by Maggie Mundy
She still wasn’t sure why she was here. There would probably be cameras outside eventually and she would have to deal with the fallout. For some reason, she wanted to make sure Mitch was okay. She sensed he was trying to warn her about something before he passed out. She simply didn’t know what. It had to be Kurt, but she already knew that. She’d been a fool, and now she was a bigger one for hanging around with the sort of person who would sell her out for anything. Gemma, you are officially pathetic and needed your head read. She clutched onto Mitch’s camera. A part of her dreaded why he thrust it into her arms before he lost consciousness. Did she really want to see what was on there? She remembered what he said before he passed out again.
“Don’t let anyone touch it. It’s you, but not you, and they wouldn’t understand.”
What the hell did that mean? She had an awful feeling it was Kurt ripping her top. What else would it be? How much did Mitch see? The doctor walked back in.
“He’s good and you should be able to take him home soon. He shouldn’t be left alone tonight because of the sedation, but should be okay in the morning.”
“I’ll try to contact my sister again. She works here,” Mitch said.
A crazy idea formed in Gemma’s mind. “That’s fine. I can look after you. I mean, if she’s working, she might not be free.”
He smiled at her though he was still pale. Why was she offering? He probably had a family waiting for him at home. She didn’t want to leave him yet.
She shouldn’t let the loneliness of L.A. get to her and make her go back home. Her parents and her overprotective brothers back in New York would drive her insane. Plus, Julia would tie her to the front gate rather than let her go. For months Gemma had been telling herself it was good being in L.A. She needed to grow. Okay, so tonight’s experience was a weird way of growing, but she always did daft things. This would be another one to add to the list.
Mitch’s face looked white when she wheeled him out to the waiting room. He had not hurt his legs, but she thought he would be in a heap on the floor if he tried to stand up. He squinted at her. Maybe he was still seeing double from the sedation.
“Thank you for staying. Is your hand okay? I squeezed it a lot,” he said as he smiled at her.
“You were hurt. I was worried. Truth is, I was never going to be a concert pianist anyway.” Mitch was way too nice for a paparazzo. He had a way of making her care when he gave her that sad look. Caring wasn’t always beneficial in Hollywood.
“Thanks. It means a lot. You still have my camera, I see.”
Gemma took a deep breath now the discussion was here. “Yes, and I presume it’s me on there. You fell out of the tree when you did the flash thing on purpose, didn’t you?”
Mitch nodded. “I’ll get rid of them. I’m sorry. I swear I didn’t know it was you. When I saw him pop something in your drink, I had to do something. The flash seemed like a good idea until I fell crashing to the ground.”
“Thank you. I saw him pop the pill in and was going to leave anyway.” What more could she say apart from “I need a friend, and you seemed okay”? But it would be stupid to befriend someone who can make money by using her. Also, “I like what I see and want to get to know you better.”
She couldn’t forget the night in the lane and when he kissed her. Gemma didn’t think she would have seen him again. That night, she would have let him take her. She had never felt like that with anyone. Even now when he was pale and hurt she wanted to be near him.
“You can drop me off at home. I can call my friend Ralph to come and stay.”
“No. I meant it when I said I’d like to stay. It can be my way of saying thank you again for saving me. I seem to be making a habit of needing to be rescued and borrowing your clothes.”
“Mitch.” Someone shouted from behind her. Gemma turned to see a young woman in theater blues come across the room and give Mitch a hug. The moment was gone between them. Had there even been a moment? What the hell. She didn’t know.
“I heard you were here. Sorry I couldn’t get here earlier. We had a long case I was scrubbed for in the O.R. Anyway, what did you do this time, you clumsy oaf?”
The familiarity between these two made Gemma feel the odd one out. Gemma piped in. “He fell out of a tree trying to take pictures of me.”
The young woman burst out laughing as she shook her head.
“Gemma, this is my little and very bossy sister, Lili.”
Lili glanced back at Mitch and raised an eyebrow. “You’re an idiot, Mitch. You hate heights. You can’t even climb a stepladder, let alone a tree. He even gets me to change lightbulbs at home. Thanks for rescuing him. I’m sure he didn’t deserve it.”
“Gemma is going to drive me home and has offered to stay. I told her I’d be fine. I’ll call Ralph.”
Lili smirked as she glimpsed at Mitch. Gemma noticed he shook his head.
“Ralph is useless, plus I don’t want him in our house. He gives me the creeps and I don’t want him going through my clothes. I’ll be off at seven in the morning and I’ll check up on you. Did they give you some painkillers?”
Mitch waved the packet at her with his good hand.
“I have to get back, but I’ll see you later.” She bent down and gave Mitch a kiss on the cheek and whispered, “I like this one. Don’t screw up.”
Gemma blushed at the words. She liked him, too. She pushed the wheelchair out to the car and was thankful no other paparazzi had turned up yet. Though with Mitch’s oversized top on, no one would have recognized her anyway. It literally came down to her knees and the hood almost covered her face.
Mitch tapped in the directions on his phone and put his head back to rest. The drugs seemed to be making him drowsy so there would not be too much conversation. She really didn’t know him, anyway, so what more could she say? Telling him she thought he was hot was not exactly appropriate right now.
