You Belong To Me (15 page)

Authors: Patricia Sargeant

BOOK: You Belong To Me

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“I wanted to share my stories.” That was as close to the truth as Nicole could get.

“But people who want to go to the movies to experience your stories don't deserve to know your characters. If they want to get to know them, they should read your books.”

“Frank, you and I will never agree on this issue.” Nicole glanced at her watch. “I'd better go. I still have a lot to get done today.”

Frank stood with her. “I'm sorry if I've upset you.”

“I'm not upset,” she lied. “I just need to get back to work.”

“Maybe we can get together again sometime. And talk about books. Not movies.” His lips curved in an inviting smile.

“Maybe.” Nicole returned his smile to show there were no hard feelings.

“Great. Well, I look forward to your next book. It's due out in July, right?”

“That's right.”

Frank groaned good-naturedly, raking the recalcitrant curls from his forehead. “That's a long time to wait.”

Nicole smiled. “Just a little more than three months.” She pushed her chair back under the table. “Take care, Frank.”

“See you soon.”

The female newscaster's voice was pleasant, and the information she shared was interesting, but Malcolm wasn't really listening to her. The television news served only as a background distraction as he suffered through the time splits on the fitness club's treadmill.

As he huffed his way through his workout, he mentally reviewed his task list. After Nicole had left that morning, he had spent the day scheduling casting appointments and site surveys. The next two weeks were booked solid. He needed to give Nicole a copy of the schedule. Things would be hectic for the next couple of weeks, but at least she wouldn't be able to avoid him. So far, he felt as though he'd taken two steps backward for each step forward.

Malcolm sighed as the training program ended with a slow walk. He climbed off the machine and wiped it down with his towel. A movement in his peripheral vision prompted him to glance up. Malcolm saw Omar Carter moving around the fitness room. He swung the towel around his neck, hoping to disappear unnoticed.

“Mal.”

He groaned mentally before turning to face his business rival. “Omar.”

His competition paused before Malcolm, his stance awkward. Omar's hesitancy made Malcolm impatient. He'd started to make some excuse to leave when Omar found his voice.

“Mal, I'm really sorry about Ty. He'sâwasâone of the best,” Omar said, his tone sincere. “I have good memories of him. You two were a great team.”

Grief settled like a cloak over Malcolm. In the years he, Tyrone, and Omar had grown from production coworkers to industry rivals, they hadn't said much to one another. Time had built a wall between them, reinforced by Omar's penchant for pursuing the same projects as Malcolm and Tyrone. Omar's family's wealth allowed him to outbid them more often than not. But, with those unexpected words from this unexpected source, gratitude replaced resentment.

“Thank you,” Malcolm said.

“How are his family and Joyce?”

“They're getting by.”

“I'd heard he and Joyce were getting married.”

Malcolm nodded.

“What a tragedy.” Omar sighed heavily. “How are you?”

Malcolm shifted, becoming uncomfortable with the unusual camaraderie between them. “Getting by. How are you?”

“Fine, thanks. Keeping busy.”

“What are you working on?” Malcolm asked automatically.

Omar smiled. “Nothing right now. But I've got my eye on a project.”

Malcolm returned the smile. “Anything I've heard of?”

“The
InterDimensions
project.”

Malcolm's smile vanished. “Excuse me?”

“I'm hoping to get another shot at
InterDimensions.
”

Malcolm's spine stiffened. “And how do you intend to do that?
InterDimensions
is mine.”

“For now,” Omar returned smoothly.

“Forever.”

“Come on, Mal. Your distributors are running scared. The only thing that matters to them is money. If Ty had survived the accident, they know they would have made a return on their investment, even if the product had suffered. But, with you, the product may be good, but will they make any money?”

Malcolm made the effort to keep his voice calm even as his pulse pounded as though he were back on the treadmill. “The distributors know Celestial Productions will deliver a high-quality product and a solid return on their investment.”

“That's not what I've heard.”

“Not what you've heard? Or not what you've said? I know you're not above spreading rumors about my company, Omar. You've done it before.”

“The fact is, the money's drying up, Mal. The writing's on the wall. Even Nicole's read the signs.”

“Nicky?” Malcolm's skin chilled. He knew it was more than his sweat starting to cool him off.

“She knows you won't be able to make her movie.”

Malcolm struggled through the shock. “She told you that?”

“We spoke. She knows I'll pay her well for her movie rights.”

Malcolm fought a losing battle with his temper. “Unfortunately for you, they aren't hers anymore. They're mine.”

“I can give you a good price for those rights, Mal. More than enough to recoup your losses.”

“I don't have any losses on this projectâand I won't.” Malcolm turned. He wouldn't allow anyone to take this project away from him. Not a backstabbing business rival or a faithless ex-wife.

C
HAPTER
N
INE

“Hold on a minute, Denise. Someone's ringing my security buzzer.” Nicole lowered the telephone receiver to her shoulder and activated the intercom for the front lobby. “Yes?”

