Dreaming With My Eyes Wide Open (Hollywood Legends #2) (6 page)

“Sure you have. You have an assistant.”

It was a statement, not a question.

“Technically. Sure.” Alice was essential when Nate worked on
a movie. And when he wasn’t.

“Does she… it is she, right?”

Nate nodded. Why did he suddenly feel defensive? One second,
Paige made him smile; the next, he wanted to swat her smartass. For a man who
was known as the easy-going Landis, the rollercoaster of emotions this woman
elicited perplexed him.

“Naturally,” Paige smirked. “Hence, Googling minion.”

Nate wanted to wipe that smug little smile off Paige’s
mouth. Cliché as it might be, kissing her seemed like the perfect way. Since he
had wanted to do it from the moment he saw her, it didn’t take a lot of effort
to talk himself into it.

Nate knew the kiss was coming, but somehow it ended up
surprising him as much as it did her.

The feel of a woman in his arms. The touch of her lips. Her
taste. Nate knew these things well.
Very
well. He might not know the
number of women he had kissed since his first at the age of thirteen. That
didn’t mean he had lost his appreciation for the process.

Kissing was one of his favorite things. It wasn’t just a
prelude to sex. To Nate, knowing the proper way to join his mouth to a woman’s
was an art. He wouldn’t call himself a master. That connoted someone who knew
it all. Nate considered himself an eager student. Proficient. Well versed. Yet
always willing to learn.

On the job training of the best kind.

What Paige taught him in the first few seconds of the kiss
was staggering. Her touch burned him. Her lips were beyond soft. Her taste?
Addictive. Feeling her body next to his didn’t give him the usual thrill. It
overwhelmed, saturating his senses.

It wasn’t a kiss.

It was
the
kiss.

The second the thought entered his brain, Nate felt a surge
of panic.
No,
he quickly argued with himself.
Not ready.
The idea
was so new, so unexpected, he shoved it out of his consciousness. He trailed
his mouth along the sweet line of Paige’s jaw, happy to concentrate on the
physical — not the emotional. Analyzing the burst of feelings was for another
day. Far, far in the future.

It became easier when Paige’s arms stole around his waist,
pulling him closer. He knew the moment she stopped fighting with herself and
gave in to the kiss. Her body relaxed against him, her subtle curves fitting
perfectly. Two parts of a puzzle. Shit. There it was again. The idea that this
was how it was supposed to be. That everything until now led him to Paige.

Nate tore his mouth away, his breathing harsh — ragged. The
idea was to break the connection that made his brain turn fuzzy and his heart
beat in an odd, unfamiliar cadence. It was smart to stop before things got out
of hand.

Nate didn’t realize his arms were still around Paige. It
felt so good to have her close. It never occurred to him that his heart wasn’t
going to stop trying to jump out of his chest as long as she pressed so near.

“Should I apologize?”
Please, don’t ask me to apologize
.

“That would be silly.”

Paige gently pried herself away. Not because she didn’t like
the feel of his arms around her. Because she liked it
too
much.

“Paige…”

“It was a kiss, Nate.”

“No argument here.”

“Wipe that grin off your face.”

Paige almost smiled back. He was so damn charming. All he
had to do was stand there, lips quirked, blue eyes bright as the clearest sky,
and she wanted to forget why this was a bad idea. She struggled, searching.
Right.
Lottie
. Best friend rules. She was already treading on thin ice. The cracks
were getting bigger and bigger — moving closer with each passing second.

It wasn’t fair that danger had to come wrapped in such a
big, sexy package, but there it was. She needed to keep this professional. At
best, friendly. Once more, she had to explain it to Nate. And while she was at
it, it wouldn’t hurt to remind herself why this thing between them would not go
any further.

“I realize this isn’t an original thought. You must have
heard it a thousand times.”

“Nate—”

“My mother assures me that compliments, as long as they are
sincere, are a good thing.”

“Nate—”

“You’re so beautiful. You smell like honey and fresh air.
And the way you taste! I could—”

“Nate!” Paige’s shout was louder than necessary. Because she
needed to stop herself as well as Nate. She liked his words.
Too much
.

“The kiss was…”

“Go on.” Nate’s smile widened. “Stroke my… ego.”

Oh, boy
. The man wasn’t dangerous. He was lethal.
Paige knew she was in trouble when she wanted to laugh at a line that would
have made her cringe if delivered by anyone else.

