“Reeve!” I swat his chest. “Firstly, eww.” A full-body shudder works its way through me. “And secondly, it’s not the same thing.”
“I don’t like that he’s here, but I put my feelings aside because Alex is worried about him.”
Now, I feel selfish. Which I’m sure is the point.
“Baby.” He bundles me against his chest, holding me tight. “You have nothing to worry about.I love you. I don’t know what else to say or do to show you she means nothing more to me than a friend.” He tilts my face up to his. “Do you honestly think I would jeopardize our love for anyone or anything?”
“No, but she doesn’t care about our history. She just wants to fuck you.”
“Viv. She’s got a boyfriend. She doesn’t want me like that, and even if she did, it wouldn’t matter when I don’t want her. I only want you.”
He’s saying all the right things, so why am I struggling to believe it? I sigh, resting my forehead on his chest. Am I overthinking this? Am I reading more into it and tying myself into knots for no reason?
“Look at it like this,” Reeve continues, dotting kisses into my hair. “Let her see us together. Let her see how much we are in love. Let her see how I can’t keep my hands off you and how I have eyes for no one but my sexy girlfriend.”
“Okay,” I reluctantly concede. “But if she’s rude to me, she’s out of here.”
“Scout’s honor, babe.” Reeve lowers his mouth to kiss me. “Your happiness is my sole focus, Viv, but it would be good if you could find a way to make your peace with her because I’m going to be working closely with her for the next couple of years, and having my costar and my girlfriend at odds will really stress me out.”
I know I’m never going to warm to Saffron Roberts, but I vow to try to get along with her. Or at least to pretend—like she’s clearly doing—for Reeve’s sake.
* * *
Reeve stays true to his word, and he’s an attentive boyfriend the entire weekend. He barely leaves my side, and he ensures he’s close to me whenever Saffron is around so she has little opportunity to deliver any sly digs. Saffron loves the sound of her own voice, and she enjoys regaling us with stories of her escapades. Her voice grates on my nerves, and every second in her company only confirms my initial opinion of her. Nate has been hanging off her every word and following her around like a little lost puppy, but I’m actually glad he’s here, because he’s helping to keep her distracted.
It’s Saturday night, our last night at Laguna Beach, and we decide to enjoy some drinks at the house before hitting a club later. Audrey and I went all out with our outfits and our makeup, and we’re both wearing little black dresses with high heels. I’ve consumed a few vodka cocktails, and I’m nicely buzzed, sitting on top of Reeve’s lap as we chat outside on the deck.
“So,Vivien,” Saffron says, enunciating my name like she has been since Thursday night when I ripped into her for calling me Viv. “I didn’t have you down as a screamer, but judging by the sounds coming from your room last night, I’m guessing movie star has learned a few moves.”
She winks at Reeve, and he smirks. I barely resist the urge to thump him. I detest how she calls him movie star, and I’m not fond of her insinuation that Reeve has somehow picked up new skills. I will admit I’ve been fucking Reeve into a virtual coma these past two nights, purposely screaming and moaning louder than normal to ensure she hears. It’s juvenile but satisfying.
Tossing my hair over my shoulder, I fix her with a smug grin as I run my fingers through Reeve’s hair. He’s had to leave it longer on top and shorter at the sides for his role, and I enjoy having more hair to tug on when we’re having sex. “My Reeve has always had mad skills in the bedroom. He knows how to keep me happy. Isn’t that right, baby?” I purr before pressing my lips to his.
“But you’ve only ever slept with each other, right?” she says, snuggling under Nate’s arm. I hope to fuck that’s an educated guess—that Reeve didn’t confide in her how we lost our virginity to one another. Nate stares at Saffron like he’s just won the lottery. Idiot. Still, if he keeps her occupied tonight, I might start having nicer thoughts about him.
“And your point is?” I ask, running my fingers up and down Reeve’s arm.
“Variety is the spice of life, and you don’t know what you’re missing until you’ve tried it.” She rubs Nate’s thigh, and the growing bulge in his shorts makes me gag. “I never thought I’d enjoy fucking a woman, but it was an enlightening experience.”
Rudy laughs, Reeve spits his beer out, Alex’s eyes pop wide, and Nate’s mouth hangs open.
“Is this the wife of the director you were having an affair with or a different woman?” Audrey asks, her voice carrying an edge.
“You shouldn’t believe everything you read online,” Saffron replies, smirking a little. “Our three-way relationship was entirely consensual, as was the information we leaked to the press when it came to a natural end.”
“You leaked details of the affair?” I blurt, disbelief evident in my tone. Considering how she’s already shown herself to be a media-hungry whore, I don’t know why I’m surprised.
“Of course.” She moves her hand up higher on Nate’s thigh. “It put my name on the map, strengthened my brand, and led to tons of new roles. There is nothing like a bit of salacious gossip to get everyone talking about you.”
“I’m more interested in you getting it on with this chick,” Rudy says, waggling his brows. “I want deets.” He makes a rude hand gesture, and the guys all laugh.
“We never got it on alone. It was always when her husband was there. She liked watching him fuck me, and he liked watching us fuck each other with our fingers and our tongues. I fucked her with a strap-on once while he watched. Another time he fucked my ass while she ate me out. Then this one time, she fucked him with the strap-on while he fucked me. It was hot while it lasted, but I’m not really into pussy. I’m all about the D.”
She says this while eyeballing me, and I’m uncomfortable with her attention, her obvious experience, and complete lack of shame. If I didn’t dislike her so much, I might admire her sexual confidence. I think I’m adventurous if I ride Reeve reverse cowgirl style or he takes me from behind.
“Aw, you’re blushing. It’s so cute.” She laughs at my discomfort.
“Saff. Don’t be mean,” Reeve says, and I’m glad he called her on it.
“Maybe you need to learn a few new skills, movie star,” she replies, winking at Reeve before knocking back a few mouthfuls of beer.
“I don’t understand why any couple in their situation would want to leak the details to the press. What did they get out of it?” Audrey asks, and I could kiss her for redirecting the conversation.
“More willing bed partners,” Saffron replies. “And it didn’t harm Bryan’s directorial career either. Sex sells,” she adds, like we haven’t heard that one before. “Reeve understands that. Don’t you, movie star?” She licks her lips while her hand moves to cover Nate’s crotch. Nate groans, nuzzling into her neck as he pulls her in tight to his side.
Reeve almost chokes on his beer, and his eyes pop wide in alarm.
Saffron smiles sweetly at me, but she’s like a viper waiting to deliver the fatal strike. “It’s why he readily signed his new contract agreeing to fake a relationship with me.”