Gemma drove through the streets and considered what she was doing. Julia would be furious, but Gemma didn’t care for once. For some reason, she felt safe around Mitch, even when he was doped up on drugs. The real truth was she didn’t want to be alone. In fact, she was tired of being alone and she didn’t want Julia to see it. She was tough but would love to have someone to come home to at night. Mitch was not the best candidate though. Again with the bad choices.
Gemma pulled up outside a small house. The area wasn’t Beverly Hills, but not bad. She opened the car door and Mitch shook his head as if to get rid of the grogginess from the drugs. Having played nurse enough times in TV roles, she knew what to say. She simply wouldn’t know what to do if something went wrong.
“Okay. I want you to try to stand and tell me if you feel dizzy. If you do, then we sit you back down.”
Mitch raised an eyebrow at her bossiness, but did what he was told. He stood, wobbled, and put his left hand on her shoulder.
“How’s the pain?” Gemma asked, knowing if his six feet fell on her she would be pinned to the pavement.
“Bearable, though I still feel fuzzy.”
He put his arm around her shoulder again as the two of them made their way up the steps to the front door. Mitch pulled a key out of his pocket and let them in.
Until now, she could convince herself she was helping. To enter his home made her catch her breath. He flicked the light on.
“I’m sorry. I’m too heavy on you.”
“No, I’m fine.” No, I’m not. I’m hyperventilating because I shouldn’t be here with you. What the fuck am I doing with my life?
Gemma wasn’t sure what she expected inside. Maybe a student pad with clothes all over the place. It would be more like her house then. From the minute she walked in the door, she relaxed. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but Mitch and Lili had made a home. It was something she didn’t know despite having three brothers and a mother and father living in New York, in style.
The place opened into a living room with comfy couches with pillows and throw rugs. There was a small kitchen off to
the side with appliances that had seen better days, but it was homey. Her kitchen had everything new, but she never used it. There were pictures on the walls of him and Lili and an older woman. People looked happy and smiling in those pictures and so different from the broody Mitch she now knew. She wondered what had happened to change him. She helped him as he walked on to the back of the house.
“My room’s down the corridor. The bathroom is opposite if you need it.”
Gemma helped him to his bedroom. It smelled good. How silly was that? The aroma was like him. A sexy aftershave mixed with all man. She remembered his scent from the alleyway when he’d kissed her. She kept telling herself not to go back to that memory. It didn’t work with him in such close proximity.
There was a double bed, a built-in wardrobe, a chest of drawers, a desk, and a chair. His laptop was on the desk, along with lots of folders she assumed contained photos. Would she be in there? A part of her wanted to have a look. How was sick was that? Some of her friends might be in there. He might also have some of his amazing shots of the homeless in there, too. He confused her. Maye that was the attraction. He wasn’t like so many other men in L.A. wanting to use her.
Mitch sat down and lay back as she helped lift up his legs. The room wasn’t big, but his cameras and clothes were scattered about and it made her feel good to be here. As if he was letting her see another side of him. She pulled over the chair from the desk and sat, looking at him in his half-passed-out state on the bed. She should do the nurse role more and make him comfortable.
“I’ll take off your boots.” Mitch didn’t protest as she unzipped and tugged off his boots. She pulled the bed covers from underneath and covered him.
Gemma sat on the edge of the bed next to him as Mitch cupped the side of her face with his palm. His eyes were a bit glazed over as he tried to lift his head off the pillow but failed.
“You’re beautiful, Gemma. I thought that the first time I saw you. Plus, you’re the best fucking kisser I’ve ever met.” Mitch yawned again and shut his eyes.
“You’re pretty good, too,” she replied before she thought about it. It was probably the drugs talking and he wouldn’t remember what he said later.
She was about to say how much she wanted to cry buckets because she had been an idiot with men. Mitch snored, or maybe snorted was a more accurate description. His good arm dropped onto the bedcover. Thank goodness she hadn’t splurged out everything and acted like some fool. Taking a deep breath, she really hoped he wouldn’t even remember saying anything in the morning.
She would call Julia and let her know what was happening. She needed to get back to the reality of her life, and not this six-foot drop-dead gorgeous paparazzo in front of her. He snorted again. Gemma laughed and sighed. She realized laughter and fun had been missing from her life for a while. She would phone Julia and sort things out while Mitch slept.
Her throat dried up and caught with panic. Her purse and phone were still at Kurt’s. She shook and came out in a cold sweat, and then glanced across at Mitch.
Whatever happened in the future, she was safe here, for now at least. Not simply because he was doped up but because she trusted him. A paparazzo. She hoped she wouldn’t live to regret it.
Gemma yawned. She had been on set since five in the morning and now it was midnight. She turned on the bedside light, turned off the main one, and snuggled up on the chair next to the bed. She would have a crick in her neck in the morning, but she didn’t care because she was here with Mitch. The thought made sleep come easier than it had in months.
****
Gemma heard a moan and looked across to see Mitch screw up his face.
“Are you okay? Has the pain come back?”
