Chapter 9
CHAPTER 9
J ulian stared at the self-proclaimed actress. Who was she playing now – the na?ve starlet or the smart and sassy woman? The up-and coming actress or the woman who eschewed the world’s attention? Which one was the real Destiny Dane?
Most of all, why was he so determined to discover the truth?
If only he’d heard more of the conversation. He’d only caught the last few sentences, but it was enough to prove her subterfuge. Of course, she didn’t know exactly how long he’d been there. He planned to use it to his advantage.
“Hey, Julian!” Unlike seconds ago, she now played the part of carefree actress, with a breezy smile and dramatic wave. He might’ve been fooled save for the tiny twitch at the corner of her eye. “It’s great to see you. But it’s not nice to listen to other people’s conversations.” She waggled her finger in mock censure. “You might misinterpret something.”
Oh, he hadn’t misinterpreted. “I didn’t mean to listen,” he replied smoothly. “I was just looking for you.”
“Right.” She bit her bottom lip, yet he remained silent. She flushed. “You were probably hoping to hear something juicy. I’m sorry to disappoint you.”
“On the contrary, what I heard was quite illuminating.”
The grooves in her forehead deepened. The urge to vanquish her worries like a mythical knight pushed him forward. “Is everything all right? Can I help you?”
“No!” The reply was immediate, firm and just on the wrong side of suspicious. Her cringe proved she realized it. “I mean, no thank you. Everything is fine. I’m fine.”
She didn’t sound fine, and his uneasiness deepened. Was she in trouble? “Are you sure?” he pressed quietly, “because you seem upset. Who were you talking to?”
“A friend,” she said quickly. She lifted her chin, no longer pretending. “What did you hear?”
“Enough to know you aren’t what you seem.” He hesitated. Perhaps he could reveal a little to learn a lot. “I heard you promise to stay away from me.”
She paled. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to insult you. I just need to focus on work right now. I can’t be… distracted.”
“Am I a distraction?” He took another step closer.
Her pupils dilated, as she smoothed down her dress. “You know you are. It has to end.”
No. A single word, yet it usurped every part of him. “Is that what you want?”
She parted her lips, yet the silence stretched, as the desire in her eyes betrayed her true feelings. It was that craving that finally put him over the edge, propelled him to do what he’d been wanting to do ever since he saw her in that slinky blue gown. He brushed her lips.
She brought her hands between them, but instead of pushing him away, clutched at him, pulling him closer and deepening the kiss. She tasted like chocolate and mint and smelled like exotic flowers in bloom. He smoothed her arms and then her back, pressing her more firmly into his enveloping hold. Where she belonged.
The din of conversation sounded from the hall, stealing the moment. When she jerked back, he allowed it, despite the desire churning like an approaching storm. For unknown reasons, she was desperate to both keep their attraction hidden and deny it altogether, even to him. He would allow the first, but not the second. He grasped her hand. “Come. I want to show you something.”
She looked down at her hand. The conversation grew louder, and a new voice joined the fray. “Julian, are you here? I saw you come this way.”
Destiny paled at Stacy’s lilting voice. If the clever entertainment reporter saw them, there’d be no way to hide the truth, not with her flushed cheeks, swollen lips and bright eyes. She grasped his arm. “She can’t catch us.”
He brought her further into the darkened corner. Hopefully, the reporter wouldn’t see them as she passed, even if he had the strangest urge to share his romantic interests with the world. It was a rare and heady feeling for a man who valued his ill-afforded privacy, yet, of course, he would never betray Destiny.
When the people passed by without noticing them, they crept out into the corridor. Destiny’s expression turned suspicious when he led her to the stairway, but she didn’t say anything until they had climbed five flights of stairs. “Where are you taking me?”
“A place where you can see all the stars you want,” he answered vaguely. She didn’t complain as they ascended flight after flight, although she did stop to take off her heels. She was as fit as he was, and he exercised hours a day. She hadn’t been kidding when she said she liked physical activities.
They reached the top of the stairwell. Destiny slowed as he opened the door that read “Roof Access,” but he gently guided her through. As the cool night air engulfed then, she halted… and stared. He wasn’t surprised.
The surroundings were magical, after all.
Most commercial building rooftops were nothing more than boring slabs of gray, broken by the occasional piece of machinery, and from down below that’s all this appeared. Yet here in the middle of the sky, an enchanted garden bloomed, a wonderland of nature in the city jungle. Flowers blossomed all around them, resplendent with Florida’s tropical flair: emerald bushes bursting with ruby red roses, bougainvilleas twined with purple, pink and orange leaves, hibiscus trees blooming in huge clay pots. Tiny waterfalls burbled over iridescent silver rocks, flowing into miniature rivers that wound through mulched paths, while flowering ivy climbed up filigree trellises, defining paths adorned by tiny twinkling lights. The scent of gardenia drifted on the nighttime breeze, cast from towering bushes with snow white flowers.
