by Sarah Curtis
He thought a moment before speaking. As he’d said, Simon was observant, and Nate didn’t want anything he said giving away his true feelings on the subject. Not that he knew what the fuck his true feelings were. Victoria Lee had knocked him for a loop.
Yes, she was beautiful—thick chestnut hair that fell in layers around an oval face, big, expressive eyes that didn’t know whether they wanted to be green or blue, and a pert nose atop ruby-red, full lips—but then most in the industry were, and Nate had found, in most, their beauty was only skin deep. And yes, her beauty was what he’d first been attracted to. One look, and fuck if his dick hadn’t grown harder than it had in a very long time. But after spending the day with her—a day in which they’d barely been apart—he realized he also liked her. She was sweet, albeit a little shy, but once she’d felt comfortable in his presence and opened up, she had a dry sense of humor that was funny as hell. He’d caught himself smiling or laughing on numerous occasions all day. Something he hadn’t done in what felt like forever.
But how to answer Simon’s question? “She’s smart, efficient, had all her lines memorized, and isn’t a bitch.” Nate shrugged. “Can’t really ask for more in a co-star.”
Simon chuckled. “You’re right about that.” He took a step to pass then stopped, laying a hand on Nate’s shoulder. “You look tired. Try to get some sleep. There’s only so much makeup can hide.”
He’d said the last with a smile and Nate shrugged off his hand, teasing back good-naturedly, “Dick. You wish you looked as good as me.”
Simon laughed outright at that before disappearing into the shadows.
Nate had to admit, Simon was right about one thing. He was tired. But it was a bone-deep fatigue. A weary with life kind of exhaustion. At thirty-five, one shouldn’t feel so drained. And he felt like an ass complaining, even to himself, because he knew there were at least a million people that would give their soul to be in his shoes.
Maybe he’d feel differently if he hadn’t started so young. He’d landed his first bit part at fifteen, and his first major role at twenty-two, and since then the offers had never stopped. And he was grateful—he really was—but the sixteen-to-eighteen-hour days, the late-night parties, and yes, even the women had become exhausting. To the point where he hadn’t been to a Hollywood party that hadn’t been mandatory in almost four years.
He didn’t see a way out of it, though. That was his life. Acting was all he knew, and he was damn good at it. Most days he was happy with the choices he’d made, but he couldn’t help but wonder if there was something more he was missing. And spending the day with Victoria brought those feelings to the surface.
He stepped out of the building and spied the woman of his thoughts across the parking lot, getting into her car. He frowned, not liking the idea of her driving home alone so late at night. Then shook his head, wondering where the hell that thought had come from. He took a few hurried steps unable to fight the urge to try and stop her, but she was already driving away. A woman driving around the streets of LA in the dead of night was not safe. What if she had car trouble? Or got into an accident? He’d have a talk with her tomorrow.
Walking across the lot, he stopped at the steps to his trailer then looked toward Victoria’s parked not even a hundred feet away. He’d take a quick shower and catch a few hours of sleep in his current new home away from home.
CHAPTER TWO
Nate stepped out of the sound studio in time to see Victoria exiting her trailer and start across the lot to her car. He hesitated, but only a second, before his feet were moving her direction.
They’d had another good day with a minimum number of retakes, putting them even further ahead of schedule, and thus, putting Simon in a good mood. And a happy Simon made for a happy crew when he called the day a wrap before the sun had even set. Nate just hoped this unexpected reprieve didn’t turn around and bite them in the ass in the days to come.
He caught up with Victoria as she reached her car, and she gave him an impish smile while pressing her car remote, beeping open the locks. “It’s still light out, Dad.”
She was, of course, referring to the conversation he’d had with her earlier in the day about not driving home in the dead of night.
Smartass.
His lips quirked up, and he said, “Actually, I was going to ask if you’d like to grab a bite to eat, since, as you pointed out, it’s so early.”
