***
Michael watched as Dominic stood up, smiling at India as they walked away from the set and he tried to control the growing jealousy, tried to stop all those irrational feelings rising back to the surface, but it was hard.
‘Do you have a problem with those two?’
Michael swung round to see Reece standing there. ‘No. No, I don’t have a problem. Why would I have a problem? There’s nothing going on, is there?’
‘And if there was? Would you have a problem then?’
Reece folded his arms as he studied Michael’s expression, because he knew for certain that whatever Michael told him, and what he was really feeling, they’d be two completely different things. Michael would never admit to him – to India’s father – that he had a problem with anyone seeing his ex-wife. Even though it was blatantly obvious to everyone that he did.
‘No. I still wouldn’t have a problem. But what I do have a problem with is the fact we’re standing around here talking when we should be getting back to work.’
He fixed Reece with a look that told him this conversation was over, and Reece was quite happy to end it. He had all the information he needed anyway. Michael would never be over India. India would probably never really be over Michael. But only one of them seemed willing to try and move on.
***
‘So, things seem to be happening between you and your ex-husband then,’ Dominic said as they sat by one of the catering trucks drinking strong coffee and sharing a plate of fries.
India looked up sharply, narrowing her eyes. ‘What makes you say that?’
‘Come on, India, it’s obvious. The way he looks at you, the way he touches you…’
She looked back down into her coffee. ‘We’ve known each other twenty years, Dominic. We were together for a long time, so we’re bound to be easily intimate with each other.’
‘For six years you never even spoke to him.’
She looked up again, staring right at him. ‘None of that is anyone’s business but ours. And it’s over. All of that, it’s over. There’s nothing going on between Michael and me. Not anymore… although, he wanted there to be…’
‘Really?’ Dominic asked, raising an eyebrow.
India stared at him again, looking right into those incredible, almost aqua-blue eyes of his, trying hard to ignore the somersaults her stomach was turning as she did so. Dominic seemed like a great guy, and nobody could deny he was one hell of a looker, but the last thing she needed was another relationship. She just wasn’t in the mood. ‘Yes, really. But I just don’t want… I don’t want to go back there. Not anymore. And I just wish he’d get the message, because I really don’t want him to get hurt. I never wanted that.’
Dominic sat back, pushing a hand through his dark brown hair, a tiny feeling of guilt shooting through him that he quickly pushed aside. He couldn’t detract from his plan. It was going to happen, no matter what. ‘Look, I’m sorry. That was insensitive and intrusive. I had no right.’
‘No. You didn’t.’ She was still staring at him. ‘What’s happening here, Dominic?’ Because she sure as hell didn’t know.
He leant forward, his eyes locking onto hers. ‘I just want to get to know you. That’s all.’
‘You have one hell of a reputation following you around, you know that, don’t you?’
‘Yeah, I know that. And you shouldn’t believe everything you read.’
‘So, you haven’t dated almost every leading lady you’ve worked alongside then?’
He never took his eyes off her, resting his arms on the table in front of him, clasping his hands together. ‘I’m not gonna lie so, yes, I have. I’ve dated most of them. But that doesn’t make me who I am.’
‘Doesn’t it?’
‘No. It doesn’t.’
She broke the stare first, finishing her coffee before standing up. ‘I’d better get back. They’re probably looking for me.’
‘Mustn’t keep the ex-husband waiting, huh?’
She turned round and looked at him again. ‘He’s our director, Dominic. And while we’re at it, being Michael Walsh’s ex-wife doesn’t make me who I am either. Got that?’
He stood up too, kicking his chair under the table before walking over to her. ‘That dinner we never quite got round to… Tonight. 8 0’clock. The Terrace Grill.’
‘You’re very sure of yourself, aren’t you?’
He folded his arms and gave her that killer smile once more. He was winning this one. No doubt about it. ‘Like I said, India, I just want to get to know you.’
