Page 13 of Vegas Love (Love 1)
I'm obsessed with watching Ashlyn.
When everyone breaks for lunch, I sit with my back facing hers. I don't want her to see me today. I need to sneak over to her house tonight to find out if she filed for a divorce yet and tell her about my job.
Although what I really want to do is kiss her again.
Okay, maybe I want to do more than kiss.
I'm lost in thought when I hear that asshole Kenton speaking loudly to her.
"So, Ashlyn, I saw that Zach broke up with you because of the sex tape. I keep telling you, when you put yourself out there in public the way you do, that's the kind of thing that happens."
Rage fills me. I stand up, turn around, and grab the asshole by the neck. "You need to shut the hell up. She's been through enough."
He pulls away from me. "Who the hell do you think you are laying a hand on me? I'm Kenton--"
"You're an asshole, is what you are."
"Stay out of what's none of your business."
"That's where you're wrong. She is my business. Leave her the hell alone."
"I don't have to listen to anything you say. You're a nobody."
"Today's my first day on the job and I already know why you're such an ass to her. It's because you're jealous. Plain and simple. Because for every dollar the studio pays her, they earn back almost seventy. What's your ratio, Kenton?"
"I have no idea," he says, running his hand down the front of his shirt to straighten it.
"That's okay. I do. For every dollar the studio pays you, they earn back about twelve. It's cool that you chose the path you did in your career, but stop taking it out on her."
He notices the glares of the people gathered around having lunch, most of whom are nobodies just like me.
"Well, I never--" he says, quickly leaving the room.
I watch him leave then turn to face Ashlyn, only to see her hot ass retreating toward her dressing room.
I follow.
Then wait just around the corner, because I think I know what she's going to do next.
Sure enough, she opens her door, peeks down the hall to see if the coast is clear and--joint in hand--heads to the exit.
I grab her and push her back into her dressing room.
"What the hell are you do--"
I push her up against the door and grab the joint from her hand. "You don't need this."
"How did you even know that's what I was going to do?"
"You told me that you sneak out back and get high just to calm yourself the fuck down."
"You don't know what I need."
"The hell I don't. This is what you need." I kiss her. Hard.
She pushes against my chest, trying to get me to stop before she gives up and returns my kiss.
Things heat up quickly, her body responding just like it did this weekend. She moans into my mouth, wraps her legs around my waist, and unzips my fly.
I hold my breath until I'm in.
Then I'm out of control, pounding her until she comes undone.
Then I lose it too.
"I hate you," she says, while I'm still inside her.
"No, you don't." I gently kiss her forehead.
She lets out a big sigh and leans her back against the door, her body clearly feeling satisfied and betraying her words.
"You pretended like you didn't know me in front of your brother this morning. You're embarrassed that you were with me."
"I'd never be embarrassed to tell anyone about you. But you made me promise not to."
"Why are you here? In my dressing room? On my set?"
She jumps when someone knocks on her door and says, "We need you back in makeup, Ashlyn."
"Shit," she says, as I gently let her down.
She runs into the bathroom for a minute then walks out.
I try to say something but the door slams in my face.
She doesn't speak to me the rest of the day.
I go home, have dinner with my brother, and then feign exhaustion and retreat to my bedroom.
I lie on the bed and think about her.
Her number is included in the packet Cade gave me. I could call her. Text her.
But it's not enough.
So I sneak out of the house and make my way up the beach.
A Beautiful Ring
Ashlyn
I'm sitting on my balcony looking out at the dark ocean and trying to focus on the sounds of the waves and not think about him. About how hot the sex was today.
About how he is exactly the kind of guy who Harper told me I should marry.
Except, I already did.
Now what am I going to do?
I hold my hand up and stare at the way the ring glitters in the moonlight. I know I shouldn't be wearing it. I know I should give it back.
So what's stopping me?
Why did I get mad at him for standing up for me today? Why was I mad at him for not telling his brother about us when I so clearly told him not to?
"Hey," his soft voice startles me but, at the same time, I'm not surprised he's here.
"Why did you buy me such a beautiful ring?"
"I know you're crazy, smart, and independent, but that doesn't mean you don't need a man to take care of you." He takes my hands in his and pulls me out of my chair, so that I'm pressed against him. "Seriously when's the last time a guy has taken care of you, like I did in Vegas?"
"Um--"
"Sexually, physically, emotionally. I'm the full package."
"I'm rich. I have to be careful," I tell him, trying to be smart about my life. I just got chewed out by his brother for not handling my business professionally. He'd probably fire me as a client if he found out I got drunk and got married--even if it was to his brother.
"You made me sign a prenup."
"I did?"
"Yep. I promised not to take your money. You see this ring I bought?"
"How does a--how old are you?"
"Twenty-six. How old are you?"
"Twenty-five." She studies the ring. "You just graduated from law school and you can afford this?"
"I have a trust fund. A very nice one. One I've never touched until I bought this for you."
"But I don't understand why. Why would you do that?"
"Because I knew when I bought it that I wouldn't want a divorce. When I said those vows, drunk or not, I meant them."
He picks me up off my feet, bringing me to his lips.
"I love how strong you are."
"I have a little problem though," he says, as he slides his tongue into my mouth and pulls me onto his lap.
"What's that?"
"My brother told me you're off limits."
"Off limits, how?"
"I'm supposed to be babysitting you. Keeping you out of trouble. He told me that I could flirt with you, but I was not to sleep with you."
"Except you already have."
"Exactly. So I didn't tell him. In Vegas, you told me we would get a quickie divorce. Is that what you want?"
"I don't know what I want."
"You're wearing the ring. You don't want to divorce me."
"No, I don't. It's crazy, but I don't."
"Then let's take some time to get to know each other."
I slide my hand through his hair. "You have cute hair."
"You told me that when we met. I told you I have a lot of other cute parts."
I burst out laughing. "I remember that. And you saved the champagne. I liked you right away because of that." I slide my hands down to his biceps. "And how strong you were."
"Wanna know a secret? When Cade told me my job was to babysit you, I was really hoping you'd get in trouble, because I wanna take you over my knee and spank that hot ass."
"I think I'm definitely going to be naughty then," I say, getting off his lap and leading him into my bedroom.
When my alarm goes off in the morning, I roll over to kiss him.
But he's gone and I feel very alone.
I wrap my arms around myself and cry, knowing that I'm losing it.
A House Whore
Cash
I feel bad about sneaking out early this morning, but she was sleeping so peacefully I couldn't bring myself to wake her. Plus, I didn't want Carter to know I was gone. He's three years older than I am and, although not as bossy as Cade, is good at giving me unwanted advice. Out of all of us, Carter is the most perceptive. It's partly what makes him such a good agent. He understands what drives his clients. He once told me that playing professional football isn't just about making money. He equates it to little girls who dream of the fairytale prince. Most of his clients have been dreaming of making the big leagues since they were old enough to understand the game. He has a roster full of young and talented clients. They're all like him, incredibly driven. He's also a really good judge of character, which means his clients rarely get into trouble. It's also why living with him while hiding my feelings for Ashlyn is going to be tough. If I say anything to him about her, I'm afraid he'll see right through me.
I consider calling my twin sister, Chloe. She's a good listener too but, unlike Carter, can't keep a secret to save her life.
It feels weird trying to hide my marriage from my family.
I want to tell them. Hell, I want to shout it to the world, but I can't.
Even though Ashlyn says she doesn't want a divorce, I know her life is crazy right now. I don't think she knows what she wants.
But when I'm with her, I don't care. I'll take whatever I can get. She makes me feel almost desperate.
And even though I was with her just a few hours ago, I can't wait to see her again.
