by Cathryn Fox
He eased to the side and winked at her. “I never said I wanted good.” He looked into her eyes and said, “You really like your privacy, don’t you?”
“You know what? In my heart I’m just a small town girl from Texas, one who likes to keep a low profile in my private life.”
He nodded and went quiet for a moment. She wondered what he was thinking, but was hesitant to ask. He blinked, looked around the empty set, and ran his hands through his hair. “I guess my work is done here.”
She sat up. “I still have a few more scenes to shoot today.”
“I think I’ll hang around for a bit.”
“No panty shopping to do?” she asked playfully.
“No, but I do need a tie. I forgot to pack one.”
“For Saturday’s movie opening?”
“Yeah, and for the private cocktail party tomorrow night for the movie’s cast and crew.” He brushed her hair back, warmth in his eyes as they moved over her face. “Come with me.”
Before she could answer, his cell phone chirped. “Shit, I meant to turn that off for our scene.” He jumped up, grabbed his pants, and ran his finger over the screen.
“Hey, Mom,” he said a big smile on his face.
Angie’s heart squeezed as she climbed from the bed and went in search of her clothes. She needed to dress quickly and get out of there. Dylan deserved his privacy.
He turned, his eyes watching her every movement as she pulled on her skirt and blouse. “Yeah, it was great. The crust was perfect.” He nodded. “She loved it.” His mother said something Angie couldn’t hear, then Dylan said, “Her name is Angel.” He held the phone out. “My mom’s name is Carol. Can you say hi?”
“Hi, Carol. The pie was great.” She purposely left off, “the best pie she’d ever eaten.” She’d gotten her spankings last night but was still holding out for Dylan wearing the assless chaps for her.
He put the phone back to his ear, and in a soft voice he said, “Yeah, I like her, too.”
Angie’s heart jumped into her throat. Had he just told his mother he liked her? As butterflies danced in her stomach she berated herself. Of course he liked her. He wouldn’t be sleeping with her if he didn’t. But that didn’t mean he was falling for her in a romantic way.
Only problem was, she was beginning to like him—a lot. She might not have known him long, but being with him was fun. He was spontaneous, full of surprises, and so easy to be around. She’d thought he’d be just another Hollywood hot shot, but he seemed anything but. In fact, he was sweet, kind…humble…and the way he helped her through the scene and protected her afterward produced an unfamiliar fullness in her heart. Honest to God, it would be so easy to fall for him.
Get your shit together.
“I’m not sure. Probably not until Christmas. My schedule is pretty busy.” His mother said something that brought a huge smile to his face. “Doesn’t matter what you cook. I’ll love it.” A pause and then, “Okay, how about meatloaf and all the fixings?”
He probably had a private chef, yet he wanted Texas comfort food, the kind only a loving mother could make for her family. Her heart wobbled. What would she have done to have a mother who cared so much? But the thoughts of her mother reminded her she wasn’t long-term relationship material, and what was between her and Dylan was just sex. She’d be wise to remember that.
He swiped his finger over the phone to end the call. “Mom,” he said, standing to pull on his jeans. “She likes to check up on me, and keep me grounded.” He laughed. “As long as I have her, stardom will never go to my head.”
“You don’t seem like the kind of guy to let that happen, anyway,” she said, truly meaning it.
“Thanks.” He crossed the room, slipped his arm around her waist, and drew her in tight. His eyes focused on her mouth. “That means a lot to me.” His lips found hers, and he kissed her, a soft tender kiss that had her longing for things she’d long ago given up on—a husband, children, and a mother-in-law who treated her like a daughter. “Except now I’m craving meatloaf,” he said.
Just then Cameron and the crew came back in, and the two separated. “Angie, you’re needed for the next scene.”
She turned and headed for her dressing room, but felt Dylan’s eyes on her. She glanced over her shoulder, and when their gazes clashed, they exchanged a long heated look that she felt all the way to her core.
Crap. I’m in so much trouble.
