One Night (9 page)

“Apparently. But … ” She nibbled on her lower lip, advancing on him this time. He resisted the urge to back away from her like she had done to him. Resisted the primal urge to protect his heart from her words. “I don’t like musicals. I’m not fond of actors, either. You’re all arrogant and out of control. Annoying, too—no offense.”

He raised a brow, refusing to show her how much her words had hurt. “Would you like a dagger to stick into my back? It might be more effective.”

“Let me finish.” She rested her hands on his chest, much like the extra whose name he still didn’t know had, but Lexi’s touch was soft. Gentle. “I don’t like any of those things, but I like
you
. And I like watching you do them.”

He sucked in a deep breath. “Lexi … ”

“Can we start over?” she whispered. Holding her hand out, she said, “I’m Lexi—boring stock broker.”

He eyed her hand then closed his fingers around hers. “I’m Justin—an actor and singer.”

“Good. Now kiss me.”

She lifted up on tiptoes, her eyes drifting closed. He stared down at her, relishing every single detail of this moment while also battling the urge to whoop with joy and spin her in a circle. He wanted nothing more than to give her what she asked for, but still he held back. “I’m not done yet. We’re starting out honestly this time.”

She blinked up at him, her forehead wrinkling. “Okay?”

He ran his knuckles down her cheek. “I’m an actor, not a stage crew member, and I plan to spend my life on stage—until they kick me off. I’ve spent almost my entire life alone, and I’m not the best at being around others and trusting people. My parents died of drug overdoses. Not at the same time. My mom died when I was three. My dad when I was seven.”

He stumbled over the words. He didn’t talk about this. With anyone. Ever. She reached out and pulled him closer, offering him silent support while her eyes filled with tears. She gave him the strength to go on and tell her about his wretched past.

“As a teenager, I didn’t have anyone else. I comforted myself with hash and other drugs for a while. But I soon realized it would kill me, like it killed my parents. So I switched my focus to music. I fell in love for the first and only time in my life. I changed my goals and focus in life in to becoming an actor and musician—never taking the time to form a lasting relationship with anyone. Not even wanting to. But you bloody well make me want to change. And more.”

“Justin … ”

He cleared his throat. “And that’s me. The real me.”

She gave him a shaky smile. “I’m a serious, far-too-cautious business woman who doesn’t have one-night stands. At all. I stayed with the same man since college—until he died. I haven’t been remotely interested in anyone or anything until last night. Until you knocked me into a puddle.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck, staring up at him with soft eyes. “I don’t go chasing after actors or drinking in bars. I don’t want to put my heart back out there and risk losing everything again. It terrifies me. But with you? I kind of want to do all of those things. And more.”

“Brilliant.” He closed his arms around her. “Then we can take the leap together. Together, we can’t fall.”

She blinked back tears, entwining her hands behind his neck. “It sounds like a plan to me. If you trip, I’ll catch you. And if I slip … ”

“I’ll pick you up.” He swept her into his arms, dropping his forehead to hers. “And I won’t let you go.”

He melded his lips to hers, her sigh joining his. When her hands crept up to his hair, she pulled back and grimaced up at him. “Take me into the shower.”

He grinned. “Don’t like my helmet hair?”

“Nope. Know what else I don’t like?”

He headed into the bathroom, his hold on her tightening. He couldn’t believe she was here. With him. “No. What?”

“Seeing you kiss the woman on stage.”

He choked on a laugh. “I assure you, it’s far from sexual. We count the seconds in our heads to make sure we stay together the required amount of time. Then when we’re done, she goes back to her hotel. With her girlfriend.”

Her eyes went wide. “Really?”

“Really.”

She bit on her lip. “They won’t all be lesbians, though.”

He set her down, switching the hot water on. He understood where her insecurity came from, but to him it was downright laughable. None of the women he’d kissed on stage came close to being even
half
as beautiful or addictive or tempting as his Lexi.

“No, they won’t,” he agreed. “But you know what none of them will be?”

