Danger Zone

by Dee J. Adams

  Ashley stuck her head farther in the closet and reappeared with the brand new outfit Ellie had bought last week. The long black skirt hid most of her legs, but the material was so delicate that it molded her waist and butt. Turquoise stitching decorated the entire piece and matched the off the shoulder peasant blouse. A black belt with turquoise beads cinched the shirt low around her hips.

  “No,” Ellie said adamantly. “I just spent a fortune on that and I’m saving it for something special.”

  “What could be more special than tonight?”

  “Anything. Everything.” Ellie’s frustration gathered momentum. “This is practically a blind date. I don’t know why I even agreed to go.”

  “Because you lost the bet.”

  “It wasn’t a bet.”

  “Dare. Challenge. Whatever. You lost and you have to pay up. Besides, you know you want to. The guy is so hot the ground melts when he walks over it.”

  “Big deal. He’s also got an ego the size of the Hollywood sign and the last thing I want to do is feed it. Rule number one tonight. No feeding the ego.”

  “What if he’s really decked out?”

  “He won’t be decked out.” He had no reason to be, right? This was a simple date with the brother-in-law of a coworker. “All I’ve seen him in is jeans and T-shirts. The guy’s a big playboy. I bet he doesn’t even own a suit. Or know how to say it.”

  “Ouch. You are a little pissy about this, aren’t you?”

  Yes, she was and it was unfair. Quinn probably did own a suit, if not multiple suits. She knew she was overreacting, but couldn’t seem to control her jangled nerves.

  Ashley hung the outfit back in the closet and approached her. “Spill. What’s wrong?” She sat on the edge of the bed next to Ellie. “I know you. If you really didn’t like the guy, you wouldn’t be going out with him. You wouldn’t have agreed to that whole ‘three touches’ thing and—”

  “Three and a half.”

  “‘Three and a half’ touches thing unless you didn’t want him to touch you. So what’s the problem? It’s just a date. You deserve to go out and have fun just like anyone else.”

  Ellie stood up and paced in front of her friend. “But…but…”

  “But what? You said yourself he seems nice enough. And you know he kisses like a dream.”

  Time to face the issue she’d been avoiding since she said yes to Quinn. “Ash…does Quinn remind you of anyone?” Ellie held her breath, watching her roommate’s face as she considered the question. Maybe Ashley needed a little more of a hint. She sat next to her. “Isn’t there a certain someone that he sort of resembles…?”

  Ashley’s eyes opened wide. “You aren’t seriously thinking about Leo Frost are you?”

  “See!” Ellie said, shooting to her feet and instantly pacing again. “He does sort of have that Leo-quality, doesn’t he? What if—?”

  “No. No way,” Ashley said, stopping her midstep. “I met Quinn. He’s nothing like Leo. Leo is a sleazeball among sleazeballs. He’s so self-centered, he thinks the sun rises strictly for him each morning.” Ashley looked her sternly in the eye. “Do you get a creepy feeling with Quinn at all? Because if there are any Leo vibes, you definitely need to cancel this date.”

  Ellie tipped her head from side to side. “Well, no.” In fact, she got completely off-the-chart different vibes from Quinn. Bone-melting, heart-stopping vibes.

  “Okay,” Ashley said on a sigh. “I didn’t think so.” She primped her hair in the closet mirror. “Just because he’s tall, dark and gorgeous, doesn’t make him a Leo Frost.”

  “I know. I’m just nervous.” Looking for any excuse to warrant the raging butterflies swirling in her tummy. “I don’t want to ramble on like an idiot and we both know that’s a possibility.” Ellie ran the brush through her hair again.

  “So ramble about the city. Talk about architecture and throw out all the info you know on Frank Lloyd Wright. Or talk about show business and share some of your Hollywood stories. That always fascinates people and it’ll sound like you’re being a good tour guide instead of a nervous date.” Ashley turned from the mirror, took Ellie’s hand and squeezed it tight. “Go have fun tonight. I’m not saying you have to sleep with the guy. Just relax and have fun.”

