by Alexa Aston
Without a word, Wynn pulled her into his arms and kissed her.
CHAPTER 11
Scarlett sensed the kiss was coming but did nothing to stop it. She told herself it was because Wynn acted so quickly.
But that was a lie.
His mouth came down on hers as his arms enveloped her. There was nothing gentle about this kiss. It was born of need. It had only been a handful of days since they’d kissed but Wynn drank her in as if he’d taken a lifetime to cross a desert to reach her.
She was his oasis—and so she let him drink his fill.
At some point, Scarlett must have released her briefcase because she found her hands free, running up and down Wynn’s muscled arms and wandering to his broad back. By now, his palms rested flat against her own back, holding her tightly in place against him. Her nails raked along the tailored navy suit he wore and she wished she could tear it from him.
One of his hands moved up her back, his fingers entangling in her hair, tugging on it, causing her head to tilt back. It allowed him to deepen the kiss even more. She heard little noises of want and need and satisfaction and realized they came from deep in the back of her throat. She gave herself over to them and all the feelings this man stirred within her.
Her fingers traveled up and pushed into his hair and now she held on as he did, not wanting the kiss to end, making sure he wouldn’t go anywhere.
From out of nowhere, her heart connected with her brain, telling her she’d be a fool to push this man away. Even if it didn’t last for long between them. Even if he hurt her beyond repair.
Because every moment with Wynn Gallagher would be heaven on earth.
Scarlett threw everything she had into the kiss. Her longing. Her desire. The desperation she’d feel if he moved even an inch away from her. They kissed until she didn’t know whose air she breathed in, his or hers. Until time lost all meaning. Until the only thing she was conscious of was how his kiss made her feel. Alive. Wonderfully, achingly alive.
A thud sounded above them but she ignored it. No way would she allow the outside world to intrude on this moment.
A scraping noise occurred directly above their heads and a voice called down, “You folks okay in there?”
Wynn broke the kiss and looked up. “We’re fine.”
Scarlett glared at the intruder, a thin man with a wispy mustache whose pale face was turning bright red.
“Oh. Uh . . . someone reported the elevator was out of service. I . . . uh . . . oh . . . oh . . . Carbon Man?”
Wynn’s arms still held her as he said, “I am and we’re okay, sir. Coming down now.”
The blushing worker’s head bobbed up and down. “Okay.” Then a look of panic crossed his face. “Wait a minute if you would, Mr. Gallagher. I need to get off the top of the elevator and reach a safe place inside the shaft first.”
Wynn smiled down at Scarlett and replied, “I can do that.”
The panel slid back into place and she heard the man’s footsteps above them. Slowly, she lowered her gaze and met Wynn’s eyes.
Then they burst out laughing.
“I guess he’ll have a story to tell,” Wynn quipped. “Not as good as we do.”
Scarlett tugged on his hair, forcing him back to her. Their lips met again, Wynn nipping at hers playfully and then he lifted his head.
“Guess he’s had enough time.”
Scarlett nodded. Words suddenly seemed impossible. Her one need now was Wynn’s mouth back on hers.
He must have read her mind because he gave her one slow, drugging kiss and then eased her away from him. Bending, he retrieved her briefcase and handed it to her. She grasped it, her legs wobbling like Jell-O as he leaned over and disengaged the stop button.
The elevator continued its descent. She combed her fingers through her hair. Made sure her purse strap was still on her shoulder. Licked her lips.
And tasted Wynn.
A shudder of desire ran through her as the doors opened. The maintenance worker who’d checked on them came into view. He nodded briskly as they stepped from the elevator. Wynn placed his hand at the small of her back and propelled her forward. It remained there, warm and possessive, as they crossed the lobby and stepped into the bright sunshine.
They returned to Wynn’s Spitfire. No, hers, she remembered, as the fog began to clear in her head.
“I’m not sure I can drive,” she confessed as they reached the sports car.
“Give me the keys.”
