Page 25 of Notorious (Hollywood Heartthrobs #2)

Ollie gasped, and I sent him a wink, which brought out a delicious blush on his cheeks. Then I paused, since mama was never one to listen to gossip or read about celebrity news. “Wait, how did you find out? I only learned about it.”

“Landon.”

“What?” I asked.

There was a rustling sound, and Landon came on the phone. “That was hilarious. You know mama doesn’t pay attention to gossip. I thought you’d freak if she called.”

“Bro, do you need me to sit you down again and give you the safe sex and consent talk? I know it’s been a while since Sam gave his presentation, but we can recreate it.”

A loud whine came through the phone. “That was so embarrassing. And detailed. And gross. Come to think of it, it was Sam, so we couldn’t expect anything less.”

I laughed, because our eldest brother would never take something as important as sex so lightly. But no one needed a slideshow of closeups of the effect of STDs straight out of a medical textbook.

“Wait, did you believe?—”

“Come on, Connor. We know you better than that. Even in your wildest days, you never allowed yourself to put anyone in danger, much less expose yourself and becoming a father before you were ready. You’re one of the most honorable people I know, bro.”

Choked up at his words, and at the knowledge my brothers were growing into their own, I swallowed my emotions. At the knowledge of my entire family thriving in the past few years, only growing closer together since Ollie came into our lives, had me blurt out my feelings.

“I’m proud of you, Landon, and I love you.”

He cleared his throat and said, “Love you too, big bro. Lyric and I will be at the studio soon. Do you need anything?”

“Nah, we’re covered here, but be safe.”

Ollie cleared his throat when Landon rang off, and when I turned into his arms, I raised an eyebrow.

“Was I presumptuous? You know, when I suggested the interview?” Ollie asked.

Leaning in until our faces were close together, I pressed my lips to his soft ones and shivered in delight when he sighed. I loved the dreamy look on his face whenever we touched. In all honesty, there was a jolt in my chest at the complete trust he’d revealed to me.

The part of my personality where I dove in head first for the experience quieted to a hum inside me whenever we were together, something I never could have predicted.

“I…” my brow furrowed because I wondered if I hadn’t made my feelings clear.

I knew we had jumped into a relationship once I came back from Vancouver when I asked him to be my boyfriend, but I realized we never spoke about our feelings or what we wanted for our future.

The relationship was a whirlwind of sensations new to me, but not once had I ever conceived that Ollie and I would be anything less than everything to each other.

His brows drew down as he searched my gaze, the concern about stepping past a boundary evident in the pinch of his lips. I cupped his face and leaned my forehead against his and blew out a breath.

“Maybe it’s my fault,” I whispered.

There was a moment where he worked on deciphering my words, but in the end, his brows drew down and he asked, “What?”

I drew back while keeping eye contact.

“Ollie. I have no clue why I never said this earlier, especially since I’ve been feeling the same way for months, but I want you to know.

“ Carino mío , I am so in love with you. I’m surprised you can’t feel it when you look at me.

You are my everything. My confidant and partner in every sense of the word, the one man who holds my happiness in your hands.

I live for you, for us, and everything else that comes is a bonus.

I thank the gods every day you walked on that plane and gave me a chance and I will never, ever take you for granted. ”

The pressure in my chest squeezed to uncomfortable levels when a sob escaped his throat, but then he wrapped me in a hug so tight he kept me from falling apart. Then a laugh broke through the tears and when I pulled back a couple of inches, his smile was gorgeous.

My thumbs wiped at the tears and then traced over his lips, filling me with such utter devotion in that moment. I vowed to keep Ollie feeling this happiness for as long as we lived.

“Oh, Connor. Thank you for the words I longed to hear. I love you, with all my heart.”

When our lips touched, I became lost in the moment.

A sense of peace settled in my chest, and I groaned as my lips pulled the sexiest little moan from Ollie’s throat.

But we jolted back when loud applause started.

Then came to hoots and whistles. Ollie buried his face against my chest as I smiled when I glanced up.

Lewis stood behind Kaid, one arm banded around his chest as they both smiled at the scene in front of them.

And not only them, but Addie and Gracie were shoulder to shoulder, both with beaming smiles on their faces.

The crew surrounded us, patting Ollie on the back as the genuine happiness for their friend reflected on their expressions.

It had been a whirlwind of a day, but one I wouldn’t soon forget.