Page 121 of See You There

“I called Chandler.”

A pit formed in his stomach.

“I broke up with him. Fake broke up anyway.”

Luke’s eyes widened. “Wow! That’s…”

“Surprising? I didn’t want to mention it until it was done.”

“Why?” Luke searched her eyes.

Dahlia gave a one-shouldered shrug. “It’s going to sound silly. Victor controlled my life for so long. I needed to do this on my own.”

“What happened with Chandler?”

“He wasn’t happy at first, but I think by the end of the conversation, he was okay. The message we’re going to send out still paints us as friends.”

Luke kept his face neutral. If it were his decision, Chandler would never come near her again. He tugged at her bent leg, bringing her foot into his lap. He kneaded the arch as she continued to fill him in.

“I talked to Elizabeth earlier. I signed the paperwork virtually, so she officially represents me now. She says we need to have it done again in person and notarized, but for what I need the next week or so, this will suffice. She’s going to put me in contact with some agents, too. I gave her the names of a couple who have approached me in the past who I would love to work with.”

Luke ran the tips of his fingers over the smooth skin on the top of her foot. He traced the blue veins visible through her porcelain skin, pausing when she said. “I told Chandler that Elizabeth was contacting Alan, and we are putting out a statement tomorrow saying he and I have broken up. I don’t want to walk the red carpet with him.”

She moaned as Luke’s hands slid up her calves, massaging the tired muscles. “You were right, sitting cross-legged on the floor wasn’t the greatest setup for all those meetings.”

“We’ll come up with something better for tomorrow,” Luke promised. “What reason did you give Chandler for doing it before the premiere?” Luke knew he was being a little needy, but fuck if he didn’t want her to say that it was because of him.

Dahlia was his. He was shocked by the jolt of possessiveness that ran through him. He’d never felt that way about a woman before. “Did you tell him about me?”

She shook her head. “You said we needed to stay private until after my deal is signed. Elizabeth thinks I should get ahead of whatever story Victor might put out by releasing a press releaseabout my past. She recommended a publicist. But first I have to find Scott. I know I said no before, but do you think your investigator could help me find him?”

Relief washed over Luke. “If there is any way I can say this without sounding condescending, I’m really proud of you.”

“Totally condescending.” Her lips quirked in a little smile. “I’m proud of me, too.” She sighed as his thumbs pressed into her foot. “About an hour ago, Elizabeth sent Victor some kind of notice that I won’t be renewing my contract. He’s blowing up my phone, so I left it in the bedroom.”

Luke’s hand skated from her foot to her thigh before curling to tease the sensitive skin on the back of her knee, causing her to jerk.

“No more meetings today?” Luke’s hands explored higher, drawing circles higher and higher on her inner thigh.

Dahlia’s breath caught as he gently traced the hem of the loose shorts. “Nope.”

“Fascinating,” he whispered, his fingers dipping underneath the fabric. Luke pulled back, his featherlight touch brushing down her legs back to her knees.

“Wrong direction.”

“Bossy.”

“Shut up.” Dahlia let out a breathy moan when Luke leaned forward and slipped his hands under her blouse to palm her breasts. “If you have complaints—”

“No complaints, beautiful,” Luke said against the skin between her breasts when he pulled the top over her head, smothering her words. “Absolutely.” He turned his cheek to take her nipple into his mouth, pulling it into a tight peak. “No complaints,” he said with a wicked smile.

Luke hooked his thumbs in the waistband of her shorts and dragged them down her legs. He looked up from her bare body to her amused eyes. “I think it’s cute.”

“You are so wei—,” Dahlia lost the end of the word when his hands pulled her knees apart.

“So rude.”

“Take it up with human resources.”