“I need to hit the sack.” Colt stretched his arms over his head. “We need to leave at four.”
“No problem.”
“That’s A.M.”
“Colton.” Sable patted his hand before rising. “My father woke me every morning at five. Every day. Rain or shine. Summer, winter, spring, and fall.”
“Why?” he asked, obviously horrified.
“Discipline. He tried the same thing with my mother but stopped after their first few years of marriage. She threw things at his head.”
“What did you do?”
“Me?” Sable found it an odd question. “I got out of bed.”
Colt stayed seated after Sable closed her bedroom door. His body relaxed while thoughts of Sable raced through his mind. She was a complicated woman. A fact that intrigued him. More and more, he wanted to find out what made her tick.
Who was Sable Ford? At times, she seemed open, friendly, and uncomplicated. A beautiful, intelligent woman with no hidden secrets.
Then there was the soldier. Looking at her, Colt found it difficult to believe that she was a warrior. A trained killer. He had seen her in action. Taking down Nate during a simulated fight didn’t count as real combat. However, his brother outweighed Sable by over a hundred pounds. And he trained with the best martial artists in the world. It took her less than five minutes to put Nate flat on his back. Then she did it again.
He didn’t think Sable realized it, but her comment about her father gave him the first glimpse into her past—and what helped mold Sable into who she was.
The woman was scary tough. Steel—with the softest skin he had ever touched.
Colt groaned. Soft skin, so close and out of reach. It wasn’t the best thought to take to bed. On the other hand, he decided with a grin, it wasn’t the worst.
CHAPTER SEVEN
AFTER THE FIRST day of shooting, Sable wondered how she would stand weeks of the mind-numbing routine. She dreaded another day of sitting and watching nothing happen.
Whoever thought this was a glamorous business was out of their mind.
Sable decided that actors needed the patience of Job. Each scene took forever to prepare and only a few minutes to film. Sometimes, seconds.
Someone always fussed around Colt. If someone wasn’t retouching his makeup or styling his hair, wardrobe was there to swap out one shirt for another the second it showed the slightest sweat stain. God forbid if his public found out that the sexiest man alive was mortal. Perspiration was considered rugged in an action flick, not in a romance.
The first sign of a glistening upper lip and everything came to a crashing halt. Sable didn’t know how Colt could stand it.
“Want to see how we set up a shot?”
“I would love to.”
Grateful for a reason to move around, Sable smiled at Kiki Donahue. Earlier, Colt had introduced her to the assistant director. The number of smart, energetic women working on the movie was impressive. Clearly, the Landis family respected talent and didn’t let gender get in the way.
After she had motioned Sable over, Kiki showed her the proper way to look through the camera.
“That is where the big breakup scene is taking place.” Kiki pointed to the park bench. “We’ll film it later this afternoon.”
An hour earlier, the bench hadn’t existed. Sable had watched as three crew members built it from stacks of wrought iron and wood.
“I don’t understand. We’re in a real park. Why not use one of the pre-existing benches?”
“This area has the bush.” Kiki pointed to the flowering shrub located directly behind the newly constructed seat. “It will perfectly frame our fictional lovers just as the sun sets. When we leave, the bench stays.”
With Kiki’s explanation in mind, Sable took another look through the camera. Everything looked different through the lens. Suddenly, she easily pictured Colt and his co-star playing out the emotional scene.
“You love what you do.” It wasn’t a question.
“It’s been my dream for as long as I can remember.”
Pretty, with long, coal-black hair, Kiki Donahue had the looks to be on the other side of the camera but not the ambition. She wanted to create images on film that moved people to laughter and tears. And every emotion in between. To do that, she planned to use her brain, not her face.
“Thank you.” Sable stepped back. “It gives you a completely different perspective.”
“From here, I can make the world as beautiful or as ugly as I choose.”
“Power.”
“Yes.” Kiki turned, her eyes sharpening. “Not many people get that.”
