“What do you mean? The paparazzi follow him everywhere.”
Nicole pressed her lips together; the wound was still so fresh. “He thought he took enough precautions to hide us from them.”
“Is Reece Collins his real name?” her father asked.
“Reece Collins is an alias. No one in the industry knows what his real name is or where he hails from. He wanted to protect his family’s anonymity.” She wished he had protected hers.
Thad snorted. “Well, that’s out the window now.”
“Do you know his real name, his family name?” Lindsey asked, picking up Nicole’s phone from the seat.
“Yes, but I’m not going to say anything. You’re right, Thad. His secret is probably out, but I’m not going to compound the problem for him. I’ve got my own fish to fry.”
Lindsey had turned to the side, skimming through the photos on the camera. When she came to the pic of her sister and Reece Collins on the beach, she gasped.
Nicole glanced over to see what she was doing. “Give me that,” she said, snatching her phone from her sister and shutting it down.
“Wow, Coley,” she whispered in awe, “that picture just about says it all.”
Nicole closed her eyes, choosing to remain silent for the rest of the drive home. She didn’t want to think about that moment in the sand when he snapped the picture. She’d thought so many wonderful things and felt so much adoration for him, it was clear in her eyes. She couldn’t think of that time when the world was perfect, or she’d lose her mind.
~ ~ ~
Reece stood beside the library window as his father raked him over the coals for his stupidity. His father asked why he hadn’t closed the damn blinds. If he’d seen a flash, why didn’t he investigate it? Did he not care about anything or anyone but his own pleasure?
He leaned against the window frame, absorbing the criticism. He knew he deserved every negative word spilling from his father’s mouth. He should have done so many things differently. He saw that now, but he couldn’t change what was. He had to move forward, putting this unpleasantness behind him.
As his father blew out of steam, finally sitting down, he turned from his contemplation of the garden. “I’ve apologized multiple times for this. It was stupid. I know that, but at least the press isn’t fishing around and trying to find a connection between us.”
“I suppose you think that’s a relief to us?”
“It should be.”
“Just because no one’s caught on yet, doesn’t mean they won’t.”
“It’s been a secret this long . . .” And he hoped it continued this way. This was his last peaceful haven.
“And Marcus says you told that girl the truth.”
His lips pursed. “That girl has a name, and she won’t reveal anything.”
“How do you know?”
Reece shook his head. “I do—end of story.”
His mother had been silent up to this point, steadily watching him with consideration. “What’s going on, Colin? Why did you bring her here?”
“I needed a break, Mum. I wanted to be Colin for a change. I was desperate for Nicole to know the real me.”
“Why? What is so special about this girl?”
Reece raked his hand through his hair. “It’s everything and nothing at all. She is the first person I’ve met in years who didn’t objectify me. She didn’t put me on a pedestal or bow down to worship at my feet as though I was a God. She didn’t want anything from me except my companionship.”
“She didn’t hold her real thoughts and her real emotions from me. If I was being a prat, she told me so. I learned so much about her and myself in those two days we had together. I’ve never felt so close to anyone in my life.”
His mother continued to study his expression as he spoke of Nicole. “Are you in love with her?”
He nodded, gripping the back of his head. “It’s a great possibility, but I can’t tell her that. She disappeared after the story broke. I can’t find her.” He’d tried so many times to contact her through the publishing house, but no one was coming forward with any information. He’d caught a glimpse of a network news segment with a clip of her being escorted from an airport, surrounded by her family. All he knew now was that she was back in North Carolina, but he had no idea where.
His father sat up straight. “You should forget about her. Date an actress or a model, someone who’s used to being in the spotlight of the cameras.”
“I don’t want anyone but Nicole,” he mumbled, staring down at his feet.
His mother stood up, walking toward him and combing his hair out of his face. “My poor Colin. You’ve always been the sensitive one. I’m thinking that if you love this girl, you should find her, but I’m also thinking she needs time to herself to come to grips with everything.”
“So what do I do?”
“I would advise you to immerse yourself in your work. Take your mind off it. When the scandal dies down, the press will move on. Then you can begin to find a way back to her.”
He nodded. “I wish it was as simple as you make it sound.”
“Only the young make things more complicated than they have to be.” She smiled, patting his cheek.
“I still think you should find a new girl,” his father interrupted.
His mother glared at him over Reece’s shoulder. “I led you a merry chase once upon a time. Are you saying I wasn’t worth it?”
His father had the grace to blush. “You were worth every minute.”
“Then shush. Let your son be.”
“Yes, dear.”
~ ~ ~
Reece was offered an action film playing opposite Melanie Daniels. He was reluctant to take the part because the press would once again assume there was more than a professional relationship between them. He liked her well enough, but the thought of having his name linked with hers romantically left his blood cold. And what would Nicole think?
He accepted the role, departing for Los Angeles where the film was being shot in the studio before going on location in New York. He was hoping to track down information on Nicole while he was there, although he had little hope of accomplishing anything.