  Ellie studied her best friend. She had the most hopeful blue eyes in the state of California. Ashley nodded reassuringly and smiled. At that moment, Ellie made another decision. “You’re right. I should go and have fun. I should make the best out of this weird dare-challenge-blind-date thing and just enjoy myself. I know he’s not a long-term thing.” That was the main reason she didn’t want to like him.

  “Good for you!” Ashley beamed. “Now…” She looked at the clothes spread out on the bed and back to Ellie. “Wear the outfit.”

  Laughing deep in her throat, Ellie shook her head. “I’m not wearing the outfit.”

  “C’mon. Wear the outfit.”

  Ellie snatched her hand back. “Get over the outfit, Ash. I’m not wearing it. I have two perfectly good choices right—”

  The doorbell rang.

  “Oh shit,” Ellie whispered. “He’s early.” She clapped her hands against her head. “I still haven’t done my hair.”

  “Just leave it down,” Ashley said, heading to the door. “It’s gorgeous and you almost never wear it down. It looks great.”

  Ellie paced in front of the closet door mirror. “Remember. See what he’s wearing then come back in and I’ll get dressed.”

  “Gotcha.” Ashley scuttled out the door and closed it behind her.

  Ellie picked up the empty water glass she had on her bedside table and put it against the door, trying to hear the conversation. The front door opened and Ashley greeted Quinn. Said something about him looking handsome. She was going to wring Ashley’s neck when she saw her. Her roommate had just obliterated rule number one.

  Ashley’s voice got stronger as she came back toward the bedroom. Ellie set her glass on the dresser and stepped back. The door opened and Ashley squeezed through. Her wide eyes and open jaw told Ellie she was in serious trouble.

  “Oh God. Oh God. What? What is it? He’s not in a Speedo or something, is he?”

  Ashley grabbed her arms and held her tightly. “He’s in Armani.” Ashley knew her designer labels. Working with a bunch of high-priced lawyers, she’d seen her share of Armanis.

  “What?” Oh, God, why hadn’t she seen this earlier? Of course he wore Armani. He was a Player. It made perfect sense. Any guy who rents a limo for weeks at a time can afford an Armani suit.

  “The suit is black,” Ashley continued. “But he’s dressed it down with a black silk shirt.”

  Panic rose in Ellie’s chest. “How is that dressing it down?” she hissed.

  “No tie. He’s got the shirt unbuttoned and the jacket opened.” Ashley’s fingers squeezed even harder. “Oh. My. God. Ellie. He’s gorgeous. Total drop-dead I-want-to-rip-off-his-clothes-and-do-him-if-you-don’t gorgeous.”

  Ellie took a steadying breath to calm her pounding heart and turned toward the bed. “The black dress then,” she said more calmly than she felt. “I’ll wear the black dress and slingbacks.”

  “You can wear the slingbacks,” Ashley said, as she scooped up all the clothes on the bed and rushed into the bathroom. “But you have to wear the outfit!” The door slammed behind her and the lock snicked into place.

  No way. She did not just do that. “Ashley, you lunatic, get back here with my dress,” Ellie hissed at the door.

  “Wear the outfit,” her muffled voice whispered. Was she laughing?

  “Dammit, Ashley.” Ellie jiggled the doorknob. “I swear to God if you don’t come out of there with my clothes I’m going to hurt you.”

  “Wear the outfit.”

  Ellie listened harder. “Are you laughing in there?”

  A definite giggle/snort erupted from the bathroom. “No.”

  “You are going to die. Do you hear me? Ashley?” Ellie growled in frustration and stomped
to her closet.

  Chapter Six

  Quinn shoved his hands in his pants pockets and looked around the apartment. Nice place. Spacious. The old-fashioned, two-story complex, nestled in a quiet neighborhood in Sherman Oaks, had surprised him. For some reason, he’d expected something newer, more high-tech. But walking to Ellie’s door he’d realized it was just like her. Unique. Special in its simplicity. The apartment was neat as hell. What a pisser. It would’ve been fun to have something to tease her about at dinner. He really liked teasing her. Liked the way her eyes turned a darker shade of green. Liked how she fought so hard to keep him at a distance when it was only a matter of time before she let him in.

  Just standing in her apartment gave him a sense of accomplishment. One step at time. He’d lived his whole life in phases. Had learned to get through the tedious and monotonous by keeping his mind on the grand prize. His freedom. Living his own life on his terms and no one else’s.

