Love Me, Cupid Read online

  Josh leans closer to her ear, whispering, "I bet you'd like to steam my milk."

  I can't help myself, I see the way his fingers brush against her neck and while I don't have previous knowledge of Hailey, I immediately know I need to have some. I need to protect her.

  "Okay, enough," I say, surprising Josh and forcing him to step away from Hailey. "I think we got it," I say. Charlene is furious that I’ve interfered and I know I've stepped out of line.

  I don't give a fuck.

  Most of the time I show up here because it's a fucking paycheck.

  But then I see Hailey and it doesn't feel like a paycheck anymore.

  It feels like I need to know this girl. I need to know her now.

  "All right," Charlene says. "Hailey, go to the champagne party. The arrow ceremony is in two hours. Make sure you get a chance to mingle with all the girls," Charlene says. "Tell them about past relationships."

  Hailey frowns, looks my way, bites her lip, and then looks back at Charlene. "You know I don't have past relationships. We went over the that at casting?"

  Charlene laughs. Everyone knows Charlene has directed everyone on set, fed the girls their lines, helped Josh perfect the angle. She produces a good TV show, and I understand that.

  But right now, the last thing I want is Charlene cashing in on Hailey's innocence.

  I don't want the entire nation to know her story, I just want to get Hailey alone and find it out myself.

  "Hailey, just go. And Sean," Charlene says. "This is my set."

  I snort, not really giving a fuck. About this job or about her show. I know it's a game.

  And I don't need to play.

  I watch Hailey nod her head at Charlene before walking away. She smiles at the camera, innocent and pure.

  And all I know is, I need to get into the champagne party. Because the last thing that I want is a girl like Hailey getting used.

  Chapter Three

  HAILEY

  Walking into the champagne party, all I can think about is how starving I am. Meeting Josh casued me to lose my appetite.

  Not that my stomach was full on anything good in the first place. Before I got in the limo I ate two power bars, a handful of pretzels, and some chicken wings.

  Don't judge. The food service for the show prepares bizarre food. Apparently, a well-rounded diet isn't necessary.

  Along with cell phones being unnecessary. And newspapers. And any form of contact with the outside world. Basically, when I agreed to be on the show, I gave my life.

  Over the last six weeks, since I got a spot on this show, I've debated repeatedly if I was really going to go through this.

  But I just kept coming back to one thing. One reason I am willing to give this a shot.

  Of course, Jessa thinks it's because of Josh. Trust fund billionaire who likes to surf and smiles for a living? Not exactly my type.

  I like them tall, dark, and handsome. Not California frat-boy.

  Even at the grueling casting call where they weighed me and measured me and quizzed me, I knew it would be worth it because the host was the man I have been crushing on since I was a teenager.

  The man I want to meet.

  And now I have seen him. He stuck up for me. He looked right at me and my panties were soaked. He is better than I imagined... and now I just need to get him alone so I can tell him why I am really here.

  I don't know if I'm insane, or seriously deranged, or possibly on the verge of losing my mind, but I swear to God I thought he was going to throw a fit when Josh wrapped his arm around my waist.

  When Josh leaned close and whispered in my ear, his hands slinking down my back, it made my skin crawl. I don't want him to touch me or whisper anything to me. And I most certainly am not interested in touching anything of his.

  And when Sean called out, putting an end to the scene, my heart leaped out of my chest. Sean was looking at me like I was the only woman on set.

  He has flecks of silver in his hair, a quiet strength hidden under a fitted suit. And I have an idea of what is under the sports coat. I Google-image searched him, found pictures the paparazzi had taken and sold of him sailing his boat, shirt off. He looks like such a man because he is.

  But then the producer Charlene – who has told me to play up the girl-next-door vibe – – told me to go inside to the champagne party. I knew if I wanted to say on the show, I needed to play by everyone else's rules. That's okay, I can certainly hold my own with these women in the mansion.

  Or so I thought.

