“Have you never been here before, darling?”
There was incredulity in Nate’s voice and she supposed there should be. He’d traveled the world, after all.
“I’ve been all over the United States but I’ve never been to Europe. But I’ve wanted to visit for a long time.”
She dragged her gaze away from the skyline and back to her companion of the last three days. Three good days. They were taking those first shaky steps into friendship but it looked promising. Right now a wrinkled brow marred that gorgeous face she still wasn’t used to. Frowning again? He better be careful or he was going to have to spend more time in the makeup chair.
“Why didn’t you, love?”
She’d learned that Nate was a nice man but he also didn’t have a clue how the average single mother lived in suburbia. Even a financially successful one. It wasn’t his fault but he was truly sheltered.
“Because I was busy taking care of Noah and raising Jason when I wasn’t writing my next book.” She sighed heavily, remembering those years. She’d existed on massive amounts of caffeine, little sleep, lots of hugs from her son, plus a healthy dose of support from her friends. “There wasn’t much opportunity to travel.”
He winced and shook his head, his expression contrite. “I should have realized. Of course you would be busy caring for your husband. He was sick for a long time, yes?”
She turned back to the cityscape, not wanting to see the pity in her new friend’s eyes nor let him see the tears that shined in her own. Every now and then the past caught up with her.
“Too long,” she said softly. “But now I can travel and I’m glad to be here in London.”
“I’m glad too.”
That made Paige smile. “You weren’t too glad back in New York. In fact, I think you were ready to strap me to the wing of the plane because I was getting on your nerves.”
Approximately eight hours before on a British Airways flight…
Paige white-knuckled the hand rests and took several deep breaths, which seemed to capture Nate’s attention. He paused in arranging his backpack under the seat and gave her a frown.
“Are you okay? You look tense.”
“I don’t like to fly,” she confessed ruefully. “I took a sedative after we got through security so it should kick in any time now but until them I’m a little anxious, especially during takeoff and landing.”
The perfect bastard had the nerve to frown even harder as if he didn’t understand. “We’re going to be doing an awful lot of flying in the next year or so, Paige. There’s no real rational reason to be afraid, you know. It’s safer than driving a car.”
She knew that but it didn’t make any difference. “I don’t really like driving a car either to be honest. I have a lot to live for and I don’t want to die.”
He was still frowning. What was up with him?
“Perhaps you might want to see someone about your social anxiety and your fear of flying. Are there any other phobias I should know about?”
“I’m not too fond of heights or snakes,” she replied testily. “But I don’t have social anxiety. Being nervous about walking down a red carpet with reporters and photographers is a perfectly natural and human reaction. And I did see someone. They’re the ones that gave me the pills.”
“I mean see someone and talk to them. Try to get better, not just mask it with medication.”
She’d closed her eyes as the engines revved and she opened just one to look at him. “I’ll tell you what. If you go talk to a shrink about your commitment phobia, I’ll go talk to one about my fear of flying and walking down a red carpet. Deal?”
He turned in his seat and faced forward. “On the other hand, I’m sure the drugs work just fine.”
Asshole.
“Yep, that’s what I thought,” she laughed, closing her eyes again as the plane began to move. “You can dish it out but you can’t take it.”
He didn’t reply but he did hold her hand as the plane took off, which she thought was pretty human of him when she’d been kind of short about the situation. The sedative’s magic began to work and by the time the flight attendant came for their drink order she was in a great mood. The prescribed drug had a habit of lowering her inhibitions and also making her sleepy. She intended to take a nap while they were in the air.
The attractive attendant placed a flute of champagne and orange juice in front of each of them. She’d had to lean over to do it and damned if she didn’t make sure Nate got an eyeful of her cleavage. Her shirt hadn’t been unbuttoned that far a few minutes ago.
“Breakfast will be out in a few minutes. My name is Sherry.” She leaned over again and gave Nate a come-hither smile. “Let me know if you need anything. Anything at all.”
“Jesus,” Paige giggled as Sherry sashayed down the aisle. “You’re up to your elbows in fan-girl tail. Do want me to create a diversion while you and Sherry sneak off to the lavatory and join the mile-high club?”
Nate’s brows shot up and looked around quickly to see if anyone had heard her.
“Will you keep your voice down? What are you even talking about?”
The cabin of the airplane spun for a moment and then righted itself. Yep, the pills had kicked right in. Excellent. Paige leaned in closer to Nate, his spicy scent tickling her nose. He always smelled so good. If some company could bottle his scent they’d make billions. Women would erect monuments in their honor.
“I’m talking about those two boobies our lovely and helpful Sherry shoved in your face, and don’t pretend you didn’t notice. You were eyeing her up and down like she was a steak and you were a starving dog. So much for not embarrassing your fake girlfriend.” She poked him in the bicep and got a sore finger for her trouble. He was all muscle. “She thinks you’re on the market and you’re supposed to be devoted to me. Epic fail, Treetop. But if you want some strange, hey, don’t let me get in your way. Go for it.”
