Hollywood Roommates

4

A guy opens the door and my heart skips a beat because he’s definitely the most beautiful guy I’ve ever seen in person before. I’m not even exaggerating, he looks like an actual underwear model, the kind you only see in black and white and wearing Calvin Klein briefs. He’s got lush, dark brown hair with a hint of curl that’s effortlessly messy but probably took him hours to perfect, and his hazel eyes have a mischievous glint to them. There’s something familiar about him too, although I can’t place him.

A sexy grin spreads across his face. “You must be Allison. Come on in.”

I swallow back that awkwardness that comes from meeting someone so good looking and step inside. “Thanks.”

“I’m Matt. Nice to meet you. Brooke never mentioned her best friend was so gorgeous.” He offers me his hand, except when I move to shake it, he bends to kiss my knuckles like some hero from a historical romance novel. The move is so unexpected and cheesy that I burst out laughing.

“Please, call me Allie,” I tell him with a smile. This one’s a flirt, that’s for sure. I’m surprised Brooke didn’t warn me away from him instead of her brother.

“Welcome, Allie,” a smooth voice says behind me.

I turn toward the sound, and now I’m really tongue-tied because this guy is not only ridiculously handsome, but he’s famous too. Like, super famous. Followed by paparazzi hoping for a shirtless photo famous. Dated Taylor Swift and had a song written about the breakup famous. Named People’s Sexiest Man Alive this year famous.

“Hi,” I manage to get out, though it sounds more like a squeak. Hey, I’m not shy. I teach high school kids, after all. But holy crap, I’m standing in front of Luke Hart. Even I can get totally star-struck. It’s never happened to me before, but I’ve also never been in a celebrity beach house before. Not to mention, his face is the epitome of masculine perfection and his body is seriously a piece of art. He’s ridiculously buff, befitting a guy who plays action heroes in movies. I’m pretty sure his arms are bigger than my thighs and my thighs are not small, trust me on that.

That explains why Matt looks familiar. He’s Luke Hart’s younger brother, with the same sexy tousled dark brown hair and hazel eyes, and he’s also an actor, although not nearly as famous. He’s been in a couple of his brother’s movies in small roles, plus he was on a TV show that only lasted one season, but I can’t recall anything he’s done since.

Luke holds out his hand and I stare at it for way too long before shaking it. I really need to get it together, but how? I’ve seen this guy naked before. Not in person of course, but on a giant movie screen, which might be even worse. Now all I can think about is how big he is.

Literally.

“I’m Luke Hart, but you probably knew that already.” He flashes me an amused smile, like he’s entertained by how nervous and awkward I am. He must get this all the time. “You met my brother already. And that guy over there is Shane Easton.”

With all the eye candy on display, I didn’t even notice the other man in the room, even though he’s the one I was expecting to meet today. Brooke’s brother stands at the floor-to-ceiling window across from us, gazing out at the ocean. Even from behind, he’s an exquisite specimen of masculinity, with broad shoulders, a muscular back, and a perfect ass I try really hard not to stare at. But who am I kidding? I totally stare.

Shane turns toward us slowly with the setting sun behind him, highlighting his profile. My breath catches and I pray he’s not as devastatingly handsome as he is on TV, but no, it’s even worse, because he’s somehow even better looking in person.

The light catches his dark blonde hair and turns it to pure gold. My eyes linger over everything from his straight nose to his high cheekbones to his defined jaw with the perfect amount of five ‘o’clock shadow. His muscled abs are visible through his thin black t-shirt, and the sleeves end in exactly the right spot to show off his strong arms. He towers over me, looking every inch the sexy, brooding superhero he plays on TV, and my already racing heart threatens to run away from me entirely.

I try to regain my composure, reminding myself that he’s Brooke’s brother and even though she said he’s a jerk, he’s doing me a huge favor. This is going to work out and everything will be fine.

I step forward and flash him a big smile, optimism radiating from my pores, then hold out my hand to him. “Hi, I’m Allie Chambers. Thanks for letting me stay with you for a while.”

His eyes, the color of the darkest ocean depths, slowly examine me from head to toe and a scowl spreads across his gorgeous mouth, like he’s offended by what he sees. Maybe it’s my dress, which is still damp from the tea I spilled on it, or maybe it’s my short, extra curvy body filling it. He probably only dates tall, skinny actresses in designer clothes and I’m the complete opposite of that. As his haughty stare fixes on my face again, I hold my hand out another few seconds, embarrassment creeping up the back of my neck.

“You’re Brooke’s friend?” he asks, his voice dripping with disdain.

What. A. d**k.

I finally drop my hand. “Yes, I am.”

His frown deepens and he pointedly looks away. I want to sink into the marble floor and disappear. It’s black and white and beautiful in a cold, stark way, like everything else in this living room, including the man in front of me. My green dress is the brightest thing here. I’m a scoop of mint ice cream that’s fallen off its cone and is melting on the sidewalk.