“My punishment,” I reply out of the side of my mouth, my face a dark scowl. “For a missing name tag.”
“That humpty dumpty ass sonofabitch,” Mindy hisses, casting an angry glare toward Vandenburgh's office. I know she’d love nothing more than to let him have a piece of her mind, but she’s coasting on two strikes herself, courtesy of yours truly. If she weren’t so popular with the coffee shop patrons, Vandenburgh would’ve found a reason to fire her long ago. “What a fuck-face!”
“You’re telling me,” I mutter.
She shakes her head sadly before her frown morphs into a playful grin. Can’t ever keep her down long. “Hey, guess what?”
“What?” I ask cautiously. She’s giving me that snarky half-smirk so I know it’s going to be silly.
Mindy giggles as she gestures at the coffee shop. “V-man decided the coffee shop needs some more decoration, so we’ve got ourselves a brand-new fish. Girl, you’ve got to see this thing! It’s got lips so big, it looks like it’s giving head.” She starts bobbing her head forward, her mouth open wide.
Normally, I’d be laughing my ass off at her antics, but I can barely manage to crack a smile. I know Mindy’s just trying to lift my mood though, bless her heart.
Mindy stops and rubs my shoulder when she sees her crack failed, her smile rapidly fading. “I’ll have a sandwich ready for you on break,” she promises, walking back to the coffee shop.
“Thanks,” I say with a graciousness I don’t feel. “See you then.”
I get to work, getting on my hands and knees near the elevators. My plan is to do this area until Vandenburgh leaves for lunch. Then I’ll just call Jimmy to take care of the entire lobby really fast with the buffer. I might need my job, but there’s no way I’m going to subject myself to hours of torture. Screw Vandenburgh.
My hands are red from scrubbing and irritated by the solution by the time I’m on the last area, my back aching and sore. I don’t even notice when the elevator in front of me opens and polished dress shoes stop in front of my face.
I freeze when I hear that deep voice.
“Well, well, look who we have here.”
Oh, no. Not again.
I look up slowly and my breath stills in my lungs. Gavin is standing above me. The scent of his cologne, a heavy masculine fragrance, wafts down to my nose, causing my skin to prickle.
“Good morning,” I say, blushing. I cringe. I must look and sound so weak, like a love-struck schoolgirl. Instead of being polite, I should be telling him off about yesterday, but I feel like now’s not the time. Especially with Vandenburgh nearby.
“Good morning to you too,” Gavin says, stepping off the elevator. He pauses, looking down at me and frowning. “Are you waxing the floor?” he asks, his deep voice suddenly on edge.
“I am,” I reply, surprised by his intensity.
Gavin inquires, “Isn’t your job to clean the rooms?”
I nod.
He glances toward the lobby, a scowl on his face. “Then why are you waxing the floor? Don’t they have a janitor?”
Yeah, but that doesn’t matter when you work for a creep like Vandenburgh.
The words are on my lips. I almost tell him about Vandenburgh being a major douche, but I don’t.
Gavin can’t help me. And I don’t know why he cares anyway. He has a movie to shoot.
“Someone spilled something,” I lie instead, looking away. “And I just have to clean it up.”
“I know bullshit when I hear it,” Gavin growls, looking around, practically fuming.
I’m at a loss for words. Why the hell does he care?
I’m about to tell Gavin he shouldn’t worry about me and continue on his way when Vandenburgh appears from behind. “Miss Sayles, your job was to polish the marble, not gossip with hotel guests,” he says. He stares down his nose at me in a condescending manner. “First you lose your name tag, and now this. If you’re not going to take your job seriously—”
“She was doing her job just fine,” Gavin interrupts, a note of anger entering his tone. “I was asking her for help. You said she’s missing her name tag?”
Vandenburgh nods, suddenly very docile.
Gavin shakes his head and takes a small metal tag out of his pocket, handing it to me. “It’s my fault, Brianna. I bumped into you in the hallway and it got caught on my sleeve. Sorry about that.”
I reach out and take it, unsure of what to say. “Th–thank you.”
“You see?” Gavin asks, looking at Mr. Vandenburgh. “All my fault.”
