Hidden Charm

by Jill Sanders

  A light rain started as she stepped out and slid into the back seat of the car. She didn’t talk to the driver as they made their way towards her condo.

  She ducked through the heavy rain and entered her building soaking wet. Her head was down, avoiding the rain. She made it to the elevator before she realized someone was standing in front of the doors, blocking her.

  When she looked up, she met Mark’s eyes and knew that her night was going to get worse.

  Chapter 20

  JT tried to avoid seeing the news the next day, but everywhere he turned, there was a fuzzy picture of Emma and Mark. The image appeared to be taken after she’d left his hotel, since her hair was wet and she was wearing the black shirt she’d pulled on hastily before leaving him.

  Mark was holding her hand, and Emma looked like she wanted to escape. She should have stayed with him. He should have found the words to keep her there.

  It was stupid. He was an author of over a dozen bestselling books and able to write ten thousand words in one sitting, yet he simply couldn’t say how he felt about her.

  He spent the day berating himself instead of writing on his laptop. He paced the floor of the massive hotel room until his alarm went off, then he dressed for the dinner party and waited for the car to come around.

  He knew he’d see Emma there, knew in his heart what he wanted to say to her, yet when he saw her standing across the room in a sleek gold dress, her hair tied up in an intricate knot, all his words dried up.

  Mark stood beside her, continually reaching for her or touching her. He watched her sidestep or drop her hand so that each time he touched her, the contact was instantly broken.

  For his part, he moved around the party with Jim and his new assistant, Nikki Bradley. The busty brunette had desperately flirted with him when they’d been introduced. Yet, every time he looked into the woman’s dark eyes, he wished for a pair of silver ones.

  He tried to avoid stalking Emma all night. Really, he did. However, when she walked out on the large veranda overlooking an enormous lit pool, he found himself standing next to her.

  “Nice evening,” he said softly.

  She didn’t even turn towards him. “Yes, we won’t have many more of these.” She sighed and leaned against the railing. “Fall is finally here.”

  “My favorite part of the year.”

  “I’m a spring girl myself.” She turned to him. “You look very handsome tonight.” She tilted her head. “Suits and tuxedos fit your style as well as jeans and T-shirts.” She smiled, but he noticed the emotion didn’t reach her eyes. “There’s a little Cary Grant in you after all.”

  He smiled and reached for her. When she dipped away, a move he’d seen her do with Mark, his hand dropped to his side as his smile fell.

  She glanced around. “I should get back inside.” She moved away and he felt as if his heart had been ripped from his chest.

  He snuck out less than half an hour later. The following days were much the same. He talked to Cora via Skype, and she walked him around the island, showing him that everything was still good. Rowan had taken her and Bo out there every day to check up on the house and the cats. She was staying with Kayla and Rowan at night, since he didn’t want her to be alone. Not that he didn’t trust her, but he didn’t trust whoever kept messing with him.

  He’d had a couple run-ins with crazed fans before, most of them while he was traveling.

  He’d thought about hiring a full-time security company to patrol the island. Now, after everything that had happened in the past few months, he was really looking into it. He had a few companies lined up to meet with him after he returned home.

  He had parties, dinners, and the premiere to go. He doubted he could get through another evening seeing Emma so far away from him.

  He’d checked all the tabloids. There had been no mention of her visiting his hotel room that first night. It was almost as if it hadn’t happened.

  He wanted to be with her, next to her, looking deep into those silver pools until he fell asleep each night. He’d missed her around the island after she’d gone. Even having Cora there filling his time had done little to sooth the ache Emma had filled.

  The dinner party scheduled that evening was a very public affair. He had a tuxedo delivered shortly before he was supposed to arrive. This time, a limo arrived for him that evening. Jim and his assistant Nikki were already in the back waiting for him. Jim’s wife, Carolyn, was sitting beside Jim. He’d met her once before, when they had their first dinner discussing the adaptation of the book to movie.

  He sat next to Nikki, who was wearing a stylish but skimpy black dress. As the car rolled towards their destination, her leg brushed up against his enough times that he got the hint that she was doing it on purpose.

  He helped her out of the limo as the cameras flashed. She made a point to hang on his arm as they walked into the old building downtown. The premiere was the following night and already it had been deemed one of the most anticipated movies of the year.

  Somehow, word of a sequel had leaked. He was pretty sure Jim had leaked it himself, since he was the only person he’d talked to about it. There was also talk of filming some of his other books.

  If he had to choose one, he’d pick Only the Lonely as his next film project, outside the sequel for Crescent Creek, which he was calling Trappers Point.

  The fact was that Crescent Creek’s killer, played by Mark, would not be making a comeback. But Emma’s character Hannah would once again become the heroine. The more he thought about the plot, the less he wanted her to be the scared girl she’d portrayed in the first book.

  As he wrote more words, her character changed to resemble Emma—strong, independent, a woman who knew what she wanted and wasn’t afraid to go out and get it.

  He was pretty sure that by the end of Trappers Point, Hannah Rodgers was going to be a force to be reckoned with.

