His Larkville Cinderella

by Melissa McClone

  She’d had this discussion with Rob. “Nothing beats being in Hollywood if you want to be in the film industry. Lots more opportunities.”

  “That’s true,” Adam said. “A great place to gain experience.”

  Maybe that was why Rob had encouraged her to take the internship. Once she had experience, she would be able to move to Austin. “But relocating for a job isn’t the same as risking my neck trying some extreme sport.”

  “Maybe not, but it still could be life changing.”

  She stifled a yawn. “Time will tell.”

  “You’re tired.”

  Nodding, she wiped her mouth with a napkin and put the cupcake wrapper with the other trash. “It’s been a long week.”

  “Let’s relax and watch the sunset before heading into the observatory.”

  With her stomach full and her eyelids heavy, Megan stretched out her jean-clad legs and leaned back on her elbows. “Sounds like a plan.”

  “That doesn’t look comfortable.” He moved back until he was behind her, his legs outstretched alongside hers. “Lean back.”

  Her heart lodged in her throat, as if she’d swallowed an entire box of cupcakes whole. This didn’t seem like a friendly gesture, but a come-on. “I...”

  He slipped his hands under her arms and scooted her against him so her back rested against his chest. “This has got to be more comfortable.”

  Only slightly better than walking on hot coals. Every single muscle knotted. Should she pull away or...?

  “Relax.” He kneaded her shoulders. “You’re so tense.”

  Warmth and more tingles pulsated through her. If Adam decided to give up acting, he would make a fortune as a masseur.

  “That’s a little better,” he said.

  Yes and no. The man had magic hands. The tightness in her shoulders loosened, quickly melting beneath his skilled fingers, but his touch heated the blood flowing through her veins. Uh-oh. She could not allow herself to make a mistake here. “Much better. Thanks. You can stop now.”

  “In a minute.”

  A minute, huh? Megan could handle that. She started counting. One-Mississippi, two-Mississippi, three...

  * * *

  Megan was asleep. Her entire body was finally relaxed. Her chest rose and fell evenly.

  With his left arm around Megan, Adam felt an odd sense of contentment. He’d never brought a date here before. This had always been his and his mom’s favorite place, but bringing Megan felt right. Special.

  One of her curls tickled Adam’s nose. He inhaled the scent of her shampoo, fruity and sweet.

  “Wheeeeee.”

  A little boy squealed as he toddled across the grass while his mom chased after him. Beyond them, on the path, an older couple walked hand in hand. A teenager jogged to catch up to his friends heading toward the observatory.

  Megan shifted in his arms. He glanced down at her. She was wearing lipstick, a natural-looking pink shade. He’d never noticed her wearing makeup before.

  A serene smile graced her full lips. Was she dreaming? Of him?

  This morning he would have said no way, but he wasn’t sure now. She’d agreed to spend the evening with him and didn’t protest his massaging her shoulders. She might be a little more dazzled than she would admit, but that didn’t stop her from acting naturally around him. She didn’t try to impress him. Nor try to seduce and flirt with him. She was herself and let him be himself. A rare occurrence. One he liked very much.

  Adam didn’t think Megan was as practical as she claimed to be. Planners could have an adventurous streak. He would like the chance to bring hers out. He wanted to see her face light up with joy, to hear her laugh from the gut. If only she would let him...

  He brushed a corkscrew curl off her face. Her pale skin contrasted with her brown curly hair.

  A modern-day Sleeping Beauty or Snow White.

  All she needed was a kiss.

  Bad idea.

  Each time they touched, Megan about jumped out of her skin, suggesting she was attracted to him. But she was denying her interest in him. She was trying to banish him to friend zone because she had her sights set on another guy.

  Adam could overcome her resistance. He had no doubt about that. Yet even if he was tempted to brush his lips against hers and steal a kiss, he wouldn’t.

  Adam might be charming, but he wasn’t a prince. He was more like the huntsman. Megan’s heart wasn’t safe with him. She might not be his normal type, but the more time he spent with her, the more he liked her. One kiss might lead to more and that could take them to the wrong place. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt Megan.