Suddenly, Vandenburgh’s trying hard to kiss Gavin’s ass. “Of course it was just a misunderstanding, Mr. Adams. Miss Sayles has just proven to be a bit of a problem in the past.”
“She’s been very helpful. And my room is in perfect order,” Gavin says, cutting off Vandenburgh and crossing his arms over his chest. “In fact, I’d like to speak with her. I need her help with something. Mind if I borrow Brianna here for an hour or so?”
I gape in disbelief. This isn’t going how I expected it to.
Vandenburgh glances over at me. It’s clear he doesn’t want to let me out of his sight and wants me to continue scrubbing the floor. But Gavin is a celebrity. Vandenburgh might despise me, but he can’t afford to not kiss Gavin’s ass.
Still, I know it irks him when he forces the next words from his lips. “Of course not, Mr. Adams. I’ll just make some adjustments.”
“Thank you,” Gavin says with a smirk.
Vandenburgh looks like he’s been bitch slapped when he rushes off, muttering to himself under his breath. I would laugh my ass off at him if I weren’t so shocked and if I knew it wouldn’t get my ass fired.
Gavin watches for a moment before he turns back, holding his hand out to me.
I stare at his hand for a moment before taking it. A spark of electricity shoots up my arm as he pulls me to my feet with ease, his grip strong and firm. I’m disappointed when he lets go, but I don’t let it show.
“There,” he says, flashing me a charming grin. “I just had to do something. You’re too pretty to be scrubbing floors.”
Warmth flows through my chest at his words and I almost forget that I’m supposed to be on guard.
He’s only trying to be nice cause he wants something, a voice in the back of my head warns.
“Thank you,” I tell him. “But you didn’t have to do that for me.”
Gavin waves me away. “Sure I did.” He nods toward the coffee shop, glancing at his watch. “Come on, let’s get some coffee and a bagel. I have a few minutes to kill before I head off to the set, and you look like you could use a break.”
I glance with uncertainty toward Vandenburgh’s office. While I appreciate Gavin’s standing up for me, I don’t know if I should be going anywhere with him. Especially when I know what he’s really after.
Gavin doesn’t give me a chance to say no. “Come on,” he says, taking my hand in his and leading me toward the cafe. “My treat.”
Dumbstruck, I let him lead me halfway to the door, my heart pounding every step of the way, before I stop and pull my hand out of his.
“Wait,” I say, looking down at my jumpsuit. “I can’t.” I know we’re not going anywhere special, but I look like shit. And I don’t want to be seen with Gavin with this outfit on. Who knows if paparazzi are lurking around, waiting to take an embarrassing picture? “Vandenburgh will kill me. And I look awful,” I add.
Gavin scowls. “Don’t worry about shorty. I’ll take care of him, trust me.” He gives me a smoldering look that makes my heart do a backflip. “And you’d look beautiful even if you were wearing rags.”
A furious blush comes to my cheeks and I lower my head as a warm, fuzzy feeling flows through my chest. I shouldn’t be listening to anything he says. Knowing what I know about him, it should go in one ear and out the other. But I can’t help but be flattered.
“Thank you,” I say softly.
He winks at me, taking my hand in his again. I don’t even bother objecting this time. And I all
ow him to lead me across the lobby, where he opens the cafe door for me.
Mindy’s eyes practically pop out of her head when we walk in, like she can’t believe what she’s seeing. After she recovers, she walks over, looking as if she’s going through great pains to keep a straight face, and hands Gavin a menu. “Nice to see you again, Mr. Adams. Is this the girl you’ve been looking for all this time?”
Careful, Mindy, I warn her with my eyes. Hers are sparkling with mischief, and I know she’s just itching for a chance to say or do something silly that will embarrass me.
“The very one,” Gavin says easily, leading me to a corner table. Mindy follows us over as he helps me slide into my seat before sinking into his.
Mindy smacks herself against her head, playing dumb. “Damn! I wish I would have known you were talking about Brianna when you came into the coffee shop. I would have gone and gotten her out of the back.”
Amusement sparkles in Gavin’s eyes as he waves away her faux concern. “It’s not a big deal. I’m just glad I found her.” His eyes turn on me, and I feel my cheeks heating all over again. “We have a lot to talk about.”
