Walker Spirit

by Bernadette Marie

  She let out a steady breath. “We’re having a dance in the reception hall.”

  “Not a wedding?”

  “No, just a dance. A formal dance. A ball.”

  “And you are you the belle of that ball?”

  A laugh bubbled in her, but she refrained from letting it escape in a girlie giggle. “Do you talk to all women like this?”

  He ran a finger down her cheek. “Only the beautiful ones.”

  Oh, he was full of crap. So why was she enjoying it so much?

  “Come with me. I’ll find him,” she said hiking up the dress again.

  “I said I’d buy you the dress,” he reminded her as he followed. “You don’t have to hold it and tiptoe.”

  “I appreciate the offer. This is better.”

  A moment later she felt the world slip out from under her as he scooped her up into his very muscular arms. Instinct had her wrapping her arms around his neck to hold on, and her cheek was pressed against his.

  Gregory let out a chuckle. “This suits me better anyway.”

  “You don’t need to carry me.”

  “I want you to wear the dress again. Maybe I could take you out somewhere nice, and you could wear it.”

  “I’ll wear it to weddings. I have a cousin and a brother getting married this year.”

  “Then you can wear it three more times. I’ll be here for three months. Where can I find you tomorrow at seven?” he asked.

  Audrey knew she was just staring at him, but she couldn’t help it. Would it be wrong to kiss the man? He probably had some Secret Service watching him. Wait, that was for the President. But wasn’t the sexiest man in the world equally important?

  Slowly he set her on her feet, but his hands remained around her waist.

  “You haven’t given me an answer yet,” he prodded.

  “I’m sure I’m not your type. Thank you for the lift. I’ll find Kent.” But she couldn’t move. His hands were still on her waist, and his eyes, oh those steel blue eyes she could see now, were locked with hers. She licked her lips and watched as he bit down on his.

  “I’ll pick you up at seven. Where will I find you?”

  Her mind was running in a million different directions. She was stupid to consider this. But it was Gregory Bishop. She’d be only a notch on his bedpost, but wouldn’t that be the story to tell for the rest of her life? Nothing else in her life had ever worked out. What was one night with a famous movie star going to hurt?

  “Alexander Hotel. Captain’s Quarters. It’s an elegant restaurant inside. You’ll need a suit coat.”

  He smiled from one side of his mouth, and God was it sexy. “You want me to meet you there?”

  “I don’t know you.”

  Again, running his finger down her jaw, he nodded. “I’ll meet you there. Wear the dress.”

  She wasn’t sure what else to say, so she turned to find Kent. When she crossed the dance floor, she turned to see him staring at her. She was going to have to ask Pearl to extend the loan on the dress. The price tag was out of her league, but looking at the man across the room, his body sculpted by the gods, and a touch that would melt butter, she knew she wasn’t going to be wearing the dress after their date—with any luck it would be in shreds on the floor of her bedroom.

  2

  Through the Walker grapevine, known as her brother, Audrey had heard that Kent was impressed with Gregory’s apology. That didn’t surprise her. Kent was probably one of the most laid back men she’d ever known. Bethany had found a winner, that was for sure.

  The cool spring morning treated her to birds singing and the smell of fresh cut grass from a neighboring yard. Sitting on her patio with her brother Todd, who had opted to use her couch to sleep on after the ball, instead of driving out to the Walker ranch, which was a forty-five minute drive out of town, she sipped coffee in her pajamas. This was truly the life. Sunday mornings had always been her favorite time of the week. Sundays were a day to relax and not move, she always thought. Especially since Saturdays, for a stylist, were hell on your feet.

  “You have a nice spot here, Sis,” Todd observed as he looked out over the city which spread out among the treetops beyond his sister’s back door.

  “I love it here. I got lucky having one of my clients ready to sell at the time I was looking to buy.”

  “You’re going to do great in your new location. Everything happens for a reason, right?” He sipped his coffee.

