Irresistible Bachelors: Books 1-5 by Landish, Lauren (classic literature books .TXT) 📗

“I accept that. But here’s the thing. Whatever you’ve got going on in your personal life is affecting business.” She fiddles nervously with her shirt before letting out a sigh. “What I’m trying to say is that I want this movie to succeed. And that can’t happen with you being distracted like this. There’s already a shitload of negative press about another cookie-cutter female lead action movie.” Leslie rolls her eyes. “And I want to be able to prove them wrong. But with the way things are headed, we’re looking at a path that’s straight to the DVD bargain bin.”

I open my lips to say a sharp retort, but then I close them. She does have a point. I’m fucking things up for her and everybody else. And as much as I want to be able to say otherwise, there’s no denying it.

Finally, I give her a grudging nod. “Fine. I’ll admit it. I’ve been having a personal issue. But I'm gonna deal with it. We’re going to shoot this movie and it’s going to do great,” I say firmly, making sure she knows that this matter is settled.

Leslie’s frown splits into a grin and she relaxes. “That’s all I wanted to hear.”

I put on a fraudulent grin and rise to my feet, signaling that our meeting is over. It’s not that seeing this real Leslie isn’t interesting, but my mind is on one person only.

“Point taken,” she says as she rises to her feet. I lead her to the door.

“See you at filming,” I say in parting, holding open the door for her.

She nods, but before I can close the door, she stops and turns. “Gavin?”

I arch an eyebrow. “Yeah?”

The mask of concern returns and Leslie asks, “Listen, are you sure that you’re okay? Anything you need?”

I shake my head. “I’ll be fine. It’s one of those problems you sort of have to work out on your own.”

Relief spreads across her face as she says in a soft, warm voice, “Thank you.”

“For what?” I ask, surprised.

She gestures between us. “For being a gentleman. This conversation was a lot easier than I thought it would be. Honestly, I thought you’d be an asshole. Glad I’m not the only one who’s misunderstood.”

I shake my head, knowing what she means. Being a celebrity is one thing we share in common. “And thanks for being a sport and dealing with my bullshit. Don’t worry. I’ll get it sorted.”

Leslie smiles and gives me a quick, friendly hug and a peck on the cheek before she turns and walks off down the corridor.Brianna

It’s late. Afternoon shift. One of the most tiring simply because of the time of day that I start work.

Sighing with relief, I clock out and head toward the elevators, glad that the day’s over. My body is practically screaming with anticipation. I need to see him. I’ve been waiting anxiously all day.

I don’t know if he’s going to be there, with his shooting schedule so out of whack, but my heart is pounding like a drum. And I can barely stand still as I wait for the elevator doors to open.

I can’t count how many times I resisted the urge to send him a flirty little text. The only thing that kept me from doing it was that I didn’t want to interrupt him on set. And I don’t want to be perceived as a nuisance.

It was hard, keeping a lid on my urges. The only thing I could think about was his big dick in my mouth and the powerful sensation of blood pumping through it. He enjoyed taking me to my limits. I could see it in his eyes. There’s something about the whole experience, though, that felt like it was more than sex.

Ding. I enter the elevator and begin straightening my clothes when the door closes. I hope Gavin doesn’t mind that I’m not in my uniform. I have on a raggedy outfit that I brought to change into after my shift.

Of course, he may not even be there, in which case I’ll leave him a note. A naughty grin plays across my face. I think I might leave him a little surprise as well.

Well, fuck. He’s turning me into a bad girl already.

I’m still wearing my grin when I step out of the elevator and turn right toward his room. But it quickly fades when I see what’s up ahead in Gavin’s doorway.

Long, sexy legs. Beautiful blonde tresses, all over Gavin, giving him a kiss on the cheek as if he just showed her a great time. My blood is boiling so hot, it takes a moment to recognize Leslie Hart. I’m so shocked I’m frozen like a statue. I’m not even sure I’m breathing.

But before Leslie can spot me, I dart around the corner, my heart pounding like a hammer.

I lean against the wall, my chest heaving as I suck in deep, ragged breaths.

I knew it! a voice screams in my head. It’s a battle to keep the tears at bay. I clench my hands into fists and bite my lower lip hard enough to draw blood. That asshole was just playing me from the beginning.

The sting of his betrayal hurts worse than a thousand hornet stings. And to think, I was coming up here to be with him.

Dizzy, weak, and feeling sick to my stomach, I pull away from my hiding place when I’m sure Leslie is gone.

I feel crushed as I make my way down to the coffee shop. When the staff elevator opens up on the lobby level, I expect Vandenburgh to appear just because my day can’t get any shittier.

Thank fuck he doesn’t.

I make it across the lobby and head for the coffee shop. It’s after closing time, but I see Mindy. She looks up when I walk through the doorway. She must sense that I’m upset because she comes flying around the counter running as soon as the door’s closed.

“Bri!” Mindy gasps, peering at me in concern. “What’s wrong?”

I’m not gonna cry,