“I would never do that,” he said in that upper crust British accent she loved and hated so much. This morning she was in love with it again because it wasn’t too grating on her already oversensitive hearing. “And thank you for being so understanding about my fans. Not many in my life have been so welcoming.”
“I believe you. Now do you accept my apology?”
He placed the toasted bread on a plate in front of her. “I do. Eat your breakfast.”
“No butter?” she said, wrinkling her nose.
“Dry toast will settle your stomach. Now do you accept my apology?”
“I do. Wow, we’re getting this relationship stuff down. We should be in the couples Olympics or something. If we keep this up, the next year is going to be smooth sailing, my friend.”
Shaking his head, he pulled a bottle of water from the refrigerator, twisted off the cap and handed it to her. “Let’s not jinx ourselves. Now drink your water. We have a big day ahead of us.”
She almost choked on her toast. He wanted her to leave the house?
“Big day?”
“The Shakespeare tree,” he replied, rubbing his hands together with glee. He’d been talking about this goddamn tree for three days. “I’ll pack us a lunch and we’ll go later this afternoon. You’ll love it.”
He’d carried her drunk carcass over a mile from the pub with about fifty pounds of books too. The least she could do was go to the park and see this amazing, stupendous tree.
She’d smile about it too because he’d made her coffee this morning and given her painkillers. There was nothing in their agreement that said he had to take care of her when she did stupid shit.
He’d just been that sweet.
She only had one question for him.
“Nate, can you tell me how I hurt my ass?”
* * *
It was just a tree. A plain, ordinary oak tree on Primrose Hill. It wasn’t even the original tree that had been planted in 1864 to celebrate the three-hundredth anniversary of William Shakespeare’s birth. They’d replanted a replacement tree in 1964. She’d heard the entire story from Nate. Twice.
But the sun was warm and the picnic was good. Nate had packed some bread, crackers, and an assortment of cheeses. There was no wine and Paige heartily thanked whatever deity might be listening for that, but he’d packed two large bottles of water which she drank thirstily, still slightly dehydrated from last night’s antics.
“This was a better idea than I thought it would be,” she confessed after popping another piece of cheese in her mouth. “Thanks for bringing me.”
His lips quirked up. “Don’t pretend you were thrilled with the tree. Yes, even I know it’s just a tree but it’s what it represents that’s important. But I am glad you’re having a good time.”
Sighing, she spotted Maxwell Hayes striding up the hill, looking right at them. “I was having a good time. I think that’s about to go out the window.”
Nate followed her gaze and grinned. “If he doesn’t apologize, I’ll punch him right in his pretty face just for you.”
That made Paige laugh. “His pretty face? What about your pretty face? Don’t you have a play or something coming up?”
“I have a photoshoot tomorrow so perhaps you have a point,” Nate smirked. “You’ll have to punch him yourself.”
“Whatever happened to chivalry?”
Nate didn’t get a chance to answer as Max was right up on them by then. Leaping to his feet, Nate greeted his friend cautiously, his jaw tense. Paige had meant it when she said she didn’t want to cause trouble between these two but it looked like it was unavoidable. She was going to have to be the adult today.
“Hello, Max,” she said, looking up and shielding her eyes from the sun. “Would you care to join us?”
Lips twisting, he glanced at Nate. “Do you mind, mate? I’d like to speak with Paige alone just for a moment.”
Paige nodded her consent and Nate gathered up some of the paper plates and napkins. “I’ll take these to the rubbish bin but then I’ll be right back.”
Max settled on the blanket next to Paige. “Thank you for speaking with me. Nate mentioned that you two were going to be here today and I thought it might be a good venue for an apology. I’d like to say how sorry I am for how rude I was that first night. It was unforgivable and I hope you can give me another chance. I’m told I’m not a bad chap when you get to know me.”
She’d had time to think about that night. “You did it because you were worried about your friend. It’s not a perfect excuse but it’s a decent explanation.”
“I really am sorry. I can see now how happy Nate is. You two seem good for each other.”
She was shaking her head before he finished his sentence. “We’re not together like that. We’re friends, that’s all.”
Rubbing his chin, Max contemplated her words. “That’s all good, of course, but Nate does like you. A great deal. He talks about you constantly. He’s very proud of you.”
“I’m proud of him too,” she said defensively. “Doesn’t mean that there’s a romance brewing here. We’re helping each other, nothing else.”
Nothing else. Nada. Zip.
“If you say so. Nate is happy though, which bodes well for the next year. Looks like he chose well.”
It had slipped her mind that out of all the women Nate could have fake-dated he’d chosen her. It was a weird kind of honor.
“So far, so good. I do accept your apology, Max. I’m sure you’re a nice person and that we just got off on the wrong foot. Well, maybe.”
His grin was lopsided. “Maybe?”
Smiling, she spied Nate jogging up the hill. “Or maybe we’ll hate each other’s guts when we get to know each other better. At this point anything could happen. I think the most important thing is that you and Nate stay friends no matter what. I vow right now that even if you and I can’t get along that I will never stand between you and your friend.”
