Chapter 6
Chapter Six
Kira
What am I doing? I wondered as I stepped into LAX with a carry-on strapped over my shoulder.
I didn’t have to move through the crowded airport long and already I could see brilliant sun pouring through the big glass windows, along with the occasional hint of a palm tree outside.
Okay. I could get used to California, I thought. Back in New York we’d had a string of cloudy days and the gloom was wearing a little thin. Plus, with all the giant skyscrapers blocking out the sun, it never seemed that bright to me.
But Los Angeles? Even before I stepped outside, I could tell the vibe was different.
It wasn’t all fun and sun, though.
Guilt surged through me. I was lying to this man! Pretending to be someone I wasn’t.
It was wrong. And stupid. He and Lila obviously had a shared history, even if it was limited to just online interactions.
But he’d most likely be able to see right through this little scam of mine.
Plus, it was a little dangerous. I truly didn’t know a thing about him. What if he was some deranged killer?
My gut told me he wasn’t. But it also told me I was an awful human because I was lying to him and taking advantage of his kindness.
Or was he being kind in bringing me out there? Would he expect something in return?
What if that shared history he had with Lila was all about talking dirty and now he’d expect her—or me—to make good on all the stuff they’d discussed?
There was their “shared interest” he’d referred to.
Oh gosh. This was not a good idea! What had I done?
Suddenly, I didn’t care about any of those questions. Because I saw him in the passenger pick-up line, leaning against that car he’d told me about.
There was no way to miss the car. And there was no way to miss Rex!
Tall, muscular, handsome with dark hair, a chiseled jaw, and classic movie-star good looks.
Seriously, he looked like he could have starred in movies back in Hollywood’s Golden Age, and it wasn’t just the car that gave him that vibe.
The only thing was I couldn’t remember if any of the old stars were big like him.
But other than that, he had the look down pat.
He must have noticed that I’d frozen there on the sidewalk as the throng of other travelers moved around me, because he looked up, smiled, and removed his sunglasses.
“Lila?”
I almost didn’t respond.
“Yes! I’m Lila,” I finally said. “Rex?”
Of course he was Rex. How else would he know my name? And how many guys had that kind of old car?
“It’s so good to have you here,” he said, reaching out his hand. “May I?”
I shook his hand.
His smile was warm and those dimples of his drove me crazy.
“Well, I was wondering if I could take your bag. But a handshake works, too.” He winked.
Oh my gosh, could I have been any more awkward?
“Sure! Here you go. Sorry.” I handed him the bag.
Something inside me felt strange. This sort of seemed like a make-or-break point. I mean, I had just met this man and here I was, handing over some of my stuff.
He would put it in his car, which meant I would put myself in his car.
Yikes! But I simply couldn't stop myself.
By the way, let me pause long enough to say I don’t recommend you follow my lead.
There I was, though, standing at the curb with the bustling LAX sprawled out around me, mesmerized by this completely striking man who seemed to have some sort of powerful sway over me.
I needed to pull out of my trance quickly and keep my wits about me. “I’m excited to see Los Angeles for the first time. Where would you recommend we go for some authentic L.A. vibes?”
He cocked his head and the look in his dark eyes told me I’d already messed up.
“I thought you said you’ve been here before.”
“Right. I have. Just… for work. So I didn’t get to see much.”
“Gotcha,” he said—though I couldn’t quite tell if he believed me or not.
Of course I couldn’t tell. I didn’t know this guy! And I didn’t know what all he and Lila had talked about.
This was a bad idea, I thought for the umpteenth time. Why was I doing this? The smart thing would have been to back out right then.
But I didn’t.
“I recommend we start with Hollywood,” he told me. “You want a little tour?”
“Yes!” Suddenly I’d forgotten that I was lying to a man who could be a psycho killer. The idea of being whisked around Hollywood by a stupidly sexy guy in a cool old car just had my brain turning to mush.
After putting my bag in the back, he opened the passenger door and held it for me as I got in.
At least it was a convertible, I told myself. I could jump out if I needed to.
It sounded good, at least.
And with that, we set off—with me wondering what on earth I was doing.