by Alexis Anne
He scowled at me, giving me a pretty good idea of what he must have looked like when his sister shoved him on a plane. “Are you really a blonde?”
What kind of inane question was that? “Yes, I’m a blonde.”
“Well at least we can start somewhere.” He seemed to realize how crappy he was being and took a breath. “Sorry. That was a cheap shot.”
“I forgive you.” And since we were both stewing in our newfound emotional state I finally had a chance to look at him with more than shock.
He was just as tall and commanding, but now the air around him crackled with tension. The suit made him look altogether different. Those imperfections somehow seemed more pronounced, making him look out of place in an expensive suit, despite the fact it was clearly tailored to fit only him.
None of those differences mattered to my libido, however. Nope, my body responded in full force to being near him again.
Spinning head? Check.
Butterflies? Check.
Insatiable need to grab him and kiss him? Check and check.
“So your name is Lily Lawrence?” He finally asked.
“Yes.”
He stepped toward me with his hand out. “Colt Landry, nice to finally meet the real you.”
I shook his hand, hating how cold it felt. “You know me.”
“Do I?” He shook his head. “Here, let me show you to your room.” He walked away, those impeccable manners I loved so much gone. He didn’t wait for me, he didn’t hold the door. He just stalked away and waited for me to follow.
“This is the Maureen O’Hara room. She was a frequent houseguest and the room is still decorated with the same furniture. How fitting.”
From one actress to another. There was irony somewhere in this situation.
“It’s beautiful.” My room for the next four months was large and full of light, thanks to the floor to ceiling windows and doors that opened onto a terrace. A large king sized bed stood to the right, covered in a magnificent blue satin comforter. To my left was a sitting area.
His smile was tight, forcing it onto his face. “You said you were an artist.”
“Acting is an art form.” It sounded lame, even to me.
“You said you taught art at a small private school in Miami.”
I had to acknowledge that was a total fabrication. “I couldn’t tell you who I was.”
“Why?”
“Because I needed to not be me.”
“Not be you?” he gritted out. “Don’t you do that every day?”
I winced. “You’re not being fair.”
His hands fell to his sides. “You’re right. I need to process this before I say anything else. And,” he glanced at his watch, “I was supposed to be at a meeting five minutes ago. If you’ll excuse me.”
He didn’t wait for an answer. Instead he stalked out the same way he’d stalked in, crossing the grand foyer to where a man waited for him.
“Your keys and the files.” He handed over a briefcase. “Have a good evening.”
Colt nodded once, then shot a look back at me over his shoulder.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered. He heard me.
His face softened but the hurt didn’t leave his eyes. He looked back at the man. “Make sure Miss Lawrence has everything she needs.”
Then he left.
And that hole he’d made at the Westerly somehow grew larger.
CHAPTER 10
The cast and crew had a dinner that night to celebrate the beginning of filming. Despite Landry Ranch having a massive dining hall that could comfortably seat fifty, we were spilling into the adjacent ballroom.
Yes, I said ballroom.
I only thought the house looked big from the outside. Over the last three hours I’d gotten a tour and discovered it was really more of a mansion.
Colt’s mansion, to be specific. I did not see that coming. In the six months since I left him I’d imagined all sorts of scenarios. At some point I’d decided Colt owned a large farm in Iowa. For some reason California didn’t even occur to me. It was too close. Too real.
I learned Colt’s mother and sister also lived there during parts of the year, based on their own schedules. I wasn’t entirely sure what that meant, but I got the feeling his sister, at the very least, was pretty busy with whatever it was she did for a living, and that something wasn’t part of the Landry Ranch.
“Have you tried the potatoes? Oh my god. So good,” Charley gushed through a mouthful of said potatoes. She was eating for two and the spawn of Ted, so I let the talking with a mouthful slide.
“No potatoes for me. But the turkey is the best I’ve ever had.”
She shoved another spoonful into her mouth and shot me a look that said she didn’t trust people who didn’t eat potatoes.
“What?” I shrugged. “I’m eating. I’m just avoiding things that upset my stomach. Potatoes upset my stomach.”
“Whatever,” she muttered.
Someone began clanging a glass with their fork and the crowd slowly but surely, eventually, fell silent.
“We’re about to launch the best movie of the year!” Ted called from the head of the massive table.
The group cheered.
“With the best cast,” he continued. “Tonight I want to introduce you to the people who will be making The Price of Love script come to life. We’ll start with Vicky Lu!”
The crowd cheered as she stood at her seat and waved. Ted rattled off her list of accomplishments, where she trained, and a few fun facts. Apparently Vicky loved carrot cake.
He continued down the cast list, working his way up to me. He was about halfway through when Charley touched my arm. “Look who’s here.” She cocked her head toward the alcove between the dining room and the kitchen.
Colt stood in the shadows in the same suit he’d been wearing when he tore out of here hours earlier.
Charley leaned closer and whispered, “He was watching you a minute ago.”
Fuck. My heart squeezed.
Was he watching and dreaming of ways to torch my clothes? Watching and wondering what would happen if we kissed again?
