“When can we meet again?”
Jade slipped from his lap.
“Thursday?”
Two days. Garrett ran through his schedule. No night shoots. In fact, the next month would be routine. He was free whenever she was.
“Why don’t you let me pick the place?”
“No,” Jade said. She picked up her purse before putting her hand on the doorknob. “This is fine.”
“Will you tell me why? Why here?”
Jade opened the door, looking at him over her shoulder. The lights from the parking lot were harsh, making Garrett squint. Her face was completely shadowed.
“According to the gardener, it’s where everybody rendezvous.”
Before Garrett could respond to her outrageous statement, Jade firmly closed the door. He rushed to the window, making sure she was safely in the cab and on her way.
The gardener? Really? Garrett shook his head. There had to be more to that story.
There was.
CHAPTER SIX
THURSDAY NIGHT COULDN’T come soon enough. He kept looking at his watch, fidgeting. He willed the long-winded backers meeting to end. No one seemed to notice his restlessness — except Wyatt. He was grateful his brother kept his observation to himself.
In the same borrowed car, Garrett drove through the streets of L.A. He purposefully left home early. He didn’t want to risk Jade arriving before he did. They spoke that morning. And the morning before.
With the arrangements for their second rendezvous in place, Garrett hadn’t known if she would continue their daily calls. He was very pleased when, exactly at ten, his phone rang.
As conversations went, it was generic. Strictly vanilla. If anyone tapped the line, he would have been bored to tears. Garrett wasn’t anyone. He was the man Jade Marlow propositioned. She wanted his help. She wanted to be guided back to the sexually living. Was he nervous? Sure. A little. He didn’t take it lightly. Was he confident he could give her what she needed? Damn straight.
What Jade didn’t know was how much further he planned on taking her. She would never describe his lovemaking as nice. Pleasant? Why bother? When he was finished, neither of them would be able to think straight. Then, he planned on starting all over again.
That was for later. Right now, he was taking it slow. For the next few weeks, Garrett Landis was a fucking snail.
The motel had not undergone a miraculous transformation in forty-eight hours. It was still dingy and run-down. In the corner, by the broken ice machine, a drunk urinated on the door of unit seven. Unlucky for some.
Garrett, as he had the other night, collected the key wearing dark Wayfarers and a Dodgers cap pulled low. The night manager, if that’s what he was, seemed uninterested in the celebrity status of his customer. TMZ would pay a tidy sum to find out who Jade Marlow was meeting. And where. Toss in the name Landis, the man could name his price. Luckily, he was more interested in Family Feud and his bag of Cheetos.
Garrett signed in. John Smith. He couldn’t resist. Cash was accepted — preferred. He gingerly took the key from his orange-stained hands, and then made his way to the unit at the far end of the parking lot.
Once inside, Garrett set the backpack he brought with him on the table. Not a speck of dust. Someone took pride in her work. There was no way to turn this sow’s ear into a silk purse, but the cleaning person made an effort. Knowing he and Jade were unlikely to contract typhus was the only thing that kept him from insisting they move to a different location.
Taking off his sunglasses and cap, Garrett went through the same routine as the last time. Air conditioner on. Lights out. Curtains pulled tight. This time, though, when he sat to wait, he faced the door.
Garrett settled back. To pass the time, he ran through the script changes he wanted to make before starting his next movie. The screenplay was solid. The best to come his way. However, solid did not mean perfect. The writer seemed amicable to work with him. The tweaks he wanted to make were minor, yet intrinsically vital to the flow of the story. It could be the difference between a good movie and a great one.
The speech the female lead made halfway through the film was running through Garrett’s head when he heard the sound of a car pulling to a stop outside the door. Standing, he put one finger on the edge of the curtain giving him a sliver to look through. He was just in time to see Jade slide from the cab.
As though sensing his gaze, Jade managed to keep her face averted while she paid the driver. Not that it would have mattered. She wore a large, floppy hat with her hair tucked inside. The brim drooped over her profile. When he was certain she was safely delivered, Garrett retook his seat.