The difference was easy to figure out. Nate’s ego was very,
very healthy. However, his ability to make fun of himself was just as
pronounced. A sense of humor was the ultimate aphrodisiac for Paige. Life could
destroy her if she couldn’t laugh at it now and then. In her experience,
finding a man who understood that was next to impossible. Combined with a
mouthwatering package, it made Nate almost irresistible.

Almost
.

“I liked it.”

“Careful. Hold back on your gushing.”

“
Very
nice.”

“Weak,” Nate sighed. “But I’ll take it. For now.”

“Once, Nate. It can’t happen again.”

“Can’t? Or Won’t”

“Jesus.” Paige tossed her hands in the air. “I thought you
were a stuntman, not a lawyer. Forget the semantics. We kissed. I liked it.”

“Me too.”

“Now we have it out of our systems.”

“We do?”

Nate didn’t sound convinced. Paige tried to sound like she
was.

“I don’t want to clog things up, Nate. I’m still holding on
to the hope you might be able to talk my father in off the-the proverbial
ledge. Though that possibility is becoming more and more remote.”

“I agree. But let’s get back to that later. About that kiss.
You liked it?”

“Now I am worried about your ego.”

“I don’t need the flattery, Paige.” Nate moved closer,
invading her space. The look she gave him was more exasperated than angry. He
could work with that. “It was good. Better than good.”

“
Too
good,” Paige muttered.

“Maybe.” Nate wasn’t ready to deal with all the
implications. He
was
ready to explore the possibilities. Whatever they
were. “I can’t stop with one, Paige. Who knows, the next kiss might suck. It
happens. Like a movie that was a surprise hit. Everyone sees dollar signs so
they make a sequel. It bombs. Turns out some things are better in sets of one.”

“Like our kiss?”

“Like our kiss. What do you say?” Nate moved closer, his
breath teasing her ear. “Want to find out?”

Paige already knew. The sequel would be better than the
original. She swayed, just a little until Nate’s lips touched her ear. For an
instant, she considered turning her head. Mouth against mouth.

“You are the devil.”

Chuckling, Nate stepped away. “No. Not even a disciple.
Temptation isn’t the devil’s exclusive domain, Paige.”

“Well, you’re no angel.” Paige gripped the rail of the
pasture fence. She wanted to grab Nate. Knowing where it would lead, she kept
her hands where they were.

“Thank God.”

“Whatever you are, Nate, you aren’t for me. Temporarily or
otherwise. Let’s head back to the house. Dad should have the barbecue ready for
the steaks.”

Paige wiped her palms on her jeans. Sweaty palms. Never a
good sign when you were trying to convince yourself a certain man was just like
any other. The words in her head, and the ones she said to Nate were one thing;
her palms never lied.

“Is there a reason?” Nate fell in step with Paige. Her legs
were long, but his were longer. He matched her stride for stride. “Boyfriend?”

“No. Girlfriend.”

“Ah.”

“Not that kind of girlfriend.” Paige sighed. “Though
sometimes I think it would be easier if I were a lesbian. Men are a mystery.
And quite frankly, sometimes you give me a headache trying to figure you out.”

“I’ve been assured by my gay friends that that is a myth.”
The cast gleamed white against his tanned skin. “Relationships are hard. A man
and a woman. Two men. Two women. Add that element of sex, jealousy, and
possessiveness. Once another person is your lover, all bets are off.”

“I suppose.” Paige hadn’t thought of it like that. “What I
have with Lottie is rock solid. Outside of my parents, she is the most
important person I’ve ever had in my life. We’ve been best friends forever. In
all that time, we have never competed over a man. She likes you. End of story.
That kiss was as close to betraying her trust as I’ve ever come, Nate.” Paige
shook her head. “I won’t cross that line again.”

This was a new one for Nate. In all his years, he had never
been turned down for a reason as convoluted, and noble as this one. It was
obvious Paige wouldn’t be swayed. One more thing to add to the growing list of
things he liked about this woman. Loyalty. Fierce and true.

“Does my preference carry any weight in this?”

“Naturally.” Paige glanced his way. “I’m flattered that you
find me attractive, Nate.”

“I believe the word I used was beautiful.”

“So you did.” Paige nodded. “And by the way? That isn’t
something I hear very often. I’m… attractive.”

“The men you’ve met are certifiable idiots.”

Paige felt that burst of warmth again. Damn, damn, damn. Why
did he have to be so… She couldn’t think of the word for him. Nate was unique.
Maybe that was it. The question was why did he have to be so
Nate
?

“If I say something, will you promise not to take it the
wrong way?”

“No.”

Paige laughed. It had been a stupid question.

“I’ll take my chances. I like that you find me beautiful.”