“What?” she asked breathlessly.

“They won’t be
you
. You’re the only one I want here, with me.” He pressed her hand to his chest. “Only you can make my heart race and my mind soar all at the same time. Only you make me want this.”

He crushed her lips beneath his, not giving her a chance to respond. Not allowing her any room for doubt or questions or blooming
thinking
. His hands on her hips, he didn’t bother to remove their clothes as he backed her into the shower. He would just have to kiss her until she realized he didn’t want anyone but her. Until she realized no other woman would ever compare to her. And if she didn’t ever realize that?

Then he would
never
stop kissing her.

Epilogue

One year later

Lexi stood, clapping her hands loudly and cheering. Tonight was Justin’s last night in the show. The same musical she had watched over and over again, to his surprise. And she still loved it. Tonight was also their one-year anniversary—and she had to hurry up and go into their alley before he got there. She gave him a big smile, then scooted out of the first row. She could feel his eyes on hers as she walked away.

Watching her.

This past year had been filled with so much happiness and love. Sometimes, she swore it all had to be a dream. It couldn’t be real. She was just so darn happy with him. He was the complete opposite of what Hugh had been, and yet they were still the perfect fit. The perfect year.

After sending out what seemed like countless self-tapes over the past couple of months, he finally got a role. She’d been terrified he wouldn’t get another part, and he would go back to the UK. Terrified he would leave her. But last night, he got word that he would be here another year. He started rehearsal next week for his new show—a modern musical with lots of guitars, drugs and sex. The complete opposite of what he starred in now.

An actor’s dream. Transcending role expectations and crossing over genres.

With his next role booked and his future secure, they could relax and enjoy their anniversary. She went to the back alley and stood in the shadows. A bunch of fans waited for autographs, and she smiled at them. He loved this part. She had discovered over the past year he was generally shy by nature, so waiting by the stage door was really the only way to get his attention.

The door opened and he came out, followed by a few other members of the cast. They all smiled at her before signing and posing for pictures. Little by little, the alley cleared out, and soon enough she and Justin were alone.

She hid her hand behind her back, a smile on her face. “Congratulations on another amazing performance.”

“Thank you.” He opened his arms up. “Now come here.”

She shook her head, instead holding out a bouquet of red flowers. His favorite color was red—another thing she knew now. “I got these for you.”

His gaze went all hot and her knees shook with desire. She knew the look—and she approved very much of what was about to happen. He took the flowers, set them down on a crate, and wrapped his arms around her. His mouth closed on hers, and he pressed her against the building, growling when she closed her legs around his waist. Rotating his hips against her, he buried his hands in her hair and deepened the kiss. She clung to him, needing him now.

Here. Wherever. Whenever.

He pulled back, dropping his forehead to hers. His uneven breathing matched hers. “I love you.”

She yanked him closer, not letting him retreat. “I love you, too.”

“Let’s go home before I strip you right here.” He moaned, burying his face in her neck and biting down where her shoulder and neck met. She dug her nails into his shoulders, and he hissed. “We better hurry up, or I’ll bloody well take you here and now.”

“Fine by me.” She reluctantly released her hold on him, dropping her feet to the ground. After picking up the flowers from the box he had set them on, she grinned at him over her shoulder and tugged him behind her, bee-lining for the street.

And to his apartment—which was now their apartment. They’d moved in together after six months of dating. Some had said it was too fast—but she had said it was about damn time. She’d been waiting for a man like him to come into her life, and she wasn’t letting him go because someone said she should hold herself back from him.

Screw that.

“Have I told you how much I love you yet today?” he asked, his fingers flexing on hers. “And how happy I am I knocked you into a puddle a year ago?”

She snorted. “Once or twice, I think.”

He stopped her at the entrance of the building, hugging her close. The scent of the flowers in his hand mixed with the scent of hair gel and cologne. “I’m serious. You’ve made me so happy. Happier than I thought I could ever be.”

She swallowed hard, blinking back tears. He always knew the perfect things to say. “Me too. Way too happy.”

