Playing a Little by Breanna Hayse Read Free Book Online Page B

warmth.
    “It is especially lovely here in the winter on a sunny day,” Erik said, slowly reaching to release Camille’s hair from the bun. “The color reminds me of your hair during sunset. Shh, let me take it down. It is beautiful, you know.”
    Camille lowered her face as her hair tumbled over her shoulders. Erik gently ran his hand over it.
    “Over here,” Arthur cleared his throat, “is the billiards room and bar. Let’s head to the garden room where the caterers set up our breakfast. We have to go through the aviary, so watch your heads. The hummingbirds are very territorial.”
    “This is breathtaking,” Camille whispered to Erik. “Are we really going to be staying here for the filming?”
    “Yeah. It took me nearly a month to find my way around the first time I came here. There is over 28,000 square feet of living area, not counting the grounds. My only suggestion is to not go swimming in the pond. Some of Arthur’s koi can swallow you whole. Plus, it pisses him off. He loves his damn fish.”
    “That doesn’t surprise me after discovering he keeps a heated fish pond during the winter,” Camille giggled, holding her hand over her mouth in a way that Erik found very appealing. Her smile was contagious and he found himself wanting to find ways to bring it out even more. They walked down several curved stairs and into another large room that contained splashing fountains, ornamental trees, more orchids, and giant masses of ferns. Lounges and reading chairs were nestled in different parts of the garden, and sounds of quiet wind chimes echoed from behind the trees. Several hummingbirds flitted above them, diving toward the invaders with high squawks announcing their intent to guard their tiny nests.
    “Damn little birds are meaner than shit,” Arthur grumbled, ducking one. He gestured toward the adjacent room where a table was laden with fruit, Danishes, breads, and plates of Nova Scotia salmon, caviar, and smoked trout. “Please, help yourself. Just keep the aviary door closed otherwise those darts with wings will come in and stab you.”
    “I don’t know, Cam,” Stan said, accepting a mimosa from the caterer, “you will be impossible to live with if I allow you to stay here.”
    “Not to worry,” Erik laughed, sipping his. “I promise not to spoil her. Oh no, you don’t, little girl. No alcohol for you,” he said, snatching the drink from Camille’s hand. “Plain juice for her, please.”
    “That’s not fair!” Camille protested. “You can’t tell me…”
    “That is quite enough, Camille. You can have juice, tea, or water.” Erik lifted his eyebrow in return to Camille’s angry glare. Thanking the waiter, he handed her the glass and watched as she narrowed her eyes before taking it from him. Arthur and Stan said nothing, although Erik did not miss the wink Arthur offered or the tiny smirk on Stan’s face.
    Erik kept a careful eye on Camille as the details for the movie set were discussed. She frowned several times, blushed quite often, and slouched in her chair with boredom. He patted her thigh and stood.
    “Gentlemen, if you would please excuse me, but we have a very bored young lady who is eager to see the rest of this house. Camille?”
    The girl quickly stood, accepting his hand gratefully as he led her away from the room and out to the center hub of the structure. The bridges and pathways from the raised platform jutted out like spokes on a wheel and Camille wrinkled her eyebrows with a look of confusion.
    “Don’t worry, you’ll find your way around. So, are you angry with me?” he asked, leading her over a narrow bridge with delicate wooden railing.
    “More annoyed. There is nothing wrong with me having a mimosa. I get them all the time.”
    “Not with me, you don’t. You are too young to be drinking. Ah, no arguing. This is another house rule. Along with no dumping snow on my head. Last night was an exception because, besides the fact you needed to warm up after