  Seeing where Ellie lived, the large olive-green chenille sofa and the oak coffee and dining room tables, the big rolltop desk in the corner against the wall—all of it gave him a sense of Ellie. What did her bedroom look like? After a romantic dinner…who knew…maybe—

  The door opened and Ellie emerged.

  Had he been a religious man, Quinn might’ve dropped to his knees in thankful prayer while he worshipped at the altar of Ellie. A long black skirt hugged her ass and thighs while a turquoise top, belted around her hips, dropped off her shoulder and exposed silky skin. She was a goddess. High heels on top of it.

  Quinn pushed back the sudden shot of lust. “Hi.”

  “Hello.” She gave him a quick once-over and couldn’t seem to meet his gaze.

  “You look…” Beautiful didn’t cover it. Gorgeous was close, but still not the right word. She was—

  “I look…what?” Her tentative voice bordered on hopeful.

  Finally they locked eyes and Quinn couldn’t keep the grin off his lips. “Stunning. You’re absolutely stunning.”

  She flushed and that tiny dimple peeked out and something inside Quinn turned over.

  “Are you ready? We’ve got reservations at eight.”

  Ellie moved toward him. “Sounds good. Where are we going?”

  “I took the advice of my limo driver, Fido, and we’re eating at some new place in Malibu. Lavenders? Something like that. It’s on the water.”

  Her eyes widened. “Lavenders is brand-new. You can’t get in there without a reservation, and I heard they’ve been booked since they opened a few months ago.”

  The surprise on her face was worth money. He shrugged. “I guess someone canceled.” Or he’d possibly used Wallace’s name—and his sister-in-law’s name—while making the reservation. The phrase it’s who you know echoed in his head.

  Her perfume hit him as she passed and he closed his eyes, inhaled her scent. His mouth watered at the definite aroma of strawberries. He wouldn’t mind having her for dinner, but that hadn’t been the bet. Damn.

  Her brows lifted skeptically. “And your limo driver…he’s a dog?”

  Christ. He didn’t even know what they were talking about anymore. A dog? Fido. Right. “It’s short for his last name. Fidelo. Fido. He’s a good guy. You’ll like him.”

  “Any man I can call Mad Dog is a friend of mine.”

  Quinn laughed. Her sense of humor attracted him almost as much as the package it came in. “God, that’s good. I didn’t even think of that one. Mine were more along the lines of Rover, Spot and Rex. So where’d Ashley go? I wanted to say goodbye.”

  “Uh.” Ellie faltered for a second. “She…she’s—”

  “She’s right here.” Ashley appeared in the bedroom doorway with an armload of clothes and a sweet smile on her face. Oddly, she seemed ready to bolt at any second. “You two have fun. I won’t wait up.”

  Ellie flashed Ashley a laser look that went over Quinn’s head. She opened the door and turned back. “Bye, Ash. See you later. Lock your bedroom door tonight. You know why.” She disappeared outside.

  “You should try to get a window seat at the restaurant,” Ashley said, before he had a chance to ask if something was wrong. “Elle loves the beach.” A bright smile lit her face.

  “Thanks for the tip.” Still a little unsure, Quinn shut the door behind him and spotted Ellie already deep in conversation with Mad Dog. He laughed again at the nickname.

  The limo ride passed by in a blur of landmarks. Having been born and raised in Los Angeles, Ellie apparently knew the town backward and forward. She’d either been on location everywhere or knew someone who had. The L.A. history and Hollywood trivia she rattled off the top of her head astounded and entertained him.

  Despite being a Tuesday night, the restaurant was packed. Dressed in a striking black gown, the hostess took Quinn’s hint and after his hundred dollar bill slipped into her palm, she led them to a corner table by the window. It seemed as if every male gaze followed Ellie, and Quinn didn’t try to hide the smile on his face.

  Candles flickered on tables and huge windows offered a spectacular view of the ocean. Quinn couldn’t have asked for a better start to the evening as they watched the sun set over the Pacific. Seeing the sun in London was a trick in itself, and sunsets there remained practically elusive. Spotlights from the restaurant lit up the beach as the sun finally sunk below the horizon.

