Impulse

by E. B. Walters

  Jillian cursed some more.

  He needed a temporary wife, and that was what he would get. She’d tell him there would be no more kissing or the contract was null and void. Public shows of affection for appearances were expected, but she would curb her enthusiasm. Yes, she was taking some of the blame. Hearing him ask her to curse had gone straight to her head. Kissing her like he couldn’t get enough of her had sent her spiraling to unchartered sensual territories. After getting weird reactions from her ex-boyfriends whenever she’d dropped the F-bomb, it had been exhilarating to find a kindred spirit. She imagined letting herself go in bed, yelling her needs, fantasies…

  She cursed out loud again. Get your act together, Jillian.

  No more kissing him unless there was an audience, or no more doing it in places where things could get out of control. She’d look him in the eye and tell him in a calm and firm voice.

  Smiling, Jillian repaired her makeup, checked her neck, and sighed. She could see red patches already forming. It wasn’t going to be long before the marks darkened. Oh well. That should set the tongues wagging.

  She opened the door and almost bumped into Lex. The raw emotions shimmering in the depth of his eyes chased away whatever speech she’d prepared. He looked worried.

  “Are you okay?” he asked, frowning.

  Jillian nodded. “Yeah. Are you?”

  “No,” he ground out. “I heard yells and curses. I knocked, but you didn’t answer.”

  Jillian felt her cheeks grow warm. “Oh.”

  “If something is wrong, talk to me. Did you receive a call? Text? If anyone is bothering you, I’ll deal with them.”

  Jillian smiled. How ironic he’d want to take away her problems when they all pointed at him. No, that wasn’t true. They pointed at her. She was the problem. She was the one running scared because of a kiss. Running was not her thing. She faced her problems head on. Always.

  “No, I’m fine. Just got sidetracked, but I’m good.” Now was the time to tell him about no more kissing, yet all she saw was the concern in his eyes. She fought against its pull and stiffened her spine. “Uh, Lex, I wanted to…” Her voice trailed off when he reached down, took her hand, and gently interlaced their fingers.

  “Yes?” he asked, voice even gentler.

  Right there was her undoing. Tenderness. If he continued acting like he was her hero hell bent on mowing down her enemies, she could have disregarded him. She’d grown up with men like that. Her brothers had threatened mayhem to any man who’d shown interest in her, and it used to piss her off. As for displays of affection, a playful slap on the back of the head or a fake punch on the arm or chin was it. This kind of gentleness whipped the rug out from under her feet and made her insides mushy.

  She couldn’t just blurt out “Don’t ever kiss me like that again.” She had to be subtle. Find out what made him tick, and then discourage him from thinking the two of them could ever work. They were too different culturally, even though they were kindred spirits.

  “Jillian,” Lex said, peering at her with an encouraging smile. Then a frown transformed his face.

  Now what?

  “What happened?” He lifted her arm, and she realized her attempt to cover the bruises from this morning hadn’t gone as planned. Her attempt to master the switchback handstand hadn’t gone as planned either.

  “It’s nothing.” Where the hell had she dropped her shawl?

  Lex frowned. “I don’t consider this nothing, Jillian. The bruises look serious.”

  “I fell while trying a move. I had it checked, and the doctor said it would go away in a few days.” She hadn’t seen the doctor. “It doesn’t really hurt.” It did, but she’d taken meds for the pain. She was never trying that move again. There was a thin line between suicidal and fun daredevil acts, and she wasn’t crossing it again.

  “You hurt yourself doing stunts?” Lex asked.

  Jillian opened her mouth to say yes and remembered who she was talking to. “No. My bike at home. You could call it a wheelie-gone-wrong.” Time to distract him. She gave him a beatific smile. “Could I see your car collection? Douglas was raving about it on our drive here.”

  Lex chuckled, a boyish smile transforming his features. “Sure. You can choose the one we take for a test drive if you like.”

  He had her at “choose.” “Can we make an appearance at the party first?”

  “Why?”