God I hoped it was option two.
I in no way blamed him for being upset. I didn’t even mind the way he stormed off. He was hurt. I got it. But I really hoped he could find a way to cool down enough to at least have a reasonable conversation.
“You knew, didn’t you?”
Charley looked away and shoved another forkful of potatoes in her mouth. Well that answered that.
“We thought it was serendipity,” she said with a shrug. “A chance to meet in real life and see what happened with real names and real lives.”
I could understand the logic, but not the lies. “But why withhold that from me?”
“Because Colt doesn’t want us here as it is. Plus we couldn’t afford to lose our leading lady. We didn’t want either of you to spook.”
“And you thought putting us in an impossible situation would solve it all?” I hissed under my breath. “You two suck.”
She looked away. “It might not have been fair but it also wasn’t a purely business decision. Ted thinks Colt is good for you. He wants you together.”
“That’s not his choice.”
Ted’s voice came booming through the room. “And now for our leading lady and gentleman. Scott Kaine attended Julliard before his first big break in The Secrets We Keep alongside Callum Jones. He earned his first Academy Award nomination last year for his role in Green Grass Grows. Scott enjoys playing games with the paparazzi, golf, and pranking his on-screen love interests.” He shot me a look. “Sorry, Princess.”
The crowd tittered at that.
Scott stood and waved, laughing off the jokes of the guys who’d worked with him in the past. I liked Scott. We’d met a few times over the years and he was always one of the good guys. He enjoyed his job, he respected the crew, and he wasn’t a jerk. Plus he was incredibly hot. It always helped when the guy you were fake falling in love with was at least fun to lo
ok at.
“And now for our leading lady.”
I blushed as the entire room turned my direction. It was a lot of eyeballs to have on you at once. Especially when I realized Colt was among the eyeballs that had turned my way.
I didn’t stare at him, but I could see him out of the corner of my eye.
Hell, I could feel him. My skin tingled and the hair on the back of my neck stood up, begging for his hand to smooth it back down.
“Miss Lily Lawrence is my best friend so you’ll have to indulge me for a moment as I sing her praises. We go way back and she’s literally saved my life so that I can stand here today writing your paychecks.”
The crowd laughed again but I wanted to crawl under the table and hide. Ted was doing this on purpose. He knew Colt was there and he was taking this chance to make my case.
Except I didn’t want him to do that.
“The granddaughter of the grand dame herself, Vivian Hope, Lily has trained under the biggest names in the business, naturally. She received her bachelor’s degree in theater from Yale University. Her last four pictures have gone on to win box office and critical success—meaning she’s the one who’s going to get us all those Oscars. She is the kindest, sweetest, smartest actress I have ever met. I would have said woman, but Charley would have killed me. They’re both pretty fantastic,” he rushed to add.”
I refused to look at Colt as Ted prattled on, but Charley had no such qualms. “My god, I don’t think that man could smolder any more with an actual fire. He can’t take his eyes off you.”
I batted her away. “Stop. You’re not helping.”
She really wasn’t. She was making me so damn nervous I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to stand up when Ted eventually shut up.
“As you all probably know the last two years have been hard for Lily, but she’s weathered it like the true woman she is, with grace, poise, and a work ethic that puts everyone else to shame.” He paused and cleared his throat, which made my heart completely stop beating. I knew what happened when Ted did that. He said big and uncomfortable things. “Many years ago when we were both too young to understand how cruel life can be, Lily was there to save me. She refused to let me go. She got me the help I needed, paying for it herself. When there was no one left in my life, she was the one who stood beside me and walked through fire to make sure I survived. That’s the kind of woman she is and I can guarantee you The Price of Love is in good hands with her.”
He clapped and so did everyone else. I forced myself up to wave even though I really wanted to run away and hide. These weren’t the kind of stories either of us shared. They were private. They were—
I jumped as Charley put her hand on mine and squeezed, drawing my attention down to her. “Thank you.”
And I realized Ted had started talking about that day because of her. Charley changed him and finally made it all right for him to move on.
The only problem was that I hadn’t gotten that memo and I wasn’t particularly happy to have people witnessing my meltdown. I stole a glance toward the kitchen and caught Colt’s gaze.
If he’d been smoldering it was gone now.
Oh no. Now he had a look I knew on his face. That possessive, angry, frustrated look was back.
“And now for our host,” Ted continued. “The Landry Ranch has been kind enough to allow us to film here where the story was first inspired. Tonight we’re eating as the guest of Mr. Colt Landry, the current CEO of The Landry Corporation, the company that owns the ranch and winery we’ll be filming on, as well as the infamous Landry Museum of Art and Music. Mr. Landry took control of the company at the tender age of eighteen and has been continuing the family legacy by heading up new endowments to the arts.”
The crowd clapped and hollered with that news.
Colt looked at his feet, shoving his hands in his pockets. I knew that move. He did that when he was nervous.
“Mr. Colt Landry.” Ted held out his hands and Colt begrudgingly stood up straight, waving with a forced smile, before he strode over to shake Ted’s hand.