  A waiter with chiseled features and a movie-star-wannabe look in his eyes took their drink order and left.

  Quinn scanned the menu, sat forward and absently rubbed the ache in his right fist. “So tell me about Elle Morgan. How did you get into stunt work?”

  She glanced up from her menu and soft candlelight threw shadows across her face. Tipping her head, she played off the subject. “It’s a silly story.”

  “Those are my favorite.” He was dying to know anything about her. The more he knew and the more he listened, the faster he’d get in. That much he knew about women.

  “It’s like I said at the bar. It was luck, timing and impetuousness.”

  She’d used those exact words, which made him feel like just another in a long line of men she’d told this story to. So why was his stomach suddenly a little queasy? The woman was gorgeous. He was kidding himself to think that she didn’t have piles of men she’d left in the dust.

  “Let’s take it in sections,” he said. “Tell me the ‘luck’ part.”

  She bit her bottom lip, closed her menu and leaned forward. He caught another whiff of her perfume and had to focus on her words. “The luck part was that my parents were out of town so I could go out with Ashley.”

  “How old were you?”

  “Eighteen.” She’d already told him she’d been in the business for ten years so that made her twenty-eight. His age exactly. She looked closer to twenty-two. “Ashley wanted to go to a new ice-skating rink and they happened to be shooting a movie there that night. People were allowed in, but they’d posted a sign that said if you chose to skate you were giving consent to appear in the movie. That was fine with Ashley and me. We grew up here so we didn’t care. The movie was no big deal. We just wanted to skate.”

  “That covers the luck and timing. Go on. I’m all ears.” Oddly enough, it wasn’t just about getting in her pants anymore. This sounded interesting.

  “First, you need to know that I’ve always been athletic. I hadn’t ice-skated that much, but it came naturally and I was good at it. They were doing a stunt,” she explained. “It was a Mafia movie… There were a lot of guns and people screaming and falling. The actress in the movie had long blond hair and—”

  “And happened to be your size?”

  “That too.” She smiled. Her dimple peeked out again and Quinn rubbed his scar a little bit harder to keep from reaching out and taking her hand. The waiter picked that moment to come back with their drinks. Iced tea for both of them.

  “Yeah. Okay. And…” Quinn said when the man left.

  Her mouth dropped open and she stared at him wide-eyed. “Impatient
, aren’t you?”

  Quinn sat up straighter and considered that. “Impatient,” he murmured. He’d practically lived his life for his family and not himself, done what he’d been told for as long as he could remember. He’d never been closer to the freedom of choosing his own path—whatever the hell it was—and she was calling him impatient. He nodded. “I guess I am. So what happened?”

  She laughed and shook her head. “Well…they were practicing a stunt where the heroine was trying to save her little girl by diving in front of her to take the bullet. Only the stuntwoman fell wrong and broke her wrist. The set medic called an ambulance and the poor lady went to the hospital. The director and producers and ADs were huddled together—”

  He almost asked what an AD was, then remembered they were assistant directors.

  “—trying to figure out what to do next. They still had a ton of work to do. It was their last night at this location and no stuntwoman. Did I mention this was a night shoot?”

  He shook his head, but made sure to keep his mouth shut.

  She gave him another one of those assessing looks as if testing him, but he held her gaze, determined to show her they had a spark ready to ignite into flame given half a chance. She bit her bottom lip again and Quinn wanted to suck that lip into his mouth and drive his tongue past her teeth for a taste.

  Her gaze flicked to her iced tea and she traced the condensation with her index finger. “So, Ashley said to me, ‘Elle, you should tell them you can do the stunt. All you have to do is fall in front of that little girl.’ At first, I was like, no way. I came to skate, I didn’t come to lay flat on my back on the ice all night, but then—”

  A quick vision of Ellie flat on her back, with him fully covering every inch of her skin, zipped through Quinn’s head. God, she really was a beauty, with miles of silky blond hair and mischievous green eyes.

  Focus. Focus.

  “…might be fun. And maybe I could get a few dollars out of the deal too. So I went up to one of the stuntmen—there were a half dozen or so playing bad guys—and I started talking to him and I mentioned that I could—”