She picked up her pen, starting to write. It was not a fictional love story, but it was the one she had lived with him. She wrote down every emotion she had experienced with him, good and bad, happy and sad. She wrote of the excruciating loneliness she felt when they parted. She wrote of how she wished she could have another chance to explain—to make it right.
Nicole wrote for hours, her hand cramping in pain, but she didn’t stop. She poured everything out on those pages, nearly filling the notebook with her scribbles.
By three in the morning, her eyes were scratchy with exhaustion, and her body cramping from sitting in the chair for so long. Lindsey was groaning about the light in her eyes. She turned off the desk lamp, falling across the bed—sleep coming almost instantly. She dreamt of standing on the cliff beside the cottage, watching the sunset, and wearing a beautiful white dress with the wind blowing her hair around her face. She was holding flowers in her hand. She looked down to admire the ring on her finger. She smiled, knowing she was blessed to have found her soulmate. When she felt a pair of arms slide around her waist, she snuggled into her new husband’s embrace, nuzzling the underside of his jaw with her face as a feeling of completeness washed over her.
Nicole cried in her sleep because no matter how beautiful the dream, there was no chance of it ever coming true.
~ ~ ~
Reece caught a flight to England after filming on his latest movie wrapped up. He didn’t stay for the after-party. He wasn’t in a celebratory mood. He wanted to be alone with his thoughts.
All through the filming, he wanted to walk off the set and never come back. It was going to be the worst movie ever made, which meant it was probably going to be a box office success. He didn’t want to do it anymore.
On his off time while sitting in his trailer between takes, he made calls to his mentors in the theater, discovering a role in the upcoming production of Twelfth Night was empty. He asked if he could read for the part, and he was delighted when he was offered the spot. He was going to play the Duke of Illyria. He was relishing the opportunity to prove his acting chops.
He wished he could tell Nicole of his new role, but she had stopped taking his calls long ago. The number to her cell phone had changed shortly after their disastrous beach breakup. He’d left dozens of messages for her editor, Audrey, but she never returned his calls—the phone lines remaining silent. He figured they had decided he wasn’t worth their time.
His flight had touched down, and he was waiting to exit the plane. His phone rang. He checked the display, hoping by some miracle it was Nicole, but it was Marcus. He rolled his eyes. He’d skipped town without notifying his manager—again. “Yes, brother, what is it?”
“Where are you? Why did you run off like that?” There was a moment of silence. “Are you on an airplane?”
Reece smirked. “Not anymore. I’m currently walking through the terminal.”
“What airport?”
“What does it matter?” He could feel his brother’s frustration through the line.
“Just tell me where you are, Reece.”
“I’m in London,” he said as he stepped outside, hailing a taxi. One came directly to him. He hopped inside.
“Are you sitting down?”
“Yes, I am, as a matter of fact. Why?”
His brother’s voice sounded a bit smug. “You’ve just been signed onto a new movie.”
Reece pinched the bridge of his nose. “What is it now?” He figured he’d be playing a naked cyborg this time.
“I’ve gotten you the lead role in a new screenplay. It’s called Limelight. It’s the kind of part you’ve been whining for.”
Reece sat up straight. “What’s it about?”
“The story begins with a famous actor and an ambitious writer. They meet in a strange situation, sparks flying between them. They carry on a torrid love affair, but he breaks it off with her when he discovers she’s only with him to gain his fame and popularity.”
He frowned. “Why does this sound familiar to me?”
“Perhaps it’s because it’s loosely based off your real life. It’s the perfect part for you because you lived through a situation just like it.”
Reece scowled out the window, the thought nagging him that something about this wasn’t right. “How did you hear about it?”
“A friend of mine asked me to look over a screenplay he was working on. I read it and liked it. I pulled a few strings, setting up a meeting for him to pitch it to a producer. When I informed the studio I could guarantee you for the lead, they were falling over themselves to make it happen. So, what do you think of that?”
Reece wasn’t sure how he felt. “Marcus, I’m going to have to call you back.” He hung up, closing his eyes. The story sounded too much like the one Nicole had been working on the last time they were together. He’d devoured that story in one sitting. When he’d gotten to the end, he remembered grabbing Nicole, giving her a happy ending of her own.
The memory was bittersweet, staying with him the rest of the afternoon. It wasn’t until he was dozing off to sleep that the significance hit him. This was Nicole’s story. His brother was pitching to him a movie project based off Nicole’s book. But wait, Nicole wouldn’t paint her character as a money-grubbing, fame-stealing whore. What the hell?
He rang his brother’s cell, impatiently waiting for Marcus to answer. “Hello?”
“I’m not going to waste words, Marcus. Did you steal Nicole’s manuscript?”
“Of course not, Reece, why would you think that?”
The pause between the question and answer had been too long. Bloody hell! Reese thought, slamming the phone down. His brother had committed a crime. Worse, he was trying to drag him into it.
He opened his contacts, dialing the number he had for Audrey in New York. She picked up almost immediately.
