Tinseltown

by Stephanie Taylor

  Deb eyed the empty window seat next to her. She should have known. Even being a recognized actress, she never got to sit alone on a plane lately. She started to entertain the idea of buying her own plane.

  “Scoot,” he said. “I like the aisle seat.”

  “Your ticket is apparently for the window seat. I’ll keep my seat, thank you.”

  “Deb, come on, we’re supposed to be making an effort here,” he pleaded with innocent eyes.

  Stay strong, she told herself. “You can start by not issuing orders and expecting me to follow them just because you like something.” But she vaguely remembered the orders he’d issued on their wedding night and the bliss it had brought. Oh, the bliss.

  She shook her head, forcing the memory away.

  Zach grimaced. “Okay, look.” He lowered his voice as he glanced over his shoulder. His mouth hovered near her ear as he bent over her, his closeness intoxicating her. “I get really air sick if I have to sit in the window seat. Can we please switch so I can keep my dinner down?”

  Deb eyed him a moment, trying to figure out if she believed him. But a quick glance around told her she better make her decision quick. People were starting to stare. “Sure, but keep in mind, first class or not, if you throw up on me, you’re sleeping in the doghouse in my parents’ backyard.”

  Zach grinned. As he crawled over her, he whispered, “Sure thing, wife.”

  She glared a hole through him, but he simply leaned his head back against the seat and rolled it around to look at her. “What? Have you changed your mind about your parents finding out?”

  “No. I intend to tell them we’re in a relationship.”

  “Good.”

  “But this is on my terms, Zach. And we’re not sleeping together,” she told him quickly.

  “Is your family one of those old-fashioned types? I mean, do they not know how you were conceived?”

  “No, they just expect me to respect myself, and I think sharing a bed with you would be the utmost disrespect.”

  His jaw clenched. “I guess we’re off to the right start, huh? You already hate me. Can you imagine what it’s going to be like when we’re eighty?”

  “I don’t hate you,” Deb said sweetly. “I just don’t like you.”

  “Either way, how are we going to convince your family we’re together if you can’t stand me?”

  “Oh, cut the crap, Sparks, I know you don’t like me either.”

  “Actually,” he said and held up a finger in front of her face, “I liked you quite a bit until I realized how much you played me.”

  Deb’s mouth fell open in surprise. “I didn’t play you!”

  “Oh, come on.” Zach laughed. “Everyone saw it. If I hadn’t been so enthralled by how pretty you are, I would have seen it too. Then we wouldn’t be in this mess. I would have played the game too.”

  They looked at each other for a long while. All anger was erased and her lungs felt like the wind had been knocked out of them. She really had liked him, but he was the one playing games, not her. “I didn’t play you, Zach.”

  Waving his hand in dismissal, he leaned his head back and closed his eyes. “Tell me about your family,” he said just as the plane taxied down the runway.

  Miffed at his abrupt change in subject, she glanced at him, but his eyes were still closed.

  “My mom is the one you’ll love the most. Her name is Marie. She’s beautiful, doesn’t look a day over thirty-five and is the sweetest thing you’ll ever meet. My dad is the strong and handsome type—”

  Zach chuckled. “Something tells me I won’t see your dad as handsome.”

  Deb smiled despite herself. “Maybe not, but he is. His name is John. My brother—” She cleared her throat from emotion at thinking about her brother. “My brother, Eric, is the eldest of the two of us. He’s thirty. He’s married and has two kids, Jesse and Elizabeth.”

  Deb felt Zach eyeing her. He could no doubt see the tears in her eyes she fought to hide.

  “You must really love your brother.”

  She smiled hesitantly, wondering whether to tell him of Eric’s disability but decided against it. It didn’t mean anything to her family anymore that Eric was in a wheelchair. Zach would see Eric soon enough and make his own decisions. “He’s a special man.”

  Continuing, Deb told him about every member of her family and their personalities. When she finished, she looked at him.

  “Where is your family?”

  She saw a wall go up behind his eyes as he looked away. “They’re dead.”

  Deb found her fingernails overly interesting. “I’m sorry.”