“Have I kept you waiting?”
“No.”
She didn’t voice an objection when she saw him facing her. Was that progress? Or did she realize the room was too dark for it to matter?
“I was delayed.”
She removed her hat, shaking her head. Long tresses tumbled down around her shoulders. Garrett inhaled sharply. Jesus, that was sexy. All done in silhouette, he felt as if he was watching a crazy kind of peep show. It teased glorious images, just out of reach, and then never delivered.
One day soon, he promised himself, Jade will trust you enough to turn on that light. Until then, he would remain a shadowed voyeur. Not the perfect arrangement. For now, he could live with it.
“Anything serious?”
“Hmm?”
Jade ran her hand through her hair, arching her back. The image, along with her deep, husky sigh, shot straight to Garrett’s dick. Crazy libido.
“Jade. Honey.”
“Yes?”
“You are so damn sexy.”
Jade froze. Slowly, her head turned toward him.
“Are you making fun of me?”
“What?” Garrett asked. Was she crazy?
“Then you’re being kind,” Jade whispered. “I’m about as sexy as a limp rag.”
“Then I have a limp rag fetish of which I wasn’t aware,” Garrett said. “Right now, I’m hard as a rock. Not the first time, if you recall.”
“You should see your doctor about that, Garrett. Getting excited over a walking bag of bones is not normal.”
“Fuck that,” Garrett shouted. He regretted the outburst immediately when Jade flinched. What was wrong with him? She needed delicacy. Jade wasn’t there five minutes. He was shouting and mentioning about erections. Smooth.
“Don’t shout at me, Garrett,” she yelled back.
Jade gasped, her hand going to her mouth. Garrett jumped from his seat. He took one step, ready to comfort her, when he heard something that froze him in his tracks. Her laughter. Not brief or subdued. The sound was… joyous.
“That sounds good.”
“It feels good,” she told him. “I can’t remember the last time I laughed like that.”
“When was the last time you yelled at someone?”
“Years.” Jade laughed again. This time with a bit of sadness. “My therapist assured me my backbone would return. Eventually.”
“I like her.” Garrett wanted to send the woman a roomful of roses. Whatever she was doing, it was helping Jade find herself.
“I needed to trust the person.” Jade cocked her head to the side. Even though he couldn’t see her eyes, he could feel her gaze. “I knew you wouldn’t hurt me.”
“Not all men hit, Jade.”
“No,” she nodded. “My father uses words instead of fists. It’s a different kind of pain.”
Garrett didn’t know how to respond to that. He wasn’t going to throw platitudes at her. Or threaten her father with bodily harm, tempting as the thought was. When she wanted to talk, he would listen. Right now, he had something else in mind.
“Let’s eat.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Food. I had an early lunch. I’ve been so busy. I didn’t have time for anything since. I’m starving.”
Garrett unzipped the backpack, pulling out the containers stored inside. On the way here,
he stopped at his favorite takeout place for hamburgers and French fries. It seemed like a safe choice. Plenty of ketchup and mustard. A couple of Cokes. The last covered bowl was for later. A surprise.
“I’m not hungry, Garrett.”
“Then keep me company,” he said as he removed the lids.
The smell of greasy goodness quickly filled the room, making his mouth water. He told Jade the truth. It was long past his usual mealtime. What he didn’t tell her was he deliberately skipped dinner. He wanted to eat with her.
“Sit.”
There were two chairs in the room. The one he used while waiting for Jade, and the one he held out for her now.
“I’ll wait over here.”
She tried moving toward the bed. Garrett stopped her. Taking her hand, he gently tugged until the chair was behind her. Then he pushed.
“There,” Garrett said, satisfied.
His eyes were used to the dark room, enabling him to see well enough to eat. And see Jade’s shadowed face. If she would look up.
“Sure you won’t join me?” he asked, waggling a French fry at her.
Jade slowly raised her chin. Her eyes didn’t meet his; they were fixed on the fry.
“Are they hot?”
“And salty.” Garrett let it hover over the pool of red sauce on his plate. “Ketchup?”
