But if the bed was inviting, the pristine tiled space, bigger than Steve’s apartment, with the freestanding tub in the center and the glassed-in shower that took up an entire wall, was impossible to resist.
He looked at Drew, who looked back with dark eyes twinkling with promise. “I could keep you company,” Drew offered magnanimously. “You know, wash your back, make sure you don’t drown.”
Not that the idea didn’t appeal, but—“That interview is the least sexy thing I have ever done in my life,” Steve admitted after a too-long pause.
“Ah. Yeah.” Drew rubbed the back of his neck, chagrined. “Introvert.”
Steve nodded, relieved he got it. “Rain check?”
Drew leered. “Definitely.” And then he winked and left Steve to it.
Drew’s shower could have made a grown man cry. Steve held it together long enough to get clean and then hung his towel on the heated rack. Drew was already asleep when he slipped into bed beside him.
He thought it would feel different being “out” as famous, as Drew’s boyfriend. But he felt the same as he did when he woke up that morning, only the bed was more comfortable.
It only took a few heartbeats for him to fall asleep.
Chapter Nineteen
DREWfinished his second cup of coffee outside the wardrobe trailer, waiting for Steve. It got too cramped with more than one of them and Will inside at the same time. But now that his eyes would open all the way, he thumbed open the email client on his phone and clicked the link in Alan’s message.
Gathering No Moss
Steven Stone, son of silver screen royalty Marla and David Stone, is making his own way in Hollywood—and into Drew Beaumont’s heart.
Well. Drew blinked. That wasn’t the headline he was expecting. But it certainly had his attention.
Steven Stone grew up as Steve Sopol in a small town in Washington. Though his parents had a trophy case full of cinematic accolades, he says his upbringing was remarkably normal—a fact he credits for his even keel and down-to-earth attitude. But now he’s in Los Angeles, and he’s leaving his mark in his own unique way: by writing and acting in his first film.
The story continued in that vein for another paragraph before jumping to the movie itself and Steve’s relationship with Drew.
It shouldn’t have unsettled him. After all, once the story broke onGloria, people were bound to take an interest in Steve. But it sat wrong. He didn’t think Steve would like it much either, largely because he wouldn’t appreciate the surprise. And on top of that, he wouldn’t appreciate being the sole object of the article’s scrutiny.
“Well, well,” said a familiar voice. “If it isn’t Steven Stone’s boyfriend.”
Drew jerked his head up, a grin already spreading across his features. “Leigh!”
“In the flesh,” she confirmed, doing a pirouette. Her normally medium-brown skin had tanned a darker shade, and she looked more relaxed than he ever remembered.
He stood and wrapped her in a tight hug. “You look good. Established relationships must agree with you.”
She laughed at him as she pulled back, then gave him a little shove on the shoulders. “You’re one to talk. Actually I’m surprised you’re verbal this early.”
“I’m caffeinated.” He held up his empty cup for proof. “Are you here for what I think you’re here for?”
“Didn’t your casting director tell you, Mr. Bigshot Producer?” she teased, taking the folding chair next to his as he sat back down. “Somehow I scored a cameo on this indie flick as someone’s brother’s ex-girlfriend or something. I guess it’s going to be a big deal. Or at least Hilary let me do it anyway since I’ll only be needed for a day or two. Hope you know your lines.”
“I think I’ll manage.”
“You’re damn right you will. God, I can’t wait to put you in your place on camera. It’s like this role was written just for me.”Oh, here we go.Sure enough, she followed with “Speaking of, where’s your leading man?”
Drew indicated the door behind him. “Getting his pants on.” He narrowed his eyes. “Did you take this part so you could meet my boyfriend?”
“Would I do that? I’m here because I love you.”
“Just do me a favor and don’t ask him for his mom’s autograph, okay?”
“What, Marla?” She waved her hand. “I already have it. Remember the charity roast I volunteered for last year? She hosted. Hey, if you’d come with, I wonder if you’d have met your boy even sooner.”
