by Scott, Lisa
Teague slipped out his back door, still holding her hand. They dashed across the lush lawn, past the pool and the pool house, leaped over a low row of boxwoods, and squeezed through a hedge to the neighbor’s gate. Teague unlocked it, and pulled her over to a huge building, which turned out to be the garage.
Breathless and still holding her hand, he smiled at her. “Ready for some fun?”
She stood facing him, just like she had in front of the plane. It was too easy to imagine another kiss, so she tried to imagine a big wart on the end of his nose. Didn’t help. “I’m ready.”
She thought Teague might move in for another kiss, and she was trying to round up her defenses, when he stepped back and said, “Come on. You’re gonna love this.” He unlocked the door and flicked on a light. The place looked like a car showroom. He weaved through the dozen or so shiny sports cars, dropped her hand, and hopped on a Harley.
“You’re stealing your neighbor’s bike?” Kate asked. “Wow. You are a bad boy.”
He laughed in that way that made the pit of her stomach hum, and patted the side of the big black machine. “No, it’s my bike. My neighbor’s an architect, works all around the world. He’s never home. Said I could store my bike here for just such an occasion.” He swung his leg over the bike and sat down. “This is the first time I’ve ever taken him up on the deal. Usually I come through the front door like a normal person.”
She froze, staring at his legs wrapped around the machine.
“You haven’t done this before, have you?” He crossed his bulging arms.
Oh, there were so many things she hadn’t done. She shook her head and found her voice. “I’m a motorcycle virgin.”
He laughed and handed her a helmet before patting the seat behind him. “I promise, it won’t hurt a bit. Climb on.”
She stopped breathing for a moment.
“Straddle me,” he said.
She stared at him. The bike, Kate, the bike. Right. Nothing wrong with an innocent bike ride. She swung her leg over the bike and set her arms on his shoulders. She could feel the muscles through his t-shirt and knew her knees would buckle if she hadn’t already been sitting down.
“Hold on tighter or you’ll fall off. Wrap your arms around me.”
She gulped. “You’re the boss.” Sliding her hands across his abdomen, she wondered if the moan in her head had slipped through her lips. Luckily, Teague started the engine, the roar deafening her thoughts and any unintended gasps.
They zoomed down the driveway, and she glanced back at the photographers still bunched up in front of his house. They didn’t even turn to look.
Darting through the streets with a speed that sucked her breath away, Kate clung to him as they flew along the road. Her body moved with his—a whole lot closer than felt right—until they finally stopped in front of a small outdoor café. It was mid-afternoon and a waiter swept up around the empty tables. A woman in spiky gold heels walked past with three giant dogs on leashes, palm trees rustled overhead, and the sun hung in the sky like a juicy orange waiting to be picked.
I’m really in L.A., thought Kate.
She hopped off the bike, almost embarrassed to look at Teague after their intimate ride. Kind of felt like the morning after—without the fun.
He slid on a pair of sunglasses and traded his helmet for a ball cap. “Just call me Eugene.”
“You know I will.”
They settled at a table outside and Kate relaxed a bit. Until she remembered their trip lined up for the next day. “Do you have a movie in the Sunshine Film Festival? Is that why we have to go?”
Teague leaned back in his chair. “Yep. Supporting role in a small film that’s been getting a lot of buzz. But for me, it’s more about the networking. Stan Remington is going to be there, and if I want to break into the big time, I need to be in one of his films. It’s the action-adventure actors who make the big bucks.” He grinned his hundred-watt Hollywood smile. It was hard not to stare at him and marvel that they really made men like him. And that she was sitting right across from him.
She set her glass down and ran her finger across the condensation. “Am I really hurting your image?” Why did she care what his team of managers thought? She wasn’t his girlfriend and didn’t want to be his girlfriend—but still, it hurt hearing how inappropriate she was for him.
“So, you heard that.” He sighed. “I’m not worried about it. I’ve defied them before. It kills them that I won’t let a bodyguard tail me, but what kind of action-hero wannabe goes around with a bodyguard?” His eyes locked on hers, and Kate’s heart caught in her throat. “I know this must be weird. We probably all seem crazy to someone like you. I really appreciate you going along with this.” He sat up, snatched her hand and leaned over the condiments for a kiss.
