“Wow … That really sucks.” Amy moved her head until it was over his chest, right on top of his heart. “Which convent?”
“San something or other. I don’t remember.”
“You do remember.” Amy crouched over him and kissed his cheek. “And I’m sure she remembers you too.”
Chapter 16
Amy stretched and cracked her eyes open. It was still dark, very early, but the side of the feather bed Teo had slept on was rumpled and empty.
A sliver of light shone under the bedroom door. She tiptoed to it and opened it, peering into the living area.
Teo knelt on a cushion with his feet tucked underneath him. His spine was straight and he was shirtless, wearing only a pair of white karate pants. His eyes were closed, and he held himself perfectly still.
His breathing was steady, and his well-proportioned body was relaxed. The planes of his chest were smooth and mostly hairless except for the faint trail of dark hair between his abdominals leading down to his crotch.
His image flickering in the candlelight was hypnotizing and strangely sexy. Not that she’d ever thought watching a guy meditate was a turn on. Usually they looked weird, cross-legged, with their fingers in circles intoning nonsense phrases. But Teo kneeling on a pillow, his back ramrod straight was different, like a Japanese warrior, a samurai, ready to spring with coiled energy at a moment’s notice.
His eyes opened and rested on her. A smile crept on his face. “I’m glad you’re awake. We have to get back to the racetrack before the pre-race meeting.”
“You’re not in trouble, are you?” She sidled up to him and knelt.
“No trouble.” He tangled his fingers in her hair, ruffling it. “Did you sleep well?”
“I did. Very well.” She kissed him. It was so natural and so easy. This beautiful man who was always concerned about her. “Someday, will you teach me to meditate?”
His eyes were calm, full of inner peace as he drew away from her lips. “It will be my privilege.”
“Uhm, about last night?” She hated that her voice quavered. “I kind of froze up, didn’t I?”
“Don’t worry about it. You don’t owe me anything.” His entire demeanor was peaceful, sweet, unfeigned. She could sink into the depths of the dark pools of his eyes, fringed by lush eyelashes and strong, dark brows, and never emerge.
“That’s not what I meant.” For some reason, she felt the urge to explain. “I was trying not to act excited, and I must have turned you off.”
A faint grin raised the corners of his lips. “You’re a funny girl. Trying not to act is acting. You’re conscious of your behavior. Outside of yourself observing and evaluating. Didn’t they teach you in acting school to internalize your character and live it?”
“They did. But it’s easier to get into the part if it’s closer to your own experiences. For example, if I have to play at being sad, I try to remember a situation where I had profound sadness and replicate it.”
“But the act of acting or not acting is acting.”
“You speak like a zen koan.” Amy tapped her lips on his, eliciting a soft kiss.
“Man is a thinking reed but his great works are done when he is not calculating or thinking. D. T. Suzuki, a philosopher.”
“Wise, so wise.” She breathed into his lips and extracted another kiss. “How do I lose myself to the moment? Is this what meditation does?”
“Yes and no.” He took an even breath. “Be fully present, attentive, not running this way or that. Mindfully aware, but not concerned with the impression you’re creating.”
“But how?” Amy’s mind spun between here and there. “I can’t sit still and just be me.”
“That’s exactly it.” Teo pecked at her lips. “Just be.”
“Just be.” She closed her eyes and angled herself for a long, slow kiss.
His cell phone rang, disturbing the harmony and quiet. They held each other, not responding at first. Just being. But the insistent rap of his ringtone was too strident to ignore.
“Sorry, about that,” Teo said. “It might be the team manager. Ronaldo borrowed my bike yesterday for the qualifiers, and I have to get back and make sure all the settings are adjusted correctly.”
“Oh, I didn’t know.” Amy jumped to her feet. “Let me shower and get dressed. I’ll be ready in no time.”
She retreated toward the bedroom to fetch her clothes.
“Amy?” Teo’s voice sounded behind her, strained and tight. “Is your cell phone off?”
“Why? What’s up? I think the battery’s dead.”
