One Wild Night (Hollywood Chronicles #1)(24)

I blinked. “You’re Paxton’s publicist.”

“Right…that’s my title. But do you know what I actually do? I’m the trash keeper. The one who comes in behind him to clean up all his messes. Do you have any idea how many people try to get close to him? Take advantage of who he is? All the sluts and gold diggers and aspiring actresses who will do absolutely anything to get close to him? It’s my job to protect him from that. To keep him safe.”

“I would never—”

“Do you know how many of Paxton’s playthings I’ve dealt with? I let him have his fun, he gets his rocks off, and then I come in for the sweep. And let’s just say that job keeps me plenty busy. Paxton knows the game. Hell, he hired me for it. But every once in a while…someone slips through the cracks…someone who looks so innocent and sweet, Paxton doesn’t have the first clue what she’s really up to.”

Insecurity bubbled in my chest, and I fisted my hands. “I’m not trying to take advantage of Pax. I don’t want anything from him.”

She scoffed. “Then what are you doing here?”

“Spending time with him.”

Low laughter rocked from her throat, and she edged forward. “Do you really think I’m that stupid? That clueless? Maybe Paxton is, but the truth of the matter is, he really doesn’t have to worry about any of that, now does he? He doesn’t have to deal with the consequences or the shit he leaves behind it. No. That’s my job. And I’m damned good at it.” She jabbed a red, manicured finger into my chest. “Don’t think for a second that’s going to change now.”

She turned on her heel and moved down the lit pathway toward her seat. My hand shot out to keep myself from falling, and I forced myself to pull in deep breaths as I fought against the heartbreak that came rushing in to blot out the excitement.

What the hell was I doing?

Did I really think this was a good idea?

That this would solve any of my problems?

So I liked Paxton.

Actually liked him.

That definitely didn’t change either of our circumstances.

Kendall’s words spun through me. Do you really think you’re any different?

Bitter laughter rushed up my throat. Maybe I had.

With my head held low, I shuffled back to my seat.

A small yelp left me when a hand snatched me around the wrist. Warmth spread, and I was hauled onto Paxton’s lap. He was sitting up, my legs straddling his waist, my chest beating against his.

His insanely handsome face was barely visible in the shadows, his voice rippling with the accent that made my knees weak. “What the fuck did she say to you?”

“I don’t… I don’t want to cause any trouble for you Pax. I should just—”

“Fuck her.” He cut me off. “Fuck her and whatever she told you or made you believe. Fuck her for making you question coming with me. I know she’s looking out for me, because that’s her job, but she doesn’t always know what’s best for me. She doesn’t always know what I want.”

My head shook. “You don’t even know me.”

The reality was, I could be one of those girls. The premiere could have been a total set up. An elaborate plan Elle and I had concocted to get me close to the world’s most sought-after bachelor.

But it wasn’t. Our meeting hadn’t been anything close to that.

Did that really matter to him or was this just another mess he was all too happy to leave Kendall to clean up?

He brushed the back of his fingers down my cheek, then cupped them in his big, strong hands. “No…you’re right, Kaylee Rose. I don’t. But I want to. These press junkets—the premieres and the parties—it gets so damned old, Kaylee. So old it blurs and becomes another part of the job. This is the first time I’ve been excited about one in years.” He squeezed my face in emphasis. “Years. That’s because of you. And I won’t let her take that away.”

“Pax.”

His name came out so soft. In relief. In need. In all the confusion that had become my life.

He edged forward. His words were nothing more than a breath whispered near my mouth. “I could make a call and have just about any woman waiting in London for me, Kaylee Rose. But there’s one I want. Only one I haven’t been able to get off my mind.”

He leaned in, his mouth murmuring against the sensitive flesh of my ear. “You.”

I panted. Actually damned panted at a single word. Or maybe I was panting because of his body. Because of his possessive grip or his cock that grew hard and thick between us.

Oh, God.

I rocked against him, suddenly overcome with the need for this man to touch me.

“Kaylee,” he murmured. His hands trailed down over my shoulders, tracing my ribs, before one hand was cupping my knee. He eased it up my thigh and under my skirt.

I inched up a fraction to make him room, and I bit down on my bottom lip when he dipped his fingers beneath my underwear and slicked his fingers through my folds. I buried a needy gasp in his neck when he brushed my clit.

He edged back to capture my attention. “I think you have the answer to every single one of those questions running through that pretty little head of yours right here, Kaylee Rose. Right here in this sweet pussy that is begging for more.”

He pushed two fingers inside me, and my breath caught.