Acting Married (The Married Series Book 5)

by Victorine E. Lieske

  Rick continued. “We’ll have to go out in public a little so the paparazzi can take photos, but the rest of the time you can just relax on the beach and spend time with your daughter.”

  Tara took a deep breath. That didn’t sound so bad. Taking a vacation with Kylee would be nice. She willed herself to relax and not worry about it. Rick sounded like he had everything under control.

  “I own a little place on the secluded island of Lana’i. I’ll call and have it set up. We can be there by morning.” He pulled out his phone and frowned. “Crud. Phil’s been calling.”

  Tara held her breath as Rick punched in Phil’s number. “Hey,” he said, like nothing important was going on.

  Phil’s voice came through the line, hollering. “What did you do?”

  Rick made a face and pulled the phone away from his ear. Phil continued to shriek. “I can’t leave you alone for one minute. Why did you run off to a Vegas chapel? Have you been drinking? Please tell me you’re not drunk.”

  Rick scowled. “I’m not drunk.”

  “Then why did you elope? We had this all planned! You’ve ruined everything!”

  “I’ve got it covered. We were forced into the situation.”

  Phil lowered his voice so Tara couldn’t hear him anymore, but she watched Rick nod. “Yes. It was Vikki.”

  Tara glanced out the window as they sped down the highway. Nothing had gone as planned. Would Phil wash his hands of the whole thing?

  Rick kept speaking, his voice calm. “It’s okay, this doesn’t mess up our plan. No one knows we’re just doing this for publicity. We’re still on track. Everything will be fine.”

  When he hung up, Tara raised an eyebrow. “What did Phil say?”

  “He agrees that we did the right thing based on the circumstances.”

  “Wow, you got him to agree with you?”

  He poked her in the side. “Don’t act so shocked. Sometimes I do make sense.”

  Yes. Sometimes. And other times he just had a way of talking people into doing crazy things. Like this whole insane plan. Rick made it seem so logical. But in reality, she was making wild choices and acting like she never would have if she had her head on straight.

  She’d better watch it, or she’d end up doing something even worse. Like fall in love with Rick Shade.

  Chapter 15

  R

  ick spent the rest of the drive on the phone, getting things ready for their last-minute honeymoon. After he and Tara boarded his plane, he finally felt like he could relax. He changed out of his dress clothes into a t-shirt and his favorite lounge pants.

  When he saw Tara on the couch, still wearing her dress, her eyes closed, he sat next to her and nudged her awake. “Go change. You can sleep in the bed. I’ll take the couch. We’ll be taking off soon.”

  She opened one eye. “You have a bed on your plane?”

  He chuckled. “Of course.” He motioned to the back of the plane. “Go get some sleep. We’ll be flying all night.”

  “You don’t have to tell me twice,” she mumbled and picked up her carry-on, then disappeared into the other room.

  Rick put his feet up on the coffee table and made himself comfortable. Soon he’d be at his cabin on the beach in Lana’i. He and Tara. His thoughts immediately trained on her. Why was he drawn to her? If it was just physical attraction, he could handle it. He worked around beautiful women all the time. But it was something more. She was beginning to mean something more to him. And he wasn’t sure what he was going to do about it.

  He sighed and settled into the couch. Tara was too sweet, too trusting. He couldn’t let her get too close to him. He wasn’t the kind of man who could be with Tara. She’d get hurt in the end. That’s what he did. It was in his nature. He couldn’t help it. He wasn’t a family man.

  He drifted off to sleep. When the captain came on to tell them the plane was landing, he stretched and checked the time. It was around eight o’clock in the morning, Hawaii time. He had serious jet lag. Maybe he could nap this afternoon.

  Tara came out of the bedroom wearing sweats and a tank top. Her hair was sticking out in all directions, and he hid a smile. “Morning, sunshine.”

  She gave him a sleepy smile and sat next to him, her hands raised up. “Don’t look at me. I’m atrocious.”

  That wasn’t the word he was thinking. He chuckled. “We’ll have a car waiting for us when we land.”

