An Accidental Love Affair

by Davida Ann Samenski

  He chuckled. “I hear that a lot, but I think I’m better looking.”

  She narrowed her eyes, tilting her head in thought. “You could be twins, but I think you’re taller, and maybe fatter. You wouldn’t want to raise your shirt to give me a look at your abs, would you?” she asked with a flirtatious note in her voice.

  “No, I’ll let him win the beauty contest.”

  “You even sound like him. Do all Englishmen sound so sexy?” She batted her eyes.

  “Yes, it’s a genetic trait.” He backed out of the flower shop and moved on, unwilling to draw more attention to himself.

  The clerk watched him go then looked down at the card. Colin . . . Collins. Could he be Reece Collins? Had she really been conversing with a famous movie star? Nah, things like that never happened to her.

  Reece retraced his steps to the flower shop. “Excuse me. You haven’t sent my order off yet, have you?”

  The clerk glanced up. “No sir. Was there something else you needed?”

  He nodded, handing her a small velvet bag. “Ensure this is delivered with the flowers. It’s very important.” He pulled five hundred dollars from his wallet. “This is for all your help and discretion.”

  “My discretion, sir?”

  He nodded. “I don’t want it advertised what’s in the bag.”

  She loosened the drawstrings, peeking inside. Her eyes widened. “I understand completely.”

  He smiled, turning on his heels.

  “You are Reece Collins, aren’t you?”

  He held his finger to his lips. “Discretion,” he said, winking at her before disappearing down the terminal.

  The first thing she did was make a copy of the delivery slip, her very first autograph. Wow! Wait until the folks at home get a look at this.

  ~ ~ ~

  Nicole woke up later than she planned, rushing to get to the studio. Davis was already plugging away on the computer but took the time to berate her for not taking the assignment seriously. She wanted to explain, but she didn’t think he’d accept her excuse of having mind-blowing sex until the early hours of the morning, especially if she told him it was with Reece Collins. She had a feeling ‘His Highness’ would throw a queenly fit if he knew.

  “Sorry, Davis. It won’t happen again.”

  “Make sure it doesn’t, Nicole. Time is precious. We need to have this done as quickly as possible.”

  She sat down at her computer. “I rewrote the last scene we were working on in the car on the way over. Tell me what you think.” She placed it in front of him, standing back.

  “Where’s your ring?”

  Nicole looked down at her hand. “I don’t know. I must’ve left it at the hotel. No wonder my hand felt lighter this morning.” She frowned. She didn’t remember seeing it on the bedside table, but she was running late and could’ve overlooked it.

  “You should call your sister. Have her put it in a safe place for you. You don’t want that thing to disappear.”

  No, she thought ruefully. Reece would kill her if she lost the damn thing.

  ~ ~ ~

  When she arrived back at the suite that night, the first thing she did was head into the bedroom to retrieve the ring, but it wasn’t on the bedside table. She glanced around, but she didn’t see it lying on any other surface. She headed to the bathroom. It wasn’t on the vanity or in the soap dish in the shower. Where had she left it?

  She wandered back into the living room area, but didn’t see it there either. Panic was setting in. What had she done with it? What if it had been stolen? No, she wasn’t going to freak out until she talked to Lindsey.

  The key turned in the lock, and her sister walked through the door. She was being followed closely by . . . He looked like Damon Westmore. Wow! He was even better looking in person.

  “Hey, Coley. When did you get here?”

  “I came in a few minutes ago.”

  “Sorry I’m late. Damon and I were having a drink in the lobby bar. Are you hungry? I’m starved.”

  Damon laughed, glancing with adoration at Lindsey. “She never takes a breath, does she?”

  Nicole smiled. “No, it’s hard getting a word in edgewise with her sometimes.”

  Lindsey glanced between the two of them. “I’m standing right here.” She rolled her eyes. “Anyway, Damon invited me to dinner, but I didn’t want to say yes without checking with you first.”

