Falling From Grace

by Alexx Andria

  A silly grin found her lips, not because the situation was appropriate but because a part of her was so grateful he’d walked through her door to save her and she was too disoriented to smother her honest reaction. “You do house calls? Is that a doctor bag, like in the old movies?”

  He scowled, not finding the situation humorous at all. “Be thankful I brought my it, it’s saving you an embarrassing trip to the hospital,” he said, causing her smile to fade. He wasted little time in checking her blood pressure, and then her pupil dilation. When he pulled away, there was a grim expression souring his handsome face. “Without a blood test it’s impossible to know with 100 percent certainty that you weren’t drugged but your pupils aren’t dilated and you’re not vomiting so I’m willing to guess you’re suffering from a terrible hangover. What were you drinking last night?”

  “A little of this, a little of that,” she answered mulishly when it was clear how little respect he had for her. Could she blame him? In another life she wouldn’t have respected someone like her either. An internal groan born of misery and regret threatened to bubble from her mouth but she held it back only because she couldn’t stand sinking another notch in Miles eyes. Realizing he was still waiting for a more definitive answer, she admitted with a small shrug. “I don’t know I wasn’t really paying attention.”

  “You weren’t paying attention? A little reckless don’t you think?”

  “Given the fact that I was assaulted, I guess I don’t have much room to disagree, now do I?” She cast him a short look before glancing away. Was he really going to rub her nose in it like a bad puppy who’d piddled on the carpet? “Does it matter? I got drunk. End of story.”

  “It would help if I knew what I was dealing with. Can you be a little more specific?”

  She made an exasperated noise. “No…one drink was purple, another pink. Does that help?”

  “No, it doesn’t.” He tucked his pen light back into his bag and took out his stethoscope. Without trying to warm up his instrument, he placed it on her bare skin, causing her to yelp at the cold metal. He continued without mercy. “You could’ve gotten a touch of alcohol poisoning. You’re lucky you woke up at all.”

  “Is that Dr. Lassiter’s medical opinion or judgment from Miles?” she asked.

  “How about a little of both?” he countered flatly. “Now be quiet,” he instructed as he focused on her heartbeat. Satisfied, he removed the scope and put it away, too. “Heartbeat sounds good.” She braced herself for some catty comment about her heart — as in, she didn’t have one — but he remained professional, if not a bit taciturn. “Well, if you can’t provide me with more details of your night, I’ll just have to go off what I see and to me, you seem terribly hung over and likely, dehydrated.”

  Her previous elation at seeing Miles again had since died under the weight of the reality between them and she pulled herself into a defensive posture, affecting a bored expression. She wasn’t in the mood for whatever Miles thought he had the right to say to her just because he showed up at the right time. “So, not that I’m not grateful for the whole hero routine but what are you doing here? And how the hell did you know where I lived?” Miles rocked back on his heels with open distaste and she secretly mourned the loss of his love. There’d been a time when he’d looked at her with such adoration that she’d almost bought into the fantasy that true love existed. She rubbed absently at her chest as an errant pain zinged across her nerves. It wasn’t because she missed Miles and seeing him again was more hurtful than she’d imagined it would be, no, that wasn’t it. It was probably trapped gas, right? She met his deep blue gaze and asked quietly, “Miles, what are you doing here?”

  He stood and his mouth compressed in a tight line as he answered with a resolute shake of his head as if he couldn’t believe what he was about to say, and said, “I’m here to help you clean up your act.”

  #

  Even hung over, auburn hair limp and abused, Dani was beautiful. He tried not to focus on the details that were unimportant, such as the softness of her skin and the sweet curve of her hip and waist but it was too easy to remember in startling detail how he’d spent many hours worshiping that body, loving her soft, little mewling cries when he touched her just right, and how she’d left scratches on his back when she couldn’t help herself in the moment. It was easier to forget those kinds of details when he was hundreds of miles away, basking in the Caribbean sun — not so much when he was standing close enough to smell her skin.

  “I don’t need a babysitter, Miles,” she said, stung. “And even if I did, you would be the last person I’d want for the job.”

