My eyes narrow, and she shakes her head. “No, really. Why? It’s none of my father’s business who I sleep with. It’s not like we’re dating or anything.”
That remark hits me right in the chest.
“I’ve seen you every day this week,” I remind her.
“Yeah. At your house. We eat something, have sex, talk for a few, and then I go home. That’s not dating by anyone’s standards, Vaughn. It’s not like I plan to bring you home to my parents one day. And even if I did plan to, I can’t because he would have a damn fit if he knew I was seeing you outside of the office.”
I’ve never had a woman hurt my feelings so much in my life, not to mention all in one week. If I had, I would have walked away without a backward glance.
And yet, with this particular woman, I seem to be a masochist.
“There’s a lot to unpack here,” I reply with a sigh. “If I’ve given you the impression that I don’t want to date you, I apologize. I just can’t seem to keep my damn hands to myself, and fucking you on the table at any of the fine establishments in Seattle would likely be frowned upon.”
She opens her mouth to speak, but I keep going.
“However, I’m sure I can keep myself under control long enough to go out to one of those places for a nice meal, or to a movie, or hell, wherever you want to go. Let’s go.”
She closes her mouth and frowns. “I just told you that I can’t date you.”
“And why is that, exactly?”
“Because my dad would lose his mind. You didn’t recognize me as his daughter because he fought tooth and nail to keep my siblings and me out of the public eye. No photos, no appearances. He wants us to live our lives away from that.”
“But you work in this business, Liv. You could likely be up for an Oscar next year. And I won’t believe you if you say you won’t attend.”
“I’ll attend,” she says slowly. “But I work under my mother’s maiden name. We don’t publicize who I am.”
“That’s bullshit.” The anger is swift and all-consuming. “Your father is Luke-fucking-Williams, one of the most powerful men in show business. He’s not a serial killer or someone to be ashamed of.”
“I’m not ashamed.”
“You should use the name he gave you with pride and take advantage of all the doors it’ll open up for you in this business, Olivia.”
She sighs and rubs her fingertips against her forehead. “You don’t get it.”
“Are you kidding me? Of course, I get it. My last name is Barrymore, sweetheart. My family goes back generations in Hollywood.”
“Okay, stop being defensive, and let me explain this to you.”
Yeah, my back is up.
“I am defensive about this shit. It took me a long-ass time to get jobs on my own merit, and not just because of the name. I could have changed it, but damn it, it’s my name. And I’m proud of it. I’ll wade through all of the bullshit that gets slung my way because of it. I have an addict for a mother, and my father will fuck anything that moves when he’s not making movies. And, hell, even when he is making them. Their reputations are shit, but I’ve worked hard to make something of myself despite them. And you’re being handed a pristine reputation on a silver platter and just thumbing your nose at it?”
Her face reddens, and she shakes her head. “No, that’s not what this is about. Damn it, Vaughn, I don’t want opportunities on a silver platter. I want to earn them. And I have earned them. I’m in this office because I’m damn good at my job, not because of my DNA.”
I raise an eyebrow, and she shakes her head.
“You know what? I’m mad at you, and I have work to do. So, you can just see yourself out. We can have an adult conversation when we’ve both calmed down.”
“Good idea.”
But I don’t walk to the door. I march straight to her, fist her gorgeous hair in my hand, and kiss the shit out of her. I may be mad at her, but damn it, I never stop wanting her.
“I will see you later,” I say. “I’m not leaving for good.”
She swallows and licks her lips. “Understood.”
I nod and walk out. I’m able to catch the elevator and am in my car in a matter of minutes, headed toward home when my phone rings.
“Hey, Kell, what’s up?”
“I’m confirming the dinner in LA for Wednesday night,” she says, all business. “Your flight is scheduled to leave Seattle that morning.”
“Okay. Listen, I want to take Olivia with me. Can you get her a plate at my table that night?”
“Uh, I can try.”
“You can do it,” I say briskly.