Tinseltown (12 page)

Deb studied his face. His brows were furrowed, but there was a boyish nervousness on his face. The seriousness in his eyes told her he was, indeed, earnest about his declaration. What was she going to do?

She was attracted to him, physically and emotionally. They were great together. More than great, even, but she didn’t love him, did she? She barely knew him. Deb recognized he had a heart of gold and was thoughtful. But their situation was precarious, because she wasn’t sure what his true motives were. She didn’t think he could be underhanded, but she couldn’t be sure. Not yet, anyway.

“This is a little sudden,” Deb said, taking a swig of her soda. “I mean, after everything that happened with Brad and—”

Zach shifted, his eyes riveted to the tablecloth. “Forget I said anything until you figure things out. I didn’t tell you to hear you say it in return, and I didn’t say it to force you to do something you’re not comfortable with. Let’s move on.”

“I guess this means you won’t be setting me up with Jim, huh?” Deb joked.

Zach let out a hearty laugh. “Not a chance.”

They finished their meal with friendly chit-chat, and it was obvious Zach understood she had no idea what to think. He led the conversation in different directions, and they talked of the places they wanted to travel to, the accomplishments they hoped to achieve, and their movie. Deb realized Zach offered a part of himself that wasn’t shared very often. She felt a little of her heart melt away as he talked of his past projects with big stars and how much he’d learned from them.

Zach paid for their meal, making it an official date, and the locals watched curiously as the couple exited the building, only to be bombarded by paparazzi the moment they stepped outside. Camera flashes popped, and Deb blinked at the sudden onslaught of light against the dark night.

“Are the rumors true?”

“Are you expecting?”

“What about the movie?”

“Is this a publicity stunt?”

The chill of the night caused Deb to shiver, and she pulled her coat more tightly around her. She could tell by the way Zach frowned he was looking for a way out.

“You can forget it,” she called after him. “The only safe haven in this city is my parents’ house.” She closed her eyes as his cologne wafted to her and surrounded her senses. Just his smell made her weak in the knees.

“I was afraid of that,” he mumbled and grabbed her hand, hauling them to the rental car. “I guess a stroll down the boardwalk is out of the question then, huh?” He glanced back at her.

“It is if you don’t want company.”

She heard him mutter something un-gentlemanly then he turned abruptly, causing her to almost collide with him.

“Whoa!” she said and giggled.

“Do you mind?” Zach asked, his dark hair blowing a little in the breeze. His eyes were so serious, Deb almost forgot his question.

“Mind what?”

“If we have company. I don’t want tonight to end.”

When Deb thought about it, this seemed like a scene out of a movie. Everything he said was perfectly placed, but he seemed so sincere, Deb almost lost sight that Zach was an actor. But just because he was an actor didn’t mean she had forgotten his very sincere proclamation before.

“It doesn’t have to end,” she said, stepping into his embrace. “Hold me,” she demanded and looked as his full lips curled into a satisfied smile.

“What…” He cleared his throat. “What are you doing?”

“I’m saying the photographers don’t exist. I want you to kiss me.”

Zach’s eyes narrowed, although she detected a hint of a smile in their depths. She could feel the evidence against her stomach that he, indeed, wanted her. But photographs were being taken too rapidly at this point to think clearly. “You think they don’t already have a juicy story just by the way we’re standing and looking at each other, wearing our wedding rings?”

“Probably.” But he still didn’t move to kiss her.

“Then let’s give ’em a show,” she said

Zach cracked one of those disbelieving smiles and glanced toward the cameras. “You guys want us to give you what you’re after?”

A chorus of “yeahs” erupted and Zach smiled, twirling her around so the majority of the crowd could get a good view. Deb grinned up at him, loving this fun side.

“Hey, you!” Zach said as he pointed to a particular photographer. “What kind of shot will get you the most money?”

“Kiss her!” The others chimed in.

“Feel her up!” the photographer called with a grin.

Zach looked down at her, pure mischief dancing in the depths of his eyes. “You’re giving me permission to do this?”

She shrugged. “Why not? We can always claim later it was a set up.”

