Page 57 of Playboy Billionaire

His heart lurched in his chest…for real…you’re Bryan dude…not Griffin…

“I love you too Syd, you’ve got to believe me, but I don’t want to break up your marriage and I really don’t want to be on some politician’s hit list. That threat was real.”

He pulled her into his arms and pressed his lips to hers. The passion ignited, going from zero to sixty in a breath. Bending her back over his arm, he plundered her mouth. She clenched her fingers in his hair, groaning against his lips. He lifted his mouth and buried his face into her neck.

“We can run away. Hide out until it’s blown over. Don’t leave me Bryan.”

Bryan’s eyes darted around the room. “I’m getting so paranoid, I’m afraid we’re being recorded right now.”

Her eyes filled with tears again. “Hold me Bryan, just hold me.” He held her tightly against his chest while she cried.

“When does he go out of town next?”

“Next week, he’ll be campaigning with the presidential nominee, and it’s possible they’ll announce that he’s the VP pick.”

“Text me after he’s gone, and we’ll set up a meeting time. Somewhere safe.”

“Yes, thank you Bryan. We can make this work, I know it!”

“I love you Sydney, no matter what happens, I always will.”

“I love you too.” She brushed his hair back from his brow, kissing him softly on the lips. “I’ll text you the minute I can. Please stay safe and watch your back. I don’t think he’d ever follow through with those threats, but I need you to be safe.”

“Believe me, I’m on high alert. I’ll see you next week. I think its best if we don’t make any contact until then.”

“I agree, but I don’t like it.”

He kissed her one last time and exited the room.

“Cut!” Stewart called. “Brilliant! You guys are on fire. You’re making my job easy.”

Griffin came back through the door, and stood apart, leaning against the door frame, waiting for further instructions from their director.

He studied Penelope; she seemed so off, aloof, guarded, walls up, untouchable…yet she still put in an amazing performance. Real tears and all. Even though he was pissed as hell, he was still impressed with her acting chops.

He wasn’t about to let her get away with this blow-off without an explanation. He’d corner her soon. This was bullshit. He deserved a ‘fuck you get lost’ at least. He’d take that any day of the week over this cold, unresponsive ice maiden.

“If there’s nothing else Stew, I’m out of here.”

“Sure thing, see you tomorrow morning.”

Penelope didn’t even look at him as he turned on his heel and left fuming.

27

Penelope was sitting outside when Dolly found her. Handing her a glass of wine, Dolly sat down next to her on the wicker couch, curling her feet up beneath her. Penelope had been dreading this conversation all day. Other than her mom, she’d never told a living soul about this dark stain on her past.

Dolly touched her arm, “Hey, if this is too much, we can postpone it until you’re ready.”

“No, I need someone to talk to. I’m scared Dolly.”

Dolly’s face was etched with concern. “Okay, I’m listening.”

Penelope hugged herself tightly, her bottom lip trembling. “I don’t know where to start.”

“Take your time, breathe.”

Taking a steadying breath, she began, “I guess I’ll start at the beginning. I left Ohio for the bright lights of Hollywood when I was eighteen. Big dreams. I’d saved all my tip money from waitressing the summer before senior year. I had two thousand dollars to my name.” She bit her lip.

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