“Your mother wants to speak to you.” He handed his phone to her.
“Me?” She took his phone, her stomach twisting with jitters. Her mother never called when she was working. That role was played by her nagging, berating father.
“Mom? Is everything all right?” Amy held Teo’s phone and walked into the bathroom. She shut the door. Teo didn’t need to know about her family problems.
“No, not okay. Your father’s in the hospital.”
Amy closed her eyes and sank onto the ground. “What happened?”
“They don’t know. He was seeing double and getting dizzy. I hope it’s not a stroke.”
“Stroke? Oh, no! I’ll fly home right away.”
“Can you get away? Aren’t they shooting your show?”
“I’ll talk to the director. They shot some portions of it yesterday in the mountains.” Dang. She should have gone with the script Friday evening. Then they would have had more footage. “Is he conscious? Can I speak to him?”
“He’s conscious yes, and there’s no numbness or loss of movement. He didn’t pass his angiogram though.”
“Heart attack?”
“No, not yet. Thankfully. They’re scheduling him for a triple bypass. I’d like you to be here in case anything happens.”
“Oh, gosh, yes. I can’t believe this.” Amy clutched her chest and blinked back tears. “I’ll be on the next flight home.”
Amy wasn’t sure how long she remained nestled on the hard stone floor. Her father was always the strong one, a disciplined man who got up at four in the morning to lift weights, a punctual, responsible man who never let anyone down.
“Amy?” Teo tapped lightly at the door. “Is everything okay?”
“No, not okay.” Her voice came out choked. “My father’s in the hospital.”
Teo opened the door, squatted in front of her, and swept her into his arms. “You must go to him.”
“I know. I can’t believe it. He’s never been sick a day in his life. Never took off a day of work.”
He kissed her lightly on the side of her head. “I’ll call my pilot and take you to the airport.”
“I can’t do this to you. You’re going to be late for the team meeting. You should be relaxing in the hotel room or warming up.”
“I’ll be fine. Come on, let’s get you up and going.”
With no time to shower, Amy brushed her teeth and gathered her things. She’d already had a bath last night, so she wasn’t too worried she’d disturb anyone’s nose.
The ride to the airport was silent, but somehow comforting. She couldn’t even calculate what the true costs were to fly an empty jet, but for her, at short notice to San Francisco.
Dawn was breaking when they arrived at the airport. The co-pilot met them curbside. Teo put the car on park and held the door as she exited. He insisted on seeing her safely into the jet, despite the upcoming race.
“You take care.” He kissed her. “Can I call and text you? Come see you in California?”
“You don’t have to. Your next race is Indianapolis. Don’t you have to be there to practice?”
“My grandmother lives in San Francisco. It won’t be out of my way. Besides, I want to keep in touch. I’ll pray for your father and your family.”
“Thanks.” She hugged him, melting into his embrace. Since when had this bad boy billionaire turned into a sweetheart? “I’m going to miss you.”
&nb
sp; “Same here.” He gave her one last kiss.
“Stay safe, Teo-chan.”
* * *
Amy’s mother and brother were at the airport, waiting in the international arrivals hall. Even though Teo’s pilot had called for a limo, her mother insisted on taking control.
Amy thanked the driver and texted Teo. Arrived at SFO. The limo was special and appreciated, but Mom’s here and taking care of everything. <3 <3 <3 [heart symbols]
“Who’re you texting? Your boyfriend?” Amy’s fifteen-year-old brother, Joe, sneered.
“How’s Dad?” Her heart lurched at his absence. Even though he was a busy doctor, he was usually the one who met her at the airport. He’d take her bags and lecture her about her goals in life and how she was headed for failure, but he had always been there to greet her.
Meanwhile her mother hadn’t said two words to her—a frown at her arrival, and then she marched to the kiosk to pay for parking.
Joe snagged Amy’s carryon and jutted his jaw like he was anointed to carry an important message from her father. “You’re in trouble with Dad. He found out you’re in a stupid reality show, not journalism like you told him.”
“Urgh, I didn’t mean that. Is he going to be okay?”
