Dreaming Of Your Love (Hollywood Legends #3) (5 page)

“Oh,
come on.”

“Seriously.
There isn’t a lot to do in Northern Alberta in the middle of January. My
co-stars made the suggestion.” Colt laughed. “Boredom and chivalry got the
better of me.”

“Chivalry?
Come on.”

“I
consider it rude to turn down not one, but two beautiful women.”

Two
women. Sable should have known.

“What
if it had been a woman and a man?”

“Probably
not.” Colt rubbed his chin—considering. “If no one objected, I would have
watched.”

Sable
laughed. Somehow, their conversation about sex wasn’t the least bit sexy. She
found herself relaxing and enjoying Colt’s company.

“Is
that the time?”

“Two-thirty?
I’ll be damned.”

“Shouldn’t
you get some sleep?”

Colt
started filming his movie tomorrow. No, today. She felt guilty keeping him up.

“I
don’t go in until one o’clock.”

“Good.”

“I
want to apologize, Sable.”

“Why?”
Puzzled, she frowned.

“I
left my parents’ house filled with good intentions. We barely walked through
the door, and I began flirting. Hard.”

“And
I flirted back.” Sable planned on doing this in the morning, but since Colt
brought it up, now was as good a time as any. “That was on me, Colt. I crossed
the line.”

“We
crossed it together.”

“Fair
enough.” Deliberately, Sable wrapped the apple core in her napkin and set it
aside. It gave her a moment to collect her thoughts. “We can flirt, Colt, as
long as it is without intent.”

“Interesting
choice of words.” Colt gathered their cups and her napkin and headed for the
kitchen. It seemed she wasn’t the only one who needed to think things through. “I
can’t make a pass unless I know you want to catch the ball.”

“I
don’t.”
Liar
.

The
look Colt gave her echoed her thoughts. Thankfully, he didn’t call her out.

“How
do you want to play this, Sable?”

“Friends?”

“Of
course.”

“Nothing
more.”

It
wasn’t a question. Sable could tell Colt didn’t like her answer, but again, he
kept his opinion to himself.

“About
sex.”

That
perked him up.

“Yes?”

“My
role as your faux girlfriend doesn’t follow us behind closed doors. It isn’t
necessary to remain celibate simply because I’m staying here.”

“Meaning
what?”

“Bring
a woman home.” Sable almost choked on her words, but she managed to spit out a
few more. “Going to her place isn’t practical. Though if you’d rather, we can
work that out. I prefer you don’t meet in a public place. Hotels are harder to
secure.”

“I
see. And you do what? Sit outside the door in case my partner’s motives are
more nefarious than simply getting me off?”

“That
won’t be necessary.” Sable could hear the anger in his voice. In her opinion,
it was unwarranted. “I can hear you from my room. Yell if you’re in trouble.”

“What
about you?”

“Me?”

“Yes,
Sable. You.” Colt moved until he stood inches away. His eyes didn’t twinkle.
They glowed. “You’re a young, healthy woman. What about your needs?”

“I
can take care of myself.”

Colt’s
bark of laughter held no humor.

“I
want to work out and have breakfast at my parents’ place. We’ll leave at eight.”

“Fine.”

“And
Sable?” Colt paused at his bedroom door.

“Yes?”

“When
you’re taking care of yourself? Remember, I can do the same. Who knows? We
might be
taking care
at the same time.”

It
took some effort, but Sable held in her groan until she was certain his door
had closed.

Bastard.
Planting that image in her head was cruel. Inhuman. How was she expected to
sleep?

There
was no help for it. Sable entered her room, tossed off her robe, and crawled
into bed. Without hesitation, her hand slipped between her legs. It wasn’t a
slow build.

Fast.
Intense.

Sable
closed her eyes as her orgasm hit. She couldn’t help herself. She wondered if
across the loft, in his room, Colt did the same.

COLT NEEDED TO work off a lingering case of frustration—tinged
with a touch of anger. Nate seemed like the perfect outlet. His brother was
always up for some sparring. This morning it was their version of cage
fighting. Without the cage. Or the anything goes rules.

A
few blows in, Nate figured out that Colt’s demeanor wasn’t as casual as his.

“Watch
the low blow. I need my balls in working order.”

“I
didn’t touch your precious balls.”

They
circled each other; the easy grin wiped from Nate’s face. If Colt wanted to
play hard, so be it.