Nate came to a halt, expecting her to do the same. Instead,
Paige increased her pace, leaving him watching. Between her words and that
fine, firm ass, she was killing him. He was only human. How much was he
supposed to take?

“You’re killing me, Paige.” He quickened his pace, catching
up. “If Lottie gives the go-ahead, will you kiss me again?”

“I’ll kiss you now.” Paige grazed his cheek with her lips.
“Brother and sister.” Her eyes lit up. “I hadn’t thought of that. You can be
the sibling I never had.”

Nate stared at the screen door as it slammed behind Paige.
Was
she out of her mind?
Friend he was fine with — for a start. But brother?
Not in this lifetime. Nate entered the house. No one would ever accuse Nate
Landis of backing down from a challenge. Whether Paige knew it or not, she had
thrown down the sexual gauntlet and he had picked it up. Whatever doubts or
trepidation he felt earlier be damned. Once she made it clear that she wanted
him, that was it.

Nate’s smile was one his family would have recognized
instantly.

Paige Chamberlin was about to discover no one told a Landis
what he could and couldn’t do. He had the family name to uphold. And a
beautiful, stubborn, exciting woman to seduce.

Nate was enjoying Montana more and more by the second.

“NO DOUBT ABOUT it, Chuck. That is the best steak I have ever
eaten.”

Nate slid another piece of succulent beef into his mouth,
the juices bursting over his tongue. This was not something to be hurried. He
chewed deliberately, savoring the moment.

“More beans, Nate?”

“Please.” Nate held out his plate. “It’s a treat to get
something straight from the garden. There’s nothing like it.”

The meal was simple and delicious. From the meat to the
baked potatoes, nothing came from the grocery store. Even the butter was
hand-churned by the same woman who made the bread that Nate enjoyed his third
piece of. First thing in the morning, he would go for a run. A few weeks eating
like this, they would have to roll him out of Montana.

“I read about your accident.” Chuck pointed his fork toward
the cast on Nate’s left arm. “Close call.”

“I was lucky. A knock on my hard head and a broken bone.
It’s always a win when you walk away.”

Nate didn’t want to get into the details. An accident or
sabotage. At this point, there was no proof either way. Besides, sharing the
dangerous side of what he did was something he rarely engaged in. His mother
didn’t want to know. His father would listen, but Nate chose to spare him, too.

The only one who knew the down and dirty details was
Garrett. His twin. Not exactly his other half. They weren’t identical. The
differences were as varied as the similarities. Nate was bigger. Broader.
Faster. Garrett was built for endurance. His body lean. In a sprint, Nate won
every time. Anything longer and Garrett would eventually take him down.

Garrett had a quick temper. He held on to a grudge. Nate was
more of a slow burn. When he popped, stand back. It wasn’t pretty, but it was
fast. With a few exceptions, he couldn’t stay mad. And once on Nate’s good
side, he would give the shirt off his back.

That trait went deep with every member of the Landis clan.
Nate reminded himself of that several times on the trip here. Family first.
Friends a close second. You didn’t turn your back on either when they were in
need.

“About this movie.”

Chuck didn’t need to be prodded. He launched into an
enthusiastic monologue starting with the day he remembered Erin’s script. He
explained how the idea to fulfill its potential came to him fully formed. Chuck
knew what to do and how to get it done. All those years in Hollywood would
finally pay off.

Nate listened. Chuck’s plan was impressive. He wasn’t trying
to make a blockbuster. He thought small from the very beginning. Smart for any
first-time filmmaker. He gathered volunteers when possible. From what Chuck
said, ninety-five percent of everyone involved had little or no experience.

That meant the budget would be almost nothing. It also meant
a lot of mistakes and reshoots. There was no way they would finish in the
timeframe Chuck laid out. Unless someone stepped in to help.

Nate took a deep breath.
Thanks, Dad,
he silently
cursed his father.
You knew exactly what you were getting me into.
A
few weeks, my ass
. Nate would be lucky if he got out of here by
Thanksgiving.

“You have a crew lined up? Equipment? When did you do all this?”
Paige asked, a perplexed frown on her face.

“It was mostly done on the phone,” Chuck shrugged. “I’m
sorry, honey. I know you’re hurt that I didn’t tell you about this sooner.”

“Not hurt.” Paige thought for a second.
Well, maybe a
little
. “I’m worried that you’re getting in over your head. You could lose
the ranch, Dad.”

“No,” Chuck shook his head, his expression fierce. “I would
never risk the Double C, Paige. I wouldn’t do that to you.”

