“Can we hang out?”
Her look of confusion deepens. “Ready for another round? It hasn’t even been that long since I’ve seen you.”
“No. I want to have a date night. I want to watch a movie with you and order room service. Or we could go out and get something to eat. I just want to spend some time with you.” I pause and gauge her reaction. “Not just as a fuck buddy.”
She smiles, the blush creeping up her neck and face. I reach out toward her and cup her cheek. She willingly lays her head in my hand, and I pull her toward me, kissing her deeply. I pull back and watch as she blinks her eyes open, focusing on me again.
“Sam. I’m serious as to what I said earlier. I want to date you. I want to try this and see if it works. Let’s put our contract on hold and see if things work out naturally.”
“What if thingsdon’twork out?”
“Then you can be done with me. You can cancel your part of the contract and just finish out filming with me. The stipulations are there. I’ll hold up my end of the bargain.” I take her hands in mine. “You’re changing me. I want to be with you more than for a few hours after filming wraps for the day. I want to wake up wrapped around you in the morning. I want to curl up with you at night. That first night you were here and drunk in my bed was the best I’ve slept in years. Then, when we were back in California, sharing the room was like heaven. You curled up into me, and I didn’t want to get up that day.”
She pulls her hands back from my grasp, and I drop them to my sides, afraid to touch her again but still needing to feel her. “Please, Sam. We’ll keep it professional on set. We’re employer and employee on set, but other than that, we’re a couple. That way there is no confusion as to if I am asking you to do something as my girlfriend or as my employee.”
“I like you, Tait. There’s no denying that part. Honestly, you’re good for me. When I’m with you, I step out of my comfort zone and I know you won’t let me fall. I trust you more in these past few weeks than I’ve trusted anyone in a while. That scares me though. We haven’t had any time to get to know one another with the exception of today. We entered into this contract where it’s all about getting laid… yet I trust you. Also, there’s that small issue of you not dating. I’m still trying to understand how that could change so suddenly.”
“I can’t explain it. I’ve never felt the need to date someone, but then you walked into my room and I knew I had to have you. You challenge me. You make me feel like I’ve been missing something important. We’ll keep things just between us. No one needs to know. Then, in a few weeks, when I’m done filming, we won’t have to hide.”
She looks down at her entwined fingers. “You said you don’t like your personal life being broadcast across the press.”
I can’t stand it anymore. I reach out, taking her hands in mine. She doesn’t pull back, and I’m relieved. “I never said I would announce it, but I don’t want us not going out for fear that someone will find out. I want to be able to take you to nice dinners, or on real dates. Hell, I’d take you miniature golfing if I thought it would make you happy. I want to show you I can be the person you need and someone you want.Please,will you give me the opportunity?”
“What am I going to tell Emily? She warned me not to fall for your Irish tricks and not to sleep with you.” I see the color rise to her cheeks and she laughs.
I smile and shake my head.Oh, yes. Emily.“You’re going to tell her that you are a grown arse woman, and you are taking what you want. Or, you’re going to tell her to piss off because it’s none of her fucking business.”
“I don’t imagine that conversation will go over well.”
“I don’t really care. You’re mine. I want you, and I’ll stop at nothing until you see it my way. Please? Give me a chance to show you I’m worth the trouble.” How can she refuse such a wonderful offer as that?
“Fine, Tait. You win.”
I scoop her up into my arms and spin her around before placing her on her feet and kissing her silly.Guess I didn’t need Quinn’s help, after all.
Chapter 24
Quinnand I have gotten a lot closer in the past few weeks. I follow her and Caleb on Instagram, and they are seriously the cutest. He will post funny pictures of her, and his statements are always full of love. It actually makes me a little jealous. I refuse to let Tait post pictures of me. I don’t need that getting out. I’m sure his fans would rip me to shreds.
Since Quinn has taken me under her wing, Elena seems to come as a packaged deal. Not that I’m complaining. She is one of the sweetest, most caring people I’ve met in Hollywood. She truly is a breath of fresh air, and I’m glad I have the opportunity to hang out with her. Everything seems to be going well with me and Tait. My social media has been blowing up from friends who have seen tabloid posts and know it’s me. Other than that, there seems to be an air of mystery about who Tait spends his time with.
We have only been out in public one other time besides the sightseeing day, and we pulled up to the restaurant, got seated, and Tait made me turn away from the windows in case the paparazzi showed up. That way, they wouldn’t be able to get a picture of my face. He is really being considerate, and I appreciate it. Everything else with Tait has been amazing as well. I have never dated a man more attuned to my needs both sexually and otherwise. Every time I think of how I’mactuallydating Tait Flanigan, my stomach does little flips.
I return to my room from set to get ready for the evening. Quinn and Elena are taking me out to a club tonight. I looked it up, and it seems a bit fancy, but I have no clothes that will work. Quinn is a little bigger than me, but I also have a fair amount of curves so she lends me a sequined one-shoulder top. I borrow a pair of pleather leggings from Giselle. Elena and I wear the same size shoe, and she lets me borrow a pair of strappy heels.Holy crap, Elena Conners and I are friends. How did that happen?
I had to convince Tait to let me go for the evening. He wanted to spend the night with us wrapped up in each other. And while it was very tempting, things are moving too quickly with him. I need a night to myself. I need to figure out what’s going to happen when filming ends in two weeks. I told him about it this afternoon during a break. He pouted. I gave him a blow job. He was happy and told me to have fun.
Men. So easy to control!
Quinn and Elena are in my room as I put the finishing touches on my makeup. Elena is amazing at styling hair and agreed to do mine for me. I must admit, I look really good. I turn from side to side, looking in the mirror at my reflection.
“You look great, Sam. You’re going to knock ‘em dead tonight.” She winks and fixes her lip gloss.
“Elena, Caleb wants to talk to you.” Quinn hands the phone to her, and she steps out of the bathroom.
“Thanks for letting me borrow the top. I appreciate it.”
Quinn smiles. “Anytime. I like helping my friends.”
