Hollywood Rebel by Misti Murphy

Chapter Fifteen

 

Summer

Bray holds the door to the trendy teppanyaki restaurant. “I’m glad we decided to do this.”

“Me too.” When we were in college, we always swore we’d try this place once we had the money. Back then we’d mostly eaten in the student cafeteria and occasionally the pizza place around the corner from campus.

Actually I still eat like a college kid half the time. Ramen is a staple and pizza is my favorite comfort food.

Bray’s hand finds the middle of my back as we step inside. Rebel’s words about how I’m stringing Bray along replay in my mind. And his warning that this dinner would go ahead over his dead body. I’ve been half expecting him to show up since I hung up on him. Anticipating it. What the hell is wrong with me that I almost hope he’ll try to ruin my dinner with Bray?

“I have a reservation,” Bray says when the server approaches.

“Of course. Right this way,” she says.

In the middle of the room a couple of chefs man the teppanyaki grills. A half dozen diners sit around them. The two chefs are putting on a show, throwing rice and eggs and prawns and who knows what else back and forth between them. Demonstrating their skills with the tools they use in a sort of floor show.

“Here we are.” Bray holds the stool out for me until I sit down. Then he takes a seat and leans in. “I’ve been wanting to take you out to dinner for a long time.”

“Can I get you drinks?” the server asks.

“Yes, I’ll take a Sapporo,” Bray says. “Summer, what do you want?”

“Wild Cherry Pepsi.”

He turns to talk to her about the menu and I hang my bag over the back of the stool before checking out our dinner companions around the grill. Only to lock eyes with a pair of Levi blues that can only belong to one man. He’s sitting a few seats away.

Rebel—the biggest pain in my ass—Maddox.

“You have got to be kidding me.”

His brows raise and his eyes crinkle at the edges as he turns to talk to the person on his left. A guy who puts tall, dark, and handsome in the average column. Lincoln Landry. The A-lister they call The Devil.

“What’s wrong?” Bray asks as the waitress leaves us.

For a moment I wonder whether Rebel made a pact with Lucifer himself to find out where I would be tonight, because how else could he have possibly known. I didn’t have a clue where we were dining until Bray told me in the car on the way here.

“Is he serious?” Bray mutters as he notices our dining companions.

Oh my God, Rebel is such a jerk. Gripping the edge of the counter, I lean forward to whisper as fiercely as possible, “What are you doing here?”

“Having dinner. My PR manager suggested I get out more.” He winks at me and leans back in his chair, totally at ease. A huge smile crests his lips. “What are you doing here, Red? Stalking me?”

“I can’t believe you,” I snap, despite our audience of fellow diners. They watch us volley back and forth with more curiosity than I would like. After all, I’m supposed to be helping him reform his image, not becoming embroiled in his latest scandalous behavior.

I slam my mouth shut and sit back before I can suggest that he’s the one stalking me. Point to Summer. For once I’m not going to let my big mouth get the better of me. I take a breath to stabilize myself.

“I didn’t know you were going to be here,” Rebel says.

“So it’s a coincidence that you happened to pick the same restaurant that we ended up at? Like it was a coincidence we ended up at the same club the other night?” After all, he did tell me I could have dinner alone with Bray over his dead body. He’s just lucky we ended up at a restaurant that specializes in chopsticks and throwing food into your mouth instead of a steak house where I’d be armed with a really sharp knife. Although I could pull a Buffy Summers and stab him with the thin wooden stakes.

Okay, okay that might be going too far.

“Linc picked the restaurant, didn’t you?” Rebel looks to his friend.

“I did,” Lincoln says, and based on the collective gasp, I’d say all the women at the griddle just about lose their panties over his deep bass voice.

Not me. Mine are all in a twist thanks to Rebel. And the fact that he hunted me down is somehow kind of hot. Heaven knows why.

“We can go somewhere else.” Bray stands.

“No, it’s fine.” I grab his hand and pull him back onto his stool. “We’re not going anywhere. We’re going to have a nice time.”

I stare Rebel down. And you’re not going to ruin it.

Challenge accepted, his eyes say. But he shrugs and turns his attention to Linc.

“Are you sure?” Bray asks.

I turn my back on Rebel. Take a deep breath and plaster a smile on my face for Bray. “Absolutely.”