  “I need to talk to Greg and Chris. Then there’s your mother.”

  He groaned and reluctantly led her toward the main part of the house after she picked up her shawl. She noticed how he was careful not to touch her bruised arm. As soon as they reached the main hallway running from the foyer to the back of the house, a server appeared and offered them champagne.

  “Take an unopened bottle, two glasses, and some food to the gazebo,” Lex instructed the young man, plucking a glass of champagne and handing it to Jillian, and then taking a second one for himself. He raised it and smiled smugly. “To a fruitful relationship.”

  “Three hundred and sixty-five days of it,” Jillian said, reminding him their future was temporary, and took a tiny sip. Alcohol was not her thing. For some reason, she had zero tolerance.

  The party was in full swing when they joined the people by the pool. A jazz band played in the background and voices of agents chatting up possible new clients or kissing up to producers—a few from the studio were in attendance—mingled with rising stars.

  Margo Jenkins held court to the right, young men and women drawn to her. Aussie Wonder Boy Keith was holding court a few feet away. Jillian wondered if the studio would couple them up for publicity. Margo always slept with her leading men, and Keith was single.

  Once again, Jillian and Lex’s appearances drew attention, including Margo’s adoring fans. Margo noticed, and her eyes narrowed in a hateful glare. The actress didn’t smile or nod, but then again, she never “saw” Jillian or any of the support staff. Jillian ignored her. She had enough on her plate without worrying about Margo.

  Funny how the attention she was receiving tonight was so different from last night and earlier today. Being in the limelight didn’t bother her when she performed with her brothers. Partly because her performance couldn’t be duplicated by just anyone and the circus goers knew it. They were awed watching her. And her family always took pride in her performance, however insignificant.

  The Hollywood crowd was different. Judgmental. They couldn’t wait to see you fail. She’d learned how easy it was to be seduced by fame and crave adoration from fans to a point where you hurt yourself to get it. Then there was the ease with which the media and fans could turn against you. Made her hate publicity. Even now, when she rode as the Phantom Rider, she liked the thrill of anonymity. No one knew who she was and, therefore, no one judged her. Out here, she felt exposed and vulnerable.

  As though he sensed her discomfort, Lex reached for her hand. Her body angled toward his, the two of them continued moving around the pool to where Chris and Greg were talking to Lex’s mother. Hopefully it wasn’t about her. She introduced Lex to a few people she considered friends. Most of them were support staff and young actors with minor roles. Shay Donahue, a supporting actress with a larger role, joined them.

  Shay was about the sweetest actress Jillian had ever worked with. Ten years ago, she was a household name and a pin-up girl from a hit TV series called Surfside—a show about lifeguards at a beach in Miami. They’d film them running in slow motion, the women in their skimpiest bikinis with boobs threatening to spill out. Her brothers and cousins never missed an episode or reruns. They’d even renamed the women according to their boob sizes. Shay was D-two for her double D cups. Jillian could smile now, but she used to suffer from serious boob-envy when it came to Shay. But that was then. She’d learned to appreciate her modest C-cups.

  Jillian introduced Shay to Lex.

  “You were in Surfside,” he said.

  Shay blushed. “Yes. How did you recognize me? I was a lot you
nger and skinnier.”

  Shay had packed on some pounds and had a few corrective surgeries. She looked nothing like the woman of ten years ago.

  “You haven’t changed one bit,” Lex said smoothly, impressing Jillian and winning Shay over. Rusty with women, he’d said. What a crock. He charmed Shay with such ease and had her laughing in no time. When she left, Jillian cut Lex a look.

  “What?” he asked.

  “Did you really remember her from Surfside?” she asked.

  Lex made a face. “Never watched it.”

  “Yeah, right. Every red-blooded American male loved that show.”

  He grinned. “Watching TV was a luxury I couldn’t afford.” He let go of her hand and gripped her arm. “Come on.”

