Chapter 14

Riley

"You're quiet today. You okay?" I reached over and slid my hand up Ethan's thigh as we rode in his Ferrari over to Liam's house. His brother wanted him to show off a little, which Ethan seemed to hate, but he did it anyway.

I wasn't sure why he didn't just tell his brother to suck a nut like he did everyone else, but it was none of my business. If I'd learned one thing over my short life and many messed up relationships, it was to get involved only when it counted. This time did not.

"Hmmm?" He glanced over at me and gripped my hand tightly. "Oh, nothing. Just thinking about how good it's going to feel to wrap up this movie, and yet, it means you and I are done working together for a while."

"That's true." I snuggled back into my seat, loving the way the leather held me like it was designed to cuddle anyone who sat down in it. "What are we going to do about co-starring with other people?"

"What do you mean?" He pulled up to the house, and I was a little surprised to find a valet booth out in front of the house.

"I don't want to kiss someone else on screen, and I sure as hell don't want you to." I got out of the car, taking the hand of the guy who offered it and a warm smile.

"Evening, Miss."

"Hi." I walked to the back of the car and slipped my arm around Ethan's as he offered it. The tight black dress I wore left me feeling a little overdone. Ethan's suit and tie made him look regal, like royalty.

"You get used to it, baby doll." He winked at me. "And don't worry. Everyone woman I have to kiss, I'll be thinking of you. It's just part of the job. Slip into character and back out. Just make sure if you ever start really feeling something for a co-star that you talk to me about it."

"You'd let me go that easy?" I scoffed as we walked up the long stairway to Liam's mansion.

"What? Fuck no." He laughed. "I'd have Liam kill him, and we'd make it look like an accident. Clayton was on that list. He's damn lucky that Frank fired him before he messed up again."

"You broke a few of his teeth from what I heard." I gave him a tight look of disapproval and moved in front of Ethan. The hot brush of his breath on the back of my neck caused chill bumps to break out on my exposed skin.

"And I'd have done it again and again if need be." He slid a hand around my waist and pressed against my back as we waited in line. His soft lips brushed over my shoulder, and I shivered. "No one messes with my woman."

"No one puts baby in a corner?" I smiled and glanced over my shoulder to find him smiling too. "I love you."

"Alright, you two. Get in here." Liam broke up the moment, which was one of his specialties from what I'd gathered. "Don't eat the brown goo stuff. It's a pâté, but it tastes like barf."

"Really?" Ethan moved up beside me and offered his brother his hand. "Why did you order it?"

"I ordered a bunch of fancy shit that I didn't know what it was. It's a party. Hello." He motioned for us to get inside before wagging his eyebrows at me. "Riley Phillips. You are the finest girl at this party."

"Girl?" I glanced up at Ethan as we walked into the house.

The walls were so plain, and the place was far too modern for my liking, but it wasn't mine. Hopefully, Liam would let me decorate it. I could do so much with so much space and the chunk of change I had no doubt that Ethan's brother would drop on a redecoration project.

"Woman." He slid his hand into mine, intertwining our fingers. "Come on. Let's get a drink."

"Ethan Lewis!" A tall woman with long black hair and pale skin walked over; her eyes lit up at the idea of seeing Ethan. "You look incredible. I told my family that I'd get to see you today. Can you sign something for me? My sisters and I just love your work."

"Of course. Anything for a fan." He pulled his hand from mine and took the paper she dug out of her purse. "This is my girlfriend, Riley Phillips. She's co-starring with me in this latest film."

"Nice." She gave me a tight look of disapproval and turned back to him. "I just love your movies. Do you do your own stunts?"

Much to my horror, the room seemed to take notice of Ethan, and more and more people piled around us. Where Liam's house was more than capable of holding a hundred people comfortably, having all of us shoved into the foyer wasn't working so well.

A heavyset woman with big ringlet curls and dark lipstick stepped in front of me, crushing my toe and murmuring that she was sorry, but for me to move. I'd gotten close enough.

I rolled my eyes and slipped into the sea of bodies, heading for the kitchen.

A dark-haired woman with smooth, tanned skin and a great body glanced up from her reclined position against the kitchen counter. "Oh. Sorry."

"Don't mind me." I shook my head. "It's crazy in there."

"I heard someone scream Ethan's name." She lifted her wine glass to her cherry-red lips and took a sip. "I almost feel sorry for the guy. None of those people give a shit about him. Not really. They just want a moment of feeling important because someone important talked to them."

"Crazy how people do that." I poured a glass and turned to face her, extending my hand. "Riley."

"Mona." She smiled. "Nice to meet you."

"You too." I nodded back toward the mayhem. "You work with Liam?"