“You think I’m worried about myself?” Paige laid a hand over
her father’s, squeezing gently. “You’ve spent half of your life building this
place up. What would you do without it? It’s your home.”

Chuck looked like he was about to say something, and then
changed his mind. Instead, he smiled, patting Paige on the shoulder.

“I’ve only committed money I could afford to lose.”

“Dad.” Paige looked at Nate. This was family business. What
she had to say didn’t involve their guest. “May I speak with you alone?”

“No problem.” Nate stood. “I could use some air after that
amazing meal.”

“You don’t have to go, Nate.” Chuck began clearing the
table. “There’s nothing to be said that you can’t hear.”

Nate’s eyes met Paige. He could tell from her expression
that she didn’t agree with her father.

“Call me if you need help with the dishes.”

He grabbed his jacket before exiting the house. The
gratitude he saw in Paige’s eyes made him glad he followed his instincts.
Family matters needed to stay in the family.

“I can’t believe you drove our guest out of the house,
Paige.”

“He didn’t seem to mind,” Paige said. “Dad. Please, stop
clearing the table and sit down.”

Reluctantly, Chuck set the plates in the sink. With a sigh,
he joined her.

“I know what you’re going to say.”

“Of course you do. That’s why you didn’t want Nate to leave.
You thought I wouldn’t bring the subject up with him in the room.”

“I was right, wasn’t I?”

“No. Nate being here wouldn’t have stopped me.” Paige shook
her head. He didn’t know her as well as he thought. “But I did think you would
be more comfortable if we were alone before I started discussing money.”

“There isn’t anything to discuss.”

Chuck gave her a determined smile. One she recognized. He
was entrenched. Nothing she said would sway him. Knowing it was hopeless, Paige
had to try, if only to make her father understand her worries.

“You and Mom worked so hard to become debt free.”

“She would understand, Paige. I need to do this.”

He was right. Her mother
would
have understood. Not
because she was a pushover, but because her father wouldn’t have done any of
this without consulting Erin first. They had been a team. Paige always thought
she was part of it. Now, for the first time in her life, she felt like an
outsider.

“Why? What is really driving you, Dad? Help me understand.”

For a second Paige thought he would answer. She leaned
forward, hoping to finally hear an explanation that made sense.

Headlights and the sound of an approaching vehicle were
Chuck’s reprieve.

“Visitors.”

Exasperated, Paige sat while her father jumped up with the
enthusiasm of a child getting a highly anticipated treat. He was keeping
something from her and that hurt. Her only consolation was the spark she saw in
him. It went out when her mother died. Before, really. Now that it was back,
she would be a poor daughter if she kept trying to put it out.

The first thing she would do was read her mother’s script.
She felt a moment of shame that she hadn’t done so. Stubbornness. It was her
friend — and her enemy. A two-sided coin. It was time to pull back —
cautiously.

If this meant so much to her father, she would jump on
board, all the time watching the bottom line. If she thought things were
getting out of hand financially, Paige wouldn’t keep it to herself. She didn’t
want to play the bad guy, but she wasn’t afraid to be if necessary. For the
good of her father, herself, and the ranch.

It might be fun
, she assured herself. Learning
something new. Working alongside her father. And Nate. Oh, boy. She couldn’t
forget Nate. He was the wild card in the equation. It was good that he was
here. He had the experience — the know-how — that hopefully would keep the
project on track.

The challenge would be to work closely every day — without
getting
too
close. She could do that, right? Paige straightened her
shoulders. Yes, she could. Absolutely. Well, maybe. Oh, crap. She had no idea.

Paige hoped she was good at playing it by ear. If not, she
better learn how. Fast.

“Dad.”

Chuck turned his head as he buttoned his jacket. As Paige
rushed toward him, he smiled, opening his arms.

“I love you.” Paige burrowed close, breathing in his
familiar scent. Peppermint from the hard candies he always carried, and a touch
of cedar. The closet in the master bedroom was lined with the wood.

“I love you too, honey.” His baby. “It’s going to be all
right. I promise.”

Chuck Chamberlin was the only man Paige believed when he
said that. He had never given her reason to doubt him. She was determined to
make sure, for both their sakes, that this time wouldn’t be different.

NATE WALKED TO the barn, his way lit by the domed lights on the
outside of all the buildings. Paige told him that they came on at dusk, staying
lit until morning. Checking that the door was firmly latched, he moved on. Not
that he had any idea what he was doing. The closest he had come to working on a
ranch was a fictional one.

