Kate opened the door to see Chris holding a bouquet of flowers that paled in comparison to the stunning blue of his sparkling eyes.
She had found herself staring into her closet when she got home, trying to decide what to wear. For a brief moment, she felt as though she were getting ready for a first date, not strategizing a deception. She opted for a short jean dress.
Chris was wearing a pair of jeans and a black dress shirt. The beard and those damn piercing eyes still gave him a touch of a civilized thug despite the business casual attire.
“Thank you.” She smiled and motioned for him to come inside.
“Your place is fucking awesome.” He surveyed the beach house.
“Thanks. I told the realtor I was looking for fucking awesome when I was house hunting.” She laughed.
Chris took the bouquet from her. “Where’s the kitchen?”
Kate led him to the kitchen and found a vase for the bouquet. She sat perched on a kitchen stool while Chris cut the stems and arranged them for her.
“You’re pretty good at that.”
“My sister Pam is a florist. She says there’s no greater crime than a bad floral arrangement.”
“Ah. How many sisters and brothers do you have?”
“Wine?”
“In the fridge.”
Chris opened the fridge and got a bottle of wine. He spotted a cabinet and retrieved two wine glasses and the bottle opener. He sat on a stool as he uncorked the wine. “I have four sisters and two brothers. My mother, Anna Beth, is an assistant principal. My dad, David, is in real estate.”
“Big family.”
“I hear you have a big family as well.”
“Five brothers, all older than me, all in law enforcement. Mother, Abigail, is a psychologist and my dad, Mitchell, is former military but is now a private security contractor.”
“So you’re the baby in a family of gun-toting men?”
“Yep. Change your mind yet?” She sipped her wine.
“No.” He laughed. “But what was on Jack’s mind? Does he have a death wish?”
“I don’t know what was on his mind, but I do know what was on his penis.”
“So.” Chris swigged his wine. “President of a record label at twenty-seven. Impressive.”
“Music is my life.” She shrugged.
“I was really surprised at the variety of the talent you have. There is no one genre.”
“I like to mix it up. I love hip-hop, rhythm and blues, and pop. But I am also a hard-core rock, jazz, alternative, and country music fan.”
“All-time favorite artist?”
“It’s a tie. Sting and Stevie Wonder.”
“Wow, two ends of the spectrum. Why those two?”
“Their music and lyrics tell stories. Beautiful stories weaved together by musical notes. Listening to them is more than listening to a great tune; it’s about being drawn into the story they are telling. Very few artists can do that. Tell a good, poignant story with their lyrics.”
“Wow. I just listen to the music and maybe the hook will catch me. I like loud music. Lots of guitar and drums.”
“Favorite song?”
“That’s easy. ‘Plush.’ Stone Temple Pilots.”
“I like the way you think, Cavanaugh.” She winked and lifted her glass toward him. “So listening to music is an adrenaline rush to you?”
“I never thought about it, but I do feel invigorated after listening to Seether or Linkin Park.”
“Good examples. Music can take you through a range of emotions and even help you purge them. You ever notice how a song can uplift you to the point you feel as though you’re floating? Like you grabbed onto one of the musical notes and are getting carried away. A lot of contemporary jazz makes me feel that way. And some music is so heavy, you feel like you’re dredging through mud. That helps you reach down to excavate whatever demons lie in your soul. Good rock and metal can do that too.”
“Intriguing observations.”
“Same with individual instruments. I like to use drums and bass guitars as anchors. Violins and cellos elevate. The piano sounds more neutral to me. You can manipulate it into any direction you want. High or low.” Kate’s eyes gleamed.
“Music is your life. You live and breathe it.”
“I try. I even sing a bit.”
“When did that begin?”
“My mother says I came out of her womb humming a tune.”
“And all I do is act.”
“You’re a very good actor. And that’s not bullshit. Jack is an ass, but he saw what I saw. That’s why he wanted you.” She touched his hand. “There are layers to your acting ability. I think it gets deeper each time you take a more challenging role. You’re subtle about it, but you seem to change with each movie you make. You have a bright future.”
