“Do what?” he asks, studying me.
“Give me ultimatums,” I reply, turning around to face him as I take off my bra.
I’m getting ready to slide a camisole over my head when he pounces. In mere seconds, I’m sprawled across my chaise, pinned underneath him.
I start laughing. “What the hell was that for?”
“I decided the door to your closet can stay closed,” he says, his voice deep and sensual, as he glides his tongue down my chest. “You were teasing me and you know it.”
“I was changing clothes.”
He moves his mouth to my neck and kisses me in a way that makes me giggle.
“Aiden! That tickles,” I screech.
“Shhh,” he says, covering my mouth with his.
After a thorough kissing, he says, “How am I supposed to attack you on the down low if you’re gonna scream?”
I slide my hand down the front of his shorts and whisper, “Let’s see how quiet you can be.”
A little while later, we slide into bed together, dressed in our pajamas.
Aiden props his head up on his fist. “Tommy was wrong,” he says breathlessly, studying my face. “You don’t need beauty sleep. You’re already beautiful.” He leans down and kisses the side of my face, my forehead, and my cheek.
“I think you’re beautiful too.” I reply, snuggling closer to him and laying my head on his shoulder. I reach up and touch his face. “And not just because of your perfect face.” I glide my hand down his chest, run my fingers across his abs, and then trace down his V-line. “Or your perfect muscles.”
“You move your hand any lower and I’m going to have to take you back in the closet.”
I slide my fingers under the waistband just to tease him, but then I lay my hand across the left side of his chest. “This is what makes you the most beautiful, Aiden. You have a really good heart.”
He smiles at me, kisses the top of my head, and wraps me tightly in a hug.
I close my eyes and fall into a blissful sleep.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 19TH
Milking the fame cow.
5:50am
Cooper drops Tommy and me off at a little before six, then heads back to my loft. Tommy told him there was no reason for him to sit around all day. But he and Aiden are both excited to watch the process for a bit, so I know they’ll be here at some point. I also know they will get bored. It’s going to be a really long day.
I get a hug from Matt, who is already on the soundstage. “Before you go to hair and makeup, let’s rehearse the first scene. Since you’re still in bed in the scene, it should be easy.”
I lie in the bed, cover up, and pretend to be sleeping. Tommy tiptoes in from the left side of the stage, sits on my bed, runs his hand gently across my forehead, and bends down to kiss it.
I open my eyes. “Have a safe trip.”
“I will. Are you sure you’re going to be okay until Grandma gets here?”
“Dad, I’m nineteen. I don’t need Grandma to babysit me.”
He smirks at me. “Your being nineteen is exactly why Grandma is coming.”
I roll my eyes. “So, one time, when I was seventeen and didn’t know any better, I had a little party when you were out of town. You’re never going to forget it, are you?”
“Harper, honey, I saw the video your friend posted on YouTube. You know, the one where the cops kicked the door down? Oh, and then tasered your drunk twenty-four-year-old boyfriend?”
“He wasn’t my boyfriend.” Or much of a friend, I say under my breath.
“At least something good came out of it,” he says, ruffling my hair. He reaches in a fake pocket, pulls out a fake wallet, and pretends to put money on my nightstand. “Why don’t you go to the mall and find a cute outfit for tonight?”
I laugh at him. “Probably because I’m not doing anything tonight but sitting on my ass and playing cards with Grandma. I mean, I love her and all, but it’s a Saturday night!”
He nods his head toward the cash and grins at me. I squint at him, supposedly puzzled. I reach over and grab the nonexistent cash off the nightstand and see what’s supposed to be underneath. I let a wide, happy smile spread across my face then throw my arms around his neck. “Concert Tickets? To see Drake? Ohmigawd! You’re the Best. Dad. Ever!”
“Did you notice the seats I got you?”
I look down. “Ohmigawd. Third row? Maybe he’ll sweat on me!”
“I’m not sure Grandma will like that.”
“I have to take Grandma!?” I ask in horror.
“I’m just teasing. Take Michelle. Have fun. Be responsible. Don’t talk to strangers.”
“I won’t. I promise. Have a good trip! Where are you going, anyway?”
He gives me the vague look that supposedly he always gives me when he’s going on a mission. “Just Berlin. I’ll be back in a few days.”
“Cut. Perfect,” Matt says. “All right. Let’s go ahead and block it out.”