“I’m glad we’re catching up,” Bray says.

“I’m glad we are too. I’ve been a crappy friend this past year. I’ve been so busy with work.” Then for Rebel’s benefit, I add, “I’m not on the clock tonight though.”

“Don’t even worry about it,” Bray says. “I know how important your career is to you.”

“And yours.” I lean my elbow on the counter surface. “Advertising. How are you liking it?”

“I’m enjoying it,” he says.

“Excuse me, would you mind swapping seats with me and my friend?” Rebel’s voice comes from way too close behind me.

“Are you…” The feminine voice of my neighbor is colored with curiosity.

“Rebel Maddox,” he responds.

My heart skips a beat. This could go well, or it could go bad really quickly, depending on their opinion of him. And how he reacts. I cross my fingers. Please don’t make this evening worse.

“I love your movies. Would you mind signing something for me?”

“How about we take a selfie in exchange for your seat?”

I start to breathe again.

“Summer?” Bray asks. “Are you listening?”

“Sorry, what?” I try to tune Rebel out, but he’s doing what I would have him do with his fans. And he’s doing it to get closer to me. Still… I’m here with Bray. My friend who deserves my full attention. I touch his hand. “Can you repeat that?”

He traps my fingers and squeezes them, a small smile growing on his lips. “I was saying that we’re both where we wanted to be in our careers.”

I frown at Bray’s hand wrapped around mine. There’s no spark. There’s no electricity. I don’t want to come out of my skin and climb onto his lap to get closer to him. Rebel touched his lips to my palm, and I practically lost my mind. If he hadn’t been in control, I probably would have had sex with him in the middle of making the deal with Copper Rock.

“Are you okay?” Bray asks. “You look…is it too warm in here?”

The chair behind me scrapes the ground as Rebel takes a seat. I can sense his heat at my back. Smell his cologne.

Warmth bubbles in my chest. My skin buzzes.

“You’re stringing him along,” Rebel whispers in my ear, and my skin breaks out in goose bumps.

“Excuse me, we’re having a private conversation here.” Bray frowns at him over my head. “You’re intruding where you’re not wanted, buddy.”

“Oh, I’m wanted.” Rebel smirks. “Aren’t I, Red?”

“Christ, you’re a jerk,” I snap over my shoulder only to find his hot gaze locked on me.

“I prefer it when you call me God,” he claps back. “It’s a turn on.”

“Summer?” Bray darts glances between the two of us. “Is there something going on between you two?”

“It’s nothing.” My voice comes out all breathy and wrong.

Rebel drops his head nearer to mine, so close that the warmth of his breath stirs over my skin and his whisper reaches my ear alone. “I wouldn’t call the orgasm I gave you nothing.”

I gasp. I’m speechless. What does one say to a truth like that? “Shut up” doesn’t feel like it will cut it.

The blue of his irises pop with steel gray that makes the way he’s looking at me so intense. He points between me and Bray. “Now, this…this is nothing.”

My breath catches in my throat. His threat about always getting what he wants rings in my ears.

“Summer, what is he talking about?”

“Me and her. Her and me,” Rebel says. “There’s no room for you at this table for two, friend.”

“Rebel, stop it,” I warn. “He’s my friend.”

“I don’t want to be your friend, Summer,” Bray says. “I thought now that your career is on track, you’d be ready to consider being my girlfriend. That’s what we talked about. I thought we were on the same page.”

I close my eyes and swallow down the icky feeling. I remember the conversation he’s alluding to, but it feels like another lifetime. I thought we were on the same page too. I never wanted to date him, but all this time he’s been waiting for me to be ready, and I didn’t realize. “Bray.”

“That’s not going to happen,” Rebel says. His hand falls on my knee and squeezes.

“She has her hands full. With me.”

I open my eyes to find Rebel watching me. There’s a kindness in his eyes that I’ve seen only a few times and only for the people that matter to him. His brothers almost exclusively. Ethan. Linc. Oh, and the lovely Marie, his housekeeper, when her little boy broke his arm and he let her borrow Emmy so she could take him to the doctor. Albeit with a string of warnings about looking after the classic car and bringing it back in one piece.

Bray rises to his feet. “You arrogant son of a bitch.”

“Let’s go somewhere and talk about this, Bray.” I push my stool back to stand.