  She buckled her seatbelt and leaned her head against the back of the couch. “Good. I need a shower.”

  Tara would be happy; there was no staff at his cabin. Just Kanye, and he was only hired to stock the fridge and drive them to and from the airport. She’d be able to make all the sandwiches she wanted.

  The airplane landed and they climbed down the steps to the asphalt. Kanye pulled up in his jeep. “Hey, Mr. Shade. It’s been a while.”

  Kanye sported the darkened skin of a native to the islands, and wore cut-off jeans and a muscle shirt. He hopped out of the jeep and grabbed their luggage. “I hear congratulations are in order.”

  “This is my wife, Tara. Tara, this is Kanye.”

  Tara shook his hand and smiled. “Nice to meet you.”

  Kanye opened the passenger door for Tara and helped her in.

  Rick climbed in back. He worried a little that Tara would think his cabin was too small. It only had three bedrooms, a small living room area, a kitchen, and an enclosed patio. The one bathroom had a shower, but no tub.

  As they drove, Tara pointed out the landscaping. “What are these bright purple flowers? They’re everywhere.”

  “They’re bougainvillea,” Kanye answered.

  “They’re beautiful. I can smell them in the air.” She continued to marvel at the view as they made their way down the road.

  They pulled up in front of the cabin. His car sat under the car port. He’d had Kanye gas it up before they arrived. Rick hopped out and unlocked the front door, letting Tara enter first. He suddenly wished he’d paid to renovate the place, like he’d always had in mind. The hardwood floors were old and scarred, and the wood paneling made the place look so dated.

  “It needs updating,” Rick said.

  Tara turned to him, a bright smile on her face. “It’s perfect.”

  “Really?” He looked around the living room. “It’s not too small?”

  Tara walked over to the stairs that led to the upstairs bedrooms. “No, it’s great. Mind if I check it out?”

  “Be my guest.”

  Kanye walked in and set the luggage down. He grinned at Rick and slapped him on the back. “Enjoy your stay.” He ducked back out before Rick had a chance to say anything else.

  Rick peered out the window and watched the jeep take off down the road. Tara came to the railing upstairs. “This is great. There’s so much character.”

  “I bought it for the view out back.”

  Tara came down the steps. “Can I see?”

  “Sure. There’s a small deck, and a trail that leads down to the beach.”

  Tara walked through the enclosed patio and opened the back door. She gasped. “Rick. This is heaven.”

  He smiled to himself. The cabin wasn’t much, but the backyard was spectacular. “I like to sit out here and watch the sun set.”

  Tara walked to the edge of the deck and put her hand up to shield the sun from her eyes. “What’s that bit of white down there in the trees?”

  “A hammock.”

  “Are you kidding me? I can’t wait to try it out. This is so peaceful here.”

  He was thrilled she liked the place. “It is.”

  She turned back toward the cabin. “I’m in desperate need of a shower. Do you mind?”

  “Go ahead.”

  “Thanks.” She headed toward the door.

  “If you want to make a list of items you need from the store, I’ll text it to Kanye.”

  Tara’s steps slowed. “Why don’t we run to the store together after I shower?”

  “Yes. That’s fine. We can go
after you clean up.” He’d just put on a baseball cap. Most of the time that worked, and no one recognized him.

  Rick changed into one of the outfits he had in his closet, and left the scruff on his face. While Tara showered, he scrounged around in the kitchen. By the time she was done, he’d cut up some fresh fruit and had the yogurt dip open and ready.

  Tara came in the room, her phone pressed to her ear. She had her hair pulled up again, and he wished she’d left it down. “Did you have a good sleepover, sweetie?” She pointed to the spread of fruit and gave Rick a thumbs up.

  He motioned for her to sit down and eat with him.

  “Which movie did you watch? That one, again?” She mouthed, ‘Poor Amanda.’

  Rick popped a grape in his mouth and took a second to admire Tara’s sundress. It had little purple flowers on it, and it hugged her curves.