  The second I step inside the Malibu mansion, I get a case of nerves that I haven't felt since I was in junior high, wearing braces. Back before I learned the magic of a flat iron.

  "So how did it go?" Jasmine asks. Jasmine seems nice enough; I talked to her in the limo on the way over. She's from New Orleans, is a flight attendant-- and drop dead gorgeous.

  "It was fine," I tell her, not wanting to admit that Josh creeps me out. "It's strange having cameras on us." I look around the room; the cameras are hovering over all of us.

  Charlene's here, scowling at me, and immediately I know I broke the code. Don't mention the cameras, ever.

  "Oh, my God, isn't Josh so fucking sexy? I swear to God if I have a chance for a one-on-one with him I'm going to give him a blowjob. First fucking chance I get."

  My eyes raise in surprise as a group of girls begin discussing Josh's apparent appendage.

  They mention some video of him, something I have no idea about, but I have heard he has a reputation for being a party boy, so I guess I'm not surprised that he made a porno.

  "Apparently only one girl is going home tonight," a girl named Cassie explains, her brows raise as she takes us all in. The ten of us are sitting on a circle of couches with our glasses of champagne in our hands. "I mean, that's how they always do it. And I watch the show obsessively from the start."

  Other girls begin explaining how they've watched the show more obsessively, and for longer. Which seems difficult if Cassie's watched it from the start.

  But okay.

  And that's when I step away from the circle of trust. I'm not exactly interested in hashing out Josh. I'm not thinking about him at all. I'm thinking about Sean. About his smoky gray eyes, his dark hair, the way his broad shoulders seem to shadow everyone else.

  My eyes wander to the back door, and I walk to it, open it, and step outside to a large back porch.

  A waitress hands me another glass of champagne, and I take it, thanking her. I lean over the railing, looking up at the stars. It's so beautiful here. I can see the beach in the distance, and I marvel at my luck.

  Who would've thought six weeks ago, when I had no hot water and best friend who is forever taunting me for being a 22-year-old virgin, that I would end up here?

  "There you are," the man says. I turn, hoping for some insane reason that Sean would be here, looking for me.

  It's not. It's Josh.

  "Oh, don't frown, baby," he says. I know you must be happy to see me. Because I know someone who's happy to see you," he looks down at his crotch.

  That's when I paste on the fakest smile of my life. I don't want to mess anything up and get sent home tonight. I'm not saying I want to be fake... but okay yes, I am absolutely going to pretend. I want to say here, I want to catch more glimpses of Sean... I want to catch him alone.

  Tonight.

  "It's a beautiful night," I manage, refusing to talk about his cock.

  "Right," Josh says slowly as if trying to figure me out. "You want to go somewhere... more private?"

  I look around the empty patio. “Can you really get more private than this?"

  "I sure can, love," Joshua says, leaning close to me, whispering in my ear. "Charlene told me a few secret places I could take any woman I wanted. For alone time."

  I take a sharp intake of breath, not interested in alone time with Josh.

  At all.

  He steps back, reading my expression, he pulls away in surprise, and I'm grateful for th
at, at least.

  "I'm sorry, I need to use the restroom," I tell him, practical running away.

  As I do, I see Jasmine and Cassie walking out to the patio, looking for Josh.

  "He's over there, and he should be really interested in some time with both of you."

  I see their faces light up as if I'm gifting them with a treat no one here has offered.

  "Thanks, Hailey," Cassie grins, and then her and Jasmine's heels click-clack over the tile patio.

  I exhale, relieved that I'm not making any enemies.

  Still, I'm worked up, maybe seeing Josh again just reminded me why exactly I am here. Who I am here for.

  And how badly I want to be with Sean.

  I consider going to the bathroom, turning off my mic pack, and touching myself ... I'm so desperate to find relief.

  But then I realize I’m too hot and bothered, that there is nothing I can do myself to take care of the need growing in my belly.

  A need for Sean.