He could tell he surprised her. Hell, he’d surprised himself with the offer. He watched her eyes widen and nostrils flare as she took a moment to respond.
He waited patiently. Not usually one of his strong suits, but he was finding, where Victoria was concerned, his actions weren’t anything like his norm.
“Um… Yeah, sure.” She closed her eyes and shook her head as if waging a silent battle with herself before opening her eyes again and giving him a small smile. “What I mean to say is, yes, that sounds nice. Thank you for asking.”
He raised a brow. “So polite.”
“It’s called manners,” she deadpanned.
He barked out an unexpected laugh. Not many would understand Victoria’s sense of humor, but he found it refreshing. Continuing the joke, he wiped the expression from his face, thoughtfully nodding. “Not many people with those, here in Hollywood.”
“Ain’t that the truth,” she mumbled before her expression transformed. It started with a twinkle that brightened her eyes then a small mischievous smirk pulled at her lips before a bubble of laughter escaped as if she couldn’t contain it any longer.
He found himself grinning along with her, and all because, at that moment, she was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.
Something squeezed in his chest. An unfamiliar ache he refused to give a name to. He had to force his feet to stay planted and not cross the space that separated them. He gave her a smile instead.
She opened her car door, and he felt his smile slip. “I’ll follow you over.”
He mentally shook himself for being an idiot. Of course, it was silly to drive her there then take her back, so she could drive herself home. This wasn’t a date. They were colleagues having a meal together. Nothing more. Even if, deep down, he secretly wanted it to mean more.
He shook off his crazy thoughts and forced a smile. “Great. I just need to grab my keys from my trailer.”
He emerged a minute later, keys in hand and started for his car.
“Don’t lose me,” Victoria shouted from across the lot.
Never.
≈≈≈
Nate took her to a hole-in-the-wall deli about a mile from the studio. She was hit with the smell of corned beef, mustard, and pickles as soon as they entered, making her stomach growl. How many hours ago did they have their lunch break? So many she couldn’t remember.
She looked around. The place was old. Peeling wallpaper yellowed with age and photos of celebrities—dating from the black-and-white era to present, glamour shots—covered the walls. Victoria scanned the pictures, trying to see if Nate’s was among them, but there were too many to take in as they were ushered to a corner booth.
She tossed her purse onto the seat before sitting, the stiff vinyl crackling as she slid onto the seat. Nate copied her actions from across the booth—minus the purse slinging. She was handed a menu with grease stains and questionable food smears by an older woman who wore her hair in a beehive, had blue eyeshadow on her lids, and wore bright pink lipstick. If it weren’t for the muzak belting out the current pop top forty, Victoria would’ve questioned whether she’d stepped back in time.
“Can I get you kids anything to drink?” Rose, per her nametag, asked as she pulled a pencil from behind her ear, licking the tip before scribbling something on her pad.
Victoria turned Nate’s direction with raised eyebrows and mouthed out a silent, kids?
Nate held a hand to the side of his mouth, shielding it from the waitress’s view before replying with a silent, humor her.
Biting the inside of her cheek to keep f
rom grinning, she turned back to Rose. “A cup of coffee would be great.”
“You got it, hon.”
“I’ll have the same.” Nate set his menu to the side as if coming to a decision on what he wanted.
Rose nodded, sticking her pad into the pocket of her apron. “I’ll be back in a jiffy to take your order.”
Victoria scanned the menu then set it on top of Nate’s after deciding what she wanted. She looked around the room. Only two other tables were occupied, one with an older couple and the other, a lone man sipping coffee while reading the paper.
Victoria cleared her throat before pointing out. “I know it’s not the dinner hour, but seriously, how does this place stay in business?”
“Try eating here on a Sunday morning. You’ll be waiting for hours. They have a line out the door and around the block.”
Before she could reply, Rose was back setting mugs of coffee on the table in front of them.
