Chapter 3

Ethan

"Oh, you look much better." Deza stopped in front of me as I walked into the auditorium where the press was buzzing about in droves.

"So I looked like shit before?" I glanced around and groaned as several of them headed my way. "I fucking hate these things."

"Smile and be nice." She patted my chest like someone would a pet.

"And what's in it for me if I do?" I gave her a cheeky grin as she rolled her eyes and moved away from me.

"Mr. Lewis. Do you have time for a question?" The reporter shoved his microphone in my face and bumped it against my lips. "Sorry about that."

I hid my disdain and brushed my fingers over my mouth before smiling. "Of course. Make it quick though. I have no favorites and you're sure making it look like I do. Someone might run a story on me being in bed with your station if we're not careful."

The guy laughed. "No, really, I just wanted to ask how you guys decided to go with a nobody for this role. America is amazed at your generosity and such, but this girl..." he glanced down and fumbled with his notes, "Riley something-or-other... she's just a college kid with a hard life. Why-"

"Riley Phillips. She's a very talented actress," I barked, losing my cool. The little shit could suck a nut, as could the rest of the world. I might make a shit-ton of money and have the type of fame most people could only dream of, but to put Riley down and make her out to be nothing... nobody? Fuck that. "She came into the studio and stole our hearts. Not everyone gets recognized for their gifts or their talent. This profession is a game of luck most days of the week, but this time, it rolled in favor of a talented, beautiful woman."

"Oh, of course. One more-"

I put my hand on the mic and pushed back as she walked into the room from across the auditorium. Her cream-colored dress was dainty and made her look so much softer than I knew she was. My pulse spiked dramatically, and I couldn't help but move around the weasel in front of me and work to get closer to her warmth. Radiant was an understatement.

A good-looking guy a little taller than me moved up on her left and slipped his hand into hers as she glanced up and laughed at something he said.

"Shit. Who's that?" I stopped in my tracks and slipped my hands into my pockets. Was she dating him? She'd mentioned going out with someone when we first met, but through our brief interactions after that first encounter, I'd quickly deduced that she was single. It would seem that I was wrong.

"What are you looking at?" Deza stopped beside me and chuckled. "Oh, I see."

"Who's the jock with the shitty buzz cut?" I tilted my head to the side and let my eyes move down the soft curve of her breasts over her flat stomach to her long legs. The straps from her heels were wound up her leg to mid-calf. I wanted so badly to hit the floor and work them off of her sensually, slowly as she laid back and let me have her for the night.

"No clue." She tugged at my sleeve. "Stop staring at her like you're a starving man who's finally found his first meal."

"Not his first, but the buffet he wants to bury his face in." I licked at my lips and moved toward her as Deza slipped her arm into mine.

"Please don’t be a dick tonight. I'm begging."

"I love it when you beg." I glanced down at her and winked. "If you'd do it on your knees more often I might actually come anywhere you wanted me to."

"You're gross."

"It was your dirty mind that took my comment there." I laughed low in my chest, grateful for something to chuckle about as we approached Riley and her beau. "I was just being compliant with your wishes."

"Riley. We're going to get started soon, so let's get you to the back and touch up your make-up for the cameras." Deza moved in front of me and blocked my view of her for a minute.

I extended my hand to her rent-a-date. "I'm Ethan. Nice to meet you, man. You are?"

"Hey. Great films. I've seen most of them." He smiled and I could see why she liked him. He had a bad boy appeal. I hated him already. "I'm Jace Dillon."

"That name could score you a few films of your own." I shook his hand and slipped my hands back in my pockets. Nervous habit.

"Hi Ethan!" Riley's pretty blond friend moved around Jace and stopped in front of me.

"Hey Jade. How are you?" I extended my hand only to have her move in for a tight hug.

Riley smiled as I glanced over at her. "You'll have to get used to this. She's part of the deal when you guys signed me."

"I don't mind." I gave the girl a quick hug, but didn't take my eyes off my beautiful co-star. "Tell Deza to suck a dick. You don't need any help with your make-up. You look stunning already."

She rolled her eyes and moved toward me, surprising me a little as she reached up, cupped my cheek and brushed her thumb just under my eye.

"You're wearing some. I should too." She moved back with a sweet smile on her face.

"I have to. The demons won't let me sleep at night." I winked and turned to Deza as she snorted.