She couldn’t help smiling slightly. He had a lot of front, she’d give him that much. ‘Okay. What harm can dinner do?’
No harm at all.
CHAPTER 11
Charley felt as though she was operating on auto pilot as she threw a pile of Lily’s clothes into a suitcase, flinging open drawers and cupboards as she stuffed as much as she could into the cases as quickly as possible. She’d already called a cab to take them to the airport because she just wanted to get to Vegas as soon as she could now.
The reappearance of Jimmy Cash had done more than shake her, it had knocked her sideways in a way she’d never thought possible and she just needed to get away from L.A. for a while, away from a threat she’d never, ever thought she’d have to face again. But, more than anything, she wanted her daughter away from a man Charley could only describe as evil.
She didn’t know why he’d shown up now, she’d had no idea he’d even been released from jail, but then, why would she? It wasn’t like she kept up with everything he did. Quite the opposite, in fact. But the second they’d put him behind bars she’d probably, somewhat naively, thought that that was it, that he was out of her life for good. That’s what she’d hoped, but he obviously wasn’t someone who put the past behind them and that’s what Charley feared more than anything. Because he hadn’t just turned up to say hello, that much was obvious.
She knew that him turning up at the salon – she knew that was just the beginning, and it made her blood run cold again to think about what he might have planned, what it was he’d come here to do. Because Jimmy Cash was a dangerous man. All those years locked away obviously hadn’t changed him, but why would they? He liked to have power over people, he liked the way that made him feel, and once again he had power over Charley and that scared her. She’d been down this road before and she’d come through it, but this time she had other people to think about. This time she had Lily. This time she had Vince. And the thought that something could happen to either of them terrified her.
She sat down on the edge of the bed and looked out of the window at the incredible view spread out in front of her – the grounds and gardens of her lovely, safe family home. Except, it didn’t feel safe anymore. Not with Jimmy Cash out there. He knew where her salon was; he was bound to know where she lived. Another shiver ran through her as she stood up, zipping the second case shut and locking it, hauling it down onto the floor before walking over to one of the huge picture windows, drawing the curtains. What use that would do she didn’t know, she wasn’t exactly thinking rationally at the minute, but just knowing he was out there was enough to make her feel sick to her stomach, as if history was repeating itself, and she couldn’t bear that.
‘Lily! Come on, sweetheart! Grab your teddy and let’s get going, baby! We don’t want to be late!’
She pulled their cases out of the bedroom and closed the door behind her, leaning back against the wall and closing her eyes for a second as she listened to the sounds of her daughter playing in her room along the landing, her baby voice singing away to herself, totally unaware of the mess her mummy’s life could become all over again.
Jimmy hadn’t told her why he’d suddenly turned up here, but why would he? That would be too easy for him, that wouldn’t give him any control, no hold over her, and she knew that’s what he wanted. He wanted control – over her. Just like he’d had before, and she couldn’t let that happen. Whatever he wanted, whatever he had plann
ed, she didn’t care; she wasn’t going to let him get to her, not this time. She was stronger now – look how far she’d come!
No, whatever he had planned she wasn’t going to let it get to her. She was going to get away from here and away from the dark shadow his reappearance had cast over her life. He wouldn’t touch her in Vegas, not with Vince there. Surely even Jimmy wouldn’t be stupid enough to try anything when she’d be around so many other people, in the middle of a major movie set? Maybe he wouldn’t even know she’d gone. Maybe Vegas was her escape, somewhere she could run to to get her head together and try and work out what to do next. Jimmy was unpredictable but maybe this time she could stay one step ahead.
She opened her eyes as her little girl ran out of her room, her favourite teddy bear dangling from one hand and Charley crouched down to scoop her up as she ran into her arms.
‘Are we going to see Daddy now, Mommy?’
Charley smiled. The first smile she’d given since Jimmy had reappeared. ‘Yes, baby, we’re going to see Daddy. We’re going to see Daddy right now.’
