by Alexa Aston
Cassie sat in a chair with TJ in her lap. Rhett placed the popcorn down on the table between them and offered her a mug.
“Thought you might like some hot chocolate. That’s TJ, I presume.”
Cassie took the cup. “Yum. Whipped cream. I got something sweet after all.” She took a sip. “Perfect temp. Don’t get me wrong. I love popcorn but I was a little disappointed about missing out on the gelato.”
“We’ll have to try it another time.”
TJ rose, his nose going into overtime as he leaned toward the nearby popcorn.
“No, sir, Thomas Jefferson,” Cassie scolded him. She placed her mug down and took TJ off her lap. “Go explore a little bit.”
She glanced at Rhett. “If that’s okay with you.”
“Sure. I wouldn’t expect you to keep him inside all the time. I’m sure he’ll want to check out the neighborhood and find himself a new lady.”
Cassie cocked her head at him. “Why do you say that?”
Rhett grinned. “He’s a tomcat. They always look for action.”
They munched on the popcorn, making small talk. Rhett told her he would give her the scripts to read in the morning.
“Let me be clear. I don’t want you to work on the weekends. It may happen occasionally but you’ve just moved in. You’ve got lots to do.”
“I don’t mind. I love to read, especially scripts. Manny used to get them all the time. Now mind you, they were third-rate ones since most of his clients barely registered on the Richter scale. I enjoyed reading them, though. I would play producer in my head as I did. I’d start thinking of locations to shoot. People I would cast if I had an unlimited budget. Which actors would be interesting together. I’d even start rewriting some of the scripts for kicks, seeing what I could do with a scene. It was fun.”
“Sounds like you don’t plan to be my assistant for long. I hope you’ll at least stay a week.”
Cassie laughed. “Don’t plan on kicking me out anytime soon, Corrigan. It’s only pipe dreams. That’s all I’ve had since I came to Hollywood.”
He heard the wistful tone in her voice and thought of all the talented people who arrived here year after year, most never realizing their goals. Rhett knew plenty of them were talented, from actors and writers to musicians and screenwriters. It took being in the right place at the right time. Lady Luck ruled in Hollywood.
It had certainly been that way for him. That’s why he thought he was being selfish trying to break out of the mold that made him so successful.
That—and fear.
Self-doubt plagued every actor. Each movie that came out paralyzed Rhett with fear. What if he didn’t score? A movie became hit or miss based on its three-day opening take. If it tanked the first weekend, it would stink up the place throughout its release. Each time, he was expected to hit one out of the ballpark.
If he didn’t, he could be history overnight.
“I know you didn’t dream of running interference for me when you first came here but I think we’re going to work really well together, Cassie.”
She looked at him a long moment. “I think so, too,” she said softly, those sweet lips curving into a smile.
Damn. All he wanted to do was kiss her senseless. Rhett fought against leaning across the table but his body began moving without listening to the sensors screaming in his brain for him to stop. He must have some gap in his synapses because he could feel himself slowly moving in for the kill.
Suddenly, an orange blur dashed between them, flying over the table. Rhett pulled back and watched Shep racing toward them, barking wildly. He leaped, his back paw catching on the bowl, and the table turned over. Popcorn flew everywhere, along with their mugs of hot chocolate.
Rhett and Cassie turned to watch their pets race around the length of the pool and back toward them. Without warning, TJ stopped dead in his tracks and faced Shep down. A low sound between a yowl and a growl emitted from the cat as his fur stood on end and his tail bushed out.
Shep’s ears pinned back. The dog hunched on the ground, his chin resting on top of his paws. TJ took two steps toward Shep and lashed out in one swipe, making contact with the dog’s nose. Shep never blinked.
Satisfied, TJ sat down and stared at his opponent, daring him to retaliate. Shep sat patiently, as if he took the cat’s scolding to heart. Then as if some unseen signal passed between the two animals, they both stood and trotted off together, side by side.
Rhett finally broke the silence. “If I could only train the paparazzi that easily.”
Cassie laughed. “Naturally, they stuck us with the mess.”