“Sometimes the people around us want to push us down. They take advantage of their power to make us feel small and insignificant. When you find a place to be in charge, never let go, Kiki. And use your power to help, not hurt.”
Sable took a deep breath. She hadn’t meant to say those things. The past had a way of jumping up when least expected.
“Wow.” Kiki laid a hand on Sable’s arm. “Let’s get a drink one day soon. You can spill your guts, and I’ll spill mine.” When Sable hesitated, Kiki shrugged. “Or we can drink a lot of tequila and get shit faced.”
“After the movie wraps?”
“It’s a date.” With a wave, Kiki jogged off.
“I’d like to hear your secrets. With or without the tequila.”
Colt. Where had he come from? She wasn’t doing a very good job if she lost track of her client.
“My secrets are as boring as I am.”
“Then, not boring at all.”
Colt moved closer. Close enough for her to see little flecks of silver in his eyes.
“You never know,” Sable teased.
“I know more than you think.” Colt traced the curve of her jaw, his finger stopping at the corner of her mouth. “You should kiss me.”
“Give me two good reasons.”
Colt smiled. “Easy. One? That’s what couples do. Two? You want to.”
“I do?” Silly question. Of course, she did.
“Mmm.”
Slowly, their eyes locked, Sable took his arms and placed them around her waist.
“No arguments?” Colt asked, his hands settling on her hips.
“No.” Sable brushed her lips against his. “I’m your girlfriend. It’s time to enjoy the perks.”
Colt groaned. Sable’s lips were soft, opening against his. She tasted sweet. Like peppermint and Coca-Cola. His tongue slid into her mouth, tasting. Again and again.
“Don’t stop,” she whispered.
Never. Why would he when he’d dreamed of holding her this way? Slender and strong. Silk and steel. So warm. Colt couldn’t get enough. He would never get enough.
“I hate to interrupt.”
“Then don’t.” When Sable tried to pull back, Colt held her tight. “Rene called a ten-minute break.”
“It’s been eleven.”
Colt sighed. Still holding Sable, he turned his head. Nigel Locke, Rene’s assistant, sent him a sheepish smile.
“I’ll be right there.” Kissing Sable’s cheek, he reluctantly stepped back. “To be continued.”
Sable leaned in and whispered. “That one will have to hold you, pretty boy.”
Colt didn’t respond, but his smile spoke volumes. He’d had a taste, and he planned on having more.
Shaking her head, Sable lightly touched her lips. They tingled with the lingering warmth of Colt’s imprint. Sable watched him leave, a spring in his step. She wasn’t fooling him or herself. Why fight it? They would share more than a kiss. And soon. And she planned on enjoying every second.
“His interest never lasts long.”
Sable didn’t keep up on the latest Hollywood buzz, but she recognized Candice DeMarcco. Colt’s co-star had the kind of box office clout that almost equaled his. Dark haired, with chocolate brown eyes, according to Janis Mainard, she was the current rom-com darling. She played sweet, likable women the audience rooted for and cheered as lo
ve inevitably conquered all.
Janis hadn’t pulled any punches when describing what she called the real Candice.
“Vicious,” Janis said with no preamble. “Oh, butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth if she wants something. She sidles up to new friends like the proverbial snake. Then boom. When she has finished sucking as much from her victim as possible, she moves on. Candice DeMarcco has burned more bridges than Sherman on his way to Atlanta.”
Sable took Janis’ words with a grain of salt. There were always two sides to a story. No one knew that better than she did. She knew what had been said about her when she left the Army. The rumors that circulated. Rumors that she couldn’t completely shake.
She refused to judge anyone based on rumor and innuendo.
“We haven’t met. I’m Sable Ford.”
Candice ignored her outstretched hand. The actress stepped closer. It was a tactical error. Sable topped her by a good six inches. It was difficult to get the upper hand when she needed to tip her head back to look her adversary in the eye.
“Nice name,” Candice smirked. “Are you a stripper or an actress wannabe?”
Okay. Candice was a bitch. Sable felt her open mind closing. Quickly.
