“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.
CHAPTER FIVE
“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 be
d, 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.
Dreaming With My Eyes Wide Open (Hollywood Legends #2) Page 7