  I don't have him, but I definitely need some fresh air. Passing through the house, I walk out the front door this time, hoping to avoid cameras, and hoping to avoid the other girls. On the front steps, I close my eyes, taking deep breaths.

  "Hey, it's Hailey, right?" This time it isn't Josh speaking to me. This time, it's Sean.

  I blink, wanting to make sure this is real. Really happening.

  "Yes, I'm Hailey. And you’re Sean."

  Sean smiles, shrugging. "I figure most people know who I am, been doing the show long enough.

  "It's so good to finally meet you. I mean, you are ––"

  I almost say the reason I came. I check myself, and say instead, "You're just as handsome in person as you are on camera."

  Sean smiles softly, stepping closer to me.

  "So, what are you doing out here alone, Hailey? Charlene is going to come looking for you if they don't find you on camera in the next fifteen minutes."

  "You sure?" I ask. "It feels like no one in this place is looking out for me, everyone here is looking out only for themselves."

  "You think that is true about everyone here?" he asks.

  "Tonight, when I got out of the limo ... it felt like you had my back, do you remember that?"

  "I remember."

  My cheeks redden because right now I want to be on my back for him.

  "Why are you blushing?" Sean asks.

  "Im a little flustered, to be honest."

  Sean straightens his broad shoulders, and when he does he seems even bigger than before. Like a real man. A man who knows what to do with the woman. Nothing like the phony guy inside.

  "So, you said we had fifteen minutes?" I ask.

  Sean's eyes darken, he lowers his gaze and our eyes meet, full on. I feel myself get wet between the legs. So, wet, the way I've been so many nights leading up to the show. Touching myself with an uncontrollable need.

  And now he's right here, in front of me. And I want him to touch me.

  "Fifteen minutes isn't much time to get to know one another, is it?" he asks, his voice low.

  "I think fifteen minutes is plenty to get started." I lick my lips; something my roommate told me to do if I wanted Josh to think I was sexy.

  I don't want Josh to think I'm sexy. I don't want Josh to think of me at all.

  But I do want Sean to know my intentions.

  "Do you want to go somewhere?" he asks. "Somewhere private?"

  It's like he instantly understands me, knows me. Sees what I need before I speak it out loud.

  I nod; my breath heavy, and I look down at myself, seeing my nipples harden beneath my strapless dress.

  I want him to pull my dress down, grab both my breasts and lick my nipples. I want him to suck my tits. I close my eyes again, overwhelmed with desire. I spent so many nights imagining what I wanted ... and now it is here.

  And now I am willing.

  "I want to go somewhere very private," I tell him. "And when I get there... I'll put it all out in the open."

  Chapter Four

  SEAN

  Hailey looks at me with so much attention, so much desire, I can't help but ignore my conscience.

  Taking her hand and leading her to my trailer is only asking for trouble, for controversy and for a target on my back.

  But if you saw this girl you wouldn't hesitate either. She licked her lips, looked at me with eyes so full of lust; I knew I had to have her.

  For a moment, I wonder if I'm just as big a douche bag as Josh is. Seeing a woman and becoming a caveman. My rational brain is gone, only able to see what I want.

  But then she speaks again, "I will tell you everything." And reason be damned, I take her hand, and lead her quietly and quickly down the path, knowing which route to take to avoid any crewmembers.

  My trailer is at the end of the row, quieter and not in the center of attention. I don't need to be the center of attention. I know who I am and I know what I want. I don't need my face and my abs plastered all over a magazine to have self-worth.

  No one notices us, and for that I'm glad. Hailey doesn't laugh, giggle, and grab my ass. She doesn't seem to think this is a joke.

  She's taking it seriously.

  Good. Because I'm taking it seriously too. I need her, and I need her off the camera.

  I need her in my bed.

  I lock the door of my trailer and Hailey's eyes scan the space. A small kitchenette, a table with a bench seat. Beyond the bathroom is my bedroom.

  "So, you live here the entire time the show is being filmed?"

  "No, I just stay the first few days of filming. That's when we do most of the promo spots and interviews with Josh. Now that that's out of the way, and all the contestants have arrived, I'll head down to my place in LA."

