Bordering on Obsession

by Susan Kearney

  “What about Quinn?” Kimberly suggested.

  Maggie recalled Laine’s request. Three men would play opposite the female lead, and the oldest man would be a perfect role for Quinn’s father. “How about Jason Scott?”

  “Oh, my God. You want me to do my screen test with Jason Scott?”

  “Don’t you dare faint again,” Maggie warned her.

  “Hey, a man like that knows how to make you look good,” Kimberly told her.

  “A man like Jason Scott knows how to steal the scene,” Serena countered.

  “Just read the script.” Maggie flipped open her cell phone and filled Quinn in on the situation, then asked, “What do you think about asking your father to read opposite our new sensation?”

  “Your new what?” Serena paled again.

  Maggie sighed and Kimberly rolled her eyes at the ceiling. Then bless her, Kimberly distracted Serena so Maggie could finish her conversation with Quinn.

  “Maggie, I’m not sure I want you to meet my father,” Quinn’s tone was light.

  Maggie wondered if Quinn was ashamed of her, or having second thoughts about his claim to love her. Meeting his family would make that awkward—especially if he’d lied to her.

  Confidence, Maggie. Quinn’s not a liar.

  “Why don’t you want me to meet your father?”

  “Because he’s afraid you’ll fall in love with me.” Maggie almost dropped the phone at the sound of Jason Scott’s voice on the same line. Quinn must have made it a conference call. She would have recognized Jason’s famous voice anywhere.

  “Get over yourself, Dad. You aren’t that gorgeous.”

  “Sure he is.” Maggie disagreed, causing the older actor to chuckle.

  “I wasn’t ready for you to meet because I knew you two would gang up on me,” Quinn teased. “So, Dad, you willing to help out a pretty young girl with her first screen test?”

  “Hmm. Is she the one who made you miss our weekly breakfast?” Jason asked, and from the sound of his voice, Maggie knew he was joking. Obviously Jason already knew about Maggie. And she couldn’t help wondering what Quinn had told his father about her.

  As if she wouldn’t have enough riding on this screen test, now she also had to worry about the impression she might make on Jason, Quinn’s father. Under normal circumstances, meeting such a megastar wouldn’t have thrown her. But this was Jason Scott. All through her childhood, she’d considered several men industry icons. Harrison Ford. Sean Connery. And Jason Scott.

  “Dad, you can flirt with the actress all you want—even if she’s too young to be your daughter. But don’t mess with my casting director or I’ll tell everyone that you need Viagra.”

  “I do not.” Jason sounded indignant.

  Maggie stepped in to soothe ruffled feathers. “Sir, we would consider it an honor if you would help Serena through her screen test. She’s a bit nervous and no doubt could benefit from your experience.”

  Had she laid it on too thick? Quinn chuckled. And then Jason did, too. “Ah, this Maggie knows how to handle men. I should have known you’d pick a good one.”

  “Does that mean yes?” Maggie asked.

  “Honey—”

  “Dad, don’t flirt with my woman.” Quinn put a little steel into his tone, but Maggie caught the teasing in it, too. She’d also heard his admission to his father that Maggie was “his woman” and a warm thrill went through her at the words. Quinn certainly wasn’t shy about his feelings or about staking his territory.

  “Touchy, isn’t he?” Jason asked, but his question was rhetorical. “Maggie, honey.” He used the endearment again, totally ignoring Quinn’s admonition. “I can’t wait to meet you.”

  TALK ABOUT PRESSURE. Maggie felt as if her entire life was coming down to Monday morning’s screen test. Serena was dressed and finished with the makeup artist and stylist by seven. She’d had her lines down pat for hours and the acting coach was giving her last-minute directions.

  Jason had even arrived early and done several run-throughs, charming all of the ladies and enjoying himself immensely. Maggie, however, had yet to meet him. She’d been busy making sure of last-minute details. Though she was the casting director, she still had the job of Quinn’s assistant. The caffeine-free, special blend of coffee that Derek Parker preferred along with his favorite chocolate chip cookies were nearby. And she’d printed up glossy photos of Serena with a list of her acting credits for Derek to peruse. Normally a man of his stature didn’t actually watch the screen test but waited in his office for film to be sent up. But with millions of dollars riding on this decision, he’d made it a point to announce he would be there for the screen test.

  Quinn strode into Maggie’s office and handed her a long-stemmed rose. He brushed her cheek with his lips, then eased her to her feet and hugged her. “Did you sleep at all?”

  She shook her head. “I tried.”

  “You must be exhausted.”

  “I’m running on pure adrenaline.”

  Quinn cupped her under the chin and smoothed her cheek with his thumb. “Maggie, Maggie, Maggie. It’s only a movie.”

  “Making movies is what you do. And you’re good at it. I don’t want to let you down.”

  “You won’t. However, Derek Parker may have his own ideas about whether or not Serena is any good. Either way…I’ll still love you.”