Pulling out her pad and removing the pencil from behind her ear again, she asked, “You two ready to order?”
“You know what you want?” Nate asked, implying she should order first.
“I’ll have the number four, eggs scrambled, bacon, and sourdough toast with extra butter on the side, please.”
Nate rattled off his order of a burger and fries and waited until Rose left before raising a brow, asking, “Breakfast?”
“I like eating breakfast for dinner and weird stuff for breakfast.”
“Like what?” he asked, taking a sip of his coffee.
Victoria shrugged, “Usually whatever’s left over from dinner the night before.”
“Ah, so you're lazy?” A smile tugged at his lips.
Victoria gasped. “I’ll have you know, it takes a lot of energy reheating food. You need to remove it from the refrigerator, put it in the microwave—”
“Chew it?”
His expression was so matter-of-fact while he sat lazily slumped, his elbow to the table, his chin resting in his palm, that she burst out laughing. “Yeah, it takes a ton of energy to chew first thing in the morning.”
He gave her a lazy smile, and her stomach fluttered. She had to remind herself this wasn’t a date. Couldn’t be a date. The last thing she wanted or needed was to get involved with a coworker. Been there, done that, and had the merit badge to prove it. No way she’d go down that road again, however tempting Nate may be.
But boy, she was tempted. Who wouldn’t be? He was one of the sexiest men alive. And she wasn’t just saying that. He’d made an actual list, five years running.
She forced her gaze away and concentrated on her spoon. Was that a smudge? Yeah, there was definitely a smudge of something on it.
“Victoria?”
She jerked her head up. Had he said something while she’d been lost in her own little world? Apparently so.
He’d straightened in his seat, forearms on the table, hands folded in front of him. He gave her a knowing smile. “I asked if everything’s okay? Any problems?”
She blinked. Had he read her mind? Then things clicked. “Oh, you mean on set.” She waved a hand. “Yes, everything and everyone’s been great.”
He laughed. “What did you think I meant?”
She blinked, again. “Huh?”
“You said, ‘Oh,’ as if you’d thought I was referring to something else.”
She giggled. Giggled! Granted, it was a nervous giggle, but still. Sheesh, she needed to pull herself together. He would think he was out on a date with a crazy person. No, scratch that, not a date.
Saving her, their food arrived. She smiled up at Rose never so happy to see another person so much in her life. “Thank you,” she said when Rose set her plate in front of her.
“Can I get you kids anything else?”
“I’m good,” Nate said then raised a brow at her. “Victoria?”
“I’m good, too. Everything looks great.”
Rose set their check face down on the table and left. Victoria picked up her fork and stabbed at her eggs, stealing a covert look at Nate while he picked up a fry and popped it in his mouth.
He chewed thoughtfully for a few seconds. “You never answered my question.”
Her fork clattered to her plate, and she hastily picked it up, stabbing at her eggs some more. “Oh, really? What question was that?”
He tried a new tactic. “Do I make you nervous?”
She snorted and choked on a bit of egg that sailed to the back of her throat.
“Here.” He handed her a glass of water.
“Thank you,” she wheezed between coughs.
He took mercy on her and changed the subject. “What made you decide to become an actor?” he asked before taking a big bite of his burger. A drop of goo fell out the bottom and landed on his pile of fries.
That, she could talk about. She shrugged. “I just knew I’d always wanted to be one. My mom was all for it. She saw I had the bug. My dad, of course, still made me go to college.” She gave him a smirk. “I majored in drama.” She took a sip of her coffee. “What about you?”
He set his burger down then wiped his hands on his napkin. “I sort of fell into it. They were filming a scene from a movie at my high school, and for the fuck of it, a bunch of us signed up to be extras. The director saw me, said I had a certain look, and gave me a line to speak. I was hooked ever since.”
“Wow. That’s a great story. You should put it in your bio.”
Nate gave a bark of laughter. “It is.”