“At the moment, I’m Colt’s girlfriend,” Sable smiled slowly, her eyes cool. She pulled her shoulders back, adding another inch to her height. “Good luck taking my place. The line stretches about ten miles to the rear.”
“Oh, now I get it. You’re a comedienne. You aren’t pretty enough to be eye candy. Colt keeps you around as his court jester.”
“I’m a regular Jack Benny.”
“Who?”
“Oh, now I get it,” Sable drawled, mocking Candice. “You’re the brunette equivalent of a dumb blonde.”
Sable watched as Candice’s face turned an interesting shade of red.
“I could have you thrown off the set like that.” She snapped her fingers.
“You could try. But if you want to get into Colt’s pants, that isn’t the way to do it. Run along, little girl.” Sable flicked her hand in the general direction of the park bench. “You bore me.”
“This isn’t over.”
Sable wasn’t impressed. The last time someone said that, she had an actual reason to worry. Then again, a major in the Army held more clout than this year’s Hollywood sweetheart.
“What burr did you put under Candice’s saddle and where do I get one?” Janis watched Candice stalk off, mumbling expletives under her breath.
“Sadly, it appears there are no pajama parties in our future.”
“If this were the first grade, the teacher would write, Candice does not work well with other girls.”
Sable laughed. “And boys?”
“She’s very popular—until she isn’t. Candice’s shelf life is around two months.”
“That long?”
“She starts to go bad around week six. By the end, she stinks up the joint.”
“Hollywood rumor mill?” Janis seemed well versed on Candice DeMarcco.
“Yes, and a few close friends who she chewed up, spit out, and ground under her heel.”
“Isn’t it difficult to play her best friend?”
“I’m an actress.” Janis winked. “A damn good one.”
SABLE KEPT HER encounter with Candice to herself. She saw no reason to tell Colt. He had to work with the woman—pretend to be in love with her. Sable planned on avoiding her, and the subject, as much as possible.
Colt’s day ended early. After the big park bench scene, he was free until seven o’clock the next morning.
“Do you want to go out for dinner?” he asked as they walked toward his car, hand in hand.
Casual touching did not come naturally to Sable. To Colt, it was like breathing. Another trait his parents passed down to their sons.
He brushed her cheek, rubbed her arm, held her hand. He wasn’t trying to be provocative. The gestures were friendly and casual. And they stirred something deep inside her that Sable couldn’t identify.
“Your refrigerator is bursting with food. Shouldn’t we eat some of it?”
“Do you cook?”
“No. But I can manage a salad.”
“That will do. To start. I’ll take care of the rest.”
“You cook?” Sable didn’t try to hide her amazement.
“I do.” He paused by his car. “Wanna drive?”
Her eyes lit up. Snatching the keys, she pushed him to the passenger side and into the seat. In a flash, she zipped around the car and slipped behind the wheel.
“Hello, you sweet baby.”
Colt grinned. He wasn’t one of those men who believed his car was a sacred piece of metal and chrome—to be driven by him and him alone. He cared for it, kept it in prime condition, but if he believed someone was capable of handling the powerful machine, he didn’t mind sharing his ride.
He didn’t hesitate about letting Sable take control of the Maserati. He trusted her with his safety—in and out of the car.
“You’re sure?”
“Would it matter?”
“Nope.”
They shot out of the parking lot and onto the backroads of Los Angeles. Sable shifted like a pro, taking the corners at speeds that were not strictly legal but a hell of a lot of fun.
“There’s a racetrack about half a mile from here. I know the owner. Want to take a few laps?”
Sable’s grin widened, her dark eyes sparkling with the excitement of a child on Christmas morning. Colt called ahead, and soon they were racing around the oval in their borrowed crash helmets, Sable’s whoops of joy punctuating every turn.
Colt didn’t watch the track. He watched Sable. Her face glowed. And all he could think of was how sweet her lips must taste at that moment. Slightly parted and curved, her smile wide and infectious. He knew the one on his face was an exact match.