  Jillian threw a glance at the group with Chris and Greg. Whatever they were discussing appeared engrossing. Just as well. It was going to take more than an evening to convince Chris she knew what she was doing. Chris still treated her like a child. She was twenty-nine for Christ’s sake, old enough to make her own decisions without him switching to Mama Bear mode.

  As Lex led her toward the gazebo, the conversations the two of them had a few days ago flashed through her head. He must have been in his late twenties when Surfside was a huge hit. Surely, he wasn’t always working.

  “Didn’t you ever have down time? You know, kickback with your brothers and cousins?”

  He chuckled. “I did, but we spent it watching or playing ball.”

  Jillian entered the gazebo ahead of him. “So how did you recognize Shay?”

  “She was on my list.”

  “List?” Then she remembered. “Oh, that list.” There was a tray with a bottle of champagne, two flutes, and hors d’oeuvres. She guessed all Lex had to do was give an order and people jumped. Instead of sitting, Jillian remained standing and searched for Shay.

  The gazebo gave them a perfect view of the pool deck and the eighty odd guests milling around. A catering company was starting to set up the dinner buffet on the main deck by the house. Watching Shay talk to one of the production assistants, Jillian imagined her as Lex’s fake wife. She was gorgeous and closer to his age. They would have made a cute couple, except…

  “She’s too sweet. You would have walked all over her.”

  Lex laughed. “I’m insulted. I would have treated her with the same respect I give you.”

  Jillian gave an unladylike snort. But then the smile disappeared. Would he have kissed Shay the way he’d kissed her? She didn’t own Lex, but at the same time, she didn’t like imagining him with any of the actresses either. What criteria did he use to choose the women? She studied the actresses, trying to deny the reason she was interested in that stupid list. Jealousy was a new emotion to her.

  “Who else was on your list?” And please don’t tell me Margo made it, she added silently. “How did you choose them?”

  ~*~

  Lex leaned against the gazebo pole and studied Jillian. The sparkle was back in her eyes. Earlier, when she’d locked herself in the bathroom, he’d thought that he’d scared her away. That she was still around and hadn’t told him to take a hike was proof he’d chosen well. None of the women he’d selected before could touch her.

  “You’re not drinking your champagne,” he said.

  “And you are hedging.”

  “The other women are not important. You are.” He pressed a kiss on her shoulder and felt the shudder that rocked her body. Her response to his touch amazed him.

  “Lex,” she whispered.

  “We’re being watched,” he added. Across the pool, Chris and Greg were done talking to his mother, and the three were staring their way. He could see the disapproval on Chris’ face. The man needed to get over himself.

  “I should talk to Chris,” Jillian said.

  “Eat something first.” He didn’t want her to leave yet. He picked up the plate and offered her the appetizer. She took a piece of shrimp and dipped it in the sauce. Lex grinned when she ate it and reached for another piece. He placed the plate on the ledge of the gazebo and joined her.

  “So how are you related to Chris?” he asked.

  “He’s more like an honorary uncle. He’s close to my family and mentored me in everything I know about stunts,” she added quickly.

  “He’s very protective of you.”

  “Yeah. It’s kind of sweet.” She scrunched her nose, a gesture he found utterly adorable. “How do you know he’s protective of me?”

  “He and I spoke briefly.”

  Her eyes widened. “When?”

  “At Eros.”

  Jillian frowned and looked at the other guests as though searching for Chris. He was gone and so was Lex’s mother.

  “He’s an interesting guy.”

  Her eyes met his. “Yes, and amazing too. I would not have navigated Hollywood without him. When Mom died, he helped me cope with my fears and got me back on the bike again. I owe him a lot.” She continued to search, craning her neck.

  She had a beautiful neck. Long. Graceful. He couldn’t help reaching out and stroking it. He loved that she leaned against his hand, welcoming his touch.

  “He went into the house,” Lex said, and she shot him an uncertain look. “Go. I’ll be here when you come back. But first, can I have that?” He pointed at her hand. She was still holding a stuffed mushroom.

