An Accidental Love Affair

by Davida Ann Samenski

  “Where are you going?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Upstairs to change. In case you haven’t noticed, we’re dripping all over the floor.”

  “Is that an invitation to get naked with you?”

  She paused. “You’re more than welcome to come along. I’m sure I have a towel big enough to wrap around you.”

  “Or we could just warm each other up under the covers.”

  She gripped the bannister. “I’m not interested in being your nightly booty call.” She continued up to the next level, ignoring him completely.

  She obviously wasn’t going to fall for his charm this time. He needed to be serious. What he had to say was too important. “Nicole?” he called.

  A door opened above, Laura leaning over the bannister. “She’s in the shower. I don’t know what’s going on, Reece Collins, but some of us are trying to sleep. You know where her room is. Why don’t you wait for her in there?” There was the unmistakable sound of a door slamming.

  Reece took the stairs two at a time, entering Nicole’s room and secretly hoping she’d come in with just a towel wrapped around her again. He grinned. Good times.

  “What are you doing in my room?” Nicole asked, startled to find him there.

  When he turned to face her, he was disappointed to find her completely clothed. “Laura said I should wait in here for you.”

  Her lips pursed. “Don’t sit on anything.” She flung the towel at him. “It’s still pretty dry. I only used it for my hair.”

  He smiled as he perused her with her hair damp and straggling down her back, and her PJ’s worn and ratty. “You’re cute when you’re bedraggled.”

  She didn’t smile back. “I don’t know why you’re here, Reece, but feel free to take a shower and get warm. I think I have a pair of my brother’s old sweats here that’ll fit you. And one of his old T-shirts, too. They’ll have to suffice until your clothes are dry.”

  “We need to talk, Nicole.”

  “I know, but not while you’re making a puddle in the middle of my bedroom floor.” She turned away. “I’ll give you some privacy. I’ll be in the office when you’re ready.”

  He was disappointed she wanted to get away from him. “You don’t have to leave. I’m not going to try anything.”

  Her fingers tapped against the wall and her eyes squinched shut. “I know you won’t, but I’m not so certain about my own intentions.” She heard his surprised chuckle as she walked out. She needed to get away from him before she made a complete fool of herself—again.

  ~ ~ ~

  The rain had finally stopped, and the moonlight was shining through the window, landing on the poster of Reece. Nicole sat at her desk, pondering the way the light made his visage archangel beautiful.

  She snorted. He was far from angelic. She’d never think of him as one of the good guys again. Bad guys wore white hats too.

  She leaned her head against the chair, tilting it backward on two legs. She propped her feet on the desk, gazing at the poster, trying to put everything into perspective. Her fantasy love affair had come to its inevitable conclusion—the movie star basking in the glow of applause while the writer slinked back to her lowly existence.

  “You really should keep your feet planted firmly on the floor,” he said from the doorway.

  She jumped at the sound of his voice, thumping forward in the chair, her legs still elevated on the desk. It was an uncomfortable position with no easy way out of it.

  “Would you like some help?” he asked with a laugh.

  “No, I can do it,” she said, moving one leg down, causing her hips to bang into the seat, overbalancing her completely. She fell to the floor.

  “Are you all right?” he asked, offering to help her up.

  “I’m fine, Reece,” she said, staggering to her feet. She brushed off the seat of her pants. “Will you please tell me why you’re here?”

  He held his hands out in front of him. “I’ve come to make peace with you.”

  She considered him. “Peace as in restful serenity or piece as in . . . oh, yeah, I want to smack ‘dat ass?”

  He pressed his lips together. “Maybe a little of both.”

  She snorted in feigned disdain. “Sorry, buddy, that ship has sailed. My hormones are over the new look.” And thank God for that. For a moment there, she’d been hard pressed not to jump his bones. And what a disaster that would’ve been.

  “So, you were tempted?”

  She leaned against the desk. “For all of five seconds. Then I remembered why I was there, and all that lust disappeared.” It hadn’t but she wasn’t telling him that.

  “Fair enough, but what about the other peace.”

  “I think your brother pretty much destroyed any chance of a lasting peace between us.”

  His face was full of remorse. “I’m sorry, Nicole. About everything.”

  She waved her hand in the air. “You don’t need to apologize to me. I know where I stand in the big scheme of things.”

  “And where is that?”

  She held up her hands, one extremely high and the other very low. “Far, far from you.”

  He took a step forward. “I don’t want to be far from you.”

  “I don’t know what to tell you. I’m leaving in the morning. There’s no point in staying here, torturing myself. I’ve been thinking about going back to school and getting my teaching degree. I think I’d make a good English teacher. I could get my students into reading the classics or just reading, period.”

  He crossed his arms. “I think you’d be good at that, but you’re meant to be a writer.”

  Her lips twisted. “I’m laying down my quill.”

  “You’re going to let this one obstacle destroy everything you’ve worked for?”

