“ELLA, YOU NEED TO GET up.” It feels like a dream, but I sense his breath against me and hear the soft tone of his voice whisper against my skin. “Come on, sleepy head. You need to get up.” Why isn’t he still in bed beside me? He should be here with me. Neither of us have had much sleep, but it was so worth it.
“Why? Please let me sleep,” I whine, refusing to open my eyes. I clench them tight, screwing my face up in the process. This must be so unattractive. “You kept me up all night so the least you can do is let me rest.” My mind and body are exhausted. I’m going to sleep for at least twenty-four hours just to recover from our night time activities. He is certainly fitter than me.
“I’m sorry,” he says, tugging the covers from my body. I try to keep them but he’s strong. Fine, I’ll just lie here naked, it won’t bother me. “Ella, babe, I’m not kidding. You need to get up before your dad comes up the stairs.”
That does it. I open my eyes and see the concern in his. Why would my dad be here at . . . I look at the time—ten a.m.—after last night? “Why is he here?”
“Trevor is here too. Go and grab a shower and get your sexy arse downstairs. If you’re lucky, I’ll even make you a cup of tea.” He kisses the top of my head.
“Fine. You better throw in a chocolate biscuit or two as well,” I huff with a playful smile on my face, sliding my legs off the side of the bed. I stomp across the bedroom to the bathroom, wiggling my arse as I walk. His loud inhale of breath makes me chuckle. I stop at the bathroom door and glance back over my shoulder. He smiles, shaking his head.
I close the door behind me and memories of last night fill my head. Shower sex is fun. Actually, sex with Connor Andrews is more than fun, it’s incredible, and at the moment, that’s all I want. Turning on the shower, I step under the water. I press my thighs together in an attempt to calm the urge there.
I shouldn’t be thinking about sex when my dad and Trevor are downstairs waiting on me. I shake my head and lose all thoughts of Connor.
Hopefully, they won’t be here for long. Although, I’m sure there is a very good reason they’re here and I could bet on that reason being Donovan Bell. It’s been all too quiet from L.A. I really expected him to come out fighting against me. I’m ready for the backlash. Yes, it’s only been a few days since the first pictures of Connor and I went viral, but I still expected something, especially after my interview.
Maybe that’s why they’re here. Maybe Donovan has given his own interview.
I won’t find out standing under the warm running water. I should get my arse in gear and down the stairs.
“Well, don’t you all look cosy,” I say as I enter my kitchen. The three of them are sitting around the island, drinking tea, and there’s a plate of chocolate biscuits in the middle, but no one is eating any. The thought that Connor has put them there for me makes me smile.
“Yes, well we should. We’ve had to wait long enough for you,” Dad says as I sit down beside Connor. Connor places his hand on my knee and rubs it gently. The hairs on the back of my neck stand to attention and I’m suddenly worried.
“What’s wrong?” I ask nervously, taking my mug of tea in both hands.
“Well . . .”
“Stop. Can you just tell her?” Connor says abruptly, causing my dad to frown.
Trevor leans forward. “Ella, there’s a few things we need to discuss. Firstly, I’ve been sent a script and I’ve had a quick read over it and, all in all, it has the potential to be a huge blockbuster.”
“What’s the catch?”
“You’re on the producer and director shortlist.”
“Okay, this sounds interesting. Who else are they considering?” It’s usual practice for a production team to have a few candidates for the leading roles.
“There’s only you and Miss Hunter,” Trevor tells me, shifting a little in the seat.
“Katherine Hunter!” The blonde actress that seems to cause trouble wherever she goes. The woman who also appears to be Donovan’s new love interest. This is why the three of them are sat in my kitchen and I can see they’re all wondering how this news will affect me.
“Yes.”
“Okay.” I can feel Connor’s eyes on me. I don’t turn to him because I don’t want to see him feeling sorry for me. “So, what else is there?” I ask in an attempt to brush it off. Three sets of eyes watch me before they look at each other.