For a moment Destiny just stood still, taking it all in with a smile of wonder. Now this was the real Destiny. “It’s stunning,” she finally breathed, blinking up at him. “Who did this?”
Julian hid his satisfaction. “The owner of the building loves nature. He adds rooftop gardens to all his buildings.”
She turned her attention back to the garden, yet he couldn’t look away from her. In the shimmering dress, she looked like a fairy in a magical garden. Did she realize she was the most breathtaking thing here? “How did you discover this?”
“I’m the owner.”
She chuckled, then her smile froze. “You’re not kidding, are you?”
He shook his head, amidst the slightest discomfort. Most women loved to talk about the perks of his career, but not Destiny. “It’s just a building.” He cleared his throat. “Do you like it?”
She noticeably relaxed, gazing around once more. “It’s fantastic.” Her voice turned teasing. “But I don’t see any stars.”
“Look up.”
As she obliged, he stepped closer to his enchanting beauty. “You’ll get a neck ache like that. Come with me.” He took her hand, pleased when she didn’t pull away. He led her to a small clearing in the garden, to a fully reclined chaise. Then, because he simply didn’t have the strength or desire to stop himself, he reached out and gently caressed her cheek. It was as soft as the roses scenting the air.
“I have to get back,” she murmured even as she pushed into his touch. “People will talk.”
“I’ll tell them you got tired, and I took you home.”
She closed her eyes for a moment; when she opened them, they were as bright as the stars. She sighed softly.
“Come on, Destiny, relax for a few minutes. The party is almost over. No one will miss us.” He tapped her shoulder. “If you don’t stay, I might need a fourth date to make up for this.”
She looked alarmed, and her gaze darted to the seats. Just when he thought she’d argue further, she sighed and sank down on the chaise. He sat next to her, just close enough to brush her. He was surprised – and satisfied – when she didn’t move away. “It can be difficult to see the stars through the light pollution, but if you look closely, you can find them.”
A small smile came to her lips. “There’s one – Orion, my favorite.”
“What’s this?” he teased. “I thought I was your favorite star.”
“Only in your mind, buddy.” A favorite movie star might be more suited to the starlet she pretended to be, but a favorite celestial star far better matched the real woman.
He brushed a rose petal from her hair. “Do you wish on a star every night?”
A blush confirmed it. “It’s not a big deal. Reality can be harsh. Sometimes you need a little magic in your life.”
He settled back into the plush burgundy pillows. “Maybe I should start wishing on a star, although I’ve had more than my share of dreams come true. What about you? What’s your wish?”
She was still looking for stars, and by her smile, she’d found another. “I wish the past could be undone.”
How unexpected, and how poignant. A surge of protectiveness sharpened his focus, amidst the urge to find whoever would dare hurt her and make sure they never did it again. “Did something bad happen to you?”
“Of course not,” she swiftly denied, yet her cheeks tinged pink. “I was speaking generally. A lot of people have rough lives, and I wish they would get a do-over. I wasn’t speaking about me.”
It was a practiced response, hiding more than it shared. Did her mysterious behavior hide some sort of trouble? “Any other dreams? Something to do with a hot movie star?” he teased.
She smiled coyly. “Now that you mention it, those actors at the auction were hot. Didn’t you think so?”
Did she think she could make him jealous? Ignoring the fact that he was, well, jealous, he lowered his voice. “Don’t even think about it.”
She went to flick him, but he caught her finger and brought it to his lips. She shivered ever-so-softly at the kiss, and so did he. What was she doing to him? “When’s the next time I’ll see you?”
She answered readily, “Monday, 7 a.m.”
“Yeah, but when will I see you again?” Suddenly he cared less about unbalancing her and more about staking a claim. “After all, you are mine.”
Wait, what?
Her eyes widened. “For two more dates you mean.”
Not even close.
Could she read his thoughts, his determination, his challenge? If so, she refused to comment on it. “How about Tuesday night?”
“Aren’t we scheduled to work until ten p.m. that day?”
“Yes,” she said enthusiastically.
“No,” he said as enthusiastically.
She gave him a look. “Fine. Will Wednesday work for you?”
He started to say yes, remembered his commitment. “I’m a little busy that day.”
“Let me guess. You have a date with fifty women?”
“Something like that. How about Friday? Because there’s no work the next day, we won’t have to worry about rushing home for an early morning start. You could come over so no one will see us.”