Chapter Six
Dylan’s arm slipped around her waist and gave a little squeeze as they exited his vehicle and walked toward the hotel’s front entrance. Cameras flashed, but he protected her identity from the limelight. She leaned into him, loving the way he held her. Most of their lives she and her brother had fended for themselves. For once it was nice to have someone taking care of her.
They entered through the front doors and were ushered to a ballroom, where the cast and crew mingled and sipped champagne. He put his hand on her back and guided her in. A server walked by with a tray of drinks, and Dylan grabbed two glasses. He handed one to her, and she clinked hers with his.
“Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?”
She laughed and smoothed her hand over her little black dress. “Only about a dozen times.”
He ran his hand along her neck, and she noted that there was nothing impersonal in the way he was touching her. “You should be told at least fifty times.”
She put her hand on his chest. His strong heart pounded beneath her fingers. “You look pretty good yourself.”
He tugged on his tie and shook his head. “I can’t wait to get out of this. It’s really not me.”
“No?”
“No, I’d rather be in jeans and a T-shirt.” His Texas accent grew thick when he added, “I’m just a small town Texas boy at heart.”
She touched his tie. “Well then, we should get you out of this sooner rather than later.”
He shook his head and closed his hands over hers. “Keep that up, and I’ll drag you out of here right now. As much as I’d like that, I have to make an appearance.”
“Shall we mingle?”
He nodded and slipped his arm around her waist. Before they took their first step, a woman rushed up to Dylan. Tall, gorgeous, and in a dress that left little to the imagination, she put her hands on his shoulder. “There you are,” she said. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
Who was this woman and why did she have her hands all over Dylan?
He turned to the woman. “Deanna,” he said. “Nice to see you.” He tugged Angie closer in a show of possession, and it did the strangest things to her. “Deanna, this is Angie Stanton. You might recognize her from Devious Women.”
She turned her gaze to Angie and looked down her nose at her. “Oh yes. I don’t normally watch nighttime soap operas but I do know that one.” She blinked false eyelashes and said, “You don’t mind if I steal Dylan away for a moment, do you?”
He shook his head. “Deanna,” he began to protest, but she stopped him.
“Jeremy wants to see you. It’s about your contract.”
“My agent,” he said to Angie. “I’m so sorry about this. Will you be okay for a minute? It’s boring contract stuff.”
She shrugged. “Maybe I could help.”
Deanna laughed and gave her a look that suggested she was some bimbo who hadn’t the foggiest idea about contracts.
“Thanks,” Dylan said. “That’s okay. I’ll just be quick. You sure you’ll be okay?”
“I’m a big girl.”
He grinned, then the smile fell from his face. “I’m sorry. I had no intention of mixing business with pleasure tonight, but my agent can be a hard-ass.”
“Go,” she said. “I’m fine.” She leaned in and put her mouth to his ear. “And we’ll get to the pleasure part later.”
Dylan groaned, and she gave him a little shove. He hesitated and she laughed. “Go.” He reluctantly left her, dragging his feet. As she watched him weave his way through the c
rowd, she grabbed a few hors d’oeuvres. Nibbling on them, she sauntered through the crowd, saying hello and making small talk. Some of the cast even knew her from her series. Eventually, though, she found herself alone again, and searched for Dylan. When she spotted him, she noticed the swarm of women surrounding him. Her stomach tightened as they touched him, their smiles too bright, their eyes too wide.
Honest to God, this jealousy she was feeling was so not good. His eyes met hers, and he gave her an apologetic look and held his finger up to indicate that he’d just be another minute.
She continued to make her way around the room, her stomach in knots, her eyes on Dylan. Completely distracted, she accidently bumped into someone. Her champagne spilled over her dress, as well as his tux. “I’m so sorry,” she said, mortified.
She lifted her gaze to find a very attractive man with warm eyes gazing at her. A waitress rushed to him and handed him a napkin. “No worries at all,” he said, and offered her the napkin instead of drying himself off.
