Fighting for King (Star Studded Book 2), page 1
Gillian Archer
Fighting for King
Star Studded #2
First published by Gillian Archer 2022
Copyright © 2022 by Gillian Archer
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.
This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.
Excerpt from Reluctantly Royal by Gillian Archer copyright © 2018 by Gillian Archer
This excerpt has been set for this edition only and may not reflect the final content of the edition.
Cover design: oh so Novel
Cover photograph: LightField Studios via Shutterstock
Edited by Dayna Hart
Proofread by Crystal Blanton, Indie Authors Book Services
And Dawn Mangum
gillianarcher.com
First edition
ISBN: 9798215030950
This book was professionally typeset on Reedsy
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Contents
Fighting for King Blurb
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Breaking news from The Babbler
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Breaking news from Celebrity Skin
Breaking news from Rub&Tug
Breaking news from The Babbler
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Breaking news from The Babbler
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Breaking news from The Babbler
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
Also By Gillian Archer
Bio
In case you missed it, read on for an excerpt of
Reluctantly Royal Chapter 1
Fighting for King Blurb
The Nanny Factor! Is there something more going on between Actor Kingston Grier and his new nanny? Stay tuned…
Kingston: Who knew it would be such a challenge finding a nanny who could focus on my daughter without getting sidetracked by trying to get into my bed? I can’t even make eye contact without them thinking I’m flirting. I’m not.
Until Briar arrives, and finally we have a nanny who’s there for Zoe. But why does this Mary Poppins have to be so damn hot?
Briar: My divorce left me with more than my share of trust issues. Not that I’m looking at my new boss that way. Kingston might be a Hollywood hunk, but the guy has the personality of a potato. His daughter couldn’t be more different. One look into her doe eyes, and I am in love.
Somehow Kingston and I go from barely speaking to talking all night long. And our attraction becomes impossible to deny. Just when everything’s finally going right, intimate pictures of us are leaked and the fallout is insane. When I signed up for this job, I knew I’d do anything to protect Zoe—I just never expected how much I’d want to fight for King.
Chapter One
Briar St Clair
Los Angeles, CA
I stared listlessly at the television. A perky cheerleader type waved her arm around a dump of a kitchen, painting a picture of possibility for the potential buyers. My mom was addicted to these home improvement shows. As if my dad had time to redo the home I’d grown up in, but I couldn’t make myself care. I couldn’t bring myself to care about much anymore. I was thirty years old, divorced, back living with my mom and dad, listening to my mom plan renovations that would never happen.
I’d officially hit rock bottom.
My cell rang on the coffee table in front of me—my bestie’s name, Lyla, lit up on the display. I didn’t have the energy to answer, but I knew how tenacious she was, so I gave in and answered.
“Hey Lyla.”
“Wow, you answered on the first ring. I’m shocked.”
“I’ve learned it’s just easier to give in with you.”
“I’ve trained you well.” Lyla snort laughed.
And I couldn’t help to smile in response. My heart might feel like lead, but I could never be a hundred percent sad around Lyla. She was awesome. “So, what’s going on?”
“Right.” Lyla cleared her throat. “I know you were thinking about giving up your classroom and going a different, more lucrative route, and I think I’ve found the perfect placement for you.”
“Lyla,” I whined, and then sighed. “You know that was just talk. I could never leave my classroom.”
“There’s no way you’re going to be able to afford IVF working for the school district. You still have to pay off your student loans from your master’s degree.”
I felt a pang at the thought of my fictitious baby and the arduous fertility treatments I’d need to ever hold her. “You know that was just a pipe dream. I’ll never be able to afford it regardless of where I work.”
“Au contraire, mon ami. I’ve got the perfect placement for you. Between the lucrative wage and retention bonuses every month, you’ll have more than enough money to pay off your loans and start saving for your future IVF treatments.”
“Whose billionaire spawn would I theoretically be watching?”
Lyla hummed. “Not billionaire. Definitely millionaire.”
“I’m not interested.”
“Even if it were for a Hollywood hunk?”
I had to admit my curiosity was piqued. Still, I persevered. “No.”
“Even if it were for a certain superhero?”
I groaned. “You have to be kidding me? Kingston Grier?” I’d seen all of his movies. But that didn’t matter. I wasn’t interested. “No, Lyla. You know why I can’t.”
“Listen. You are perfect for the position. You are the only person I can guarantee won’t try to crawl into his bed. Apparently, that’s been a little bit of a problem in the past.”
“Thanks. I think.”