  “Quinn, you really need that silver tongue of yours to stop—”

  “That’s not what you said back on the beach.”

  “—saying the most perfect lines.”

  “Why?” he demanded.

  “Because I’ll expect you to keep on saying them.”

  “Darling, I don’t see that we have a problem here. Do you think I’m going to run out of good lines?”

  Irrationally, she was afraid the moment she told him that she loved him he was going to run out on her. Although she knew that Quinn could commit to his career, the idea of him committing to a person, to her, seemed too good to be true. And Maggie was afraid to believe in happily-ever-after.

  However, she loved him. She could admit that to herself now. She wasn’t exactly sure when she’d fallen in love with him, probably way before she’d decided to take Laine Lamonde’s place. But that love had been one of friendship and infatuation. Since she’d gotten to know Quinn better, her feelings had deepened, rocking her, rolling through her, with a ripping passion that scared her.

  And what scared her even more was that she knew how much Quinn liked his challenges. If she told him what he wanted to hear, would his feelings lessen? Would his interest dwindle? She supposed there was only one way to find out, but the words clogged in her throat.

  “What’s wrong?”

  She wiped away a stray tear. “I’ve got something in my eye.”

  “Maggie, Serena is going to be brilliant. And Derek’s going to be so impressed he’ll be begging us to let him finance the film.”

  How could she not love this man? He hadn’t even seen Serena, but he believed in Maggie. His confidence was in the angle of his stubborn chin, in the lilt of his voice and in the glint in his eyes. And that confidence encompassed everything he did, the way he worked full speed, the way he played, the way he would try anything once. The way he loved—full-out.

  She took his hands between her own. “I love you, Quinn.”

  “About damn time you realized that.” His eyes glinted with amusement and pleasure, then his mouth joined hers.

  That’s how Derek Parker and Jason Scott found them—entwined in each other’s arms. At the interruption, Maggie would have pulled back, but Quinn held her there, finishing his kiss with the same thoroughness he finished every task. And finally when he was good and ready, and Maggie was dying a little inside with embarrassment, Quinn released her mouth and then placed a protective arm over Maggie’s shoulder. “Maggie, you already know Derek Parker.”

  She held out her hand and shook his.

  “And my father, Jason.”

  Jason bypassed a handshake
for a hug, a careful hug, which didn’t smear his makeup or mess up his immaculately combed hair, while Quinn pretended to be jealous. She could see from the shared looks between father and son that they were close. Before anyone had a chance to say more, Kimberly’s voice came in over the intercom. “We’re all set down here.”

  “We’re coming.”

  The screening room was dark and the set well lit and empty as everyone took their seats. Jason had gone backstage and Maggie ended up sitting between Derek and Quinn. She held Quinn’s hand tightly as a grip moved a light. Then Serena and Jason walked onto the set and took their places.

  Quinn leaned over and whispered in Maggie’s ear. “Serena has a fresh look to her, and skin and cheekbones that the camera will love. If she can act—”

  “She can act.” Maggie assured him.

  “Does she mind taking her clothes off?” Quinn asked.

  Maggie dug her elbow into his side. “I tell you I love you and within an hour you’re asking me to get another woman to take off her clothes for you?”

  “Serena would have to do nude love scenes in Kimberly’s movie.”

  “Kimberly’s movie?” Maggie looked at him in confusion. “You read the script?”

  “It’s very good. With a few erotic love scenes, it could be great. Of course, I’ll need Kimberly to authenticate those scenes. You think Serena would object to nudity?”

  “I don’t know.” Maggie’s thoughts were spinning. Quinn had read Kimberly’s script and he’d liked it enough to think about who should play the lead. She couldn’t wait to tell Kimberly and hoped her friend was up for verifying the script to meet Quinn’s exacting standards. But, most of all, she wanted to kiss Quinn for being so wonderful.

  And then the lights dimmed and Serena and Jason fell into their roles. Watching the transition was like magic. Jason shed his own persona like an old coat. One moment he was Quinn’s father, and the next, he took on the demeanor of the man he was portraying. His shoulders slumped, just a little, and he moved with the hesitation of someone unsure of himself.

  And Serena straightened. She grew bolder before their eyes, displaying the acting ability that Maggie remembered from seeing her on stage. Only this time her movements weren’t as exaggerated. She’d toned down her performance for film where the camera’s closeups would reveal the tiniest expressions.

  Maggie held her breath. She didn’t once look at Quinn or Derek to see what they thought. The performance took on a life of its own and the magic they created sparkled with chemistry.

  Maggie didn’t need Quinn and Derek to tell her that the scene worked on levels she didn’t understand. She only knew her heart went out to the gentleman Jason had become while she only felt sympathy for the younger woman who was rejecting him. Serena was gracious and brazen and so full of life Maggie couldn’t help but wish her well.