“Good afternoon, Open Heart Publishing, Audrey Langston speaking.”
“Audrey, it’s Reece Collins.” There was an audible click. He redialed, patiently listening to her spiel. “Don’t hang up, Audrey.” Another click. Why did women do that? Why couldn’t they just stay on the line to give you what for? He tried one last time. She didn’t give a greeting. She picked up, staying silent.
“I know you’re furious with me.”
“That doesn’t even begin to describe it. What do you want, Thief Collins?”
Bugger! They already knew. “I need to get in touch with Nicole.”
“I’m sorry. I can’t help you there. I gave you a prime opportunity to make things right with her, but instead you accused her of stealing from you, when it was you who was stealing. Enjoy that story as long as you can, Mr. Collins, because you’re about to be cast as the lead in a prison play.”
He gnashed his teeth. “I didn’t steal the manuscript, Audrey, but I know who did.”
“That’s convenient, Mr. Collins, because so do I. Make sure you get a good lawyer. You’re going to need one.” She disconnected the call.
Reece glared at the ceiling. How was he going to dig himself out of this hole? He picked up the phone one last time, dialing his mother.
“Mum? I need your help.”
“What is it, Colin?” She sounded alarmed.
“Are you home?” When she answered in the affirmative, he grabbed his coat, heading for the door. “I’ll be there in a few hours. Batten down the hatches. We’re going to war.”
~ ~ ~
Nicole entered the terminal, her eyes scanning for her friend, Laura. She spied her standing off to the side, speaking with a young man. She walked over to join them. “Mind if I come to the party?”
Laura turned to her, emitting a loud squeal. “Nicole, you’re here.”
She smiled. “So I am.” She nodded to her friend’s companion. “Are you going to introduce
me to your friend?”
Laura turned back to the boy. “This is Phillip, but he likes to go by Pip. He works for the airline and has agreed to help us find out the personal information we need for Colin Woodhouse.”
Nicole frowned. “Thanks, Pip, but that’s not necessary. I wouldn’t want you to get in trouble or lose your job.”
“I won’t lose my job as long as no one discovers where you got the information.”
Laura patted his shoulder. “We won’t tell a soul, luv.”
Nicole shook her head. “I just need his address in the country. I can handle the rest from there.”
“We’ve already got you covered. His family owns an estate in Cornwall. If you catch the train, you can be there in two hours.”
“I’m not heading there straightaway.”
“Why ever not? You need to strike while the iron is hot, Nicole.”
Nicole pressed her lips together. “I’m not ready yet. I need a day or two to build up my courage.”
Laura tilted her head, cutting her eyes to Pip. “She’s procrastinating again. I thought she’d be over that by now, having four book titles under her belt. She’s been plugging away at her computer non-stop for over a year, but she decides now is a good time to backslide into Procrastination Station.”
“It’s not that.”
“Yes, it is. You’re worried about when you see him again, aren’t you?”
Nicole scuffed her foot. “Well, yeah.”
Laura took Nicole’s bag from her shoulder, walking away. “He’s just a guy, Nicole. No better or worse than any other.” She waved Pip off. “Thanks for your help, luv.” She winked at him as he turned away.
Nicole sprinted after her friend. “He stole my manuscript.”
“Yeah, I forgot about that.”
Nicole’s eyes narrowed. “I haven’t. When I think about how he laid into me over the cottage, and then turned around stealing my story, I want to scream.”
“So scream, Nicole. Scream until your lungs ache. You’ll feel loads better, I’m sure.”
She took a deep breath, about to do just that, when she noticed airport security approaching.
“What is the trouble?” one of them asked. “Is everything all right, Miss? You look like you’re in some distress.”
“I’m sorry, sir,” Nicole replied, embarrassed for the attention she’d garnered. One stupid impulse could’ve landed her in a heap of trouble. “Just a momentary lack of sense.” She grabbed Laura’s hand, moving away and bending her head toward her friend’s ear. “That’s the last time I take advice from you,” she giggled, but she did feel better.
They began to walk again, airport security following a few paces behind. “I’ll leave tonight, but you must come with me, Laura. I don’t want to face him alone.”
Her friend laughed. “Of course I’ll come with. I’ve always wanted to see inside one of those fancy country houses.”
Nicole beamed at her friend. “We can stay at the cottage. Mrs. Woodhouse gave me the gate code when she sent me the deed of ownership. It might be a little dusty, but it’ll save us money on a room at the inn.”
“That sounds like a solid plan.” Laura glanced at Nicole out of the corner of her eye. “What do you think Mr. Hollywood will say when you hand him the deed to the place?”
Her mouth took on a stubborn cast. “Who cares?”
“I think you still do. You’re just as much in his thrall as you ever were.”
She shrugged. “It’s a hopeless infatuation.” Her eyes widened. She took a notepad out of her purse. “That’s a great title. I need to save that.” She scribbled as she walked.
