Tempted By The Movie Star. Anna DePalo

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       Chapter Six

      The hum of conversation in the living room had traveled through the air ducts to Geena’s room. She hadn’t been able to make out any of it, which had been maddening. For sure she was missing something and it might be important.

      She’d been dying to know what they were talking about, specifically what Matt was talking about. What if he’d decided to reveal the backstory that had led to Briana’s stunt? Damn it, now she wasn’t the least bit sleepy.

      She mostly blamed Matt’s kiss, although to be fair she was still on California time and she never went to bed this early. But it was after eleven here and people were still in the living room talking, even though Rosie had said they generally weren’t night owls. That meant something special was going on and she wanted to know what it was.

      When she couldn’t stand it another minute, she’d come up with an excuse to go out there. She would have put on a robe, but she’d packed so quickly this morning that she hadn’t thought to bring one. The sleep shirt was cotton, opaque and reached to midthigh. It covered everything important and she didn’t consider it seductive.

      At least, she hadn’t until she’d noticed Matt’s expression once she put on her glasses. He’d looked as if someone had blinded him with a strobe light.

      Sadly, she seemed to have caught the tail end of the party. After Lexi poured her a glass of water from the fridge, the two of them walked back to the living room. Geena had hoped that everyone would sit down and continue the discussion, but although Cade seemed ready to stay, Lexi insisted on leaving.

      After they were gone Geena was alone with Matt. She realized that might not be the best combination, considering how Matt was looking at her. She should take her water and go, but she wanted to know what that conversation had been about and she believed in seizing the moment. “Part of the reason I couldn’t sleep is that I heard you guys talking out here.”

      That startled him. “You did?”

      “Through the air ducts. But I couldn’t understand what you were saying.”

      “Oh. Yeah, I forgot about the air duct thing. Sorry if we kept you awake.” He didn’t look particularly sorry. The gleam in his eyes returned.

      “If it’s private family stuff, then never mind.”

      “It kind of was.” His expression said clearly that he’d like to drop the subject and move on to other things, like maybe kissing.

      She wouldn’t object, but she had a point to make first. “Matt, if you were giving them the scoop on your history with Briana, then I deserve to hear it, too. We’re in this together.”

      “Nice to know.” He took a step closer and there was no mistaking the intent in those blue eyes.

      The huskiness in his voice fired her blood and fogged her glasses, but she recognized a delaying tactic when she saw one. “As long as we’re working together, your reputation is connected with mine.” She took off her glasses and used her shirtsleeve to clean them. “If I let you go down in flames that won’t look good for my firm. I don’t want to make this all about me because my investment in the problem isn’t nearly as big as yours. But I do have a stake in it.”

      “I hadn’t thought of that.” Taking off his hat, he ran his fingers through his hair.

      After yesterday, she recognized the gesture as a sign of nervousness. He didn’t like talking about this and he’d already been through it once tonight. “I’m sorry if this is difficult, but I need to know.”

      “I understand, but the more people I tell, the more likely it’ll come out and I don’t want that.”

      “You’re my client. I won’t betray your confidence.”

      He studied her for a moment and a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

      “What?”

      “Can’t doubt the sincerity of someone wearing a Captain America shirt.” He used his hat to motion her toward the sofa. “We might as well sit.”

      She took one end and he claimed the other, leaving at least three feet between them. It wasn’t enough. She could feel the air crackling in that empty space every time she looked into his eyes.

      He laid his hat, brim side up, between them.

      She glanced at it. “Is that the neutral zone?”

      “Yes, ma’am.” His wink gave her goose bumps.

      “I promise not to attack you.”

      “I can’t make that promise.” His gaze swept over her. “Not when you come out here looking like that.”

      “Sorry. I forgot to bring a robe.”

      “I’m not complaining, just stating the facts.” His attention settled on the Captain America shield again. “I take it you’re a fan?”

      “Sure. He’s an all-American good guy. Like you.”

      “Thanks for the reminder. It’ll help me stay on my side of the hat.” He pointed to the glass she held. “You’re not drinking your water.”

      “The water was an excuse to come out here to see what was going on.”

      He sighed. “All right. Let’s get this over with.” Glancing away, he cleared his throat. “You probably won’t be surprised to hear that Briana propositioned me.”

      She sucked in a breath.

      “So you are surprised.”

      “I shouldn’t be, but damn her.” The news made her sick to her stomach. The woman was a predator if she’d take advantage of a guy who’d just gotten his first big break.

      “I’d hoped she was kidding around, but when I tried to make a joke out of it she set me straight real fast.”

      Geena’s stomach churned. “That explains everything. You know what they say. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.”

      “I did not scorn her.” He tunneled his fingers through his hair again and swore. “God knows I wanted to. I was furious, but I was also humiliated. I wanted her to like and respect me for my acting, but you know what? I wonder if she was jealous of the attention I got. Maybe she thought that if we had sex she’d have some leverage, some power over me.” He glanced over. “Does that make sense?”

      “Unfortunately it makes perfect sense.” Her heart ached for the loss of his idealistic dreams. Briana had ruined what should have been special.

      “I knew that yelling would make things worse so I tried to be nice. I had to think of something that didn’t sound insulting, so I made up a personal rule—never get involved with a costar. I don’t have any damned rule like that. It СКАЧАТЬ