“Right, well, you and Julie have certainly made headlines up and down the country with your choice of dresses last night. I must say, you both looked gorgeous. But you are certainly causing a storm. The high street chain’s social media is going crazy and so has my phone this morning.”
“Sweetheart, Trevor has been taking phone calls since before five a.m. Several of the national papers want to run exclusive interviews with you, and the CEO of the high street chain Inspire has also been in contact to thank you and to ask if you would consider becoming the face of the company. He wants you to represent them.”
“Wow, that’s interesting.”
“Ella,” Trevor interrupts. “They want to meet with you as soon as possible.”
“Okay, then arrange it. I don’t have much else in my diary at the moment.”
“I’ll contact them soon and set up a meeting. We should also talk, while I have you both together, about that kiss.” Connor and I exchange glances. We should’ve spoken about this. I have no idea what to say to my dad or Trevor about us.
“Guys, I’m sorry. I should’ve thought about the aftermath, but I don’t regret doing it,” Connor says, totally focused on me. “So, I’ll apologise if this has caused more problems, but I won’t apologise for showing my feelings.”
My eyes drop to the table only for a moment, but long enough for Connor to notice. He takes hold of my hand and squeezes it tightly. Lifting my head, I meet his eyes and offer him half a smile. His feelings for me are there in front of me to see and it scares the hell out of me. He’s not hiding his emotions well at all.
“Ella, Connor.” It’s Trevor’s voice that has us looking across the island. “The question has been asked on more than one occasion so far this morning. I need to know how to answer it. Are you a couple?”
I look at my dad and he’s waiting to hear the answer to this question. When I turn and look at Connor, he has the same look of anticipation on his face. He’s waiting for me to answer this one. I take a deep breath. “Yes,” I say, looking into Connor’s eyes. His face lights up like a Christmas tree. God, he looks totally adorable right now.
“Connor,” my dad’s voice carries over to us. We turn and my dad smiles at me. “I have an idea of what Ella means to you, and to me, you are and have been part of our family for a number of years, but with what has happened in the past, I’m sure you’ll understand my reservations for any new relationship she enters into.”
“Dad!”
“Ella, your dad is right and we have so much to talk about,” Connor tells me. I nod in agreement because I’m sure my answer has given him a lot to think about. I know it’s given me lots to think about.
“Dad, Trevor, is there anything else?” I ask.
“If you mean has there been anything from Donovan, then no, there’s nothing yet. But as soon as there’s even the slightest whisper, you’ll be the first to know,” Trevor tells me, and relief sweeps over me.
But my relief is short lived as I realise I want Donovan to have something to say. The fact that he’s been so silent is un-nerving. I’ve never known him to be this quiet. I know him well. Worry sweeps over me as I think about the fact he’s most likely plotting against me. I know without a shadow of a doubt that he will have something up his sleeve. I’ll need to be on my guard, as will Connor.
“Now, do you not have something you want to discuss?”
“Yes, although I’m not sure what organisation I should contact.” Dad and Trevor look at each other, and I know they’re both wondering what the hell I’m going to say next.
“The last few weeks I’ve had lots of time to think about what was going to happen to me if things didn’t work out.”
“Things would’ve worked out quicker if you hadn’t decided to try and deal with everything on your own.”
“Dad, I know that. But while I’ve been thinking, it’s not been just about me.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, I’m fortunate, but what about those who aren’t? If I had lost this house and the cars, what is the worst thing that would have happened to me? I’d have come and stayed with you or Callum until I got myself back on my feet. And with what I do for a living, let’s face it, it really wouldn’t take me long to get back in a better place. But what about those people who lose everything and find themselves with nowhere to turn?”
“Sweetheart, you are so like your mother. Always thinking of others.” He might be right, especially when I think back to all the charitable causes she helped over the years.
“I want to do something for charity. The other day I gave a homeless man some money and he surprised Julie with actually going into a café and buying himself some food and a drink. He was maybe a little older than me. He was sleeping in a doorway and I know he wasn’t the only one. When Julie and I finished shopping he was still there and a bunch of young lads were making fun of him. I ended up booking a room for him in one of the inns.”
