Fire and Temptation

by Melanie Shawn

  Shayne’s nerves were bouncing around like tennis balls in a dryer.

  “Do you want to sit down?” Evan extended his hand toward the living room.

  “Sure.” She took in the inviting atmosphere as she walked to the opposite end of the room. There was a large, leather couch, a love seat, and a recliner that looked worn and comfortable. On the far wall hung a large flat screen, and several plants that looked to be thriving. She couldn’t keep a plant alive if her own life depended on it.

  She’d decided to go for the recliner in the far corner in the hopes that the further journey would buy herself some time so she could get control of her nervous energy. It hadn’t worked. She was more nervous than ever.

  After setting her purse beside the chair, she turned and saw that Evan was still standing beside the couch wearing an expression that was unreadable. Her eyes searched his for some kind of a clue if he was happy to see her or not. She looked for hints as to what he felt about her unannounced arrival. No dice. He was the Fort Knox of Emotions.

  His ambiguity just made her stomach spin faster and her nerves jump with greater intensity. She bit the inside of her mouth and wrung her hands in front of her as she lowered into the recliner.

  “You can do this,” she whispered under her breath.

  “What?” Evan asked.

  She shook her head. “Nothing.”

  “Are you okay?” he asked patiently.

  “No.” She hadn’t meant to say that and stammered to correct it. “I mean yes…I mean…I don’t know what I mean.” She took a deep breath. “Sorry, you must think I’m crazy.”

  “No. I don’t,” he responded without hesitation. The way he said it was so reassuring. So assertive. Like everything else about him, it was hot.

  “Good,” she grinned, unsure of what to say next.

  As she sat across the room from him their eyes locked and she felt the same connection between them that she had felt the first time they’d laid eyes on each other. She trusted him. Intrinsically. Maybe she was being naïve or her newly discovered hormones were pulling one over on her but her gut was telling her that she wasn’t being naïve and her hormones were not lying.

  During her flight back here, she’d had an hour to think of all the things she wanted to tell him. Now she couldn’t think of a single one of them. She figured she was going to have to wing it. “So about the kiss… I just wanted you to know…I don’t do things like that.”

  The corners of his eyes scrunched. “You don’t kiss your costars?”

  “Yes. But that’s not what happened today. I wasn’t kissing Landon. I was kissing you. Evan. I got carried away because…” She searched for the words. “I kissed you because you’re…different.”

  “Different?” He didn’t sound offended, just curious.

  Her mind was spinning trying to come up with a way to explain how he was different. She wanted to tell him that he was different because she never knew what he was thinking and was attracted to him, but she wasn’t sure how to say those things in a way that he’d truly understand.

  “Have you seen True Blood?” It was the first comparison that popped in her head and she had to admit, she wasn’t mad at it.

  “I saw the first season.”

  “Great!” She enthused. “Okay, so you know how Sookie was a fairy and she could read people’s thoughts and then she met Bill and she couldn’t?”

  “Because he was a vampire,” Evan finished.

  “Right! Well, you are my Bill. I mean, not the vampire part. Obviously. But I usually know what people are thinking. What they want from me. What their real intentions are. I can’t read their minds but I pick up on things. But I can’t read you.”

  “And that’s a good thing?” he asked slowly, like he was trying to follow along.

  “Yes.” She chuckled. “A little mystery is nice. But it’s more than that…I’ve never been attracted to someone…before I met you. I thought that maybe I was asexual or something. When people say that their pulse races from just looking at someone, I thought they were exaggerating. Or when they say that they literally get weak in the knees from a kiss, I assumed that it was just a figure of speech. Or when they describe fireworks going off when they…you know. I knew they were lying. I mean, I’ve never been with anyone …” She pursed her lips, stopping herself when she realized that she was about to say that she’d never had an orgasm when she’d had sex.

  “You’ve never been with anyone?”

  Now he thought she was a virgin. Wow.

  Could this go any worse?

  “No, I’ve been with people,” she clarified. “I’ve just never…you know…” She swallowed as she tried to think of a way to dig herself out of this. “I’ve just never…I’ve never…you know,” she repeated before blurting out, “had an orgasm. I mean, I have but only with Roger.”

  Yep. It could get worse. Panic swept through her. Why had she just said that? Was she having a nervous breakdown? A stroke? What was going on?

  “Roger?” His brows lifted.

  “Yeah…you know, my…” If someone could die from embarrassment she would be deceased right now. “Personal, you know, toy. It’s a rabbit. Anyway, that’s not the point. I just wanted to explain what happened and my side of the story. You’re the first and the only person that has ever made my pulse race and my knees weak and I got carried away. I’m sorry if I crossed a line when I kissed you.”

  “For the record,” Evan’s voice held the same raspy quality it had when he’d pulled her on top of him during the hike. The same one that made her lady parts clench with need. “I kissed you back.”

  His words turned her insides to jelly just as she heard her iPhone buzz. She reached down and pulled it out of her purse and saw that it was a GIF from Nolan of Faith Hill’s Breathe music video. She grinned. He sent her funny messages whenever he thought she was in a situation where her anxiety would flare up. This was definitely an anxiety inducing situation.