“It's Mal.” His deep voice responded with more than a hint of tension.

“Come on up.” She pressed the button to release the security lock to allow him into the building before she returned to the telephone. “Denise?”

“Still here,” her agent said.

“I'll call you back. Mal's on his way up. But, please, ask Eileen to give me more time to think about that talk show.”

“
A.M.
L.A.
is a golden opportunity for you to promote your books and the movie. Just ask Malcolm. You'd be stupid not to take it.”

“I don't want to look stupid if I take it. I've never been on TV before. I don't want to make a fool of myself.”

“Oh, go irritate Malcolm. Eileen and I will be in touch.”

“Denise?”

When only the dial tone responded, Nicole recradled the phone, muttering about agents who never listen. Her thoughts were interrupted by a brusque knock on her door. Malcolm. She checked the peephole. He didn't appear to be in a good mood. Great, she thought, just want she neededâanother argument. She opened the door with resignation, and Malcolm brushed past her.

“Come in,” she muttered after the fact.

“I will make a success of the
InterDimensions
project,” he stated. “Everything is a little off-balance now because of the shock of Ty's death. The distributors are cautious, but I'll bring them around. I may have been known as the creative partner, but I have just as much business savvy as Ty had. We worked together to build Celestial Productions. We both contributed to the creative and business sides of the company. I will succeed with this project. And I want you to believe in me.”

Nicole stared at him, her heart nearly bursting with warmth and pride. “That's wonderful, Mal. That's exactly what you should tell the distributors and the guests at Leo's party.”

Malcolm blinked. “I'm telling you.”

Nicole frowned. “Why? I do believe in you.”

“Then why did you meet with Omar Carter?”

She felt her eyes stretch with shock. “I never met with Omar Carter.”

“He said you did.”

“He ambushed me outside the apartment building,” Nicole said, walking past Malcolm and into the living room.

Malcolm turned to face her back. “Why didn't you tell me you spoke to him?”

“I didn't see any point in that. I told him I didn't own the movie rights anymore. I told him, if he still wanted them, he had to talk to you.”

“He said you didn't think I could handle this project without Ty.”

Nicole turned to face him, offended beyond belief. “And I told you, you can make this movie a successâif you want to.”

Malcolm turned from her. He propped one hand on his hip and used the other to massage the back of his neck. “It hurt to hear someone say you didn't believe in me.”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “Why would you listen to someone who doesn't even know me?”

“Because you have good reason to believe I can't succeed.”

Nicole wanted to grab his hair and shake him. “I've always known you would be a success. I just wish I had been there with you. Like Joyce was for Ty.”

Malcolm turned to face her. “You can be with me now.”

She narrowed her gaze. “What are you talking about?”

“We've been given a second chance, Nicky. Don't you think we should take it?”

Nicole shook her head, amazed at how quickly her anger with him could turn to yearning. She saw the wariness beneath his earnest expression and knew he wanted this more than he was willing to admit, maybe even to himself. But she needed answers and reassurances before she could ever return to such a high level of vulnerability. “We can't pretend nothing happened; otherwise, how do we know we won't make the same mistakes again?”

“Because we're older now and more mature.” Need thickened his voice.

She had to ask the question, although for four long years, she'd feared the answer. “Is that why you left, Mal? Because you thought I was immature?” She flashed back six years to a time she thought she could have it all: marriage, family, career. But meeting the demands of her career had taken a toll on her health and perhaps caused her miscarriage. “Did you think I was too selfish?” That was the closest she could bring herself to asking if he blamed her for their baby's death.

Malcolm stepped up to her, taking her upper arms to draw her closer. “No, Nicky.”

“Then what happened?”

“You stopped talking to me.”

Nicole pulled out of his embrace. “We stopped talking to each other. You said you wanted to take care of me, but I wanted us to take care of each other.”

“Can't we start over and try again?”

“What would be the point if neither of us is willing to change? This would just be a second chance to make a mistake. I don't want to get my heart broken a second time.”

“I won'tâ” he began.

“Maybe you won't mean to.” She walked to the door as pain tore her up inside. “If we've cleared up the misunderstanding about what I did and didn't say to Omar, I'd like you to leave now. I'm willing to work with you, Mal. But once this project is over, I'm going home.”

Slowly he walked toward her. His cocoa eyes were soft and vulnerable, tearing at her.

“Is that the way you want it?” His deep-sea voice eased into her, calling to the part of her that still believed Malcolm could give her the happily-ever-after she'd once believed in.

“That's the way it has to be.” Her voice was weak, though her words were strong.

He nodded and left, thankfully without looking back. A final look from him might have been all she needed to let her heart triumph over her mind.

It's all in a day'sâor night'sâwork,
Nicole mentally chanted two weeks later as she circulated among investors, potential investors, industry heavies, and friends and family at Leo DeCaprio's dinner party. Malcolm had been by her side the entire time, looking mouthwatering in a formal black evening suit. His long, lean form made the clean, simple lines appear spectacular.

