Hot Winter Nights (Made in Montana)

by Debbi Rawlins

  “You know, Lila could take you somewhere private and help you learn your lines,” Erin said.

  He slanted her a look and caught her sly grin. “You wanna play dirty, huh?”

  “Is it working?”

  Clint turned back to Lila and sighed.

  7

  SHORTLY AFTER FOUR Lila had started straightening her work station. She was officially done for the day. But she knew it didn’t mean Baxter or one of Jason’s other flunkies wouldn’t call and ask her to do something. For now, though, she wasn’t arguing with Erin’s directive. Not counting Jason, Erin was pretty much the boss around the set. Mostly because she was smart and very good at what she did, and that made her right 98 percent of the time.

  Lately though, even Jason had been giving her a wide berth. Avoiding her when she was in a bad mood or deferring to her when it came to the crew. What troubled Lila was that Erin wasn’t the moody type. Earlier Lila had flat out asked her if something was going on between her and Spencer, but according to Erin, all was fine with them. Still, something was off. Erin could be serious and focused, getting right to the point, but the detached attitude was new. And pretending everything was all right just made it worse.

  She heard a brief knock before the door squeaked open.

  Clint poked his head inside. “Erin told me to meet you here.”

  “Come in,” she said, excited to see him, despite having eaten lunch with him only three hours ago. “Actually I’m finished, so we can leave.”

  “I’m totally down with that.”

  Lila grinned. “I see you still haven’t caught the acting bug.”

  “Never gonna happen.”

  “I believe you.” Grabbing her purse from a lower cabinet, she paused for a second. “Did Erin railroad you into helping me move?”

  His mouth curved into a slow smile. “No.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes.”

  “You’ve been here all day. You must have a lot of work waiting for you at home.”

  “Even if that were true, do you think I’d leave you to Baxter’s mercy?”

  “I’m not helpless. I know how to tell him to get lost. Having said that...” She faked a shudder. “Thank you a thousand times over.”

  “My pleasure, ma’am,” he said with a tug on the brim of his hat, looking sexy and adorable at the same time.

  “I promise to pay you back, in full, with all the acting lessons you want.”

  His amusement vanished.

  She paused. “Wow. You really don’t want to...” Of course he didn’t want to do that scene tomorrow. “Erin badgered you into it, didn’t she?”

  “Your friend should be a politician,” he said, stepping back from the door and offering her a hand down the three steps.

  Lila felt foolish accepting his assistance. After all, she’d run up and down them a million times all by herself. But when her fingers touched his callused palm, a tiny frisson of awareness blazed a path all the way down to her toes, and she just didn’t give a flip how it looked.

  “I assume we’re going to your trailer to pick up your things,” he said, to which she nodded. “You want to ride over with me, or would you prefer I meet you there?”

  “Oh, I’m already packed. We can go together.”

  With a hand at the small of her back, Clint steered her in the right direction, and Lila set a quick pace, hoping to get out of there before someone called her to the set.

  “You getting any grief over moving to the motel?” he asked once they were both in his truck.

  “The crew thinks Baxter lost a bet. They’re all very happy that I’m sticking it to him.”

  Clint smiled. “Where did they get that idea?”

  “You know, Erin and I have been wondering the same thing.”

  “God help anyone who messes with the two of you.”

  “Darn straight.” She saw his lips twitch. “You’d think after being in this business for six years I’d know how to swear. I mean, I can say the words, but not without turning ten unattractive shades of red.”

  “Cussing is overrated.”

  “It’s supposed to be therapeutic. They have studies proving it’s a stress reliever. Although, Erin can cuss with the best of them and I wouldn’t describe her as very Zen.”

  “No,” he agreed with a laugh. “She’s more like a drill sergeant.”

  “Oh, she’d approve of that description.” Lila smiled as he pulled the truck to a stop beside the trailer and shut off the engine. “Has Erin seemed snappy to you?”

  “I’m not sure how to answer that. I’d say she’s mostly all business.”