  Listening to her talk about her feelings for Rob, hearing about her plans, told Adam that she was a forever type of woman. He wasn’t that kind of guy. Kissing her was out of the question. Even if he might want a...taste.

  She shifted positions, turning so her cheek rested against his chest. Her soft-in-all-the-right-places curves pressed against him.

  A flame ignited deep within him.

  Adam swallowed around the lump in his throat. Better there than in his jeans. That would be hard...difficult to explain if Megan woke up.

  He focused on the other people around them. It didn’t help.

  He thought about the scene he’d been working on earlier that day. He’d kept screwing up one line. He repeated the words in his head, messing up again. But at least his temperature hadn’t skyrocketed into the danger zone. He went over the line in his head. Again and again. He spoke the words aloud.

  Megan stirred.

  Damn, he should have been quieter. At least he’d managed to stave off being embarrassed by his attraction to her.

  A gasp escaped her parted lips. Wide eyes stared up at him.

  He smiled at her. “Sleeping Beauty awakes.”

  Her cheeks turned a cute shade of pink. She bolted upright. “I fell asleep.”

  He missed the feel of her warmth and softness against him. “You were tired.”

  She wouldn’t meet his eyes. “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t apologize.” He didn’t want her to be embarrassed. “I’m sorry I woke you. I was practicing a line.”

  To stop himself getting too turned on. Real classy, Noble. A good thing Megan didn’t need to know that piece of info.

  “Do you need help?” she offered.

  Yes, he would love her help, but not with the line. “Another time.”

  “Just tell me when.” She brushed strands of hair off her face. “That’s the least I can do to thank you for being my bed while I napped.”

  If only they could be in bed together... Nope. Not going there. “You’re welcome. I’m happy to oblige anytime.”

  “Anytime Eva’s not around,” Megan clarified.

  She would bring that up. Adam wished he could put her at ease about her internship. He enjoyed flirting with her whether it went anywhere or not. “Even if Eva strolled by, what could she say? It’s not like we’re naked with our legs and arms tangled amid the sheets and each other.”

  The images had been rolling around in his head ever since she’d mentioned the word bed.

  Megan cleared her throat. “No, you’re right. It’s not like that at all.”

  Too bad, Adam thought. That image held a certain appeal.

  “A good thing or I’d be out an internship,” Megan continued.

  “True,” he said.

  But what a way to go.

  * * *

  Forget movie magic, Megan had gotten a taste of real magic tonight with Adam. She stood next to him by her car in the parking lot, feeling rested and content.

  Above her in the night sky, stars twinkled, the same stars she and Adam had stared at through the telescope at the observatory. “I thought that was a shooting star.”

  “Shooting star. Satellite,” he said. “Not a lot of difference.”

  “You can’t wish upon a satellite.”

  The lights from the parking lot combined with the brim of his baseball cap cast shadows on
his face. The proverbial tall, dark and handsome. “You can make a wish on anything you want.”

  “No, you can’t,” she countered. “You need a coin and a fountain or wishing well. Birthday candles or...”

  He grinned wryly. “I didn’t know there was a wish rule book.”

  Megan gave him a look. “You can’t make up your own wishing rules.”

  “For your information I’ve made plenty of wishes up here,” he said. “Granted, they were on stars, but none were shooting across the sky.”

  She wondered what Adam would wish for. He had looks, money, fame and a great career. Nothing was missing from his life. “Have any come true?”

  “Yes,” he said without any hesitation. “So there’s nothing from stopping you from making a wish now.”

  “Only if you make one, too.”

  “I’m always up for making wishes,” he said to her surprise.

  Megan thought he would put up more of a fight. She hadn’t taken Adam as the fanciful type, but the more time she spent with him, the more she realized how much she didn’t know about him and wanted to know.

  “Close your eyes,” Adam said.

  “You implied there isn’t a rule book.”