~ ~ ~
In the meantime, Nicole took on a few writing projects, traveling to The Big Apple to meet with her editor. Audrey was thrilled with her new work in progress, putting her under contract to finish it. She was now a published author with multiple titles in print.
Everyone told her to write her heartbreak out on paper. That was exactly what she did. She put her heroes and heroines through hell before they could reach their happily ever after. Rape, murder, and mistaken identity were all concepts becoming her specialty. Her characters were exhausted by the time they made it to the end. Her growing fan base was frantic for the next title to arrive.
She attended writing conferences and was always surprised when a fan asked her to sign their book. The way people fawned all over her, asking for pictures and keepsakes, made her feel like a celebrity.
She was amazed how quickly time passed while she stayed buried in her writing; the days, weeks, and months were passing in a blur of words and storylines.
When she first arrived back from England, she feared how people would respond to her, seeing what they had in the tabloid magazines. She was completely surprised when friends and neighbors came out of the woodwork to show her their support. Yes, there had been the occasional innuendo and pointed look at church, but for the most part, the people who cared about her treated her no different than they had before.
She dealt with the press by ignoring them. When she was seen in public, she behaved responsibly, giving them no reason to drag her name through the mud. She kept her nose clean. With no juicy story to exploit, they moved on to greener pastures.
; She hardly thought about Reece anymore—just every second of every day. She heard he was dating his co-star again, and that things were heading in a matrimonial direction. It twisted her heart to think of him with another woman, doing the things with her that he’d done with Nicole. She didn’t want him to be with anyone else, but her wants had never mattered to the high and mighty Reece Collins.
About a month after her return to the States, a letter was forwarded to her from the publisher’s offices. The return address was in Cornwall. Curious, she opened the envelope. It was a check from Reece—a hefty bribe in payment for her silence on their affair. She didn’t need his money; she didn’t want his money. And he had a lot of nerve sending it to her.
She thought of sending it back to him with a scathing reply. She thought of making and posting a video to YouTube, burning it on camera for the entire world to see. Instead, she fired up her laptop and did a bit of research on his family. With no hesitation whatsoever, she made a phone call to his mother’s law firm, offering an abject apology to Mrs. Woodhouse for all the harm her encounter with Reece had caused. She explained that she couldn’t accept such a substantial amount of money for something she had no intention of thinking about ever again.
His mother had been gracious in her acceptance, encouraging Nicole to tell her more about her time with Reece. They were on the phone for hours, discussing everything. By the end of the call, plans were set in motion for a little cottage by the sea to be sold to the red-haired girl from North Carolina.
~ ~ ~
It was summertime in New York. Nicole was staying with Audrey for the week, going over the plans for future release dates, book signings, and the upcoming national romance conference. Lindsey had tagged along for company, and she and Nicole planned to attend the movie convention to catch sneak peeks at the newest movies about to be released.
Nicole was walking around Times Square when she caught sight of something that froze her feet to the ground: the billboard for Reece’s next film. She paused on the sidewalk, studying the gigantic, digital likeness, showing Reece with his blond hair messy as he held the girl in his arms and clinging to a ladder while the helicopter whisked them away.
She rolled her eyes, turning away. It had to be another action movie where he played a super spy in a tuxedo. Couldn’t he find any more original roles than that? She glanced back at the picture one last time before moving on.
“Nicole?” someone shouted. She peered around to see who had called her name, her eyes widening. Reece was staring at her from across the street. His eyes were just as wide in shock. He spoke a few words to the person by his side before beginning to move in her direction.
She didn’t think, but she turned on her heels, running from him as fast as she could. There was the blare of honking horns and squealing brakes as he pursued her, but she kept running. She didn’t want to see him. He was the stuff of her nightmares. How many nights had she woken in a cold sweat with the feel and scent of his skin still permeating her senses? How many times had she touched her body in the dark of night to replicate his caress but always failing? She couldn’t face him again.
“Nicole, wait,” he called, but she kept to her course, running down the street and dodging pedestrians until she reached a hotel and ducked inside. She ran to the ladies’ room, hiding and watching from a crack in the door as he entered the lobby, looking around.
His breathing was harsh, his chest rising and falling with every breath. His hair was windblown and messy, and his beautiful blue eyes were searching frantically.
She swallowed hard and loud, her breath hitching in her chest. He looked so good. She wanted nothing more than to leave this room and maybe jump into his arms, but she wouldn’t do that. He was probably looking for a convenient piece of ass. She wasn’t going to be stupid enough to fall for him again.
His hands were on his hips as he surveyed his surroundings, his gaze briefly resting on the bathroom door before moving on. His eyes continued to scan over and over until finally, with shoulders hunched, he turned on his heels, leaving the way he came.
She waited in the ladies’ room ten more minutes before slipping out of the hotel from a side entrance. She practically ran back to Audrey’s apartment, determined to leave the city as quickly as possible.
