His Larkville Cinderella. Melissa Mcclone

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      No smile, but her features relaxed. Gratitude shone in her eyes. “Thanks.”

      Interesting how she let every emotion show. The girl must never have heard the expression poker face before. Adam could have some fun with that. In fact, he would.

      “You’re welcome.” He handed her his surfboard. “Here.”

      She inhaled sharply. As her fingers gripped the wet board, she struggled to hold on to it. The Fish weighed ten pounds or so, but it was half a foot taller than her. “You want me to carry this thing?”

      The indignation in her voice made him bite back a smile. Not quite a modern-day Scarlett, but as close as he’d find on a beach in Malibu. “You’re the intern.”

      “In costumes,” she clarified.

      Now that surprised him. Costume people tended to dress the part. They didn’t wear their best clothes when working on the set because they could get dirty. But they usually looked good. Stylish, even in their grubbies. Megan dressed like one of the tech crew. Maybe she liked being comfortable, not stylish and fashionable.

      “You’re still an intern.” Adam wanted to get a response out of her. This should do it. He grinned wryly. “And I’m the star.”

      CHAPTER TWO

      MEGAN’S full lips narrowed into a thin line. Pink colored her cheeks. Resentful, offended, annoyed, angry, put out. Her feelings flashed across her face brighter than the neon lights on the Las Vegas Strip.

      Adam had wanted a reaction. Looks like he got one.

      He fought the urge to laugh. Someone who didn’t know how to control her emotions was rare in a town where showing any weakness could mean you were shark bait. He liked it. “I suppose I can carry the board myself. If it’s too much trouble for you.”

      Megan didn’t say a word. But the determined set of her chin and the gold flames flickering in her eyes told him to back off.

      He did. Playing with her was more fun than he thought it would be. He didn’t want her to get angry and storm off. Not that any intern would do that if they had half a brain. Truth was, he was the star and could get away with … a lot.

      She maneuvered the Fish awkwardly, as if she’d never held a surfboard before. Given the way she tried to carry it, she probably hadn’t. She looked like she might tip over.

      He reached toward her, but she shrugged off his assistance. Interesting. Many women liked playing the damsel in distress to his knight in shining armor. Not this one.

      Megan readjusted the board, nearly losing her balance again. She walked toward the villa.

      Adam’s respect inched up. She was tougher than she looked. He liked rooting for the underdog. He’d been one himself until recently.

      He lengthened his stride to catch up to her. “Being an intern sucks. But you have to start somewhere in this business.”

      He waited for her to say something. She didn’t.

      “I was a stuntman and a stand-in before becoming an actor,” he continued.

      Still nothing. That was … odd.

      Something had to be wrong with her. People sucked up to him no matter what he did. Women would kill to be in her spot right now. Not carrying the surfboard, but having his undivided attention.

      “Long hours.” Adam wasn’t sure why he was trying so hard. Maybe because most women liked him, flirted with him, wanted him. He wasn’t used to it when they didn’t or how to feel about that. He settled on amused. A challenge was always nice. “But it paid off in the end.”

      Megan stared at Chas’s patio about a hundred yards away, as if Adam didn’t exist. He might as well be talking to a brick wall. That was both annoying and intriguing. Women didn’t ignore him. Okay, a few did because they were playing hard to get. Megan didn’t look like that type, but he’d never put anything past a woman. He’d grown up watching his mother do some crazy things to get a man.

      “Let me guess,” Adam said, not ready to give up. “You’re interning in costumes, but you really want to be an actress.”

      Megan stared at him as if he were a wild animal let loose from its cage at the San Diego Zoo. A V formed above the bridge of her nose, making her look strangely attractive. “Do I look like someone who wants to be an actress?”

      Her harsh tone matched the annoyance in her eyes. “Honestly, no. But you could be a method actor and deep in character at the moment.”

      The V deepened. “What character would that be?”

      He studied her—curly, messy hair, slumping shoulders, two-sizes-too-big clothes that could be hiding some delectable curves. Or not. “Insecure girl desperately seeking a boyfriend.”

      Her icy glare would have frozen the equator.

      He’d been a little too honest. Next time he’d stick to being polite. “O-kay, not an actress.”

      As she walked—almost marched—away from him, heading toward Chas’s place, Adam’s curiosity grew. No rings on her fingers. Hooking up with her could be a possibility. Though she wasn’t his type. He preferred athletic women who were tan, lithe and straight-to-bed sexy. Still he wouldn’t forget those eyes anytime soon.

      “So …” he said.

      “I’m here doing my job, Mr. Noble,” she said. “You don’t have to go out of your way to talk to me.”

      Her straightforwardness surprised him.

      “Call me Adam. I’m just messing with you about carrying my board. A little Hollywood hazing of the intern.” He waited to see if she was amused. Nope. He almost regretted making her carry the board. “I’ll take it now.”

      She tightened her grip on the board and sped up.

      Stubborn. Adam had to admit he was impressed by Megan Calhoun’s total lack of sucking up to him. He wanted to know more about her. “You sound like you’re from the South.”

      No reply.

      “You must be new in town,” he tried again.

      Megan glanced his way again, only this time her gaze was wary. “Why do you say that?”

      Her pale skin and clothing were dead giveaways. Not to mention her ignoring him. Most people no matter what their job title and status in the industry would leech on to him, like barnacles on the hull of a boat, in hopes of getting a boost to their own careers. “Just a hunch.”

      “I’ve been here six days.”

      “A newbie.”

      She nodded.

      “First time in Malibu?” he asked.

      Another nod.

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