  “Now is not the time to be logical.” He tapped the tip of her nose with his fingertip. “Close them.”

  She did. “Are yours closed?”

  “Yes,” he said. “Now make a wish.”

  I wish I could spend more time with Adam.

  Wait. The words sounding in her head had come out of nowhere. Her eyes sprung open. Spending time with Adam wouldn’t be smart if she wanted to impress Eva. Megan grimaced.

  She knew what she should have wished for—a permanent costume design job. Or Rob to see her as more than a friend. Or finding the place she belonged. Or... Her shoulders sagged.

  Instead, she’d made a stupid wish. For something she didn’t want or need. For someone who wasn’t a part of her life and never would be. A do-over wish was definitely in order.

  Adam’s eyes opened. She realized he’d taken a long time to make his wish.

  “Did you make one?” he asked.

  “Yes.” Even if it was a total waste of a wish. Oh, well. Her wishes had never come true. This one wouldn’t, either. “You?”

  “I made a good one.”

  He sounded happy. She was tempted to ask him what he wished for, but realizing he’d want to know hers kept Megan quiet. No way was she admitting her wish to him. To anyone.

  This seemed like a perfect time to say good-night. They couldn’t stand here for hours, making wishes or staring at each other. She needed sleep and clarity. “I should get going. Thanks for tonight.”

  “It doesn’t have to end.”

  Megan’s pulse kicked up a notch. She didn’t want the night to end. Being with Adam made her feel special, as if for the past couple of hours the universe revolved around her. She knew it was the way he treated everybody—making her feel like the most important and only person in the world—but she didn’t care. It felt so good. Her dad had made her feel so unique and special. With him gone, she’d wondered if she would ever feel that way again.

  “There are plenty of other sights to see at night,” Adam added.

  His trailer? Her pulse sprinted as if she were running a hundred-yard dash.

  Uh-oh. Time to slow down. No sense getting carried away over a pleasant evening. Adam had admitted to being a flirt, but she shouldn’t go too far hanging out with him. Definitely time to call it a night.

  As she removed her car keys from her purse, metal jingled.

  “I have an early call time tomorrow morning.” The words sounded flat even to her ears. She needed to sound more enthusiastic. She had come to Hollywood for her career, not to be crushing on a movie star who had millions of women lusting after him. She forced a smile. “Lots to prepare for Tuesday’s call.”

  “Strong work ethic. I like that.”

  “Something my dad instilled in us. Me.”

  “It’s an admirable trait.”

  Megan couldn’t drum up any excitement over Adam’s compliment. He may have been interested in her enough to flirt, but she wasn’t hot enough for him to put in more effort and pursue. Being friends seemed to be okay with him.

  Disappointment shot through her. Foolish, she knew, because friends were all they could be given her internship. And Rob. Megan couldn’t forget about Rob. But spending time with Adam tonight gave her a glimpse of what being a princess must be like. Usually she felt like one of the ugly stepsisters, not Cinderella. Megan didn’t want the feeling to end even if it were for the best. “Thanks again.”

  He wrapped his arms around her in a big bear hug. “Thank you for tonight.”

  The scent of him filled her nostrils. Musky and spicy and oh-so-male. Her cheek pressed against his chest, his heart beating in her ear. She hugged back, wanting to soak up his warmth. If only it could last for a little longer.

  He released her.

  She forced herself to let go of him.

  Adam’s gaze locked on hers. She wasn’t experienced when it came to men, but she recognized the desire shining in his eyes. Her blood pressure spiraled into the red zone.

  He looked like he wanted to kiss her.

  Megan wanted him to kiss her.

  His mouth was so close to hers, mere inches away. His warm breath, sweet with a hint of chocolate from the cupcakes, caressed her face.

  She parted her lips in invitation.

  Kiss me.

  A wish. A plea.

  He drew back slightly. “Drive safe on the way home.”

  Her heart dropped to her feet. He was saying good-night, not trying to kiss her. She cleared her dry throat. “You, too.”

