Total pages in book: 19
Estimated words: 16728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 84(@200wpm)___ 67(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 84(@200wpm)___ 67(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
“Wow.” I don’t know what to feel right now.
I sit back in my seat, the low hum of the engines filling the quiet between us, and let my mind race. As the airplane glides smoothly through the sky, thoughts about Eric swirl around like a tornado, throwing me off balance. I can’t believe he’s Rylan Rhodes, the Hollywood icon.
But I can’t be upset with him for keeping his real identity hidden. We just met! The words swirl through my mind like a mantra. I try to tamp down the irritation flickering inside me. I’m so conflicted, but I don’t want to give up the chance to get to know him.
“Okay,” I say finally, breaking the silence as I turn to him. His revelation doesn’t change anything between us. “I get it. You’ve got your reasons for hiding who you are. But I want to get to know the real you. Not the movie star or whatever persona the tabloids have dreamt up.”
He turns his head slightly, his expression softening, and I feel a pulse of something unnamable shift in the air. “I’m glad to hear that.” His voice drops low, almost like he needs reassurance, and I’m caught off guard by how much it stirs something deep within me.
“But don’t expect me to go all ga-ga over you.” I smirk at him.
“Oh, I’m sure you’ll be crazy about me, but it won’t be because of my former career.” His arrogance turns me on in a way I can’t explain.
As the minutes tick away, I watch him relax against the seat, arms folding behind his head. Underneath the arrogance, I catch glimpses of vulnerability, and it intrigues me even more. “What made you give up your career and hide out in Silver Spoon Falls?” I ask, half-teasing, half-probing.
“I wouldn’t call it hiding out.” He shrugs, shifting his gaze to the window, almost lost in thought. “I woke up one day and realized I was miserable. I hated everything about my life.” I totally empathize with him. I got tired of my busy, stressful career in New York and decided to move to Silver Spoon Falls for a change of pace. “So, I did something about it,” he confides, like giving up his career and leaving Hollywood is no big deal.
“And you don’t regret walking away from Hollywood?” Before I let him all the way into my heart, I want to make sure he isn’t going to run back to his old life.
“Not in the fucking least,” he says, his raw honesty giving me a window into his world. “I love my new life, but I didn’t completely walk away from everything. I still write screenplays under an alias.”
“Oh. Do you ever plan to return to acting?” I ask, folding my arms across my chest.
He smirks, the corner of his mouth twitching. “There’s nothing that would ever convince me to return to acting. That part of my life is over for good.”
I’m not sure how it happened, but Eric already has a tight hold on my heart.
Chapter 7
Eric
As I step onto the yacht, I take a moment to soak it all in. It’s goddamn impressive and I’m caught between a smirk and a scowl. Roman, the asshole, knows how to spend my money. This place looks like something out of a magazine spread. With exotic woods, gleaming finishes, and a goddamn pool, I’m guessing this is the most expensive yacht Roman could find.
“Welcome aboard!” the captain greets us before quickly showing us around. He offers to have the porter bring our luggage to our cabins, but I stop him.
“We’d like some privacy. We’ll call down if we want anything other than that, so please don’t disturb us.” Being waited on hand and foot gets old, and I don’t want any interruptions.
“As you wish.” After a deckhand brings in our luggage and sets it in the main salon, the captain shows me the intercom system. “Just let us know when you’d like your meals served and if you need anything else.” Fucking perfect.
Once we’re alone, I turn to my girl. “Pick what cabin you want, and I’ll bring your luggage in for you.”
She grins, her eyes brightening with mischief. “I’m capable of carrying my own bag.”
“That doesn’t mean I’ll let you carry it.” My Grammy Helen would roll over in her grave if she thought I let a lady carry her luggage.
After settling into our respective rooms, I change into my shorts and t-shirt and head out to the deck, ready to get a start on this little mini-vacation.
When Eve walks out wearing a summer dress that clings just right and dances around her body with every gust of wind, I nearly swallow my goddamn tongue. Fuck. She’s stunning. It’s the kind of sight that has me longing to reach out and pull her close, bury my nose in her hair, and feel the warmth emanating from her skin.