“I
wanted to put the warning out there. I would hate to beat up that movie star
face. Wyatt wouldn’t be happy if his star shows up bloodied on the first day.
However, touch the cojones, and you’re asking for it.”

Colt
glared at Nate. The look could intimidate most men. Nate, all six five, two
hundred and twenty pounds of him, wasn’t impressed. Damn, he loved his brother.
But being the youngest could be a pain in the ass. He would always be the
baby
.
That was difficult to overcome.

“Suck
it up, Colt. It was one night. You’ve gone longer without sex.” Nate raised an
eyebrow. “I hope.”

“This
isn’t about—” Colt growled. “Forget it. I need to get cleaned up. And pancakes.
Many, many pancakes.”

“Forget
the carbs,” Nate called out, chuckling. “Remember. The camera adds ten pounds.”

“Fuck
you.”

Nate’s
laughter did nothing to help Colt’s mood. He hadn’t slept and the fact that
Sable looked fresh as a daisy added to his frustration. She encouraged him to
bring a woman home. Damn her. It was tempting to see how she would react if he
did just that.

Unfortunately,
the only woman he wanted was out of his reach. For now. Colt wouldn’t give up
that easily. He would be patient. When she caved, the reward would be all the
sweeter.

Colt
hurried through his shower, throwing on jeans and a button-down shirt. He didn’t
notice that the color matched his eyes. His mother gave it to him on his last
birthday. She knew what he liked. Easy, yet stylish.

A
glance in the mirror told him he looked presentable. At the last second, he ran
a hand through his damp hair. It tended to curl when wet, and a quick fluff
gave him the perfectly tousled,
I don’t give a shit
, look that women
loved and men tried to emulate.

This
time, Colt laughed at himself. Yes, it was ridiculous. However, after so many
years, looking good was second nature. He liked who he was and every time he
stepped outside, he represented the Colton Landis brand. Actor first. Movie
star second. It was fun as well as frustrating. And he wouldn’t change a damn
thing.

“That’s
all it takes? One move?”

“With
practice.”

“Show
me again.”

Colt
paused at the top of the stairs. Sable smiled at Jade. And what a smile it was.
He longed to find out if that smile felt as good as it looked. One day soon, he
would kiss her just as her lips began to curve upward.

“Here.”

Wyatt
waved a napkin in front of his face.

“What’s
the big idea?”

“I
thought you might want to wipe that drool off your chin before Sable sees it.”

“Hilarious.
You and Nate should take your act on the road.” Colt shoved past Wyatt. “Far,
far away.”

“Garrett.”
Jade pulled him from his seat. “Be a love and let Sable demonstrate on you.”

“No
thanks.” Garrett wrapped his arms around Jade’s waist and whispered something
in her ear.

“Later.”
She made a not so convincing attempt to break his hold.

“Now.”
Garrett insisted, inching her toward the stairs.

“Garrett.
Leave Jade alone and sit down,” Callie chastised. “Breakfast is ready.
Honestly. Can’t you keep your hands to yourself? I don’t know where you get
that.”

Wyatt
snorted into his orange juice. “He gets it from his mother and father.”

“I
don’t think so.” Callie looked outraged.

“You
and Dad are still at it.”

“What’s
that?” Unknowingly, Caleb proved Wyatt’s point by kissing Callie’s neck and
whispering something in her ear. Something that had her face turning pink.

“I
rest my case.”

“Oh,
eat your eggs,” Callie laughed. Seeing Colt, she motioned him to sit. “How many
pancakes, sweetheart?”

“Five.”
He sneered at Garrett. “To start.”

“What
can I get for you, Sable?”

“Nothing.
Thank you.”

“Don’t
be silly. The griddle is hot. Lorena mixed up the batter before she left last
night. There’s plenty.”

“Don’t
bother, Mom. Sable has a job to do. Mixing with family wouldn’t be
professional.”

The
moment the words came out of his mouth, Colt wanted to call them back. He had
meant to tease. Instead, he sounded like a petulant child. Before he could
apologize, Sable’s back stiffened, her eyes turning cold.

“Colton!
What a thing to say.”

“It’s
all right.” Sable stood. “Excuse me. I’ll be outside when you’re ready to
leave.”

Sending
Colt a dirty look, Jade rushed after her.

“What
the hell?” Nate slapped him on the side of the head. “Stop thinking with your
dick, Colt.”

“I’m
not.”

