Her Fictional Fling: Scandals in Scotland Contemporary Romance Series Book 1 (4 page)

He prided himself on refusing the bodyguards that so many celebrities resorted to, but Andi hadn’t been given a choice in the matter, so he owed it to her to shield her from the possibility of danger.

He pushed through the mob and finally reached the door to the parking garage. Andi reached out a high-heeled foot and kicked the door open. Colin grinned to himself. Even under duress she had spunk. He liked her more and more every minute, and he had to admit he was glad she’d literally stumbled into his life just a while ago.

He hadn’t meant to freak her out by carrying her off without telling her where they were headed; she seemed okay with it but as soon as he could, he’d explain. He hadn’t had much of a choice except to run and leave the paparazzi behind.

Colin turned a corner and broke into a careful jog. Andi gripped his neck tighter, and he breathed in her feminine scent. She smelled of lemon and mint, womanly and fresh, which he found he preferred to the expensive designer perfume worn by many of his previous conquests. He couldn’t wait to get her back to his condo where he could have her to himself for a while. He wasn’t sure how far she’d be willing to go, but her nipples pressing against his chest told him he had a fair chance of at least tasting her full mouth.

Were she any other woman, just his name would grant him access to all the fun he wanted, but something about Andi told him he’d have to work harder than he was accustomed to get her to agree to what he had in mind.

That was fine. He liked a challenge and wasn’t the type to back down when he set his design on something. He turned a corner and let out a sigh of relief. They’d momentarily lost the photographers, but he’d have to work fast. He lowered Andi next to his black and silver motorcycle. He reached under the bike and grabbed a magnetic box, removing his extra key; in the morning, he’d send an assistant to pick up the set he’d given the valet.

“Okay Andi, meet Baby. Baby, this is Andi.”

“Do you name all your toys?” she asked

“Is that a problem?” He raised his eyebrows. As cheesy as they were being, it felt good to flirt again.

“Boys,” she sighed, rolling her blues.

Colin lifted his only helmet off the handlebar and set it on the asphalt next to the bike. Bending at his knees, he used both hands to brush Andi’s fringe back from her brow before lifting the helmet and lowering it onto her head. They both laughed as it engulfed her, sliding down her face until it caught on her nose. He winked at her as he adjusted it, tightening the strap. He’d never seen anyone look so damn cute in a motorcycle helmet. As for him, he’d have to settle for the stupid horned helm his fellow actors had provided when he’d arrived at the party, thanks to his lost bet.

He hopped on the bike and turned his torso to make sure Andi got settled when she did the same. Her tight dress slid high on her creamy thighs and watching her straddle the seat brought images to mind of what he’d like to see her do to him.

Colin turned his attention on getting them the hell out of there as he fired up the bike. Around the bend in the parking garage, a blur of people were coming their way, so he wasted no time in peeling out. He didn’t have to tell Andi to hold on tight. He grinned at the way her fingers balled up in his tunic and the tops of her legs wrapped around his back. He couldn’t help but reach a hand down to squeeze her knee as he turned to speak to her.

“I’m taking you to my condo. Any objections?”

She bit her lip as she considered his intention. If she changed her mind, he’d turn around in a heartbeat, but a toss of her head confirmed she hadn’t, and he faced forward again, giving the engine some gas. The bike lurched ahead and the tires squealed as they shredded out into the busy street, leaving the hotel behind.

Chapter Four

“Where are you now, you crazy girl? And what have you done with my best friend?” Andi held her mobile away from her ear to decrease the likelihood of Lily deafening her. The move did little good—she could still hear Lily screeching on the other end even from several inches away.

“Shhh! I’m on a condo balcony three floors up from the street in Hyndland.”

Andi fought to hide the smile from her voice. She knew her serious, nonchalant tone would drive Lily nuts, and she relished dragging the information out for as long as possible. Lily had always been the dramatic one, whereas Andi chose to stick with reality. The only place she allowed herself the luxury of dreaming was in her books.

Real life had taught her that wishes were best kept between pages.

Lily squealed. “You’re leaving out the best part, you sneak. I saw you leaving the hotel with Colin Walker, you little minx.”

