Page 7 of Vain (Tempest #2)

Chapter Seven

AIDEN

Fuck, shit, fuck. So much for keeping my fucking distance.

Unfortunately, I let my little brain engage before my big one could step in.

It wasn’t even a conscious thought. One second, I was picturing some guy’s hands running all over her tight little body, and the next, I was barely holding back the urge to claim her.

Blake will rip me a new asshole if I can’t get my shit together and do the job I was hired to do. So with that thought in mind, I back off.

Her expression gives nothing away. If I’m freaking her out, she’s hiding it well.

I take a deep breath and lead her inside the studio.

Once I have her settled and I can keep my eyes on all the players, I relax a little.

I stand to the side, out of her way, but I track her as she moves around and talks animatedly to the actors who were already here when we arrived.

The second she entered the building, she shook off her nerves and morphed into this strong, capable woman who was just as sexy as the sweet, vulnerable one I’d seen.

Now I’m watching as her smile lights up the whole room, captivating everyone watching her.

I know what Marley was talking about now, about having that something special.

When I leave today, I won’t remember any of the others, even though I recognize most of them from other movies.

All I’ll remember is watching Matilda in her element.

“So…are you two…like dating or something?”

The girl I’d watched out of the corner of my eye made her way over with a swish of her hips and a flick of her hair.

“Aren’t you supposed to be reading over the script changes?” I ask, not taking my eyes off Tilly as she talks through a scene with a red-haired girl and a dark-haired guy. Both of them look like they could still be in high school, but then, judging from the girl next to me, maybe that’s the point.

“She’s busy with Jade and Justin. I’m not concerned, though. My agent told me I’m perfect for the part.”

I bite my lip to keep myself from saying something dickish.

“So…like, are you both together, or do you…you know, want to get a smoothie or a bubble tea or something?”

I turn to look at her then and frown. “No.”

I turn back to Tilly, who’s looking around before she turns to me. She spots the girl next to me, and her expression tightens.

I mouth help me to her, which earns me an eye roll.

“Is that a no, you two aren’t together? Because I know this great little place that has the best?—”

“It’s a no to you.”

“So you are together. Bummer.”

“Yeah, we’re together,” I tell her as Tilly finally takes pity on me and starts walking my way.

“Well, I won’t tell if you don’t tell. Everyone knows she rarely leaves her house. We could meet up in secret. I could make it worth your while.” She lowers her voice to a whisper as she reaches for me.

I snap my hand out and grab her wrist when she’s an inch from my dick. “Don’t. I’m not yours to touch. I’m hers,” I growl as Tilly steps up to us with a frown on her face.

“What’s going on?”

“Your stupid boyfriend got aggressive with me for no reason.”

I shake my head and release her.

She rubs her wrist dramatically, fake tears springing to her eyes. “I was just asking if he was okay. I know this must be hard on you, being out and about after what happened. Then he grabbed my arm and tried to make me touch him.”

“That’s enough,” Tilly snaps at her, her voice like a whip. “I saw what went down, Lisa. I was just curious to see if what they said about you being a liar and a troublemaker was true. I don’t like to listen to rumors, preferring to make up my own mind about things.”

“I didn’t do anything?—”

“If he had reached over and tried to grab your vagina, you’d be singing a different tune right now. Consent works both ways. I don’t give a fuck if you’re a man or a woman, and I’ll be damned if I let you taint this movie with that attitude.”

She turns to me. “Do you want to press charges?”

I let out a relieved sigh. I wasn’t sure how she would react. “No. I just want her to back off.”

“Done.” She turns back to Lisa, who looks pissed enough to explode. “It goes without saying you’re not right for the part. I think it’s time you leave before I have security escort you out.”

“Fuck you. Wait until I go to the media with this. I can’t believe you’d let your boyfriend manhandle me like this,” she yells, getting everyone’s attention.

Matilda steps closer to me and takes my hand this time. “Fiancé, actually.” She squeezes my hand in a “just go with it” kind of way. She doesn’t have to ask me twice. With her free hand, she points to the multiple cameras around the room.

“You do what you have to do, Lisa, but just know I’ll be contacting the studio’s legal team the second you leave.

And if you conspire to slander my partner, movie, or anyone else here today, I’ll release the tape to the media so they can see exactly what kind of person you are.

You can watch those auditions dry up real quick. ”

Lisa stomps her foot and snarls before spinning on her high heels and stomping off-set.

Tilly pulls out her cell and fires off a text. “Security is coming to grab her to make sure she actually leaves.

“Alright, everyone. Sorry for the drama. Why don’t you all take ten minutes to go over the changes and grab a drink? Then, I’ll pair you up for your read-throughs. Sound good?”

She gets a chorus of yeses, and everyone does as she asks.

She turns back to me and blows out a frustrated breath. “I’m so sorry.”

I take a step closer so we’re standing toe to toe. “Fiancé?”

She closes her eyes and groans. “This is going to sound conceited as fuck, but being my fiancé gives you a lot more power to?—”

“Do this,” I finish for her. And before she realizes what I’m going to do, I slide my hands into her hair and kiss her. Having her come to my defense like that made me rock fucking hard and shot to shit all the reasons I should stay away from her.

I expected her to freeze in shock, but the second my lips touch hers, she melts into me. Fisting her hands in my T-shirt, she holds me close as she opens her mouth. Taking the invitation as it was intended, I dive in, groaning when the taste of her explodes on my tongue.

I forget about where we are, the set, the people, even the cameras capturing the moment.

All I care about is making this woman mine, and Christ, there’s no denying that’s what she is.

Not now. Not after I’ve tasted her. I don’t give a single fuck that I’ve only known her for a second. When you know, you know.

Reluctantly, I pull away before I end up bending her over and giving everyone a free show.

“Fuck, Tilly.” My voice comes out hoarse. I don’t release her. I can’t. Not yet. I’m scared if I do, she’ll disappear.

“Miss Carson?”

With a silent curse, I let her go as the redhead steps up behind Tilly.

“Sorry, Jade. I’ll be right with you.”

Once Jade steps away, Tilly turns back to me. “Look, that shouldn’t have?—”

I place my fingers over her lips. “We’ll talk later. Right now, we both have a job to do.”

She opens her mouth to say something else but, with a glance, knows I’m right.

With a quiet huff, she heads back to the others who have started gathering around the chairs once more.

I spend the rest of the day watching her like I’m supposed to.

Okay, so technically, I watch her ass, but that still counts, right?