What the hell happened to my normal life?

“Okay.” I suck a breath through my nose. Try to find some semblance of sense. “I’ll ask her.”

“Good.” He offers his hand.

“What are we shaking on?”

“Me fucking you after the shoot.”

I shake. “You drive a hard bargain.”

He smiles. “Princess, you have no idea.”

Chapter Thirty-Four

Forest

Today, the world is bliss.

Bright blue sky, soft white clouds, blowing palm trees.

Even the shop is beautiful.

Morning light. Hardwood floors. Hot pink string lights.

As soon as the door swings shut, Holden jumps—actually jumps—onto the desk.

He brings his hands together with a slow clap. “Didn’t realize you had this kind of stamina.” He winks. “I’m proud of you.”

I flip him off, but it’s just for show. I don’t have any anger, frustration, irritation in me today.

Life is good.

It really is.

“Damn, pissy for a dude who spent the last day and a half getting laid. Unless…” Holden shakes his head. “Don’t tell me she’s not generous.”

“You’ve used that one.” I try to stifle a laugh, but I can’t. My brother is too ridiculous.

“It really is old material.” Oliver moves out from his suite. Slides a palm-sized sketchbook into his back pocket. “Maybe you should try something about how she must be kinky, what with her penchant for corset lacing?”

“Oh, that’s good.” Holden blows his best friend a kiss. “You’ve been studying my techniques, haven’t you?”

Oliver chuckles. Shakes his head the horror then turns to me. “You two figure it out?”

“You could say that,” I say.

“She was upset at the party. But…” He smiles. “Jealousy does work.”

“Yeah.” I run my hand through my hair. It’s hard to believe that was less than two days ago. It feels like it’s been a million years. Last night with Skye was perfect. We cooked dinner together—a Korean dish she wants to practice, so she’ll make it as well as her dad does—then we watched one of those indie movies she loves, walked on the beach, fell asleep in my bed.

Well… after doing lots of other shit in my bed.

My chest warms at the thought of her smile.

My cock quivers at the thought of her moan.

Holden clears his throat. “Forest, dude, how many times do we have to go over this? If you’re going to replay fucks, you need to narrate.”

“You run out of porn or something?” Oliver asks.

Holden shoots him a get real look.

“Let me guess. You’ve got so many women pawing at your jeans that you don’t need porn?” Oliver offers.

Holden chuckles. “Nobody needs porn. But I enjoy it, sure. Lining up some newbie friendly videos. In case any inexperienced women ask for pointers.”

Oliver’s smile disappears. “If you touch her, you die.”

“What did I say about touching?” Holden shrugs. “Only video recs.”

Fuck, they’re ridiculous. But that reminds me—”I picked out a video for Skye.”

“Go on.” Holden turns to me.

“Not over this whole you showing my sister porn thing,” Oliver says.

The bell rings as the door swings open. Chase steps inside. Surveys the scene. Raises a brow.

“Could be worse,” Holden says. “I could have gotten your sister pregnant.”

“Don’t joke about that.” I know Ariel wanted to get pregnant. She’s over the moon. Honestly, Chase did her a huge favor. But the reason why she needed to get pregnant at twenty-four, the possibility she’ll suffer the same fate our mom did—

It’s not funny.

I know joking is Holden’s way, but I can’t stand laughing over it.

“Would you rather she not have a rec?” Holden asks. “She might stumble on some gross shit.”

“I hate to admit it, but he’s right,” I say. “That’s why Skye doesn’t like porn. Too violent.”

Holden’s eyes go wide. “So she doesn’t like it rough.”

Fuck, I’ve said too much. That’s what I get for arriving at work pre-coffee. Not that I regret spending that time making Skye come instead. “None of your fucking business.”

“Maybe she does,” he says. “Some people like watching shit they’d never do in real life. Or vice versa. But I promise I’ll send Daisy something vanilla. Classy. Made for women.” He holds up his hand scout’s honor. “On her eighteenth birthday.”

Chase chuckles. “Does he actually want to fuck her? Or is he just fucking with you?”

“I’m not sure either.” To me, Daisy is clearly a girl. But Holden is barely twenty-one. He’s only a few years older than she is.

If she wants to celebrate her eighteenth birthday in his bed—

It’s really none of my business.

“If it blows up in your face, I’m taking Oliver’s side,” Chase says. “He’s a better artist than you are.”

Holden mimes offense. “That’s fucking cold. Suits you.” He turns to me. “We’re getting off track here. Skye doesn’t like porn. All porn? Or just violent porn? What if the two of you make a video?” He smiles wide, so, so happy to fuck with me.

I smile back. Holden is Holden. When things are good, it’s fun, sparring with him, teasing him, telling him to fuck off. It’s how we connect. How he connects with everyone. “Then I’d have some great material in my spank bank. And you’d have nothing.”

Tags: Crystal Kaswell Romance
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