Scarlett unzipped her tote and found them, shakily handing them over. Wynn opened the passenger door and she got in, still a bit dazed. He came around the front and slid behind the wheel.
“Care if I put the top down?”
She smiled. “I was hoping you would.”
He started the engine and rolled the windows down before pressing a button. The top folded back, settling into a slot behind them.
“Call Cassie,” Wynn urged. “The sooner she and Breck can get Carbon Man 4 written, the sooner I’m free to pursue other things.”
The gleam in his eyes told her those pursuits involved more than his film career.
As Wynn worked his way back to the front of the studio, Scarlett located her cell and hit Cassie’s name on her frequent contact list.
“What happened?” her sister-in-law asked eagerly, not bothering with a greeting.
“Ed Mussfield went for it. All of it,” Scarlett confirmed. “The legal team will review the docs I drew up and we’re scheduled to meet again tomorrow morning and sign off. After that, Wynn will be free and clear after he shoots his portion of the next solo movie. By the way, the director called your treatment bloody fantastic.”
“And?” Cassie prodded.
“I’m going to text you Ed’s number. He’s expecting your call. He wants to hire you and Breck to write the script.”
“I knew it. The outline was pretty fantastic.” Cassie laughed. “I don’t sound biased at all.”
“Wynn read it on our way over to Rylon and loved it. I guess I’ll need to do that, too. This is a terrific opportunity for you and Breck.”
“We think so. Breck’s already on his way back to Vegas. Jo has another nine days of shows to do in her three-week stint. She’s even talking about a possible residency. In the meantime, I’ve already started Carbon Man 4, based upon what we hammered out during the last twelve hours. Breck will continue with the Mark Brockwell script for now.”
“That’s great. I’ll text you the number now.”
“Good work, Scarlett. I know it wasn’t easy going into the lion’s den and pitching such a wild idea. My advice? Take the rest of the day off and go do something crazy.”
She glanced at Wynn, thinking of all of the things she wanted to do to him. “I plan to. Talk to you later.” Then choosing to perform a cardinal sin for any LA lawyer, she turned off her phone.
Replacing the cell in her purse, Scarlett looked down at her hand in Wynn’s He’d claimed it as she’d spoken to Cassie, which had Scarlett’s heart racing. It had made trying to hold a coherent conversation almost impossible. That’s when she realized this was something different than anything she’d ever experienced before. Simply holding hands with this man had her adrenaline skyrocketing.
Wynn lifted their joined hands and kissed her knuckles. The best kind of chills ran along her spine.
“So, back to Lymon McGraw?” he asked.
“No. Cassie suggested I take the rest of the day off and celebrate. My sister-in-law has never given me better advice.”
Wynn paused at a stop sign, his eyes raking over her. “Where to, Lady Lawyer?”
“Your place,” she decided. “Wherever that is.”
His hand tightened around hers and he accelerated again.
They rode without speaking, the wind blowing her hair and the early September sun warming her skin. Scarlett couldn’t recall the last time she’d ridden in a car and not known where she was going but it didn’t matter. Being with Wynn was enough. If he’d headed east on
Route 66 and kept going, she would willingly travel across the country without a backward glance. The law had been her life up until now. She’d thrived on the many challenges thrown her way. It was still important to her but a myriad of opportunities had opened up with Wynn Gallagher’s presence in her life. She wanted to make the most of them.
“When’s the last time you played hooky?’ he finally asked, long after they’d left LA and headed north on the PCH.
“High school,” she said, chuckling at the memory. “It was less than a week before graduation. I’d been one of those outstanding student leaders. Involved in everything. Suddenly, I was done with being upstanding and responsible. I wanted one perfect day, one just for me, so I took it.”
“What did you do?”
“A little of everything. I talked three friends into skipping with me. We went surfing early that morning. Hit Disneyland for eight hours. Went bowling. Then to a drive-in movie.”
“I loved going to the drive-in when I was a kid,” Wynn said wistfully. “I haven’t been to one in years.”