  “Sure.” She offered it to him, but Lex opened his mouth. He held her hand in place and sucked on her fingers while watching her reaction. “Mmm, tastes better.”

  She rolled her eyes. “You’re weird.”

  “You have no idea.”

  Still laughing, she took off. His eyes followed her as he drained his champagne. The blue dress suited her to perfection, hugging her generous hips and showing just the right amount of cleavage. She’d asked him how he’d chosen the actresses on his list. They were all here tonight, and as he studied them now, he marveled at his egotism.

  He’d dated his share of women, but he tended to gravitate toward brunettes. So it wasn’t surprising that all the actresses who’d made his list were dark-haired.

  Now he couldn’t think of any other woman but Jillian. Wheat-colored hair, breasts just right for his palms, and a mouth that tasted like paradise. She was a spitfire, blowing hot and cold. She was going to complicate his life, yet he was looking forward to every second of it.

  “Why the frown?” Estelle Fitzgerald asked, entering the gazebo. He hadn’t seen his mother approach.

  “Just thinking.” Lex smiled down at her. Her hazel eyes sparkled. She always enjoyed entertaining. “Looks like your party is a success.”

  “It is, isn’t it?” She wrapped an arm around his. “It’s nice to hang out with the girls. Sissy, I believe, might have found her next husband tonight.”

  “The girls” were four of Estelle’s sorority sisters, all of them big time movers in the film industry. They were either married or widowed, except Sissy who changed husbands with the seasons. His mother was never short on companions, but she’d never shown interest in remarrying.

  “What about you, Mother? Meet anyone tonight?”

  She leaned back and harrumphed. “Are you trying to marry me off, Alexander?”

  “Dad’s been dead a long time, and you are still young.”

  She chuckled. “Thank you for that, darling, but no. I’m too set in my ways to have some old man telling me what to do.”

  “Then marry a younger one and tell him what to do.”

  This time she laughed. “Oh, that’s a good one. And very progressive of you. I don’t think I’m ready to follow in Sissy’s footsteps. Besides, you boys would scare him off.” She sighed. “I just want to play with my grandchildren. Grandkids from all of my children.”

  That was the subtlest she’d ever hinted at wanting to see him settle down. As usual, he didn’t rise to the bait.

  Silence followed, and then she asked, “Has Jillian left?”

  “No. She went to talk to her uncle.”

  “Wonderfu
l man, Chris Lander. We had a very long and interesting conversation.”

  Lex frowned. He didn’t want his mother pumping people for information on Jillian. “About?”

  “Stunts and the illusions of pyrotechnics.”

  Right. “So you didn’t discuss Jillian?”

  “Of course not,” she protested too forcefully and quickly, a sure sign she was lying. “Not from lack of trying.”

  Lex liked Chris Lander more and more.

  “The man gives new meaning to close-mouthed,” Estelle continued. “Barbs told me Jillian’s very talented and serious about her work, but very private. She doesn’t attend parties, even the ones the studio throws, and she only works with her uncle. So how did you two meet? How long have you known each other?”

  Lex pressed a kiss on her temple. “Mother, all you need to know is that she’s in my life.”

  “Is she the one?”

  His mother had told him he’d know when he met the right woman. Lex recalled the meeting outside that decrepit trailer at the skydiving school like it had happened only seconds ago. He’d known the moment Jillian had looked at him that he wanted her, but her laugh... ahh. The sound of it was with him even now.

  “Yes,” he said, not bothering to explain.

  A longer silence followed his disclosure.

  “What do you know about her family?” Estelle asked.

  Lex glanced at his mother and frowned. “Since when do you care about such things?”

  His Aunt Vivian, the matriarch of his family, had appointed herself the monitor of the Fitzgerald gene pool. Weeding out undesirables before they became permanent members of their family, she often said. Lex found her attitude ridiculous. Borderline funny. Now he couldn’t bear Jillian being subjected to such scrutiny.

  “In other words, you didn’t have Douglas investigate her background.” Estelle grinned as though pleased about something.