Mending The Billionaire Movie Star (MacLachlan Brothers Romance Book 1)

by Bree Livingston

  He pulled the car over. “You and Tom went there together?”

  “Yeah. Our car broke down, and we decided to explore before we called for help. I know this is the place because of that.” She pointed to a funny-shaped tree.

  “Are you sure you want to go there?”

  She hated that she’d shared such a beautiful place with such a horrible man. “Not really, but you need to see it. It’s breathtaking, and there was no one around when we found it. I want to replace my tainted memory with a great one.”

  His doubtful expression quickly changed to a look of relief. “Okay.”

  The camera crew followed them through the forest, and half a mile later, they came to a clearing. It was as beautiful as Penelope remembered.

  A waterfall cascaded down rocks covered in moss into a large, clear body of water. The vegetation was green and lush. Yellow hibiscus, bird of paradise, and succulents ringed the entire area, along with palm trees of varying heights. The place was alive with colorful singing birds flying overhead and sitting in the trees. It was an oasis within an oasis.

  Penelope watched Angus as he looked around. His mouth hung open as he took in the scenery as if in awe. She loved the joy she saw on his face.

  “It’s beautiful. Absolutely incredible. I’ve visited Maui plenty of times, and I’ve never seen this.”

  “It is beautiful. I will warn you; sunscreen is a must. The water is clear, and the sun reflecting off of it will burn you to a crisp.”

  He caught her gaze and grinned. “Is that sage advice from experience?”

  “Yes. I hurt for three days, and that was right after we got here.”

  “I didn’t bring any sunscreen. I didn’t think we’d be outside very long.”

  “I did.” She pulled a travel-sized bottle out. “It’s very light. I don’t like the feel of heavy lotions on my skin.”

  “I’ve noticed you don’t wear much makeup.”

  “Mostly because I’m allergic to it. There are a few things I can wear, but I’m hesitant to try new stuff because it makes my eyes swell most of the time.”

  “If I’d known this was here, I’d have brought swim trunks.” He found a rock close by and perched on it. “The water is so clear it’s like glass.”

  “Which is why you need sunscreen.” Penelope poured out a bit and applied it to her face. When she tried to hand it to him, he shook his head.

  “I hate putting the stuff on. I always miss a spot. I’ll stay in the shade.”

  “Do you want me to put it on?”

  “Sure.”

  She stood in front of him as he turned his face to her and closed his eyes. For a moment, she studied his face. “Your freckles are like a dusting of cinnamon,” she said as she began applying the sunscreen. Her stomach fluttered at the thought of kissing them.

  “Why are you staring at me?” He kept his eyes closed.

  “I think that’s obvious.” Penelope finished with the sunscreen and lightly ran her fingertips across his lips.

  His eyes opened, and those icy blues locked with hers.

  She skated her fingertips across his forehead and into his hair. “You can’t fall in love in a week.”

  His lips twitched into a smirk. “Naw, you need at least two weeks.”

  The fear of another heartbreak gripped her for a moment before she shoved it away. Angus wasn’t Tom.

  Penelope draped her arms over Angus’s shoulders and skimmed her lips across his. She loved the taste of him. The feel of him against her. How his cologne would linger on her clothes after they’d talked for a while.

  Again, she brushed her lips across his. His breath tickled her skin and sent chills down her spine. She nuzzled his neck with her nose, when he cupped the back of her head with his hand and then pulled her into a deep kiss.

  She knew there were cameras and they were filming. The desire to care drifted away with each soft kiss. All she wanted was him. The world could burn for all she cared.

  Time slipped away until, breathless, she pressed her forehead to his and held his face in her hands. “I am terrified of you. You’re like a black hole pulling me in. It’s a war every time I’m with you.”

  “I could say the same about you,” he whispered.

  Penelope kissed him as he said the last word. Her heart was already at risk. The war was over. She couldn’t…wouldn’t call it love, but it was far beyond like or infatuation.

  * * *

  Vincent was waiting for Penelope as she entered the interview room. Her date with Angus was magical, and she’d already shared as much of it as she wanted.