“Normally, I’m not so clumsy.” She blotted her dress, then she pressed the napkin to the lapel on his jacket. “I’ll get this laundered for you.”
His hand closed over hers and held it a moment longer than was normal for two strangers. “No need for that.” His smile relaxed her, and he angled his head. “Do I know you?”
“I’m sure you’ve never seen the show, but I’m Angie Stanton. I play Lauren Lipton on Devious Women.”
His head bobbed. “Of course. I love that show.”
“You do?”
“Dylan is doing a cameo this week, isn’t he?”
She nodded. “I play his love interest.”
“Lucky him,” the man said, his smile genuine. He continued to hold her hand and said, “By the way, I’m Peter Sinclair.”
“I know who you are,” she said, then shook her head. “And I can’t believe I just spilled champagne on one of Hollywood’s biggest directors.”
He laughed. “It’s forgotten.” He looked past her shoulder, then took a step closer. “Are you here alone?”
“Actually, I’m here with Dylan.” She searched the crowd and found him standing as still as a stealth soldier glaring at her. For a fleeting second she thought she caught some deeper emotion in the depths of his eyes as he watched. But then it was gone just as fast as it had come. What the heck was it? Worry? Jealously?
Surely to God she had to be mistaken. For him to be feeling anything other than physical desire for her meant… Was it possible? Did she dare hope?
But you’re not long-term material.
Another woman sauntered up to Dylan, and she recognized her as Suzanna, his ex girlfriend. She’d seen pictures of them splashed all over the papers. The woman touched him intimately, her hand on his chest. Angie focused in on Dylan but he’d shifted and she could no longer see his face. His hand closed over Suzanna’s and Angie’s heart went free-falling into her stomach.
Watching him with his ex, who looked like she wanted him back, filled her with every insecurity she’d ever had. She’d made a mistake letting herself feel more than physical desire. She really wasn’t the kind of girl who could do a brief affair.
Told you. Sometimes she hated her conscience. Needing to rein in her feelings, she took a deep breath and gave Peter her full attention.
“I was just thinking,” Peter said. “I might have something for you in my next film.”
Stomach anxious, and trying not to steal glances at Dylan, she said, “Really?”
“You’d be perfect, actually. I would love for you to come out to L.A.”
“I appreciate it, but no thanks. I’m happy right here in New York working on Devious Women.”
Peter gave her an odd look. He probably wasn’t used to being turned down.
“But you’d be perfect,” he insisted.
“Perfect for what?” Dylan asked, stepping up beside them, his jaw tight.
“I was just telling Angie here I might have something for her in my next film. I would love to get her out to L.A.”
“Oh yeah?” He looked at Angie, and she couldn’t quite read the expression on his face. What was going on with him tonight?
Peter turned his attention to a woman who’d just stepped up to him and demanded to be noticed. Before he left with her, he pulled a card from his pocket and handed it to Angie. “It was lovely meeting you. Be sure to give me a call.”
Wanting to be polite, she took the card and put it in her purse.
Dylan put his mouth close to her ear. “Want to get out of here?”
“But we just got here.”
“I need you alone.”
She tilted her head to look him in the eye. There was an intensity about him that she’d never seen before as he tightened his hold on her. “Okay.”
To avoid the cameras, they went out the back way and called for his driver. She studied his profile, and noticed the tightening of his jaw. He seemed completely out of sorts, like he was battling some internal war. Was he thinking about going back to Suzanna? What about all the other women vying for his attention tonight? The fact that it bothered her told her she was getting in too deep with him. Maybe she needed to end this now. A broken heart for a week of fun was a high price to pay.
His driver let them out in front of her building. Dylan’s strong hand closed around hers as they made their way up the stairs and into her condo, and she knew they needed to talk.
“Dylan, I—” she began, as she removed her heels.
He pulled off his tie, and before she could get the words out he wrapped one arm around her waist, dragging her to him. His lips found hers. His kiss was slow and passionate, like he was taking the time to savor every second of it.
“Bedroom,” he whispered, and started backing her up.
