Hollywood Hearts (A Bad Boy Love Triangle Romance): (Hollywood Hearts Book 1) Read Online Free Page B

it’s any consolation your smile makes me melt.” Holy shit, I said that out loud. I cupped my hand over my mouth quickly and tried to look anywhere but him. “How awkward. Fuck. Sorry.”  

    “No, don’t be embarrassed. Thank you. I’m glad it has that effect on you.” He placed a hand on my back, still smiling at me which just made it worse. Then his hand started caressing me slightly. “Hey, you wanna come sit with us?”  

    “Y—Yeah, sure.”  

    I followed him to his table in the audience, inwardly scolding myself for saying what I said. Your smile makes me melt? Idiot.

    “Guys, this is Ellie. Ellie, guys.” They all said hi to me, somewhat indifferently, as I scrubbed my palms with more hand sanitizer behind my back. He dragged a chair out for me and pushed it in when I sat down— A true gentleman.

    We sat there watching the next few acts come up and do their set but I wasn’t paying attention to them. I was too busy trying to stare out of my peripherals to watch Rafe. Every time that he glanced at me, or over my way at least, my throat would drop to my toes. Astrid sporadically approached to bring us new drinks and I’d have to tell her to pinch me each time to prove to me this was real.

    Suddenly, there was a hand on my bare thigh. Rafe’s touch had me skittish and I peered up at him.

    “You nervous about something? Your leg hasn’t stopped bouncing this whole time,” he said, leaning into my ear.  

    Oh, shit.

    “A bad habit I’ve got. Sorry.”

    “Quit apologizing, everything’s cool.” He withdrew his hand though I yearned for him to keep it there. “You wanna go outside for a bit and get some air?”

    He stood up and offered me his hand that I accepted a little too eagerly. He led me through the tables and past the bar where Astrid flapped her tongue between her index and middle fingers at me. I flipped her the bird and walked outside with him. Again, I was thinking it was a practical joke. Surely Astrid had told him to put on an act for me tonight so I wasn’t completely buying his charm just yet.

    “Well, well, well.” Hunter was suddenly in front of me, hugging me and I smelt copious amounts of hard liquor on his breath. “Who’s your friend?” Rafe released my hand from his and stood a few steps back. Hunter ogled Rafe who reached out a hand to shake.  

    “Victor,” Rafe said. I stood there confused.

    “Victor. Well, Victor , you think I can steal your friend here?” He placed his arm on my shoulders possessively and I noticed Rafe’s jaw clenching.

    “Um, yeah actually. We just came out for some air then we’re heading back in.”  

    “Oh, you all good with that?” Hunter looked down at me. “Because I’m pretty sure the other night you were pretty into me right? So, my suggestion is that we carry on from where we left off.”

    He nuzzled my hair, inhaled and forced his palm sideways between my legs. “You smell delicious,” he told me but I quickly barged him off.

    “What the fuck, Hunter?” I said. Rafe had supported my shoulders between his hands and was directing me backward. “You’re fucking drunk. Go home before you embarrass yourself.”  

    “Embarrass myself? Embarrass myself.” He laughed and it disgusted me the way he was acting. “That’s funny. I’m pretty sure I’m absolutely not making a scene. I’m speaking very normally, very calmly. All I’m asking for is one more night with you.”

    Winston, our security guard, noticed the rising conflict and stomped over immediately.

    “Time to move on, buddy,” he said to Hunter who was staring me directly in the eye, thug he was barely sober enough to hold a straight line. So, why did a part of me want to leave with him? Was I that insecure?

    “Yo, Gunner.” Winston whistled to get Gunner’s attention. He turned around from his group and sulked his way over.

    “Always the bridesmaid, never the bride,” Gunner said, looking at Rafe’s arms on me. He tugged