The Mighty Quinns: Ryan. Kate Hoffmann

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ she’d been away shooting a movie, her entire wedding had been planned for her, and she’d passed the point of no return before she’d even had a chance to scream “Stop!” Breaking her engagement now would bring a riot of bad press at a time when her career and her reputation as an actress hung in the balance.

      Serena had always wanted to be taken seriously as an actress. Yet most of her career to date had been built on popular and not critically acclaimed films. But her most recent film was different. It was her chance to show she was a capable actress.

      She would no longer be the child of Will Sheridan and Cassandra Hightower-Fellowes, or the fiancée of Ben Thayer, or the beautiful face that graced the pages of fashion magazines. She wouldn’t be famous for being famous. Once this movie was released, she’d be Serena Hightower, a serious actress.

      And then she’d finally be satisfied, finally be happy with her life. This had to be it. She’d tried everything else—meditation, yoga, Kabbalah, juicing—whatever trend had come along, Serena had tried it, hoping that she’d find the answers to her questions. One question, actually. With everything she’d achieved in life, everything she possessed, why couldn’t she be happy?

      It was a simple question, yet one that seemed to plague her mind. There had to be something more to life than this. She had money. She had fame. She had every possession she could ever wish for. And if she went ahead with the wedding, she’d have a marriage.

      Serena reached out and poured herself a glass of warm champagne. They’d opened the bottles hours ago as a celebration of the adventure they were about to have. But now, the taste of the flat champagne mirrored her feelings.

      She pushed out of her seat and wandered to the front of the jet. Her four bridesmaids were sound asleep, exhausted from the excitement of the trip and too much champagne. Miles had his nose buried in his laptop. She glanced over at the passenger they’d taken aboard in Auckland.

      Serena plopped down beside him. “Can’t sleep?”

      He turned away from the window and met her gaze. “I never sleep on planes.”

      The urge to touch him again was overwhelming. She wanted to reach out and run her fingers through his thick dark hair. Why did she find him so fascinating? She’d known her share of handsome men. But Ryan Quinn wore his good looks like he wore his clothes, casually and comfortably. This was a man who never worried over wrinkles and Botox and the effect aging would have on his career. This was a real man.

      “So, you’re the nanny Thom has sent along to watch over us,” Serena said, settling back into the leather seat and tucking her feet up under her.

      “Nanny?”

      “What do you prefer to be called?” she asked.

      “Quinn,” he said. “You can call me Quinn.”

      She fixed him with her most charming gaze. “What did he tell you, Quinn? Are you meant to keep us out of trouble?”

      “I’m supposed to facilitate your travel and activities,” he said.

      “If that’s your story,” she said with a shrug. “But you don’t have to pretend. I know why he sent you. He wants to make sure I’m safely delivered to the altar after Christmas.”

      “Is that expected to be a problem?”

      Serena sighed. “No. Of course not. I’m ready to get married.”

      And yet even when she said the words out loud, Serena couldn’t make herself finish the thought—ready to get married to Ben. Was she really ready to marry him? Was she even in love with him? If she was, why was she trying to tease this handsome stranger into conversation when she ought to just go back to her seat and sleep?

      “How did you get talked into taking this job?” she asked.

      “I guided Thom on a climbing trip last year. He thought I was the right man for the job.”

      She laughed softly. “I can imagine,” Serena murmured. Thom was a crafty sort, she mused. He could have sent some gruff, middle-aged security sort, but instead, he’d sent someone young and hot, the kind that her four single bridesmaids would find irresistible. “You’re going to be the hit of the party.”

      Serena reached out and grabbed his glass from the table in front of him, draining the last bit of whiskey and water from the bottom. “I’ll get you another,” she said.

      “I’m fine,” Ryan replied.

      “I’m not,” Serena said.

      She crawled out of her seat and made her way to the small galley near the cockpit door. After she filled two tumblers with ice, she grabbed the whiskey bottle and returned to her seat next to Ryan.

      “So, why don’t you tell me all about yourself,” Serena said, pouring him a glass.

      He pointed to the whiskey, filled to the brim. “Are you trying to get me pissed?”

      “It’s a long flight. We have a lot of time to kill. And I’ll get bored if you don’t tell me some interesting stories. I’m just getting you relaxed.”

      “I’m always relaxed,” he said.

      “Lucky you,” she said. “I never am.”

      He pushed the glass in her direction. “Why don’t you drink it, then?”

      She’d already had too much champagne and was beginning to feel the effects of a hangover. But she picked up the glass and took a sip, then set it down. Serena’s gaze met his, and for a long moment, she couldn’t look away. Would she be so attracted to him if she loved Ben? Her heart said no, but there was so much riding on this wedding now, she had to be sure. Letting her impulsive nature take over, she leaned forward and kissed him.

      It wasn’t a passionate kiss. Nor was it platonic. It existed in the strange space in between. She drew back, her face warming with embarrassment. Thankfully, Ryan didn’t seem to be offended by her brazen nature.

      “Sorry,” she said.

      “For what?”

      “I just...” she murmured. “I couldn’t help myself.”

      “Aren’t you supposed to be engaged?” he asked.

      “Yes,” Serena said, frowning. “I am. Don’t you think it odd that I’d feel the urge to kiss you?”

      “I can’t say. Do you usually kiss men you barely know?”

      Serena nodded. “All the time. I mean, I do on-screen. That’s part of the job. But you’re not...” She sank back into the seat. She had her answer. She hadn’t just enjoyed the kiss, she was desperate to kiss him again. And she didn’t want to stop there. She imagined tearing off his shirt and touching his body, kissing him in places that only she could discover.

      She reached for the whiskey and took a big gulp, wincing as the liquor burned a path down her throat.

      “I always wondered how that worked,” Ryan said. “How do you kiss someone when it’s just for show?”

      “Are СКАЧАТЬ