Mindy tosses me a playful wink, her eyes screaming, Girl, you’d better let him have his way with you. Or else!
“That’s so sweet,” Mindy says, grinning. “It’s not every day a big sports star comes waltzing into our hotel. On a date with one of my co-workers, no less. I must say, I’m a little jealous.”
“We’re not on a date,” I say so quickly I almost don’t understand myself. “We’re just having coffee.”
Gavin agrees. “Just having coffee.” But his eyes, which are burning into mine with fire, seem to say otherwise.
“Oh, okay,” Mindy says. “Well, excuse me. Didn’t mean to rouse the snake.”
I shoot her a murderous scowl, but Gavin only laughs.
Grinning, Mindy asks, “So what can I get the two of you?”
“Let’s see.” Gavin flips through the menu for a moment before looking up at Mindy. “Any suggestions?”
Mindy screws up her face, thinking. “We’ve got a pretty good patty melt if you’re looking for something real to eat. If not, we’ve got some awesome pecan cinnamon rolls.”
“I’ll take two of those and two lattes,” Gavin says before pausing to look at me. “Unless you want something different?”
Of course not. Mindy recommended my favorite. At least she did one good thing.
I shake my head, although a part of me thinks he’s arrogant for ordering for me. But the other part of me likes it. “That’s fine.”
Mindy nods after scribbling on her notepad. “Okay, your order will be coming right up.” Tossing me another playful grin, she walks over behind the counter and starts messing with the machine.
Gavin watches her for a moment and then turns his piercing gaze on me, a slight smile playing across his lips. “A friend of yours?”
I nod, trying to relax but failing. I’m trembling with anxiety. And I’m not sure if it’s because Gavin is a celebrity or if it’s because I know I shouldn’t be here with him. Or both. “My bestie. Though she gets on my last nerve sometimes.”
Gavin chuckles, a knowing look on his face. “I kind of figured that when I came in here to ask about you the other day.”
It takes a moment for what he says to register. “You knew?” I accuse.
Gavin nods. “I didn’t know if you were best friends, but I know she knew exactly where you were.”
“She was just covering for me,” I try to explain. “Didn’t want me to get into trouble.”
Gavin waves away my worry. “You don’t have to explain anything to me. I understand. You were worried about your job after what happened. And I don’t hold it against you. Now . . . you running away from me though . . .” His voice trails off as his eyes bore into me and I literally squirm in my seat.
I avert my gaze, my blush now furious.
Thankfully, Mindy rescues the awkward moment by coming back with our rolls and lattes, setting them down in front of us. “Do you guys need anything else?” she asks, looking back and forth between us, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “A super-size banana split for dessert, perhaps?”
I almost roll my eyes at her emphasis on super-size. “No, I think we’re good,” I say almost stonily, wanting to smack her upside her head.
Mindy nods, seeing my growing irritation. “Okie dokie. Holler if you need me. It’s my absolute pleasure to serve.” She walks away with a wink and a twirl of her skirt, her heels clicking across the floor.
Gavin chuckles when Mindy’s gone, shaking his head at her antics. “She must be a trip to hang out with.”
I roll my eyes. “Trust me, you’d get tired of her within five minutes. And that’s only if she didn’t talk for the first two.”
Gavin laughs. “You crack me up.”
I shrug, picking up a roll and taking a bite. The sweet cinnamon and icing melt in my mouth like butter and I’m forced to hold in a groan. At least Mindy can do one thing right. Her rolls are always slammin’. “Just kidding. I love her.”
Gavin takes a sip of his latte. “So how long have you been working here?”
I freeze for a moment, suddenly wary. I’m finding it hard to believe that Gavin is really interested in my boring ass life. He’s a huge sports star who can have any woman he wants, for God’s sake.
This is why he’s here, a voice in the back of my head says. Because I ran from him and his ego can’t handle it. He doesn’t really care about getting to know me. He just wants to pretend to be nice so he can get my guard down along with my panties.
I almost get up and leave, but when I see the way Gavin is staring at me with such intense interest, I stay in my seat.