He shrugged. Of course it was useless to ask her brother anything. The guy still acted like a bratty kid. When was he going to grow up?
A text message jangled her phone. It was Teo.
Glad you arrived safely. I’ll call you when you get settled. Give my regards to your parents.
A warm feeling settled over Amy’s shoulders, as if Teo’s arms were locked around her. Could this man be real? No matter. She loved the feeling.
She whipped back a text while trying to keep Joe from snooping.
Thanks for everything. How did the race go?
Amy stifled a yawn. She’d traveled backwards in time. It was midnight in Germany and only three in the afternoon in California.
Teo: I finished third. Got some points on the guys leading the series when Salvadori and Rampini tangled with Ronaldo. None of them finished.
Ice shot through Amy’s veins. Another accident involving Ronaldo?
Amy: Are they okay?
Teo: Yes, thankfully. Ronaldo smashed up the replacement bike, not mine. The press is saying we set up Ronaldo to take out the leaders.
Amy: You guys be careful out there. Congratulations on your win. I wish I could have been there to see your moment of glory.
“Hey, Mom’s waving at us,” Joe cut in. “Stop texting your boyfriend.”
Teo: I missed you at the party.
Amy: Same here. Gotta go.
Teo: See you soon, matakia mou.
Amy: ???
Teo: My little eyes, means sweetie in Greek.
Little eyes? Is he poking at her Japanese eyes? Grrr … It wasn’t like his eyes were so round, although if she had to admit it, they were only slightly slanted. His Greek nose and strong eyebrows made up for the smaller eyes on his decidedly handsome face.
“Amy, get off that phone,” her mother yelled, swinging her arms. “There’s going to be so much traffic getting to the East Bay at this time.”
“You know how Mom gets road rage,” her brother added unhelpfully.
Gotta get to the car, Amy texted before she strode to her mother’s side.
Sure enough, traffic was on a stand still, even on a Sunday afternoon. Amy couldn’t help texting Teo since her mother wasn’t in a mood for conversation. Cuss words and fist shaking along with sudden braking and jerky lane changes peppered their car ride. Fortunately, Joe was ensconced in his headphones and sacked out in the back seat.
Amy: How was the party?
Teo: So, so. The girls kind of got crazy on me.
She suppressed a groan. Was he begging forgiveness for some indecent pictures or acts she was sure to see if she logged into a gossip site?
Amy: Girls? What happened?
Teo: Since you weren’t around, they thought they had a green light to invade my room, jump on my bed, and hide behind the curtains.
Amy: I’ll bet. Glad you had fun.
Teo: Nothing happened.
Amy: You don’t have to sugarcoat. I’m not really your girlfriend, remember?
Teo: I’m only telling you the truth. Anyway, as soon as my jet returns, I’m coming to see you.
Wow. How sweet. He sounded like a real boyfriend. Warm feelings creamed over her and she couldn’t help smiling. However, she couldn’t appear overeager for him in case he was acting.
Amy: I’ll let you know. I’m sure your grandmother will keep you busy.
The brakes screeched and the car lurched. Pow! The sound of crunching metal thudded as an airbag slammed her face.
* * *
Teo packed his bags and glanced at his phone. Amy hadn’t returned his last message nor picked up his calls. Had he said anything to insult her? Her last message had sounded like she didn’t want to see him. Maybe he should back off. He wasn’t one who needed to chase women, since they came on to him in droves.
He rushed to the steps of his jet and settled into a leather lounge chair. He’d told the staff he didn’t want to be disturbed by the other passengers, especially Mia who was on her way to set up adventures in Indiana for the next segment of the show.
Right before they closed the door, Ronaldo ran up the stairs and pounced in. “Teo, buddy, let me hitch a ride.”
“Sure, dude.” He turned the volume louder on his headphones.
Ronaldo strapped himself into the seat next to him and ripped off Teo’s headphones. “Listen to me. We have to replace Amy.”
Mia sidled from her seat and sat across the aisle from him. “I agree. Amy has to go.”