  “Too bad. I’m all you’ve got.”

  “Is that so? I don’t see the connection as to why you would even care.”

  “You want my honesty?” At her slow nod, he launched into it. “You’re right — I don’t care about you or your fucked up sense of priority. What I do care about is my friend and apparently, making sure you’re insurable is the ticket to my friend’s happiness right now and because I owe her big time, I’m babysitting you into sobriety, at least long enough to get you cleaned up and presentable to the people who think you’re too much of a train wreck to insure you.”

  Dani blinked as if he’d slapped her with brass knuckles. “What are you talking about?”

  He exhaled in irritation. “Don’t you even know what’s being said about you in common circles? You’re toxic out there, babe. You went from top of the world, to bottom of the trash bucket in a relatively short amount of time. That’s talent, sweetheart. But even so, there’s someone out there who still believes you have what it takes to be someone other than yesterday’s news. I don’t necessarily agree with them but hey, it’s not my dime.”

  “You’re lying,” she said, paling. “Everyone wants me on their next project.”

  “Really? What kind of offers are banging down your door? How many missed auditions have there been? How many times has your agent said, ‘they went in another direction’ for parts that you thought were a shoe-in? Pull your inflated head out of your ass and start smelling what’s right beneath your nose.” For the first time since walking through that door, Miles caught the vulnerable youth of the girl she’d once been and he found himself softening, if just a little, because hell, he wasn’t a total prick. He drew a deep breath and tried again. “Listen, there’s this director who really wants you to play the part of Hattie in the film adaptation of Falling From Grace and for what it’s worth…I think you’d do the role justice.”

  Dani wiped her eyes and stared up at him. “Really? You’ve read the script?”

  “No, but I’ve read the book and it’s a part that you could play…if you got your shit together. It’s up to you. Get yourself clean and possibly play the role of a lifetime, or keep doing this stupid crap with people who don’t give two shits about you and watch your entire life go down in flames. Your choice.”

  She sniffed back tears and wiped at her eyes, remaining silent, fidgeting with her fingers as she contemplated what he’d told her. “Who is your friend?” she asked in a small voice that betrayed her. Good God, was it even possible that Dani was jealous? Dani looked up, waiting. “I mean, she must be a pretty good friend for you to go to all this trouble.”

  “Yeah, she is.”

  “Do I know her?”

  “You probably know of her. It’s Lindy Bell.”

  Dani’s eyes widened in recognition as she gaped a little. “You know Lindy Bell? The same Lindy Bell who played Sarasota in the Broadway play, Secrets and Lies?”

  “Yeah…and she’s a good friend, so I’m doing this for her. I want to make sure we’re clear.”

  Her expression soured and she said, “Right, because you hate me. I get it.”

  “I don’t hate you,” he disagreed, but there was probably a thin line he was walking in that regard. “But I sure as hell don’t like you very much, that’s for sure. Do you blame me? You did me dirty and you know it so let’s not try and play the vict
im. Save your acting skills for the screen because it’s a waste of time on me.”

  “I wasn’t acting with you.”

  Her quiet statement slid like a sharpened razor across his heart and he hated that she still had that effect on him. “Yeah, well, whatever. Are you strong enough to shower?” At her slow nod, he was glad. He needed a moment to regroup. “Good. While you’re showering, I’m going to mix up a protein shake with plenty of electrolytes to replenish what you’ve lost.”

  “I doubt I have what you need to make a power shake,” she retorted until she saw him grab a bag and start unloading it on the counter in the kitchen. “Oh. I see you came prepared.”

  “I came for a purpose, not for fun times.”

  Her expression dulled and she bit out, “Okay, stop rubbing it in, already. I get it” wincing a little as she changed position. He could only imagine what kind of abuse she’d put her body through — or the countless men she’d allowed to bend her over the nearest surface. His gaze dropped to the granite countertop and he swallowed the rush of bile as his imagination did cruel things to his mind. Hey, who cared? It wasn’t as if he’d been celibate since their break up so he couldn’t expect her to suddenly join a nunnery just because the thought of someone else touching that smooth skin was enough to make him want to die. Although, that would’ve been a nice stroke to his ego if she had. “Are you seeing anyone?” he asked, striving for a casual nonchalance — as if he could care less what her answer was and he was just making polite conversation — but he could feel the anxiety dogging the edges of his inquiry.