“Ella!”
“Don’t. That man was so appreciative. He couldn’t stop thanking me. It turns out he had a job interview yesterday and with staying at the inn, it meant he could shower, sleep, and turn up to the interview looking refreshed.”
“So what do you want to do?” Trevor asks.
“I’m not entirely sure. I spoke to Jess and Fletcher Adams last night along with Mr and Mrs Mathews. I know the Adams’ both work tirelessly highlighting domestic abuse. Jess has said she is more than happy to meet up with me.”
“Okay, I’ll look into it for you,” Dad says with a warm smile. “I can tell this means a lot to you.”
“It does.”
He stands up. “Okay, sweetheart. We’ll go and let you talk.” I quickly go to him and wrap my arms around him. “Hey, what’s this for?”
“Do I really need an excuse?”
“No, you don’t, and you’ll never get too old to give your old man a hug, I hope.”
I walk with him out to the hallway and I can hear Trevor and Connor following behind us. Opening the front door, it’s just Dad’s car in my drive. “Trevor will call you later as soon as he has the meeting set up and I’ll speak to you tomorrow. That should give you two time to talk. And I mean it. Talk and listen to him.”
Dad gives me a kiss and walks towards the car with Trevor. I’m left standing in the doorway with Connor behind me. His arms wrap tightly around my back and his head rests against my shoulder.
“So, we have a few things to talk about. And you have a script to read over.”
“Yes, it would appear so,” I say, turning in his arms to face him. “But first I’d like a kiss, then another cup of tea so I can eat the chocolate biscuits.” I throw my arms around his neck and stand on my tiptoes.
“You’re very demanding,” he says softly, his lips touching mine. “But because you’ve said you’ll eat the biscuits, I’ll let you have a kiss,” he teases, a playful smirk on his handsome face. I close my eyes and allow my senses to take over. The taste and feel of his lips against mine all feels too comforting. The warmth of his body as I press against him feels natural. Everything so far with Connor feels natural. Maybe that’s why I didn’t hesitate when Trevor asked the question, even though I’m a bit concerned about changing the dynamics of our relationship.
With our lips lightly brushing the other’s, I push my concerns away in the back of my mind where they can stay until I need to deal with them. And today isn’t the time to deal with those. Or maybe it is.
I pull back and I’m greeted with a huge smile that reaches all the way to his dazzling eyes that are clouding over and filling with a deep desire. Fuck. I want him. “What are you so happy about?”
“Me? I have lots to be happy about. There’s you. Us. But most importantly, you want to eat.” His voice is low, full of longing and excitement. He takes my hand in his and I close the front door and allow him to lead the way back to the kitchen. He sits me down and leaves me watching him as he effortlessly moves around my kitchen, making a cup of tea.
I have the perfect view of him. Connor Andrews has a certain rough edge to how he looks today; this is the first time I’ve noticed it. I’m practically drooling over him with my elbows on the island and my hands propping up my face.
It feels good having someone do something for me. I know I must be grinning from ear to ear, but I can’t help it and I don’t want to hide how happy I’m feeling in this moment. Why should I?
With two cups in his hands, he walks back toward me, his eyes glistening. He sits opposite me and slides my tea over, along with a chocolate biscuit. Chocolate orange; one of my favourites. I slowly unwrap the biscuit and bite into it, savouring the taste. It’s heavenly.
“Okay, if you keep that up, we won’t be doing much talking. Can you not just eat the damn biscuit instead of making it sound so bloody erotic?”
Smiling, I shrug my shoulders. I have no words.
“With you making those noises, I don’t want to talk. I have the urge to push everything out of the way and fuck you here and now.”
Oh.
“Why don’t you?” I’m pressing my legs together tightly under the table, trying to ease the pressure that has built up quickly.
“Because first we talk, then we’ll m . . . fuck.”