“Her father’s in the hospital. She had to go home.”
“That’s not the only reason,” Ronaldo said. “She likes you too much. There’s no tension, no conflict.”
“And you like her too,” Mia piped in, making a slashing motion across her throat. “No audience wants to see you two making lovey dovey so early in the series.”
Teo raised his seatback for the takeoff. “You guys have it backwards. The only reason for Romancing the Racer is for me to have a fake girlfriend for my grandmother’s birthday party. I’m paying for it, so Amy stays.”
“Uh, no, we’re splitting.” Ronaldo tapped his arm. “This is my project, too. My big debut into reality TV. Amy’s screwed up already. I want her off the show. You can tell her it was all a ruse for your grandmother, but I’m hiring another actress.”
“I don’t want another actress.” Teo fixed Ronaldo with his harshest glare. “I put up half the funds for this.”
“Sorry, bud.” Ronaldo glared back at him, his nose flaring. “Amy doesn’t have talent. She’ll never make it in Hollywood.”
“Says who?” Teo felt his muscles bunch up under his shirt.
“The producer, Ronaldo’s dad,” Mia said. “He reviewed the shoot from Holland. She’s stiff and not endearing.”
“That’s because she was nervous,” Teo said.
“Point.” Ronaldo banged his fist on the tray table. “Professional actresses aren’t nervous. Sorry, bud, but she’s off the show. Besides, Claudio doesn’t want you distracted by her.”
“I didn’t like her anyway,” Mia said. “She was too snotty and thinks she’s better than me.”
“Amy never said anything like that,” Teo said. “Look, you two. Amy stays on the show, or I’m pulling my funds. And you, Ronaldo, I don’t see why my father has to keep supplying you with motorcycles. You smash another one, you’re on your own.”
“You can’t hide behind your father forever.” Ronaldo sneered.
“I’m not. I’m set to take over his business someday.”
“In your dreams. Does Amy know who your mother is?”
Teo put his headphones over his ears. “My birth certificate says Thalia Contos. Anything else is rumor and speculation.”
Thalia was his stepmother, Tasha’s mother.
Of course his father had had the birth certificate altered after his mother’s departure.
He glanced at Mia who shot him daggers. What was wrong with her? Was she jealous because she was never acknowledged when her mother tried to claim paternity, despite a non match in DNA?
Not his problem.
“Bottom line, Amy stays.” Teo reclined the chair now that the plane had climbed to cruising altitude and breathed deeply, practicing meditation to clear his mind for the flight to San Francisco and Amy.
Chapter 17
Amy sat in her father’s hospital room and held his hand. “We’re okay. Mom’s a little banged up. Her ribs are bruised, but the airbags saved us.”
“But your eyes. They’re swollen.” Her father’s voice was weak.
“Airbag punch. They’re just a little red. It’ll be okay.”
“That’s good. When are you going to come home and stay with us? We didn’t pay so much money for your college for you to be on reality TV. Anyone off the street can be on those shows. I didn’t work so hard to give you guys the best education in a good neighborhood just to have you waste your life away.”
There he went again, always a backhanded insult. Her father saw everything in his terms, whether it fit into his life, his image, his future, not what Amy thought was important.
Amy stifled the bile boiling in her belly. “Dad, it’s a stepping stone. If I do well with Silver Studios, I can get a role in a major motion picture, or even a television series. It’s getting my face out there so directors and casting agents can see me. The credit for this show is better than nothing.”
“Your mother misses you. She only has Joe and you know how he never talks to her. And your sister is so far away, busy with her family.”
And now, he tried the guilt trip. So predictable.
“Mom has her job and her colleagues. She’s traveling half the time anyway, climbing the corporate ladder.”
Her father sighed and for the first time, Amy realized he was getting old. “I’m sorry, Dad. I have to do what I have to do.”
“Who’s your costar? I heard he’s a playboy of the worst type. Is it safe kissing him? You could catch all sorts of diseases transmitted in saliva.”
Roaring Hot! (Contemporary Romance): A Billionaire Biker Romance Page 12