  The two words were all she could manage.

  “See you on Tuesday,” he said.

  Not if Megan could help it. She’d never had this kind of reaction to a friend before, not even Rob. The less she saw of Adam, the better. He made her feel entirely out of control.

  She wasn’t a swooning, obsessed fan, wanting a one-night stand with her idol. She was a professional. Okay, an intern, but if she wanted a permanent job she had to stay focused and not think about Adam Noble.

  Not now, not ever.

  CHAPTER SIX

  ADAM loved shooting. Stepping into a role and losing himself in a character were second only to the adrenaline rush of succeeding at something difficult and dangerous. But life on the set was like moving from an aquarium to a fishbowl. His world became smaller and more visible. At least to the cast and crew.

  That was a small price to pay to do what he loved.

  Adam parked near the set. One of the perks of being a movie star was a reserved parking spot. His car was one of three vehicles in the VIP lot. Not surprising given the sun was just now clearing the horizon. He liked arriving early to give himself time to relax and prepare.

  He always started his day with a cup of coffee from the refreshment table. Craft Services put out a spread of snacks and drinks to tide them over between the catered meals they were fed.

  One of the electricians shouted a greeting.

  Adam waved.

  Spending twelve to fourteen hours with the same group of people gave him a chance to get to know the cast and crew well. But only a week in, he knew this production would be different because of two women—Megan Calhoun and Lane Gregory.

  One was as sweet as a cupcake. He’d had barely caught sight of Megan since shooting began. But she’d been on his mind and in his dreams since last Sunday night. Two places no woman belonged. Thinking about sex was one thing. With Megan, it was different. Okay, he might have thought about what she looked like naked and sleeping with her, but he’d also been imagining her pretty smile and her captivating eyes. Adam didn’t have time to dwell on those things, however appealing. He needed to focus on his feelings, rather Maxwell’s feelings, for his wife, Calliope. She was the only woman who could take up residence in his thoughts.

  The other was hi
s costar, Lane Gregory. She was the best of old Hollywood and new, but the woman was relentless in her pursuit of, well, him. Attention, gifts, innuendos. Adam had taken to hiding in his trailer whenever he could, something he rarely did while shooting. He preferred being where the action was. A good thing Lane wasn’t an early riser.

  “You’re late,” Lou, who worked for Craft Services, said. “I thought you might have slept in this morning.”

  “And miss the first pot of coffee? No way.” Adam greeted the man with a handshake. “How did your daughter’s softball game turn out?”

  Lou grinned. “She hit the cycle. They won six-two.”

  “Excellent,” Adam said. “There could be a scholarship in her future.”

  “Hope so.” Lou handed him a steaming cup and a blueberry muffin, nicely warmed with a pat of butter softening on top of it. “Your standing order, sir.”

  “Thanks.”

  As Adam turned, he caught the scent of perfume wafting in the air. Not any perfume. Lane’s.

  Damn. She must have figured out his morning routine.

  Maybe he could ditch her before she saw him. The costume department was nearby. He could sneak in and see if Megan was there. Interns always got the crappy call times. He wouldn’t mind saying hi to her.

  An oh-so-appealing image of her filled his mind. He’d missed seeing her.

  On second thought, as tempting as paying her a visit might sound, he’d better not. On his mind was one thing. Under his skin was another. That was the one place he didn’t allow a woman. It was safer that way.

  “So it’s true about you being an early bird.” Some men might consider Lane Gregory’s breathy voice sexy. Adam had at one time. But now the sound grated on his nerves. “I thought if I got here early enough we might be able to...rehearse in my trailer.”

  He should have gone to see Megan.

  No way did he want to be alone with Lane. Not without a bodyguard. Maybe two. He might be strong, but the woman was dangerous. And not in a good way. “I have a few things I need to do.”

  Lane was beautiful. He’d give her that. Her long blond hair, porcelain skin and blue eyes were the envy of many women. Her curvy figure enticed men. She smiled coyly. “I can think of a few things we could do together.”