Page 24 of The Playboy
“I can carry that.” She reaches for her bag, but I turn my body enough to keep it away from her grasp.
“Sam. Are we?”Please just accept my proposal.I want nothing more than to be between this woman’s legs.
“Not right now. We have a plane to catch, and I don’t want to risk anyone hearing our discussion. Tomorrow.”
We make our way down to the waiting car, and she slides in first. I place my finger on the small button on the door, raising the divider, and turn to face her. She looks at the divider and narrows her eyes at me. I brush a few strands of loose hair from her face with the back of my fingers, and she leans into my touch ever so slightly.
“I won’t hurt you. I may not do relationships, but my intent is to never hurt the woman I’m with. You would be no different, Sam.”
She looks at me with genuine curiosity. “Why me, Tait? You know nothing about me. We’ve spent just a few days together, and most of that was working. I’ve been getting water or coffee for you.”
I lean closer. “Did you forget about the first night when I took you to dinner, or even this afternoon? There’s something about you. You’re different and I like that. You seem so sure of yourself and what you want.” She pushes a laugh out her nose, one that tells me she doesn’t believe anything I’m telling her. I place my hands on the sides of her face and look deep into her brown eyes. “Laugh all you want, sweetheart. You will see it my way soon enough.”
She pushes my hands off her face and turns to look out the window.Did I just fuck that whole thing up?I take her hand in mine, rubbing small circles on the back of it. When she doesn’t pull away, I assume her attitude change is out of fear and let the conversation die.
* * *
The camerasand paparazzi swarm the car as we step out onto the sidewalk. Both of us have been cleared through TSA pre-check, and I take her hand in mine to avoid getting separated. I bend at the waist, whispering in her ear, “Keep your head down and don’t talk to them.”
The men start shouting things out at us.Is that your new girlfriend? What’s her name? Look this way, sweetheart.I glare at the man who dares call her sweetheart and watch as he falters, tripping over his feet. I know better than to talk to them, butno onecalls her sweetheart. I hold on to her hand a little tighter until we make it to the security checkpoint. When I feel her trembling a little, I stop, trying to pull her toward me for a comforting hug. She places her hand on my chest, stopping as she shakes her head.
“I don’t need rumors spread. I’m sure the hand holding is already going to start some nasty ones on the internet.”
I nod as we make our way through security and to the back room. She takes a seat, and I sit across from her, watching as she closes her eyes and leans her head back. She looks so peaceful; I hate to break the moment.
“Sam, we need to discuss everything. The fact you aren’t willing to talk to me about my offer is killing me.” She opens her eyes and focuses her attention on me. The silence that settles between us is deafening. After a minute she speaks.
“No. This isn’t the time or place to discuss it. On this trip, I’m your assistant and that’s it. Nothing but professionalism. I’ll stay at my apartment with Emily for the evening, and you’ll stay at the hotel. I’ll come by mid-afternoon to get you so we can go to the studio.”
“No. Emily’s sick, and if you stay there, that opens you up to catch the same shit she has. You’re staying in the hotel if I have to drag you there myself.” Her breath hitches. I stand and sit in the chair next to hers. “You’re going to make me beg for a chance, aren’t you?”
She smirks. “Maybe.”
* * *
She sleeps on the flight,her head resting on my shoulder as I watch a movie. She wraps her arm underneath mine, holding on to me in her sleep. She smells great, and I can’t help myself. When I kiss the top of her head, her eyes flutter open. She sits up quickly, unwrapping her arm from mine, and looks at me with wide eyes.
“I have to use the bathroom.” She’s gone for only a minute before she takes her seat again and pulls the small blanket up over her shoulders.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we have started our initial descent into Los Angeles. The cabin crew will be coming around to collect any trash you may have. The current weather is seventy-five degrees and it’s a clear night. We know you have a lot of options when you fly, and we appreciate you choosing us this evening. We should be on the ground in about twenty minutes.”
“What are you watching?” she asks, looking toward my screen.
“The Emblem. I can’t believe they have this shitty movie on the flight. I was hoping to see you in it.”
She buries her face in her hands, hiding from me, and speaks through her fingers. “Oh, God! Let’s not go down that lane. You don’t need to see my crappy acting skills. There’s a reason why I’m not in front of the camera anymore. I’m terrible at it!”
“Cheer up. Your line wasn’t too bad.” I point to the screen. “Is that Ben?”
She nods. “Yeah. How’d you know?”
My cheeks heat, and I’m thankful for the darkened cabin so she can’t see it. I don’t want to tell her I asked Emily about her, but there isn’t really a way around it. “Emily sent me a picture. I was curious as to what he looked like. His acting is complete rubbish.”
She laughs. “Yes. It really is. He’s a good lay though,” she responds with little interest.
My blood boils when she talks about him being a good lay. I don’t want anyone looking at her, touching her, or fucking her butme.Where the fuck are these emotions coming from?She’s not mine, and even if she slept with me, it would be to relieve some pent-up energy. I can’t help the images swimming around though. I clench my jaw thinking about the things she has probably done with him.
“Tait, are you okay?” She places her hand on my thigh, and I grip her hand in mine, not allowing her to pull it back. Her delicate fingers feel good right where they are.