  Zach shifted away from her in his seat. “I’m not. I think I’ve had all the small talk I can handle for one day. I’m going to try to catch a nap before we land.”

  Nodding, Deb turned away, confused, and looked out the window, trying to enjoy the sunset as she floated on the clouds.

  * * * *

  Zach stood next to Deb on the front porch of her parents’ home, freezing his tailbone off. The outside was decorated tastefully with wreaths and clear lights. On the doorstep, ice had formed, making it difficult to stand.

  “Why don’t you just ring the doorbell already?” He grabbed the railing as his foot slipped.

  Deb shot him an irritated glance as her finger hovered over the doorbell. “They don’t know we’re coming yet. I didn’t tell them. Tonight is their annual Christmas party for all their friends, and I didn’t want them to worry about me flying in or picking me up from the airport. And you’re with me.”

  Looking over at her, he saw fear in her almond eyes, and it dawned on him how truly awkward this must be for her. If she told them her job was at stake, she would risk embarrassment in front of her close-knit family. He understood all too well the need she felt to keep both her career and her family.

  If she told them they were together, they would be forced to be around each other and act like the married couple they were, kissing and touching, which appalled her. Not to mention the other man she loved…

  Just the thought sent a chill down his spine that had nothing to do with the weather. He hoped for the man’s sake he didn’t run into him while he was here.

  Inside, he could hear the tinkling laughter of people gathered for an evening party. The faint aroma of cider reached his nostrils.

  “From what you tell me they’ll be thrilled to see you. Come on, it might not be much comfort but this will be awkward for me, too.”

  He slid over to her at the end of the railing and took her forearm, urging her toward the door. Just as they stepped forward, they both lost their balance and fell. Zach turned so he caught the brunt of the fall, Deb landing on top of him.

  The breath whooshed out of his body and his mouth hung open for air. The surprised look on Deb’s face was too much. Finally air filled his lungs and he gasped, laughing instantly.

  Deb’s sweet voice followed his. “Oh…my…goodness…this is so… classic!”

  He couldn’t say anything. Instead, his smile faded and he watched as Deb laughed. Her face was so full of happiness. Before the wedding in Vegas, this had drawn him to Deb the most — the wonder which filled her inside and out. She never seemed to be in a bad mood, except for when he was around, and she always looked on the bright side.

  He had watched her talking to fans at a television show appearance once, and her patience had amazed him. She spoke to each one of them and asked questions. He bet if he asked her, she’d remember every one of them too.

  When her laughter died, a moment passed between them. Her eyes were full of fire and potent desire.

  She braced herself to get up, but he touched her cheek. Despite knowing he would meet her wrath, he had to taste her. But she didn’t pull away when he lifted his head to touch her lips with his.

  Instead, he thought she might meet him halfway. It wasn’t a kiss of need or passion. It became one of exploration, meant for nothing more than enjoyment. Feeling her spread against the length of him rem
inded him why he was so hungry for her.

  Abruptly, he pulled away. He couldn’t let this get out of hand on her parents’ front porch. Paparazzi were probably hanging around somewhere anyway. “Something tells me that’ll make things more awkward between us, huh?”

  Deb smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Probably.”

  “Did it gross you out to kiss your husband?” he asked half-heartedly and helped her roll off him. He tried to ignore the perfect way in which they fit. It wouldn’t do him any good to think about physical things right now.

  As they stood, she looked at him and he could tell she was about to be brutally honest. “Yes, and you better not do it again.”

  He shrugged and gave her his most charming grin. “I promise I won’t unless you ask me to.”

  Her laugh sounded forced. She shook her head as she carefully hobbled over to the front door and rang the doorbell, holding onto the brick for dear life. “Zach, it’ll never happen.” She hesitated a moment then bit her lip just before she asked, “Have you thought about whether or not you’re going to ruin my life?”

  Eyebrows drawn, he didn’t understand what she meant until the door flew open and a woman who looked to be Deb’s identical twin sister squealed and grabbed her into a big bear hug. He barely heard Deb call her Mom and he realized she hadn’t been kidding when she said her mother didn’t look a day over thirty-five.