  Todd thought like that, but she had to admit, she wasn’t sure. If that was the case, then last night was one of those right place, right time things, she supposed.

  She drank down her coffee, then sat with the empty mug between her hands. “Bethany called this morning and said that Gregory Bishop stayed at the ball last night after he talked to Kent.”

  “What a ruckus.” Todd shook his head. “Yeah, he stayed. Aunt Glenda was nearly speechless. Which is what happened to most of the women. They couldn’t quite grasp it.” He laughed. “But for the hour he was there, he spent the time looking around as if he’d lost someone.”

  She felt the flush in her cheeks. “He did? Did he say who?”

  “Nope,” he said, but he narrowed his gaze on her. “Might have heard that he carried you into the hall though.”

  The smile was instantaneous. “He didn’t want me lifting up my dress, afraid it would get dirty.”

  Todd shook his head. “I knew you were the one he was looking for. How’d you meet him?”

  “He was looking for Kent, I was the lucky one he ran into. God, and those tabloid covers don’t do him justice. I think he’s more ripped than what you see.”

  Todd choked on his coffee, and coughed. “What the hell were you doing with him?”

  “Just dreaming,” she teased, and then lifted her coffee mug only to realize it was empty. “He’s taking me out tonight.”

  “Don’t mess this up for Kent,” Todd warned and that had her straightening her back.

  “Why would I do that? And what exactly is that supposed to mean?”

  “It means you’re not stellar in the relationship department, and he’s an actor, for God’s sake. Look at how messed up Bethany was when she came to live here. Do you seriously assume this guy isn’t like that?”

  Todd usually kept his mouth shut, unless he was one-on-one with his siblings. Even worse, he was usually right.

  “Bethany cleaned up and is completely sober. She’s not some Hollywood tragedy anymore.”

  “You’re right. She’s not in Hollywood at all.” He sipped from his mug. “I’m just saying, this guy is still a hot topic. You said it yourself—tabloids. Kent doesn’t need bad publicity because his sister-in-law is involved with the lead actor in the movie based on his book.”

  “I’m not involved. I’m having dinner.”

  “I’ve had dinner with a woman before, and I got involved.”

  “Dinner, Todd. I’m not looking for some hot affair with Mr. Hollywood.” Though even as she said it, she thought of how wonderful it had felt to have her head pressed so closely to him. “I have a lot on my plate right now. I don’t have time to get caught up in anything.”

  He sat back in his chair and finished his coffee. Todd had finally gone silent, which meant he didn’t believe her. She’d call off the date, except for the fact she had no way of getting in touch with the man. So, she’d be there. She’d wear the dress and go to dinner. Nothing more could come of it.

  * * *

  Once Todd left, Audrey took a leisurely walk down the path by the creek that flowed near her condo. Perhaps once summer arrived, she’d take up running again. She’d been slacking in that department. Fitness was important when you stood on your feet all day, and she felt how her body had reacted to her lazier lifestyle.

  Pulling her phone from her pocket, she pressed her sister’s contact photo, and waited for Pearl to answer.

  “Hello.” Her voice would always bring a smile to Audrey’s lips. Pearl was truly her rock—her greatest supporter. Their fa
mily might be big, the Walker family, but Pearl and Audrey were tied together on both ends. Same mom. Same dad. She didn’t share that same combination with any of her other siblings.

  “Hey, I need to keep the dress one more day,” she said and waited for Pearl to screech into the phone. She was supposed to meet her at the bridal shop at three to return it.

  “Don’t worry.”

  That wasn’t the response she’d expected. “Don’t worry? C’mon, I saw you eyeballing all of us all night. You were worried one of us was going to ruin your stock of sample dresses.”

  Pearl laughed. “No denying it. I’m not so sure Lydia didn’t pop a seam dancing last night.”

  “I think she danced with everyone there.”

  “Uh-huh, everyone except Phillip Smythe.”

  Audrey laughed. Lydia and Phillip had a thing. He was enamored by her and she couldn’t run away fast enough. “Your seamstress can fix a popped seam.”