“I don’t think that would ever get old,” Sable said an hour later. She drove at a more sedate pace through the downtown traffic, but the excitement still rang in her voice.
“Going in circles?”
“The speed. The power.”
“We can go back anytime you like.”
“Thank you, Colt. But once was enough.”
Colt could see her battling temptation. However, the disciplined soldier in her won out over the daredevil. Now that he knew her weakness, he planned on laying temptation at Sable’s feet as often as possible. Speed and power came in many forms. Wait until he showed her a few tricks in bed that would blow her mind.
Sable parked in the underground garage. Patiently, Colt waited while she went through her familiar bodyguard routine.
“No kidnappers under the SUV?” he asked when she opened the passenger door.
“Your smartass remarks can’t kill my buzz.” Sable followed him into the elevator, her eyes diligently watching the shadows.
“That’s good to hear because I’m carrying a major buzz myself.”
In a flash, Colt had Sable pinned against the wall. His lips covered hers, and ruthlessly he took advantage of her gasp of surprise by plunging his tongue into her mouth. Hot velvet. Sweet. Colt groaned. No dream could match this kind of reality.
The kiss went on and on. Colt changed the angle to find another spot, another taste. He sighed with pleasure when Sable tugged, freeing her hands. Not to push him away, but to pull his hips against hers. The slow grind of their bodies was a fully clothed sexual act. It teased and excited. Thank God his bed was nearby. He didn’t want their first time to be on the floor of an elevator.
“I need you, Sable. Say yes.” Colt felt ready to beg. To plead. To fall to his knees and grant any wish just to hear that one little word.
“Yes.”
The doors opened, and slowly, they shuffled out, their mouths fused together.
“Lift your arms.” Colt slid the hem of her shirt up her body. “I need you naked. Now.”
“I—” Sable started to comply, but instincts kicked in. Something felt off. “Someone’s he
re.”
“What?” Colt groaned when she pushed him behind her and pulled her gun from her purse. “You’re wrong. No one can get in unless they have the—” Then he remembered. “It’s okay.”
“Stay here.” Keeping her gun eye level, Sable checked around the corner.
“Sable, I know who it is.”
“Freeze.”
The sound of glass crashing to the floor followed a high-pitched squeal.
In the kitchen, hands raised high, blue eyes the size of saucers, stood a tall blonde. The glass of juice she had poured herself smashed at her feet. She didn’t move. No one did.
Except for the loaded gun, the scene bordered on the comical.
Feeling something licking her ankle, Sable glanced down. A dog whose paws seemed to get in the way of her every move stared at her with adoring eyes.
“Sable, you remember Paige. And this,” Colt picked up the wiggling dog, “is Beauty.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
COLT LAUGHED WHILE he cleaned up the broken glass. Sable didn’t think pulling a gun on his brother’s future wife terribly funny. Absurd, yes. Chuckle worthy? No.
“I’m sorry,” Sable said, relieved to see the color returning to Paige’s face. “Colt didn’t warn me that anyone would be here.”
“I forgot. I was distracted,” Colt snickered.
Idiot. Sable rolled her eyes, grateful that Colt had the sense not to tell them why he forgot to mention that guests were waiting in the loft. That kiss. It reminded her why getting involved with a client never worked. What if there had been an intruder? What if her inattention resulted in Colt getting hurt? Or worse? If she crossed the line into real girlfriend territory, she couldn’t do her job properly.
If she couldn’t do her job, what good was she to Colt? Or anyone else?
“Is it safe to come out?”
“Jade?”
The redhead poked her nose out of the bedroom.
“I almost called 911.”
“No need.” Sable hugged her friend. “What were you going to do with this?” She pried Jade’s fingers from a wooden hanger.
“Defend myself and Paige. It was the first thing I could find.”
“Next time, grab the brass lamp from beside the bed. The hanger might leave a splinter, but it wouldn’t stop a flea.” Sable tossed it onto the counter.
Dreaming Of Your Love (Hollywood Legends #3) Page 8