  “So, how was your date with Angus? You looked pretty cozy.”

  Heat crept to her cheeks. “I care about him.”

  He chuckled. “That’s pretty obvious. Are you okay sharing him with Zora, Amber, and Jeanie? I mean, we do have several weeks of filming left.”

  Penelope folded her hands in her lap as she let her gaze drop to the floor. “I want Angus to be happy. He loves acting, and if this show will give him that, then that’s what I want. No, I’m not thrilled sharing him, but there’s not much choice.”

  Vincent nodded. “That’s a pretty noble position to take. So, if he kisses them, you’ll be okay with that?”

  Were they trying to get a rise out of her or something? How could she answer that? Angus said he wouldn’t kiss them and…despite herself, she trusted him. She lifted her gaze to Vincent’s. “I honestly don’t think I’ll have to worry about that, but if he does, it’s part of the show.”

  The man’s eyebrow slowly rose to his hairline. “Even after he said he wouldn’t?”

  She tilted her head. “I’m not sure what you’re trying to do here. Are you trying to upset me in the hopes that I’ll say something to hurt Angus? He’s a good man with a responsibility to the people working on this show. I’m not so selfish to think it’s all about me.” She stood and stomped out, heading straight to her room.

  Angus wouldn’t kiss them. She knew he wouldn’t, but it didn’t stop those old fears from rising to the surface. Only, this time, they wouldn’t take root. Angus was different. The way he held her, kissed her, and looked at her was different. He cared about her, and he wouldn’t hurt her.

  Chapter 36

  Angus lingered in bed. It was good to be back in Montana, but he couldn’t keep his thoughts from returning to Maui and his day with Penelope. Whatever spark was between them had turned into an uncontrollable fire.

  They’d spent part of the day at the waterfall, talking, laughing, and enjoying each other’s company. Then they’d grabbed lunch and had a picnic, complete with a few thrown plates. He hadn’t wanted the day to end as they’d finished with a talk on the beach. Technically, their day hadn’t been over, so her request to stop their beach talks didn’t apply since it was still part of the date.

  He’d never felt so complete. He loved her smile, her laughter, and her contagious joy. She fit—not just in body, but in spirit. Penelope made him happy.

  The realization gave him peace. It had been so long since he’d been genuinely happy. His face hurt from smiling so much. The angry, broken man he’d been was officially gone. It felt as if he’d shucked a concrete weight off his shoulders.

  A light tapping came at the door, and he grinned. “It’s open.”

  When Amber peeked in, he wished he’d checked who it was first. “Hi.”

  Angus stood and walked to the door. “Is there a problem?”

  “Oh, no problem.” She squeezed inside and shut the door behind her. “I thought maybe I’d make up for my temper tantrum in Hawaii. I’m sorry I was so grumpy.”

  “It’s okay.” He tried to open the door, but she blocked him.

  She pouted. “Could we talk just a moment?”

  Angus lifted an eyebrow. “The door needs to be open.”

  “Why? Isn’t the point of the show to get to know us?”

  He knew her well enough. She was a variation of Clara and didn’t care about him at all. “Aye. I ca
n do that with the door open.” He tried to open the door again.

  Amber hugged him tightly around the neck.

  “This isn’t the way I want to get to know you,” Angus said.

  When she tried to kiss him, he pulled her arms down and held her back so he could open the door. As he stepped out, he locked gazes with Penelope walking down the hall from her bedroom in their direction. He hoped she didn’t think anything had happened.

  Penelope gave him a quick grin and a knowing look.

  A flash of anger crossed Amber’s face, and then she smiled sweetly. She flung her arms around Angus’s bicep and looked at him. “Thanks, I had a wonderful time last night.”

  “Amber, I stopped playing high school games long ago.” Penelope continued on down the hall as though nothing had happened.

  Angus gritted his teeth. He stepped into his room and turned on Amber. “You do that again, and I’ll send you home.” He slammed the door in her face.

  With the door shut, he fumed. If Penelope had believed her, he’d have lost her and her trust. Penelope may have thought it was only her heart in jeopardy, but it wasn’t. He belonged to her.

