When Indie steps out of the bathroom, she’s wearing my old Godfather T-shirt and a pair of tiny shorts.
I gulp.
Fuck. Me.
“You still have that?”
It’s threadbare, and the writing has almost faded away. She must have worn and washed it a thousand times.
Her fingers brush the hem. “It’s my favourite.”
“It’s going to fall apart soon.”
“Then I’ll have to steal another one.” She climbs into bed and pulls my quilt up to her chest. “Ground rules.”
My eyebrow arches. “Ground rules?”
“No feeling me up under the covers.”
“Is that the only rule?” I ask, amused.
Her eyes narrow. “What else did you have in mind?”
“May I remind you that I’m a gentleman.”
“Sure, sure. Are you getting ready for bed? I’m tired, and I can’t sleep with lights on.”
“That’s weird, you know.”
“Whatever. Hurry up, Spence.”
My shower is taken quickly because I’m desperate to get back out there and get into bed with her. Plus, I wouldn’t want to deprive her of her beauty sleep.
I towel dry my hair and sling a pair of shorts on. If I’m not allowed to touch her, she probably won’t want me to sleep naked, and I need something to help conceal the massive erection she’s given me. I bet I don’t get much sleep tonight.
When I open the door into my bedroom, she’s covering her yawn with the back of her hand and watching for me. “That was quick.”
“I was afraid you’d get shouty if I took my time,” I tease as I get into bed beside her.
She smells of my shower gel and perfection.
There is a ridiculous amount of space between us; probably enough to fit two more people. I turn the lamp off so the room is drenched in darkness. I can just about make out her silhouette.
“I’m glad you’re here, Indie.”
“Me, too. I don’t like it when you’re not home.”
I close my eyes, feeling like the biggest wanker ever.
“I didn’t mean that to sound so…”
“No, it’s okay,” I say. “I know how you meant it. Things are so different now, huh?”
“Almost unrecognisable,” she whispers. Her soft voice does nothing to calm the hormones raging in my body. All I want to do is reach over and touch her.
“Are you all right?” I ask.
“Of course. I’m in LA!” I hear the fake smile in her words.
Who is she trying to fool? Me or her? “And in general?”
“Why wouldn’t I be? I obviously miss my best friend, but uni is going really well.”
All she talks about is uni or her friends. Her success and happiness fall on those two things.
“You’re incredible, and you will have the best career. But what else do you want?” Silence crackles the air. I clench my hands into tight fists as my dick throbs. “Indie?”
“I want a nice little house by a river. I want a pretty garden with a swing outside. There, is that what you’re looking for? Yes, Spencer, I do like some material things, too. You’re not on your own.”
That’s not at all what I was looking for, but I can tell we’re not going to get anywhere tonight. Not while we’re jet lagged and she’s driving me into a horny coma.
“Would you have a boat?”
She giggles. “I don’t think my salary as a counsellor will stretch to a boat.”
“What about your husbands? You could take the kids for a ride down the river at the weekends.”
“I so have not thought that far ahead. What about you, Hollywood? Do you even know what country you want to be in?”
“I’ll always have a permanent address in England.”
“You still want to come here for work. Don’t you think that would get difficult? If you land back-to-back roles, do you think that you’ll make it home much?”
“I don’t have all the answers. I do know that I’ll take every opportunity I can to come back and see you… and my parents.”
“Just make sure you come home for as long as you can.”
As long as I can?
“You know I will.”
“I can’t believe you had someone meet us at the airport. We could have got a taxi.”
I roll my eyes. “It’s Jared’s job, which he takes very seriously.”
“He’s your driver?”
“Sometimes.”
She yawns again, and I feel the quilt move as her hand stretches out. I wait but she doesn’t touch me. Has she changed her mind or wasn’t she going for me?
“Sleep,” I tell her.
“I need to, or I’ll look like crap tomorrow. If I’m meeting the super glamorous and disgustingly beautiful Ella, I need all the help I can get.”
I roll onto my back and stretch my arm out by my side. I stop when I feel her warmth. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Night, Hollywood.”
I drift to into a broken sleep, content with my girl beside me.
Seventeen
Indie
I got a relatively good night’s sleep—which is a miracle considering Spencer was in nothing but shorts beside me—but nowhere good enough for meeting Ella. She’s beautiful and must work out at least ten times a day.
My face is pale, and my eyes are dull.
Surely she wouldn’t have a team doing her hair and make-up when she’s not on set? I’ve made up my face as well as I can. I’m in Spencer’s massive bathroom. It has a shower that could fit about six people inside, as well as two sinks. It’s glossy and white, and it belongs in an expensive hotel.
His view from the balcony is incredible. You can see the ocean and part of LA. I think I would faint if I knew how much it cost to rent. He hasn’t spent much money, so it’s nice to see that he’s living in a gorgeous apartment. He truly deserves all the best things.
He’s leaning against the counter in the kitchen when I step out of the bathroom.
“I thought you’d fallen down the toilet,” he teases, checking the time on his watch as if I’ve been hours.
“I’m meeting Ella!”
Shaking his head, he pushes away from the counter. “Indie, she’s got nothing on you.”
Yeah, right. The woman,