  She finished up her phone call with Kylee, then hung up and set her phone on the table. Her gaze traveled over him. “What are you wearing?”

  “What?”

  “You look like a tourist.”

  “I’ll blend in.”

  She bit into a strawberry, not quite hiding her smile. “Okay.”

  “You don’t like the flowered shirt?”

  “It’s . . . bright.” She turned away from him, and he had a sneaking suspicion she was laughing at him.

  “I’ll have you know, the flowered look is very popular here.” He said it with a straight face, but he couldn’t help the smile in his voice.

  “Really?” She turned back around. “Well, I won’t lose you in a crowd, that’s for sure.”

  He laughed. “Want me to change?”

  “No way. I want to see you out in public like that.”

  Almost without thinking about it, he swiped his finger into the fruit dip and wiped it on her nose.

  She jerked back and her mouth fell open, a gasp escaping. “Oh, no. Now you’ve done it.” She dipped her finger in and he hopped off his chair before she could come at him with it.

  She leaped forward, but he was too fast and moved out of the way before she reached him. He sidestepped around the table, toward the sink. She came at him again, this time successfully smearing dip on his nose.

  He grabbed her wrists while she laughed at him. “I’m funny, huh?” he asked, out of breath from goofing around.

  “You sure look funny to me.” She grinned at him.

  He stared into her eyes, and suddenly the mood shifted. His gaze traveled down to her lips. What would she do if he kissed her? Would she stop him? Or would she allow it? It seemed as if he had no willpower to stop himself. He slowly moved closer to her.

  Her phone chimed and broke the spell. He let go of her hands and wiped the yogurt dip off his face. Tara turned around and grabbed her phone off the table. She stared at the screen.

  “It’s Bobby.”

  He picked up a napkin and handed it to her. “You’ve still got . . .” He motioned to his nose.

  She wiped it off.

  “What does he want?”

  She closed her eyes and shook her head. “He’s mad. Said something about us not holding up our end of the deal.”

  “What? Give me that.”

  Tara seemed surprised, but she handed her phone over to him. He read the text.

  I don’t like being played a fool. Your husband better hold up his end of the bargain or I’ll become the nuisance you don’t want.

  There it is. A threat in print. But was it enough to issue a restraining order? Rick doubted it. Threatening to be a nuisance isn’t much. Rick typed in a response.

  This is Rick. I did what you asked. Now leave us alone.

  His response came back quickly.

  Your agent told me to take a flying leap.

  Rick swiped his hand over his face. Crud. He’d told his agent to call. He didn’t specify what he wanted his agent to do.

  I’ll talk to him.

  You’d better. I don’t like being jerked around.

  Rick wanted to answer with something about being a jerk, but forced himself to calm down.

  I’m on my honeymoon. I’ll talk with him as soon as I can.

  Maybe that would buy him some time.

  Bobby answered back. Oh, yeah. Congratulations.

  Rick changed the screen and handed the phone back to Tara. “I took care of it.”

  She eyed him skeptically. “What did you do?”

  He sighed. “I told him I’d talk to my agent.”

  “Wait, you’re trying to help Bobby?”

  Rick folded his arms. “No. I’m trying to appease Bobby. We can’t get a restraining order until he hurts one of us, and I’d rather not have that happen.”

  She seemed to take in what he said, then nodded. “You’re right. I don’t want to risk anything happening to Kylee.”

  “Me neither.” He motioned to the table. “Are you done eating?”

  “Yes, I am, Magnum P.I. Let’s go shopping.” She tossed him a snarky grin and put the lid on the yogurt.

  He wanted to swat her behind, but kept his hands to himself. “Whatever. I’m cool and you just can’t stand it.”

  Her laughter bounced off the walls, and he couldn’t stop himself from grinning.

  Chapter 16

  T

  ara pulled a gray button-up shirt from the hanger and tossed it to Rick. The store actually had a decent selection. “Here you go. For when you want to be done looking like you lost a bet.”

  “Ouch!” He held the shirt to his chest, looking in the mirror. “You’re starting to hurt my ego.”

