Page 29 of Last First Kiss
That made her laugh.
“But I’m glad you didn’t. I like my fans. It’ll be easier tonight. It’s a paparazzi-free dinner.”
“Good,” she said, as they walked back to the car. This time he wore a baseball hat and a Miami Dolphins T-shirt he’d had one of the employees buy from a street vendor.
“I was really impressed with the way you handled those people,” she admitted, their arms brushing against each other as the sidewalk narrowed. “I’m not big on large crowds, but you seem right in your element.”
“Is that a compliment, Tiger?” His hand on her lower back as he led her back to the building where they’d parked his car. “I didn’t know you were capable.”
“I’ll tell you a secret,” she said. “I loved Last First Kiss. It was my favorite of all your movies. Hell, if I’m being honest, it’s one of my favorite movies ever. How’s that for a compliment?”
“You? A sappy girly-movie kinda girl?” He winked and opened his car door for her.
“If you tell anyone I’ll shoot you in the balls.”
He threw his head back and laughed hard as he closed the door and jogged to the driver’s side. This friend thing he’d suggested . . . yeah, she could get used to it.
CHAPTER SIX
Rocco Monroe spotted with a new mystery girl walking though Miami Beach. He even has a cute nickname for her: Tiger. The new couple seemed happy together, as Rocco whisked her away for a shopping spree at the same stores where he used to take his co-star and ex, Julia Vargas. They’re set to begin filming tomorrow amidst a storm of controversy. New reports say demonstrations in front of NHN’s LA lot caused production of other movies to shut down . . .
“Will I have to fight off jealous girlfriends tonight?” Annie asked as she slipped her phone back into her tiny purse. She’d chosen a canary yellow cocktail dress that fit her beautifully. It’s wasn’t skin tight, but all her curves showed in a perfectly classy way. Rocco couldn’t keep his eyes off of the woman who kept fidgeting by his side.
“What women? I’ll have to fight off the men who will all be jealous of me for having you by my side.”
She playfully slapped his shoulder. “Such a charmer. No wonder Julia Vargas signed up to be your wife in this movie and did that sex tape with you.”
“And don’t forget the shopping spree at Versace,” he teased. “You’re not falling for the tabloid crap, are you? Don’t read any of that, 99.9 percent of it is made up or exaggerated.”
“There’s always some truth behind rumors.”
He shook his head. “Where Julia’s concerned there’s not. Plus, she’s married and I’m not interested. And neither is she. But I have to say, I’m enjoying this jealous side of you. It’s giving me hope.”
His arm snuck around her waist, bringing them close together when a photographer hired for the party took their pictures as they ascended up a grand staircase.
“I’m not jealous. I just don’t want to be blindsided. I need to know what I’m up against,” she said through gritted teeth and a plastered smile as the camera flashed.
He turned his head and whispered, close enough that he could nip the shell of her ear. “You’re my date tonight. So loosen up or no one will believe it. You’re not up against anyone. Don’t forget you shut me down. If you change your mind about that, Tiger, I’m all yours. Ball’s still in your court.”
She closed her eyes. The feel of his lips so close to her ear made her insides melt like lava. A click from the camera shook her out of the lust. She cleared her throat and took a step back. “Come on, let’s do this.”
They walked past a grand staircase, passing two butlers holding hors d’oeuvres and champagne flutes. He grabbed two glasses.
“I’m still on duty. Pretend or not,” she said, returning one of the flutes.
God, he wanted her to loosen up. For some reason, he’d pictured her differently when she was relaxed. Maybe wild at heart? Maybe ravenous in bed? She was probably the same spitfire in the bedroom as she was everywhere else. The sex would be incredible or it would be a mess—both of them fighting for control. If there was one place he wouldn’t submit, it was when they were naked and in bed. And it would happen. It was inevitable. The attraction was too explosive for it not to happen. And he was looking forward to when it did. But she couldn’t be pushed. He was going to have to be patient, show her he wasn’t the asshole she imagined him to be, and wait for her to come to him.
Unfortunately, patience was not his virtue.
“You’re giving me a look.”
“Sorry, my mind wandered,” he whispered.
She looked around. “Wandered? On what? You think something’s off here?”
He took her hand and laced his fingers with hers, soothing her hand with his thumb. “Relax. No, it has nothing to do with my safety.” It wandered into other areas. Areas involving you and me and a bed and lack of clothes. But he didn’t say any of that since they were supposed to be sticking to professional. “Come on, let’s go pretend.”
She narrowed her eyes, confused, and they walked outside to where the dinner was taking place.
