Rapturous Read Free

around to face him. “Give me your word.”
    I look into the eyes of my oldest and closest friend, my business partner, one of those few people I truly love. “Fuck you.” I rip my arm free of his hold and leave the room before I make the huge mistake of punching him.

Chapter 2

    Since his sudden trip to the men’s room, Hayden has completely ignored me. I can’t even get him to make eye contact. I saw Flynn take off after Hayden, and when they returned to the table, they both seemed tense and pissed.
    “What do you suppose is going on with them?” Natalie asks.
    I suspect I know exactlywhat’s going on, but I can’t say it—not even to her. If I say it out loud, it becomes real, and I’ve never acknowledged my feelings for Hayden to anyone. I’m sure our mutual friends have their suspicions, as we’ve both done a piss-poor job of hiding our attraction. But feeling it and saying it are two very different things.
    “I don’t know,” I reply to Natalie. “You know how they are—best friendsone minute and about to kill each other the next.” My hands are shaking, as is my earlier resolve to take what I want from him. I’m wavering. If I can’t even get him to look at me, how will I pull off a seduction?  
    It’s not like I haven’t had lovers before. I have. Quite a few, in fact. But I’ve never felt this bone-deep sense of fear at the thought of what might happen if I blatantly come onto a guy. I don’t mean to be arrogant or anything, but I know I’m considered pretty by most people. My dad says I’m the most beautiful girl in the world, but he sort of has to say that.
    Guys look at me when I walk down the street. They have since high school, once my boobs showed up—better late than never—and my body filled out in other areas that men tend to notice. Okay, I’ll say it. I havea killer ass. Years of squats and lunges and Rollerblading have resulted in an ass that one ex-boyfriend called magnificent.
    I like that word. I have a magnificent ass, and fantastic boobs that are all mine, and real boobs in Hollywood are the exception rather than the rule. I work for the biggest movie star in the world. I have amazing friends, a fabulous condo at the Santa Monica Pier thanksto my awesome boss, who is also the big brother I never had, and tons of famous friends. I’m on a first-name basis with all the most important stylists in Hollywood. Not to mention, I’m smart, savvy and the most organized human being on this or any other planet.  
    I’m a catch . I could have any guy I want, so why is it that the only guy I want is currently ignoring me? “It’s total bullshit ,” Isay as I glare at the man in question. Oh crap. Did I say that out loud? A glance in Natalie’s direction confirms my worst fears.
    “Um, what’s total bullshit?” she asks.
    Have I mentioned that I adore Flynn’s new wife? If I could’ve handpicked the perfect woman for him, I would’ve chosen Natalie. She’s lovely and sweet and sincere, and she loves him for him, not his fame. We hit it off the daywe met and have become friends in the short time she’s been in his life. I want so badly to tell her what I’m thinking and feeling, but I’m afraid to cross the line that Flynn and I walk between our close friendship and our work relationship. I love Natalie, but she’s my boss’s wife .  
    “Talk to me, Addie. Whatever’s wrong, let me help.”
    She says exactly what I need to hear, and suddenly I don’tcare that she’s my boss’s wife.   Right now she’s the girlfriend I desperately need, which is why I take her up on the generous offer. “I’m about to make a huge mistake.”
    “What do you mean?”
    I fix my gaze on Hayden, who’s standing a few feet away from our table, talking with actors whose names you’d recognize. Everyone wants a piece of him tonight. With his big win, he’s officially the hottestdirector in Hollywood. I could’ve told them that long before tonight.
    “Addie…”
    “I’m