He frowned. “Why? No reason for us to be ashamed. I’ve felt you up plenty before. And we are married.” Winking, he pulled her flush against him. “Everybody ready?” he called without taking his eyes off her.

“I’m ready,” Deb whispered. Her body throbbed for his touch.

With cameras perched, Zach kissed her. His tongue danced, mocking his mood, and she tried to catch him. Each time she thought he would settle in for a melting kiss, he withdrew and started all over again. The crowd voiced their displeasure. Silently, Deb booed too.

Tearing away, Zach held his hand up. “Hold on, guys. We’re just getting warmed up.”

Deb grinned and shook her head. Zach’s mouth settled over hers quietly. The photographers melted away. His hands were at the base of her spine, holding her close. Without much effort, she rubbed discreetly against him and he responded accordingly. His kiss turned hot and fervent.

When each breath came quicker than the last and she felt out of control, the cheering brought her back to the present. Since Zach appeared to be more engrossed in other matters — like making her knees go weak — she reached around him and squeezed his butt. The crowd called out loudly and flashes were like strobe lights behind her lids.

Zach pulled away, throwing his head back and laughing heartily. “You amaze me, Deb. That’s what I love about you.”

Deb smiled back at him as he kissed her once more before they waved to the crowd and left.

* * * *

Back at her parents’ house, Zach walked Deb to her bedroom. It was after midnight and silence echoed around them, but his thoughts bounced in his head like a ping-pong ball. Tomorrow her brother would arrive and things would get crazy. Crazier than it was already.

His heart pounded. As he looked at Deb, he knew his life would never be the same again. She might not ever love him the way he wanted her to, or she might, he didn’t know, but he knew he was changed. He couldn’t walk away from Deb and not feel like a piece was missing.

For so long, she had been unable to enjoy relationships openly because of the horde of photographers who followed her around and Brad’s stupid manipulations. With Zach, she could just be. Zach didn’t worry about bad press or having a rotten image or how his actions would affect someone else. He was who he was, and if someone didn’t like it… well, they could say all they wanted, he knew the truth. He would still do movies and love who he wanted. No idiot holding a camera was going to stop him.

“This has been such an amazing night,” she started and took his hand. She studied their entwined fingers and played with his wedding band.

“I know. I have that effect on people.”

She grinned shyly. “You do,” she confirmed. “Thank you.”

“You don’t have to thank me. Seeing you enjoy yourself was all the thanks I needed. I just wish we could have stretched it out a little more. I feel like my time is running out, since your brother is coming. I know you’ll want to spend some time with him.”

“I will. But you can spend it with us too. I think you’ll like my brother.”

“If he’s anything like you, I might see if he’ll have an affair with me.”

Deb laughed but continued to study him. They gazed at each other until Zach was sure a gray hair formed. “I don’t want tonight to end either.”

His heart rate kicked up another notch. “It’s up to you. I’m not going to pressure you,” he said with sincerity. The last thing he wanted was for her to get spooked about the male species again.

“I know. I see it in you, even though I haven’t always. Would you hold me, Zach? It would be nice to wake up next to you.”

He understood. It was going to prove difficult to sleep in her bed without any intimacy, but if it meant he was a step closer to helping her fall in love, he’d do whatever it took. “As long as there’s plenty of cold water in your bathroom, it should work out fine.” He grinned and made her laugh. Mission accomplished.

Looking more nervous than he’d like, she led him into her bedroom and closed the door behind him.

“Relax,” he said softly, looking into her beautiful eyes. “I don’t bite.”

She arched an eyebrow playfully.

“Okay,” he conceded. “You’ve got me there.”

She laughed again. “How do you do it?”

“What?”

“Make me laugh when I least expect it.”

He could see the depth of her amazement in her expression, and while it pleased him she felt happy, it also saddened him. “Has no one ever made you laugh before?”

“Yeah. Of course. But… not like you.” She took a deep breath and walked past him. “I’m gonna get ready for bed.” She looked as if she was going to say something else, but she turned and walked across the expanse of the bedroom and closed the bathroom door.

Zach let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. In just the span of a few days, his life had turned topsy-turvy. Where his goal was once to make movies and lots of money, now it was to make one half-pint of a woman fall in love with him. His career could fail and it wouldn’t faze him. All he wanted was to know Deb was his.