“We’ll find one. I’ll take you,” she declared.
“You’re on.”
“Where do you live?”
“Malibu, mostly. I’ve also got a small studio apartment in Universal City that I crash at if filming goes into the wee hours. There’s something about being on the water, though, that speaks to my soul.”
Ten minutes later, he pulled off the highway and stopped at a gate, tapping in the code. The gate swung open and he wound down a long drive. They finally reached the house, hidden from the road by large trees and massive foliage. A fire engine red Ford Mustang and a burgundy Corvette sat outside the house.
“Your fixer uppers?”
He nodded. “The Mustang is next. I guess with a delay in filming, I’ll have some time to work on her.”
“What’s her name?”
“That red screams for attention. I call this one Lola.”
“Like ‘Copacabana’ Lola?” Scarlett asked.
“Exactly.” Wynn looked pleased that she’d made the connection between the car’s sexy name and the old Barry Manilow song.
The garage door rose and he eased Philippa inside next to a Range Rover. Turning off the engine, he faced her.
“I’ll take as much or as little as you’re willing to give me, Scarlett. If all you want to do is sit on the deck this afternoon and drink wine and talk, I’m in.”
“That sounds good. Maybe I could sit in your lap? Naked?”
His smile was a thing of beauty.
CHAPTER 12
Wynn leaned over and softly brushed his lips against hers. Something had changed with Scarlett. He didn’t want to ask because he was afraid she’d spook and the switch would flip again.
Their status hadn’t changed. He remained her client. Maybe since she’d pulled off an amazing victory at Rylon today, she thought to wrap up that deal and pass him off to another Lymon McGraw partner so they could see each other socially.
Not a chance.
Scarlett Corrigan was a force of nature. Bright. Beautiful. Exactly the attorney he needed representing his interests, both now and in the future. More importantly, he wanted to keep her in his life for the long run. Because of that, Wynn decided to put on the brakes. It might’ve been their fast start which had shaken her up. Given her second thoughts. Made her pull back. He wouldn’t let that happen again. At thirty-five, he’d sown enough wild oats. He’d decided—after meeting her—he wanted to settle down. From what she’d revealed to him, Scarlett felt the same way. She was ready for children, whether she had a partner or not. They were compatible in so many ways and their chemistry was off the charts.
Wynn couldn’t afford to blow this a second time. As much as he wanted to launch a full frontal assault, both physically and metaphorically speaking, he was going to slow this roller coaster down. Right now, they were standing in line for the ride of their lives. He’d build the anticipation for as long as he could before they stepped into the front car for the actual ride. Once inside and belted in, he was never letting her go.
That meant Scarlett had to be ready to make a lifetime commitment to him. To them. She wasn’t ready to do that now. Though he was positive of the outcome, she had to come to the same realization on her own.
There could be a lot of fun in the build-up, though.
He brushed his fingers along her cheek. “I don’t know about you but I’m starving.” Wynn glanced at his watch. “It’s almost one-thirty. I was too nervous to eat this morning.”
Her fingers lightly grasped his wrist. “Worried that I couldn’t pull off something insane?”
Looking deep into her eyes, he said, “I think you could accomplish whatever you put your mind to, Scarlett Corrigan.”
She blushed at the compliment. “Thank you. I’m surprised by the positive outcome. Rylon—especially under Mussfield’s leadership—is notoriously old school. It’s pretty remarkable those executives are willing to be shaken and not stirred.”
He leaned in and gave her a soft kiss. “I do love a good 007 reference.”
Pulling away, he exited the Spitfire and she joined him. They entered the house and he tapped in the security code to silence the alarm. Scarlett brushed by him and traveled through the kitchen to his great room. He heard her gasp and was inordinately pleased.
Following, he stepped behind her as she looked out at the ocean and wrapped his arms around her waist, touching his cheek against hers. “You like my view?”
“It’s spectacular.” Her hands came to rest on his arms. Wynn’s lips pressed against her throat briefly and then he released her.