She bent down and began putting popcorn back into the bowl.
He stopped her. “Let me clean this up. After all, it was my dog chasing your cat.”
Cassie started to protest and stopped. “You’re on. I’m tired and I have a cook interview tomorrow at eight. Then unpacking to do and scripts to read.”
She stood. “Thanks for stopping by and watching Jolene tonight, Rhett. For giving us a place to live. And for hiring me as your assistant. I can’t believe how much my life has changed in the past couple of days. I have a swanky Brentwood address and drive a cool car—as soon as the Range Rover is up and running again.” She smiled. “Most importantly, I have the best boss ever.”
“Glad to have you on board. Good night, Cassie.”
Rhett watched her return to the gatehouse and then began picking up the mess. It was the easiest mess he could deal with right now.
He’d almost kissed Cassie. He came that close before chaos occurred. Rhett couldn’t treat her that way. She worked for him. Besides, technically he was still with Randi. That would be the first thing to remedy before he tried to sort out the rest of the confusion. The trouble was, Cassie Carroll had lassoed her boss’ heart and hadn’t the faintest clue. This was not a good situation.
Rhett vowed to straighten out his personal life and keep his hands off Cassie.
For now.
CHAPTER 12
Cassie needed to clear her head. She’d already interviewed two more cooks and actually hired one. Mimi Morgan would start on Monday. Rhett had popped in at the end of the interview and taken to the grandmotherly woman.
“I insist you call me Mimi,” she told Rhett. “That’s what my seven grandkids call me. It’s a lot better than the name my mama saddled me with. Don’t ask, either,” she warned Rhett.
It pleased Cassie that Mimi didn’t seem flustered to be working for a famous actor. Cassie went over Rhett’s dietary preferences and explained how Breck ate anything within arm’s grasp. Leo also left a sheet on the table for Cassie that morning after putting Rhett through his paces and she shared that information with Mimi, too. Cassie showed Mimi her room, which was actually a suite with a sitting room, small kitchenette, and bedroom.
“My, Mr. Corrigan thinks of everything. I know I’ll be comfortable here.”
“He’s very happy to have you. Since you’ll move in on Monday, don’t worry about providing any meals that day.”
“If you’ll handle breakfast, Cassie, I will pick up from there. I don’t have much to bring. Been downsizing for a while now.”
She laughed. “Rhett handles his own breakfast since he gets up before the roosters do. He’s got the oatmeal and cereal and fruit thing down pat. As long as lunch and dinner are covered, he’ll be fine. And the occasional dinner party that we discussed. I can do the shopping if you’ll leave me a list or you can decide if that’s something you’d prefer doing yourself. We can play it by ear.”
“I’m looking forward to this job, Cassie.” Mimi’s mouth turned down and for a moment Cassie thought the new cook might cry. “My husband died six months ago and I’ve had plenty of time to mope around. I decided it was time to get back to the living. Cooking’s what I’m best at and so I’m glad Mr. Corrigan had the vacancy.”
She had Mimi sign the confidentiality agreement that Rhett finally unearthed. Cassie insisted she and Jolene each sign one as a measure of go
od faith.
After escorting Mimi out, Cassie unpacked the last of her things in the gatehouse and got everything situated the way she liked. She’d gone to the market and done some shopping so the cupboards weren’t bare.
Jolene slept through all of this activity. Finally, as Cassie gathered up the first of the scripts Rhett had dropped off and a pen to take notes, Jolene padded into the kitchen in an oversized Led Zeppelin T-shirt and worn pajama pants.
“Glad to have you among the living. It’s almost one,” Cassie told her. “I fixed a couple of sandwiches. You’re welcome to one. I’m going to sit by the pool and tackle some reading.”
Jolene eyed the stack. “Those scripts?” she mumbled.
Cassie knew her roommate would be worthless without getting some coffee into her. She poured her a cup and handed it over. Jolene immediately sipped the brew, a contented look on her face.
“Yes. Scripts for Rhett. Why don’t you join me outside? You can tell me about last night.”