“Teague …” She breathed his name. What was he doing? She leaned toward him and he took her face in his hands. He dragged his lips across hers and she answered back, knocking over the ketchup in the process. Her fingers curled around his forearms, tightening, as the kiss intensified. Finally, he pulled away with a smile.
Same spark as before. She was speechless.
But he wasn’t. “Don’t look now, but there’s a photographer hiding between those potted ferns across the street.” He shrugged. “Sorry to take you by surprise.”
Kate licked her burning lips. “Oh, of course. I thought it was probably something like that.” Damn. She’d gotten carried away again. Round and round she twisted the ring he’d given her. She’d have to keep up her guard—no matter what happened, no matter how often his lips came near hers or he grabbed her hand, this was all a show. They were acting.
He reached over and took her hand again. “Just in case they’re still watching.”
She nodded. “Right. Of course.” She picked up the ketchup bottle and started rearranging the table with her other hand, like this was her nurse’s station. It’s a curse being organized, really. “How many of your ex-girlfriends will be there? That’ll be a nightmare.” Her hand was still in his, and she was aware of every wiggle of a finger, every change in pressure between them. His skin was moist against hers.
“Hey, I had to face the wrath of Chief Larsen back in Willowdale. He called in an army of paparazzi to get back at me just for sitting in the car with you. I doubt any of my exes could do worse.”
She straightened the packs of sugar in their little black holder and then swiped away a few grains. “No, he was trying to hurt me, not you.”
He squeezed her hand, and she sucked in a surprised breath. “Why? You’re the nicest woman I’ve ever met, saving a stranger’s backside like you did.”
I’m ‘nice.’ Perfect. Every man’s dream. “Because I won’t marry him.”
“Why not?”
She paused, wondering how much of the story to share. It had changed everything in her world. She sighed and let the words tumble out. “You heard me say we took a break after college, right? Well, a few months later when we got back together, he proposed.”
Teague’s blue eyes looked confused. “And that was a problem?”
“No, it wasn’t. I said yes.” She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. “Then the girl he slept with during our break showed up pregnant.”
“Ouch.” Another squeeze on her hand.
Kate nodded, not opening her eyes. “Yeah. He left that part out when he proposed, said he hadn’t been serious with anyone. I can’t stand a liar. Once it all came out in the wash, I gave him back the ring. He turned around and gave it to Ellen. Said it was the right thing to do, taking responsibility for his actions. I had to admire him for that, at least. He’s a good person.” The pain still tugged at Kate’s heart, all these years later. That’s why she was never going to let herself get hurt again. That feeling just didn’t ever go away. She pulled her hand from Teague’s and tucked it under her chin.
“He’s a fool who broke your heart. And now he’s married and chasing you again?”
“They divorced after two
years.”
Teague frowned and leaned toward her. “He still loves you.”
She looked down. “I doubt it’s love. I think it’s just knowing that I won’t take him back. Kills him that I won’t give him a second chance. A couple times a year—if he’s single—he comes back, trying that proposal on me again. Usually when he’s had a few too many at The Hideaway.”
“Not with the same ring, I hope.”
She laughed softly. “No. He’s doesn’t actually offer up a ring. I keep trying to tell him it’s not going to happen.” She shrugged. “I doubt he’s serious, anyway.”
Teague’s jaw tightened. “You deserve better than that.”
Kate swallowed hard and forced a smile. “It’s not ever going to happen for me. And that’s fine, really.” Lordy, she talked too much when she was tired.
He sat back in his chair and cocked his head. “Just because of one disappointing guy?”
Kate shrugged. “Heartbreak kind of runs in my family. Must be some mutant gene.” She looked away and twisted her straw wrapper until it snapped.
He was quiet for a moment, but she knew he was studying her. Finally, he said, “I doubt that.”
The waitress arrived with their food, and Kate realized how hungry she was. She took a big bite of her mango salad.