At first, being with him after she had rejected his offer of a reconciliation had been awkward. But the casting appointments, site surveys, and interviews with prospective production crew members had kept them focused on the
InterDimensions
project. They had been able to slip back into a comfortable working relationship and tentative friendship.

Several times she had caught him looking at her, though. Intense, searching looks that had itched at her hunger and called to her heart. But she had found the strength not to scratch the itch or answer the call. It had taken her too long to start living again after he'd left her the first time. But the hunger was growing.

For tonight, she was grateful for his close proximity. His support was helping her get through this event in which she could sense dozens of strangers staring at her. With Malcolm next to her, she didn't feel so alone and exposed.

“Are you enjoying yourselves?”

Nicole turned to find Ava DeCaprio twinkling at her. Leo's arm was wrapped around his wife's shoulders, holding her comfortably close.

“Very much.” Nicole smiled back at the petite woman who had enough energy and humor to match her jovial husband.

Watching the couple together, she realized Frank was a perfect blend of them both. However, his above-average height was still a mystery since he had two such petite parents.

Leo rocked once on the balls of his feet. “Our guests were impressed by your presentation, Mal.”

Before dinner, Malcolm had announced that, after a period of mourning for Tyrone's passing, Celestial Productions was moving forward with the
InterDimensions
project. It had been an impressive speech, similar to what he had told Nicole the day he'd thought she hadn't believed in him.

“I'm glad,” Malcolm said. “Let's just hope they're impressed enough to want to support the project.”

“I think several of them are.” Leo beamed at Nicole. “And I'm hearing very complimentary comments about you, my dear.”

She smiled, wondering how much longer they had to stay now that dinner was over and everyone was saying nice things about them. She looked around at the Tinsel Town heavyweights, film critics, and movie insiders. These were the people who set the vision for an industry.

“Thank you again for hosting the dinner party,” she said. “This is very generous of you.”

“It's our pleasure, dear,” Ava replied. “Now that we've met, we hope you won't be a stranger. It doesn't always have to be about business, you know.” She winked before moving on with Leo.

“Not much longer now,” Malcolm murmured.

“Do you promise?” Nicole whispered back.

“Promise.” Malcolm's grin froze as he looked over Nicole's shoulder. “Uh, oh. Don't look now, but here come Omar and his date for the evening. I wonder if they're really dating or if she was his ticket here tonight.”

“Cynic.”

“Hello, Mal.” Omar nodded. “Nicole, it's nice to see you again. I'd like you to meet Janet Greene.”

Nicole extended her hand. “It's nice to meet you, Janet.”

The golden-skinned vamp swayed forward to clasp Nicole's hand. “Nice to meet you, too.” She slanted a look toward Malcolm, licking her lips. “How've you been, Malcolm?”

“Oh, that's right,” Omar commented. “You two know each other.”

Something in Omar's tone prompted Nicole to reevaluate his companion. The taller woman wore a snug, blood-red dress that hugged her ample curves. Her glossy, dark hair was a riot of curls around her skillfully made-up face.

Nicole's gaze skipped away when she caught Omar watching her. She didn't want him to see the hurt she wouldn't explain. She and Malcolm were just friends.

“I've been fine, Janet. Thank you.” Malcolm's smile appeared stiff around the edges.

“I don't think you're familiar with Nicole's work, are you, Janet?” Omar's question brought Nicole back to her surroundings.

“No, I'm afraid I'm not.” Janet smiled an apology.

Nicole returned her smile. “Don't worry. It's not as though I've been on the
New York Times
best-seller list.”

“Yet,” Omar inserted. “But you will be. They're great stories, and they'll make even better movies. I just hope the project will be completed.”

“It will be,” Malcolm stated.

“Omar, I believe there was a misunderstanding with a previous conversation we had,” Nicole began.

“Oh?” A wary look entered Omar's eyes.

“Yes, I'm afraid I must not have made myself clear when I explained Celestial Productions has the
InterDimensions
movie rights. I have absolute faith Mal's company will do an excellent job interpreting the story, and the project will be a success. In fact, I don't believe any other company could do justice to my story.”

“I'm sorry that you feel that way,” Omar murmured.

Nicole inclined her head. “I'm sorry for the misunderstanding.”

“Perhaps you'll change your mind in the near future.”

“I don't think so.” Nicole shook her head to emphasize her point.

Omar smiled smoothly. “Never say never. Have a good evening.” He escorted Janet away.

“I can't believe you thought I would sell my movie rights to that man,” Nicole muttered. “I think I'm offended.”

“I'm sorry,” Malcolm apologized.

“You should be.” Nicole shook her head at a passing server who offered her a tray of drinks.

“I'll make it up to you.” Malcolm also refused the server's offer.

“It would take a lot.” Nicole sniffed, determined to be stubborn.

“Let's mingle one last time and then leave.”

Nicole looked up at him in surprise, her determination melting under an offer she couldn't refuse. “All is forgiven,” she said, then started forward.