  Clara was a mistake he’d made, knowing it was a mistake. He’d thought she’d change and love him, but she didn’t. He’d held out hope long after it should have dried up. Clara was a vicious woman who was never going to change. His family had hated her and warned him. Not listening had cost him more than he ever thought it would.

  Penelope was the polar opposite of Clara. Her beauty was more than just a pretty face. She was kind, caring, loving…all the things Clara could never be. Penelope was the one. He’d have confirmation when his mum and brother arrived later that day.

  The women didn’t know it, but their families would be arriving in the next couple of hours. He’d get to meet Paige. Pretending to socialize with Amber and Zora’s families would be exhausting. Since he enjoyed Jeanie’s company, he figured her family would most likely be pleasant as well.

  At the moment, he needed a shower. He turned the water on and undressed before stepping in, hoping the tension in his neck and shoulders would ease from the anticipation of seeing his family. It had been a year because he’d been too ashamed to face them after all the bad press.

  It didn’t take long to realize the tension wasn’t going to abate until he saw his family. Angus toweled off, dressed in a t-shirt and jeans, and stepped out of his room and into the hall, coming face to face with his oldest brother, Duff, and his mum.

  “Angus!” Duff grabbed him around the waist and hefted him up.

  Where Angus was tall and fit, Duff was short and stout. It took years to stop calling him Teapot. He’d bested Angus on more than one occasion when it came to games involving strength, though, pole tossing being one of them. Duff set him down and pulled him into a bear hug.

  “I should’ve known you’d be early.” Angus grinned wide.

  He’d missed Duff. Well, he’d missed all of his family. He’d begged for them all to come, but Pop didn’t like to travel. The row Angus was having with Taran didn’t seem to be ending anytime soon, and Rory had stayed to help with the farm.

  “And should I not have come since I’m not worthy of a hug?” Angus’s mum teased.

  Angus hugged her and kissed her cheek. “I’ve missed you.” Her hair was grayer than he remembered, but it only enhanced her beauty.

  She laughed. “You’ve missed my cooking.”

  “I can’t miss both?”

  They moved their reunion into the great room where the rest of his family waited.

  “Rhona?” Angus asked. Duff’s daughter and son had shot up since he’d seen them last.

  His niece turned her face up to him.

  He grinned down at her. “You’re so grown, lass. What are you, sixteen?”

  Rhona rolled her eyes. “I’m six, Uncle Angus. You know that.”

  “He’s teasing,” said Kyle, his twelve-year-old nephew.

  “Does Pop have you working the grounds yet?” Angus asked Kyle.

  “Aye, but I don’t mind.”

  Angus ruffled his hair and picked up his niece as Duff’s wife, Annis, hugged him.

  “Oh, Angus, look at you. You’re skin and bones,” Annis said.

  “Naw. Fit as can be.”

  “Put it to the test?” Duff’s eyes glittered.

  Angus shook his head and laughed. “Naw.”

  Zora, Jeanie, and Amber walked in, and Angus introduced them to his family.

  Jeanie seemed genuinely interested in his kin, which wasn’t surprising. She and Rhona hit it off pretty quickly. Even his mum seemed to like her. Jeanie’s warmth was a stark contrast to Zora and Amber.

  Amber and Zora put on a great show. Although, with the way Amber fidgeted with her fingers, she appeared uncomfortable, or at least Angus thought so.

  Zora’s posture was relaxed, making her look at ease. She struck up a conversation with Annis and Kyle. They’d bark with laughter from time to time. Kyle looked starstruck. Angus could understand. Zora was a beautiful woman and charming…on the surface.

  All he needed was Penelope, and the introductions would be complete.

  “She’s outside somewhere,” Zora said as though she was reading his mind.

  “Right. I forgot about the doorway at the end of the hall.” He turned to his mum. “I’ll introduce you to Penelope Cooper later.”

  The entire group sat in the great room chatting until Barb poked her head in the front door and grinned. “I’ve got a surprise.”

