Risk Taker by Sonia Stanizzo

Chapter 12

Ethan should let Holly walk away. After all, he wanted to put distance between them. So far that wasn’t working. He’d been fooling himself into believing he could keep their relationship strictly professional—he couldn’t keep his hands to himself. She may believe the kiss was a mistake, but going by her soft moans when their lips met and the way her body responded against his, she’d enjoyed every minute. Just like he had.

At the moment, his arrangement with Victoria had been working for him. They both knew where they stood—no commitments and free to see whomever they pleased. From the second he laid eyes on Holly, he knew he couldn’t take another woman to bed. The realisation had floored him. He didn’t want to delve too deep into what that meant.

Following her, Ethan noticed people giving him curious stares. All he needed was for someone to recognise him, and then he’d be swarmed by fans wanting photos and autographs. He didn’t have time for that. He needed to catch up to Holly before he lost her.

Further along the footpath, Ethan saw a cart that sold Australian souvenirs to tourists. He scanned the cheap selection of stuffed koalas, boomerangs and t-shirts until he found what he was looking for.

With the hat paid for, he shoved it on his head and pulled the bill low over his face. He’d contemplated buying plastic green glasses with ‘I heart Australia’ on the arm then quickly dismissed the idea. It was bad enough he wore a blue hat with ‘Australian Made’ embroidered on the panels of the cap.

Hurrying to catch up to Holly, he found her peering into a dirty window of a cream building with graffiti and filthy with grime. A broken old sign hovering on rusty poles above her head advertised cheap rooms.

“You said you were going to a good hostel?” The derelict accommodation didn’t look safe. The people scuttling around weren’t much better. A woman wearing baggy purple pants, a dirty yellow t-shirt and grey beanie over bright green hair stood on the corner of the street preaching that the aliens watched our every move and Jesus was coming to save us.

Two men aged in their twenties yelled abuse at each other while a small group of people, around the same age, encouraged them to get into a fistfight.

Holly turned to face him. Her eyes grew wide. “What are you wearing?”

“People were noticing me. I needed a disguise.” And as soon as possible, he’d rip off the ugly hat.

She giggled, “I like it.”

“Then when I’m finished with it, you can have it.” He glanced over his shoulder at the yelling duo. The commotion got louder and he needed to get Holly away from trouble. “You can’t stay in a place like this.”

Her chin rose. “You need to stop telling me what do.”

“When have I told you what to do?” He frowned.

She gave a mirthless chuckle, “With Shaun and now this.”

“I needed to warn you about Shaun and now I’m only trying to keep you safe. Is that telling you what to do?”

“You need to work on your communication skills. Because I’m pretty sure you said I can’t stay here.”

He blew out a breath. “Holly, this place doesn’t look safe.” There, she couldn’t say he was telling her what to do now.

“It doesn’t look so bad,” she said, but her forehead furrowed.

Then the door to the hostel flung open and a man with dishevelled clothes and messy, dirty brown hair stumbled out almost bumping into Holly.

“Shorry,” the guy slurred. He reeked of alcohol and vomit. “Got any smokes?”

“No.” Holly gave the man a tight smile.

“No worries,” the guy said and staggered back inside. Probably forgetting why he’d come outside in the first place.

“Holly, please don’t stay here. I’ll take you back to my mother’s place.” The rowdy group had moved on. It didn’t mean this area was any safer. And judging from the drunk who’d tripped outside, it wasn’t safe inside either.

For her to be looking at hostels, Ethan assumed she couldn’t afford anything much better. Ethan knew what it was like to scrape up enough money to get by. It wasn’t fun and was the worst time of his life. He would never have survived without his family. He didn’t like to think that Holly had no family or friends to turn to in the city and had resorted to staying in a dump like this. Earlier, she’d closed up like a clam when he’d asked about them. There must be more to the story, something she didn’t want to discuss. What was she hiding? It was her business, and he wouldn’t press her for more details. For now, he needed to get her somewhere safe.

She twisted a ring on her finger not looking at all like she wanted to rent a room here. “It’s one in the morning. I don’t want to disturb her.”

“Then stay with me.”

She gave a surprised laugh. “Stay with you? I don’t think so.”

“Why not?”

“Because if I go home with you,” she waved a hand back and forth between them, “things might happen. And I already told you the kiss was a mistake.”

As much as he’d like for her to share his bed with him, he said, “I have a spare room. I promise to behave.”

“I’m grateful for the offer, but I don’t trust myself around you. I might not behave.”

The comment made him want to smile with satisfaction but he held it back and kept his face neutral. “My brother’s staying with me.”

“Still no. Still might not behave… There’s another place up the road I can try,” Holly said, taking out her phone and beginning to scroll.

“If money’s an issue, let me pay for a room at a decent hotel for you.”

“Uh-uh.” She shook her head.