  “I’m sorry. That was a silly question. You don’t even know her.” She opened her door. “I’ll only be a minute.”

  “I’ll help with your bags.”

  She touched his arm when he turned to get out. “Diane might be napping. She works late tonight. I can handle my bags.”

  Clint nodded and stayed put. But when she emerged from the trailer a minute later, she wasn’t at all surprised to see him standing just outside the door. Without a word he took both bags and deposited them on the small back seat.

  “Anything else?”

  “Nope. That’s it.”

  “You travel light for a—” He cleared his throat and opened the passenger door. “How long is Baxter springing for the room?”

  Lila grinned. “Travel light for a woman? Is that what you were going to say?”

  “Me? Um...” He smiled. “Nope.”

  “Why, Clint Landers,” she said, sliding onto the seat. “I bet you get away with all kinds of things with that sexy smile of yours.”

  His eyebrows shot up, and he looked somewhat embarrassed. “Sexy, huh? I’ll take it,” he said, his arm resting on the door as he bent forward. “Just don’t mention it in public.”

  She leaned in for a kiss and realized she’d misread the move when she saw the surprise in his eyes. He responded by brushing his mouth across hers in a sweet, gentle kiss that demanded nothing more than a brief connection. Probably didn’t want to embarrass her.

  Clint straightened. “We’d better get going.”

  She noted the sudden flurry of activity around them. Anyone would’ve thought there had just been a shift change at a nearby factory. She couldn’t explain it. If something unexpected had happened, it could mean she’d be getting a call soon and there went her evening.

  After what had just happened, maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad thing. Her mind kept returning to the perfunctory kiss. Had it been that long since she’d liked a guy? Had she completely forgotten how to behave around someone who mattered?

  She waited until he’d started the engine before she murmured, “Sorry about before.”

  He reversed, and looked at her as he waited for people to clear the way. “For what?”

  “I thought you were going to kiss me and I—I just misunderstood. I wasn’t being pushy.”

  His silence made her wince inside. She turned away and watched Red and another stuntman wolf down hot dogs outside their trailer while they eyed Clint’s truck.

  “Lila,” he said finally, “I always want to kiss you. I’m just not comfortable doing it in front of people you work with.”

  “Yeah,” she said, unable to stop a smile. “That wouldn’t be good. But it wouldn’t be the end of the world, either.”

  A car came up behind them, and someone beeped the horn. Clint hit the accelerator but drove at a snail’s pace until they were clear of all the slowpokes coming and going from their trailers.

  “How many of you are part of the crew?” Clint asked once they were on the highway.

  “About forty-five, I think. Indies usually have smaller crews.” Lila rubbed her hands together and suppressed a squeal.
“Oh, my God. I can hardly believe it.”

  “What?” Clint asked, glancing at her.

  “I get to sleep in a real bed tonight. Soak in a tub of warm sudsy water. Do you think each room has its own coffeepot?”

  “I have no idea. The motel just opened a month ago.”

  “That’s okay. The bed and tub are key...anything else would be a bonus.”

  They turned onto Main Street and passed the service station and the pawn shop.

  “That inn there on the left,” Clint said, indicating an older white building with a wide porch. “My sister-in-law owns it. Unfortunately the rooms only have showers.”

  “Too bad. It’s a cute place.”

  The town had gone all out decorating for Christmas. The words Season’s Greetings, lit in bright red cursive, arched over the street. Thousands of white lights were woven into green garland. Lila twisted around as they passed a sign for The Cut and Curl.

  “Was that a hair salon?” she asked.

  “I think it’s probably more beauty parlor than salon.”

  “Ah. How many are there in town?”

  “Just the one as far as I know.”

  “Huh.” She noticed quite a few vehicles parked in front of the Watering Hole. Next to the bar was a bank with a beautiful Christmas wreath hanging on the door. “I bet some hairstylists work out of their homes.”

  “Is that what you used to do before you wanted to be an actress?”

