Tinseltown (9 page)

He grinned. “Why don’t you give me some pointers?”

Deb shrugged. “I don’t know. That’s the beauty of it all, isn’t it? Figuring it out as we go?”

“So there’s no chance you’re going to be asking me to kiss you any time soon?”

“Nope,” she said, although she doubted her words.

“Oh man,” he said with mock frustration. “You’re killing me, woman.”

She shrugged again as she worked her fingers over his skin. “Something tells me when you get tired of me, you’ll move on.”

His body went still underneath her. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, once you get tired of not getting what you want when you want it, from your
wife
, you’ll move on to something, or someone rather. It’s easier.”

Before her muddled brain could register what had happened, Zach scrambled to his feet. “Let’s get one thing straight.” Animosity burned in his eyes as he looked at her. “I don’t give up. I didn’t marry you just to get laid, all right? I don’t quit when things get awkward or tough. I don’t, do you understand me?”

Confused, Deb stood slowly, holding her hands out in front of her. “Whoa, Zach. I’m not accusing you of anything. I just figured it was what you wanted. I’m not wife material, and I don’t expect you to stick around until I’m ready for more.”

Fury simmered beneath the golden depths of his eyes. “I happen to think you’re pretty incredible, and you’re the only person who doesn’t see it. Maybe I
want
to stick around, you ever think about that?”

Touched, Deb gaped. “I just…”

“Just what? Huh?”

She swallowed past the lump in her throat. “Thank you.”

“Yeah, well, don’t get a big head, okay? Just because I want to doesn’t mean I will.”

“Fair enough.”

“And stop being so understanding. Why don’t you get angry? Why don’t you say all those things I know you want to say to me?”

“I thought we were past those things.”

“I still see it in your eyes, Deb. You think it was my idea in Vegas. Maybe it was. I don’t even know anymore. All I do know is I want you. Not just in bed, but in my life, after all this crazy filming is over and the dust settles. I want to have what your parents have. And I want you to want me too.”

Those last words were issued softly, and she couldn’t look at him anymore. The vulnerability in his eyes was too much.

“What is it about me, Zach? I’m nothing special.”

“You’re wrong.”

Deb sat on the edge of the bed and tried to sort through her feelings. She’d been unfair to him from the beginning. He didn’t know she wanted him. Maybe it was a good thing, but as she stared at the simple gold band on his finger, she realized she’d gone about it all wrong. Despite their relationship not being on solid ground, he was her husband.

What would her mother do? She’d been so loving and welcoming to Zach, yet all Deb had done was fight him and make him think she was angry.

The anger had long passed and she was settling into the idea of being married. It could be worse. Here Zach was, keeping her company while she was sick when he didn’t have to, laying his heart on the line for her to trample on.

She refused to let him down this time.

“I want you too, Zach.”

Slowly, she raised her gaze to meet his, his relief making his shoulders sag, but his eyes remained speculative. Deb walked into his arms and buried her face in his neck.

“Deb,” he whispered.

“I’m sorry I’m making this so difficult.”

He didn’t say anything, but his arms came around her and he held her close.

“I’ll try to stop being so hard to live with.”

He chuckled.

“And I might only admit this once, so listen close, okay?” Standing on her tiptoes, she put her lips close to his ear. “I’m kinda glad you’re my husband.”

His breathtaking smile made her heart stutter. “I think you’re more drunk on those cold-meds than you realize.”

“No.” She knew exactly what she needed to say. “I’m not playing the drunk card again. I mean it. I can’t promise anything, Zach, but for right now, I just want to enjoy this. Enjoy you.”

He closed his eyes and pulled her close.

“Will you kiss me, Zach?”

His eyes flew open, and he cocked an eyebrow. “You’re definitely drunk.”

“No, I’m not. Kiss me.”

“I’m not going to get accused of taking advantage of you again, am I?”

It chagrined her that he was this leery of her. Before the wedding in Vegas, they’d had a beautiful, natural friendship that felt perfect. She needed to remember it and try to get it back.

“Third time is the charm. Zach, will you please kiss me?”

He inhaled deeply, his chest rising, his gaze riveted to her lips then slowly traveling up her face like a caress. His features softened, and he licked his lips.