  And surprised they were. Zora smiled, Amber squirmed, and Jeanie gushed.

  An elderly woman, the spitting image of Zora if the woman was thirty years younger, trotted over and embraced her. “Isn’t this exciting?”

  “Uh, this is my grandmother, Joan, on my mother’s side,” Zora said to the group.

  Amber’s father shook Angus’s hand firmly and seemed genuinely pleased to be there.

  Jeanie’s sister, Nan, and her sister’s new baby, Gabby, had been invited to visit. The baby was sweet and garnered much of the attention from everyone.

  Barb stood to the side the whole time. She cleared her throat, and everyone quieted down. “I know you guys are excited to see one another. There are cars outside that are ready to take you to lunch so you can continue catching up. If you’ll follow me, you can get started.”

  Angus hung back with his brother’s family and his mum.

  “Aren’t we having lunch too?” asked Rhona.

  “Aye, but we’re staying here.”

  The women and their visitors poured out of the door, and when it opened again, Penelope walked in. Angus brightened for a moment and then narrowed his eyes.

  “Uh, I was told someone would show me where my sister is,” she said.

  “Paige, right?” Angus asked, stepping forward to shake her hand.

  Penelope was right about her. He could tell by the way Paige held herself that she was a completely different woman than Penelope. He’d have still chosen Penelope. Something about Paige screamed mischief, and he’d had plenty of that.

  “Yes.” She smiled brightly.

  “I think she’s out on the back patio. Let me take you to her.”

  Chapter 37

  Penelope sat on the back patio. Amber’s attempt to ruffle her by implying she’d spent the night with Angus hadn’t worked, but she still didn’t want to be in the house with her.

  “Penelope?”

  She looked over her shoulder, and her eyes widened. Her sister walked out the door, followed by Angus and several people she’d never seen before. “Paige? What are you doing here?”

  Paige balled her hands into fists and set them on her hips. “They said I could visit, and so I am. This place is awesome.” She pointed her thumb behind her. “And holy cow, is he gorgeous or what?”

  “Paige!” Penelope’s cheeks warmed.

  Angus walked closer with the others in tow. “I’d like to introduce you to Penelope Cooper and her twin sister, Pai
ge.” He grinned and then introduced his family to them.

  Once the introductions were over, Angus focused on Penelope. “We’re having a chef cook for us. Would you two like to stay, or would you rather go out?”

  Paige hooked her arm in Penelope’s. “What do you think, sis?”

  What should she say? Did she remain at the lodge and introduce Paige to Angus or go out and still have to make the introductions? The band-aid was coming off. Might as well rip that sucker off now rather than later. “Uh…well, they’re filming, but it’s your call.”

  Paige narrowed her eyes, and then they widened, and she gave Penelope a goofy grin. “I think we’ll stay here. I think we should eat inside, though, because it’s freezing out here, and I don’t think that fireplace will be enough to keep all of us warm.”

  “Aye.” Angus locked gazes with Penelope. “Let’s get lunch.”

  Angus led the group inside, and they gathered in the large formal dining room to the right of the kitchen. The film crew was already set up, hovering in the corners of the room.

  Angus’s brother was animated and funny. Several times Angus and Duff spoke to each other so fast she wished closed captioning was provided. Their relationship contrasted Penelope’s relationship with Paige.

  Duff and Angus were comfortable with each other. Penelope and Paige were like two pieces of sandpaper rubbing together. Penelope’s relationship with Paige took work, whereas Duff and Angus’s relationship seemed natural and easy.

  Angus’s mother, Muireall, was kind and gracious. Her hair was peppery-gray mixed with the same hue of classic red as Angus’s. Muireall was beautiful, and Penelope could see a lot of her in Angus. They shared the same face shape and heart-shaped lips.

  Angus took a seat at the head of the table while Penelope sat to his right. Rhona took the chair next to Penelope, with Muireall sandwiched between her and Kyle. Duff sat to Angus’s left next to Annis.

  Paige settled in next to Annis. She seemed to fit right in by the way she and Annis were talking. They laughed loudly several times, and their conversation seemed lively.