Read Online Hollywood Ever After by Sasha Summers - Free Book Online
Authors: Sasha Summers
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After yoga, I went back to my room to find it set to rights. There weren’t any physical reminders of the previous evening, but images of golden eyes and strong hands filled my mind and senses as I gathered my things. I packed my bag and had it taken to the front desk until I was ready to leave.
I’d dressed in some of my newly-acquired Shannon-approved clothes: jeans that fit like a glove, a white lace camisole, and silk shirt the color of tawny sand. I stared at this put-together version of myself in astonishment. Who knew I could be so fashionable?
My hair was another matter altogether. The ironing and heavy-duty conditioning of yesterday had disappeared. Thick auburn curls hung crazily down my back, the humidity making them impossibly bouncy.
I took my camera and decided to explore. I shot several photos, things I could take back and share with the kids. I’d been avoiding the fact that eventually leaving here was ending what was the most surreal and surprising experience of my life.
I felt a lump in my throat as I walked along the beach. I heard his voice echoing in my memory: I want to kiss you. Goose bumps covered my skin, my stomach tightened, and my pulse thumped wildly.
I sat cross-legged on the sand. Surrounded by the soothing sounds of the ocean, I let my thoughts wander. I didn’t know where my future was headed, but I realized something: my needs and wants were normal; they were important. I wanted to enjoy life, to live it. I wanted to…to start anew.
I saw Josh from the corner of my eye, walking toward my spot on the sand. He smiled at me, the wind catching his mussed hair and blowing it crazily.
My heart kicked up. I was thankful to him. Our time together had reminded me that there was more to life, if you were open to it. I hoped that our time together gave him something, too.
He sat beside me. “Find any answers?” His voice was soft.
“I’m considering possibilities.” I shrugged, trying to dismiss my giddiness. After last night, it seemed normal that he’d make me feel so warm and soft and desirable, right? I pondered this, chewing my lip.
“What possibilities?” He leaned back on his elbows.
“Infinite possibilities. I’m looking for my North Star,” I continued vaguely, meeting his warm hazel eyes with a smile.
“As a point of reference? Are you planning to navigate by the stars? A compass might be a bit more practical.” He studied me, not in the least bit teasing.
I took a deep breath. The penetrating depth of his gaze was a bit unnerving. “How was your meeting?” I asked.
He reached over and pushed the hair from my shoulder. “Fine. I found myself a bit distracted.”
I looked at him curiously. “By?”
His eyebrow shot up. “You.” He smiled as I blushed, then leaned forward to drop a soft kiss on my mouth.
My lips clung to his, inviting more. My hand stroked his cheek as his arms came around me, pulling me onto his lap.
He pulled back with a slow smile. “Still avoiding conversation? I’m not complaining about the technique, mind you.”
I cocked my head at him quizzically. “I thought you were making small talk or something.”
“I’m still curious about you.” His eyes were clear, his face thoughtful.
Okay . My eyes narrowed as I watched him. “What do you want to know?”
“Whatever you’re thinking about so seriously.”
I took another deep breath and looked at him. He nodded in encouragement.
“I have decisions I need to make. Things I’ve been putting off.” I paused, but he didn’t withdraw and his eyes didn’t glaze over, so I continued. “I can choose to keep going like I have been.” I wrinkled my nose at him, frustrated by my inability to express myself. “Or I change everything. Which is more challenging but, hopefully, more rewarding too.”
“The choice seems a bit obvious.”
“You’d think so.” I shifted so that we weren’t quite so wrapped around each other.
“But?”
I turned my head, our face
After yoga, I went back to my room to find it set to rights. There weren’t any physical reminders of the previous evening, but images of golden eyes and strong hands filled my mind and senses as I gathered my things. I packed my bag and had it taken to the front desk until I was ready to leave.
I’d dressed in some of my newly-acquired Shannon-approved clothes: jeans that fit like a glove, a white lace camisole, and silk shirt the color of tawny sand. I stared at this put-together version of myself in astonishment. Who knew I could be so fashionable?
My hair was another matter altogether. The ironing and heavy-duty conditioning of yesterday had disappeared. Thick auburn curls hung crazily down my back, the humidity making them impossibly bouncy.
I took my camera and decided to explore. I shot several photos, things I could take back and share with the kids. I’d been avoiding the fact that eventually leaving here was ending what was the most surreal and surprising experience of my life.
I felt a lump in my throat as I walked along the beach. I heard his voice echoing in my memory: I want to kiss you. Goose bumps covered my skin, my stomach tightened, and my pulse thumped wildly.
I sat cross-legged on the sand. Surrounded by the soothing sounds of the ocean, I let my thoughts wander. I didn’t know where my future was headed, but I realized something: my needs and wants were normal; they were important. I wanted to enjoy life, to live it. I wanted to…to start anew.
I saw Josh from the corner of my eye, walking toward my spot on the sand. He smiled at me, the wind catching his mussed hair and blowing it crazily.
My heart kicked up. I was thankful to him. Our time together had reminded me that there was more to life, if you were open to it. I hoped that our time together gave him something, too.
He sat beside me. “Find any answers?” His voice was soft.
“I’m considering possibilities.” I shrugged, trying to dismiss my giddiness. After last night, it seemed normal that he’d make me feel so warm and soft and desirable, right? I pondered this, chewing my lip.
“What possibilities?” He leaned back on his elbows.
“Infinite possibilities. I’m looking for my North Star,” I continued vaguely, meeting his warm hazel eyes with a smile.
“As a point of reference? Are you planning to navigate by the stars? A compass might be a bit more practical.” He studied me, not in the least bit teasing.
I took a deep breath. The penetrating depth of his gaze was a bit unnerving. “How was your meeting?” I asked.
He reached over and pushed the hair from my shoulder. “Fine. I found myself a bit distracted.”
I looked at him curiously. “By?”
His eyebrow shot up. “You.” He smiled as I blushed, then leaned forward to drop a soft kiss on my mouth.
My lips clung to his, inviting more. My hand stroked his cheek as his arms came around me, pulling me onto his lap.
He pulled back with a slow smile. “Still avoiding conversation? I’m not complaining about the technique, mind you.”
I cocked my head at him quizzically. “I thought you were making small talk or something.”
“I’m still curious about you.” His eyes were clear, his face thoughtful.
Okay . My eyes narrowed as I watched him. “What do you want to know?”
“Whatever you’re thinking about so seriously.”
I took another deep breath and looked at him. He nodded in encouragement.
“I have decisions I need to make. Things I’ve been putting off.” I paused, but he didn’t withdraw and his eyes didn’t glaze over, so I continued. “I can choose to keep going like I have been.” I wrinkled my nose at him, frustrated by my inability to express myself. “Or I change everything. Which is more challenging but, hopefully, more rewarding too.”
“The choice seems a bit obvious.”
“You’d think so.” I shifted so that we weren’t quite so wrapped around each other.
“But?”
I turned my head, our face
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