*
Both Bass Cole and Emma Anderson come back to the villa a couple of hours later, just before six in the evening. I’m really unprepared when I come face-to-face with the very masculine, blond, blue-eyed star.
“This is my assistant and childhood best friend, Lily.”
Drake introduces us all. Emma is sweet and strikingly pretty. To me, she looks like a goddess, but what catches my attention is Bass himself.
“How are you finding the island so far? It’s gorgeous around here, isn’t it?” Bass smiles at me. Like a stupid puppy, I’m just in awe of him.
Drake nudges me. “I’m sorry. I’m just a big fan. I love your movies!” I gush at the smiling Bass.
“Thank you, Lily. Do you mind telling this woman how great I am? She’s being a brat.” Bass takes hold of Emma and kisses her forehead.
It’s obvious how crazy he is about her. Watching them laugh before they excuse themselves to get ready before dinner is nice to see.
“You totally looked stupid just then, Lil.” Drake is being a dick again.
“Whatever, you just wish you looked like that. Damn, those two look great together.” I smile before I go out to the patio and stroll toward the beach.
I’m just in time to watch the sunset. It’s glorious. The slight breeze is crisp, just enough to cool the skin. I take off my sandals and stand barefoot on the shore. The tide brushing against my feet is relaxing.
The day after tomorrow, I will be back in LA. Back to my home and away from Drake. I don’t mind working for him, but being around him all day and night is definitely driving me nuts. He’s insufferable, stubborn and he makes me want to gouge his eyes out. There are times, though . . . I just want to kiss him senseless.
“I can’t help that I’m a jealous bastard. I don’t like it when you smile at another guy like that. I know you didn’t mean anything by it, but shit—I still don’t like it,” Drake speaks from behind me.
Oh come on, it’s Bass Cole. It was a given for anyone with eyes.
“Yeah, well, it’s bullshit. You have no grounds to be jealous, Drake. Get that through your head. Acting like a jealous, possessive lover is dumb when you mean nothing to me.”
Drake stands behind me, lips against my ear, cutting through my delicate armor.
“Ouch, that tongue of yours really needs some kind of punishment. I am possessive of what’s mine. You were mine the moment you surrendered this body to me eight years ago. I’m back and I don’t want to relinquish that right. However long it takes, I will fucking have you back. I won’t have it any other way. Get that through your head, Lily.” He abruptly leaves after his speech.
I still stand there like a frozen statue, his words playing around in my head. He might be right, but I will not submit that easily, not without kicking and screaming with protest.
“Are you okay?” Emma asks as she comes up next to me. Her beautiful, big, blue eyes look concerned.
“Yes. Drake’s just being . . . a dick. Nothing new there, if you ask me.” I smile when she starts laughing.
“Yeah, I could tell he was getting all territorial. Men can’t help it. They act like idiots when they really like someone.” Emma stares out at the horizon, looking like her thoughts took her somewhere far away.
“You and Bass look perfect. He’s crazy about you,” I say, changing the subject. I know I’m getting personal, but Emma has that easy personality that I feel comfortable talking to, like normal friends do.
Emma shakes her head, but her eyes speak volumes. “I think he does . . . he’s been terrific. No, no, he’s been perfect . . . Amazing to the point where . . . I feel that we should slow down.” She quickly glances at me before continuing. “Sorry for dumping that on you, I just miss having my friends around. I don’t have an emotional outlet about men right now. They’ll be here in a few days, though, and I’m excited about that.”
“Trust me. Your problem is much better than mine. I’d rather listen to yours than go through mine in my head for the thousandth time. I was in love with him eight years ago. After spending a night in his arms, my first, he left without a word and now he just expects me to fall back into his arms again.”
“Maybe a good talk would do the trick for you both. From what I could see earlier, he’s got it bad for you and I don’t think Drake’s the kind of man to back down, anyway. Just follow your heart, that’s what I used to tell myself.” Emma looks thoughtful for a moment.
“You guys are in love, huh?”
Emma looks at me strangely, shaking her head and huffing. “No, no, we just started barely a week ago. It’s too early. I just got off a relationship a few months back.” Emma bites her lip nervously. “It’s just too early . . . It just can’t happen . . .” she wonders out loud.
I touch her shoulder and squeeze it. “Trust me, Hon, love is a bitch. It creeps up on you when you don’t want it to.”
Emma sighs. “Shit. I don’t want to think about any of it. Let’s go get some dinner and get drunk. I think we both need it.”
That’s more like it.
That I can agree on. “Awesome, lead the way.”