“Yep. It hurts like fuck. Sorry about the language. I really need to pee as well.”
She helped him up and across the corridor. She would go herself when he was done. She stood outside the bathroom door. He might be dizzy, but she wasn’t going to hold him up or hold his privates while he took a leak. That would be taking the whole role playing of being a nurse a step too far. Mitch came out and she helped him back to bed.
“I’ll get you some water so you can take a painkiller.”
She went out to the kitchen and rummaged in cupboards until she found a glass. He took the tablets and she went to the bathroom. When she came back, she sat back down on the chair.
“You can’t be comfortable there. Lay on the bed. It’s a double and I promise to behave. If you want, you can put a pillow down the middle. I don’t have the energy, even if I was up for it.”
It made sense, but it felt like she was taking another step and she kept making mistakes. Gemma lay on her side next to him. Mitch turned his head and smiled. She needed to talk to him.
“I realized earlier while you were asleep that I left my purse and phone at Kurt’s.”
“It’s okay. If you drive me back there in the morning, I’ll get it for you. I can be pretty persuasive when I need to be. Even with a shoulder out of whack.”
“Thanks for saving me again.”
“It was my pleasure. Next time I’ll stay on the ground though.”
Mitch shut his eyes and Gemma watched him drift off to sleep again as the painkillers started to work. It was just as well his sore arm was on her side because she had an irresistible urge to reach over and kiss his cheek. You really need to get a grip, girl. Her eyes grew heavy, and for now, she would enjoy the moment and believe something good might come of it.
Chapter Six
Mitch glanced across at Gemma sleeping beside him. He had fantasied about having her in his bed and adoring every part of her body. He simply hadn’t factored in falling out of a tree and a dislocated shoulder. She was all curled up in a little ball and looked so innocent. He wanted to hold her, take care of her, and protect her, but he didn’t have anything to offer. She had lots of people around her and didn’t need him. A two-bit pap. Sure, he had helped in some unfortunate situations, but he doubted it would be an ongoing connection.
She opened her eyes, and for a second, she looked frightened, then smiled. He hoped she was glad to be here. He heard the front door open and guessed Lili must be back from her nightshift. There was a knock to the bedroom door and Lili walked in. She never had been one to wait until she was invited. Then again, he’d never brought a woman back here before.
“So how is the patient?”
Mitch sat up and for a change, the room didn’t spin. His shoulder ached like hell but he could cope.
“I’m fine. Gemma looked after me well. She missed her vocation as a nurse.”
“I’ll go and put the pot on. You still look pale. Want some coffee?” Lili said as she checked his pulse and felt his forehead.
“Sounds good. It was all acting. If something had gone wrong I would have been on the phone dialing 911,” Gemma replied as she jumped up and came around to his side of the bed to help him up. He didn’t need her help but let her put her arm around his waist. He liked her arm on his body. He would take it for as long as he could get it.
Lili made them drinks and put on crumpets. The three of them sat, laughing and joking like old friends. Well, mostly, the two women ganged up and were laughing at him. Once he got her purse and phone back, Gemma would go back to her life and they would only see each other in their established roles on either side of a divide. He would enjoy this while he could.
“So, exactly why did you fall out of a tree, Mitch? You’re twenty-eight, not five. You were never much good when you were five either, by the way.”
He didn’t want Lili to see Gemma in a bad light and wasn’t sure what to say. Gemma answered before he could.
“He didn’t know I was there and he was after a shot. I made a rather foolish decision to go home with someone who I thought was a friend. I was wrong. I’m glad Mitch was up the tree and changed the habits of a lifetime.”
Mitch didn’t want Gemma to have to explain anything. It wasn’t her fault, but that dickhead Kurt’s. A woman s
hould be able to talk business without every guy wanting to get into their pants. He wanted to get into them too, but only if Gemma did. He wouldn’t be doping anyone to get his rocks off.
“There are lots of A-hole actors in Hollywood, Mitch. You should go after them and leave Gemma alone.” Lili wagged a finger at him.
“I didn’t know Gemma was there. I saw this guy put something in her drink and knew I needed to get her out of there. Then my plan went crazy when I fell out of the tree. To be honest, I never really had a plan.”
Gemma turned that beautiful smile of hers on him.
“I’m really glad you were there. I know Kurt has a bit of a reputation, but he’s always been nice to me. I wanted to talk to someone about my future. I guess I was wrong in my choice.”
Lili yawned. “If he was going to give you a roofie you should report him to the police.”
“I got out safely, thanks to Mitch, and I don’t want any more fuss.”
“It’s your choice, but he may do it to someone else,” Lili said. “We see girls come into the Emergency Department all the time. Makes me want to chop off the guys’ dicks if I find them.”
“No, this guy won’t do it again. I’ll deal with it,” Mitch said. He wasn’t sure how, but he would work something out. He was good at improvising.
“Well, I’m off to bed. What are you two up to?”
“My purse and phone are back at Kurt’s place. I’ll drive Mitch over there.”
“Just don’t mess up your shoulder again roughing him up. I got the bill reduced a bit, but we’re still going to be out of pocket,” Lili said.
