Page 139 of Now Their Starlet

“Yes, I do.” His expression is dead serious as he reaches out, grabbing my chair and wheeling me closer to him.

Damn, that was hot.

His smoky cedarwood scent filling my lungs doesn’t help with the butterflies rioting in my gut.

“I think... after everything, I like the idea of having the freedom of not having to answer to anyone, you know? Other than Edison. But he’s admitted himself that he’d fund any project I wanted to do.”

“I don’t doubt that. I’m sure if you expressed genuine interest in wanting to do a documentary on the lifespans of classroom goldfish, he’d be willing to support that project.”

“Don’t give me ideas now,” I tease. “I’ll start with that concert film I want to do for Beck when he’s on his big tour. I’m really excited to work on that! I know that last concert kinda ended badly, but I can see why Beck loves what he does. The crowds he brings out are crazy.”

Cameron’s smile only grows softer around the edges as I continue to babble.

He leans forward and brushes a soft kiss against my lips.

“I knew you’d answer like that,” he murmurs. “I’ve been giving it some thought, and maybe I should slow my life down a bit. No more long-term foreign projects.”

The offer stops me in my tracks.

Ever since I met Cameron, I’ve known how much his work means to him. It’s hard not to notice, considering he’s so good at what he does, and seeing the lengths he was willing to go to land that first interview with Beck.

“But those kinds of projects... your entire portfolio is made out of them! That’s all you’ve really done recently.”

“You’re right,” he nods. “That's exactly why I’m thinking it’s time for a change. I don’t talk about it often, but my last relationship ended because she cheated on me. I’m not victim blaming myself, or anything. I definitely think she should’ve just broken up with me instead, but that relationship lasted a whole lot longer than it obviously should have because I was gone so often.”

“Hey, I don’t know if that’s fair of you to say about yourself. She shouldn’t have used your work as an excuse to do that to you,” I say, reaching out and lacing our hands together.

“Yes, but that’s not my point. I surely would’ve noticed earlier and called things off if I were more present. My point is, I want to be present with you. And hey, maybe when Beck’s career slows down a bit, we can all travel the world for mine. Everett has his work commitments here in LA, but he also has private jet kind of money. Everyone else can travel with you and Beck, so I don’t want to be the odd one out, you know?”

He reaches out and cups my cheeks, his thumbs brushing against me like he’s the one seeking some sort of grounding physical reassurance.

“I’m not saying I’m going to quit my job for you or anything. Just that I’ll slow it down. I want this. Want you.”

“I want you too,” I breathe out, covering his hands with mine as they cradle my face. “I don’t—don’t know what I’ll do if you’re gone for weeks or months at a time, to be honest. You... get me, get my work in a way that the others don’t. I think that’s what makes me so lucky.”

Warmth blooms in my chest thinking of the way each and every one of my guys supports me in a beautiful, unique way.

“You—you act like I’m a genius when it comes to this sort of stuff,” I laugh, the sound coming out a little choked up from the emotion welling in my throat.

“That’s because you are.”

“See? A girl can get used to those sorts of compliments real fast. And I know you’ve got a bit of a complex about how this all started between us, but it’s honestly reassuring knowing that my personality was that compelling that you fell in love with me after thinking I was everything wrong with modern-day media.”

“You do have a very compelling personality,” he echoes, his own voice tight with emotion.

“What? We talk about our feelings a little and Mr. Journalist loses his capacity for words?”

“Yeah? And what of it?” he rasps, shaking his head. “I should pull a page out of Eli’s or Everett’s book and shut you up.”

“Mmm, kinky,” I tease, sliding out of my office chair and slipping into his lap. “You’re too nice for that, though. You’ve been such a gentleman.”

I play with the collar of his polo, dragging my bottom lip between my teeth before blinking up at him through my lashes.

I’m pulling out all the stops right now, but man, do I enjoy the sight of Cameron flustered.

It’s a whole-body sort of reaction for him, and I’ll never get sick of it.

“We—we shouldn’t—not—not here,” he whispers. “The others will be home soon.”