“I know you’re not even thinking about men after what the asshat did to you. And you have every right to feel that way. I still think we should string him up by his balls. You just say the word, and I’ll be there with mace, a winch, and some rope.”
“And that’s why I love you.” Not that I’d ever take her up on her offer. I was better off not thinking about Danny ever again. It hurt my heart too much.
“This is a live-in position, so it’ll get you out of your parents’ house. You’ll have your own bedroom and bathroom in a gorgeous house in the Hollywood Hills. And I just know you’d be perfect for the position. He wants someone educated, experienced, and stable. I can’t think of three words that describe you more.”
And it was exactly the reason Danny left me. I wasn’t sexy or exciting. I paid my bills on time. I meal planned and prepped every Sunday. I flossed. Old, reliable Briar.
“I can hear you spiraling, Bri. And you shouldn’t. He was an ass who didn’t know what an amazing, wonderful woman he had. And I know it doesn’t feel like it right now, but you are better off without him.”
I loved my bestie. Her and my family were the only things that had kept me going through this truly sucky time. And I’d sworn I was done crying. So why were my cheeks wet? I swiped at them while I tried and failed to muffle the hitch in my breath.
A dead giveaway that I was crying.
It probably killed Lyla, but she let it go. “No, I just want you to give this position a chance. It’s summer, so you don’t even have to technically give up your job yet. Just take the interview. Meet Zoe. She’s ridiculously cute. I guarantee you’ll be in love before the meeting is over. And I know you said it doesn’t matter, but you need to hear the salary.”
And then she said a number that was less than impressive.
“What are you even talking about? That’s less than I make now, and definitely not worth giving up my retirement contributions and health benefits for. I’d be better off staying where I’m at.”
“Briar, that’s per month. It’s five times what you make now. And it includes benefits,” she added.
My eyes widened. “Arrange the interview.”
And for the first time in a long time, I felt a flicker of excitement. Maybe my IVF dreams weren’t so crazy after all.
* * *
I pulled up to the gates just as my GPS dinged.
“You’ve arrived at your destination.”
I couldn’t see much from my vantage point, but judging by the other houses I’d passed, I wasn’t in Kansas anymore. Technically I’d grown up in the Valley, but it might as we
“Definitely not in Kansas anymore,” I muttered to myself as I rolled down my window and pressed the call button on the security panel like Lyla had told me.
“Yes?”
“Hi. Um, Briar St. Clair. I mean, I’m Briar St. Clair here for my interview.”
“Pull through the gates and park on the right side of the driveway. Do not block the garage doors. I’ll meet you at the door. Don’t ring the bell.”
“Oh. Okay. Thank—”
A buzzer cut me off.
Right.
I rolled up my window and watched the gates slowly open. The whole time, the list of instructions ran through my mind. Right side. Don’t block the garage. Don’t ring the bell. Was this a test?
Still, I couldn’t not obey the disembodied voice’s instructions. I’d always been a rule follower. I parked on the right side of the driveway—well away from the garage doors—and then stood on the front doorstep and waited for whoever to open the door. I didn’t recognize the voice, but somehow I doubted it was Kingston himself who’d answered the buzzer.
And I was proven right when the door opened and revealed a twenty-something guy, shorter than me who had at least five days’ worth of facial scruff on his chin. “Briar?”
“Yes, hi.” I stepped forward and offered my hand.
He shook it and offered me a smile. “I’m Adam. Nice to meet you. Please come in. Oh, but first, I need your phone.”
“My phone?” I frowned as I dug through my purse for it.
“Yeah, it’s just a security measure. Need to be sure no photos or videos are taken without King’s permission. You’ll get it back when the interview is over.”
“Um, okay.” It sounded paranoid, but I wasn’t a famous actor, so what did I know? I handed over my phone.
“Thanks for understanding. If you’re hired, you’ll sign a non-disclosure agreement and can have your phone whenever you want. But until you sign one, we confiscate at the door. Follow me.”
I tried not to gape as we walked through the gorgeous tiled entryway and past the huge floating staircase with suspended glass balls cascading around it. But when I spotted the huge, floor to ceiling windows—or folding doors maybe? I’d never been inside a house like this—and saw the view of the city beyond, I couldn’t hide my gasp. It was all right there and picture perfect. If I squinted, I could see the hazy shimmer of the Pacific Ocean. Insane.
Adam cleared his throat from the far side of the room and got my feet moving again. I smiled apologetically and hurried to his side. This time, I stayed close as he led me to a pair of sofas in the corner of the overlarge living room. That city view was still visible, since it was the entire far wall. It was mesmerizing.
But I determinedly looked away, pointing my attention at the man standing in front of the other sofa.