Her cheeks felt hot, and she knew she had to be blushing. “Oops. Guess I should read it.”
He shook his head. “I like that you don’t know me. No misconceptions that need correcting.”
She chuckled and raised her brows. “What, the tabloids got it wrong when they said you joined a secret cult while filming in Spain last year?”
Now it was Nate’s turn to snort only he managed to do it without choking on his food. “Those stories are ridiculous, and it seems the more famous you become, the taller their tales grow. What amazes me is how many people believe that shit.”
“Well, just so you know, I never once believed you were secretly a woman.”
His cocky smirk appeared. “But if you’d like to make sure, I’d be happy to prove it to you.”
She hid her smile behind her coffee cup. “That, Mr. Reed, is something I’ll take your word for.”
He gave her a sly smile while picking up his burger. “Well, that’s disappointing.”
Yes, it was.
CHAPTER THREE
“And action!”
Nate’s hand cupped Victoria’s jaw, his thumb skimming her cheek. Her heart pounded with the rhythm of his strokes. The look in his eyes—the heat that entered them—had her…
Totally flubbing her lines.
“Cut!”
Victoria took a step back, losing the heat of Nate’s palm. She turned to Simon. “I’m so sorry. Can we try that again?” Only she wasn’t sure trying again would help.
They were shooting the first kissing scene of the film, and to say she was nervous would be an understatement. For the past few days she’d been all but glued to Nate’s hip—not that she was complaining—and in that time, she’d learned Nate was more than just a pretty face and that behind his gruff and standoffish behavior, lay a really nice guy.
Okay, so maybe really nice was a bit of an exaggeration as she did notice he was lacking in the patience department and tended to be short with people. And while he never yelled, it was easy to tell when he wasn’t pleased with something. But she also noticed he was always nice to her. Not once had he complained about being stuck with the new girl who didn’t know her way around. In fact, he’d gone out of his way to make her feel comfortable and at ease.
So really, could she be faulted for having a wee bit of a crush on her leading man? Could she be blamed for being anxious at the thought of kissing aforementioned crush? Not really, but it was her responsibility to make sure she didn’t miss her cue and botch her line
s.
“Let’s take five.” Simon’s voice pulled her from her thoughts.
She felt a hand engulf hers and looked up to find Nate’s gaze still on her. “Come with me a minute.”
The grip on her hand tightened as he pulled her across the studio and into an unoccupied room that had racks of clothing taking up most of the available space. He hit the light switch before shutting the door and pressing her back against it.
His hands bracketed her head as he leaned in close. “I know what your problem is.”
Victoria tried to make herself one with the door, laying her sweaty palms flat to the cool metal to keep her hands from straying to the tempting sight before them—Nate’s hips. She licked her lips before whispering, “You do?”
“Mm-hmm.” He leaned in closer, and she could feel the warmth of his breath on her lips. “Would you like me to help you with your problem?”
“Um.” Her brain couldn’t form a coherent sentence overwhelmed as it was by sensory overload.
His scent engulfed her—something musky and clean and man—making her more and more light-headed with every inhale she took. The raspy sound of his voice—part purr and part growl—caressed her ears and made things below her belt tingle. His heat surrounded her, coated her skin, warming her to her core, and left her feeling flushed.
He was so close, he was all she could see. His arms in her peripheries, their muscles straining the fabric of his shirt sleeves. His chest right in front of her, peeking through the open buttons at his collar, revealing smooth, tanned skin. The light stubble on his jaw when she tipped her head back, the hairs slightly darker than those on his head. His lips, tempting her imagination and having her conjure up all the interesting things they could do to her. And his eyes, a rich, warm brown surrounded by dark, thick lashes.
He was the whole package that flipped every one of her switches.
“Just say, yes.”
What was she agreeing to, again? Did it even matter? The answer would always be yes. She’d barely gotten the word out when his lips were on hers.
Nathan Reed was kissing her!