  “No, but in film school, pretty much everyone worked every job. Especially on student productions. I discovered I had some talent in that direction and I actually liked doing hair, so I picked up tips while doing different jobs on movies and commercials. Lots of wannabes work as restaurant servers or parking valets to pay the bills. At least doing hair has kept me involved in some aspect of the business while I—” She sighed. “Wait for my big break.” God, that sounded so cliché.

  Funny, it had never bothered her before. But for some reason, it felt like she should have found that break before she’d turned twenty-eight. Still, she hung on, clinging to her old dream with everything she had. Anyway, she’d worked too hard to get this far and give up.

  At the other end of Main Street, the brand-new motel with its red roof and oversized welcome sign came into view. The big cheesy blowup Santa and snowman sitting on either side of the parking lot entrance was just what she needed.

  Clint laughed along with her as they turned into the lot and pulled up to the three-story building.

  “Well, it’s not the Hilton.” He stopped the truck. “Do you see a sign for the office?”

  “No, but look at that.” She pointed to the glass doors under an overhang. “They have a lobby.”

  “Hey, pretty snazzy.”

  “I’ll say.” She got her phone out and snapped a picture to send to her mom and sister. “Oh my, this is so exciting.”

  Clint stared as if he didn’t know what to make of her. “How long have you been living in that trailer?”

  “Too long, evidently.” She felt her face heat, then she laughed and gestured to a vacant parking spot in front of a marked exit door.

  He insisted on carrying both of her bags, so Lila took another picture before they entered the lobby. It wasn’t much, just a small sitting area with a pair of burgundy club chairs, a brown loveseat and a few magazines on a small table. Lila’s gaze went straight to the Christmas tree in the corner.

  Standing over ten feet tall, it was decorated with blue and gold ornaments and hundreds of blinking lights. The tree was real, not artificial, and she breathed in the sweet pine scent, releasing it when she felt a pang of homesickness.

  She glanced at Clint. “I bet they found this tree locally.”

  “I’d put money on it. That’s one thing we’ve got plenty of.”

  “May I help you folks?”

  They turned to a dark-haired woman who was standing behind the reception desk.

  “Well, for goodness’ sake, Clint Landers, I didn’t know that was you.” She was medium height, maybe forty, with laugh lines fanning out from her blue eyes. “You need a haircut, mister.”

  Lila gasped. “Oh, no. Don’t say that.”

  Clint grinned. “Hey, Patty, how you doing?”

  The woman didn’t answer. She was staring at Lila.

  Probably thought Lila was the rudest person on earth for butting in like she had. “I only said that about his hair because—”

  “Lila.” Clint put down a bag and touched her lower back. “Let’s get you checked in before Baxter shows up.”

  The warm steady feel of his hand pressed against her spine felt so much better than it should have. Exhaustion was really getting to her, that and the nostalgia of the holidays. Why else would she react so strongly to the touch of a man she barely knew?

  “Lila Loveridge,” Clint said, looking at her. “I assume that’s how the reservation would’ve been made.”

  Lila snapped out of it and nodded.

  “Is that your real name?” Patty asked.

  “Yes.” She smiled, not in the least surprised. It was a common question.

  Patty blinked. “Heavens,” she said, waving away her blush. “I’m acting like a starstruck teenager. Please pardon my manners. Just last week I scolded the day clerk for behaving like that when Penelope Lane and Dash Rockwell arrived.”

  “It’s okay. I’m not a cast member. I’m part of the crew, the hairstylist, actually.”

  Patty frowned, then glanced at Clint.

  He nodded, shrugged.

  “Well, ain’t that a shame,” Patty muttered and went to work on her keyboard. “Yes, here you are. Your reservation was made by Mr. Mortimer, and you’re staying for two weeks?”

  Lila’s unladylike shriek made Patty look up. Clint just laughed.

  “Yes,” she said demurely.

