Hollywood Roommates

6

Matt nods. “If nothing else, do it because your sister is going to bust your balls if you don’t.”

Dammit. As much as I hate it, they’re both right. I owe Brooke a big favor, and if I let her best friend stay here for a few months, then we’ll be even. It’s not like we don’t have the space in the house for Allie either. I can’t exactly say no. Especially when she has nowhere else to go.

But this? This can only end badly.

“Fine. I’ll let her stay on one condition,” I tell them. “We all have to swear not to sleep with her.”

Matt blinks at me. “Seriously?”

“I saw the way you two checked her out. You can’t tell me you weren’t thinking about f*****g her.”

“Us?” he asks. “What about you?”

“There is zero chance of that happening.”

Luke shrugs. “It’s a damn shame, but I’ll agree if you two do.”

Matt gives a dramatic sigh. “Fine.”

“I want it in writing too,” I add.

“Of course you do,” Matt says, rolling his eyes again.

With that settled, I throw open the door and walk back into the living room. Allie’s moved to the window to look out at the view of the ocean, and she turns toward us as we approach. The split second of nervous vulnerability on her face makes my chest tighten again, but then it’s gone, replaced by her determined eyes and a big smile.

“Everything okay?” she asks.

The other guys look to me, and I force out the words, “We’ve decided you can stay.”

Relief softens her features and she moves forward like she’s about to hug me, but restrains herself at the last second. Barely. “Thank you. I can’t afford much, but I’ll pay you whatever I can.”

“I don’t want your money,” I say, disgusted by the very idea.

That only makes her stand taller. “Then I’ll do whatever I can to make it up to you. I’ll cook, I’ll clean, I’ll do laundry. Whatever you need.”

“We have people who handle all that.”

Her eyes widen. “Oh. Right. But—”

Luke rests a hand on her arm. “You’re not a servant. You’re our guest. Relax and enjoy your summer break.”

“We’ll take good care of you,” Matt says, and I shoot him a harsh glare.

“Okay,” Allie says, with a genuine smile for the two of them. “But you better believe I’m still going to bake for you.”

“I can’t wait,” Luke says, even though his personal trainer would murder him if he so much as looked at a baked good.

“I’ll show you to your room,” I say, before the other guys can charm her into their beds.

I quickly debate which room to give her. The house is three stories, descending down the cliff toward the beach, and the three of us live on separate floors. I’m loathe to share my floor with anyone else, but I can’t stick her next to Matt either. Even if he doesn’t seduce her, she’ll have to put up with his revolving door of women every night. No, better to keep her close so I can keep an eye on her and make sure they both stay out of trouble.

I head down the stairs without waiting to see if she will follow. A few seconds later, her footsteps sound behind me. “Luke is on the top floor with the living room and kitchen,” I tell her as we hit the second floor. “Matt is on this level, along with the gym and theater. You’ll be on the lowest floor with me.”

“This place is amazing,” she says, and I feel a touch of pride at the awe in her voice.

We hit the lower level and I head directly to her room. It’s the smallest bedroom in the house, but it makes up for it with a walk-in closet, floor-to-ceiling windows, and direct access to the pool and the beach. The previous owners used it as a nursery, but I converted it to a guest room, though no one has stayed in it before.

“Wow,” she says, as she steps into the room. “It’s so…”

I wait for her to say something like “impressive” or “stunning.” Compared to what she’s probably used to, this room must be a big step up.

“Bland,” she finishes.

“Bland,” I repeat.

“White walls. White sheets. White furniture. No art. No knickknacks.” She sounds horrified, but then she draws in a breath. “That’s okay. Nothing that a little decorating and a fresh coat of paint won’t fix.”

My eyes narrow. “No paint.”

She looks like she might argue, but then she nods. “How soon can I move in?”

“As soon as you want.”

“Thank you. I really do appreciate this so much. This room is perfect.” Her clear green eyes gaze up at me and she gives me a genuine smile. “If it weren’t for you, I don’t know what I would do. Live out of my car, probably.”

Her words make me temporarily speechless, and as I stare at her soft lips I’m hit with the strongest urge to kiss her. Or throw her on the bed and show her how not bland this room would be with her naked skin and red hair against those white sheets.

This is unacceptable. Allie is a complication and that’s the last thing I need right now. I have enough complications at work thanks to an ill-fated relationship with my co-star. I don’t need them in my home too.

I thrust the keys at her. “Don’t get too comfortable. This is only temporary.”

I can’t prevent her from moving in. I can’t kick her out. But I can do everything in my power to get her to leave.