A muscle ticked in his jaw. She’d hit a nerve apparently but at the moment she was too relaxed to care. “I have no interest in that woman, I can assure you.”
Paige giggled again, taking another gulp of her drink. “You’re so fucking fake. Fake. Fake. Fake.”
“I am not fake.”
He sounded outraged. Whatever.
“You’re fake. You probably want to smack me upside the head right now but you’re all British gentleman instead, stiff upper lip and all that jazz. You never let down your guard around me. You are constantly Nate Mason, Prince Fucking Charming. When are you going to be just Nate?”
“I am just Nate,” he said defensively. “This is how I really am.”
Paige turned to him, their gazes colliding. “Bullshit.”
“You think you know me?” he asked, eyes narrowing. “You think you have all the answers?”
“I took a couple of psychology courses in college and clearly you have issues, my fake boyfriend. You have a deep need for approval and you’ll go to any lengths to get it, even subverting your own wants and needs. It’s sad, really.”
His face had turned a lovely shade of purple but surprisingly he was still in control. “A couple of classes? Well, why didn’t you say so? You’re practically an expert.” He snatched the champagne flute out of her hand. “And don’t drink that. I doubt it’s good to mix your sedative with alcohol. You said you had a lot to live for, remember?”
“Good point, Treetop.” Paige yawned, well into the second phase of the medication. “I’m going to sleep. Let me know if I snore. You and Sherry enjoy your shag. Say my name when you come. Cause you know…I’m your girlfriend.”
Nate shook his head. “It’s eight in the morning, you can’t go to sleep. You’ll be all messed up when we get to London. It will be evening when we get there.”
The vagaries of time zones were mostly lost on her when she was stone cold sober, so in this state she’d just have to take his word for it.
“I’m tired now,” she pronounced. “You can eat my breakfast.”
Paige’s lids were heavy and she didn’t fight them as sleep took over. In the distance she could still hear Nate trying to get her to wake up but she was just too sleepy to listen.
Back in the present…
“I don’t want to strap you to a wing now,” Nate laughed. “But it was touch and go back there.”
Paige smirked. “If it doesn’t work out with me, I’m sure Sherry would be glad to hear from you. I saw her give you her card as we left.”
Nate smiled as well, pulling that card from his front shirt pocket where he’d tucked it and then holding it up for her inspection. Next he rolled down the window of the vehicle slightly, a cool wind blowing in the car and making Paige shiver. Last, he shoved the card in the opening and let it flutter away into the wind.
“Smooth, Mason. Very smooth. I’d be impressed but I know you’ll get a whole new set tomorrow.”
But at least he’d thrown that one away.
CHAPTER TEN
A wave of happiness and contentment washed over Nate as he and Paige crossed the threshold to his home in London. He hadn’t spent nearly enough time here in the last few years so it was precious when he could. Of course if he couldn’t revive his career soon he might be spending quite a bit of time in London whether he wanted to or not. His agent was getting offers – lots of them – but they weren’t the kind that were coming in only a year ago. Smaller pictures. Lower budgets. The one place that seemed to still embrace him was the stage and for that he was grateful. If it didn’t work out with the Flynn role, perhaps his new play might revive his career. Being a serious actor and getting good reviews certainly couldn’t hurt the situation.
No, he wouldn’t allow himself to think negatively. It simply had to work out with Paige and her book. Hollywood wanted the project badly; the only thing holding up the deal was that she wanted quite a bit of creative control. One of her contractual demands was that she be allowed to approve the casting. That was where he came in.
He trusted her to fulfill her end of their bargain and he planned to do the same. He’d help raise her profile, sell some books, and hold her hand on the red carpet. He felt badly that she was going to get some nasty backlash from some of his crazier fans – and that was something he should warn her about – but he didn’t regret the agreement. Flynn was his ticket to giving him a new start. It was a romantic and heroic leading man role, plus he’d get to direct as well. There was probably already a long list of actors that were salivating to be cast.
They’d be disappointed. For once he was ahead of the game.
“This is nice,” Paige said as she walked around his living room, taking in the decor. He was rather proud of it actually as he’d picked everything out himself. “Startling white walls but otherwise very nice. You’re probably too busy to paint.”
Nate took in the room – clean lines, black leather furniture, and beige throw rugs on the gleaming wood floors. He had been busy but he hadn’t ever planned to paint. What was wrong with white?
Then he realized she was just baiting him again and he inwardly rolled his eyes and kept his mouth shut. She wanted him to react but he was starting to see how she operated. She called him a fake? She wasn’t any better than he was. This was how she kept him at arm’s length, letting him into her life but not too close.
If he was being honest she was smart to do it. He wasn’t a man that did “forever” with a woman. If she got too close she might get burned. He liked her and the last thing he wanted to do was break her heart.
“Exceedingly busy. Let me show you around.”
She trailed after him as he showed her the kitchen and laundry room at the back of the house. His study was off of the living room next to the stairs and he ushered her to the second floor where there were three bedrooms – the master, the guest, and a spare. Paige would stay in the guest room that used the hall bathroom. She’d have it to herself. His bedroom had an ensuite.