Coming to a stop right in front of them, Nate’s gaze darted from Max to her. “Kiss and make up?”
Laughing, Max stood and brushed off his jeans. “We made up. We thought we might save the kiss for when we’re alone. Thank you for giving us a moment. I need to be off. See you at the photoshoot tomorrow.”
Without a look backward he was off, leaving Nate and Paige by themselves. Crouching down, Nate began packing up their food.
“He’s in the photoshoot as well?” she asked, watching his retreating figure disappear in the distance.
“He is,” Nate confirmed, closing the basket with a flourish. “It’s a fashion shoot for a designer who I cannot name but you’ll be able to see tomorrow.”
A grin spread across her face. “Are you going to wear a suit?”
Damn, he looked fine in a suit.
“I don’t know. It’s up to them. Why?”
She stood so they could fold up the blanket. “No reason. What do you have planned for us tonight?”
They’d decided to see the play another time when she was feeling better. He’d given the tickets to his neighbors who had almost cried with gratitude. Apparently they were hard to get seats.
“I thought we could watch a movie or something. Even order pizza later if you’re hungry. Do you like Jurassic Park?”
Not at all. It scared the shit out of her. There were dinosaurs in a kitchen.
Creepy velociraptors. In. A. Kitchen.
“We can watch that,” she said, not voicing her fears. He was smiling like a little kid, excited about the prospect of dinosaurs and a pizza. She couldn’t harsh that buzz.
“Really?” His blue eyes lit up with joy. “Are you sure?”
“I’m positive, handsome. Dinos and pepperoni.”
For a movie star he was easy to please.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
That sentiment appeared to be patently false the next day as Paige watched Nate being fussed over by a stylist, a hair dresser, a makeup artist, a photographer, and two photographer assistants, in addit
ion to Nate’s own publicist, Garrett.
Nate was in his element, all eyes focused on him. The females flirted and he flirted right back in that smooth as silk tone that made panties dissolve. The women wanted him and the men wanted to be him and two hours into the shoot, Paige wanted to vomit. He wasn’t acting like himself. He was acting like…?
Kai.
Jesus, it hit her like a freight train going a hundred miles an hour, knocking the breath from her body. Arrogant, evil, cocky, sexy, flirty, and smolderingly hot. That summed up the Kai character and as much as Paige might love to watch the films, it was hard to watch him be that person when she knew that he wasn’t anything like that.
Probably. He was an actor and he could have been fooling her all along but she didn’t think so. Being Kai at times was necessary, she was sure. But this was a simple photoshoot. He’d played other parts, although they weren’t as well known. Was being in character so important?
She didn’t know and she couldn’t watch any longer. The sweet man she’d spent time with was long gone and she missed him. Watching this was like slowing down and rubber-necking a car accident on the side of the road. She shouldn’t watch but she couldn’t stop either. Better to go back to the house and pretend this never happened.
Standing and tugging her purse strap over her shoulder, she marched over to Nate, who was in deep conversation with Garrett. She hated to interrupt but just leaving without a word would be rude.
“Um, excuse me. Nate? I think I’m going to go on home.”
Brows pulled together, he looked unhappy with her declaration. “Leave? But why?”
She glanced at Garrett, who was watching the exchange with great interest. “This has been really interesting to see but I’ve thought of a great idea for a book and I absolutely must write it down immediately. You understand, right?”
He couldn’t argue with that, although it was looking like he was going to try. “It’s just a few more hours, love, then I’ll take you anywhere you want to go.”
“I need to get it down right away before I lose the idea,” she pressed on. “I need to go now. I’ll just take a taxi.”
One of the female assistants appeared at Nate’s elbow. “Nate, the lighting’s fixed and we’re ready for you.”
He gave her that smile. The Kai smile that made a woman feel like she was the only one in the room. Which made Paige feel like she didn’t exist at that moment. She didn’t have any right to be jealous of a girl Nate was only smiling at but she couldn’t help how she felt. She was indeed jealous and sitting here for two or three more hours sounded like cruel and unusual punishment.
“Darling, I need to get back to work. Are you sure you can get a taxi? I can call a car service.”
She didn’t want to wait. “I’m positive. I’ll be fine. Have fun and I’ll see you at home.”
Leaning down, he brushed his lips over her cheek, sending a rush of heat through her body all the way to her fingertips.
It doesn’t mean a thing. He did it because there were people watching.
“Please be careful and text me when you get home.”
She promised and hurried toward the exit just as Max was coming back in from making a phone call. “Leaving already? Is Nate’s part done?”
“I’m going to head back to the house while he finishes. I have some things I need to do.”
Max frowned and looked over her shoulder where Nate was posing in an industrial setting, complete with pipes and tools.
“Does Nate know you’re going?”
These British gentleman weren’t going to let her go without a fight. “He does and it’s fine. Have fun.”
Darting past him, she didn’t dare look back. This was her issue. Hers and hers alone to deal with. She was being petty, jealous, and she didn’t like it at all.
She was falling for Nate Mason, and her feelings definitely were not returned.