She nipped her bottom lip, which made him think about nipping it and– “I’m not sure.” She interrupted devious thoughts. “I might have plans.”
Suddenly he very much wanted a date without a time limit. “We could make it Saturday instead. Then we’d have the whole day together.”
“Friday night it is,” she exclaimed. She sighed. “People don’t say no to you too often, do they?”
He grinned. “Nope.”
She grumbled, shook her head, but a tiny smile burst through. Then they both relaxed and gazed at the stars. A cool breeze played next to them, as majestic birds cut a path through the velveteen sky. They were beautiful, yet nothing compared to the stunning woman next to him.
The moments passed, as they lay next to each other in comfortable silence. Their connection wasn’t just about physical attraction, not about desire. She brought rare contentment, an absence of the restlessness that so often plagued him. He’d been blessed with success, yet at times something seemed to be missing. For the first time, he felt the urge to do something about it sooner rather than later. That missing piece looked a lot like the woman next to him.
This was ridiculous. He’d only known Destiny for a few days. Not nearly long enough to start thinking about the future, at least not the long term. As for the short term, he just wanted to get to know her – the real her. “So do you want to…”
The words died on his lips. While he’d been pondering the mysteries of life, she’d fallen asleep. He reached over and softly brushed a lock of hair from her eyes. Even in repose, she was breathtaking. Had there ever been a creature as beautiful as this woman?
He should wake her, take her home. And yet as he lay next to her, he couldn’t bring himself to interrupt her slumber, or even to leave her side. So after texting his limo driver to go home for the night, he closed his eyes and marveled…
Life had never seemed this perfect.
Sunlight filtered through Cheyenne’s eyelids, casting a warm, comforting glow through the sleepy darkness. Birds chirped good morning melodies, heralding the new day’s birth and the beauty that lay ahead. She took a breath of gardenia-scented air and stretched lazily, snuggling deeper into the warmth, moving back as it surrounded her. The day was crisp and cool, but all was warm and heated in her safe cocoon.
A second later she gasped, opening her eyes to an unfamiliar world. What happened? Where was she? But most importantly:
Who was holding her?
For a moment, she panicked and scrambled to get out of the unrelenting hold. Had the criminal captured her? Was her life in danger? She struggled but the man held her fast. “Relax, Destiny. You’re safe. It’s me, Julian.”
The softly spoken voice broke through; at once she stopped struggling as memories of the night returned. It was okay… she was with Julian.
Wait a minute.
With Julian ?
She resumed her struggles.
Finally, he opened his arms, and only then was she able to scramble away from him, almost falling off the chaise. Heaving brisk morning air, she looked first at him, and then at herself. Thank goodness she was still wearing last night’s dress, albeit a wrinkled form. Of course that didn’t mean…
“Nothing happened.” He sat up slowly, holding out his hands. “We just slept.”
Before she could stop them, the words popped out, “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.” He remained serious. “I would never take advantage of a woman.”
Embarrassment painted heat on her cheeks. Of course, he would know, and so would she. She hadn’t been drunk, just exhausted, and she’d definitely remember if they shared intimacies. However, that was not the only potential complication of the impromptu sleepover. Had she inadvertently revealed something in her sleep? “I didn’t say anything strange, did I?”
The clever man didn’t hesitate. “Like the real reason you’re acting this way?”
Precisely.
He stared for a minute, before giving a curt headshake. “No, I already know you’re hiding something.”
She exhaled relief and alarm in a single breath. She may not have betrayed the secret – yet – but he knew one existed. Perhaps she could admit something trivial, to avoid him discovering the true secret. “I have a confession. I might have missed your last movie… or twenty.”
He showed no surprise at the unexpected change of subject. No doubt he understood her attempt at distraction, yet thankfully he allowed it. “Not even pretending anymore? And you know how many are in a dozen, right?”
She relaxed. She hadn’t escaped his scrutiny, but for now she was safe. “Of course.” As the mood lightened, she rubbed her chin. “Fifteen. Or was it thirteen?”
“You’re wrong on both counts. It’s fourteen.”
“Well, suffering succotash.”
He smiled warmly, reached over and gave her a hug as if it was the most natural thing in the world. “I love the way you talk.”
Even though he had to be teasing, the words warmed her. The close contact – now that brought tingles. “Now you’re making fun of me.”
“I’m not.” His gaze was unwavering. “I really do enjoy it.”
Her grin faded as they stared at each other, until the sounds of early morning traffic drifted from down below, disturbing the conversation and bringing reality back. What was she doing? Every second they stayed in the magical garden posed a risk. Someone might realize they were together, and if they did, mission over.
“By your panicked expression, I assume you’re ready to leave.”