  "You're from here?" she asks.

  I nod, "Where are you from?"

  "Chicago."

  "And you wanted to come all that way, for this show, knowing who the bachelor was going to be?"

  Dammit, maybe I'm fishing, trying to get a better feel for this woman, maybe she's like everyone else, here for a chance in the spotlight.

  I need to know for sure.

  "No. I mean, I knew Josh was bachelor, but that's not why I came. Not at all."

  "What do you mean?"

  She bites the side of her lip, sighing deeply before answering. "My best friend convinced me to sign up for the show, she thought I needed to widen my horizons... with men. Honestly, I think she has a thing for Josh. Just don’t tell her boyfriend that."

  "But you don't?"

  Hailey shakes her head. "No, not at all. I mean, not trying to be rude... And I know I'm lucky for the show to have chosen me. But he's not why I came."

  My eyes narrow. Maybe she is a fame-hungry girl, looking for a chance in the spotlight. It doesn't add up, though, she looks so innocent and pure, naïve and honest.

  "Why did you come then?"

  She lowers her chin, her eyes not meeting mine "I came for... you." She looks up at me then, pink lips parted, and I want to sink my mouth into them.

  "You said your friend thinks you need to expand your horizons with men. What does that mean?" I know I'm asking a hell of a lot of questions, but I've seen the way these contracts work for the show, and I'm not going to fuck up this girl's life.

  I know if she sleeps with me, her chances of winning the show are slim to none. Even if we tried to keep things quiet, everything comes out in the open when you're on a TV set.

  "It means I've never had a lover. I'm a virgin."

  I nod, knowing why they cast such an innocent woman on the show. Virgins equal ratings.

  I won't let Hailey be used by this network.

  "And you want to stay a virgin, Hailey?"

  I watch her swallow, straighten her shoulders and runs her hands over her dress, her fingers caressing her pussy over the fabric of her gown. "Do you want to know the truth?" She steps toward me, and for a virgin, she sure knows how to lay on the sex appeal.

  "What is the trut
h?"

  "I knew Josh was a bachelor. But I didn't care about that. Because I knew you were the host. And I've been waiting to meet you for a very long time."

  My cock is hard and her words are soft. She's asking me to seduce her. To take her, to have her.

  I'm not going to ask any more questions.

  Not when she's already told me the answer.

  I pull her to me, my hands around her narrow waist, and my mouth meeting her luscious lips. Her lips are like honey, and when her lips part and my tongue finds hers,

  my cock is a raging hard on.

  I want this girl.

  On her back and in my bed.

  "Oh, Sean, yes," she murmurs as my hands run up her back, drawing her nearer still.

  I love the way she says my name, so hot and heavy. She needs this too.

  My fingers find the zipper on her dress, needing to get it down because all I want is to see her pretty round tits. They look so perky in this strapless dress, so nice and full. Her nipples taunted me when she stood outside the mansion, practically begging me to lick them.

  I pull down the zipper of her dress and as I do the entire thing falls to the floor.

  She steps away from her dress, standing before me like a perfect fucking prize.

  She's in high heels, long legs and wearing sexy stockings. She's wearing thigh-highs held up by a garter belt. She's in a strapless corset, her breasts pushed nice and high, and her pussy is covered by the tiniest pair of panties I've ever seen.

  "You sure you're a virgin? Because you know how to make a man desperate."

  Her cheeks redden at the compliment, and she better prepare herself from more blushing, because I'm ready to lavish her with praise. Her body is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen in my life.

  "You're desperate? For me?"

  I growl, hungry for her. Wanting to taste her and lick her and eat her for supper. "You pick this out yourself?"

  She shakes her head, "My best friend, the one who set me up for this, she told me I had to buy some lingerie. For the Cupid Suite?"

  Mentioning the show causes me to momentarily retract.

  But then she speaks again, and I'm not worried about her wanting to sleep with Josh.