Tempted By The Movie Star. Anna DePalo

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СКАЧАТЬ chin lifted and she met his gaze. “That is not the case and I resent your implication.”

      “And I’m suspicious of your sudden turnaround! How can you be so sure I’m telling the truth?” He took a step closer. “Maybe I spent every available moment on location trying to seduce her while she valiantly fought me off.”

      A flame burned in her eyes, which were definitely green, like he’d thought. “I’m trying to apologize, damn it. You didn’t try to seduce her and you didn’t kiss her outside that café. A gentleman wouldn’t do those things. I allowed the photo to convince me of something I should have known wasn’t true. But I finally figured it out.”

      This was turning into an effing roller coaster. “So you’ve decided I’m a gentleman?”

      “I didn’t just decide. You’ve demonstrated it from the beginning with your yes, ma’am behavior and your respect for everyone in my office, including the cleaning lady. She made a point of telling me that you showed up late one afternoon after we’d all left and you offered to carry out the trash.”

      “Who wouldn’t?”

      “Most people, Matt. So obviously you didn’t initiate that embarrassing scene in Burbank and you didn’t hit on her during the filming. It doesn’t fit your profile. It’s not you.”

      “God, that makes me happy. You can’t imagine how happy.” Vindicated. Damn, that felt good.

      “Because I hadn’t put that together, I insulted your sense of honor. No wonder you stomped out of my office. I’m surprised you didn’t end our business relationship.”

      He smiled. “That was my original goal when I thought I’d be escorting you back to town. First I’d get you a hotel room and then I’d fire you.”

      “Good thing Rosie asked me to stay, huh?”

      “I wasn’t in favor of that, either.”

      “Yeah, she robbed you of your chance to fire me.” She gazed at him with an expression that bordered on tenderness. “You can still do that if you want, although Rosie seems to think you need me.”

      The warmth in her eyes brought him right back to the thoughts he’d been having until the discussion turned ugly. Drawn by that warmth, he drifted closer, within touching distance. “I probably do need you. I have no idea how to deal with this fiasco. Anyway, I can’t fire you with Rosie around. She’d give me hell for it. The others wouldn’t like it, either. You made some friends in there.”

      “Nice to know.” For some reason her glasses misted up. She took them off. “How about out here?”

      He was a goner. “I’ve always liked you. That’s why it bothered me so much that you believed I’d caused that scene.”

      “I’ve always liked you, too.” She moistened her lips. “That’s all the more reason I should have stopped to think before I jumped to conclusions.”

      The gesture caught his attention and he noticed her lipstick had worn off. He’d never seen her without it. Because of that, the natural pink of her bare lips was more arousing than if she’d stripped naked. The sweep of her tongue had left her mouth with a satin sheen that begged to be savored.

      “Rosie thinks there’s more to it.”

      “More to what?” While he’d been imagining how she’d taste, he’d lost track of the conversation. Lifting his gaze, he saw awareness in her expression and his heart pounded in anticipation. She knew what he wanted. Judging from the way she was looking at him, she wasn’t opposed.

      “The kissing incident.” Her breathing quickened. “She doesn’t think we have all the facts and you won’t make those public because you’re too much of a gentleman. I’m inclined to agree. There are lines you won’t cross.”

      He searched her expression. “Apparently you admire that.”

      “I do.”

      “Then maybe we should head inside.”

      She swallowed. “We should?”

      “Uh-huh. I’m guessing you already have someone in your life.”

      “Actually, I don’t.” Her voice was laced with tension. “Why do you want that information?”

      “Because I’m two seconds away from kissing you and I’d hate to ruin my sterling reputation.”

      Color bloomed in her cheeks. “I promise your reputation’s safe with me.”

       Chapter Five

      Being kissed by Matt Forrest was the last thing in the world Geena had expected to happen to her in Wyoming. Being trampled by a moose had seemed far more likely, or being eaten by a grizzly bear.

      But kicking off her shoes to learn Cade’s new dance step had felt like kicking off the traces. She’d been under strain, too, and dancing plus a bottle of beer had relaxed her. She’d forgotten to be so darned professional, and like any good actor, Matt had taken his cue.

      Licking her lips had been an innocent and unplanned move, but when those electric-blue eyes had focused on her mouth, game over. A powerful wave of lust had swept her brain clean of everything but the need to kiss and be kissed by the hottest cowboy she’d ever known.

      He took off his hat and laid it on a chair. Then he reached for her. Cupping her face in both hands, he gazed into her eyes. “I’ve thought about doing this for months. How about you?”

      She was so excited she could barely breathe. “Never crossed my mind.” Sliding her hands up the soft cotton of his T-shirt, she felt the solid muscles underneath. The tactile thrill was more delicious than she could have possibly imagined.

      “You’re not attracted to me? I could have sworn—”

      “I didn’t say that.” She rubbed her hands across his chest because she couldn’t help herself.

      “So you are attracted to me.”

      “Uh-huh.” She began a slow massage and watched his eyes darken to navy.

      “I should’ve asked you out. I almost did.”

      “What stopped you?”

      His gaze searched hers. “I thought it might be unprofessional.”

      “And people talk.”

      “Tell me about it.” He tipped her head back. “But tonight, after watching you dance, I don’t really care.”

      “I don’t much care, either.” Her pulse raced as she anticipated the touch of his mouth. It looked sexy on screen but ten times more kissable in real life.

      He leaned closer. “Glad to hear it.” And he captured her mouth.

      When he did, the takeover was complete. She leaned into him and ran up the white flag СКАЧАТЬ