Free Center Stage (Bright Lights Billionaire #2) by Ali Parker Page B

arms across her chest. "It looks like you're plotting out something that I'd not be too thrilled to hear."
    "Really? You can't give me the benefit of the doubt? I was thinking about what kind of flowers to buy you for your birthday next week."
    "Bullshit. Spill. What's up?"
    "Nothing." I pulled out my phone and ran through a few apps like I had anyone I wanted to talk to. I rarely showed up on social media because it was overwhelming. Besides, Deza had some poor schmuck who got paid to be me online. That was a fucked up job.
    "I'm going to put you in the back of the plane by yourself if you don't tell me what's up." She reached over and squeezed my knee tightly.
    I yelped and swatted her hand away. "I'm going to put you over my knee and pop that sexy ass of yours a few times if you don't watch it. I'm not ten anymore, and you're not in charge."
    "Yes, I am." Her expression tightened as her bottom lip protruded.
    "Don't do that." I rolled my eyes as she sunk down into her seat, pouting. "Come on, D. You know I can't deny you when you get all pouty. It's so cute it hurts."
    "Tell me then." She turned in her seat and stared at me, still looking pouty.
    "I can see why Darren likes you so much. He's missing out. That bottom lip would feel so good gliding over-"
    "Never mind!" She pushed at my shoulder as I laughed. "I don't want to know that bad. Shit."
    "You're not going to like what I have to say, and you're going to shut it down before I can get it out of my mouth, so no. I'm not telling you a damn thing about my thoughts this morning. My life is the same old shit all the time. I figured out a way to liven it up a little," I paused as she groaned loudly and pressed her palms to her eyes, "and keep myself safe doing it."
    "You don't know the meaning of safe." She sat up. "Remember last summer when we were filming in the Bahamas and you went on that hang-gliding tour without checking into the company at all?"
    "That was a fucking blast. You're just salty that you didn't come with me."
    "No. I'm still pissed that you almost died, Ethan. This isn't just about your career. It's about your life."
    "Which, by the way... sucks." I straightened my shoulders, not willing to back down. "Money and fame buy you one thing. You wanna know what it is?"
    "Happiness?" She gave me a sheepish grin.
    "Right. Try again. Loneliness."
    "You're choosing that life because you refuse to trust anyone's intentions, Ethan. Not every woman is after your money or your man-beast." She glanced down at my lap. "Some of them might actually love you."
    I snorted. "That's rich. They can't love me, Deza. They don't know me. They've watched me wear a million masks. Why am I the only one that gets this? Right, because it's my life."
    "Tell me what you're thinking about doing, and I'll support it if I can."
    "You don't. I promise." I moved toward the door as we pulled up to the hangar bay where the plane sat ready for us to take off.
    "I will try. Just tell me. Trust me." She gripped my arm and softened me with the look on her face. She cared about me without a doubt, but part of that care was her overprotective side that drove me batty. I was a grown-ass man. I didn't need someone taping bubble-wrap around me every goddamn morning. It was getting old, and so was I - alone.
    I got out of the car and walked to the back to pull out my luggage. The driver looked a little surprised when I refused his help and lugged the large suitcase out on my own.
    "Ethan. Please?" She took her bag from me and walked on my left as we approached the plane. "Please."
    "Fine." I turned to face her as we stood at the bottom of the stairs. The plane opened the door for us, and I lowered my voice just in case. "Riley and I were talking about how hard it is to travel and not have companionship. It's one thing to sleep with someone you know and take your chances, but to do it with a stranger in another country or some crazed-ass fan... it's just getting old, D. Okay?"
    "What did you guys decide