Page 26 of You Rock My World

JOSIE

The hallway outside the women extras’ dressing room is a tangle of actors and crew. I’m exhausted but still thrumming, as if I’d plugged myself into an open socket and got charged by the surreal experience of being on a TV show.

My phone vibrates with a text.

Dorian

Have you forsaken your knight in shining armor?

I smile, amazed that he’s already washed off the fake mud and blood. It feels like I just got to the studio, but it’s been hours. The scene Dorian wasn’t in dragged on.

Josie

Isn’t patience a knightly virtue?

His typing bubbles pop up, but I reach his dressing room before his reply is delivered.

I knock, and Dorian opens the door, freshly showered and relaxed in a plain T-shirt and jeans. His damp hair falls in tousled waves, so sexy the lust fairies themselves must’ve styled it.

He looks maddeningly good, the kind of handsome that short-circuits my brain.

Despite his undeniable charm also in civilian clothes, part of me mourns the armor.

Earlier, when he stormed into the hall, he was a hero straight out of a fairy tale—or a smutty romantasy novel.

Even the fake scar carved into his cheekbone turned me on.

I would’ve kissed him in a heartbeat, mud and all.

He leans against the doorframe. “Why are you still looking at me like that? The armor’s gone.”

I plant my palms on his chest and push him into the dressing room, kicking the door shut behind me with my foot. We’re finally alone, protected from prying eyes. “But the memories are not.”

He catches a loose lock from my medieval updo and lets it fall through his fingers. “Is that why you’ve kept your hair like this? To torture me?”

I smile, still jacked up with adrenaline. “I would’ve kept the gown too, but they made me give it back.” I turn serious now. “Thank you, Dorian. Today was a dream come true. Being treated like a royal, even if it was all pretend… it felt surreal.”

He mock-bows. “I am your loyal subject, my lady. Here to serve.” He straightens, opening his arms. “Come here.”

I go to him, the contact growing more familiar yet no less exhilarating. I press my cheek to his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

“If the elevator was in the top ten of your life experiences, how does today rank?”

I pull back my head, fisting the soft fabric of his T-shirt. “You’re in a solid top eight.”

He beams down at me. “What gets me in the top five?”

Without hesitation, I bury my face into the crook of his neck again. “Just keep holding me.”

Dorian kisses the top of my head. “I can do that.”

After soaking in his warmth and filling my lungs with his scent, I reluctantly pull back.

“I’ve already missed too much work today.

” I flash him an apologetic smile. “I have to prep the press for your interview and check in with Tessa about the behind-the-scenes special.” I frown as a sudden thought strikes me.

She must’ve thought it was weird to do my job today.

I hope she doesn’t resent me. “Does she know about us?”

“Tessa’s chill. She knows you’re a friend from the elevator. And we all cover for each other sometimes.”

“Okay, I’ll go thank her and tell her I owe her one.”

Dorian tilts his head. “Of course, go be responsible. But.” He pauses as he grabs another lock of my hair and lets it flow through his fingers. “Have dinner with me tonight?”

“I can’t.” I sigh. “I have to be at my mom’s. The Monroe women get together once a week.”

He quirks an eyebrow. “Are men banned from these sacred gatherings?”

A sudden, all-consuming sadness grips my heart.

“There are no men left.” I swallow, fighting the familiar lump in my throat.

“Daniel died. My parents have been divorced for twenty years. I call us the Monroe women, but I’m actually the only one.

Mom went back to her maiden name five minutes after signing the papers and has refused to live with another man ever since.

Aunt Moira doesn’t believe in marriage. She’s still living in the seventies and isn’t seeing anyone right now.

And Lily has kept Daniel’s name and given up on romance after losing him. ”

Dorian’s hand finds my elbow, his touch grounding me, steadying me.

“My family is not a beacon of happily ever afters,” I add with a faint, self-deprecating laugh.

He gives my arm a gentle squeeze. “I’m sorry, Josie.”

I shrug. “It’s life. We’re doing okay, all considered. These dinners help.”

He’s thoughtful for a beat, then says, “So, let me come.”

Something pinches in my heart at the eagerness in his voice. “You want to meet my family?”

He juts out his lower lip in a pout that’s both cute and devastating. “Why not? I’m great at meeting the parents. Sandy Parker’s mom still sends me a card every Christmas.”

“That’s adorable. Do you send her a signed headshot in return?”

He grabs me by the hips and nuzzles my neck. “Always with the sass.”

I laugh at the tickling sensation while also going hot in several places. I flash him a goofy grin. “And yet, here you are, asking for more.”

“I am.”

Dorian is so blunt, so unapologetic. His directness makes my heart trip all over the place. “My family is intense. Are you sure you want to meet them?”

He doesn’t even blink. “Yes.”

I’m about to say okay, but then I frown. “Wait, how can you go to a regular person’s house?”

Dorian’s eyes crinkle. “I’m not a vampire, Josie, I won’t even need to be invited in to cross the threshold.”

I scold him, suppressing a smile. “Be serious. We can’t have paparazzi swarming my mom’s house. Or anyone know about us.”

“If you want me to come, I can manage that part.” He gives my sides a little squeeze. “I’ll just need some basic information about the layout.”

“Of course I want you to come.”

His gaze turns searching. “Can your family keep a secret?”

I consider it, then nod. “If you handle the security side, I’ll take care of my family’s big mouths.”

“Then it’s settled.” Dorian grins in a way that makes my insides melt. “I’ll be there.”

I extricate myself from his arms but don’t make it halfway across the dressing room before he grabs my hand and pulls me back.

Pop Rocks light up in my belly as he presses a soft kiss to the pulse point on my wrist.

“I can’t wait.”

“Me too,” I breathe back, my vocal cords not cooperating.

On impulse, I get up on tiptoe and stamp a quick peck on his cheek, then flee the dressing room before I kiss him again, and not so innocently this time.

As I walk down the hall, I rub my wrist where his lips have left an invisible brand.

If mere hugs and pecks to the wrist have this effect on me, what will a real kiss do?

* * *

A few hours later, I’m marching in front of my family like a lieutenant before her battalion. Mom, Lily, Aunt Moira, and Penny sit lined up on the couch, watching me with varying degrees of amusement.

For the third time, I repeat, “You cannot tell anyone I’m sort of dating Rian Phoenix.”

Aunt Moira huffs as she turns to my mom. “Betty, darling, show me a picture of this man.”

Mom pulls out her phone and shows Moira. My aunt lets out a low whistle. “I don’t understand, sweetie. If he wants to bang you, and you want to bang him, why aren’t you two banging?”

Lily covers Penny’s ears, but my niece wriggles free. “Mommy, what does banging mean?”

“It means… Aunt Josie’s boyfriend is a musician, and they’d like to play the drums together.” Lily shoots Moira a disapproving look.

Moira waves that off. “Josie, you’re wasting your prime. If I had a man like that?—”

“You’d scare him off before the appetizers,” I mutter.

“Appetizers? Honey, I’d skip straight to dessert.”

Penny perks up. “Can I skip to dessert, too?”

Lily sighs. “Not until you’re eighteen, sweetie.”

Moira taps her chin, still eyeing the photo. “Does this gentleman have a brother? Or better yet, a father?”

The doorbell saves me from having to reply. I shoot them a look. “Be good,” I warn and head for the door.

I can’t believe I’m about to introduce Dorian to my crazy, lovable, unpredictable family. Taking a deep breath, I paste on a smile and open the door.