Her roommate tried to hide her smug look by focusing on her coffee. She picked up the plate of sandwiches and the bowl of grapes sitting next to them.
“Lead the way, Cass.”
Cassie grabbed bottled water for them both and they settled at a poolside table. She sat back and studied her friend. “Spill, Jo. What’s going on between you and Breck?”
Jolene smiled. “He’s a fucking dream, Cass. Tall, sexy, and smart. And he thinks I’m funny. I know I sound like Sally Field, but he really, really likes me.”
“You think?” She laughed. “You were slamming come hither lines back and forth so fast, my head spun faster than Linda Blair’s ever thought about.”
“I took your advice. I didn’t sleep with him.” Jo’s eyes lit with mischief. “I did about everything but in that sleek sports car of his. God, what a kisser. The man’s mouth is magic.”
“I gather you will be seeing Mr. O’Dell again?”
Jolene nodded. “If it were up to me, I would say every night for the rest of my life.” She paused and leaned toward Cassie. “I’m not kidding, Cass. I’ve never believed in love at first sight. I’m mean, come on, look at me. Fifteen pounds overweight and then this stud just drinks me up with his eyes. It was like being hit by a lightning bolt. I’ll never be the same again. I know I sound like some chick on The Bachelor but we had an instant connection.”
“You need to clear out. I have some important, private calls to make.”
Cassie knew whose patronizing tone belonged to the voice before she turned her head. Her gut clenched. She pasted on a tolerant smile.
“Hello, Randi. This is my roommate—”
“I don’t need to know the hired help’s name, much less the slut you live with. I like my space. Pack up and run along. I want some alone time.”
Randi dumped a stack of fashion magazines and her cell phone on the table, which overturned Jolene’s water bottle right into her lap. Randi glared at them as if they were the ones who had done something wrong.
Jolene’s eyes flared in anger as she jumped up, her lap soaking wet. Cassie knew her friend’s temper. She grabbed Jolene’s wrist and squeezed, hoping Jo would understand and not make a scene.
“You may advertise classy products, lady, but you have zero class yourself.”
“What did you say to me, you little chubbette?”
Jolene’s eyes shot daggers. “Listen, bitch. I’ve got some meat on me and men love those womanly curves. Not skinny-ass peroxide blondes sporting fake, hard as rock tits like you.”
Jolene looked Randi up and down. “And those nostrils flaring right now? I’m sure they’ve had work done, too. So back off, honey. You’ve met your match.”
Cassie knew she had a catfight on her hands. She wanted to interrupt but the nasty phrases that hurled fast and furious between the two women didn’t let up. She’d never heard that kind of language before as the two women really heated things up. It was only a matter of time before one of them took the first swing—putting her out of a job.
Suddenly, Rhett and Breck were there, pulling them apart before any blows were struck.
“Let’s go, Jo,” Breck urged. “She’s not worth it, babe. If you want to talk dirty to me, I’m definitely in the mood. Come on, Sugar Cakes.”
Jolene’s eyes narrowed as she frowned at Breck. “Sugar Cakes?”
Breck’s eyes gleamed with mischief. “It’s only because I want to lick you up, babe.”
Jolene fought a smile. “How about you dump powdered sugar all over me and try?”
They paired off, heading back toward the gatehouse. Cassie took a deep breath, embarrassed at the visual of Breck and Jolene that she didn’t want or need bouncing around her brain. Now, if only Rhett could pacify Randi so easily. Cassie turned her attention to the pair remaining.
“Did you hear what that bitch called me, Rhett?” Randi demanded.
“Yes, and I heard what you called her.”
Randi’s pout went into overtime. “Oh, Rhett. It was so awful. I hate being exposed to common people like that.”
The model was all over Rhett in an instant, clinging to him, her tongue rammed down his throat. If Cassie didn’t leave in the next few seconds, she’d be watching them having sex on the lawn.
She grabbed her stuff and hurried toward the house, not bothering to excuse herself. She would hide in her office until both couples’ hormones quit raging. Cassie was totally embarrassed by the scene. She could kill Jo for taking Randi’s bait. She could kill Randi for being such a bitch. She turned and glanced over her shoulder. Randi’s body was molded to Rhett so closely, you couldn’t see where one started and the other one began.
