Page 25 of Fa-La La-La Land
My whole body flushes with a different heat.RhysJames called me beautiful.His blue eyes grow darker and dance, reflecting the twinkling lights from the tree. If not for the coffee table between us, I might jump into his arms right now, whether or not he wanted me there.
But I get the sense he’d like it a lot. I don’t have much experience with men—and zero with rock stars—but I know hunger when I see it. And it’s written all over Rhys’s face.
“Thank you.” The words come out as whisper. “You’re more than cute, too.”
“Of course, I am.” His mouth pulls into the teasing side-smile he perfected inSurf City High, and I wonder if he knows what that smile does to me—has always done to me. I don’t think that’s in my scrapbook, but he’s had a lot of experience using it on adoring fans. He’d have to be stupid not to notice women melting when he flashes it.
With one long stretch of his leg, followed by the other, Rhys steps over the coffee table, so he’s near enough for me to take in the spectrum of blues in his eyes. He tugs the scrapbook from my arms and sets it on the table before putting his hands on my shoulders. It’s not quite kissing position, but close.
I should stop him.
I wonder if Iwantto.
“No need to be embarrassed, Stella. The only thing I saw on that list was a lotta big goals. Good ones.” A thousand thoughts cross Rhys’s face before he squeezes my arms in a friendly way, then drops his hands and steps back. “I reckon I’d better drink my cocoa and go. I’m knackered.”
He picks up a mug and empties it in one swallow, then licks his lips. “Delish. Thanks.”
I barely hear his words. My brain is too busy replaying the vision of the tip of Rhys’s tongue making its way across his full lips to focus on anything else, including remembering to breathe.
Rhys is halfway to the door before my brain recovers from the Rhys-induced power surge. I catch up with him as he opens the door.
“Thanks for your help.”
He turns his dangerous gaze on me again. “You’re welcome.” His lips purse playfully. “Let me know if there’s anything else I can…” His eyes dart across the room to the scrapbook on the table. “Helpyou with.”
My face grows hot again. Is he talking about my list? He has to be. Specifically, number two:Kiss a rock star.
The way Rhys is looking at me right now—at a low simmer, waiting for me to turn up the heat—I’m more than tempted to let him help me cross that one off my list. Remembering what his arms and stomach look like under that T-shirt, I briefly consider whether he might help me cross off the skinny-dipping one too.
But as he slips out the door and I quickly close it behind him, I remember this Rhys James is my client, notRhys James,exclamation point. I’m spending the next six weeks basically living with him. If I kiss him now, before I’ve even started my job, I’ll be in danger of ruining any chance of crossing off number one on my list: Don’t fall in love.
Stella’s 30 Before 30
1. Don’t fall in love.
2. Kiss a rock star (bonus if it’s not during a concert).
3. Make a million dollars (even if it disappears just as fast).
4. Start my own company.
5. Kiss someone underwater, like Leo and Claire do in Romeo & Juliet (ocean > pool, but I’ll allow either).
6. See the northern lights.
7. Ride a Vespa through Italy (like Dad did).
8. Eat gelato in the real Florence (Italy, not Idaho) in honor of Mom and Dad.
9. Learn how to surf without completely wiping out.
10. Dance in the rain on purpose,not by accident.
11. Go skinny-dipping (preferably not alone this time).
12. Throw a dinner party where everything actually turns out edible.
13. Sing karaoke in front of strangers.
