Page 17 of Hollywood

“Don’t challenge me, Winter. Now get your pretty little ass in the shower. Meet me downstairs in thirty minutes.”Without another word, as though I would just do what he ordered, Hollywood left my room and closed the door behind him.

“Dick,” I muttered and swung my legs over the edge of the bed and got to my feet. A long hot shower sounded perfect, actually, but I was feeling petty so I took my time, giving my hair a long wash and a deep conditioning. I shaved my legs and did a quick vanilla body scrub. At the thirty minute mark, I started on my hair and makeup and about fifty minutes later, I trudged down the steps reluctantly and went in search of Hollywood.

“You’re late.”

I smiled brightly. “I’m ready to face the day,” I replied in a voice far cheerier than I felt. “Is there coffee?”

Slowly he got to his feet. “Coffee was twenty minutes ago.”

My lips curled into a grin. “You’re pissed.”

“Annoyed,” he clarified. “But I get it, you’re scared. Let’s go.”

I bit back a response because it would’ve been catty and because he wasn’t wrong. “Fine. Let’s go.” I followed him out and kept my eyes on his fine ass until I bumped into him. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be. Did you get a good enough look?”

“No. I could use a few more seconds.” I was being sassy and in that moment I realized that I liked sparring with Hollywood. It made me feel warm and delicious, and it wasthe perfect distraction to everything else going on in my life. I motioned for him to turn back around.

He laughed and handed me the helmet. “Too bad, your hair looks good today.”

“Thanks.” A warm flush stole over my body and produced a sweet, almost shy smile. I put the helmet on and let him fasten the chinstrap before I stepped back and watched his long leg swing over the bike and settle on the leather seat.

“Get on.”

I put my hands on his shoulders and pushed myself up to settle my body behind him. God, he felt so good, so comforting that I found the tension fleeing my body with each passing mile. The roar of the bike’s engine was just loud enough to drown out thoughts of my dad. The problem with that was that it refocused them on the man I was currently pressed up against like a cat ready to purr from sheer pleasure.

The ride was long and perfect. Thet sky was blue for as far as the eye could see, the sun was bright, and the wind was warm as it whipped against my skin. I needed this and I owed Hollywood gratitude instead of attitude. But after more than an hour on the back of a motorcycle, he did end up getting a bit more attitude thanks to shaky legs and a numb backside.

“You get used to it,” he told me through laughter at the sight of me punching some feeling back into my ass.

“How? This seems like unnecessary torture!” I gripped his forearms to keep my balance. “Surely there are motorcycle butt pillows or something.”

“Probably,” he shrugged. “Haven’t been on too many long rides yet but you seemed like you needed it.”

Damn, when pulled out the sweetness it was a one-two knockout punch. “I did. Thank you.”

“No problem.” His lips did that amused quirk thing that was so damn irresistible that I wasn’t sure how I’d make it through this time of protection without throwing myself at him. “How do you feel about food trucks?”

I shrugged. “Depends on the truck.”

He pointed to a taco truck as if he knew that was my weakness. “Hungry?”

I just nodded and made my way to the truck, ordering more food than I probably should but I hadn’t eaten a proper meal since the pizzeria, and I was an emotional eater. “You can share the salsa and guac, but the tacos are mine.”

He flashed another of those killer grins, and we took a seat at one of the tables set up between the different types of cacti and the critters who call the desert home. “Spicy.”

“Can’t handle it, tough guy?” I liked my tacos and sauces really spicy. “Don’t worry Dad can’t handle it either. Another thing you have in common.”

He glared. Hard.

I laughed. After knocking back two tacos too quickly to be called a lady, I slowed down and relaxed under the sun’s midday warmth. “What have you found out about the people my dad is tangled up with?” I was sure he’d found something, but I wasn’t surewhyhe hadn’t shared it with me.

“Not much.” The words came out even and credible, but still I didn’t believe him.

“Bullshit.”

He blinked to hide his surprise.

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