Deb ached from the slowness in which he romanced her. His hand came up to cradle her jaw. The rough pad of his thumb fanned over her cheek. The moment his lips touched hers, a soft sigh escaped her, and she opened for him.

His tongue toyed with hers. Just as soon as she thought they would settle into a leisurely kiss, he would pull away and change the angle. Deb was ready to stamp her foot in frustration but instead, she bit his bottom lip.

“Ow!” He winced and touched the tip of his fingers to his lip to check for blood.

“Stop teasing me.”

“What’s the matter?” A predatory grin curved his lips as he pulled her back into his arms. “Can’t handle it?”

Deb arched a brow at him. A surge of adrenaline poured through her veins, she hooked a hand behind his neck and drew him to her.

Zach wasted no time. Spearing his fingers through her hair, he delved deeply into her, anchoring her against his length with his strong arm. Before she understood what was happening, her legs touched the bed and they fell on top of it together. Deb grasped at him, pulled his shirt over his head, and trailed a hot streak of kisses down to his neck and shoulder.

The strong cords of his shoulder muscles flexed under her mouth, and she reveled in his strength. His hands touched her everywhere but where she wanted.

“Zach,” she pleaded.

His body tensed and he pressed his forehead to hers, his hands stopping their assault on her senses.

“Deb, I know we’re married and this is what married couples do, but we don’t have to make love if you’re not ready.”

Her eyes widened at his words. “Does it seem like I’m not ready?”

He chuckled. “No, but I think I want you to be fully aware of what happens, and the cold medicine has you muddled.”

Rolling off of her, he ran a palm down his face. Deb stood, not sure what to do. It wasn’t quite a rejection, but they weren’t naked, either.

Because of the sudden tension in the air, she figured he needed a moment to cool down just as much as she did. “I’m going to run downstairs and grab us some dinner. When I come back, maybe we can talk about this.”

Zach’s eyes followed her as she left, but he said nothing.

As she descended the steps, she tried to erase from her face any hint of what had just happened when she saw her mother standing in the kitchen.

Her mother’s happy smile helped her accomplish the goal. “Feeling better?” she asked, grabbing her in a hug and kissing her cheek.

“Yes, much. Zach forced me to take some medicine, and it worked wonders.”

“Wow, he actually got it down you He must have some persuasive power!”

Deb grinned. “Yeah, yeah. Actually, he just threatened me within an inch of my life, if I didn’t do his bidding. At the time I felt too rotten to argue.”

“He must have something I don’t. Either that or you’ve mellowed over the years.”

“I was just more stubborn than you.” Deb winked at her mother. “What’s for dinner?”

“I brought some up to you guys but when I peeked, you were both sleeping so soundly I packaged it up and put it in the fridge. I made you some chicken noodle soup and cooked some sourdough bread. There’re two helpings in the fridge, if you want to take some up to Zach too.”

“Thanks, Mom.” She opened the door to retrieve the bowls. One thing she loved most about her mother was she was a natural in the kitchen. Deb often teased her she could ride her coat-tails of fame and get a TV show like Paula Deen or Rachel Ray. Although she would never do it, Deb thought her mother secretly coveted the thought.

As Deb popped the bowls in the microwave, she leaned against the counter. “So are there any plans for the rest of the week?”

“Not really, unless you’d like to get out, of course.”

Deb smiled. “Nah. Zach and I might get out of your hair one night and catch a movie or go to dinner, but otherwise, we’ll just hang here too. Going out there right now after all the gossips saw us together here will be suicide. No doubt someone saw his wedding band. People are dying to get a picture of Zach and me together over the holidays.”

“Speaking of wedding bands, where’s yours?” Her mother took her hand gently and rubbed her ring finger.

“Mom…” she chastised.

“C’mon, it can’t be bad being married to Zach. He’s taken care of you and doted over you since you’ve been here. He wears his ring proudly. Don’t you think it would go a long way to wear yours?”

“Mom, it was a drunk Vegas wedding. Neither of us meant it. We’re barely even friends right now.” Friends who wanted each other.

Her mother shifted and licked her lips. “Are you sure? You’re not the kind of woman to make decisions lightly. It would be easier for Zach not to wear his as a reminder, but he constantly twirls it and looks at it the way he looks at you.”