  Nicole waved her hand. “Go. Have a good time. I’m going to hang out here. I need to work on the screenplay.”

  “How’s it going?” Damon asked. “Reece is really hyped about this part. He’s says you’re an incredible writer.”

  She smiled. “He’s biased. I can happily report the screenplay is almost complete. Davis is amazing to work with.”

  “He’s one of the best in the business.”

  “So I’ve heard.” She scanned the room again. “Hey, Linds, you didn’t see my ring by any chance, did you? I can’t seem to find it.”

  “I haven’t seen it. I figured you were wearing it when it wasn’t on the bedside table when I woke up.”

  “The housekeepers weren’t in here while you were sleeping, were they?”

  “No, I had the ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign on the door.”

  Nicole scratched her head. “It’s the oddest thing. I know I had it on the bedside table last night, but it was gone today.”

  “Reece asked me about it this morning. He was wondering why you weren’t wearing it.”

  Nicole swallowed hard. “And what did you tell him?”

  Lindsey sat down on the couch, kicking her legs up on the coffee table. “I told him you hated the damn thing. He didn’t seem happy to hear that.”

  Nicole’s eyes widened. “What exactly did you say?”

  “I told him you didn’t like wearing it because it was heavy and gaudy.” Nicole groaned. “I said you loved it because it came from him but would’ve preferred a sapphire or a blue topaz.” Lindsey stopped talking when she saw the look on her sister’s face. “What’s wrong? Shouldn’t I have said anything? He did ask, you know?”

  “Yeah, I know. What else did you tell him?”

  “I said you kept catching it on stuff and that you were afraid to lose it.”

  “And now it’s gone. You don’t think he took it, do you?”

  “Why would he do that? He wants you to wear it.”

  Nicole slapped her hands against her legs. “Then where is it, Linds?”

  Her sister stood, coming around the table. “Calm down, Coley. We’ll find it. I’ll help you look, okay? We’ll tear the suite apart. We’ll tear the hotel apart if we have to.”

  Nicole was blinded by tears. “I’m a lousy fiancée. He gives me a gorgeous ring, but I don’t appreciate it, and now it’s gone. I wish I had it back.”

  Damon sat down near the window, taking his phone out of his pocket. “There’s an easy solution to this problem. I’ll text Reece and ask him about it.”

  “No, don’t do that. He’ll think I’m irresponsible.”

  Lindsey laughed. “Between the two of you, that’s like the pot calling the kettle black.”

  There was a rap at the door. Damon went to answer it. He came back a moment later with a bouquet of flowers, which he sat on the coffee table, presenting Nicole with the attached card. “I assume they’re for you.”

  Nicole’s gaze devoured the stunning arrangement of red roses and baby’s breath. She quickly took the card from its envelope. Hoping to make your dreams come true. Counting the days until we meet again . . . Colin. P.S.: Wear the ring until I can get you a better one.

  Her eyes lifted. Damon was dangling the strings of a small velvet bag from his fingers.

  “I believe this is what you’ve been looking for.”

/>   Nicole’s face crumpled as she opened the bag, the ring falling into her palm. It was the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen, and she swore if Reece wanted her to wear it, she’d never take it off her finger again.

  ~ ~ ~

  Nicole and Lindsey, along with Laura, Maggie, Clarissa and Mr. Woodhouse, sat in their reserved theater box for the opening of Twelfth Night or ‘What You Will’ for all the old-fashioned sticklers. She was anxious for the play to begin. She wanted to see Reece enact the role he wanted so desperately.

  As the curtain rose on the first act, the audience quieted, giving their attention to the actors and the story they were telling. Soon, there was no sound, and everyone in the theater focused on the stage where the actors recited their lines.

  Reece was spectacular as the Duke. She was happy he was finally able to prove himself in a role deserving of his talent. He was a true thespian. It showed. The audience was in awe of his performance. Who knew Reece Collins could act? She knew. She’d always known.

