Mistaken Gifts
Page 14
"Oh yes, the babysitter you referred to earlier?"
Gage almost laughed at her perceptiveness. "That's the one. And whoever it is they found for me this time won't be joining me," he added. As if he was going to share a room with whatever agent they'd stuck him with after the last incident. “You’ll have to get them their own room.”
He saw the indecision cross her face, but she smiled and said, “Well, I'm sure we can—"
"Carmen, who's your new friend?"
Gage turned to see a beautiful blond woman wearing a uniform matching Carmen's. He gave her his trademark smile and lowered his sunglasses just enough to make eye contact, but not enough for her to see how bloodshot his eyes really were. "Well, hello," he said. "The name is Gage." He held out his hand.
"Gage Mitchell?" the blond asked with a giggle. "Well, it certainly is nice to meet you." She flipped her hair back and gave him what he recognized to be an inviting smile. He'd seen enough women in Los Angeles with that exact look on their face. Unfortunately for the women, it had the opposite of the desired effect on Gage. He'd seen it too many times.
He glanced over at Carmen and tried not to laugh at the look she was making where the blond couldn't see.
"Lisa," Carmen said. “As you know, this is Gage Mitchell. He'll be staying here for a while. As discreetly as possible," she added.
"Oh," Lisa purred. "I get it. Your secret is safe with me." She batted her eyes in a way that he was sure was designed to make men do stupid things.
"Nice to meet you, Lisa." Gage didn't want to be rude, but he also didn't want to give her the wrong impression. It wasn't worth it. "I'm sure I'll see you around."
"I'm sure you will." She ran her hand along his arm in a move that even he had to admit was bold. "It can get pretty quiet up here at night, but I happen to know a few things going on that will spice it up."
"I bet you do."
For a moment, Gage let himself get caught up in the web she was weaving. Old habits were hard to break. And she was beautiful, and clearly wanted to show him a good time and—
"I don't think Mr. Mitchell is going to be very interested in anything spicy, Lisa."
"Oh, I don't know," Gage said before he could stop himself. "I've been known to enjoy a little spice from time to time."
"That's what I hear." Lisa slipped a little closer to him, until she was very much in his personal space. Gage knew he should pull away. Nothing good would come from getting involved with her.
He took her hand in his and lifted it from her arm. "Thank you, Lisa. But for right now, I think I'm going to spend some time getting to know the Lodge."
Gage released her hand and let it drop gently before turning to Carmen. "Thank you for your help, Carmen. I'll find my own way to the suite. I think I need a bit of fresh air first."
Carmen nodded and handed him his keys and a map of the grounds. "Remember, Mr. Mitchell. If there's anything you need, please don't hesitate."
What he needed was space and time to think about the mess he'd made of his life. But something told him the women standing in front of him weren't going to be able to help with either of those things. He managed a smile and turned to walk away.
He was only a few steps away when he heard Carmen hiss at the other woman. "Lisa, we promised Mr. Mitchell's people he'd have a nice relaxing visit here. No parties. No drama. Now, cut it out."
"Lighten up. How often do you get a gorgeous movie star so close? Besides, you can promise his people anything you want, but isn't it about what he wants?"
Gage sighed and kept walking. That was the million dollar question. Wasn't it about what he wanted? And even if it was, what if he had no idea what it was he really wanted?
Gage followed his map and it led him to a pathway circuit that ran along the ridge of the mountains, and looked down below the valley. According to his map, there should be at least fifteen kilometers of interweaving pathways. The sun was shining and and the spring air was warm, but there was still a bit of a chill in the air so far up in the mountains. Just enough to remind you that summer was still a few months away.
Gage strolled through the trees, letting his mind clear and pretty soon his headache was gone and he could think a little clearer.
If he was still on set, he'd be in bed early, ready to film the next day. Despite his well-deserved reputation as a party boy, he took his work seriously. And he wouldn't jeopardize it, not for anything. Gage refused to be one of those actors who showed up hung over, or worse yet, still drunk, and couldn't remember their lines or caused a big scene. No, when it was time to work, he was all business. Stardom had come too easily, and he couldn't afford for it to be taken away.
The ringing of his cell phone shattered the quiet of the day. He didn’t even have to look at it to know who it was, but he answered it anyway.
“Lucas,” Gage said. “I suppose you’re calling to make sure I’m still alive?” He couldn’t keep the bitter tone from his voice.
“Gage, don’t be like that,” Lucas said. “You know I only want what’s best for you.”
A year ago, Gage might have believed that to be true, but more and more he was having trouble identifying the people in his life who actually cared.
“Well, I’m not drunk, there are no women in my bed, and I’m being every bit the model citizen you want me to be.” He kept walking while he listened to Lucas ramble on about how sending him to the mountains was best for his image and it was crucial in his career to present himself a certain way and other things. Gage basically stopped listening to him.
“Are you listening to me?”
Gage rolled his eyes. “Of course,” he said.
“Good. Because I don’t think you realize how serious things are. The producers of Tumbleweed are not impressed. If you pull another stunt like the other night, they’re going to kill off your character before the show even airs. Do you know what that means?”
He did know what it meant. It meant he’d be kissing goodbye to the best role he’d ever had.
“Yes,” he said.
“Then cut it out, Gage.” His manager and friend raised his voice. Gage knew Lucas was frustrated with him; hell, he was frustrated with himself. “Stop screwing it up. All you have to do is stay out of trouble for a few weeks. Do you think you can do that?”
Gage nodded. He could, if that was what he wanted. “I can,” he said after a moment. “But you’re sending me a babysitter to make sure I do, is that right?”
“The agency insisted,” Lucas said. “And I don’t think it’s a bad idea.” The other man sighed. “Look, Gage. I don’t know what’s going on with you, but take this time and figure it out, okay? Do not sabotage everything you’ve worked for.”
Sabotage? Gage had never had anyone come right out and put a name on what it was he was doing. And Lucas probably didn’t even realize how close to the truth he’d come.
“Fine,” he agreed. “I’ll lie low.”
Secret Gifts (The Steamy Version) Available soon!
~ ~
Residing in the Alberta Foothills with her husband and twins, Elena escapes to the mountains as often as possible and can often be found sitting by the lake plotting her next story.
Besides her fiction projects, Elena has been published in multiple Chicken Soup for the Soul anthologies, as well as the Seal Press anthology, How to Put a Car Seat on a Camel- and other misadventures traveling with children.
To learn more about Elena Aitken and her other books, please visit www.elenaaitken.com
Twitter - @elenaaitken
Facebook - www.facebook.com/elenaaitken.author
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