Andi let out a giggle. She’d forgotten what a simple pleasure it was to share guy talk with her best friend. She and Lily had a rough time after Andi had gotten in deep with Jared. Her ex hadn’t been fond of anyone getting more attention from Andi than him, and over time he’d slowly cut out her closest relationships as if they were a threat; first, the few guys she’d hung out with and then even her oldest girlfriends, until she woke up one day to realize her world with Jared had become very small. Small and suffocating.

Lily’s voice went quiet and more serious. “Really though, doll, I’m just glad to see you out having a good time again.”

“I know,” Andi said, and a ripple of unspoken words passed over the line.

The past mistakes with Jared were a sore spot between the two friends; it would take a long time to heal completely. Lily had seen Jared’s overly possessive nature for what it was before Andi, and had done her best to give warning, but it was too late when Andi finally pulled her head out of the fog. She’d been so hungry for male attention after having none growing up, and when Jared, on the verge of taking his Bar exam at the time—successful, promising, and devastatingly handsome—had asked her out, she’d jumped in head first without even a backward glance. She had lost so much to him; thank her lucky stars Lily had stuck by her when no one else had.

“Thanks Lily, that means a lot to me.” A moment passed and Andi lightened her tone. “Now quit squealing long enough to tell me what in god’s name I’m supposed to do next.”

The phone still against her ear, Andi turned to see Colin through the open French doors, pouring burgundy wine into a long-stemmed glass. She made a mental note not to drink too much of it. Wine would only add to her lack of control, or, to call a spade a spade—desperation—and after two years of zero sex, and not so much as a little light groping, she didn’t need help in that department. As it were, she’d have to be mindful not to flail herself at him, rip off the erotic Viking garb, and pretend he really was Bjorn, and she the heroine, Astrid, from her story.

Lily must have read Andi’s mind. “Just pretend you’re in your own romance novel and have your way with him.”

Andi scoffed. “I’m not even sure I know what my
way
is anymore. It’s been so long I might not even remember where things go.”

“Ha,” Lily snorted. “Fat chance. He’ll be glad to show you, I’m sure. Just make sure you’re careful.”

“You don’t need to worry about me. I’m sure a guy like Colin has condoms in every drawer of this condo.”

“That’s not what I meant,” Lily said, her voice stern, “and you know it, Andi. Jared left you in a bad place, and I’m worried you’ll get hurt again if you don’t look out for yourself.”

Andi breathed in and out slowly, like she’d learned in that one yoga class she’d taken before forgetting about her gym membership. “I know. I don’t need a reminder,” she said, moving to gaze over the balcony at the street below. “I’ll be fine. Besides, I have a plan.”

“A what?”

“You heard me—a plan.”

“Elaborate, please.”

Andi rolled her eyes, grateful Lily couldn’t see.

“I’m going to use Colin to help me with my work,” she blurted out.

There was a long pause before Lily spoke again.

“Okay, now I know you’ve gone mad.”

Andi waited a beat, knowing her silence would only spark Lily’s inherent nosiness. She could practically hear Lily’s nails tapping with impatience.

“Well! Tell me what it is already, this plan of yours. I haven’t got all bloody day, and if I’m going to have to have you committed, I’d rather go ahead and get started. I do have other clients you know. You’re not my only crazy writer.”

“Yeah, but I’m your favorite.”

Andi sensed Lily breaking into a grin.

“Fair enough. So go on then.”

Andi told Lily as much as she could before she saw Colin moving toward the balcony, carrying two wineglasses by their stems.

The last thing she heard from Lily were the words
it’ll never work you know
, and with that, Andi hung up.

Colin strolled across the patio and joined Andi near the railing, handing her a glass. She took it and he raised his own.

“Here’s to clean getaways and fuzzy, questionable tabloid shots.”

Andi met his eyes, taking the time to really notice them now that she wasn’t running from one thing or another. They were a deep mocha, an almost exact match to the fashionably messy hair that waved around his neck, just touching his shoulders. She wondered if he normally wore it that long or if this look was intended to suit his character. Either way, it worked in his favor. He had the chiseled jaw and chin to pull it off without looking unkempt.

He must have shed his costume while she’d been gabbing with Lily because he now wore faded jeans that looked butter soft to the touch, and a snug black T-shirt that accented his biceps. She gripped her glass to keep from touching them, recalling how strong they’d been wrapped around her body as he’d carried her from the hotel.