Chris smiled and glanced toward the floor. “Thank you.”
Damn, he had a beautiful smile. She was excited by the lively conversation about music, but she really wanted to reach over and take a bite of the deliciousness that the man embodied. She was on the verge of joining his fan club—though nowadays it was liking someone’s Facebook page or following him on Twitter. Keeping a scrapbook of Chris Cavanaugh tucked under her bed when she was a kid would definitely have been worth it.
She bumped her glass against his chest. “Want to see the rest of my humble abode?”
* * *
The layout of the beach house reminded Chris of a panoramic photo. There was nothing humble about it. Every angle of the house had a view of the ocean. He hung back while she guided him through the house. He found it hard to resist watching her long legs as her short dress swayed back and forth. Clearly the woman was passionate about her life’s work, but would she be just as passionate in bed? He listened to her and drank his wine like a good little boy, but the same urge was kicking in like the one he had in front of the restaurant. He needed to touch her. Now all he had to do was hit on her without it seeming creepy. She had the height and build of a ballerina. The next room she escorted him to was her dance studio. So he was right about her being a dancer.
“I used to dance as a kid, and now I use it as a form of exercise and relaxation.”
“I bet you were an adorable ballerina.”
“Are you kidding me? I was so cute it was sickening.” She gave a quick plié.
“Nothing’s changed.” He pulled her closer to him.
Tonight she looked content. She wasn’t anxiety riddled as she had been when she walked into the men’s room the night before. She didn’t have any makeup on, and she had a natural glow to her brown skin. She was like a hot cup of cappuccino with frothy foam on top.
She looked up at him, scanning his face. “Did anyone ever tell you that you have the most hypnotic eyes?”
“Am I putting you in some kind of trance?” He was standing so close now that his lips were moving against hers. He couldn’t control himself. One minute he was looking at her ballet studio and then the smell of lilac or something fragrant bombarded his senses. She smelled so good. Now wasn’t the time to tell her that he thought a woman who was limber was a good thing.
Images of her wearing a pair of stilettos and those stilettos dangling over his shoulders were coming in sharp and fast like an eight-millimeter movie. He steadied her as they kissed. A deep penetrating kiss, one that put the phony kiss in front of the restaurant to shame. She responded and moaned softly as his tongue continued a thorough inspection of her mouth. She slid her hands around his waist and finally onto his ass.
He had her pressed firmly against the studio wall. He glided his hands up her thighs and underneath her dress until he reached her satin bikini briefs. He ran his thumbs along the waistband, and she moaned again.
“Kate.” He could barely speak as he unzipped his jeans with his free hand. He reached for his wallet before his jeans fell, pulled out a condom, and then threw the wallet on the floor. Chris suited up as quickly as he could and then lifted Kate higher until their bodies met in a heated frenzy. “You’re so damn pretty.”
* * *
Kate wasn’t able to speak. Chris’s facial hair rubbing against her face felt like a gentle massage. Each time he thrust inside her, she wrapped her legs tighter around his waist. She felt as though an electric current were running through her. He smelled good, and, damn, he was a good kisser. Their bodies quickly found a rhythm as Chris continued to plunge into her. This was crazy! She barely knew him. But their bodies were in communication in an old and familiar way. Chris tore his mouth from hers and slid his lips to her neck. He nuzzled her for a moment, then applied more pressure and used his teeth to sink into the skin of her neck. It was a little painful, yet primal. She felt as though he were putting his mark on her. Would she look as if she’d been mauled by a tiger instead of six foot two future action movie god? His hands gripped her thighs, and his breathing became even heavier.
“Chris.”
“Again. Say my name again.”
“Chris.”
He smiled amid his panting.
“Chris.”
Chris plunged into her three mores before he gave up the pretense of being a gentleman. Kate just held on for dear life and rode out the storm with him.
* * *
Kate showed Chris the way to the bathroom, and they cleaned up in silence. Back in the living room, she was still at a loss for words. Had she officially been a “bad girl”? She caught him staring at her. Perhaps she’d been silent too long.
“That was amazing,” he said.
She tried to smile. “And unexpected.”