  Figuring she’d use this interruption as her out, she clutched her phone in her hand using it as an anchor, and stood. “Okay, well I’ve got a flight to catch,” she explained as she crossed the room. “I’m glad we cleared the air. I’ll see you Monday.”

  Without looking back she opened the door and bolted out of it, rushed down the sidewalk to the car, threw the door open, and jumped inside. She would’ve hit the back of the front seat and yelled, “Drive, drive, drive!” but she couldn’t because the driver was walking around the front of the car after getting out to open the door for her—she’d beat him to it.

  Her heart was beating as fast as the time she’d drank five energy drinks after being on night shoots for a week and Chester taking advantage of her “time off” by scheduling events, meetings, and interviews during the day.

  When the driver got in he shifted to look back at her. “Is everything okay Miss Fox?”

  No.

  “Yes,” she lied. “Everything’s fine.”

  He nodded before turning back and driving her away from her second Evan disaster of the day. She couldn’t believe what she’d just done or that she’d let Nolan talk her into coming here in the first place. She wanted to kill him.

  She knew that her anger was misplaced because she was mortified and didn’t want to face what had just happened.

  Her phone rang and she looked down, relieved when she saw it was Ruby. “Hel—”

  Before she could get the greeting out, her friend cut her off. “How did it go?”

  She sank back into the seat and pressed the button to raise the privacy screen. She’d subjected herself to enough humiliation tonight, she didn’t need an audience as she relayed it to her best friend.

  Cutting straight to what she considered the pinnacle of humiliation, she said, “I told him about Roger.”

  Chapter 14

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  For the second time today, Evan regretted his actions. At the rehearsal he thought he’d done too much and now he knew he’d done too little. He’d been so s
hocked to see her that he’d felt like he was on a time delay the whole time she was talking.

  Evan barely registered the streak of blonde hair fly by him. He shot to his feet at the same moment his front door slammed. He made it to the door just in time to see Shayne leap into the back of a black Lincoln. Within seconds, the car had pulled away.

  She was gone.

  Again.

  Now he stood in the doorway, staring in disbelief at the spot where her car had been.

  Shayne Fox had just shown up at his house and told him that he was the only man that made her pulse race and her knees weak. She’d even told him that she’d never had an orgasm with another man. Except Roger.

  Roger. He grinned to himself as he returned to the couch and lowered onto it. He had a sneaking suspicion that she had no idea how damn adorable she was and that just added to her charm.

  His mind started processing what had just unfolded. He thought about everything that Shayne had said, how nervous she’d been, how cute she was.

  She’d said he was different, but really she was the one who was different. She wasn’t at all what he’d thought. She was young, but so mature for her age. She’d been in rehab, but she’d explained to the crew that it had been for her anxiety. She was attracted to him, but even that had a different twist to it.

  He was captivated by her. All of her. Her beauty, talent, intelligence, heart, bravery, directness, and maybe most of all her quirkiness. He loved the way that every emotion played across her stunning features. He supposed that came in handy in her career.

  The doorbell rang and he was so lost in thought he jumped about an inch off of the sofa cushions. Every muscle in his body tensed. Was she back? Did he have a chance to redeem himself?

  He swung open the door and disappointment filled his chest.

  It was Shaggy.

  “Let me grab my wallet.”

  “I heard you’re working on the movie.” The kid leaned forward and poked his head in the doorway as Evan got the cash.

  “Yeah.” He dropped his wallet back down on the end table and exchanged the money for the large cardboard box.

  “I saw Shayne Fox yesterday.” Awe filled the kid’s voice.

  Evan wondered how the teenager would’ve reacted if he’d have shown up a few minutes earlier.

  “She walked right by me. She’s so hot.”

  Yes. She is.

  “I can’t believe she’s with that douche Blane Freely.”

  He’d heard Ruby saying that the two of them had broken up, but that didn’t stop the same feeling that he’d had when he’d seen the PA throw up his hand coming over him now.

  “If she wasn’t, I’d totally ask her out.” The kid stated with the kind of blind optimism that was a byproduct of youth as he hopped off Evan’s porch.

  Evan was still trying to process the things that Shayne had told him as he sat the pizza down on the coffee table. All of the things he should’ve said to her were filling his head as he made his way into the kitchen when there was a knock on the door. Again, every muscle in his body tensed. The same question ran through his brain.

  Was she back?

  He crossed the room in two long, purposeful strides and opened the door to reveal his cousin Deanna. He let out the breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding as the same disappointment settled in his chest.

  “Hey, stranger!” She smiled brightly.

  “Hey,” he stepped to the side and she walked in.

  “Who won?” she motioned up at the screen where the commentators were discussing the game.

  The game was over and he had no idea who won.

  “I don’t know.”

  “You don’t know?” Her expression turned concerned. If anyone understood his relationship with baseball, it was her. Her father was his Uncle Doug, who’d played for the Waves for a decade. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine.”

  “No you’re not.” She shook her head and something caught her eye. “Ooh pizza!”

  She plopped down on the couch, placing a pillow behind her to make herself comfortable. Apparently, this was not going to be a quick stop-by.