For some reason, it hurt like crazy to see them that way. Why?
Cassie thought back to what she’d avoided all day long. She’d tried to keep herself so busy that she wouldn’t have time to think that for a moment last night it seemed as if Rhett might kiss her. For one second, she felt that physical pull. She could imagine his lips on hers, gentle at first, then taking full possession. The moment came and went in the blink of an eye, so she was certain she’d misinterpreted things.
After all, he was her boss. Rhett was the number one box office star in the world. He had one of the hottest women on the planet in his pocket, one who had fame, fortune, and a figure that stopped traffic. What would he want with Cassie Carroll from Waco, Texas? A nobody who’d missed out on the parade in Hollywood. She would never be an actress. She would never win any meaty roles or accept any industry awards or wear jewels loaned from Fred Leighton as she traipsed down the red carpet on Oscar night.
Cassie went to the office and opened the script, grabbing a new pen. She tried concentrating on the words in front of her but she couldn’t focus. She kept staring into space, trying to remember last night.
For no good reason, she got up and looked out the window. Rhett and Randi were returning to the house. Randi was still glued to Rhett. Cassie would probably have to call the paramedics to have her surgically removed.
“Suck it up,” she told herself. Rhett had given her a terrific job and a wonderful place to live. She had a fantastic charity project to work on and could sense he would allow her a lot of freedom to accomplish it. She had finally made it in Hollywood. Not on the terms she had wished for so long ago but she was making a nice salary and had a boss who seemed to value her opinion.
Then why did she feel so miserable?
◆◆◆
Rhett rolled out of bed and decided to hit the weight room. Yesterday blurred in his memory. Randi dominated the whole afternoon with her whining and snuggling. She had to be the most insecure person on the planet. She demanded that he fire Cassie, which he absolutely refused to do. They’d had strong words about it but when Randi saw he wouldn’t budge, she’d cozied up to him.
He wanted to end things with the model but he couldn’t find a good reason why he should. It wasn’t as if he would turn around and pursue a romantic relationship with Cassie. Besides, Randi was con
venient.
Better yet, she left town early last night, after he’d finally broken down and taken her to eat at a sushi place around four. The place was off the beaten path and empty at that time, so he felt certain that their relationship was still under wraps. Randi had a shoot in Rome, followed by one in the Caribbean. She would be gone until the morning of Christmas Eve. Rhett would have breathing room for over two weeks, something he sorely needed. Maybe when Randi returned, they could have a heart to heart. He could explain that things just weren’t working between them. Knowing Randi, she’d latch on to someone else in the meantime and he would get a quick brush-off from her.
At least that’s what he hoped would happen.
Rhett went through a forty-five minute workout. He was irritable from lack of sleep. He hopped into a hot shower and then decided to grab a Starbucks skinny latte to sip while he worked the New York Times Sunday crossword. If he found women challenging, the Sunday puzzle was downright impossible.
He’d take the crossword over a woman every time.
He dressed and drove through the drive-thru for the coffee and then stopped at a newspaper stand a few blocks away. Rhett was paying for the paper when his cell rang.
It was his publicist.
“Rhett? I hate to bother you so early on a Sunday.”
“No bother, Becky. I was up at five-thirty. What’s up?”
“I’ve gotten a call that the People website will have pictures of you and Randal James dining on sushi within two hours. They wanted to know if you care to comment on your relationship with Randi.”
His mouth instantly formed the word “deny”, but it died on his lips. They already had the pictures, so it was a simple courtesy to admit to a relationship.
“Tell them no comment,” he said curtly. “I don’t want to discuss this topic again, Becky.”
Rhett had never felt more trapped in his life.
CHAPTER 13
Cassie walked over to the main house, thinking she could get used to this kind of life. She enjoyed her Sunday off, even though she’d read through two of the scripts Rhett gave her. Reading was a pleasure, though, so the day passed enjoyably.