Just answer, I reason. What harm can it do anyway? It’s not like he can do anything with the information. And maybe after he sees how boring I am, he’ll leave me alone.
“A couple of years part-time,” I finally reply, washing some of my roll down with a sip of latte. “I’m hoping to quit soon, though. After I finish school.”
With how crazy Vandenburgh gets, it can’t happen soon enough.
Gavin toys with the rim of his cup, his gorgeous eyes never leaving my face. “I see.” He slowly takes another sip. “You grow up in this area?”
“Born and raised,” I reply proudly. “Always been a small-town girl.”
Gavin chuckles. “Can’t say that I’d love living in a place like this, but I admire your hometown spirit.”
“What about you?” I ask. “How’d you get into football?”
Gavin sits back in his seat. “Well, I’ve had a knack for playing ball for as long as I can remember,” he says, his eyes growing distant. “I remember I used to play so much when I was little I got blisters from throwing and catching the ball. Eventually, it paid off. I got drafted, left school pretty early . . . and the rest is history.”
I take a sip of latte. “What position do you play?” I can’t remember what I’d read about Gavin when I looked him up. The only thing that stuck in my mind was the size of his . . .
Gavin arches an eyebrow.
I blush yet again, shaking my head. “I honestly didn’t know who you were until Mindy told me.”
Gavin doesn’t get angry at my admission like I expect him to. I figure he has an ego bigger than his dick and gets mad when people don’t recognize him. “Well, I’m just a running back. Some say the best in the league.”
His cockiness is not lost on me as I ask, “So why are you doing this movie, if you’re so good?”
A slight smirk plays across Gavin’s lips as he replies, “Miranda, my agent, thought it would be good for my image. With all the rumors about me going around . . .” his voice trails off and he clenches his jaw, suddenly irritated.
He doesn’t have to say what those rumors are for me to catch his meaning.
Suddenly, a ringtone of All I do is win goes off at Gavin’s hip.
Holding a finger up to me, he fishes his cell out of his
pocket. “Speak of the devil,” he mutters before answering.
“Yeah? I’m having coffee. What do you mean I have five minutes before you crack my nuts? Ok. Fine. On my way.” He hangs up his cell, sticking it back in his pocket while shaking his head and muttering under his breath. “Terrible timing.”
“Trouble?” I ask lightly.
“Yeah,” he groans. “That was Miranda, threatening to bust my ass to get to rehearsals.” He gets up from his seat. “Sorry, but I’m going to have to cut our little date short.”
My breath catches in my throat. Did he just call this a date?
“But I’d like to continue this. What about tonight after filming?” he asks.
My lips open and close like a fish for a few moments before I can find my voice. “I-I-I don’t know—”
Gavin cuts me off. “You know my room number. I’ll see you there at eight.” He walks off, leaving me speechless.
He’s not even out the door well before Mindy comes scurrying over, nearly tripping and falling flat on her face in the process.
“Did I hear Gavin invite you to his room tonight?” she asks breathlessly, her eyes wide.
Why Mindy, you eavesdropping bitch!
I cross my arms over my chest, scowling at her. “You were spying on us,” I accuse.
“What? No I wasn’t,” Mindy protests. She pauses and then adds, “I couldn’t help but hear. You were talking so loud!”
I growl, “Get the fuck out of here!”
Mindy tries to keep a straight face. “You were.”
I shake my head. “You’re hopeless.”
Mindy laughs. “You should know that by now.” She stops to stare at me. “But you are going, right?”
Chapter 8
Gavin
“What is it about your past that keeps coming between us?” I ask flatly, looking Leslie in the eyes. “Every time we start to get close, something gets in the way.”
“CUT!” the director, Jim, yells, and I lean away from Leslie, holding back a groan of frustration. This is the tenth take on this mini-scene, and I’m getting pissed.
Jim is too. “What the fuck was that, Gavin?” he snarls, moving in front of the cameras as he stomps over. We’re shooting in a borrowed house on the outskirts of town and I’m completely boning it. Two days in a row, I’ve been fucking up. “You delivered your lines with the emotion of a goddamned robot!”
Anaconda: A Sexy Romantic Comedy Page 6