Hollywood Prince (Hollywood Royalty #3) - Natasha Madison Page 0,66

at the reporter.

“Carter, the feedback about filming has been amazing,” she says into the microphone she has in front of her mouth. “How did you prepare for this role?”

“There really wasn’t much I could do,” I answer her. “I just put myself into the shoes of every parent out there who is missing a child. I can’t imagine,” I say, and I can’t. If someone took my child away from me, I wouldn’t be able to sleep until I had them back in my arms.

“From the gossip in the magazines, you’ve been on the down low lately, solely focused on work,” she says almost with a purr. “Are the rumors true? Did you find the special lady?”

“He isn’t answering any personal questions tonight, Ella,” Erin says. “Thanks for the questions.” She pushes me to the next person.

“Come on, Erin, you know I had to ask,” she says, and I see Erin in action.

“Oh, I know you had to ask,” she says, “but you have to know that I wasn’t going to let it slide. I gave you a shot at three questions.” She shrugs. “Not my fault you didn’t want to play by the rules.” She smiles at her. “Have a great night.”

“Bitch.” I hear Ella mumble, but Erin looks unaffected by it. I walk to the next reporter who is a guy, and he sticks to a script. We finally make it through the last reporter and walk inside the event. I look around and see all the A list people around. I’ve been to a million of these, and I’m already ready to leave.

“Carter.” I hear from the side and look over to see Beverly and Aaron, the ones throwing this event tonight. He walks to me, extending his hand to shake mine. “So happy you could make it.”

“It’s for a great cause,” I say, looking around all these people here dishing out money to make themselves feel just a touch better. A waiter comes over with a silver tray filled with glasses of champagne. I look over to see where Erin is, and I spot her over at the bar. It’s no surprise she’s already caught someone’s attention.

“If you two will excuse me, I see a couple of items I should bid on,” I mention, referring to the silent auction. I walk up to the sheets and place stupid bids and then walk toward the bar, and I hear the man talking.

“Yeah, I thought so with a beautiful smile like yours I know I would never forget,” he says, and again, Erin smiles politely.

“Are you done hitting on the woman?” I say louder than I want to, and the man turns around, shaking his head with a smile.

“Carter,” he says my name and extends his hand to shake mine.

“Tom.” I shake his hand, the hatred stewing in my stomach. Two years ago, we starred in a movie together. I thought it went well, but I obviously was the only one who thought that. During the press tour, he threw me under the bus over and over again, spewing shit out of his mouth. Something about me sleeping with his girlfriend pissing him off. I didn’t even know he had a girlfriend. “Have you met my girl Erin?”

“His PR rep,” she adds in and extends her own hand. “I work for Hillcrest.”

“Nice to meet you, Erin.” He shakes her hand, then looks back at me. “Carter, it’s always fun.” We both watch him walk away.

“That guy is such an asshole,” I say, watching him walk away. “You said you wouldn’t leave my side.”

“I went to get water,” she tells me, holding up her crystal glass with a slice of lemon in it. “See.”

“Are you ready to go?” I ask her, and she looks at me shocked.

“What are you talking about? We just got here,” she points out, but I’m about done with all this stuffiness.

“I came,” I say. “I walked the red carpet.” I look around. “I did three interviews.” I put my hands in my pockets. “I said hello to the guy throwing the event, so he knows I was here. I bid on five items.” I look back at her. “Now I want to go home and see what my girl is wearing—or not wearing—under her dress.”

She smirks at me, coming closer. “I can answer that now.” With my eyes on hers, she leans in and whispers, “Nothing.” Whatever control I had is gone. I grab the glass of water she has in her hands and