Laura chuckled as she kept pace with her. “You’re becoming a robot. Do you ever take a break from writing or thoughts about writing?”
“Nope,” Nicole mumbled, shoving the notepad back into its slot. She wasn’t paying attention to where she was going, ramming into someone. “Oh, I’m so . . .” She glanced up and was looking into Reece’s blue eyes.
“Oh bollocks!” Laura swore, as she stopped, taking in the scene. “This is awkward.”
“Nicole?” he asked, bracing her body against his arm.
Her shoulders hunched. “What are you doing here?”
“I could ask you the same.”
She glanced to Laura. “I’m on another research trip.”
“I’m here to meet my brother.”
Her nostrils flared in dislike. “Ahh, collecting your slime-ball accomplice, I see. Well, don’t let me keep you.” She took a step to move around him.
Reece held her arm. “Nicole, we need to talk.”
She glanced at his hand then up at his face, jerking out of his grasp. “Don’t worry, Mr. Collins, we will.” She turned away, continuing her stroll down the terminal.
“I didn’t do it, Nicole,” he called to her retreating back.
“Tell it to the judge, Mr. Collins,” she yelled over her shoulder as she kept moving forward, away from him; airport security was still following.
She felt oddly comforted by their presence, even if they were suspicious of her. They were the barrier between her and the real criminals in this scenario.
Chapter 10
Nicole woke up in the middle of the night, staring at the ceiling as her heart was beating fast and hard. Seeing Reece again was not good for her equilibrium. Just the sight of him was enough to send her heart into palpitations. She figured the texture of his voice was always going to have the ability to make her knees weak. Damn hormones! Why couldn’t she be attracted to an ordinary guy with an ordinary job, who drove an ordinary car, and spoke with an ordinary accent?
It was a bitch caring for someone so unattainable. She wished she could get over this infection, like she could a head cold or the chicken pox. She’d much rather have itching pustules covering her body than this ongoing affliction called love.
There was a rap at the door, and Laura peeked in. “Are you awake?”
“No, I’m sleepwalking,” she said, pushing her hair out of her face.
“Don’t be a smart-ass,” Laura said as she entered. “He’s calling again. He wants to talk to you.” Nicole was silent. “If you don’t answer his calls, he might show up here. The last time that happened, you disappeared for three days and flew home in a tizzy.”
Nicole sat up, raking her fingers through her tangled curls. “What would you do, Laura?”
Laura sat on the bed beside her. “I don’t know. A part of me says you should hear him out, another says you should kick him where the sun doesn’t shine. Then there’s the part that says you should ride him one last time to get him out of your system.”
Nicole couldn’t help but laugh. “Yeah, we were always good at that, but he’s like potato chips, you can never stop at one, inevitably reaching in the bag for more and more.”
“He’s your candy of choice.”
She smirked. “He’s definitely better than Reese’s Cups.”
“You know that’s your tell, don’t you?”
“What is?”
“Your favorite candy and your favorite man have the same name.”
She shook her head at the irony. “I never paid attention to it before, but I guess you’re right. He’s my be all, end all. He’s my Mo.”
“Mo?”
“Yeah, after him, there will be no mo.”
Laura chuckled. “That’s a great line. You should use it in a story.” She nudged Nicole’s shoulder. “Or let me use it.”
Nicole slapped her hand on the bedspread. “You write historical romances. That saying would never work in nineteenth century speech.”
“Maybe I should try my hand at women’s fiction.”
“Or Young Adult. It could work there.”
“I can’
t write Young Adult; too much kinky stuff.”
“Maybe you could tame the kink.”
“I happen to like the kink.”
Nicole frowned at her clasped fingers. “What if he tries to convince me he’s innocent?”
“What if he does? The question is, will you believe him?” She tossed the phone into Nicole’s lap. “Call him back. Arrange to see him. Rock his world and issue your demands. The worst he can do is say no.” Laura slid from the bed, walking to the door. “At least you’ll walk away with sticky panties and a satisfied vagina.”
Nicole laughed, throwing a pillow at the door. “Go away, devil on my shoulder.” When the door was closed, she stared at the phone in her lap, still contemplating what to do.
With a huge sigh, she dialed the number to the Savoy, asking for Reece Collins’ room. She was informed there was no one registered by that name. She hung up, called back, asking for Mr. Hammer. Again, no one was registered by that name.
She didn’t know what to do. He didn’t leave an alias to contact him with. She’d try one last thing. If she was wrong, she’d hop the train in the morning to visit his parent’s estate.
“Good evening, thank you for calling the Savoy. How may I direct your call?”
“Could I have Mr. Woodhouse’s room, please?”
“Of course, madam. Please hold a moment.”
The phone rang. He picked up on the second ring. “Hello?”
She cleared her throat. “You’re going by your real name?”
There was relief in his voice when he answered. “Nicole? I didn’t think you’d call me back.”
“I wasn’t going to. I don’t want to talk to you.”
An Accidental Love Affair Page 17