  “No,” she answered, following up with, “You?”

  “I was put off by dating for a while. You never know when someone’s telling the truth or just lying through their teeth and I really don’t have the time to deal with the bullshit.”

  Yeah, honey that was directed at you. And she knew it. “Passive aggressive much? Jesus, Miles, when did you turn into such a whiny bitch?”

  He glowered at her for calling him out but he supposed he’d walked right into that one. He was being a whiny bitch. He had to move on and let go one of these days. Too much unresolved crap in his head — and heart. Miles forced a chuckle and loosened up. “You’re right. I ought to just come out and say what I need to say and be done with it.”

  “You’d probably feel better. I know I always do,” she said but there was a reticence about her gaze that belied her false bravado. She was afraid to face the music and her body language was screaming it from the rooftops. “I mean, if you think it’ll help you, you know. I suppose I owe you that.”

  He opened his mouth to unload — she’d asked for it, right? — but when it really came down to it, there was no point in dredging up the poison from the past. He wasn’t here to vent, he was here to help Lindy. Miles sighed and waved off Dani’s offer. “That’s not necessary. I’ll stop with the passive aggressive digs. I’m just here to help a friend. Let’s leave it at that.”

  Dani nodded and slowly rose from the chair, saying, “I’m going to shower” and then left the room. And damn if he couldn’t help himself as he stared hard at that perfect heart-shaped ass before wrenching his gaze to focus on his task. Why did she have the power to turn him inside out and sidewise just by being in the same room together? He’d known staying impartial was going to be a struggle but he’d had no idea it was going to be this tough.

  Don’t think about her smooth, porcelain skin and how they’d loved foreplay in the shower. That way lies madness and heartbreak, he warned himself as he quickly cleaned and chopped vegetables and fruits for the blender. A few minutes later, Dani emerged, fresh-faced with her long red hair swept up in an easy ponytail and he was struck by the memory of when they’d first met.

  He’d been working as the on-site physician for an up-and-coming action flick directed by Michael Bay when he’d first seen Dani. She’d nabbed a bit part — possibly her first speaking role that’d enabled her to get her SAG card — but she was the prettiest thing he’d ever seen in his entire life. Her laugh, her smile, the way her eyes sparkled and snapped with pure vitality, yeah, he’d been hooked from day one. He hadn’t known she was married but then she hadn’t been wearing a ring, nor had she advertised that she was taken. In fact, quite the opposite.

  “So you’re the doc?” she’d said, popping into the chair beside him between takes. The assistant director was off yelling commands and all production had ground to a halt, which gave everyone a chance to regroup, go to the bathroom, or grub. “My name’s Dani.” He accepted her outstretched hand with a smile that matched hers. The minute their skin touched, an electrical current snapped and arced — literally. “Ouch!” she laughed, shaking her hand. “I forgot that these shoes catch a lot of static electricity.”

  “It’s okay. You’re not the first person who’s shocked me today,” he said, rubbing his hand where the arc had zinged. “Nice to meet you, I’m Dr. Lassiter. But you can call me Miles.”

  A honeyed smile curved her lips and he immediately thought of strawberry wine and sweet chocolate. “Doctor? Would it be totally cheesy if I admitted that there’s something about doctors that I find incredibly hot?”

  “It would not be cheesy because it’s true. I’m a totally hot doctor,” he confirmed with a cock-sure grin that she found delightful. Her giggle lit up his soul like a Disney parade and he couldn’t take his eyes off her. “So, Dani…are you a full-time actress or just doing this for fun?”