  She gazed out the window and noted the moonlight shining through, bathing him in its glory. “This obstacle is impossible to overcome. I’ve had an entire portion of my life stolen from me with no way of retrieving it. The memory is there, but I’m not sure if it’s real or a figment of my imagination.”

  “What if I could give it all back to you? Would you take it?”

  Her heart was racing, but she forced herself to relax. “I don’t think so. The dream has been torn, trampled, and left for dead. There’s no redeeming it.”

  “You can’t give this up, Nicole.”

  She glanced back at the poster, remembering when she first met this man. It was like having her wildest dreams come true, as if she’d stepped into a romance novel and was living the fantasy. “I’m done.” Her voice had turned bitter.

  Reece knew better than to argue with her further. She’d find out tomorrow at the meeting what was planned for her and that damn story.

  “Really, Reece, what’re you doing here?”

  “I wanted to apologize. I never should have accused you. Mum explained everything to me.”

  She tipped her head. “I’m glad she did. I accept your apology.” She waited. “Was there something else?”

  He stepped toward her. “I love you,” he whispered.

  Her heart jumped. “That’s nice, but it’s irrelevant.”

  “Why? I know you love me too.”

  She didn’t agree or disagree. “I’m not stupid enough to put myself in your power again, so you can hurt me another time. I’ve been down that road before. The potholes have left me shaken.”

  “It’s not always going to be this way. We can get through this together.”

  Play it cool. Do not let him know his words are affecting you. You know if you give in, he’s going to hurt you again. “I’m not willing to be the moth to your flame anymore. It nearly incinerated me the last time.”

  “You’re willing to throw away what we feel for each other?”

 
“We’ll get over whatever this is, Reece. You’ll find someone new—someone who’s used to the spotlight of the cameras, someone who likes the press hounding her.”

  “I want you, Nicole.”

  “You can’t have me.”

  “I could if I wanted to.”

  She laughed scornfully. “You’re absolutely right, Horndog Collins. You could bend me over the desk right now. I’d be ready for you, but that’s all. When all is said and done, when our heartbeats have slowed, and when the sweat’s been wiped from our brows, it’ll still only be sex. Fantastic, mind-blowing sex, I grant you, but just sex. You’ll kiss me softly, whisper sweet promises in my ear, and then you’ll blow me out of the water the moment my defenses are lowered.”

  “I’ve never intentionally hurt you, Nicole.”

  “Really? Well, too bad I can’t rip open my chest to show you the scars.”

  He winced. “Nicole . . .”

  “I don’t want to fight anymore, Reece. I know I’ve hurt you just as badly as you’ve hurt me. That should tell you we’re not good for each other.”

  “I think you’re wrong. A relationship worthy of the title is going to have its struggles.”

  “What relationship? We come together long enough to have sex, do something to hurt each other, and then go our separate ways. That is not a relationship. Hell, it’s not even a friendship. We’re not friends, Reece. We could’ve been, but we let the sex get in the way.”

  “What are we then?”

  “I haven’t the foggiest idea what to call it. Hump buddies sounds appropriate.”

  He threw his hands in the air. “You delight in diminishing our feelings for each other. I’ve been trying to make something of this with you since we first met. You’ve thwarted me at every turn. Fine, Miss Delancey, I withdraw my proclamations of love. I can see they’re unwanted and unappreciated.” He stomped down the hall to the front door. As soon as it opened, the cameras began flashing.

  “I may need to sleep on your sofa tonight. Our stalkers are still camped outside.”

  She came to the doorway. “As long as you’re gone before the morning.”

  Reece had had enough of her lip, marching back down the hall and trapping her against the wall. “That shouldn’t be a problem,” he said, his chest pressed to hers. He could feel her heart jumping through her skin. In fear or want? “But remember this,” he said as his mouth latched onto hers. He poured every bit of pain into the kiss, biting her lip, pressing against her teeth, battling her tongue with his own.

  He lifted her off her feet, feeling her legs wrap around his waist. She was giving as good as she got.

  Reece set her down abruptly, her soft center riding his cock through the soft cotton of their sweats. He tore her hands from around his neck, his nose skimming down her cheek. He backed away, rewarded by the dazed glimmer in her eyes.

  “You will miss me when I’m gone.”

  ~ ~ ~

  Nicole woke to the feeling of the bed moving. Someone was lying beside her. “Colin?” she mumbled, her voice groggy with sleep.

  “Yes?”

  “What are you doing in my bed?”

  “The sofa was uncomfortable.”

  She rolled toward him. He was staring up at the ceiling, his arm propped behind his head. “Just don’t try anything.”

  He chuckled. “Don’t worry, luv. I’m not the desperate type.”

  Her eyes filled with tears. She rolled away, pulling as much of the covers around her as a shield. She huddled in her cocoon, letting them fall and telling herself over and over she didn’t want him, but her heart knew she was a liar.

  Chapter 11

  Nicole woke to the sound of her bedroom door opening, and a multitude of people entering and filling the room.

  “At least they kept their clothes on this time,” one of the voices said.

  “Yes, but they’re once again the front page spectacle of the London Times,” another replied.