  They did the scene in one take. When the director said, “Cut,” and the lights came back on, Maggie wanted to leap up and do a victory dance. But instead she forced herself to look at Quinn. He signaled her with a thumbs-up.

  Derek shook Quinn’s hand. “If she looks as good on film as on the stage, we’re set to go.”

  Maggie sank back into her chair. Her palms damp with sweat, her pulse racing, she had no idea how Quinn could stay so calm when she felt like jumping out of her skin and racing around the room.

  Quinn walked Derek to the door then returned to Maggie. “Serena’s going to be a big star, Maggie, and she’ll owe a lot of that to you for discovering her.”

  “Thank you, Quinn. I couldn’t have discovered her if you hadn’t given me this chance.” Maggie lifted the seat’s arm between them and snuggled against him, pleased that he’d believed in her right from the start. She liked being with Quinn. Liked how she felt about herself when she was with him.

  “I’m only disappointed in one thing.” Quinn stroked her arm lazily.

  He was disappointed? How could he be disappointed when Maggie was bubbling with happiness? What had she missed? “You’re disappointed?”

  “Our weekend in Vancouver was cut short. So I think we should pack several bags to take to Tahiti.”

  “Tahiti?” Maggie stiffened.

  “Not even Kimberly will find us in Tahiti.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “I always thought one of those huts in Mooréa that juts out over the water would be the perfect place for a honeymoon.”

  “Honeymoon?” Oh, God. “To have a honeymoon, you have to get married.”

  “Okay.”

  “What do you mean, okay?”

  “Well, didn’t you just propose to me?” His voice was full of laughter.

  “I didn’t.”

  “But you want to marry me because you love me, right?”

  “I haven’t even thought about—”

  “Don’t worry, darling, I’ll handle everything. I’ll arrange the tickets. I’ll do the packing. And I’ll bring lots of marshmallows.”

  Epilogue

  IN TYPICAL QUINN FASHION the wedding was extravagant, lavish and elegant. Since Maggie had been swamped with casting Quinn’s next movie, all she’d had to do was go to a dress fitting and show up for the ceremony. Quinn had sent over makeup artists, stylists and jewelry consultants. He’d hired a wedding planner to take care of the myriad of details, so the weeks leading up to the wedding hadn’t quite prepared Maggie for the extravaganza of over a thousand guests, a sumptuous sit-down dinner and the press, who’d been threatened to behave or face eviction.

  During the ceremony, Maggie gazed into Quinn’s loving eyes and wondered how she’d gotten so lucky. Getting her lines right as she said her vows was difficult since every time she glanced at her handsome husband she went a little breathless. Quinn in black tie and tux was almost as yummy as Quinn without any clothes at all. She ached to be in his arms, alone with him, and her desire must have shown on her face.

  After the ceremony, he leaned over and whispered, “Just a little longer, Maggie darling, and then you’ll be all mine.”

  Then friends and family surrounded the happy couple. Kimberly found Maggie and hugged her tight. Her friend looked fabulous in the emerald gown and sparkling necklace Quinn had picked out for the maid of honor.

  Kimberly chuckled. “You’re glowing, Maggie.”

  “It’s Quinn’s doing.”

  Kimberly shook her head, her grin wide. “You went after what you wanted and now you’re reaping the rewards. You have a great time in Tahiti, okay?”

  “And you enjoy Europe.” Quinn was sending Kimberly to Great Britain to verify every scene in her screenplay. When she succeeded, Quinn would back, direct and produce Kimberly’s film.

  “I will.” Kimberly sounded merry but Maggie caught a hint of worry that her friend couldn’t quite hide.

  “What?”

  “Did you know Quinn added love scenes that I’m supposed to verify?”

  Quinn chuckled. “You better bring a friend over there with you. A good one.”

  Kimberly nodded but Maggie knew she didn’t have a man in her life at the moment. She made a mental note to call her friend from Tahiti—and then a crowd of well-wishers separated Kimberly from Quinn and Maggie.

  Hours later, after dancing and posing for pictures, Maggie and Quinn departed in a limousine for the private jet that would fly them to the South Pacific. The plane sported a master suite and a king-size bed. Maggie wouldn’t have to wait until they reached the turquoise waters and powdery beaches of Tahiti to seduce her new husband.

  Quinn placed an arm over her shoulder. “What’s the most gorgeous bride in the world thinking?”

  “About joining the mile-high club.”

  “Maggie darling. I do believe your interest in me is bordering on obsession.”

  “That’s what I love about you, Quinn.”

  “What?”

  “You’re so humble.”

  “Humble enough to tell you I’m obsessed with you, too.”

  “Then it’s
mutual.” Maggie raised her lips to his. “Now shut up and kiss me.”

  ISBN: 978-1-4268-7785-8

  BORDERING ON OBSESSION

  Copyright © 2003 by Susan Hope Kearney.

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