  “Fulltime. This is my first real gig. I mean, I’ve been an extra a couple of times but this is the first time I’ve actually gotten a speaking role. But,” she wagged her finger at him with excitement brimming in her gorgeous green eyes. “I just read for a bigger part on this new film and I think I might have a good shot at getting it. The director liked what he saw and I’ve already had a call-back. Now, I just have to do another reading with the other main actor to see if we gel. I have a good feeling about it,” she said with a confidence that made her shine.

  “You do? Good for you. I bet you’ll go far,” he said, taking in everything that was Dani in one glance and finding himself instantly drawn to her sparkling charisma. This woman was going to be someone, he just knew it.

  “Thanks. I hope so.” The assistant director started bellowing names and Dani hopped from her chair. “Looks like we’re back to one, which means I have to get back to my mark.”

  “Nice meeting you,” he said.

  “Yeah…nice meeting you, too, Dr. Lassiter.” She smiled and then she shocked him when she bounded up to him, getting right in his personal bubble — not that he minded, hell, he was ready to wrap his arms around her — and she said in a quick, sultry tone, “Wanna do something after we wrap?”

  “Dinner?”

  She gave him a flirty look from beneath the fringe of her lush lashes and countered with, “How about drinks? Your place?”

  He stared at the beautiful vision with the sparkling eyes and smoking hot body, weighed the pros and cons in a nanosecond and then practically tripped on his own tongue to eagerly accept. “Yeah, sure,” he said, fighting the surge of testosterone when his stare involuntarily dropped to her impressive rack as if pulled by magnets. Argh! Damn it, stop being such a randy perv, he chastised himself as gaze returned to her face but judging by the way her smile turned knowing she knew exactly where his thoughts had gone…and she didn’t mind in the least.

  “Maybe we’ll turn drinks into a sleep-over, Dr. Hottie.” And then she sauntered off, throwing him a coy glance over her shoulder to make sure he knew exactly how interested she was in whatever he had to offer. Jesus…he was only human. And she was a fucking goddess. How could he refuse?

  Miles pulled himself from that memory with a sharp groan and trained his attention on the smoothie, his mouth set in a hard line. Why’d he have to go there? The past wasn’t a vacation spot where he wanted to linger. But that memory…damn, it sizzled.

  If only they’d stuck with drinks.

  -3-

  Dani t
ook a long shower, still unable to believe that Miles was here to rescue her. A momentary flush of pleasure tickled her insides until she reminded herself that he wasn’t there for her, specifically, but for someone else. Lindy Bell…beautiful, talented, Lindy Bell. Lindy was married, wasn’t she? Oh, what did that matter in Hollywood? She’d been married when she’d started hooking up with Miles. An unhappy sigh rattled out of her chest and she wanted to cry. She was mentally unbalanced right now. Maybe Miles was right and she needed protein and electrolytes. Why’d she let Miles go in the first place?

  A sweet memory surfaced — it was after their first night together and Dani had been riding high on the feeling that Miles was more than a one-night stand. She’d already been planning to dump her sleazeball husband and Miles popping up in her life felt like kismet — as if the universe was affirming that she was making the right move.

  “All right, tell me something about Dani St. Claire,” Miles had suggested, lounging in the bed after another epic romp between the sheets. “Something beyond the obvious. Do you have family here in L.A. or are you a transplant?”

  “No family. My dad died about two years ago from a heart attack. I came to L.A. because there was nothing for me at home anymore and I knew I had to follow my dreams. Girls like me are expected to settle down, get pregnant, and work at the diner for the rest of their lives and I’d rather die than let that happen.”

  “What do you mean, girls like you?”

  She glanced up at him, then shrugged. “People in my town sized me up and said, ‘Pretty girl with no real smarts. It’s not like she’s going to college’ but my daddy always wanted me to chase after my dreams. He said, ‘Dani…pretty girls in this town end up trading their dreams for a graveyard shift at the cannery or losing their looks after pushing out a passel of kids because they’re afraid of the unknown. Don’t let that happen to you. Not ever.’ When he died, he left me a little insurance money and I knew I’d never get another chance to leave so I packed up and put that town in my rear view mirror.”