"Stop calling women demons. It's demeaning." She turned and beckoned Riley to join her. I wanted to as well, but it seemed silly.

There was almost a flood of relief inside of me that Riley seemed back to being her old self. Having her upset with me, or tense in my presence in a way that wasn’t cheeky, was unnerving, and we’d just met. I liked our relationship the way it was. If she were willing to get over the small mishaps we had the week before, I could too. I’d even let the idea of her testing me go. It was a far better answer than thinking I had hurt her pride. Hell had no fury like a woman scorned. Even they would agree with that.

"So you have a way with the ladies as well?" Jace asked and crossed his arms over his chest. I hated how quickly I was to judge him, but the poor guy didn't stand a chance with me. He was standing too close to the woman I wanted wrapped around me later that night. He had something I wanted - badly, and I wasn't too used to that.

"Naw... I give them what they want from time to time and go about my merry way." I shrugged and pointed toward the drink table. "Jade, there're bottles of water over there. You want to grab a few for us?"

"It's Charlotte, but sure." She smiled and walked with a pep in her step toward the beverage table. I wasn't trying to be a male chauvinist pig, but I needed some time alone with Bubba on my left to see what he thought he had going on with Riley.

"I like that. You'll have to tell me how to get women to serve you so easily." The tall asshole chuckled.

"It's not too hard." I rolled my shoulders. "Riley doesn't serve you, I guess?"

He laughed loudly. "Riley? Fuck no. That girl wears the pants in her world. She's far too dominant to let a man tell her what to do. The only time she relents is in the bedroom."

White-hot anger burned down the center of my chest, and I lost the ability to suck air into my lungs for a few seconds.

"Here you go!" Charlotte, or Jade, or whoever Riley's friend was, extended a bottle of water to me and then to Jace.

He shook his head and patted my back. "Nice to meet you, Ethan. I'm getting a beer before this shindig starts."

"You too, man." I took the water and glanced down at the girl as she stared at me with stars in her eyes. "You look pretty tonight."

"I do? Really?" She smiled and turned from me as a soft squeal left her. My stalker-dar lit up with a bright warning to run like hell.

"Yep. Tell me more about Riley and Jace. Are they a couple? She didn't mention being with anyone, but it's totally cool if she is." I shrugged as she glanced back over at me.

"It's complicated. You know?" She moved closer. "Are you dating someone?"

"Nope. It's in my contract that I have to remain single. Sucks, but it's the way they do things." I lifted my finger as she started to ask another question. "If you'll excuse me. We'll catch up later. I think they're getting started."

"Oh, sure. Of course." She moved out of my way, which was a relief I hadn't expected to experience. Most girls like her wouldn't let me go too quickly, at least not without pawing at me or getting in a few awkward selfies.

"Let's get this part over with." Frank patted my back as he moved up next to me and walked with me up to the stage.

"Agreed. I hate this shit," I mumbled and scanned the crowd. "Where are the girls?"

"The adoring fans?" He gave me a warning look.

"No, my future baby-momma and my pimp, Riley and Deza." I glanced back toward the restrooms to see her and Deza walking out.

"Please don't do anything we're all going to regret later." He patted my back again and took his seat.

I pulled out two of the chairs at the long table before me and waited until they got on the stage to offer a kind smile. I wasn't going to regret a damn thing other than never experiencing the beautiful creature who had effectively fucked up my world.

"Ladies..." I winked and pushed up their chairs before taking mine between Riley and Frank.

She glanced over at me and smiled. "I like the black shirt. It accentuates your masculinity, Mr. Lewis."

I leaned over and pressed my lips to her ear and the cameras flashed all around us as I chuckled. Her compliment was odd and I wasn’t sure if it was a compliment at all. "You didn't need that make-up. You looked incredible the minute you walked in. The whole fucking room took notice."

She turned and caught me off guard with her nearness. "I'm glad they did, but what about you?"

"Did you want me to?" I let my eyes move down to the swell of her ruby-red lips.

"Not a chance," she whispered as another picture was taken. She turned back to the front and rested her forearms on the table. "We should get this party started."

The crowd of reporters laughed and clapped.

She was worried about the world noticing her, and I was almost scared to let them. It wouldn't take long, and she'd be dancing along the clouds with the rest of us stars in LA. Little did she know that I'd be waiting in the wings when the dust settled and the illusion wore off. She'd need protecting, and I'd made her a promise I intended to keep - no matter what.