“Food first. Is a sandwich all right? I have some leftover meatloaf and a great crusty French bread.”
She turned to face him, her hands sliding up his chest. “I’m a sucker for a cold meatloaf sandwich. I used to beg Mom to make meatloaf solely to have leftovers the next day. Only Rhett and I liked it cold. Carreen and Suellen couldn’t stand it, which meant more for us.”
Wynn took her hand and led her back to the kitchen and indicated a barstool she could sit on. He went to the refrigerator and began pulling items out.
“I’ve met Rhett and Carreen. What about Suellen? Does she live in California?”
He noticed the annoyed look that flickered across her face. “Who knows? Suellen has been a lost child ever since Dad walked away. She was closest to him. Always made excuses when he came home drunk or missed showing up to a school play or one of our games. She took it hard when he left. Always thought he’d come back. Pretended she’d hear from him when we all knew he’d cut ties with us.”
Scarlett began cracking her knuckles, something Wynn had never seen her do.
“Suellen fell into one bad thing after another. Alcohol. Drugs. Shoplifting. A parade of bad boys in school and worse men after she dropped out. She drifted from man to man and job to job. Rhett bailed her out a few times—literally and otherwise. Mom put her foot down and told all of us we needed to practice tough love with Suellen. It worked for a while and she got her act together but it didn’t last.”
Scarlett pushed her fingers through her hair, moving it away from her face. “Suellen finally blew up. It was so ugly, Wynn, to hear vicious words spew from the mouth of someone you love. She told us we’d never see her again. She was through with all of us. I guess she meant it.”
“How long ago was that?” he asked.
“Almost eight years. She’s missed babies being born. Mom’s death. Suellen was always an odd duck. Not really connected to any of us after Dad made his great escape.”
“Has anyone tried to find her?”
Scarlett shuddered. “I haven’t. I know Carreen hasn’t. She’d already kept Suellen from being around her kids.” She hesitated. “I think Rhett may have tried a few years ago.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Just something Cassie let slip. Rhett never said anything, though. Either he found Suellen and she was so far gone he couldn
’t help her or she was dead and Rhett chose not to tell us about it. We were already so upset with everything happening with Mom. I’m not sure Carreen or I could’ve taken more bad news.”
Knowing how much Scarlett valued family, Wynn knew it had been incredibly difficult for her to let go of this wayward sister.
“Enough doom and gloom,” she declared and slid off her stool. “What can I do to help?”
He sensed she needed something to keep her occupied and put her to work. Ten minutes later, the meatloaf sandwiches rested on toasted bread. He’d also pulled out a bowl of mixed berries.
“Want to take our lunch outside?”
Scarlett’s eyes lit up.
“Follow me.”
Wynn opened a set of French doors that led from the kitchen to a deck spanning the entire back side of the house. They made their way to deck chairs shaded by a large umbrella and rested the food on a table between them.
Slipping off his suit coat, Wynn loosened his tie before pulling it off and rolling his sleeves up. Scarlett kicked off her heels and also removed her bright yellow jacket. Her long, tanned legs drew his eyes for a moment as she sank onto the chair and stretched them out in front of her. Deliberately looking away, he took a seat and focused on his sandwich.
Her stomach gurgled loudly and they both laughed.
“I guess I’m hungrier than I realized.”
They enjoyed eating slowly, talking about everything from a new sushi place she’d recently dined at to his beloved Dodgers. He found himself thinking how much he enjoyed her company. Scarlett was interesting and opinionated and fun to be around.
She took the empty plate resting in her lap and set it on the table and stood. Her arms reached high into the air and he heard her back crack as she leaned into the stretch.
“Ah. Much better,” she said and turned toward him, a hungry look in her eyes.
His pulse quickened.
Scarlett came toward him and lifted his plate away, placing it atop hers. She lowered herself onto his lap and Wynn’s arms automatically went around her. For this one moment, as he stared into her gray eyes, life seemed perfect.