***
Jimmy sat back in his chair, hung up the phone and smiled to himself as he pulled his now ever-present Stetson down over his eyes. So, she thought that running to Vegas would mean she was safe; she thought it would help the situation, make him back off – how naïve she still was. Did she honestly think, even for one second, that he wouldn’t know where she was going? Because he did. He knew exactly where she was going, and he was planning on going there too. Where was the fun in staying here in L.A. when the game had just moved to Vegas? A city for gamblers – and Charley had just played the biggest gamble of her life.
CHAPTER 12
Kenny turned over and slowly opened his eyes, reaching out to gently brush the hair from her sleeping face, leaning over to kiss her cheek. She gave a tiny sigh and turned onto her back, still fast asleep, throwing one tanned arm up above her pretty head. Layla Boyd and Kenny Ross. Who’d have thought that that pairing would ever happen again, but in reality it wasn’t actually a surprise. After all, they were both in the throes of disintegrating relationships, both working closely together on the same movie – it was almost inevitable that they’d find comfort in each other.
He slid quietly out of bed and walked into the bathroom, looking out of the window at the ocean view before splashing cold water over his face, staring into the mirror. He felt good today, even if spending last night with Layla wasn’t something he’d planned – something either of them had planned – but when filming had finished for the day and both of them realised they were heading back to empty houses with neither of them really in the mood to be alone, it seemed to make sense to do something together.
They’d had dinner at a small and friendly burger place on the outskirts of Malibu, then driven to his beach house where they’d watched some TV, drank whisky, and made love. Why not? It had been nice. No, it had been more than nice, it had been fun. And they’d both needed it; he knew he certainly had, because he’d woken up today with a smile on his face and the feeling that he could do anything now.
Or maybe he was just happy because India was arriving back in L.A. for a couple of days and the thought of seeing his best friend always made him smile. They were due to shoot a music video together for some friends of theirs – the rock band Black Rock Diamond – and Kenny couldn’t wait to get to work on it. It was going to be one hell of a sexy, edgy video because, even at forty-three, India could do sexy and edgy better than anyone else. They both could.
‘Hey, mister, what you doing getting up and leaving me all on my own?’ Layla yawned, walking sleepily into the bathroom, sliding her arms around his waist from behind. ‘I quite fancied a little lie-in.’
He turned round and pulled her close, smiling as he kissed her gently. ‘A lie-in, huh?’
‘She smiled too, her fingers absent-mindedly stroking his rough chin. ‘Yeah, why? What did you think I meant?’
He started nuzzling her neck, tickling her ear and she laughed out loud, squirming in his arms until he kissed her mouth and she gave in to him, falling against him.
‘Last night was good, Kenny,’ she whispered, looking into his dark eyes, getting serious for a second. ‘Thank you.’
‘Hey, you don’t have to thank me, honey. We needed each other, there’s no crime in that.’
‘No. There isn’t.’ She ran her fingers lightly over his collarbone, looking back up at him. ‘So, do you… do you still need me now?’
He tucked a strand of her blond hair behind her ear, leaning over to kiss her mouth again; her beautiful, soft and welcoming mouth. And it had certainly welcomed him last night, in ways he wouldn’t mind repeating now. Jesus, he was more than ready for her as her tongue touched his, the kiss getting deeper by the second, and he didn’t have to say anything to her. He didn’t have to reply. She already knew the answer to her own question.
***
Dinner with Dominic had been an experience. He came across as this sometimes arrogant, almost overly self-assured man at times but in reality that wasn’t how he was at all. Or maybe he was just a very good actor in the presence of his leading ladies, India didn’t know. She only knew that she’d enjoyed herself. He’d been the perfect gentleman, and this morning she was joining him at the Terrace Breakfast Restaurant for some eggs and coffee, or, in her case, tea. Almost twenty years in the U.S. and she still couldn’t face coffee before 10am.
