One Wild Night (Hollywood Chronicles #1)(7)

“Oh yes, we've already met,” I announce proudly, hoping Kaylee will finally look at me. She doesn't. Shit.

“You have, when?” Lindsay questions, taking a step back.

“Earlier this evening. It was hard to miss Kaylee's entrance.”

Kaylee looks up from her glass of wine and narrows her eyes at me.

“I know darling, she's stunning, isn't she?” Mrs. Ward asks, patting Kaylee on the arm.

“She certainly is,” I answer her and smile at Kaylee, who hasn't removed the scowl from her face.

“You're both being too kind,” Kaylee says. “Lindsay, I know Elle is disappointed she couldn’t be here. We both knew how much this evening meant to Roger. I'm sure she has a really good reason for not making it.”

Mrs. Ward openly scoffs, but slams her champagne glass against her lips to stop herself from saying anything further.

“And Mr. Myles, it was a pleasure meeting you.” Kaylee rolls her eyes at me and tosses back the last of her wine. “Congratulations on your movie. Stunning work as always.”

You can literally hear the sarcasm roll of her tongue with each word. Mrs. Ward looks between us and purses her lips, confused by Kaylee's sudden shift in moods. “But if you two will excuse me, I have to be going. I have to be up early.” She hands me her empty glass. “You don't mind handling that for me, do you?” She smirks.

“Of course.” I hold out the empty glass, and it's immediately removed by a passing server. What a little vixen. She's trying to put me in my place.

“Oh, that's how it's done.” She rolls her eyes at me, and I smirk. I love feisty Kaylee.

“What's going on with you two?” Mrs. Ward asks us with a smile. She steps back slowly and crosses her arms to get a better look at the both of us. Kaylee rubs her hands over her arms nervously and glares at me.

“Nothing!” Kaylee spits out before I have a chance to come up with something witty. Dammit. She's quick to the punch. I need to step up my game.

“Are you sure you two haven't met before tonight?”

“No!” Kaylee blurts out, and I can't help but laugh. I love seeing her squirm.

“No, Mrs. Ward. We haven't,” I finally offer, hoping Kaylee will calm down. With a little shake of my head, I continue speaking to Lindsay, but turn my attention to Kaylee. “But while it was certainly an unexpected introduction, it was not unwelcome. In fact, I hope for the chance to get to know her better.”

“Oh, she's fantastic,” Lindsay pipes in. I don't bother to turn my attention back to her as she continues to sing Kaylee's praises. I remain focused on the beautiful woman in front of me. “She's smart, and kind, and such a great friend to Elle...” Lindsay continues.

I don't hear anything else she says. With her head tilted and the slightest hint of a smile turning up the corner of her mouth, Kaylee watches me. She's succumbed to the famous Paxton Myles smile and charm that I’m known for. She exhales softly and finally lets her lips twist into a small smile.

“The night is young. Let's go get a drink, shall we, Kaylee?”





Chapter 5





Kaylee





What in the world was I allowing this man to do to me? Every time I tried to shut him down, he just shot me that smirk that had my stomach doing three-sixties.

Complete flip-flops, pulled in one direction only for my defenses to go careening the opposite. Shoving him off only to be right back where I started—staring up into the mesmerizing, playful eyes I couldn’t help but want to get lost in.

“I guess I could stay for one more drink,” I found myself saying, knowing it was such a stupid, bad idea, but unable to resist the charm that was this man.

What could one drink hurt?

“I’ll talk to you later, Mrs. Ward,” I said, and she gave me a look that both told me to have fun and warned me all the same.

Paxton threaded his fingers through mine.

Oh my God.

It was then I was certain one drink could cause all kinds of mayhem. That every second spent in the presence of this man was a hazard. I had completely underestimated his draw. Because with just that innocent touch, my heart raced and sped, just as fast as the tingles that spread up my arm.

Lord, help me.

Like a love-struck fool, I trailed him across the extravagant space. Every movement he made was filled with confidence and ease. The man owned the room. Heads turned in his wake. Clearly, everyone was just as compelled by him as me.

But it was the curious glances cast my way that had me ducking my head, tucking my chin to my chest.

The last thing I needed was to be the target for some misconstrued gossip.

I followed him to the long, darkened bar, the large bottles of expensive liquors illuminated by white neon lights that reflected against the mirrored glass of the back-bar that rose high above the bartender.

A bartender who, of course, wore a long sleeved white button down and black vest.

It was all so very Hollywood chic, and again I was wondering how in the world I’d found myself in this position.

His voice was low at my ear. “What would you like to drink?”

“A Riesling would be nice.”

He turned to the bartender. “Riesling for the lovely lady. Whiskey for me.”