  The second Patty returned her attention to the computer screen, Lila looked at Clint, held up two fingers and mouthed two weeks.

  He was smiling, but faint worry lines had formed between his brows. “Mortimer? Is that Baxter Mortimer?”

  “Oh, right.” Lila turned to Patty. “Could you please make sure my room isn’t anywhere near his?”

  The woman hesitated. “Actually, he made a special request that you be put right next to him.”

  “That won’t work.” Lila bit her lip. She could see the poor woman wasn’t sure how to handle the situation. But her name tag did indicate she was the night supervisor. “I know he’s paying, but I’m the named guest. Shouldn’t my request count more?”

  She let out the most pitiful sigh.

  “Look, Patty,” Clint said, “if this puts you in a bind—”

  “You know me, Clint. I’d be more than happy to oblige if I could. The manager handled the reservation personally. And truth be told, with my two older ones away at college, I need this job.”

  “I understand,” Clint said, nodding. “Do I know the manager?”

  Patty shook her head. “Kevin’s a young fella out of Kalispell. He oversees a motel there along with this one. In fact, you just missed him.”

  “Maybe I could call him?” Lila knew it was a bad idea the second Patty’s expression fell. “That’s okay,” she said. “If Baxter annoys me, I’ll just go back to base camp. No problem.”

  “He won’t bother you,” Clint said in a quiet voice. “I’ll take care of it.”

  Lila studied the strong set of his jaw, saw the confidence in his dark eyes and her heart beat double time.

  “Granted, I don’t know this Baxter fella,” Patty said. “But I know Clint, and for what it’s worth, my money’s on him.”

  Lila bumped him with her shoulder. “Something about you I should know about?”

  “Oh, honey, the stories I could—” Patty stopped
abruptly after one look from Clint.

  “We done here?” he said, and picked up the bag he’d set down.

  “If I could just get you to sign this...” Patty slid the electronic signature machine toward Lila. “We serve coffee in the lobby all day. I was about to make a fresh pot if you’re interested. And from seven to nine in the morning, we set out an assortment of muffins, doughnuts and cinnamon rolls, all made fresh right here in town.”

  Lila thanked her, accepted the room key and led Clint to the elevator. Once they were inside the car, she pressed the button for the third floor. “Not too bright of Baxter,” she muttered, annoyed with the man’s gall. “I could do some serious damage shoving him off the balcony.”

  Amusement gleamed in Clint’s eyes. “Something I should know about you?”

  “Yes,” she said, smiling up at him. “I like kissing. A lot.” She slid her arms around his neck. “With you.”

  8

  LILA FUMBLED TRYING to unlock the door. But as soon as she succeeded, her arms went right back around Clint’s neck.

  Managing not to lose her bags, Clint pushed the door open with his elbow and backed into the room with her clutching his shoulders. Her lips clung to his lips, and her breasts, her nice, round breasts found a home against his chest.

  Damn, who knew 317 was his lucky number?

  A few steps in and they cleared the door. He let it close and dropped both bags just as she pushed her fingers through his hair. She had one hell of a touch. He’d never had a spine-tingling reaction to a woman rubbing his scalp before.

  He put his arms around her and held her tight, keeping his boots planted until he was sure they weren’t about to take a tumble. Everything had happened so fast he didn’t even know how close they were to the bed. Not that he was presuming anything. But a man could hope. And that hope was getting harder by the second.

  No other woman had ever felt this good in his arms. Or tasted this sweet. She let out a breathy sigh as his tongue stroked hers, the intoxicating sound going straight to his cock. The sway of her hips, as if she were dancing to a song in her head, sorely tested his self-control.

  He rubbed a hand down her back, stopping at the tempting curve of her bottom. He didn’t want to stop. And he didn’t think she’d tell him to, but for some crazy reason, he decided Lila was a woman he wanted to go slow with. He wanted to learn the contours of her mouth, see all her different smiles, make her eyes shine like they did when she was excited about something. Even something as simple as a motel Christmas tree.