“Welcome to Landry Ranch,” he said simply, looking over the crowd. “This home has been in my family since the end of the Civil War and I’m honored to have the legacy preserved in The Price of Love.”
He stopped on me, locking his gaze with mine. I held my breath as I waited for what he said next.
“I’m sure you’ve all read the script so you already know what the price is. It’s pain.” He looked away. “Joe and Walt were inspired by my parent’s story and their words mean a lot to me. I can’t wait to see what you all do with it.” He gave another little wave and left the room.
* * *
“I JUST THOUGHT it would help if he knew more!” Ted followed me through the halls as I stormed away.
“You keep thinking instead of talking to me. You thought it would be a great idea to not tell me about Colt until I saw him with my own two eyes. You thought it was a great idea to tell me to give him a fake name. You thought airing my shit in front of a room of people would help.” I loved Ted but he was going to be the death of me. “Stop. Just stop. This is my life and I’ll clean it up on my own.” I spun away and finished storming into my room.
Ted followed me and slammed the door shut. “He should know.”
“No he should not!” I shouted back.
“But why? If he’s confused or hurt, I get it. We all feel put off when we find out we’ve been lied to. It’s human nature. But you have a really good reason.”
I realized Ted was never going to listen to me. He genuinely thought he knew better. “Don’t you dare tell him a damn thing, Ted. I forbid it.”
“I could slip him a few news articles. Forwarding him a TMZ report—”
“No!” I shouted even louder, hoping increasing my volume would somehow help. “I have my reasons. Can’t you understand that?”
“No.”
Well, that was at least an honest answer.
I sat down and waved Ted into the other chair. “Look, I see what you’re saying. I do. And I agree that explaining some of it might help him understand where I’m coming from.”
“Then why aren’t you doing it? You could be making out with him right now.”
Unlikely. “You can’t tell him because it will make things harder in the long run. Colt, he’s . . . well, he’s a fixer. If I tell him what I’m dealing with he’ll try to fix it. And he has his own problems and more than enough to handle. The last thing he needs is to add another problem to his plate.”
But Ted didn’t agree. “Shouldn’t that be his decision? Would I be better off if Charley had kept Evangeline a secret because I was busy getting a movie online and she didn’t want to add to my problems?”
“It’s not the same thing.”
“It’s not entirely different, either.”
“Babies are good news.”
His whole face lit up. “So is falling in love with the right person. He spoke to your soul, remember? Show him the script you wrote.” He shot up off the chair and over to my luggage.
“Oh no you don’t.” I shoved him away, grateful I’d moved my writing to a different bag. I was eventually going to muster up the courage to start telling Colt about my family. We needed to have that talk. But my writing? Umm . . . no. That was staying hidden. “Look, I know you’re trying to help, but some of us need more time.”
He dropped the bag and sighed. “I suppose not everyone can be as decisive as me.”
“Very few people are.”
“You’re all missing out.”
I turned him around and began pushing us back toward my door. “First he needs time to process, then I’ll start filling him in, if he’s willing.”
“Oh he’s willing.”
I rolled my eyes. “One thing at a time. Go home to your wife. Rub her feet.”
He mercifully left me without any more arguments, which was a good thing because I was on the verge of a headache after all that. I managed to finish unpacking but I was restle
ss.
Okay I was also hungry. Turns out I didn’t eat nearly enough once my butterflies kicked in at dinner. So I ventured out of my room to see if the fancy kitchen stocked midnight snacks.
I pushed open the kitchen door and walked right into a Colt-shaped wall.
CHAPTER 11
I knew even before I made my way up the white t-shirt that it was Colt. I knew the way he smelled, the way the air vibrated around him.
I froze somewhere between his jaw and his nose. I didn’t want to see the look in his eyes—not if it was more anger.
“Look at me,” he whispered. It was a soft plea, completely different from the frustration he felt earlier.
I shook my head.
He took my arms in his hands. Gently, but firmly. “Look at me . . . Lily.” He said it as if he were testing it out, seeing how it felt to say my real name. “You didn’t know I was a Landry?” His voice was rough, like he’d been out in the night air.
He’d heard me fighting with Ted.
I fought back the urge to wrap my arms around him. “No. I was just as surprised as you were on the stairs this morning.”
His fingers tightened on my arms. “Ted is an asshole.”
“He can be. It’s part of his charm.” Damn it all. I couldn’t stand being this close and not find comfort in his eyes—because that’s what I always felt there, even when he was mad at me. So even though I was scared shitless, I forced myself to look all the way up.
He looked tired. Exhausted, actually.
Our gazes locked. Held. And for a moment everything was right in the world. He might hate me but he also understood me in much the same way I understood him. We both had drives that fueled our passion every bit as much as it wore us down.
He must have felt it too because understanding turned to heat in a matter of moments. His eyes widened and his lips parted a split second before he released me as if I were fire itself.
“What are you doing down here?” he croaked, stepping away flustered.
“I didn’t eat much at the dinner and I couldn’t sleep.”
He shot me a concerned look but didn’t move. “Why didn’t you eat?”