He was already there when she arrived, looking handsome and relaxed in jeans and a white shirt that showed off his tan, his dark hair messed up and untidy in a way that only made him look all the more sexy. He was talking into his phone, laughing at something the caller was saying, throwing his head back as he spoke and India just stood there for a few seconds, watching him. He really was something else when you got up close – as handsome in real life as he was in his movies. Almost too good-looking to be true.
She pushed her dark glasses up onto her head and walked over to him, his eyes meeting hers as she approached the table. He ended his call, standing up and taking her hand, leaning forward to kiss her cheek. Like she’d said, the perfect gentleman.
‘You look stunning,’ he smiled, sitting back down.
‘Yeah, yeah, quit with the charm offensive. I’m here, you don’t have to try any more.’
He sat forward, clasping his hands together in front of him as he continued to smile at her. ‘I had a great time last night.’
‘We only had dinner, Dominic.’
‘I still had a great time.’
She leant forward too, copying his stance. ‘You know, you can drop the act with me, I get it now. I’ve seen Mr Movie Star, now I’d quite like to get to know the real Dominic MacDonald, if that’s alright with you.’
He looked down at his clasped hands for a second before meeting her eyes. ‘That’s fine with me.’
She smiled, and once more he felt his stomach somersault. ‘Good.’ India sat back in her chair, pushing her hands through her hair, pulling it back into a ponytail. ‘You gonna pour me a cup of tea then?’
He laughed, watching her as she quickly fastened her ponytail with a coloured band, her face devoid of any heavy make-up – just a touch of mascara and some lip gloss. It was all she needed, enough to make her look much younger than her years. She was extraordinarily beautiful, Dominic thought as he poured her tea. No wonder Michael Walsh would do anything he could to have her back in his life, but, as far as Dominic was concerned, he’d had his chance. It was time for a younger man, a different man to move on in there. Time for more surprises than Michael Walsh was ready for.
‘You alright?’ India asked, taking a sip of tea as she fixed Dominic with a questioning look.
He shook himself back to the here and now and flashed her that movie star smile again. ‘Just thinking.’
‘Oh yeah? About anything I might be interested in?’
He sat back, keeping his eyes on her all the time, the smile never leaving his face. ‘Well, that’d be telli
ng.’
She couldn’t help laughing. ‘Jesus, Dominic MacDonald Movie Star really doesn’t know how to lie down and take a break, does he?’
Dominic threw his head back and laughed too, feeling like every second he spent in this woman’s company was a second nearer to achieving his goal. Although, he was starting to feel slightly uncomfortable about thinking of her as a “goal”. But that’s what she was; or what she represented, anyway.
‘So, why the sudden trip back to L.A.?’ he asked, still looking at her as she rummaged round in her bag for her phone, immediately rejecting the call coming through.
She looked up at him, taking another sip of tea. ‘I’m shooting a music video, with Kenny Ross.’
He raised an eyebrow. ‘A music video?’
‘Do you know the rock band Black Rock Diamond?’
He nodded. ‘Yeah. I’m a bit of a fan. You’re shooting a video for them?’
‘Kenny and I are friends of theirs. We’ve known Mark Cassidy, their front man, for a while. And we’ve been promising the band we’d be in one of their videos for a long time. Call it a favour I’m happy to do.’
‘I can’t wait to see it,’ Dominic smiled, and India suddenly felt shy, looking down at her hands, her fingers fiddling with a napkin. ‘You always carry that rock chick look so well. It’s very, very sexy.’
She started pulling away at the corner of the napkin, ripping pieces off until she realised what she was doing and stopped, looking back up at him. ‘I’ve got to go catch a plane in a few minutes.’
‘I know.’
All of a sudden she had no idea what to say to him. It was almost as if someone had cast some kind of spell over her, striking her mute so no words would come out.
‘India…’
She stood up and he followed her, walking round the table until he was beside her, gently taking her hand in his.
Illusions of Love Page 9