She touched his face, needing to talk. But when his lips found hers, her thoughts frayed and her body warmed. Maybe she’d give herself this one last time with him. When it was over, she’d gather all her strength and end it.
Once inside her room, he turned her around and slowly lowered the zipper on the back of her dress. The hiss cut through the quiet, and when his breath fanned across her bare flesh, a wave of need washed over her. He eased the silk from her shoulders and it slid down her body until it pooled at her feet. Warm hands removed her bra, and he kissed the back of her neck.
“This body,” he murmured, his hands snaking around her waist and going to her breasts. “All night I’ve been dying to get my hands on you.”
His words reminded her that this was just sex for him. Nothing more. She let her head fall back, and a moan caught in her throat as she rested against packed muscles. His hands went to her stomach, then to her hips. He turned her to face him. There was a dark intensity about him, unguarded and powerful. It took her breath away, and suddenly, as she stared into the stormy depths of his eyes, the last of her self-preservation dissolved and she gave herself over to the things she felt for him.
His eyes darkened as they moved over her face, his hands brushing hers. “I need to be inside you,” he said, his voice filled with such raw passion it squeezed the breath from her lungs.
He shrugged out of his jacket, dropped to his knees, and buried his face in her stomach, breathing her in as he slid her panties down her legs. They reached her ankles and she kicked them away, baring herself to him in so many ways. His hands circled her waist, and her pulse pounded at the base of her throat as he held tight, like he was afraid she would flee.
“Dylan,” she whispered, and ran her hand through his hair. Her legs wobbled, and he held her as he climbed back up her body. He took her hand and guided her to the bed. She fell onto it. His eyes never left hers as he made quick work of his clothes, leaving them in a heap on her floor. She trembled at the beautiful sight of him.
He sheathed himself and fell over her. She ran her nails over his back, seeking more than just his touch. His lips found hers, his strength surrounding her as he pushed his cock inside her. Tears pricked as she dug deep for
control, never wanting this moment to end.
He broke the kiss and stroked her bottom lip with his thumb, his sweet touches overwhelming her. His caress was soft, gentle, less rushed than the previous times they had sex. She followed his motion, and rose up to meet him, the two of them coming together as one. So beautiful, so right. Was this what making love was like? She wasn’t sure. All she knew was that he was touching her on a deeper level.
One there was no coming back from.
His breath was warm on her face. Her heart faltered as he took her higher and higher, until she lost every bit of herself in him.
“Dylan,” she whispered. She wrapped her arms around him, his strong body pressing down on hers. The gentle tangling of his fingers in her hair was the most sensuous thing she’d ever felt. Her pleasure spiked and his fingers clutched tighter.
He groaned. “I love when you come for me.” His breath was hot on her cheeks as he panted.
She cupped his face and, very slowly, he leaned and kissed her. Her stomach drew in tight, her traitorous heart ready to shatter at the softness in his kisses. “I love when you come for me, too.”
He looked deep into her eyes, a tenderness and vulnerability there that she’d never seen before as he came inside her.
“Christ,” he said. He buried his face in her neck as he stilled to ride out the waves. They held each other tight until the spasms stopped, then he lifted his head to see her.
A bevy of emotions passed over his eyes as he pushed her hair from her forehead and dropped a soft, loving kiss on her mouth. “You’re so perfect,” he whispered, pressing kisses to her chin, nose, eyes, and forehead.
Her chest tightened. Dylan had been nothing but kind to her and didn’t deserve a harsh brush off. An idea formed, and as she warmed to it, she settled against her pillow, drawing on every acting class she’d ever taken, working hard not to let him know her heart was involved.
Chapter Seven
Dylan jumped from the cab and darted up the stairs, barely able to keep his shit together. He wanted her. He wanted her so fucking bad, it was all he could do to get through the day. Tonight was her poker night, but she’d texted him and invited him to her place. He had no idea why she’d canceled on her friends, he was only glad that she had. There was no way he could get through the night without seeing her, touching her, making sweet, sweet love to her.