“You can pay me back.” Not that he’d want her to. She seemed too proud to take the offer.

“I don’t want to owe anyone money.”

She was set on her answer, so it only left him with one other option. “My sister Chloe has a room. She’d be happy to take you in.”

Holly frowned. “You’re making me sound like I’m a stray dog. I’ll be fine at the next place.”

“If you won’t let me help you, at least let me walk you to the hostel.”

She cocked her head to the side like she wanted to tell him she didn’t need his help. Then she glanced along the dark street, her expression grew wary. “Fine, if it will make you feel better.”

He bit back a grin.

They walked a few metres up the road in silence. They passed dingy nightclubs with music thumping out onto the streets, multi-coloured neon signs flashing in shopfronts and the smell of greasy pizza wafted through the air until they reached the next backpacker’s hostel. This place was even worse with its peeling paint and broken windows. And the stench! It was like every man and his dog had taken a piss against the wall.

Holly’s shoulders slumped as she took in the site of the boarded-up window.

“My sister will love having you,” he said gently, trying not to get her back up again.

She blew out a long breath. “She doesn’t even know me, why would she do that?”

“Because it’s important to me. And if any of us Doyles need a favour, we do what we can to help.” He didn’t tell her he’d felt a surge of protectiveness over Holly staying in such a dump.

“She won’t mind the late hour?”

“Nah. She’s always up at this time.”

“Okay, thank you.” She smiled and his chest gave a tight squeeze.

* * *

Ethan drove out of the seedier part of Sydney. Ten minutes later, the city changed from shops and buildings to houses and apartments. The well-kept properties and luxury cars parked along the street told Holly they were in an affluent suburb. He made his way down a narrow laneway tunnelled with tall golden leaved trees with multicoloured, terraced houses lining the street.

Ethan pulled over onto the side of the road and parked in front of a grey terraced house with white window trimmings and black wrought iron railing. A light on in the entrance shined over a cheery yellow door. Two seconds later, a petite woman, with black hair wound in a messy bun wearing pink pyjama boxers and an oversized grey t-shirt, came rushing out the front door. He'd sent a text to his sister to let her know she was having a house guest.

“Hi guys.” She greeted them with a smile. There was no sign of her looking annoyed at being disturbed in the middle of the night.

Holly stood back while Chloe gave Ethan a hug and on tiptoes, kissed him on the cheek. The family resemblance was striking with her almost black hair, vibrant green eyes and good looks. Only Chloe was a shrink wrap version of her brother.

“It’s so lovely to meet you.” She gave Holly an equally warm hug.

For a second, Holly stood stiff not used to such affection, especially from someone she’d just met. A quick peck from her mother when it was her birthday or Christmas was as far as affection would go. Never would she allow such an exuberant hug. It would wrinkle the Chanel.

Holly returned the hug and then stepped away. “Nice meeting you too. If this is an inconvenience, I can go somewhere—”

“Not at all.” Chloe waved a dismissive hand in the air. “I’m thrilled Ethan’s brought you here.” She wiggled her eyebrows at him.

Holly glanced from Ethan to Chloe. One was smiling brightly and the other wore a death glare, communicating silently like only close siblings could. Holly liked her sister Ruth, they got along well, but they didn’t share a close bond. They were just too different. Her sister, five years older, had her life together. Cemented into the family business and thriving. They hailed her the perfect daughter. Holly could never live up to Ruth.

“Holly’s opinion of me already isn’t the greatest. Please don’t make it worse,” Ethan warned Chloe.

That wasn’t exactly true. They may have started off on the wrong foot, but he’d been nothing but kind and caring to her. It was the super charged attraction to him that had her rattled and if she was a little tense around him, it was because she didn’t know how to deal with it.

Chloe tapped the side of Ethan’s face with her palm. “My big brother’s nervous, is he? Well, so he should be.”

“Chloe…” He cautioned.

It only made her laugh. “Don’t stress. You’re not the centre of the universe. We’ll have more interesting things to talk about.” She linked her arm through Holly’s. “Night, Ethan.” As Chloe pulled her along to the front door, Holly glanced over her shoulder. Ethan had his hands tucked into his trouser pockets, shaking his head.

Once inside, Chloe said, “I could do with a cup of tea. Would you like one?”

“It’s late. I don’t want to bother you.”

“This is early for me. I work with overseas clients so I’m up at all different times of the night.”

“Ethan didn’t mention what you do,” Holly said as Chloe led her through a narrow arched corridor with colourful art hung on the walls and into a stylish kitchen with white cabinets, expensive looking appliances and marble countertop. Vases of flowers and bowls of fruit added pops of colour.

“Take a seat.” Chloe pointed to a barstool at the kitchen counter. “Probably because he’s annoyed I won’t take him on as a client.” When Holly frowned, she added. “I’m an agent. My clients are actors. And I refuse to work with my brothers. They’d only try to boss me around like they did when we were kids.”