  When they entered the swanky party, his eyes zoned in instantly to her across the large room. She had half a dozen men in tuxedos standing around her. Her laughter echoed softly in the room and flooded his heart with desire.

  The red number she was wearing had feathers, lace, and silk. Tonight, her hair was flowing down one side of her face, curling around her shoulders in large ringlets. The diamonds at her ears and wrists sparkled, almost blinding him from across the room.

  She hadn’t seen him yet, of that he was sure. She looked relaxed and fully in her element. He glanced around the stuffy room and decided he’d much rather be at the helm of a boat with fresh sea air in his face.

  His shoulders stiffened as Nikki’s fingers wrapped tighter around his arm.

  “Shall we get a drink?” she purred next to his ear.

  “Sure.” Why the hell not, he asked himself silently. Emma was entertaining a group of men, including Mark, who was next to her. She’d made it very clear to him last night. Until he could convince her otherwise, she had work to do.

  Well, he had work to do as well. He walked with Nikki to the bar and let the woman lean close and whisper in his ear for a while. When he bored of pretending interest, he excused himself and stepped out to find some air.

  The rains from last night had cleaned the city. He looked over the city from the top of the building and desperately wished to be thousands of miles away.

  “She’s pretty,” Emma said from behind him.

  He turned, dislodging some of the amber liquid in his glass. He was thankful when it missed her dress and splashed on the floor at her feet.

  “Sorry,” he mumbled, his eyes moving to the low-cut neckline of the red dress.

  “Sorry I saw you with her or sorry she was hanging on you all night?” Emma moved next to him and took a deep breath.

  He glanced sideways at her. “Sorry I almost spilled bourbon on your dress.”

  She chuckled, and his entire body responded.

  “You know what I like about you, JT?” She half turned and leaned her elbow on the railing.

  “My rug
ged good looks?” He raised his eyebrows. “My way with words?”

  She smiled. “Yes, both, but most of all, your inability to lie.”

  “Oh?” He thought about it. “I could lie, if the occasion called for it.”

  She shook her head, her smile fading as her eyes grew sad. “You don’t play games.” She rested a hand on his arm. “It’s written plainly on your face that you have no interest in Jim’s new assistant.”

  “Nikki,” he supplied.

  Emma nodded. “You might have others in the room fooled, but I can see clearly that you’ve been wondering since the moment you walked in the door how long you’d be forced to stay and when you could sneak out of here without anyone noticing.”

  He sighed. “Come with me?” he asked, causing her to blink and straighten up.

  “If only I could.” Her eyes darted to the bright lights behind them. She dropped her arm and started to move away.

  He reached out and took her bare arm in his fingers. The simple contact was like a shot of adrenaline.

  “Em, I can’t stand being away from you. I’d do anything to have you back.” His voice cracked slightly when her eyes met his. “Come back to me.”

  Her eyes moved over him as she took several deep breaths. When she opened her lips to speak, the glass doors behind him opened.

  “There you are. We’re just getting ready to show the preview.” Mark marched outside and grasped Emma’s arm from JT’s light hold. Emma watched him as she allowed Mark to pull her back into the mix of the party.

  He waited out on the balcony for another fifteen minutes before he snuck out of the party, alone.

  Mark’s hands were all over her. She tried several times to push him away, but he was more persistent tonight than he’d ever been. She was desperately wishing they had ridden along with Liam and his fiancée, Kimberly. But Mark had persuaded her to get into his limo instead.

  After entering, Mark had instructed the driver to drive around downtown for half an hour before returning to his place.

  Her skin had crawled.

  When he’d tried to kiss her, she’d pushed him away. When his hands had snaked over her breasts and moved the red material down so she was fully exposed, she started shoving him. Nothing seemed to work.

  She had counted his drinks. He was only six in on a very long evening. Then again, she’d lost track of him for almost half an hour when she’d followed JT out onto the balcony.

  She’d seen him the moment he’d stepped foot inside the party. At first, she’d been jealous of the busty brunette on his arm. Nikki had been bragging about getting her hands on the sexy author for weeks during the filming of the final scenes. Ever since Jim had hired the woman, she’d been asking questions about JT.

  Emma had likened her interest to obsession. But, since she was in Hollywood and JT had been in Maine, she’d pushed any worries away.

  But tonight, the woman had pulled out the big guns. Her double D’s had been predominantly displayed for the entire world. The fact that JT’s eyes only dipped to them half a dozen times was a credit to his manhood.

  Even Emma found herself locking gazes with the big globes.

  The only man at the party who had seemed disinterested was currently trying to pull her Spanx down her legs.

  “Mark!” She pushed him again. “Stop!” She finally freed her left breast from his death grip. “I’m with someone else.” She shoved him, sending him across the seat, then spent a few seconds fixing her dress. “You know this is over.” She narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. “Why the show?”

  He was silent for a moment. “I changed my mind,” he said slowly. None of his words were slurred, making her believe that he wasn’t really drunk, just horny. “I don’t want this”—he motioned between them—“to be a facade. I love you.” He moved back over to her and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her back into his grip.