She seemed most fascinated with the third bedroom that really wasn’t a bedroom at all since there was no place to sleep. There was a long table that he used when he was packing for a trip but this space was mostly filled with his career memorabilia, including gifts his fans had sent him. Paige was currently studying a painting of Kai from the Thunder movies that he’d hung on the wall.
“This is amazing. A fan sent this to you?”
Nate was incredibly proud of his fans and the devotion they showed him. He’d lost a few after last year but most had stuck by him even when he didn’t deserve it.
“Yes, I received that after the first Thunder movie. It’s a good likeness, yes?”
She turned, an excited smile on her face. “It’s almost a photograph. It really shows the complexity of the character too. Kai’s playfulness but also his arrogance mixed with anger. You can see betrayal in his eyes but also hope.”
“Hope?”
“Hope that someone will love him.” She laughed and ran her fingertips over the edge of the frame. “Let’s remember that I write romantic stories.”
“Of course. You must have your happy ending.”
“It’s required. Why read a book otherwise?”
A myriad of reasons.
“Some stories don’t end that way. In fact, most don’t. Romeo and Juliet is a great love story but it doesn’t end happily.”
She snorted and made a face. “Romeo and Juliet is not a romance or even a great love story, Nate. It’s two teenagers with a dramatic crush playing house. Six people die because of their antics, including themselves. That’s not great love. That’s stupidity. It might, however, make great theatre which is something Shakespeare was good at.”
So Romeo and Juliet wasn’t her favorite play. Noted.
“You like Shakespeare?”
He’d love to discuss it with her and lots of other books as well. Get a writer’s perspective.
“He’s okay,” Paige shrugged. “I’m more of a Tennessee Williams kind of gal.”
Nate had read several American writers as well and that was one he enjoyed immensely. It would be nice to have someone around that he could talk literature with. Most of his girlfriends called him a dork or a geek and changed the subject when he brought up books.
The doorbell pealed and Nate frowned, checking his watch. “It’s eleven at night. Who could be at the door?”
“We’ll never know until you answer it.”
Cheeky woman. He liked her sarcastic and funny tone.
“Au contraire.” Nate pulled his phone from his pocket and pulled up his security app before showing the screen to Paige. “There’s a camera at the front door. I’ll get your phone set up with this too in case you’re ever here by yourself. I’ve had some close calls with some rather…passionate fans, you might say.”
He loved his fans but sometimes they crossed a line or two.
“Stalkers. Got it. I read Misery, and that shit is not funny. At all.” She squinted at the screen and looked more closely. “Is that Maxwell Hayes?”
He was and Nate had a feeling he knew why. Or at least he hoped so. Things were progressing exactly as planned.
“Just call him Max.” Nate led them down stairs and opened the front door to his friend who he hadn’t seen in months due to them filming on opposite ends of the world. They were good about texting and staying in touch but it wasn’t the same. He’d make sure they had a couple of pints at the pub so they could catch up. Nate still owed Max a rematch at darts from last time.
“Nate, you’re home. I hope you don’t mind but I called your assistant to find out what time you’d be in.”
So this wasn’t a spur of the moment visit because the lights were on.
“I don’t mind at all. Come in and meet Paige.”
Max’s brows went up and Nate realized his friend hadn’t been expecting Paige to be there. He’d become quite protective of Nate since last year, constantly advising him about the press as if he hadn’t had his own issues. Still, it was done out of care and concern so he appreciated it and didn’t say anything
except thanks.
Nodding stiffly, Max shook the hand Paige offered. “Nice to meet you, Paige. I’m Max.”
No one could be formal and stuffy like Max and this moment was no exception. Paige darted a confused glance at Nate but smiled warmly despite the chilly reception. “It’s nice to meet you too, Max. I must say that I am an admirer of your work.”
What had crawled up Max’s arse?
“Thank you.” Max turned back to Nate, dismissing Paige rather rudely. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”
Fishing for information, Mr. Hayes? Just what do you want to know?
“I was just showing Paige around and thinking we might order in a pizza before heading to bed. We’re knackered after that long flight.”
Well, he was anyway. Paige looked wide awake after her long nap. He’d warned her but she didn’t listen.
He hoped that didn’t become a habit.
Nate stole a glance at Paige and was surprised to see that far from being miffed or angry about Max’s behavior, she seemed rather amused by it all. She was perched on the arm of his couch and watching the back and forth between him and his best friend with a smile playing on her lips.
Max looked at Paige and then back at Nate, sighing. “I actually need to speak with you, Nate. In private, if possible.”
Nate was about to tell Max it would be impolite but Paige simply stood and waved them off. “Go right ahead. I’ll just avail myself of the facilities. I’ll even fix my hair to give you extra time.”
With her handbag slung over her shoulder, Paige disappeared into the powder room off of the kitchen which left Nate alone with Max. First things first.
“You were very rude to her, Max. I’d like you to apologize when she comes back. She didn’t deserve that sort of treatment. She’s a nice woman.”
A Kiss For The Cameras Page 5