Chloe busied herself around the room gathering mugs and putting the kettle on.

“Brothers? How many do you have?” Holly asked.

“Two. Ethan and Aiden.”

The name sounded familiar. “Aiden Doyle the actor in the TV series Family First?”

Chloe nodded and poured steaming tea in their mugs, sliding a mug across the counter to Holly. “Let’s sit somewhere more comfortable.”

They picked up their mugs and made their way to the open plan living area and sat on the pale blue sofa. One wall in the room was made of glass and French doors. City lights flickered in the distance.

“Now, tell me how you’ve ended up with Ethan.” Chloe curled her legs up onto the seat.

“I’m helping Nancy for a couple of weeks and met Ethan through work.”

Chloe’s eyes widened. “Oh, Mum told me about you. You’re the woman who got mistaken as an actress and got to feel Ethan up,” she laughed. “What an introduction into the acting world.”

“I can see the funny side now. I was scared out of my mind.” Holly also laughed. “Ethan was so frustrated with my lack of acting abilities.”

“Well, you must have made a good impression, he never introduces women to the family.” Chloe’s gaze narrowed and she tapped a finger on her chin. “He must really like you. Hmm interesting.”

Holly shifted uncomfortably in her seat under Chloe’s inspection. “There’s nothing interesting about it. He knew I needed a place to stay and helped me out. That’s all.”

Taking a sip of her tea, Chloe still scrutinised her over the rim of the mug. “No, that’s not all. Of course, he’d help you, that’s the kind of guy he is. But he’d take you to his place and we’d never know about you.”

“He wanted to, I refused.”

“Then he’d put you up in a hotel room.”

“Tried that too. I said no.”

Chloe giggled, “Finally, a woman who doesn’t fall at his feet. This’ll be fun to watch.”

“It’s not what you’re thinking.” An image of him pressing her up against the wall of the cafe flashed through her mind. Her cheeks burned.

“Hmm-mmm.” Chloe smirked.

“It’s not what you’re thinking,” she said again. “We’re not in a relationship if that’s what you’re getting at.” A kiss behind the café didn’t mean they were starting something. Yes, she liked him… a lot. There was a huge attraction, which she couldn’t deny. If she’d stayed the night at his house, the chances of her ending up in his bed were high. A relationship? No. How could she trust her judgment after Oliver? He seemed like the perfect man. Loving, caring and promising her commitment. She remembered how happy she was wearing his diamond ring on her finger.

Even if her heart wasn’t so messed up, she’d be going back to Melbourne soon and would never see Ethan again.

“Ethan doesn’t do relationships, hasn’t had a serious relationship in years.” Chloe’s brow furrowed, “I was hoping things might have changed.”

“Why doesn’t he do relationships?”

Chloe finished her tea, and placed the mug on the coffee table. Holly did the same. “Work gets in the way. He’s never in one place for long, and it puts a strain on relationships. So, he’s focused on his career and always puts it first.”

Well, Holly didn’t need to worry about thinking about a new relationship because Ethan doesn’t want to start anything at all. Even though she knew things couldn’t go further with him, a heaviness pressed on her heart.

Exhaustion hit Holly hard and she yawned. As enjoyable as it was, it’d been a long day on set and looking at the clock on the wall, she needed to do it again in six hours.

“I’m sorry, you need sleep. I keep forgetting normal people have regular bedtimes. Let me show you to your room.”

On the way to the bedroom, Chloe gathered towels and pyjamas. Holly couldn’t meet Chloe in the eyes as she handed her the items to use. She needed to stop borrowing stranger’s clothes and staying in their homes.

“Bathroom’s through that door and if you need anything, I’m only down the hall. See you in the morning,” she said as she sailed out of the room. No one should be that chirpy at this time of night.

After Holly showered and changed into the pyjamas, she climbed into bed sighing as her bones melted into the soft mattress.

The Doyles and Ainsworths had something in common, they were all part of a family business. That’s where the similarities ended. From what Holly had seen so far of Ethan’s relatives, they were tightknit. He was close with Nancy and he must have a great relationship with Chloe to dump a stranger at her door. They helped each other with no questions asked.

Not once had her parents contacted her and asked if she was okay living in Sydney. Or if she needed help with anything. They hadn’t answered any of her calls. The few times she’d spoken to Ruth, her sister said their parents were busy. Holly knew she made excuses for them. They were mad at her for leaving. The silent treatment was her punishment.

Missing her sister and wishing she had a bond like Chloe and Ethan, she picked up her phone and texted her.

Haven’t spoken in ages. Want to Facetime tomorrow?

A few seconds later, her phone beeped with a message.

I’m in Paris working for a couple of days. Sorry, stuck in meetings. Mum wanted me to remind you your time is running out.

Holly blinked back tears.

The Doyle and the Ainsworth families were worlds apart.