  His father leaned forward, whispering in her ear. “You’re the reason he’s up there. This is all because of you. Thank you, my dear, for giving him new life.”

  Nicole blinked back tears. Mr. Woodhouse had spoken with her early in the evening before they left for the theater. He apologized profusely for his actions the previous year, hoping she’d give him the chance to redeem himself. She kissed his cheek, assuring him all was forgiven. Marcus, on the other hand, was a different story.

  After the curtain dropped on the last encore, the patrons wandered backstage to join the hero of the night. Reece was surrounded by his fellow actors, extras, stagehands, and well-wishers. Everyone seemed to want a piece of him.

  Nicole and their party hung back, leery of intruding on this moment, but others didn’t seem to have the same scruples.

  Lindsey leaned over, whispering in her sister’s ear. “I wonder what Melanie Daniels is doing here.”

  Nicole was wondering the same as she watched the overblown bombshell squeeze her way in beside Reece, wrapping her arm around his waist with her hand lingering directly over his backside. She pressed her chest against him to lay a smoldering kiss on his lips.

  “You were wonderful, darling. You have no idea how badly I wanted to be Viola,” she moaned, breathing heavily.

  Nicole had seen enough. She was turning away when she caught a movement to her left. Marcus appeared at his brother’s side, leading the woman away while pointing in the general vicinity of where Nicole was standing.

  Reece’s head turned. He saw her, his smile frozen as he contemplated the expression on her face. “Nicole, I . . .”

  Keep it cool, she thought. Don’t let anyone know how much this really bothers you. Her eyebrows rose. “I’m sorry to disturb you, Mr. Collins, but have you seen my fiancé? I can’t seem to find Colin anywhere.” She glanced around the reception area, pretending to search. “You don’t suppose he’s left for the evening, do you?” She sighed. “I best be on my way. Carry on with your celebrations.” She turned on her heels to exit the way she came.

  As she was sitting in her seat tonight, watching the performance, she squirmed when he kissed the girl. She knew it was going to happen, thought she was prepared for it, but it made her queasy to see her intended with his hands and lips on another woman’s body. It was all part and parcel of his job, true, but deep down, she was a jealous woman. She didn’t want to share him with anyone, even if it was make-believe.

  She hated watching that woman, with her bleached-blond hair and her overdeveloped upper body mass, throwing herself at him. She was about to blow a gasket. That was her man, whether he was in his Reece Collins persona or not.

  “Nicole Elizabeth DeLancey, do not walk out that door,” he called across the room, his tone stern.

  She swung back, her eyes wide in mock inquiry. “I’m sorry, Mr. Collins, was there something you needed from me?”

  He stomped right up to her, lifting her off her feet. “Just you. That’s all I need.”

  She hugged him around the neck. “What about my fiancé?”

  “He can go pound sand,” he said. “I want the world to know I’m yours.” He nuzzled her neck. “Come, my lady, seal our bargain.”

  Her smile was wide and full of mischief. “I am most happy to oblige you,” she replied, kissing him slow and soft, the tip of her tongue tracing the seam of his lips. He opened his mouth, taking their kiss deeper with his tongue invading and dueling with hers.

  “Now that’s what I call a kiss,” someone called—the spectators in the reception room applauding.

  Nicole raised her head, kissing him on the forehead. “What about keeping your two halves separate?” she asked quietly. “Are you sure you want our engagement to go public?”

  “If it saves me from getting groped by women who aren’t you, I’m ready if you are.”

  Did he just imply I’m his beard? No, that couldn’t be what he meant. “I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.” She raked her hand through his hair. “You were magnificent tonight.”

  He grinned. “And I’ll be even more so later.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Promises, promises.”

  He pulled her close, his mouth at her ear. “It’s a good thing I’m wearing a codpiece or everyone would know what I’m feeling right now.”

  “Hearing that is enough to make my maidenly heart flutter.”

  “That’s her? That’s the girl he’s thrown me over for?” Melanie Daniels shrieked, her voice carrying across the room. “She’s not even that pretty.”

