Chapter 33
33
Keith watched Michelle walk out of the room. Once she was out of sight, he looked around the cozy space. The house definitely had a cabinlike feel and somewhat reminded him of his house in Montana, even though it didn’t seem as warm as Michelle’s place. He let himself out the door and walked onto the deck. The view was picturesque. Different than the cabin in Boone or his house in Montana, but it was beautiful just the same with the long-range mountain views. He found himself wondering if she’d like his place in Montana. His concern right now was that he’d surprised her, and he thought that might have been a bad idea. She wasn’t ready for company yet, and that flustered her. A smile pulled at his lips when he realized how much he enjoyed seeing her natural beauty.
He walked back inside and looked at the items on the shelves. Picking up a book, he flipped through the pages. A gasp came from behind him, and he turned. Smiling, he said, “You look lovely.” He lifted the book in his hand. “You seem to like this L.A. Davis. Favorite author?”
She was visibly shaken. “You could say that.”
“What do they write?”
“She, and not something you’d be interested in.”
“Try me.”
Michelle rubbed her hands down her thighs. “Promise me that you’ll never read any of her books.”
Keith placed the book back on the shelf and gently held her shoulders. “What aren’t you telling me, Michelle?”
She took a deep breath and looked him in the eyes. “L.A. Davis... is my pen name...”
His eyes widened. “What? You mean, we could have released your pen name, and no one would have known it was you?”
“I wouldn’t say that. My family and friends would have known, and not to mention my fans. I mean they would have known who L.A. Davis was but wouldn’t have connected her to Michelle Conroy.”
“Now, I’ve got to read one.”
“No, Keith.”
“Why?”
“Because...” She turned away from him. “How do I say this?” With her hand cupping her forehead. “I won’t tread on your name. I don’t want my book sales to suddenly spike because I’m the woman connected to you. Do you understand that?”
“Wow.” Keith stood as still as a statue. “I think you’re the only person in the world who wouldn’t want to leverage our connection. Why? Are you embarrassed?”
She laughed. “Are you kidding me? Why would I be embarrassed?” She stepped closer to him and placed her hands on his hips. “This has nothing to do with you. If people purchase my books, I want them to do so because they like the stories, not because of our connection. Please tell me that you understand?”
“I do, but do you think I got here without help? If some big-name actors of the day hadn’t agreed to cast me in their movies, I wouldn’t be where I am today. It’s called paying it forward, Michelle.”
“No, Keith, and this needs to be the end of it.”
He grinned. “Is this our first argument?”
She smiled at him. “If you want it to be.”
“Then I’ll table the discussion for later.”
“I say we table it forever.”
“We’ll see.” He wrapped his arms around her. “This was your secret, wasn’t it?”
“Yes.”
He cupped her face and kissed her. A kiss of gratitude and yearning. When he broke the kiss, he said against her lips, “Thank you for telling me.”
“I wasn’t going to yet, but I’m glad it’s out now.”
“Can we eat before the pizza gets cold?”
She chuckled. “Of course.”
They sat in the kitchen and shared the pizza while they discussed the rest of the day.