  After the grand hug, Deb stepped inside and motioned for Zach to enter. “Mom, this is, um, this is Zach Sparks, my…”

  He understood the circumstances of wanting the people around her to love her and be proud. There was no question about how to handle this. Stepping inside the massive foyer, he took Marie’s hand, kissing it smoothly. “I hope you don’t mind my intrusion, ma’am, but I didn’t want to spend the holidays without Deb.”

  Zach wasn’t a stranger among women. He could tell he’d just charmed the pants off Deb’s mom, but then his words registered and the look of shock widened her eyes. Catching the look of gratitude on Deb’s face, he sent her a wink, hoping to alleviate any remaining fears. She smiled tentatively and allowed her mother to usher them into the living room, or rather a room so big it reminded Zach of the ballroom where he and Deb had become engaged.

  “This is a beautiful home, ma’am,” he said, placing his hands on Deb’s shoulders and kneading the tension he felt there. Surprisingly, she didn’t move away. He felt her lean back against him momentarily then, as if catching her slip, she sidestepped him and sent him a look of warning.

  “Please, call me Marie,” Deb’s mother said. “Hopefully you’ll feel comfortable enough before too long. John!” she called across the room. “Deb’s home early! And she brought her new boyfriend!”

  It was enough to make Zach grimace. He had always thought the term boyfriend was so… juvenile. He preferred lover, or mate or… husband. He certainly wasn’t a boy and he didn’t like being called one. It brought back far too many thoughts of his childhood.

  A man made his way through the crowd and took Deb in a hug, much like Marie. Zach felt decidedly uncomfortable watching so much affection. He was just glad it wasn’t aimed at him.

  John extended his hand and shook Zach’s heartily. “I’m John. Nice to meet you.”

  “Zach. It’s a pleasure.” Zach took in John’s thinning hair, kind smile, and short stature. He was exactly the kind of man he’d expected.

  He could see the approval in John’s eyes at his firm grip and strong shake.

  Zach and John waded through the crowd, most of them situated near the refreshments. A few couples danced across the floor. It wasn’t a huge party, but big enough that Zach felt a little uneasy. Normally he was right at home with a crowd, but there was something about knowing part of this crowd was his family. Somewhere along the way, Deb and John drifted away, talking to other guests, and Zach meandered over to the corner, where, he hoped, no one would recognize him. He could tell this was going to be harder on him than he had anticipated. He wasn’t a family guy.

  Pushing his thoughts aside, he took a good look around for the first time. The white and black marble floors gleamed, and he could see everyone’s reflection dancing. A massive mahogany fireplace blazed to his right, decked out in larger-than-life stockings. An even bigger Christmas tree, at least twelve feet tall, stood in the corner topped with the biggest bow he had ever laid eyes on. While some might find it gaudy, it reminded him of something he might have read about in Christmas Story or Gone with the Wind, although he’d never admit to reading the latter.

  Across the room, a winding mahogany staircase disappeared into a landing holding several doors, which he assumed closed off the bedrooms.

  He found a seat by the fireplace to warm up and studied his reflection in the floor. He didn’t want to seek out Deb’s face. His pain was still too fresh for him to feel the rush of love he felt for her every time she looked at him. Each time she came near, it reminded him of her rejection and how it cut him deeper than anything else in his life. But he would never admit it to her.

  Ever.

  “How long have you known Deb?”

  Zach looked up into Deb’s father’s face and smiled as he sat down next to him. “Since we started filming a few months back, but I knew about her through mutual friends and the press.”

  Although he never truly met her until they were on the set of Letting Sparks Fly, he had devoured every piece of information about her when it was available. He admired her work and her ability to step into a character’s world. She was not only talented but so beautiful it made his heart ache.

  “She’s a special girl. I know you recognize that if you’re here with her.” John’s gaze drifted to his daughter, and Zach couldn’t help but seek her out. She stood alone like a diamond in a bed of coal. Her laughter met his ears as she chatted with an older woman.