In his career, Nate had done four westerns. The first,
Ride
the
Lonesome Pine
, hadn’t been great. Hell, calling it a piece of
schlock would be kind.

At the time, he was young, inexperienced, and open to
anything that came his way. He could have used the family name to get his foot
in the door. If asked, his father would have made a few calls, set him up with
enough jobs to keep him busy for decades.

Caleb Landis would have done that for all his sons. The fact
that they didn’t want him to made Caleb proud beyond words. Nate and his
brothers wanted success. They wanted to be the best. They
did not
want
to get there by riding the coattails of their famous parents.

Nate rattled the corral gate. Solid as a rock. Rollie,
Winter, and whatever livestock might roam the enclosure, weren’t going
anywhere. He couldn’t tell if they were out there. The lights didn’t reach the
back end of the corral. As he turned back toward the house, he heard a faint
nicker followed by another. Nate opened his mouth, ready to answer before he
stopped himself.

Was he crazy? Talking to animals
? Chuckling, Nate
looked around. There wasn’t anyone to see him behaving foolishly.
Why not
?

“Hey, Winter. Hey, Rollie. How’s it going?”

Not expecting an answer, Nate turned toward the house. Two
nickers called out in the night. Without halting, Nate grinned. It seemed he
had a couple of new friends. Four-legged or two, it didn’t matter. A man could
never have enough.

Lights suddenly appeared down the road heading in his
direction. From the placement of the beams, Nate guessed it was a truck. He
held his hand up to his eyes and waited. In Los Angeles, seven forty-five
wasn’t late to make a visit. He didn’t know what was normal in Montana, but his
guess was ranchers went to bed early.

The truck wasn’t like Paige’s. This one was bright penny
new. The color was black. The size big. Almost obnoxiously so. The outside was
all flash. An extended cab and oversized bed, it practically screamed
I have
money — and I want you to know it.

Nate hated to pre-judge someone, but in this case, he was
willing to make an exception. Something told him that he and the driver were
not going to be friends. When a tall, lean man wearing cowboy boots that didn’t
have a scuff in sight and pressed, creased blue jeans approached, Nate was
certain of it. There was something wrong with jeans that looked like something
out of
Urban Cowboy
. This was Montana, damn it. Not fake Texas.

“Evening.”

“Hello.” The man hesitated, just for an instant, before
plastering a smile on his face. It was quick, but Nate saw the wariness before
it was masked with friendly goodwill. He couldn’t blame the guy. He came to
visit the Chamberlins. Finding a very large, unsmiling stranger guarding the
gate, so to speak, must have come as a surprise.

“I’m Nate.”

Nate held out his hand. It was an innocent gesture. The look
on his face wasn’t. Why this guy had instantly gotten under his skin, Nate had
no idea. The man cautiously took his hand.
Soft
, Nate thought. If he
owned land around here, he didn’t work it. Not personally.

Nate’s lips quirked. It wasn’t a smile. Not close.

“Lyle. Lyle Wilson. I live a few miles down the road.”

“You’re a neighbor?”

“The closest one.” Lyle said it like it was some major
accomplishment.

“Chuck and Paige are inside.”

Nate almost laughed at himself.
Talk about bad dialogue,
Landis
. Give the guy a break. Maybe he’s here to borrow a cup of sugar.

“I’m here to see Paige.”

Or maybe he wants me to punch those artificially white
teeth down his throat.
Nate’s famous slow burn quickly heated up. It seemed
he had discovered one of those rare buttons someone could push.
Paige
.

“Lyle. This is a pleasant surprise.”

Maybe Nate looked for something that wasn’t there, but
Chuck’s words were warmer in content than in delivery. Lyle Wilson was not Chuck’s
favorite person. The question was how did Paige feel about him? When he asked
her earlier, she said she didn’t have a boyfriend.

As Paige approached, Nate watched closely. Silently, he
waited for her reaction.

“Hello, Lyle.”

Pleasant
. In the short time he had known Paige, she
had been many things. Cautious. Annoying. Annoyed. Sexy as hell. But Pleasant.
Definitely not. Nate hid his satisfied smile. The day she gave him pleasant, he
would know his chances of getting her into bed were over. Flushed like the
proverbial turd.

“Paige.”

Lyle took her hand. Nate’s eyes narrowed when he didn’t let
it go.

“Easy,” Chuck whispered. “The man likes to touch her. But as
far as I can tell, her hand is about as far as he’s gotten.”

“I know this is last minute, but I was hoping you would like
to go for a drive. We could stop in at my place. I have some of that wine you
like.”