Page 29 of The Playboy

He laughs. “Tell us a bit about your character, Nico Rossi, in this film. You were only introduced in the original movie, so your role is much bigger this time around.”

“Yes. Nico and Antonio, played by Caleb, are enemies, and he’s trying to kidnap his sister Sofia, played by Elena Conners. Basically, I’m a misunderstood character and am only trying to please my father and the rest of my family.”

“Sounds great. I know all the fans are dying to see it, right, everyone?” The studio fills with applause and hoots. I glance at Sam, and she’s smiling wide, the audience’s adrenaline getting her excited as well.

“Your ex, Jennifer Stoneham, was out here with us just before you, and she told me it looks like you’re seeing someone. Are the rumors true? Has Hollywood’s playboy finally found someone to tame him?”

I look back at Sam in the wings and she looks mortified. Even from a distance, I notice her flaming red cheeks. “Well, James, I can tell you Jennifer isn’t always the most perceptive of people. If I’m seeing anyone, that is going to be my little secret. I’ll tell you there is someone who I am trying to convince to see it my way, but nothing is set in stone. Yet.”

“I’m sure your fans will be keeping up to find out who the lucky girl is. Tait, always a pleasure, thank you so much for being here with us today.” He reaches over to shake my hand again, and the house band picks up. “We will be right back after this commercial break.”

“And we’re clear,” Alex says.

I stand and James stands with me. “Sorry about the Jennifer thing. She seemed to think it was a big thing, and since she asked on camera, I had to roll with it.”

“No problem, I understand. Thanks so much for having me. It was a pleasure.” I take my mic off and walk toward Jennifer who’s waiting on the side, smiling. I walk past Sam to get to her and stop directly in front. “You have no right to butt into my business. Keep your fake ass out of my personal life.”

She tilts her head to the side and examines me. It’s like a lightbulb goes off, and her entire face lights up. “My god. You have true feelings for this girl—Sam—don’t you?”

Sam joins us, and it takes all I have to not to pull her behind me to protect her from Jennifer and the words I’m sure will leave her mouth. “Everything all right, Tait?” she asks, placing her hand on my shoulder.

“Fine. Jennifer was just leaving. Weren’t you?”

“Be careful with him, Samantha. He’s just going to tear your little heart to shreds and make sure to rub your face in it.”

I turn to leave, taking Sam’s hand, but she pulls away. “Unlike you, I’m not trying to change Tait into something he’s not. I know who he is and what kind of person he is in private. Trust me, if he ripped your heart to shreds, he had a good reason for it. I’m not sure what the reason is, and frankly, I don’t care. Have a good day, Jennifer. Once again, it was a pleasure meeting you.”

I look at Jennifer who is red as a tomato. Sam takes my hand and pulls me along with her out of sight.That is the sexiest thing I’ve ever witnessed.I now know I am going to pull out every trick in the book to make her mine.

Chapter 18

Tait keeps tryingto talk to me, and I just stare out the window, ignoring him.I can’t believe I said that to Jennifer Stoneham!What kind of person does that? Oh yeah… me. The kind of person that is falling for the one man who doesn’t do relationships. I don’t have a chance in hell with this man, besides sex, and that actually irritates me.

“Sam, you can’t keep ignoring me. We’re going to be stuck together on an airplane for a few hours.”

“Sure, I can.” I pull my headphones out of my bag and stick them in my ears, turning up the volume. I turn my face toward the window again.

He rips the headphone out of my ear, and I glare at him. He cups my face with his hands as his lips come down over mine. I try pushing away but relent when he doesn’t let go. I want this—need this—so I let it happen. He slides his tongue along the seam of my mouth, coaxing me to open for him. It’s deep, passionate, and sexy as hell. I want to climb into his lap and grind down on him.

When the driver clears his throat, I push Tait away from me. I’m flushed and embarrassed. I forgot the divider wasn’t up so he saw the whole spectacle. I look out the window as the airport terminal comes into view. That kiss must have lasted longer than I thought because I didn’t think we were that close. Tait pushes open the door and helps me out. He carries both our bags, but when he reaches for my hand, I pull away.

He looks directly at me, and I shake my head. “I’m your assistant. It’s not right to be seen in public like this.” He knows I’m right and drops his hand. There are a few paparazzi camped outside the terminal, and they snap a few pictures but mainly leave us alone. As I follow behind him, we reach our gate without incident. We’re in the back room again and will board the plane after everyone else, like before.

“Why did you say that to Jennifer? How did you even know?” he asks, leaning forward in his chair, his elbows perched on his knees.

“I looked up information about the two of you before filming, and what she did wasn’t right. She shouldn’t have been telling people she was going to try to change you. That’s not who you are.” I shrug as he smiles. “However,” his smile fades, “what you did was shitty, too. Being seen in public with a different girl every night. I’m sure you did that to rub it in her face.”

“I had to get my point across, and she wouldn’t listen to me otherwise. That was the only way I could get her to stop.”

“No. There had to be other ways. This was probably just the first thing that popped up.” I yawn and shake my head, trying to rid the cobwebs. I didn’t get much sleep last night. I had dreams of Tait and I together all night long, so when he woke me up with morning sex, it was literally a dream come true. At first, I thought I was still asleep. It didn’t take me long to realize, though, that it was real and I was ready to combust.

Our flight gets in at ten tonight, and then it’s about a thirty-minute ride from the airport to the hotel. I pull up the schedule for tomorrow and see we have a nine am call time.At least I can sleep in a little bit.

“We need to discuss the contract tonight. I suggest taking a nap on the plane.” He sits up straight again and lays his ankle on top of his knee.

I scrunch my face. “Can’t we do it tomorrow? I didn’t sleep well last night.”

“No. We’re going to discuss this. Especially with what happened last night and this morning. I need you to know I’ll keep my end of the bargain and that I won’t screw you over if we continue on the path we’re heading down.”