  Zach wasn’t a sappy kind of man. In fact, he considered himself pretty hardcore, so when Deb showed an interest in him too, he had been anxious when feelings he never knew existed stirred to life. He wasn’t the kind of man who fell in love, or so he had thought, but he didn’t like all the mushiness and sweetness he felt. It was foreign to him.

  “Speak of the devil. Here she comes.” John nodded and walked away.

  “Hey, I couldn’t find you.” Deb sat next to him. He looked up when her fingers laced through his.

  “Just trying to keep a low profile. Your dad kept me company for a few minutes.” His gut performed a familiar tumble. He hated that feeling.

  “Hard to do around here. Especially after my mom announced you were my new boyfriend, huh?”

  “Yeah,” he agreed hesitantly. “Just steer us clear of the mistletoe under the entryway.” He pointed at it and she smiled.

  “Mom and Dad put it there every year. It’s tradition, so you won’t be able to avoid it forever.”

  “I’m not the one trying to avoid it,” he mumbled, looking away. He held fast to the anger of her rejection, trying not to let those blue eyes and pouty lips sway him to make a bigger fool of himself.

  “Would you like to dance? Dad is salting the steps so we can get our luggage in, so we’ve got a few minutes to ourselves.”

  Shocked, he looked at her. Her face held no trace of amusement and when she stood and tugged his hand, he realized she was serious.

  Lovely. Nothing I want more than to hold you close and be reminded of what I can’t have. “Sure,” he said, half-smiling. Looking into her eyes, he saw sunshine dancing there, even though the only lighting in the room was the Christmas tree. “Looks like you’re having a good time,” he observed.

  Christmas music, something by Jim Brickman, played over the speakers. The piano music gave him goose bumps but he could think of nothing more beautiful to dance to.

  “It’s always good to be home. Christmas at home has always been my favorite time of year, and it doesn’t hurt you’re good-looking and my ex-boyfriend is standing right over there watching us and turning green.”

 
; Zach didn’t dare look over. He might be the one turning green. “You think I’m good-looking?” he asked, focusing on the one nice thing she’d said to him since Vegas, ignoring the rest of her sentence.

  Deb rolled her eyes. “Of course, but that doesn’t mean I’m falling for all your charm… or rather lack thereof.” She gave him a flirty smile and pulled him forward as she walked backward. He knew she was only acting for the Ex, and he hated falling for her act. If he was, he knew the Ex was about to implode. If he wasn’t, he was a fool.

  “Deb, I’m not sure this is a good idea,” he warned, tugging her to him and into his arms before he embarrassed himself. He kept his eyes averted from the direction she kept glancing to, so he wouldn’t be forced to take out his aggression on the Ex’s skull.

  “Why not?”

  But the panic in her voice and the smell of her amazing perfume, all vanilla and warm, told her he would, indeed, make it work. “Never mind,” he said. “I have an idea.”

  “What?”

  “It might be beneficial for Ex over there to see how hot we are for each other.” He pulled back to look at her. Her cute little turned-up nose stood defiant.

  “We aren’t,” she insisted.

  He leaned forward, letting all his desire for her burn, knowing she thought he was only putting on a show, when in fact he was so hard he could barely shuffle his feet in pretense of dancing. He pulled her hips against his to show her his need. “No?” he whispered. “Then it shouldn’t be a problem.” If she wanted to use him to make someone jealous, he was going to reap the benefits.

  “You’re taking advantage of me again,” she warned and pulled away slightly.

  “Actually, I think it’s the other way around since you wanted to dance to make your ex jealous. By the way, is this the guy you’re in love with?”

  Deb closed her eyes on the end of a deep breath then fluttered them open. “Yes. But go ahead and kiss me.”

  But he could see the disdain dancing in her eyes and held back.

  “I’ll wait until the right moment,” he said. He’d catch her off-guard and kiss her when she least expected it. That way Ex would be able to see their true attraction for each other and not something forced. He wouldn’t be a problem afterward because no one would mess with what they had. At least, he told himself that. The true reason was he was dying to taste her again after their kiss on the porch. The Ex had nothing to do with it.