Free Release the Stars by Harper Bliss Page A

an ex-model. You’re on TV. You could have anyone you wanted, really.”
    “But not you.” Ava made it sound like a statement, not a question. “I make my living by how I look, Charlie. I might have picked up some cooking and presenting skills along the way, but if I’m being truly honest, all the success I’ve had in my life is based on my appearance. You, on the other hand, have this amazing mind out of which the most beautiful sentences are born. I find that extremely attractive.” She slid off the stool she was sitting on. “I would like to show you something.”
    Charlie followed Ava through the living room and into an adjoining room she hadn’t seen during her previous two visits. The entire space was lined with bookcases, every shelf filled to the brim.
    Ava crossed the room to a case near the window. “These are arranged alphabetically. This is where I keep the Cs.” She gestured with her hand to the middle shelf.
    Charlie easily recognized the spines with her name printed on them. The heat of a blush crept up her neck.
    “I don’t just own these, Charlie. I’ve read every single one of them. And yes, that includes the saucy ones. I wasn’t kidding when I said I was a fan.” She pulled a book from the row. “I know it’s not very original, but I already told you Crying Rivers is my favorite.”
    Charlie stared at the cover of her break-through novel. The one that put her on the map and made Hollywood take notice of her.
    “I was going to ask you to sign it for me last night, but well, things turned out slightly differently than expected.”
    “Did you expect to kiss me?” Charlie gained confidence from looking at her books—and from Ava’s display of fan-girl admiration.
    “Not sure ‘expect’ is the right word, but I’d certainly thought about it.” Ava thumbed through the book. It looked as if it had been read numerous times, with the corners of several pages flipped back. “This is my favorite sentence of them all.” She inhaled, preparing to read out loud, but Charlie stopped her.
    “Please. Don’t.”
    “Really?” Ava glanced at her. “Okay,” she quickly agreed.
    “I’ll sign it for you if you still want me to.”
    “I would really appreciate that.”
    Ava handed her the book. “Why don’t you take it home? Sign it for me in privacy and bring it back later.”
    Charlie accepted it and nodded.
    “I would love to get to know you better. This way, we have to see each other again.”
    “You still want to be friends?”
    “I promise not to throw you off guard with impromptu kisses on the beach.” Ava inched closer but didn’t touch. “Speaking of the beach… Do you want to stay and have a swim?”
    The flush that had reached her neck earlier, headed to Charlie’s cheeks. “I don’t have my bathing suit with me.”
    “No need for that here.” Ava chuckled. “I’m just kidding. I have all sizes lying around. I’m sure we can find you something.”
    Charlie ignored the hesitation brewing in the back of her mind. She’d made it clear to Ava that nothing could happen, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t at least enjoy the view of Ava in a bikini. “Okay. Why not?”
    “That’s the spirit.” Ava came closer and gently bumped her shoulder against Charlie’s. “We can always order pizza after.”
    A swarm of butterflies took flight in Charlie’s stomach. How long would her mind be able to hold out against this onslaught of emotion and lust.

    * * *

    “I can set you up with Sandra, if you like,” Ava said. They’d gone for a quick dip in the ocean and now lay on deck chairs overlooking its blue splendor. “Although, I must admit that might make me jealous.”
    Charlie felt rather self-conscious in the bathing suit Ava had lent her. It was cut out high above her thighs, and the cups of the bikini top barely kept her breasts in check. She suspected Ava had given her that one on purpose, to make her a little bit uncomfortable—and perhaps to get a good look