TAMING HOLLYWOOD'S BADDEST BO- Max Monroe Page 0,51

lips to his, but when you go from arguing all day long to kissing in any capacity, the moment is undeniably momentous.

Honestly, I don’t know why I did it. I just couldn’t not do it.

For as strangely as yesterday started, it ended somewhere even stranger. Not only did I open up to Luca about things I haven’t even considered talking about in what feels like forever, but he returned the favor, giving me some insight into his mysterious nature. I didn’t even have to go through dentistry school in order to pull some fucking teeth. It was just…natural.

And for as much as I would have denied the possibility even twenty-four hours earlier, I can only say the same about the kiss. It felt right. Maybe, if I’m being critical—and painfully honest—it also felt a little short. But, impulsive or not, the rational part of me was a little too freaked out that I’d given in to the temptation to take it any farther.

When I woke up this morning, after sleeping like a freaking baby in his arms, I held my breath, waiting for World War III to begin.

Bickering is what we’re known for.

But it never came.

We started our hike a few hours ago, and not a single moment has felt awkward or uncomfortable. If anything, it all just feels…normal.

Heck, my ankle isn’t even bothering me too much.

I’m so comfortable, in fact, that the real reason I’m here—to save my job—is starting to feel less and less front and center.

“We’re here,” Luca says, yanking me from my thoughts. When I look up, a big, distinctly unique cabin is jutting up from the nothingness around it like a flower does from its seed.

Bailey wags his tail, visibly familiar with the house, and jogs up to the massive, wooden front door.

I follow Luca’s lead, up a small hill and a stone staircase that leads to a wraparound porch.

Two rocking chairs sit perched on the deck floor, and when I turn around, the view damn near takes my breath away. Trees peppered in front of a glistening lake, the sight makes it easy to see why the chairs are a necessity. When it’s warm outside, I bet this is the place to be. Just relaxing out here and taking in the atmosphere.

Bailey barks three times, and Luca steps forward to rap his knuckles against the door.

“Lou!” he shouts. “Open up!”

A few moments later, a man with silver hair and a long beard is opening the door and greeting us. He hugs Luca and gives Bailey a few friendly pats to his side, and when his gray eyes meet mine, recognition hits me.

“Oh my stars,” I mutter.

This isn’t just any man. This is Louis Lennox, a famous Hollywood actor from way back in the day and a man Luca starred in Agent Zero with. God, my heart tingles inside my chest as all my memories swirl together.

My daddy, watching his old western flicks with Louis in many of the leading roles, the old Hollywood red carpets Adele would swoon over with Louis in his tux smiling handsomely for the cameras, and Luca recounting his favorite movie to work on the other night—one that apparently led to one of his most meaningful friendships.

If my memory serves me right, I think Agent Zero was the last movie Louis did before retiring for good.

“I see you’ve brought a guest with you,” Lou comments with a warm smile. “I’m—”

I cut him off and answer for him. “Louis Lennox. I know. I know who you are, sir, and it is such a pleasure to meet you.”

“You can just call me Lou.” He chuckles and shakes my hand. “And you are…” He pauses, waiting for me to do the normal, human thing and tell him my name.

“Billie,” I say and clear the nerves out of my throat. “Billie Harris.”

“It’s a pleasure, Billie.” He smiles and looks between Luca and me, and then his eyes glance behind us. “I’m glad to see you made it all right.”

“Always do,” Luca answers.

“All right, then,” Lou says with a glance toward me. “Glad to see you’re making some fucking friends, then.”

Luca rolls his eyes, and I laugh out loud.

Lou turns his attention back to me with a smile. “How was the hike, darlin’? I know Luca says he likes it, but it was always a hell of a trek for me. Make an old man feel better. Tell me it’s not just me.”

“Oh, yeah. It was terrible,” I don’t hesitate to respond, a giggle following