~ ~ ~
“But we just got here,” Lindsey complained, her own suitcase open but still empty.
Nicole was shaking her head. “I can’t take the risk of going out and running into him again.”
Her sister sat down on the bed beside her. “Why? Maybe it would do you some good to confront him and tell him how betrayed you feel.”
She clicked her tongue. “Do you honestly think he cares about the feelings of some random chick he picked up for a good time because he was bored with his life?”
“I don’t think you’re being fair, Coley. You never gave him a chance to explain.”
Nicole’s eyes widened. “What was there to explain? I heard what he said about me, Lindsey. I don’t need him to look me in the eye and say it.”
Her sister studied her closely. “I think you’re afraid to look him in the eye.”
Nicole flopped backward on the bed, a sweater twisted in her hands. “Maybe I am. I’m afraid to stop and look because I know I’ll only see what I want, not what is. I have to remind myself daily that he used me, but my heart doesn’t seem to care.”
“Mama always says you should listen to your heart because it’ll never steer you wrong.”
Nicole rolled her eyes. “Mama’s heart didn’t get broken by a movie star or have her hoo-ha splashed across newspapers worldwide.”
Lindsey shivered at the thought. “I didn’t want that image in my head, Coley.”
Nicole laughed but sobered quickly. “I know you’re disappointed. I’m sorry I’m making us cut our trip short. I really wanted to go to the movie convention too, but if he’s in town, he’ll probably be there. I’m not ready to see him again.”
“Do you think you ever will be?”
She shook her head. “I don’t think so.”
Audrey came into the room. “I’ve made arrangements for a car to pick you up to take you to the airport, Nicole.” She glanced over at the youngest girl in the room. “I’ve also called your parents, arranging for Lindsey to stay with me. I promised them I’d keep an especially watchful eye on her and not let her get into mischief.”
Lindsey squealed, jumping up and hugging Audrey. “You are the bomb, Audrey. Thank you so much. I promise not to drive you crazy.”
“Too late,” Nicole whispered as she smiled at her editor. “Are you sure you want to do this? She’s nineteen and a handful.”
“I keep you in line, don’t I?”
“Yeah, but I’m the good one. I never cause . . . oh wait, yeah, never mind.” She laughed, tossing her sweater into the suitcase.
Audrey picked up a pair of shoes, handing them to her. “How’s the new story coming?”
“You mean my autobiography that’s not?”
Her editor laughed. “Yeah, that’s the one. The bits you’ve sent me are good. I laughed myself silly on most of it.”
Nicole’s gaze was rueful. “I’m glad you’re enjoying it.”
“Is it all true, or are you making it up as you go along?”
“Some parts of it are true. The first time they meet is true, and the kidnapping was true. The horseback ride was also real.”
Lindsey’s eyebrows lowered in confusion. “What are you talking about? You were kidnapped?”
Nicole glanced toward her sister. “Not really. My newest story is about my experience with Reece, although I’m going to change the names to protect the innocent.”
“Why are you going to write about that? I thought you wanted to forget it.”
Nicole rubbed her forehead. “It�
�s a way of putting the past to rest and finally getting him out of my system. I want closure. This is the way I can find it.”
Lindsey tilted her head. “I guess that makes sense, but do you really want him out of your system? I mean, I’ve seen the picture, Coley. You’ve never looked at a guy like that before.”
“What picture?” Audrey asked as Lindsey whipped out her phone to show her.
“What are you doing with that?” Nicole asked, grabbing her sister’s phone. “Did you send yourself that picture? Why would you do that?”
Lindsey shot her a look of frustration. “It’s a beautiful picture, Coley. It’s like poetry. Everything you’re both feeling is clear on your faces.” Her voice was wistful. “I’d like to have a guy look at me like that someday.”
Nicole handed the phone to Audrey. “Just make sure he’s not an actor, okay?” Her mouth twisted. “You shouldn’t have invaded my privacy, Lindsey. That makes you as bad as the paparazzi.”
“I’m only sharing it with Audrey. Even Mom and Dad haven’t seen it.”
“Daddy’s seen more than he needed to.”
Audrey had grown quiet as she studied the picture. The way Reece was holding Nicole and kissing her forehead, combined with the way she was looking up at him in complete rapture, said it all. As unlikely as it seemed, they had fallen in love with each other. It wasn’t just Nicole’s feelings on the line, but Reece’s as well. You can’t fake the kind of emotion that was showing clearly on his face.
Audrey peered up from the camera at Nicole. The girl knew deep down how this man really felt about her, but for whatever reason, she was using his fame as an excuse to run from something she wasn’t ready to face.
She cleared her throat. “If you can convey onto the page the kind of emotion I’m seeing from this picture, your book will make for some good, can’t put it down, just let me read one more chapter to see what happens next, reading.”
An Accidental Love Affair Page 12