Hollywood Hearts (Steamy Standalone Instalove)

In a second I know I can’t let that happen, not now or ever and I swoop on her, growling at anyone who tries to help her before I get my hands on her.

She hasn’t hurt herself, just fainted for a second. Long enough to fall before I could catch her but I’m here now.

And nothing’s gonna let her fall without me to catch her ever again. I just know it as soon as I touch her.

Her long blond hair tumbles down over her face and thick chest as I scoop her up.

She’s light as a lamb even though I can feel a similar thickness in her legs to match her chest.

She’s all girl and not the kind they have in the movies anymore.

But I’m not thinking about movies, contests, or what she looks like. I’m not thinking about any of that.

I just want to hold her, feel her soft warmth against my body as long as I can before I get her someplace safe.

Away from all these people and flashing lights.

Security has moved their attention away from me and luckily have decided to concentrate on shielding us both from the crowded office space.

It’s not every day Jack Mercury shows up at your workplace, and along with the throng of media and fans outside, there’s quite an audience in here too which I didn’t mind until just now.

There’s an open office door and I bundle her inside, kicking it closed behind me before laying her down on a couch. My own hands still under her as those baby blues flutter open.

Her full lips part with a sudden gasp and one of her tiny hands grips my shirt.

“Jack?” she whispers, her eyes going out of focus before rolling back into her head a little.

I’m worried she did hit her head or something, but the grip on me she’s got, the little mewing sound she makes as she smiles to herself tells me she’s okay.

“I’m here,” I tell her. “I’ve got you and I’m not letting you go anytime soon,” I promise her.

It’s true, I’ve never felt more protective of anyone or anything so suddenly. The caveman in me wants to toss her over my shoulder and jump out the window, climbing down the building so I can take us both somewhere I know we’ll be safe.

Somewhere we can have some real privacy.

But that’s not gonna happen.

I hear the door and a familiar voice. “Everything alright Mr. Mercury? Do we need a doctor?” The head of the security team asks.

“Just need a little air,” I hear myself say without turning around, confident I have at least a few more minutes alone with my prize once I hear the door click closed again.

“My prize…” I hear my own voice say again, brushing the hair back from her sweet face in time to see her eyes pop open again, for good this time.

I feel her tense up but leave my hand where it is. I don’t want this moment to end. Don’t want to ruin it by saying something stupid like I usually do.

“I’m Jack Mercury,” I hear myself tell her. The same deep, husky voice I use when the cameras are rolling for romantic close-ups.

So much for not saying anything stupid.

“I’m Olivia,” she squeaks and I feel her shiver, realizing I still have a hand underneath her.

“I think you fainted,” I observe, trying to recover some of myself. Trying not to sound like some Hollywood actor. Just trying to be myself for a change.

“All those people…” she murmurs, looking faint all over again as I take her hand in mine.

“It’s a bit of a shock I guess, but you won the contest. They made a big deal out of wanting to film your reaction,” I tell her. Hearing how dumb it all sounds when I say it out loud.

What was Denise thinking? There was no mention of a media circus, she must have ‘arranged’ the whole thing, dammit.

Olivia’s eyes open wide suddenly and she sits up, a hand on her chest as she gasps with embarrassment.

“It’s okay, it’s alright,” I try to console her, noticing how small she looks now. Like a wounded bird as I try to let her know she’s safe without frightening her.

I’m a big guy and my size can be a little intimidating. But Olivia doesn’t seem worried about me, her eyes dart to the closed door before settling on mine.

“I really won?” she asks, her teeth almost chattering with nerves.

I nod and shift back, giving her some space as I remain squatted on my hams.

“I think I’m in trouble,” she confides in me, whispering as if the whole world might hear.

“What kind of trouble?” I ask, suddenly feeling on the defensive again. The thought of this girl in any sort of trouble has my back up, my whole body tensing to match her fearful mood.