  “Sure. I’m not worried. But I don’t have to care about your dress,” she said and Audrey slowed her pace.

  “Why not?”

  “It’s yours. It was bought for you.”

  Now she stopped. “You’re kidding right?”

  Her sister laughed. “I’m not, but now I know it’s not a joke.”

  “He bought the dress?”

  “I can’t believe you met Gregory Bishop and didn’t tell me,” her sister’s voice rose in pitch. “God, he’s gorgeous.”

  “It was all by accident. And he said he was going to buy me the dress, but I didn’t believe him.”

  “Well, he’s stopping by the store today to pay it off. You must have made quite an impression on him.”

  Audrey walked toward the bench that lined the path and sat down. “He’s taking me to dinner.”

  Pearl laughed. “Hottest guy in America happens into our town and my sister is already dating him.”

  “You make me sound like a slut.”

  “No, I make you sound appealing. You’re a catch.”

  “Then why haven’t I found anyone yet?”

  “Maybe you just did.”

  Now Audrey laughed. “Todd thinks there’s a Hollywood type. He figures if Bethany was a mess when she arrived, this guy is one too.”

  “I can’t say,” Pearl sighed. “But he’s buying you a dress, taking you to dinner, and Kent seems to like him.”

  “Then I’ll go to dinner, and see what happens.”

  “Just remember, if you get to see him without his shirt on, you’d better call me.”

  Audrey burst out into laugher. “I’m sure Tyson appreciates me spilling those kinds of details.”

  “I’m female. I might be married to my own sexy cowboy, but I deserve to know.”

  “I’ll call you. And thanks.”

  “For what?”

  “Making me feel important.”

  “Oh, Audrey, you are. I’ll talk to you soon.”

  They said their goodbyes and disconnected.

  Audrey tucked the phone back into her pocket and sat there for a moment longer listening to the creek babble behind her. Gregory Bishop just happened into her life, and now she had a date.

  The thought humored her, and she laughed as an older man walked by and eyeballed her.

  She was tired of quick flings with clients or neighbors. She wanted what her sisters had, what her cousins had with their wives.

  Standing, she tucked her hands into her pockets. It wasn’t her time for that. It was a time to build her salon and move on with her life. It just so happened a very attractive and well-off man asked her to dinner. There was no need to cloud it with maybes, she decided, as she continued her walk.

  But oh, it was going to be a fun ride for the night.

  3

  The phone call from his agent and one from his manager had been expected. Though most of the world would bow down at your feet when you’d reached his level of success, there were those few people you could count on to pull you back into reality, Gregory thought. He’d been reprimanded, scolded, and threatened. Luckily, on his own, he’d gone to Kent and talked to him. That seemed to have smoothed over a few things for his manager and agent.

  And just because karma was a bitch, he expected that his mother would be calling next. The arm candy might have been a mistake, but he'd gone for the adventure, hadn't he?

  He’d call his mother tomorrow, but for now, he’d send her a text and tell her he loved her. It was quickly reciprocated, so he silenced his phone and set it on the nightstand.

  Picking up the remote to the TV, he clicked on Food Network and tossed the script he’d been reading to the end of the bed as he relaxed back against the pile of pillows behind him.

  For the time being, he’d be living it up on the producers’ dime in the suite at the Marriott, then as soon as the location for filming was secure, his trailer would be brought in, and he’d have his personal luxuries surrounding him, at least on set.

  Okay, they weren’t luxuries, but they were his, and that counted. It would also be nice to have his dog with him. He’d come with the trailer and his manager. For now, the ex had him, and that chapped his hide.

  Sure, they’d gotten the dog when they were together, but it had always been his dog. She’d wanted some miniature yippy thing, and he’d wanted a real dog. They’d argued about it. It had even made some stupid tabloid show. He hated cell phones. Everyone everywhere could take a video of you arguing with your girlfriend, and they could sell it to the highest bidder.