“No such thing. I’ll make you even happier every day of my life, or I don’t deserve to have you.”

“Well, you just met your goal today.” She rose on tiptoe and kissed him, savoring the taste of him and the way he made her feel. Everything. “Now let’s go home.”

“All right.” His eyes flashed to some emotion she couldn’t quite figure out. He looked … nervous.

As they walked to the elevator, it clicked in her head. He was stressing again. “Are you worrying about your new role again?”

“Uh, well, yes.” He took a deep breath, his cheeks turning a little bit red. “I’m a certifiable wreck about everything.”

“I know what you need.” She grabbed his shirt and yanked him close. “You need a distraction.”

His eyes smoldered down at her. “I know of the perfect type … ”

“Me too.” She kissed him lightly, and then wrapped her arms around his stomach. “But you need to stop worrying. You’ll be fine. I’ll be there with you, cheering you on the whole time.”

The elevator doors opened, and they went on. He smiled at her. “How did I ever do something good enough to deserve you in my life?”

She shook her head. “I’m the lucky one. Not you.”

“I beg to differ.”

“Then beg elsewhere. It won’t work with me.” She walked into the hallway and headed for their apartment. “What should we do for dinner after you shower? Cheeseburgers again? It is the fourth.”

He rubbed his jaw. “We have the BBQ with your family tomorrow, correct?”

She loved the way he said BBQ, his English accent stumbling over the word. He still called it a
barbie
sometimes, too, and she loved when he did. “Yeah, we do. In Jersey.”

He flinched. “Ugh.”

“I know, but according to Jessie, little Scotty is too small to travel. She probably just wants—”

She opened their door and took a step inside the living room, and then promptly froze. Candles lit the whole living room, and pink roses filled almost every surface of the dining room table. Dinner for two sat on the table, but there was no one in the room. How could he have done all of this while performing on stage?

“How—?” Turning on her heel, she looked at Justin. He held his hands in his pockets, the nervous look on his face again. “Justin, this is beautiful.”

“You’re beautiful.” His lips twitched. “This is just a fancy dinner. I know it breaks American tradition not to have burgers and beer, but—”

She closed her arms around his neck, tugging him down for a kiss. His hands came out of his pockets to close around her waist, and something metallic hit the hardwood floor. With a curse, he dropped to his knees and picked it up before she could see it. She raised a brow at him, looking down at him when he didn’t move from his crouched position at her feet.

“Um, are you going to get back up?” she asked.

He cleared his throat. “I will. In a second.”

“Okay … ?”

Then, when he flushed but didn’t move, she
knew
. She knew what was coming, and she almost joined him on the ground from the weakness in her legs. He captured her hand, holding it firmly in his. “This past year has opened my eyes to so many things I missed as a child. So many things I never knew really existed. Love. Support. Trust. I heard about it all, but until you, it was just an urban legend. Like the Loch Ness monster or Bigfoot.”

She choked on a laugh. “Bigfoot?”

He turned even redder. “Okay, on second thought, maybe this isn’t the most romantic notion to bring up right now.” He was always so sure of himself. So quick to reply with the perfect words in the perfect situation. Seeing him flustered and struggling for words brought tears to her eyes.

“But until you came along, I didn’t know what happiness could feel like. I didn’t know what it would be like to care about someone so much that their happiness would be more important than my own. Until you … I didn’t live. Not really. And now I want to take the next step. I’m hoping you’re ready for this, too, but if not, that’s okay.”

Her heart wrenched at his uncertainty. “Justin—”

“I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure you smile every day, and making sure you know how much you mean to me. Making sure you never doubt me. Or us. If you’ll let me, I will do all of this and more. Lexi?” He lifted his head, determination lighting his eyes. He held up a gorgeous ring between his thumb and pointer finger. “Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife? Will you … marry me?”

Her knees finally gave out on her, and she collapsed to the floor in front of him. “Yes! Yes, I’ll marry you.”