Relief unfurls within my chest as a weight is lifted off my shoulders.
The cell exchanges hands again, and I can’t help but grin when I hear the smile in Damon’s voice as he proclaims, “Andwhen I get out of here, the first thing I’m gonna do is ask that sexy barista from Gulp out on a date. The man has an ass I could really sink my teeth into.”
“Go for it! Life’s too short to live with regret, Damon.” I’m chuckling as I hang up the call, stopping suddenly when I replay my own words.
Life’s too short to live with regret.
Swinging my legs out of bed, I heave a deep sigh, wishing I could follow my own advice.
Though I have to admit that I’m almost grateful Emmy demanded that I not mention our shared history, knowing the pain my honesty would cause.
Because I’d rather live a million lifetimes with the pain of regret than inflict another ounce of pain on the person whose presence in this world makes life worthwhile.
EMERSON
Yana, my colorist, is telling me how excited she is about the upcoming premiere forBreaking Us, but all I can focus on is what I overheard last night.
Fuck,yes. So fucking beautiful, Tink.
Images of Ford beneath a spray of water, his palm wrapped around his thick cock as he shoots rope after rope of hot cum onto the shower tiles, groaning my name with his head tossed back…
“Is it hot in here?”
My sudden question cuts Yana off mid-sentence, and I can feel my cheeks heat as she hesitantly glances around my living space. “Umm…maybea little?”
I shake my head, feeling entirely too hot under the collar, and I swallow harshly. “Mr. Holloway?”
Ford twists about to face me, his hands folded behind his back as he silently awaits instruction.
“Would you mind turning up the air conditioning, please?” I tug at the protective garment draped across my shoulders that covers me almost completely. “I’m burning up in here.”
He nods once, and then leaves the room, heading to the hallway where the AC control panel is located.
“This is absolutely the most inappropriate thing I’ve ever done…” Yana trails off, giggling like a schoolgirl before she asks, “Do you know if he’s single, Emerson?”
My eyes almost bulge out of their sockets before I swing them about to face Yana. Her cheeks pinken with excitement as she watches Ford depart, and when she meets my incredulous gaze, her pupils are dilated.
“He’s quite literally the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen. How on earth have you managed to keep your hands off him!”
Blessedly, I’m saved from responding when Ford returns on silent feet. There’s a hint of a smile tickling his full lips, letting me know he overheard my mouthy colorist before he gives me his full attention. “Can I get you anything, Miss Hart?”
A new colorist.
I hold my tongue and shake my head. “No, thank you. We have about another forty minutes to go if you’d like to relax before running those lines with me.”
A frown crosses his face as he regards me for a beat. “You skipped lunch in favor of a granola bar because that interview at Everly Events ran late, and it’s over an hour past dinner time now already…”
Then he quirks an eyebrow, watching me with skeptical eyes. “You mean to tell me you were plannin’ on skippin’ dinner too?”
I almost smirk, noting how his Texan twang only makes a reappearance when he’s riled. Instead, I simply shrug.
“There’s some leftover soup?—”
He cuts me off as his eyes grow stormy.
“Zane is outside. Thom and Kyle too. I’ll be back in no more than twenty minutes.”
His voice drops to what can only be described as a low growl that sends a shock of electricity coursing through me. “And youwilleat the dinner I provide for you.”