Teague grinned, watching her eat. “I guess that’s good.”
She nodded, her mouth full. He probably wasn’t used to watching women scarf down their food. But she was too famished to be dainty. She certainly wasn’t going to fake a wimpy appetite for him.
He cut into his steak. “That’s one thing I never do.”
She paused with her fork in the air. “Eat salad?”
He laughed. “No, cheat. Don’t believe everything you read in those rags. I may make the rounds, but I’m very loyal. Even to fake girlfriends.” He set down his silverware and settled his hand next to hers.
Kate looked at their fingers, just a whisper apart. She wanted to correct Teague that Tommy hadn’t cheated on her, but it didn’t really matter. After seeing Mama’s horrible relationship with George, then experiencing it firsthand, she knew Mama was right about love—not everyone was meant for it.
“Loyal is good.” She looked up from their hands, into his eyes. This certainly wasn’t the mean, heartless T-Rex she’d read about. He was kind and attentive—even thoughtful.
Then she remembered Tommy had been that way once, too. Of, course. This was probably how Teague did it. He lured in a girl by pretending to be a nice, sensitive, caring guy. Once the unsuspecting sap fell into his trap, he moved on. Kind of like how he wrapped up when he was done with a movie. On to the next project.
He was more like a calculating spider than a ferocious, dating demon. And he probably thought Kate was the easiest of them all. Just a few sweet words tossed her way would get a country girl like Kate to fall at his feet. Plus, there was that wager they’d made. He was just trying to win.
But no way would she let that happen. She pulled her hand away from his.
TEAGUE FELT A JAB to the gut. He swallowed his disappointment. She was probably smart, doing that. He needed to stop this foolishness and remember this was just an act. He’d experienced phantom feelings before with his co-stars. Those feelings had always faded, and Kate was just another co-star. This would pass, too. He stole another glance at her and winced. Was it just knowing he couldn’t have her that made him want her? Was he no better than Chief Larsen?
“Let’s go.” He flipped a few twenties on the table and told himself he wasn’t getting back on the bike just so he could feel her arms around him again. She hopped on behind him, looping her arms around his waist. He liked the feeling. Two cars pulled out onto the street, with photographers hanging out the windows.
“Hold on!” He sped down the street and blew through a light just as it turned red. Dodging down a few side streets, he lost them. He was aware of every move her body made against his. Man, she fit against him nicely. The way she clung to him made him feel needed. Needed. That’s something he didn’t experience very often.
They cruised along the coast until the sun started to set in a puddle of orange, dribbling into the sea. He pulled into his neighbor’s driveway, stashed his bike, and they snuck back into his house. “At least I can show you to your room tonight. You were pretty out of it yesterday.” He smirked, remembering it.
Her smile fell. “That’s right. How did I get in?”
One eyebrow raised. “I carried you.”
“Oh,” she said in a tiny voice. “Up the stairs?” She pointed to the second floor.
He shrugged. “My pleasure.” And it had been. There’d been something wildly provocative about sliding his hands underneath her thighs and neck, carrying her off the plane and then out of the car, settling her on her bed, like a treasure he couldn’t touch.
Her cheeks were pink. “And you didn’t have any problem getting me up there?”
Teague flexed his bicep. “Did it with one hand.” He winked at her.
She looked up at him shyly and smiled. “Right. You do your own stunts.”
“And so do you, as I recall.” He could think of a few stunts he’d like to try out with her right now.
They stood at the base of the stairs like a pair of preteens at the front door after a first date. He scratched his head. “We should probably turn in. We’ve got an early start tomorrow.”
“I almost forgot.” She rolled her eyes.
“Come on.” Laughing, he led her up the stairs to her room. “Do you need anything?” He leaned against her doorframe, just inches from her. It would be so easy to pull her to his chest and take a taste of those perky little lips that somehow always seemed to be formed in a smile. Kate was exceptionally cute when she was trying to be mad; it was a hard look to pull off with those lips.