“Not fair,” she said. “You’ve changed into comfy clothes and I’m still stuck in this tight thing.” It wasn’t until after the words had left her mouth that she realized what she’d implied. Colin’s eyebrows raised and his gaze darkened to rich chocolate.

“We can fix that if you like,” he said, leaning an arm against the balcony rail.

Andi swallowed to alleviate the sudden dryness of her mouth. Here was her chance to decide whether or not she planned to play along. What if Lily was right and she wasn’t ready to jump back in again? It was true that Jared had broken her, in more ways than one, and she’d needed time to heal from her fragility, but she’d tossed him two years ago, so it seemed like enough time had passed. She’d managed to repair several of her most valued friendships since then. Her writing had taken off to the point that, along with waitressing jobs here and there to make ends meet at first, she’d been able to pay back the money she’d borrowed to leave Jared and get on her feet. All in all, she’d made a moderately comfortable life for herself.

There was no point in taking it so seriously, anyway. A casual, no strings attached fling was exactly what she needed at this point. It would be the perfect jumpstart to getting back in the dating game. She wanted a family of her own someday, so she knew that she’d have to put herself out there again at some point; so why not now? And who better to guide her than a delicious up-and-coming movie star who probably had infinite knowledge of how to satisfy a girl’s needs?

“How do you propose we fix it?” she asked.

There, that wasn’t so hard.
She swallowed the lump in her throat and forced herself not to look away from him, regardless of the heat rising up her neck. His eyes locked onto hers, offering her a chance to back out, but she held her ground.

Colin set his wineglass on a nearby table and turned back to face her. He moved closer to her until only inches separated their faces, taking Andi’s glass to place it on the rail.

“Well, that’s entirely up to you,” he said.

Not exactly what she wanted to hear, and he clearly knew it because his lips turned up at the corners, his slow smile melting her to mush.

“But I’d be happy to make some suggestions if you like.”

Much better.

“Go on,” she said, encouraging him. She was in now and there was no turning back. No matter what happened, it was only sex. Just casual, single-girl-on-vacation sex, and Colin was exactly the type to expect nothing more. She would get the inspiration she needed for her new book’s weak love scenes and he would get…wait. What would he get out of this? And why hadn’t she considered that before? A famous film star who thus far had comforted her after a humiliating failure, rescued her from what amounted to a mob, and brought her to his upscale condo had…what, exactly, to gain from her?

“So, if we do this thing, you and I, there are obvious benefits for me. One:”—she held up a hand to count for emphasis—”I get to say I did it with a celebrity. Two: I get to say I did it with a Viking. Three: I get a play-by-play that I can use to spice up my novel. And lastly, I get to end my marathon dry spell, but…”

“But what?” He stepped closer, as if daring her to think of another silly reason why two adults shouldn’t go where they both wanted to go.

“But, what’s in it for you?” she asked.

A crease formed between his eyebrows and he feigned confusion. “You mean besides getting to spend the night with a beautiful girl who takes her scotch straight and didn’t hesitate to jump on a motorcycle with me?” He gave her a sexy grin before continuing. “Honestly, what could be better than that?”

She didn’t know what to say. When had she last allowed a guy near enough to give her a compliment? His eyes softened, and he waited patiently for her to speak.

She swallowed. “I just mean, well, you could obviously have anyone. I’m aware of that, and I’m fine with it.” She straightened her back and lifted her chin, facing him straight on. “We both know this is a one-time thing. I just wonder what your motive is. Why not take home one of your coworkers, or some model?” She held up a hand. “Why a stranger?”

Why me?

Colin seemed to see the logic in her question. She watched his brow furrow as he considered it.

“Several reasons. I’ll be frank with you—I’ve had a breakup recently and, since then, the media have followed me relentlessly. Spending time with someone new might quell that a bit. And, not to sound cliché, but, you’re different than most women I know. You’re the first woman I’ve met in a long time who didn’t recognize me as an actor rather than as a regular bloke. You don’t have that hunger in your eyes that gives away poorly hidden intention to find out what makes the
real Colin
tick or how much money I make, or if I have any gossip about other film stars. Truly, it’s refreshing to be myself and not have to analyze every move you make.”