"I try to." Her cheeks bled pink. "He's an asshole and a half every time I'm around." She shrugged. "But what do you do? You want to work with the best in the business, then you roll up your sleeves and take on them and all their shit."

"Man, I know that's right." I moved over to the table and dropped down in the seat closest to me. The spread was amazing, and I went to work, trying this and that. "Liam's not too bad when you get to know him."

"So says the woman dating his brother." She laughed and took a chair across from me, trying some of the treats spread out in front of us too. "He's super good looking, but he knows that he is, and that's something I just can't stand."

"I can't either, but I do like the guy. I guess part of it is because he is Ethan's older brother, but I've seen a softer side to him."

"It exists?" She smiled, but the expression faded as she stood.

I glanced over my shoulder to see who walked in the room and stole her joy. Liam.

"Hi, ladies. Everything going okay?" He smiled down at me and pursed his lips as he glanced up at Mona. The vein on the side of his neck began to beat wildly.

He likes her. A lot.

"It's fine. Your brother has everyone locked up in the foyer." I reached up and brushed something off Liam's jacket. "Hey. What do you think about giving me a chunk of money to redecorate the house?"

"Why? You still think it's too modern?" He reached around me and picked up a stuffed mushroom, popping it in his mouth and keeping his attention on me.

"Oh yeah. We could do so much with this place. Just give me a shot." I smiled.

Mona spoke up, and I turned my attention to her. "She's right. This place is beautiful, but it says nothing about you or your personality."

"No?" His voice turned cold. "And what do you think it should say?"

"I'm not sure." She picked up her glass and walked around the table, stopping beside him. "I'm the rich asshole that owns the world, and if you don't obey me, then I will send you to the ends of the earth."

I snorted and laughed as he growled softly. "Leave her alone. She's got a point."

"One that's invalid." He rolled his eyes and walked out of the room.

I turned in time to watch her watching him. Interesting.

"So how did you guys end up working together?" I stood and walked to get another glass of wine.

"I transferred to the company about a month ago. Liam's been in charge of making all of the advertising decisions for the firm and our clients by himself over the last few years. He's really good at what he does, but the board knew that if we continued to grow and expand, he'd need some help. So they brought me in from Italy."

"And Liam feels threatened by you?"

"Something like that." She shrugged.

A long sigh from across the kitchen caught my attention, and I turned to see Ethan standing alone, his hair a little messy. "What the hell? You just left me with the wolves. What happened to us protecting each other?"

"It's your brother's friends and work associates. Everyone is wearing a Rolex. How bad could it get?" I laughed and walked toward him, sliding my free arm around the back of his waist. "Mona, this is Ethan, Liam's younger and much more handsome brother."

"Nice to meet you, finally. Your brother thinks you put a ladder against the sky and crawl up to hang the moon each night." She shook his hand and smiled. I liked her already, regardless of how Liam felt.

"Does he?" Ethan shook her hand. "Well, I think you might end up his wife one day, but don't tell him I said it."

"Ethan. Shit." I glanced up at him and gave him a really look before looking back at her. "He has no filter."

"Neither does his brother, but I'm sure you're wrong, Mr. Lewis. I'm not interested in dating a child in a man's body. Where the sex might be great, there's nothing left when it's over. I've had that same scenario more times than I care to disclose. I learned my lesson the last time I dated a spoiled rich boy. No offense." She gave us a saucy smile.

"None taken, but I'm not retracting my statement. Mark my words." He laughed as she rolled her eyes playfully and excused herself. He turned to me and pulled me in close. "I like her."

"Your brother turned into a stiff asshat when he walked in, and she was in the room."

"Cause he wants her, and she's not falling for his charms. My brother has always believed that any woman worth her salt would come crawling on her knees when he beckoned."

"Ugh." I shook my head.

"I know, but that's just how he is." Ethan reached up and brushed his thumb over my bottom lip as his eyes moved down my body. "Maybe she'll break him like you broke me."

"I broke you?" I laughed and stiffened as a horde of people moved into the kitchen.

"Ethan. Tell us about this new film," one of the guys asked.

"Sure, or better yet, I'll let Riley tell you. She's my co-star and the new up and coming Marilyn Monroe. She's my girlfriend, and soon to be my wife, but let's not rush things, hmm?"

"What?!?" The crowd went wild with questions.

"Really." I gave him a look as he popped my ass and walked towards the food.

"Yeah, really. Keep them busy. It's your turn, and you're way better at dealing with people than me. I mean look what you've done to me. Turned me into a lovesick fool that wants to serve you day and night."

I turned back to them as a chuckle ran through me. He would forever be an actor. No matter where we were. No matter where we went.

And I loved him all the more for it.