“Would you like something to drink? Water? Or tea?” Adam asked as he gestured for me to take a seat.
“No, thank you. I’m fine.” I set my purse on the plush yet sleek sofa and quickly sat. No way was I drinking anything in this immaculate house. Especially not anything that could stain, like tea. I was so nervous I just knew my hands were shaking. No need to attract attention to my anxiety.
I didn’t know why I was so anxious. With my lack of nannying experience, I really doubted I’d be hired. And at least this way I wouldn’t have Lyla nagging me endlessly to do it.
“…your experience?”
I blinked back into the present and the man I’d spaced out on. “I’m sorry? I missed what you said.”
Yeah, no way was I getting this job. Pull it together, Briar!
Adam cleared his throat. “I was just asking about your experience.”
“Right. I don’t have any.”
Adam made a choking sound before coughing roughly. “What? Maybe I should’ve checked your ID. You are Briar St. Clair, correct?”
“Yes, I am.”
He grabbed a stack of papers on the side table next him. “You have a bachelor’s in early childhood education and a master’s in teaching?”
“Yes, but I’ve only had the master’s for a few months. I’ve been working while doing some night and online classes for it.”
“And you’ve been working as a preschool teacher for how long?”
“Seven years. Well technically, five years at my current school.”
“And you don’t consider any of that experience?” Adam stared at me incredulously.
“I was talking about nanny experience. I’m so sorry. I’m nervous, and I was just thinking about how you’re never going to hire me because I don’t have any nanny experience, and now I’m rambling, so I think I should shut up.”
Adam laughed. “I think that’s a first for me. No one is ever nervous around me. King on the other hand…” He hitched a shoulder.
I let out a shuddering sigh. At least I wouldn’t have to worry about that. No way was I making it past the gatekeeper with the way this interview was going. “Again, I’m sorry. I haven’t been in an interview situation for over five years. I guess I’m a little rusty.”
“Let’s talk about that. Why are you thinking about leaving your current job? Sounds like you’ve been there for a while.”
“I have. I love my job. Working with kids is so incredibly rewarding. They’re so open with their emotions. You never have to wonder what they’re thinking or feeling. They’ll tell you if they’re able. It always breaks my heart at the end of the school year when they go on to kindergarten.”
“Is that why you’re looking at a change in career? More permanency with your charge?”
“I hadn’t really thought about it like that, but it would be nice. I think it would be pretty special to be able to stay with one child long enough to really see them change and grow for longer than a year or two. But um, no. That’s not the reason.”
I stopped and cleared my throat. I suddenly felt parched, but I’d be damned if I was going to ask for a water now.
I smiled nervously before continuing. “I um, teaching, especially preschool, isn’t exactly the most lucrative field. As much as I love working with children, I need to be able to pay my bills, and unfortunately the master’s degree didn’t give my salary the boost I’d been hoping for. And now I have student loans on top of my other debts.”
A prick of heat burned my eyes that I was determined to blink away. This interview was already off the rails. I wasn’t going to add crying in front of him to the list of my many sins.
“Okay.” Adam filtered through the stack of papers in front of him, pulling several of them free. “I’m going to put you through to the next round. If you’re agreeable, I’ll need you to sign our NDA.”
I accepted the papers in shock. Really? After how I’d been answering so far, he wanted to talk more? Who the heck were the other applicants?
Adam laughed at my shocked expression. “You haven’t once mentioned movies, sets, or wanting to meet Kingston Grier.”
“To be honest, I’m more curious about Zoe.” I couldn’t help but smile thinking about how cute the little toddler had to be.
“And that’s exactly the reason I think you need to meet Zoe.”
“Who are you introducing to my daughter?”
I’d know that voice anywhere.
Chapter Two
Kingston Grier
I walked into the living room and froze at the sight of the blonde bombshell sitting on my sofa. What the hell was wrong with Adam? I’d been so clear about who I did and did not want to interview. Why was she sitting on my couch?
Adam stood up with a pained expression. “King, this is Briar St. Clair. I have a copy of her resume and background check if you’d—”
“Can we speak in private? Adam?” I gritted my teeth and crossed my arms over my chest, blatantly not reaching for the papers Adam held out to me.
“Yeah. Sure. Excuse us, Briar. We’ll be back in a few.”
The blonde on the sofa nodded tightly as her shoulders hunched into her body. The smiling, confident woman I’d glimpsed earlier was gone. Now she was as still as a statue, her eyes wide.
I didn’t have time to smooth over my bad manners. Adam could apologize for me later. While showing the gorgeous woman the door.
