Page 63 of Lick
“Maybe,” I said, concerned.
“Listen, Jimmy has been dating Liv Andrews. If you meet her, I definitely want an autograph. Loved her last film.”
“Jimmy is not the greatest. That could get uncomfortable.”
She huffed. “Fine. But you are in love.”
“Hush now.”
“What? I think it’s nice.”
Mutterings from Lauren’s mysterious friend interrupted my rising fear.
“I’ve got to go,” she said. “Keep in touch, okay? Call me.”
“I will.”
“Bye.”
I said “bye,” but she was already gone.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“You’re frowning.” David walked up behind me slowly. His head cocked to the side, making his dark hair fall over the side of his face. He tucked it behind an ear and moved closer. “Why are you doing that, hmm?”
I’d been putting together dinner. I’d found pizza crusts in the freezer, so I took them out to defrost and started cutting up toppings and grating cheese, while worrying about what Lauren had told me, of course. The house didn’t seem so welcoming anymore. Armed with the knowledge that it had been bought with another woman in mind, my feelings toward the place had shifted. I was back to feeling like an interloper. Horrible but true. Insecurities sucked.
“Gimme.” From behind me he snagged my wrist and brought my hand to his mouth, sucking a smear of tomato paste from my finger. “Mm. Yum.”
My stomach squeezed tight in response. God, his mouth on me this morning. His plans for us tonight. It all felt like a dream, a crazy beautiful dream that I didn’t want to wake from. Nor did I need to. All would be well. We’d work things out. We were married again now, committed. He snaked an arm around me and pressed himself against my back, leaving no room between us for doubt.
“How are things going downstairs?” I asked.
“Real good. We’ve got four songs shaping up nicely. Sorry we ran a bit over,” he said, planting a kiss on the side of my neck, chasing the last of the bad thoughts far away. “But now it’s our time.”
“Good.”
“Making pizza?”
“Yeah.”
“Can I help?” he asked, still nuzzling the side of my neck. The stubble on his jaw scratched lightly at my skin, feeling strange and wonderful all at once. He made me shivery. Right up until he stopped. “You’re putting broccoli on it?”
“I like vegetables on pizza.”
“Zucchini too. Huh.” His voice sounded slightly incredulous and he perched his chin on my shoulder. “How about that?”
“And bacon, sausage, mushrooms, peppers, tomatoes, and three different types of cheeses.” I pointed the chopping knife at my excellent collection of ingredients. “Wait till you taste them. They’re going to be the best pizzas ever.”
“Course they are. Here, I’ll put them together.” He turned me to face him, rearing back when my chopping knife accidentally waved at him. His hands fastened onto my hips and he lifted me up onto the kitchen island. “Keep me company.”
“Sure thing.”
From the fridge he took a beer for him and a soda for me, since I was still avoiding alcohol. Tyler’s and Mal’s voices drifted through from the lounge room.
“We working again tomorrow?” Tyler called out.
“Sorry, man. We gotta head back to LA,” said David, washing his hands at the sink. He had great hands, long, strong fingers. “Give me a couple of days to sort shit out down there then we’ll be up again.”