“Please.”
Garrett made a quick swoop, and then held his hand out. When Jade tried to take the French fry, he pulled back.
“Open up.”
“Bossy,” Jade said, smiling slightly. She opened her mouth.
“What do you think?” Garrett asked, watching her eyes close as she savored the mouthful.
“That is the best French fry ever.”
“Everything tastes better when you eat with a friend. Want another?”
Jade shook her head. “I want a plate full.”
Grinning, Garrett loaded a paper plate with fries and ketchup.
“Burger?” He waved the still wrapped sandwich under Jade’s nose.
“Is it plain?”
Garrett drew back in horror.
“Don’t insult me or Alf. He makes a bacon cheeseburger so fantastic, cows bow in reverence.”
He could tell Jade was tempted. After a moment, she said, “Maybe a bite?”
“Wait.”
Garrett rummaged around in the backpack. He pulled out a single candle, setting it on the table between them.
“Garrett…” The worry in her voice made him hesitate. Was he doing the right thing? Was he pushing too hard? Too fast? He would leave it up to Jade to decide. If she protested, he would pull back.
“Trust me,” Garrett said as he struck a match. “Everything is better by candlelight.”
Jade blinked, her eyes wide — vulnerable. A man could drown in those eyes.
“No,” Garrett whispered. “Don’t turn away, Jade.”
Tentatively, Garrett lifted his hand, then hesitated when Jade’s eyes widened. To his relief, she didn’t flinch. Instead, she jutted her chin out almost daring him. His touch was gentle — almost a caress — turning her face toward him and the flickering light.
“Your skin is like fine silk,” Garrett said. He ran his thumb over her cheek.
He now knew why she was reluctant to show him her face. Gaunt, he supposed was the word. Alarmingly so. Yet what Garrett saw didn’t make him want to turn away. He wanted to gather her close so he could protect her from a world that put the sadness in her large, expressive eyes.
“Our fries are getting cold,” Jade sighed. Her face turned toward his hand, giving the palm a soft kiss before she pulled back.
“So they are.” Garrett swallowed. That kiss. That small gesture moved him more than he could say. Almost as much as the thank you, he saw in her eyes.
They made small talk for the rest of the meal. Garrett was happy when Jade ate a third of her hamburger and most of her French fries. Conversation helped. She didn’t have time to think about what she was putting in her mouth when Garrett entertained her. Location shoots were a breeding ground for hilarious anecdotes.
“You did not fall into a portable toilet.”
“Not in, as much as through,” Garrett chuckled ruefully. It was funny now. Then? Not so much. “When you work with actors known for pulling practical jokes, sometimes you become collateral damage.”
“That must have been…”
“Disgusting,” Garrett finished for her. “Crap, urine, and blue… dye, I guess. Whatever that chemical is they use in those things. After that, I made sure we rented the environmentally friendlier toilets. Once you’ve walked around for a week looking like a mottled Smurf, you never want that to happen again.”
Jade smiled. Really smiled. Garrett decided his discomfort had been worth it.
“Did you ever discover the toilet saboteur?”
“Sure,” Garrett nodded. “Benjamin Larson.”
“Oh, come on,” Jade gasped. “Now I know you’re kidding me. Benjamin Larson? He’s a Shakespearean legend. I saw his Hamlet last year when I was in New York. He was brilliant.”
“He was,” Garrett agreed. “On stage, he is as serious as a heart attack. Off, when he is passing the time on a movie set, he acts like a crazed three-year-old hopped up on too much sugar. And speaking of sugar.”
Garrett cleared away their plates, putting them and the leftovers in a plastic bag. Then, giving Jade a spoon, he opened the last container.
“Pudding.” Jade’s eyes grew wide, the hazel turning almost green.
“Chocolate. My parents’ cook makes the best — bar none.”
“You remembered.”
“Surprised?” Garrett took her spoon, scooping up a bit of the creamy dessert.
“You’re a busy man,” Jade said with a shrug.
“In other words, the men in your life have not paid attention to your likes and dislikes.”