She rubbed her arms and stifled a yawn. “No, I don’t need anything. I have enough supplies to stay here for a year.” She paused, and pressed her hand against his chest. “Don’t worry. Not like I want to or anything.” Again, with the lips and the dimples. Then she yanked her hand back and a blush crept across her cheeks, as if she hadn’t realized she’d touched him.
He smiled. A year with this woman? He’d never last. He needed to kiss her again, to see if that spark was real. The one he’d felt when he first laid his lips on hers, and then later at the café. He’d like to carry her to bed now that she was awake. He’d peel her clothes off and find out if this magical attraction was really there or just the result of this charade. Maybe then he’d be able to shake this longing he couldn’t ignore any longer.
He blew out a breath and took a step back from the door before jabbing his thumb over his shoulder. “I’m down the hall if you need anything.” But he knew she wouldn’t come to him.
He spent much of the night staring at the ceiling, wishing he’d been wrong.
Chapter 7
DINA ALMOST DROPPED the phone. Good thing she didn’t; it was getting hard to bend over these days. “Kate? And T-Rex? It’s gotta be a different Kate.” When she said she was out of town she should have mentioned the part about the hot guy.
“It’s in all the papers. Just go online and check it out,” her friend, Chelsea, told her. “Didn’t you know? She lives with you. She never talked about her movie-star boyfriend?”
“I’ll call you back.” Dina hung up the phone and did a quick Internet search. And sure enough, there was Kate kissing Teague Reynolds in front of an airplane. Her chest tightened. Did this mean she wasn’t coming back? How could she do this to Dina? She swallowed the giant lump in her throat and realized she shouldn’t have claimed she didn’t need help with the baby. And she should have agreed that Kate was right, that George wouldn’t stick around.
Dina paced around the room, nibbling on a cookie. There was a stash of them in her nightstand. She couldn’t let Kate know how desperate she felt. She’d probably come back in a minute and blow everything with gorgeous T-Rex. Someone should live happily ever a
fter. So, she texted Kate: OMG. T-Rex? U R So Lucky!
Dina dropped the phone when someone knocked on her open bedroom door. She looked up. “Oh, it’s you.” Flopping back on her canopy bed, she studied the boy-band posters that still lined her walls. Probably should take those down now that she was going to be a mama.
“That’s a fine way to greet your father.”
She shrugged. “Did you hear about Kate? She flew out of town yesterday with Teague Reynolds, the movie star.”
Dad’s eyes widened.
Just one more thing perfect Kate did right. I get knocked up and she hooks up with a celebrity.
“Movie star?” Dad knitted his brows. “She left town and didn’t tell me?”
Dina rolled her eyes. “She’s twenty-six, Dad.”
“Who did you say it was?”
“Teague Reynolds.”
He widened his stance and crossed his arms. “I don’t like this,” he said. “Not one bit.”
She picked at a hangnail on her thumb. “What’s not to like? If she’s lucky, she’ll get knocked up, too.”
He frowned at her and left the room.
So that was it. Dina really was all alone; all alone with a baby on the way and no one to help. Her throat clogged, and she blinked back tears. She hated crying. Oh, she faked it when she needed to, but real tears were another thing.
She stared at her closet, which was taunting her with cute clothes that no longer fit. Favorite childhood stuffed animals sat on top of her dresser. Old issues of Cosmo peeked out from under her bed. Not too many parenting articles in those. It was like she didn’t even belong in this room anymore. But where did she belong? She just wasn’t ready for this.
Pressing her fingers against her eyes, she sucked in her breath. There was only one thing to do; there was only one person who could help her. She had to talk to the baby’s daddy, tell him he was right. But would he want her now? The baby kicked, and she rubbed her belly and stared out the window.
GAZING OUT THE WINDOW, Kate felt like she was in a different world when the plane ducked under the clouds and she saw Maui rising from the sea. Of course, she’d been in a different world since she met Teague. But Hawaii was paradise. Pale pink clouds steamed over mountain tops, and white foamy waves rimmed the shore of the jewel-green island. This tiny land mass had appeared out of nowhere in the vast gray-blue sea. It was as if she’d entered a tropical dream when the flight landed. Fitting, she thought. This whole thing seemed like a dream.