The rest would take care of itself… wouldn’t it?

Deb exited a few moments later, wearing that ridiculous robe of hers. Again, thoughts of what lay underneath it invaded his thoughts. But he gave himself a mental shake. He had to let her call the shots. Brad had destroyed her fragile emotions, and she wasn’t ready for the intimacy he longed for.

During his mental gymnastics, he undressed down to his boxers and climbed into bed. Even if tonight held nothing but frustration, it was a frustration well worth having, as long as Deb slept by his side.

She gazed at him from the bathroom doorway. He patted her side of the bed and grinned. Still, she didn’t move.

One minute, Deb was a sexy enchantress, the next an unsure, battle-scarred woman. Tonight, however, a playful side of her emerged, and now that he knew it existed, he was going to exploit it.

“C’mon, beautiful, give me a striptease.”

She grinned, but only a little.

“I’m kidding,” he assured her.

“I know.” She walked slowly to the edge of the bed where he was propped against the headboard. “I haven’t made love to anyone since Brad. And I only remember bits and pieces of our honeymoon, if that’s what you want to call it—”

“Stop. You don’t owe me any explanations. I’m not going to lie and say I haven’t had casual sex before, but
whenever
it happens for us, it’ll be a far cry from casual. So stop worrying and jump in here and cuddle. My feet are cold.”

A smile blossomed and she grabbed the belt of her robe. His mouth went dry, and he watched and waited. Slowly, she unknotted the robe and let it fall open.

Beneath it laid his dreams. A simple, satin chemise with spaghetti straps. The petal pink color blended perfectly against her tanned skin. Her legs were shapely but would look better wrapped around his waist. Her breasts were emphasized by a cross of fabric in the front, and the edges were laced with the same color. When his gaze reached hers, her eyes burned intensely.

He raised his brows in question.

“I want you,” she whispered, her voice shaking.

Without saying a word, Zach crawled over to her side of the bed and stood on his knees. He touched his palm to her shoulder and felt the heat beneath his fingertips. He lowered his forehead to hers, and the perfume she used to torture him rose to meet his senses. He grinned.

“What?” she asked hesitantly.

“You put more of that perfume on.”

She grinned, too. Her fingertips threaded through his chest hair. As she scratched lightly, he closed his eyes against her touch. “Mmm.”

“Will you kiss me?” she asked. As he looked down at her, his protective instincts kick in. She was so scared, it made her tremble.

“Are you sure this is what you want?” he asked as he stood in front of her.

At her nod, he slowly claimed her lips. This was going to be good. He would make sure this was everything she wanted it to be… physically and emotionally. After this, there would be no way he could walk away. He was so head-over-heels for her, he would do anything.

She responded, wrapping her arms around his waist, pulling him close. As her mouth parted to accept his prodding tongue, his libido surged and he fought down the urge to kiss her the way he really wanted to. His tongue explored her mouth, a mouth no longer unfamiliar, yet sweeter each time he tasted her. Pulling back slightly, he took her bottom lip between his teeth and suckled. A husky sigh erupted from her.

He lifted her against him, and she wrapped her legs around his waist. Placing his lips to the soft expanse below her collar, he turned, lowering her on the bed and reminded himself to take it slow.

Zach looked at her, amazed, and whispered, “You’re so beautiful. Every part of you.”

“Just don’t take advantage of me.”

“Isn’t that what I’m about to do?”

She grinned and laid her palm against his cheek. “You know what I mean.”

“I know. But I think I’m the one at risk here, since I’ve already told you how I feel.”

“Let’s just call it even, okay?”

Zach claimed her lips again and settled between her open legs. It felt so right to lie like this with her.

“I love you,” he whispered.

She smiled up at him. “Make love to me.”

Who was he to disappoint?

Chapter 10

The next morning, Deb woke early. Her body felt heavy and her heart light. Last night, and the few times they had awakened to hold each other, had felt like a magical, ethereal night Deb prayed would never end. She knew she was on her way to falling in love and while she enjoyed the moment, long term was what scared her the most.