  Nicole must’ve gravitated toward Reece in her sleep, finding her head on his chest. She felt him tense up beneath her. He was awake as well.

  “Would someone like to tell me what the hell you’re all doing in Nicole’s room?”

  “Would you like to tell me what you’re doing in my daughter’s bed?”

  Nicole’s eyes popped open. “Daddy?” She sat up in shock. “What are you doing here?”

  Reece sprang up beside her. “Mr. DeLancey? Ummm, I can explain.”

  Her father eyed them both. “I’m sure you can, but now is not the time.”

  Nicole surveyed the others circling them: Mrs. Woodhouse, Laura, Audrey, Lindsey, and Marcus. All of them were frowning.

  “Whenever he lands on the front page of the tabloids, it’s because of her.” This was from Marcus. “I thought I told you to keep your distance from her.”

  “Just what in the hell were the two of you up to last night?” Laura piped in.

  “Did you explain everything to her, Colin? Does she understand?” Mrs. Woodhouse asked.

  “Nicole, I hope you’re being careful in case this is another one of his tricks,” Audrey said.

  “Coley, I found this journal on your bedside table. I thought you’d like to have it.” Lindsey was the last to make her voice heard.

  Nicole jumped from the bed. “Get out! Everyone, get out of my room.” She pointed to the door. “I will be downstairs shortly to answer any questions you may have.” She jerked the journal from her sister’s hands. “This was private, Lindsey. Just because we share a room doesn’t mean we share everything.”

  Lindsey leaned over, whispering. “You should let him read it since it’s all about him.”

  Nicole rolled her eyes, pointing toward the door. “Get out, Lindsey. Now!” Her sister giggled, filing out behind the others.

  Her fingers tightened around the journal. She had no intention of ever showing this to Reece. It was so intimate, so vulnerable, and so raw. It would scare him away if he truly knew the intensity of her feelings.

  He was leaning against the headboard, putting his hands behind his head. “What did Lindsey give you?”

  Her lips twisted. “It’s my journal. I don’t know why she brought it here.” She raked her hands through her hair. “I don’t know why she’s here, or my father, or Audrey.” She frowned at him. “What’s going on?”

  He patted the bed. “As you Americans like to say, the shit is about to hit the fan.”

  “What do you mean?”

  He shook his head. “Let’s get downstairs. You can hear it for yourself.” He tried to take the journal from her hands, but she jerked away, hiding it behind her back. “Is it about me?”

  She was biting her lip. “Sometimes, when I can’t sleep, I sit up and write. This is an outline for a new story. I don’t know why Lindsey thought it was about you.”

  He knew she was lying. “You’ll have to let me read it some time.”

  “Why bother? It’s not like we’re friends anymore.”

  “According to you, we were never friends.”

  She studied her feet. “We were friends, Reece. Once, but . . .” She didn’t want to rehash their argument.

  “We could be again, Nicole. We could be so much more than that.” She continued to avoid his gaze. “But I can see you’re not interested in making amends.”

  “I didn’t say that . . .” She didn’t say more, watching him rise from the bed.

  “Don’t worry, luv, I’m a big boy. I can handle rejection.” He moved to the door. “Come along, we have an office full of people eager to shout at us.”

  Nicole followed him down the stairs and around the corner to the back room. The voices were streaming down the hall. She caught snippets of conversation as she came to stand beside him in the doorway.r />
  “What is this all about?” she asked, looking up at him.

  Reece took her hand, lifting it to his mouth, kissing her fingers. “Don’t worry. It’s all going to be explained in short order.”

  His mother noticed them first. “I wanted to have this meeting at my office, but in light of the most recent events…”

  “What recent events, Mum?”

  “Your faces are plastered all over the papers again.” Marcus tossed the newssheet at him.

  Reece perused the page. He didn’t see what the hoopla was about. All he and Nicole were doing was standing on the steps with their heads together. “What of it?”

  “There’s this one as well.” Clarissa handed them another newssheet. It clearly showed Nicole taking a swing at Reece.

  He read the headline, “Hollywood Hottie gets spanked by girlfriend. Who really wears the pants in the relationship?” Reece started laughing and didn’t stop for three minutes.

  Nicole blushed, looking away. “I told you we didn’t need to be fodder for the newspapers.”

  “Who cares?”

  “Your adoring public, that’s who. They want to help you get out of this abusive relationship,” Marcus stated, glowering at them.

  “There’s nothing abusive about it. I made a wisecrack. Nicole smacked me for it. Case closed.”

  “This could be detrimental to both your careers. No one is going to believe a wimpy guy who gets his ass kicked at home is a super spy.”

  Reece tossed the newspapers into a chair. “That’s good, because I don’t want to be a super spy.”

  “And no one’s going to buy Nicole’s books if she’s abusive to her own hero," Audrey chimed in.

  Nicole threw up her hands. “Oh for God’s sake, this is ridiculous. I can’t win for losing.” She turned on her heels, stomping to the front door. While the others watched from the office, she opened the door, stepping outside.