trust, talked me down in interviews without a second thought.”
“It isn’t your fault.”
Kristen frowned.
“If he wasn’t happy, he should’ve told you. Not cheated on you. I don’t do relationships, but even I know that communication is key.”
She laughed softly.
“And I think it just shows you who he really is for him to talk about you like that or to allow Ruby to talk to you that way.”
“I really had fun at dinner tonight. Thanks to you.”
“You’re welcome.”
She pinched her lips together, wishing there was something she could do for Spencer. “Do you miss your parties?”
“After what happened? Not really.”
“What is it about parties that you love? The music? The dancing? The drinking? The women?”
He shrugged.
Kristen raised her index finger. She went over to the keyboard and turned it on. She ran a steady beat on the keyboard and grinned at Spencer.
He arched a brow. “Are we playing another round?”
She sang along to the beat of one of the songs she’d sung for her Disney TV show and danced all goofy. She threw in a few archaic robot moves, and he laughed.
“Not your style?” She nodded and stepped side to side with the beat for a moment before singing a cover of a recent hit and swaying her body along with the song. “Is this more your style?” she asked. “I have music. We can dance. I’m a woman. Three out of four. Is it good enough?”
Continuing the song from where she’d left off, she pulled him to his feet. She moved with the rhythm as she sang, then lifted his hand and twirled, pulling his arm over her.
She rocked side to side, singing.
Spencer grinned as he watched Kristen sway. Her demeanor had completely changed from the previous song. Her sultry voice giving melody to the sexy song was enough to send heat through his body.
Seeing her sway and rock her body to the beat was an extra treat.
He’d never seen Kristen like this in public. As an ex-Disney star, she’d always been the sweet girl-next-door. Her love songs, like her, were sweet and about how the world was perfect because that was what love did.
But this woman in front of him wasn't the Kristen he had seen before or heard about.
He’d had a glimpse of it when she hopped on stage with her fan, when she belted out songs to meet his challenge. But this … Wow.
That was the only word that came to his mind right now. Even when all she wore was a loose-fitting dark blue T-shirt and light blue shorts.
She wasn’t in a low-cut dress or a short skirt that hitched up with each sway. Still, he thought she was the sexiest woman he’d ever met.
He couldn't stop her when she pulled him to his feet. When she twirled herself close to him, pulling his arm over the front of her waist, his other hand immediately found her hip.
Her back was about an inch from his body as she swayed and sang. He moved with her, resisting the urge to pull her tight against him—which would immediately give away how much he wanted her at the moment.
He bent his face over her neck, mesmerized by her voice. The sway of her body made him forget all that had happened in the last week.
She spun around and grinned. Then she hooked her arm over his shoulders and continued singing.
Which part of this was prude or not fun enough?
He’d never felt sorrier for another person than he did for Alvin.
He snaked his arm around her waist and pulled her close. Her body fitted his perfectly, and he held her close for a few moments before placing his hands on her waist and lifting her onto the kitchen island.
Her eyes widened and she fell silent, pulling her lower lip between her teeth.
Spencer groaned. He weaved his hand into her hair and pressed his lips against hers. He kneaded his hand down Kristen’s neck and took her lower lip between his teeth. His heartbeat went into overdrive, and he moved closer.
Her hands moved up his chest, and her lips parted for his tongue.
Spencer moved between her legs as he deepened his kiss.
He couldn’t get enough of Kristen. He wanted more, and judging from how she clung to him, he could have more.
Spencer clenched his jaws and broke the kiss. He leaned his forehead against hers, panting. He had to stop before it went too far. He couldn’t allow himself to do this. Kristen was just upset after her run-in with Alvin and Ruby. He couldn’t take advantage of her like this.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
He wasn’t sure. He never cared what the woman he was with was going though. He always made it clear that he was looking for a fun time in bed, and he didn’t care what reason was behind the women throwing themselves at him.
Spencer took a step back before his self-discipline waned. “We shouldn’t do this.”
Kristen cleared her throat. “Right.” She slipped off the kitchen island and tucked her hair behind her ear. “It’s late. I’ll head to bed.” She switched off her keyboard and headed back to her room without another glance at him.
He pressed his hands against the edge of the kitchen island. Do not go after her. As much as his body ached at letting her go, Kristen didn’t deserve another friend betraying her trust.