Page 50 of Butterfly

His scowl doesn’t relax.

“Please don’t judge him. He couldn’t tell the truth about me. He wanted to keep our…relationship private.”

“I wish he were doing a better job,” he says.

Frowning, I stare at my cup of tea. “That incident was unfortunate. I didn’t enjoy it.” Attention and publicity are the last things I need.

“Hey.” He takes my chin. “Screw the movie star. I want to know how you’re doing.”

“I’m okay. Dart is good company.” I stroke Dart’s head. He tilts his head up, his tongue lolling down. His ears bend low in a submissive pose. He must feel Tyler’s tension.

“Do you want to come over instead of staying alone in your flat?” Tyler takes my shoulder, demanding my attention. “You’re welcome any time. Dart is welcome too.”

“Thank you, but I’m fine. Really. I prefer staying in my flat.”

“Do you need to talk?”

“Gee, no, I’m fine.” I wave.

Hurt flickers across his face, but it’s gone before I can process it. As he gives me a quick hug, he mutters something about a broken promise.

Sixteen

Alex

THE THERMAL SHOCK is enough to wake me up from the slumber I fell into while on the plane.

Going from Los Angeles’s summer to London’s winter in a few hours has me shaking. As I slouch on the back seat of the car Vance arranged for me, I check the time on my phone, but the screen is black. Bugger died. I arrived in London three days earlier than planned and didn’t have the time to talk to Sienna. But it doesn’t matter because I’m going straight to her flat now.

I need to see her after the interview. Make sure she’s okay. We exchanged texts and had a quick phone call, but now I need to hold her and talk to her. Since that conversation with Tyler, Jack, and Liam, I’m worried. Am I the right man to deal with Sienna and her problems? What if I make things worse? What if I hurt her even if I don’t want to?

My life is what it is. Long days away, gossip, my private life splattered in tabloids and social media for people’s entertainment. She doesn’t need that. Hell, neither do I, but that was my choice. She was dragged into the ugly side of a celebrity’s life without her consent, and hell, we are a couple, unofficial, but a couple. I’d be happy to explore our relationship without hurting her. But the picture hurt her, and I couldn’t do a blasted thing to protect her. I promised her friends I’d take care of her.

I perk up when the driver pulls over at her building. She might be out. I don’t care. I’ll wait.

“Thank you.” I wave at the driver, taking only my bag with me. The driver will take my luggage home.

He says something I don’t have the patience to acknowledge, too eager to see Sienna. I press the button on her intercom. What time is it here in London again? Shit, I forgot. Maybe I need to sleep after all.

“Yes?” Her voice sounds small and uncertain through the intercom. Dart is barking in the background with the intention of scaring away any intruders. Good boy.

“It’s me,” I say. “Alex.”

After a moment of silence, the door buzzes open. I climb the stairs three steps at a time, pulling my baseball hat down over my face. The last thing I want is to meet a fan who wants a chat, a selfie, and an autograph. I lower my gaze as a couple of girls going down brush past me. Sienna’s door is ajar when I arrive at the landing. Then her startled face appears.

“Sienna.” A flood of emotions takes me over as I slip into her flat, but Dart has other plans.

I don’t have time to hold Sienna and kiss her, not even touch her hand. He jumps over me, his large paws on my chest, and licks my neck. His tail is a windmill, thumping against the wall and the back of the sofa. All I see is a blur of blond fur and hairy ears.

“Hey, mate. Happy to see you too.” I pat him and rub his flank until he’s panting and butting his nose against my chin.

When the canine assault loses energy and Dart sits on the floor, I finally get a proper glimpse of Sienna.

Her long hair flows over her shoulders and down to her waist, loose and wild. The baggy grey and red T-shirt hides her body and reaches her mid-thighs, leaving her legs bare. A pair of magenta socks covers her feet. My mouth grows dry, and all the things I meant to tell her fly out of my mind while my blood goes south.

“Hey,” I say, stroking my demanding dog behind the ear.

“What a surprise.” She hugs herself, cupping her elbows.

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