When he didn’t move a muscle, I took a step forward. Today must be asshole day.
No, I didn’t like the guy. In fact, he had a target on his face exactly where my fist was about to go.
“He’s just on his asshole pills today,” she finished, winking at me when she did. She’d obviously sensed I was about ready to toss him out.
“You can be such a bitch, Lainey. You know that?” His huff was not nearly as irritating as what he’d just said to her.
“Hey. You. Didn’t your mother ever teach you not to treat a woman with disrespect? If you were one of my men, you’d be fired. Now, why don’t you find a hole to crawl into.”
I wasn’t asking him.
I was telling him he was about to face my wrath and thankfully for the little weasel, he knew it.
She stifled a laugh while I glared at him. I’d had it with his nastiness and bullshit and didn’t need to take it any longer. The residency was complete.
She’d be returning to her life in LA.
When my cock stirred, I was surprised. Didn’t that give me an ache I didn’t need?
He kept a glare on his face but left like a good little boy, throwing a tantrum by slamming the door behind him.
I’d heard all the stories about Lainey from the beginning of her rise to fame. Once considered a diva, word on the street was she’d been tamed by a long-term relationship with a fly-by-night actor. Was I jealous? Perhaps. The truth was she’d been good forhiscareer, bringing him back to being considered an A-list actor after years of drugs and booze. I was still surprised the two were together. I was also suspicious of the ‘romance,’ but it wasn’t my place to give a damn.
Obviously, there was a rift between them. None of my business.
Or at least it shouldn’t be.
Lainey was unable to hold back laughter any longer. “You are something else, Mr. Dmitriyev. Very… formidable.”
“Is that what they call it these days?”
She brushed hair behind her ear casually, but I could tell she was nervous around me. There was no reason to be. “I could call it being chivalrous. That’s what my mother would say.”
I pressed my hand against my heart. “A great compliment. You’d make my mother happy.”
“The way you are with everyone in your employ is why I’ve thoroughly enjoyed spending a few months in your employ. You remind me there are decent employers. I’m sorry about Scott. Part of his job is to pressure me into doing things I don’t appreciate.”
“Then don’t do them. I have a feeling you also don’t mind egging on his mood swings.”
She pressed her fingers against her lips as if I’d just discovered her greatest secret. “Don’t tell anyone.”
“You secret is safe with me.” The banter with her was easy, almost as easy as her voluptuous figure and warm, wet lips were on the eyes. How many times had I reminded myself that making advances on an artist under contract was never a good idea? Also, there was the reprehensible concept of poaching another man’s girl. That wasn’t like me. But I’d thought about it more than once.
“I meant what I said,” she stated clearly, a shadow of something very personal and upsetting crossing her face.
I tried to shove aside my untimely desire as I walked closer. Almost instantly the scent of her perfume hit me in a way that wasn’t good for standing in front of her. My cock was almost fully aroused. My only hope was that my suit jacket was hiding my condition. Even now, I wouldn’t want her to think of me as a lecherous son of a bitch.
I pressed my hand against my chest for a second time. “I’m honored.”
She rolled her eyes. “It’s just me you’re talking to. I’m so glad things went well these past few months.” When she slapped her hand over her mouth, I cocked my head. “That was presumptuous of me. It did go well. Didn’t it?”
“You brought the house down. You are one incredible star, lady. Beautiful to boot.”
Another awkward moment. I wasn’t winning any points today. I wasn’t used to needing to give compliments and not because I didn’t appreciate or value women. I did very much. I simply had held no interest in getting close to anyone. Fulfilling carnal needs was something else altogether.
She gave me a little mischievous look. “I’m going to miss being here.”
“When are you leaving?”