Again, Jade shrugged.
“Want to know what I think?” Garrett held the spoon out.
“What do you think?”
“Take a bite, then I’ll tell you.”
Jade stared for a moment, long enough for Garrett to wonder if she was going to refuse. Finally, she opened her mouth. He held her gaze while her lips closed over the spoon
“Mmm,” Jade sighed. “That is much better than the instant stuff.”
“Instant? Sacrilege.”
“Well?” Jade asked.
“Oh right. I think you need to hang out with a better class of man.”
Before she could comment, Garrett offered another bite. Then another.
“Aren’t you having some?”
“Thank you for offering.”
Before she could pull away, Garrett covered Jade’s mouth with his. The kiss was brief. But memorable.
“Sorry.” Garrett’s smile wasn’t the least bit remorseful. “I couldn’t resist.”
“How was it?” she asked with a touch of unmasked anxiety in her eyes.
“The pudding? Delicious.”
“Oh,” Jade whispered.
When she tried to turn away, Garrett kissed her again. His tongue outlined the shape of her lips, teasing — asking for entrance. Gradually, Jade opened her mouth. Satisfied, he ended the kiss.
“However, the kiss?” Garrett whispered back. “Addictive.”
Against his better judgment, Garrett took Jade in his arms. This time the kiss was no tease. Take it slow became take it all. Not that he forgot what Jade had been through. One indication his actions caused the slightest distress, he was ready to end the embrace. Before he formed the thought, Jade kissed him back with a passion to equal his own.
Oh, boy, Garrett thought. Stopping now was going to be murder. He would stop. He sank deeper into the kiss. Soon.
“Tell me to stop.” Garrett said the words against her lips.
“No.”
Garrett groaned when Jade wrapped her arms around his neck, practically crawling onto his lap. Being good would be so much easier if Jade didn�
�t taste like chocolate-coated sin. He was at his breaking point. Well, maybe just a little longer.
“Jade,” Garrett sighed. “Honey, we need to stop. Now.”
Summoning the last thread of his willpower, Garrett gently disentangled Jade’s arms, setting her back on her chair. Her moist, parted lips looked so inviting he almost pulled her back. The vulnerability in her eyes steeled his resolve. Too much, too soon was not a good idea. He wasn’t an out of control teenager with raging hormones. He wasn’t controlled by his erection. However, at this moment, it was an extremely close call.
“You want me to help you? Trust me to know how far to go. How fast to go.” Garrett didn’t want there to be any misunderstandings. If they were going to do this, he was in charge.
“I feel ready. Achy.”
“Me too.” He smiled. Jade seemed surprised by his admission. “Men get achy too.”
“I know,” she said. “I didn’t know they stopped. Especially when the woman is willing.”
“I’m not a caveman, Jade. I won’t jump on you, grunt a few times, and then pass out while still on top.”
“It hasn’t always been that bad.” Jade played with the edge of a crumpled paper napkin. “I’ve had lovers who made some effort.”
“Spare me the details.” Garrett wasn’t in a sharing mood. Even if it happened before he knew Jade. “I will say, some effort, is the definition of damning with faint praise. Lord, save me from any women describing my love-making in such a manner.”
“Take me to bed. Now. I promise I will you praise to the sky.”
“Damn straight you will,” Garrett told her. “But not tonight.”
“Next time?”
Jade asked the question with such earnestness Garrett had to laugh. He couldn’t fault her eagerness. He planned on feeding it with patience. Building anticipation. For them both. She needed a gentle hand. He needed… Jade.
“We’ll see how it goes,” Garrett told her. “Better a little at a time. Now, when can we meet again?”
THE NEXT TWO weeks followed a similar pattern. Work during the day, Jade at night. Not every night. Sunday, Monday, Friday. Missing three days was his fault. Something that couldn’t be avoided. He had a job where people depended on him to show up on time and be productive. Movies didn’t make themselves. It was Garrett’s baby. Neither his crew nor his backers cared about what was going on in his love life.
Dreaming With A Broken Heart (Hollywood Legends #1) Page 8