“Okay.” His head wobbles between a yes and a no. “We can do that.”

“You’re not leaving here with him.” Rebel stands as well.

I turn and press my hands into Rebel’s chest. Christ, it’s like trying to stop a rampaging bull chasing a cow in heat. “We’re in public. People are watching. You need to stay out of this.”

“Have I ever given you any reason to think that’s going to happen?” He captures my wrist with his thumb and forefinger. “He’s angry and he thinks you’ve been leading him on. I don’t trust him with you.”

A harsh laugh escapes Bray’s lips. “You’re a manipulative prick, aren’t you? And you like this, Summer? Enough to throw away what we could have?”

“It’s not his fault.” I don’t know why I’m sticking up for Rebel. He’s totally a jerk for riling Bray up, and I can see why Bray thinks he’s manipulative. But he’s not…exactly. Yes, he’s insistent and aggressive, but I don’t necessarily see it as a negative. If anything, he’s pushed me out of my comfort zone, made me experience things I never would, and somehow made me find more strength in myself. These are good things. And every time I give in and do something crazy, I find myself feeling alive. Like I did that night we broke into the hotel pool and went skinny dipping.

And when he kissed me, it felt like I woke up for the first time.

Kissing Bray that one time was nice, but there were no fireworks or butterflies. There was no rush. Not like there is with Rebel. “And this isn’t about him. I don’t like you like that.”

“Come on, kitten, it’s a little about me.” Rebel pinches his fingers together but leaves a small gap between them.

“Summer, you cannot be serious.” Bray raises his voice. “He’s violent. He’s a criminal. You’ve done your research. What did he go to prison for again?”

“Assault,” one of the other diners says. “He assaulted that other actor, Alec Hawthorne.”

Rebel turns to stone. Not literally, but he might as well have with the way every muscle in his body locks up. I could cut myself on his jaw and his grip on my wrist grows tighter.

Everyone in the restaurant is hanging onto our every word. People start pulling out their phones. If I can’t find a way to put a positive spin on this situation then I’m going to have to do damage control, which will be easier if I can keep the tension between Rebel and Bray manageable.

“That’s enough, Bray.” I slip my hand into Rebel’s and hold on tight like I’m ready to be the anchor in the storm growing in his eyes. Even though the truth is I still don’t know what happened between him and Alec Hawthorne and there’s no way I could stop him if he wanted to start a fight now.

On his other side, Lincoln jumps to his feet. Rebel might be a jerk, but he’s a loyal jerk who inspires the same in the people in his inner circle.

“I can’t believe you’re this stupid.” Bray shakes his head.

“Easy there, man,” Linc says.

“Or what?” Bray snaps as he pushes up his shirtsleeves. “Or he’ll beat the crap out of me? You’re only proving my point. The guy is dangerous, Summer.”

“I had a reason,” Rebel says, quiet and serious. “But you have no reason to talk to Summer like that.”

A harsh laugh escapes Bray’s lips. “I’m the nice guy here.” He stabs his fingers into the center of his chest. “The one who waited around like a fool for you to be ready for a relationship. And then … you what…throw yourself at this asshole because he’s a celebrity?”

I gasp. “That’s not what’s happening.”

“What the fuck did you say?” Rebel enunciates every word crisply as he thrusts himself forward like one of the roosters back home when they’re itching to fight.

“Rebel.” I yank on his arm. “Don’t.”

“Don’t what?” He glares at Bray. “Put this idiot in his place for treating you like he is?”

“Don’t fight with him,” I say. I don’t plead, but I consider it.

“Come on, man.” Linc says quietly, but my goodness, his voice is demanding without him even trying. He squeezes Rebel’s shoulder. “He’s not worth the trouble.”

“Linc’s right.” I put myself between him and Bray. How can everything have gone so wrong so quickly?

Bray’s eyes widen, and he startles. The way he reacts; it’s almost like I’ve slapped him.

“Yeah. Whatever.” Rebel rubs the back of his head as he eases back. “You’re right. He’s not worth my time. Or yours.”

“That wasn’t quite what I meant,” I murmur.

“I thought you were smart, Summer. Turns out I don’t know you at all.” His cold, flat gaze sweeps me up and down and his lips twist into a sneer before he turns his back on me and storms out of the restaurant.