To
be honest, Colt didn’t know what was wrong with him. One second he wanted to
kiss Sable, the next he wanted to push her away. As feelings went, he didn’t
care for either. The pancakes he’d been looking forward to suddenly tasted like
sawdust.

“Do
we need another trip to my office?” Caleb asked.

“No,
sir. I’m going.”

Colt
didn’t have far to look. Sable stood outside the door, Jade right next to her.

“I
can stay,” Jade said,

“I
think I can handle him.”

“No
doubt.”

Once
they were alone, Colt took a deep breath. A simple apology seemed inadequate,
but it was all he had.

“I’m
sorry.”

“You
don’t have to apologize.”

“No.
But I want to.”

Colt
sighed. He made his living expressing his emotions. It was easy when someone
gave you the words.

“You
spoke the truth, Colt.”

“My
family thinks of you as more than an employee, Sable.” Colt rubbed his head. He
could still feel Nate’s not so subtle reminder.

“I
like your family. However, you’re the one who has to be around me all the time.
Is this about sex?”

“Partly.”

“Fine.
Let’s go.”

Sable
headed toward his car.

“Go
where?”

“Your
place. We have time before you’re due on the set. A quick fuck and you’ll be
right as rain.”

“Sable.
Stop.” Colt grabbed her arm. “Now who’s being ridiculous? A quick fuck? Honey,
there won’t be anything quick about it.”

Sable’s
shoulders shook with laughter, the air draining out of her with righteous
indignation.

“We
can’t keep doing this, Colt.” She leaned against his car and wiped the moisture
from her eyes. “I appreciate a good laugh, but getting there is brutal.”

“I
know.” Colt joined her, his hand gripping the hood, his hand inches from hers. “Besides,
if Dad calls me into his office one more time, I may as well turn in my man
card.”

“What’s
the solution?”

“To
quote Nate, I stop thinking with my dick.” Colt nudged her with his shoulder
and grinned. “I know what you’re thinking. Breaking a habit I’ve had since I
turned thirteen won’t be easy.”

“You
are
a mind reader.”

“Friends?”

“Let’s
see how it goes.” Sable’s lips curved. “Ask me tomorrow.”

“Fair
enough.”

Between
the sun and Sable’s smile, Colt felt the last lingering tension drain away. It
wasn’t about his body. He needed a new mindset. Yes, he wanted Sable in his
bed. Surprisingly, he wanted her friendship just as much.

Colt
liked women, but he rarely took the time to know them. Fun and games and sex.
He eased away if he thought his playmate wanted more. He didn’t always avoid
hurt feelings. But he never made promises he had no intention of keeping.

Asking
for Sable’s friendship felt right. The rest would take care of itself.

“WHAT’S GOING ON?

“They’re
smiling. That’s good.”

Nate
wedged himself between Paige and Jade. The window provided the perfect view of
the drama playing out in the driveway.

“She
didn’t knock him on his ass?”

“I
don’t know your brother very well, and I only met Sable yesterday. I didn’t
realize they had a history.”

“They
don’t.” Nate took Paige’s hand in his.

“One
kiss.”

“What?”
Nate turned toward Jade. “When did that happen?”

“The
last time she was here.”

“No
kidding. Still.” Nate looked out the window. “That doesn’t mean much.”

“Sometimes
one kiss is all it takes.” Paige squeezed his hand.

“Amen,”
Jade smiled when Garrett joined them.

“Colt
isn’t ready to fall in love.”

“Were
you?” Jade touched the stud that pierced his ear. Purple jade, the color his
eyes turned when he looked at her.

“I
didn’t think so at the time. I didn’t need a kiss to tell me.” Garrett pulled
her close. “I was waiting for you.”

“Maybe
Colt feels the same way.”

“He
wants her. But love?”

“I
agree,” Jade nodded. “It’s too soon. However…”

“Let
Colt and Sable find their way.” Garrett nuzzled Jade’s neck. “We did.”

Yes,
thank God
. Jade
closed her eyes, sighing with pleasure. It hadn’t been easy. Maybe love wasn’t
supposed to be. But she wouldn’t change a thing. The pain—the suffering—led her
here to the family she always longed to have. And most important, to Garrett.

“I
want everyone to be this happy.”

“I
wake up happy. I go to bed happy.”

“Because
of me?” Jade knew the answer, but she never tired of hearing him say it.

“You.”
His eyes turned deep purple. “Only you.”

Jade
cupped his face in her hands. “And only you, my love.”