“I didn’t plan that by the way. Just so you know.”
She gave him a skeptical look.
“I’m serious. I’m very attracted to you. That’s why I kissed you in front of the restaurant. I didn’t know if it was a good idea, I just knew I had to do it. And I’m glad I did.” He walked closer to her.
“I don’t do…what we just did.”
“I’ve got to disagree. I think you do it and quite well. I almost came the second I put my—”
“OK, OK.”
“We just mauled each other against a wall in your dance studio and you can’t say the words? You need to relax. Just imagine what you’ll do when you do an instant replay in your mind.”
“Ha, ha.” She rolled her eyes.
“It’s not like this is some crazy one-night stand and you don’t know if you’re ever going to see me again. I’m moving into your house.”
She bit her lip.
“Changing your mind?” He drew his brows together.
“I think this is all moving too fast.”
“What? Real life? Because I declared my love for you on national TV about seven hours ago. So according to that timeline, we’ve already had sex several times.” He relaxed his face into an easy smile.
“I’d slap you but I don’t have the energy right now.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“You would.”
“Did you enjoy what we just did?”
She thought about it for a moment. “Yes.”
“Imagine how much fun we can have if you drop the self-imposed Catholic-school guilt trip?”
She gazed into Chris’s eyes and saw something warm and inviting. She met him just yesterday, but after being in Jack’s world for such a short time, she felt as though she’d known him for so much longer. She had seen one of his movies. He was engaging and charming but held back a bit in the role. She was sure
The Knock-Around Boys
was going to be a career turning point for both him and Jack. If they could survive the fallout, they could both get what they wanted.
A bark came from the direction of the deck.
Kate made her way over there, opened the glass doors, and was greeted by Merlot. “Hey, Merlot. Say hello to Chris.”
“Merlot?” He laughed.
“One of his parents is a wine enthusiast.”
“Hey, Merlot. How’s it hangin?” Chris bent down and rubbed the dog on the head. Merlot sat patiently, wagging his tail.
“He likes you. He hated Jack.”
“Dogs are great judges of character.”
“I am one of Merlot’s parents. My neighbors Marvin and Clara are his other parents.”
“Merlot here knows I have no intentions of harming you or making you sad. He just wants to know I’m not trying to ship him off to doggie boarding school.”
“Merlot kind roams back and forth anyway, so one day we made it official over a bridge game. How about I introduce you to them tomorrow?”
“Sounds good.”
“So I will bring my things over tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
“Good. I’m going home to pack a few things.” He gave her a quick kiss and grabbed his car keys off the end table. “Will we be sharing the same bed? For appearance’s sake?”
She thought about it for a moment. “I have three guest rooms. Take your pick.”
* * *
Chris smiled. It was time to go. Kate looked as though she wanted to run into the ocean. And all he wanted to do was make love to her again. He was a man who prided himself on having exceptional self-control. Twice he’d been in her presence and did something impulsive and hormone driven. When he looked into her eyes, something was driving him before even he knew what was going on. Was it a good idea to be in such close proximity of a woman who set off an intense longing in him? Jack Pierce was an absolute asshole for letting someone like her get away.
* * *
Jack Pierce was so mad he couldn’t see straight. He was willing to believe the news coverage about Kate and Chris Cavanaugh at Coriander was a big mistake. But to see that bastard in an interview today saying it was true? How long had it been going on? And then the smug bastard says he hopes they can be civil on the set? Jack wanted to wring his neck.
Jack’s phone began to vibrate. He checked the display; it was Brianna again. He couldn’t make her understand that the night they shared together was it. He had a vision of his bright future, and it did not include a B-movie actress as his wife. After all the time she’d been chasing him, that night after a few tequila shots seemed like the perfect time to sleep with her. Kate was sweet, caring, and beautiful, but he was accustomed to another kind of woman. Someone feisty who gave as good as she got, someone who could navigate the complexities of an all-consuming relationship. Brianna had that passion, but she wasn’t the president of a record label that was on fire right now. He knew within a few years Kate Garrison would be a force to be reckoned with, and he wanted to be there to crown his queen and take his place as her king.