  He groaned as he thought of it.

  He’d won out on the dog. A beautiful black lab whose dark eyes could read his soul. They’d been real original on the name too—Black Sabbath.

  Okay, he’d been a shit when it came to the name. He wanted his tribute to Ozzy. She’d wanted to call him Hot Chocolate. So when he turned in the application for the dog license, got the collar, and footed the bill, he’d given him the name he wanted. What man goes by the name Hot Chocolate? He winced just thinking of it. It was bad enough he’d had to castrate the poor guy. Seriously, it had to have been some woman who came up with the idea to do that to male dogs. It felt vengeful.

  As Guy Fieri tossed something into a pan, Gregory’s stomach growled. He hadn’t eaten since he left Vegas. Crap, that was like twenty-four hours ago. Then the thought that he was going to have dinner with the beautiful brunette came to mind, and he smiled as he rested his arm behind his head. He’d promised to meet her sister at three to pay for the dress, oh, and what a dress.

  Perhaps in L.A., it would have been seen as just a casual summer dress. The thin straps and material—his chest ached at the thought of how good she’d looked in it too.

  Maybe it was selfish to buy it for her—no, it was selfish. He was sure she had no idea how sexy she was in it, and hell, he was a guy who openly admitted to thinking with his anatomy and not his head.

  But in those few moments he’d spent with Audrey Walker, her name seared into his brain, he’d found her delightful as well. Protective of her family, he thought. Proud of what she was building. And oh so in need of a man’s attention.

  Gregory turned the channel, and then again until he found the classic Batman movie with Michael Keaton, and he tossed the remote to the end of the bed with the script he’d discarded. Keaton was his favorite of all Batmans. He had that charm that Gregory thought no one else had. He strived for that in his own movies. He wanted that sex appeal to ooze off the screen.

  He worked hard to chisel his body so that he looked like a real-life superhero. He fueled it to keep it that way too—well usually, he reminded himself as his stomach growled again.

  Kicking his feet off the side of the bed, he stood and walked to the mini-fridge in the corner which was stocked just for him with the fruits and vegetables he’d requested. There were a few yogurts, and hard boiled eggs as well.

  Gregory pulled a few items out and created himself a power meal to ease his hunger pains. He’d go down to the gym for an hour and get his workout in as we
ll.

  A smile formed on his lips as he sat down at the table by the window, which overlooked the city, and he thought of his pending date at the Alexander Hotel. She’d been very specific to be in control, he thought, as he opened the container of yogurt and gave it a stir with a plastic spoon. What could he do to make it memorable, he wondered as he took a bite. After all, he never wanted her to forget him—ever.

  * * *

  Gregory decided that afternoon to explore the city he was calling home for the next few months. A run to the bridal shop would be a nice way to spend his Sunday. Tomorrow, he’d be on set and the hours would be long. Today he wanted to feel normal, and enjoy the time he had.

  He felt safe enough in the area to not utilize the security the producers wanted him to have. It had been a long time since he’d caused a scene anywhere. Usually, he could walk the streets and very few noticed him. He thought of it as his Marilyn Monroe charm. It was said that she could walk down the street and no one would notice her. She understood, simply, the way that average people walked and looked. It was when she turned up her sex appeal that all eyes were on her. Gregory worked on that himself. He’d admit, though, sometimes his ego got in his way. There was a reason grown men went into show business. They liked the attention—especially from women.

  Today, however, he didn’t want the attention. He only pined for the longing looks from a certain dark-haired beauty. The worst part was, he wasn’t even sure she’d show up, after all. That would be part of this chase, he decided, and he liked it.

  With his earbuds in, and Metallica thumping in his ears, he took off down the street. The spring air was fresh, and perhaps still a little crisp, but he’d warm up quickly, he thought as he quickened his pace.

  There were so many more trees in the south, he thought, as he came to a stop light and waited. L.A. had its smog. Though there was a certain difference in the humidity levels, he noted.