  She lifted the lid and her face scrunched. “Hawaiian?”

  She grabbed a piece and picked off the pineapple before taking a bite.

  “Do you want something to drink?” he asked as he went back to the kitchen and opened the fridge, grabbing himself a soda.

  “Water. Please.”

  He returned and handed her a bottle and she twisted the top and took a drink. They ate in silence as they watched Sports Center. Turned out the Waves won by three.

  When his cousin was done eating, she turned to him with a serious expression. “I know that Noelle came to see you last week.”

  He took his last bite. “Mmm hmm.”

  “And told you that she was getting married,” she emphasized.

  He nodded as he chewed.

  “Did she happen to mention anything else? Any other life-changing news?”

  Deanna wasn’t really a beat-around-the-bush person. She was as straightforward as they came. And that was good because she sucked at subtlety.

  After washing down the pizza with a drink, he set the empty can on the end table. “You mean did she mention that she’s pregnant?”

  “You know?” Her eyes widened.

  “Yeah.”

  “Oh, thank God.” She clasped her hands at her chest in relief. “I wasn’t sure. And Kenzie didn’t know if you knew. We’ve been trying to figure out how to tell you.”

  He assumed that topic had been settled so he took another bite of pizza and redirected his attention back to the television.

  “So…?” she asked.

  “So, what?”

  “Is that why you didn’t know who won the game?”

  “No.” Noelle and her upcoming wedding and even the baby felt like old news. It seemed so much longer than a week and a half since he’d seen her. He hadn’t given it much thought at all. His mind had been wrapped up in a woman that had him in knots. “I’m happy for Noelle. Really.”

  Deanna gave him the same look she had when she was five and he tried to convince her that Santa Claus was real. She wasn’t buying his story then and she wasn’t buying it now.

  “I’m just tired,” he lied. “My physical therapy has been brutal.”

  It wasn’t a total fabrication. His rehab had been exceptionally taxing this past week. And if he didn’t give his cousin something to attribute his behavior to, she’d grill him into the early hours. Once he endured that he’d end up fielding calls from his mother and drop-bys from his brother to check on him.

  “Okay. I’ll let you get some rest.” She stood and he was relieved that she’d bought his alibi. He walked her to the door and she gave him a quick hug before heading out. She was halfway to the sidewalk when she turned back. “Oh, I almost forgot. Kenzie said to tell you that you’re coming to dinner next Saturday. I’m off and so is Eli. She already checked with Kyle and he said that your schedule was clear, too.”

  Kenzie definitely fit right in with this family. She meddled and took matters into her own hands. He waved at his cousin as she drove away.

  When he went back inside, he did his best not to think about Shayne as he cleaned up, but it was an impossible task.

  As he shut off the television, he once again heard her voice telling him that he was different. That he was Bill to her Sookie. That she’d never been attracted to anyone until she met him.

  He put the leftovers in the fridge and thought about how perfect the kiss they’d shared was. How soft her lips had felt against his. How perfect she fit on his lap, like she was built especially for that place.

  He went up the stairs to his room and on his way, he imagined what it would be like if he could explore what was happening between them. He pictured kissing her in places much more intimate than her mouth. He fantasized about giving her an orgasm that wasn’t battery operated.

  By the time he made it upstairs he
was starting to get hard and knew that he’d have to take matters into his own hands if he had a shot at getting any sleep. He pulled his shirt off and was heading into his bathroom when he heard a knock at the door.

  His head fell back in frustration. “Are you kidding me?”

  When had his house turned into Grand Central Station?

  It had to be his brother. That was the only person that hadn’t been there tonight that would show up at this time on a Friday night. He took the steps two at a time and was prepared to tell Eli that he could come by tomorrow because he was going to bed when he opened the door and saw that he had a repeat visitor.

  “Hi, I—” Shayne’s wide smile fell as her eyes drifted down to his bare chest.

  He couldn’t help but grin as her lips parted and her chest rose and fell in short breaths. He stepped back and held the door open, “Do you want to come in?”

  “Oh, yes.” She blinked as she stepped inside. “Sorry, to bug you again. I forgot my purse.”

  He looked over to where she’d been sitting and sure enough, her purse was beside the recliner. When he looked back he saw that her eyes were, once again, locked on his chest.

  “Wow. This attraction thing is potent stuff.”

  “It is,” Evan agreed.

  Her aqua gaze stared up at him and his heart swelled at the vulnerability shining through it. “Do you feel it, too?”

  “Yes,” he admitted.

  “It’s just…I can’t stop thinking about you. And whenever you’re in the same room I feel you. It’s like you’re looking at me, even when you’re not.”

  “I am,” he admitted.

  “You are?” her brow creased.

  “I have excellent peripheral vision.”

  “Oh,” she nodded.

  Figuring since she’d been so honest, he should do the same. “When you’re in a room, I can’t help but look at you. And I can’t stop thinking about you either. From the first time I saw you, you’re all I think about.”

  “I am?” Her lips parted and her breaths grew shallower by the second. The energy between them crackled with electricity. Evan wanted to close the distance between them and kiss her so badly.