I gape after him.

It’s been almost three years since the night I met Bray. Three years we’ve been friends. And now it’s all gone, or it never really was… either way, my heart aches.

Rebel stands behind me. One hand squeezes the back of my neck, expels some of the tension there. “We need to go.”

“I can’t believe that happened.” I drag my attention from the door to the people surrounding us. The chefs are flinging food through the air, trying to draw the crowd’s attention from us. “I’m sorry he said what he said.”

“What? The truth?” Rebel pulls his wallet from his pocket and drops a wad of cash on the table before announcing, “Sorry, folks, that got a little out of hand. Dinner is on me.”

“That’s not the truth,” I say as he leads me toward the exit to a chorus of thank yous from our would be fellow diners. Lincoln trails behind us once we’re outside on the pavement. “You’re not a jerk.”

“I am.” Rebel squeezes my hand.

“You’re not.” I hurry to keep up with him.

“Really?” He cocks an amused eyebrow at me as he ushers me toward a Triple Yellow Mustang convertible. He keeps a stable of cars like my brothers keep horses. “You’d be the only person on this planet that would disagree with him.”

“That’s not true,” I say as he opens the door and helps me into the passenger seat. “What about you, Linc? Surely you don’t think he’s a jerk.”

“Honestly, he’s a total asshole.” Lincoln jumps into the backseat without bothering with the door. He puts a hand on my shoulder and grins at me in the rearview mirror. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Summer Heart. You’re having an interesting effect on my boy here.”

“Get your fucking hand off her,” Rebel growls as he climbs in behind the wheel. “Or I’ll remove it for you.”

“See what I mean.” Linc chuckles. His voice really is insanely, dangerously son of the devil deep.

“Well, you’re not manipulative,” I say.

“Aren’t I?” Rebel blinks like he doesn’t believe me.

“Not really.”

“I’m bossy, kitten.” He turns to face me, leans across the center console.

I close the distance. “I know.”

“Pushy,” he adds. His gaze flicks to my lips, then back to my eyes.

“Yeah.” So far, I have no argument. I can barely breathe with the intense need to kiss him lodged in my throat.

“I want to make you do things you’ve never considered doing.”

There’s a noise behind me, like someone clearing their throat, but I ignore it, swallowing hard against an influx of saliva. My thighs clench. I’m so far outside of my comfort zone with him. He’s a riptide and the buoys of my control are slipping away. And all I can think is the only chance I have of keeping my feet under me is to jump in headfirst. Experience everything that comes with getting close to him. “What if I want to do them too?”

“Summer.” There’s a warning in his tone. He’s like a caged animal, stalking the line between us. His knuckles are white, they’re wrapped so tightly around the steering wheel.

I want him to let go and touch me instead. The ground is moving under my feet. I lick my lips and lean in more. “Rebel.”

Releasing the wheel, he grasps the side of my neck and yanks me to him. His mouth sears mine. His tongue pushes at my lips, thrusts inside. Demands a deeper, rougher kiss. He claims every inch of my mouth, and I give it to him.

I crawl across the console and onto his lap. His fingers dig into my hips, and I can feel how hard he is against my panty covered pussy. The dress I wore to dinner climbs up my thighs. I scrabble at the buckle on his belt.

The horn blasts when my ass hits it.

“Now this is getting awkward.” Linc clears his throat for a second time. “You two should definitely get a room.”

We break apart with a shared laugh. Mine awkward. His throaty and almost surprised.

I can’t stop smiling.

Rebel can’t help grinning either. He waggles his eyebrows at me. “Look who’s pushy now.”

I shove my hand into his chest when he tries to kiss me again. Press him back against the seat. “We should go. In case any of those people at dinner shared the fact that you’re here. I have a feeling I’m already going to have to do triage, and I don’t want to lose my job.”

“Alright,” he says. “We have somewhere to be anyway.”

“Where would that be?” I climb off his lap and into the passenger seat.

“L.A. Riot’s playing a gig tonight.” He buffs the pad of his thumb over my bottom lip which is puffy from his kiss. Leans in to press a much sweeter kiss to that spot. “Do you like tacos, Red? After that the least I can do is buy you dinner before the concert.”

“Sure.” I tug on the sash of the seatbelt and push the catch into the clip. “Who doesn’t?”