  She giggled and slapped him on the back. “And I thought nothing could hurt your ego.”

  He turned quickly and snaked his arm around her waist, pulling her to him. “Woman, you’re driving me crazy.”

  Tara’s heart raced in her chest. She knew he was just flirting because they were in public, and they had to act like a couple in love, but the way he was looking at her felt real. The whole thing felt . . . different than she thought it would.

  His gaze fell to her lips and he leaned down, close enough that she could easily close the distance. “I’m going to kiss you now,” he said, his voice low enough that no one else could hear it.

  Her mouth grew dry. It was all for show, but she almost didn’t care anymore. She wanted him to kiss her. “Okay,” she whispered.

  The kiss took her breath away. The way her heart beat against his chest, and how her lips tingled as he teased them with his own, she almost melted into the floor. Was this what it was like, when two people loved each other?

  She froze. Where had that come from? She wasn’t in love with Rick. Was she?

  He pulled away and looked at her, an unspoken question in his eyes. She slapped on a fake grin. “You’d better get more than one shirt if your closet is full of ‘Grandpa on a cruise’ outfits.”

  He smiled, but she could see the reservation hidden behind his eyes. “You got it.”

  Patting the back of her head, she made sure her hair wasn’t falling out of her bun. She peered at their cart and assessed the assortment of clothes she’d picked out. They should last her for the two weeks they were planning on ‘honeymooning.’ “I’ll go grab the personal items I’ll need. Meet you at the register in ten minutes?”

  He nodded.

  She practically ran to get out from under his scrutiny. What was she all upset about? She wasn’t in love with Rick. That was preposterous. She signed up for kisses in public and dancing at parties. There was no way she’d let his pretty face get to her. She wasn’t anything more than the hired help. And he was just a handsome man.

  Okay. A drop-dead gorgeous movie star. There. She admitted it. But that didn’t mean she was in love with him.

  By the time she’d gathered up a toothbrush, shower gel, and her favorite disposable razor, she’d convinced herself she was being paranoid. Stepping away from his charm had put her head on straight. She didn’t act for a living, so maybe she’d allowed herself to get into the role a bi
t more than career actors. But now she knew. She just had to keep reminding herself that this was her job for the next year.

  And that worked great until she had to stand next to him at the register and smell his fresh, masculine scent. She bit her bottom lip and folded her arms tight. This was going to be one long year.

  They paid for their purchases and she climbed into the jeep. Rick gripped the top of the steering wheel with one hand and looked over at her. “Do you want to see more of the island?”

  She leaned her head back on the headrest. “Maybe later. Right now I’m thinking a nap in your hammock sounds like heaven.”

  He cocked his head at her, a slight smile on his face. “Sure.”

  She closed her eyes as they drove to the cabin. The smell of the ocean was relaxing. After they took their things into the house, Rick opened the back door and motioned for her to go.

  He followed her outside. She peered at him, wondering why he was following her, but didn’t want to be rude. They walked down the path toward the hammock. “This is lovely,” she said as they approached the beach.

  He shoved his hands in his pockets. “I love how quiet it is here. L.A. is great, but here I can rejuvenate.”

  The hammock stretched between two palm trees right before the grass turned to sand. Tara shielded her eyes and looked out at the ocean. “I can see why.”

  “The beaches in L.A. are always so crowded. When I come here, I can clear my head and think.”

  Tara nodded, then looked down at the hammock. “How do I get in this?”

  Rick slid his hands over her hips. “Move closer.”

  She stepped toward the suspended fabric, ignoring how his hands made electricity shoot through her. “Okay.”

  “Straddle the hammock, then slowly sit down.”

  She did as he said, but wobbled. “Whoa, I feel like I’m going to fall out.”

  “Steady. Just don’t lean too far one way or the other. You kind of have to balance in it for a second, then lean back and lift your feet in.”

  She looked up at him skeptically. “Sure, easy for you to say. You’re standing on solid ground. This thing doesn’t feel too steady.”