  Reece frowned, staring into Nicole’s eyes as she absorbed the insult.

  Nicole grinned, nuzzling her cheek against his. “I’m glad you’ve gone on an all-natural kick, Reece. With some things, you never know if it’s real or artificial.” She glanced over at Marcus, standing beside the actress. “You should leave being fake to the ones who are good at it.”

  Reece chuckled as he set her on her feet. “Behave yourself, madam,” he said, releasing her. “Don’t make me spank you.”

  She giggled. “Don’t let the media hear you say that. You’ll end up in anger management classes.”

  He snorted as he spun her around, pushing her lightly back toward their family and friends. “What do you think? Did I do justice to the part?”

  His mother leaned up, kissing his cheek. “Those acting workshops were a wonderful investment.”

  His father nodded agreement. “It was money well-spent.”

  Reece turned to Maggie. “What of you, Maggie, my love? Was I as good as your imagination?” He knew Twelfth Night was her favorite of Shakespeare’s plays.

  She beamed in pride. “I think you did The Bard proud, Colin.” She covered her mouth, her chagrin obvious. “I’m so sorry. I always seem to forget not to use your name in public.”

  He hugged her. “I think the cat’s out of the bag anyway. With all the news coverage Nicole and I have been getting, it was bound to happen.” He looked at his parents. “I’m sorry I can no longer protect your anonymity.”

  Clarissa shook her head. “We’ll deal with it as it comes.” She beamed at her youngest child. “You did a marvelous job, dear.” She glanced over at Marcus, who had wandered up unexpectedly. “Aren’t you going to congratulate your brother?”

  Marcus stepped forward, Nicole bracing herself. “I wanted to tell you I was wrong, Reece. I should have listened to you when you said you wanted to try other types of roles. I’m sorry the dollar signs in my eyes blinded me from seeing I was stymieing your career.” His gaze flicked to Nicole. “I’m sorry for other things as well.”

  Reece nodded, pulling Nicole tight against his side. “Thank you, Marcus. That means a lot to me.”

  Marcus reached out, clasping Nicole’s hand. “I’m sorry for what I did to you. I know it’s no excuse,
but I thought I was protecting my brother. In truth I was only thinking of myself. I didn’t want to lose my golden goose.”

  She nodded but remained silent. She didn’t trust him. If he was contrite, why did he bring the actress to the show, stirring up trouble?

  Marcus’s lips twisted. “I can see it’s going to take more than an apology for you to believe me.” She didn’t say anything. He glanced back to his brother. “She’s going to be a tough nut to crack, isn’t she? Perhaps you can put in a good word for me.”

  Reece smiled. “Sorry, Marcus, you’re on your own.”

  Marcus nodded, his head turning toward a darkened corner of the room. “I’m sorry about Melanie. I had no idea the reason she wanted to come tonight was to cause a scene. She’s always been genuinely fond of you. I thought she wanted to show her support.”

  “Yeah, she wanted to show how she can support her boobs against his arm,” Nicole grumbled.

  Marcus’s eyes widened. He began to laugh—low at first, growing steadily louder with time. Reece and Nicole glanced at each other and back again, but Marcus continued to laugh. “Dear God, brother, does she always have a snappy comeback?”

  Reece smiled. “Always. It’s one of the reasons we get along so well.”

  Marcus wiped moisture from his eyes. “I see that.” He backed away. “I won’t keep you any longer. Again, Reece, you were fantastic.” His eyes shot to Nicole. “Write him well.”

  “That’s my plan.” As Marcus moved away, she gazed up at Reece. “You’re still keeping him as your manager, aren’t you?”

  Reece nodded, his expression sheepish. “I know you don’t like him, but except for a few stumbles, he’s done a good job managing my career.”

  “Do you think you can trust him now?”

  “I believe he’s learned his lesson. And since you broke his nose, he knows better than to get on your bad side.”