* * *
Nate let himself into the house quietly in case Paige was taking a nap. She’d been agitated when she’d left the photoshoot and he’d been worried and distracted all afternoon wondering if she was alright. She’d been checking her mobile, so perhaps she’d received bad news? He didn’t buy her story about a book idea that simply had to be written down at once. He’d seen her talk into her phone, making a recording when something for her latest novel came to mind.
The familiar tap-tap of her fingers on the keys of her laptop echoed through the house and he followed the sound up to her room where she was lying on the bed in her favorite pajamas, the computer balanced on her thighs. She didn’t hear him at first and that gave him a chance to study her when she wasn’t aware.
Fully engrossed. Total concentration.
That’s how he would describe Paige when she worked. Even in a room with the television on and him talking on his phone, she managed to drift off somewhere where the world simply melted away and time didn’t matter. Eventually she would shake herself out of the flow and look up at the clock in surprise but still seem rather proud of herself.
Right now there was a little wrinkle between her brows as she frowned at her screen. Her fingers flew over the keys and every now and then the corners of her lips would curl up into an almost smile. Writing was not a serene activity for Paige. She was right in there with the characters, feeling their emotions and fighting their battles. Joy, anger, frustration, and sadness all flitted across her expressive features one after the other and he couldn’t tear his eyes away. When she looked like this she was more beautiful than any supermodel or famous actress. Her brain was as much a part of her charms as her exterior and she had smarts in spades.
When she paused he cleared his throat. “Hello, love. I’m home.”
Looking up from her keyboard, a smile spread across her face and it felt like he’d been punched straight in the abdomen. The effect she had on him without even trying was humbling. “Hey, I didn’t even hear you. Did it go well?”
He entered the room and sat down on the chair next to the bed. “It did, although some of the clothes were a little out there.”
An unladylike snort escaped from her lips. “They were hideous but you looked good. All the fan girls will be swooning.”
The outfits were pretty awful. It was part and parcel of his life that sometimes he was dressed in clothes he thought were ugly and today was one of those times, but he’d stayed professional and tried to do his best.
“Is that why you left? You hated the clothes?”
Her gaze skittered away before coming back to rest on him. “I’m sorry about that. I know I was rude.”
Leaning forward, he rested his elbows on his thighs. “That’s fine. I was concerned though. Is everything okay?”
“I’m fine,” she assured him with a little smile. “I just needed to get out of there.”
“Because?” he prompted, holding her gaze with his own. “What happened today, love?”
Sliding the laptop onto the bed, she turned to face him, her legs crossed on the mattress.
“It was you.”
Him? What the hell had he done? They’d been getting along great.
“Can you explain, please?” he asked cautiously, looking for any signs of disgust or anger. She appeared normal and happy.
She sighed heavily and nodded. “I’m not used to this movie star stuff, Nate. It’s going to take me some time. It’s just today…you weren’t acting like the guy I’ve been getting to know. You were acting like…”
“Kai,” he finished for her. “That’s true.”
If her expression was anything to go by, she was surprised he’d admitted it. “May I ask why?”
Easiest question ever. “Because, darling, that’s what they want. Nate Mason, the man, is just a boring Englishman who likes Shakespeare and quiet evenings at home. Nate Mason, movie star, is much more exciting. He’s like Kai, dangerous and sexy. I learned the hard way last year that he’s what they really want. If I want to move my career forward I have to play the game.”
&
nbsp; “I like you better.”
The words were said so softly he almost didn’t hear them. So straightforward and to the point, just like her, and he felt that pain in his heart that he was becoming accustomed to. It was the overwhelming need to reach out but the even bigger fear of what that might lead to. So he didn’t do it. Always the coward.
“Thank you,” he replied soberly, deeply cherishing the compliment but not allowing his expression to give any of his swirling emotions away.
She plucked at the comforter, her gaze riveted by her toes. “You’re welcome. Can I ask you a question?”
“You can ask me anything you like.”
As long as it’s not something about how I’m beginning to feel about you.
“Will you tell me your side of it? You know, what happened last year. All I know is what I’ve read.”
The Incident. He hated to even think about it but it would always be there. It was time.
“I will but I need you to let me tell the whole thing before you ask me any questions. Can you do that?”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
One year ago…
Nate sipped his whiskey and relaxed back into the leather seat, watching the other partygoers. This was his first real night off in over three months and it felt glorious to be free. He could feel the beat of the music under his feet as the crush of bodies gyrated under the colored lights. He could smell the sweat and sex and booze. He’d been a good boy for too long. He wanted to cut loose and have some fun tonight. Dance too much, drink too much. Maybe even have too much sex. Celibacy was definitely not enjoyable.
Max drained his own glass and slapped it down on the table before leaning forward to speak. The music was so loud he had to either be close or shout. “I’m heading out. I told Alana I wouldn’t be late.”
Nate’s brow raised and he chuckled at Max’s worried countenance. “Is the old ball and chain cracking the whip, mate? The night is young and those two young ladies across the way have been eyeing us since we walked in.”
A Kiss For The Cameras (The Hollywood Showmance Chronicles Book 1) Page 10