  She tried to free herself, but once again, he overpowered her.

  “No.” She shook her head. “I’m with someone else.”

  “So?” He rained kisses along her neck as she tugged on his hair, trying to dislodge him. “I’ve been with others. That hasn’t stopped my feelings for you.”

  Her stomach rolled at the way he casually talked of cheating on her. Even though she’d already broken it off, it still made her sick knowing he was trying to convince her that he was dedicated to her.

  His hand reached up her skirts once more. She kicked him away. “Stop it.” She dug her nails into his wrist, but only managed to grip his jacket.

  When he started to unzip his tux pants, she fought even harder. Pins spilled out of her carefully styled hair, falling on the floor of the limo. She dislodged a shoe and heard material rip as she kneed him. When he doubled over, she rushed to the front of the limo and demanded the driver pull over.

  Gathering her shoe and her clutch, she rushed from the door before the driver could open it for her. She didn’t know where she was, only that she was free of Mark.

  Tears stung her eyes as she walked along the city street.

  She heard the limo slowly approach her, but ignored Mark’s calls to get back in the car. Finally, after a few honks of the horn, the limo passed her.

  With shaky hands, she pulled out her cell phone and punched the only number she could think of.

  Less than five minutes later, a black car pulled up beside her.

  “Miss Wilder?” the driver called out. “Mr. Thomas sent me for you.” The woman pulled over and helped her into the back of the car. She was pleased when the older woman presented a dark jacket and covered her torn dress. She’d been holding the material in place while she walked.

  Emma leaned her head back and closed her eyes as the car started to move. She was thankful the driver didn’t talk to her as they made their way through the city.

  When the car slowed, she opened her eyes and noticed she was at her building. “Mr. Thomas wants me to let you know he’s waiting for you on your floor,” the driver said, helping her out. “Keep the jacket.”

  “Thank you,” she said to the woman before entering her building.

  She rode the elevator, trying to fix her dress as best as she could. When the doors opened, JT was there.

  She walked into his open arms as the tears slipped down her face uncontrollably.

  Chapter 21

  JT held onto Emma as long as he could. Then he stood back and she opened her door with shaky hands.

  “What happened?” he asked the second the door closed behind his back.

  She moved into the dark room, still hugging herself. He could see her shiver from across the room.

  “Mark… he…” She shook her head. “Crossed the line.”

  His body tensed at her meaning. “Did he…?” He stepped further into the room.

  She turned around abruptly, shaking her head. “No, but… he pushed me too far.”

  Suddenly, he saw the anger in her eyes, which caused him to smile.

  “What are you going to do?” He moved closer to her, setting his hands gently on her shoulders.

  “I don’t know, but I’m no longer going to play by their rules.” She sighed as her eyes searched his. “I’m sorry if I woke you.”

  He chuckled. “I’m on East Coast time. It’s almost sunrise over there.”

  She closed her eyes as he pulled her into a light hug.

  “I’m so thankful you’re here,” she said into his chest.

  “So am I.” He held her until he felt her stop shaking. “Why don’t you run in and take a hot shower?” He leaned back. “If it’s okay with you, I’ll stay.”

  Something flickered behind her eyes, but then she closed them and nodded. “Thank you.”

  He turned on a few lights when she disappeared through a door at the end of a short hallway.

  It was the first time he had seen her living space. She was either a minimalist or hadn’t bought a lot of stuff for her condo yet.

  There was a bright blue so
fa in the middle of the floor with a coffee table, end table, and a matching blue lamp. A large TV sat on a black stand across from the sofa. Next to it sat a half-dead plant.

  He glanced around. In the small kitchen area sat a simple oak table with one chair.

  Hearing the shower kick on in the next room, he decided to explore a little more. He walked into her bedroom and smiled. Here was what he’d expected from her. Sheer clutter.

  Her bed was a classic wrought-iron style, and she had a bright blue comforter along with brightly colored throw pillows. There were clothes tossed on a deep red chair next to the bed.

  He walked over and picked up the torn dress she’d discarded. He had to breathe deeply to release the anger he had towards Mark. Setting the torn material back down, he walked over to her desk area and looked at a framed image of her and what he assumed was her father.

  She was young in the image. He gauged around sixteen. Her father was thin, frail, and appeared to be already deteriorating from the cancer that had finally taken him. They looked happy together. His heart ached for Emma knowing that the man was gone.

  Glancing around again, he noticed the massive bookcase along the bathroom wall. He smiled when he saw new copies of all of his books. He’d given them to her before she’d left the island.

  Walking back out to the kitchen, he decided she might need something once she was out of the shower.

  He was shocked at how little food she had in the fridge.

  Still, he found a loaf of bread along with some cheese and got to work.

  By the time Emma came back out wrapped in a massive green bathrobe, he had grilled sandwiches piled up on a plate along with some dill pickles and chips.

  “What’s this?” she asked, sitting down on the sofa.

  Since she only had one chair, he figured sitting on the sofa and using the coffee table was as good as it was going to get. She didn’t seem to mind, since she sat down and tucked her feet under her then reached for a sandwich.