She nodded and rose from the chaise, yet stayed rooted in the flower-filled space. Before she could leave, she had to come up with a plan. “What are we going to tell people about last night? Do you think anyone put one and one together and came up with a couple?”
“I doubt it.” He smoothed down his wrinkled shirt. “The party was winding down, and people probably assumed we slipped out. I sent my driver home.”
“You did? But that means…” Her voice trailed off. He hadn’t inadvertently drifted off like her. She must’ve fallen asleep, and he made the conscious decision to stay.
“Don’t worry,” he murmured. “Like I said before, nothing happened.”
Nothing except they slept next to each other. Held each other. All night. But she couldn’t change that now. “As long as it never happens again.”
He smiled… and didn’t agree. “It’s really no big deal if they see you.”
“How can you say that?” she returned. “We talked about the publicity you’d get, about the publicity I’d get. I don’t want to be known as Julian Starcroft’s girlfriend of the week.”
He winced.
She softened her tone. “I didn’t mean it that way. I just don’t want to give people something to talk about when there’s absolutely nothing going on.”
He folded his arms across his chest. “No comment.”
“Julian…” she warned. He took a step toward her, but she stood tall. “Why are you doing this?”
He stopped with a pensive expression, as if even he didn’t know the answer. A second later, his usual confidence returned. “I’m not so certain there isn’t something between us.”
Neither was she. But they couldn’t let it become real, for a hundred reasons. Her job, of course, yet something else lurked. Something deeper and far more personal. An actor had once shattered her when she needed him most. That’s how actors were.
Her heart would not be destroyed twice.
“I heard your fans. Marry Me, Julian! Have my baby, Julian! Sign my you-know-what, Julian! Isn’t that sufficient to keep you smiling?”
He came so close she had to look almost straight up just to keep him in her sights. “Would you like me to sign your-”
“No.”
“Are you sure? Because I’d really like to sign your-”
“Julian…”
“Script.”
She growled.
He moved so quick, he was a blur. The kiss was quick, unexpected and far too short. It was also warm and gentle and oh so delicious.
She growled again.
He gave her a longer kiss.
She growled once more.
He kissed her again.
“Are you going to kiss me every time I growl?” she demanded.
He shrugged. “Why stop a good thing?”
After she growled two – okay five – more times, she touched her swollen lips and moved back to stop herself from initiating another (five) kisses. “So that settles it. I’m not interested in you. Just because you’re handsome, muscular, larger than life… I’m getting off topic… not everyone will immediately offer to be your girlfriend.”
“You think I’m handsome?”
She stopped. “That’s what you got from that?”
He grinned, nodded. “And how would you explain the last fifteen minutes of kissing?”
“Simple lust.”
“So, you’re in lust with me?”
This was not going well. “You’re twisting my words.”
“I’m not twisting your words. I’m just trying to get this right.” And obviously trying not to laugh. “You think I’m handsome, muscular and desired by a million women. In addition, lust is making you kiss me again and again. Did I get that right?”
Yup. Pretty much. Jackpot!
“So, I’m going to go.” She edged back toward the door. “If you don’t mind waiting a couple of minutes so we’re not seen leaving together, that would be great.”
“Just not going to respond, huh?”
She moved closer to escape. “I’ll quit while I’m ahead.” Or behind. “No matter what I think about your body, there’s absolutely nothing between us.”
“Do you want to know what I think?” He lowered his voice as he stepped forward, his midnight black shoes thumping on the soft ground. “I think you’re attracted to me.” Another step. “I think I’m scaring the hell out of you. No matter what the tabloids say, I’m not a ‘woman a week’ sort of guy.”
She knew that. It made him even more attractive… and dangerous. “It doesn’t matter. I’m not looking for a relationship. I’m not in a position– I mean I’m just not.”
“Because you’re hiding something.”
Yes, she was. And she needed to leave before he discovered every last truth. “I’ll meet you at your house on Friday.”
“I’ll send my limo driver to pick you up. Otherwise, someone might see your car coming to my home. The paparazzi camp outside my development 24/7.”
“Wow.” She couldn’t even imagine a life where people watched your every movement. But he was right – if they saw her, they could very well find out who she was – and who she wasn’t. But if she didn’t… “You have to promise to take me home.”
He smiled. “Are you afraid I won’t let you go?”
“Yes.”
She waited for his response, but none didn’t come. He didn’t actually promise he’d let her go. But she had no choice, not if she wanted to catch the criminal. The organization would act soon, and she needed to be here when they did. Yet as she turned to leave, neither the criminal nor the case usurped her mind, because it was wholly occupied by one very striking movie star. How would she survive an entire night with Julian…
Without revealing her secret?