“He’s an actor. He gets paid well to play the role of a doting husband.” Deb pressed her lips together, reminded of how her life in Hollywood had fallen apart before they’d left.

“I think you need to trust him a little more, Deb. There’s no money involved in him asking you to marry him.”

Deb cleared her throat.

“Anyway, we’ll probably get out to dinner one night before the rest of the family gets here.” She couldn’t stand the intensity of her mother’s gaze. No one knew Deb as well as her mother.

“But if you go out, won’t someone see you?”

“It’s bound to happen. I’m not trying to avoid it. Besides, Zach brings up a good point when he says its good publicity for our movie. The speculation is what I’m not looking forward to. Yes, we’re married, but we’re probably not going to stay that way. He’s a friend, but the wedding had been a mistake. The paparazzi won’t see it that way, though. They’re going to blow it into something it’s not.”

“Sweetheart,” her mother said with a parental stare she’d perfected over the years. “When I came up there to bring you some dinner, it didn’t look like friends, cozied up the way you two were.”

“Well,” Deb said, even more frustrated with the circumstances of
why
they were here together. “I’m not saying we’re just friends. I mean, there’s definitely something there, and once we have some time to figure it out, we’ll know more. Right now I’m just enjoying spending time here.” Deb sighed as the microwave signaled its end.

“Great. So I’m assuming there’s a physical connection, too?” her mother said in a conspiratorial whisper.

Deb laughed. “Yes. I’m attracted to him and I can tell you that aspect will be… wonderful when it happens.” Her mother had always been involved in Deb’s life. During her rebellious teenage years, it had annoyed her, but now she appreciated it and loved having her to talk to. Her mother was an infinite source of wisdom and love, and there was nothing like sitting down and hashing out her problems.

After Deb put the soup, bread, and drinks on a serving tray, she hugged her mother. “I love you, Mom.”

Her mother squeezed a little tighter, her voice thick. “I love you, too, Deb.”

Turning, Deb grabbed the tray and hurried up the steps.

“Deb?”

“Yeah?”

“Put your wedding ring on. Prove to him you at least want to try. Give him a little peace of mind.”

Deb looked away, lost in thought. “What if I don’t want to try and I’m trying to convince myself I do?”

Marie smiled knowingly. “You do.”

Deb didn’t know what she wanted or what awaited her behind her bedroom door, but she felt rejuvenated enough to talk to Zach.

As she entered, Deb’s eyes tried to adjust to the dim light. She immediately saw candles lit in her bathroom, one on each night stand and a single one on the coffee table between the bathroom and bed. Zach appeared in the doorway with his cellphone to his ear, looking more than just a little chagrined.

“Hey, I gotta run,” he said and hung up. “Your bath awaits, milady,” he said. But his voice lacked the drama she would expect from that kind of statement.

“I brought you dinner. Who was on the phone? What’s all this?” she asked with a grin.

Without answering her questions, he walked over to her, taking the tray and setting it on the coffee table. He then returned his attention to her and pulled her into his arms. Deb didn’t try to pull away. It felt too right standing there, thigh to thigh. She looked up at him, waiting.

After the talk with her mother, she was more confident than ever.

Zach shoved his hands in his pockets. He swallowed hard and appeared to be searching for words. He focused his attention on her hair and brushed it back from her shoulder when he spoke.

“I’m sorry I got angry before you left.” When she started to say something, he quickly continued. “My dad once told me something like that, and I guess it just reminded me of it.”

“What did he say?” she whispered, loving how it felt to have his hands on her body.

“He told me that once I found out how hard it was to break into Hollywood, I’d give up and do something else.”

“Was it hard for you?”

Zach grinned sardonically. “I was lead in my high school play when an agent discovered me. I’d sent my headshots to a few agents, and they all rejected me, except one. He decided to come out and see me for himself then asked to represent me, and that’s how I got my first real gig in
Santa’s Christmas
.”

Deb remembered the movie and Zach’s boyish good looks as the movie’s main character’s rebellious teenage son. It hadn’t been a blockbuster, but it was a cute, feel-good movie. “And the rest was history, as they say?” she asked. She closed her eyes as his palm pressed against her neck, and his thumb lazily rubbed her jaw.