Текст книги "Perfectly Imperfect"

Автор книги: Harper Sloan

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Текущая страница: 7 (всего у книги 23 страниц)

“YOU HAVE A GIRLFRIEND,” I gasp. “A pregnant girlfriend, at that.”

Of all the things I could have said at that moment, that’s what I go with. It seems safer than asking him what the heck he’s trying to prove here. Or better yet, safer than to acknowledge the fact his erection is pressing firmly against my wet core. Good God, I don’t know what’s come over me. I have never acted so brazenly.

“I don’t,” he insists, allowing me to climb off his lap.

My eyes narrow, and anger fires my blood. “You most certainly do. I might be naïve in a lot of things, but pictures don’t lie, Mr. Masters. I would have to be blind to miss the headlines that have been all over the place for the last few weeks.”

“It’s Kane,” he forces through tight lips before the silence returns around us. He shakes his head and opens his mouth to speak before closing it and shaking his head again. I can tell by his body language that he’s uncomfortable. I’m assuming that’s because he just tried to cheat on his pregnant girlfriend. Oh God, he did cheat on her. I’m going to be sick. I’ve turned into my sister!

His voice breaks the silence of my inner thoughts. “You can’t believe everything you read in those fucking magazines, Willow. They print what will sell. What will cause people to stop and throw down a few bucks on what really equates to a handful of pages full of bullshit.”

“So you’re saying that every single one of them, plus the online media outlets and television reports, are lies? Just like that?”

My body hums with anger. I’m angry he had the nerve to kiss me. And the tipping point of my anger is the fact my body loved every second of it, girlfriend or not.

He wasn’t wrong. I feel it too; I’m just not sure what I’m supposed to do with it. I felt his reaction to our kiss against my soaking wet core. There is no way he could have faked a reaction like that. I’m just having a hard time understanding how he could feel that way about me. Each time I’ve been face-to-face with him has been during the most humiliating of situations. I’ve been at my worst. Those magazines he claims prints lies can’t make up the kind of woman he usually has at his side and they’re nothing like me.

“You’re right. They couldn’t hold a candle to you,” he says, breaking into my thoughts with a smooth purr of hypnotizing tones.

I snort out a laugh and throw my hand over my mouth, my eyes widening. Well, that’s just lovely; apparently, my thoughts slipped through my lips yet again. I really need to work on that.

His distressed gaze falters at my unladylike display. Those full lips curling. The way he looks at me is so unnerving.

Well, Eddie—what was it he said? Life begins at the end of your comfort zone? I’m so far outside of my safe zone of comfort; I might as well be on another planet.

“I don’t have the slightest clue what I’m doing here,” I tell him honestly. “Things like this don’t happen to girls like me.”

Those crystal eyes slight, and he cocks his head adorably. “That’s not the first time you’ve referred to yourself negatively, Willow.”

I laugh again, his eyes narrowing further. “Yeah, well, one thing you should know about me, Kane, is that I’m not exactly the most positive person.”

“And why’s that?”

Yeah, right. As if I’m going to open the floodgates of the cesspool of my many issues.

“Willow? I asked you a question.”

“Has anyone ever told you that you’re a very intimidating person?” I hedge.

“Wouldn’t be the first time. But you don’t get to where I am by not taking what you want.”

“Look,” I start. Hike up those big girl panties, Willow. “I’m really not sure what I’m supposed to say here. I don’t understand why I’m here … with you … and I’m really not sure I trust you and whatever is motivating this situation.”

His features smooth out and he reaches out, again, to take my hand. I try to resist, but his determination is something I can’t match. I shift uncomfortably and swallow the lump in my throat.

“You don’t know me, Willow, but I don’t lie. You’re here because I want you here. Sure, I went about it unconventionally, but I live a life that isn’t conventional in the least. I’m the kind of man who takes what he wants with no apologies. So I won’t give you any. Just like you don’t know me, I don’t know you, but what I’ve felt by just being around you makes me believe it’s a feeling worth some drastic measures to explore further. I took what drastic measures I needed in order to rectify the situation at hand.”

“And that situation being me?”

He laughs. “The situation has everything to do with you. I haven’t felt a bond like I feel with you toward anyone in a damn long time, if ever, and I would be a stupid man not to use all my cards to explore that.”

“And your girlfriend?” I question, my voice coming a heck of a lot more steady than the rapid beating of my heart.

“I told you, I don’t lie. I don’t have a girlfriend, Willow.”

I sigh, shifting again before pulling at my top when I feel it tighten against my belly. I don’t miss the way that his eyes move to follow my hands movements.

Crap.

“I’m going to be honest,” I warn him, shifting again. My body betraying the calm I’m trying to present outwardly.

“Please do.” He nods, the hand still holding mine and giving me a squeeze before his dexterous fingers sweep across my wrist, spiking my already pounding heart to dangerous levels.

“Okay,” I squeak, clearing my throat. I look down at our connected hands and take a deep breath. “You … the things you talk about … crap.”

“Willow, you can speak your mind,” he assures, his voice calm and low.

“This has never happened to me. I’m not sure I can be the person you want me to be.” Spit it out, dang it. “You’ve seen me twice before, that I know of, and both of those times could probably sum up the downward spiral of my life. I’ve been a roller coaster of dips and turns that have made me a skeptical person who doesn’t have the type of … confidence that you seem to exude. I’ve learned it’s easier to tighten my buckle and take the safer rides in life. Ones that don’t set me up to fall on my tail.”

He’s quiet for a moment when I finish speaking, but his eyes are telling me everything his silence isn’t. Kane is a smart man, so I’m sure he’s reading between the lines with no difficulties at all.

“Three times,” he says confusing me for a second before I remember his claim to have seen me years before.

“So you say,” I respond.

“We’ll come back to that,” he promises with purpose. “You say it’s easier to take the safer rides in life, so I guess that means I just need to show you that life is a lot more fun when you learn how to enjoy the ride. Look, I’m not asking you for forever, Willow, but at least give me a chance to show you the fall is worth taking off your seat belt and saying to hell with it, regardless of what your mind is telling you.” His eyes look over to where my seat belt is hanging, unconnected, next to the door. “I think you’ve already seen what fun it can be when you decide to unbuckle.”

“Not that I had much of a choice,” I mumble.

“That’s right. But can you tell me you didn’t enjoy the fuck out of it? Feeling the rush when you stopped thinking and just rolled with it. Each and every hard inch created by that rush?”

I gasp, catching his meaning.

“All I’m asking is that you give me a chance to find out what makes you … you. Explore all those things I know you felt before and confirmed just now when you were in my arms. I have no hidden agenda here, Willow. I’m just asking you to take a chance. What you see through those skeptical eyes isn’t me exuding confidence, but rather me trusting my gut when it has never steered me wrong before.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” I whisper and pull my hand from his when I feel the SUV stop. I ignore his sigh and look out the window to see we’ve parked next to a large home. “I don’t want to be the girl who’s stuck on the kiddie rides in life anymore, Kane, but I’m warning you this won’t be easy for me. It won’t be easy for me to just let go and trust this isn’t some cruel joke fate has tucked up her sleeve.” I turn my attention back to his while reaching my hand out to the door handle. “Everything you make me feel scares the crap out of me, but you’re right. Regret is an ugly thing, and I’m sick of being the girl who has a closet stockpiled with it.”

His face, which has been the picture of apprehension since I started speaking, relaxes, and the smile he’s famous for knocks the wind right out of my sails.

“A chance. My head says no, but for once, I’m going to follow your lead and trust what my gut is telling me. My mind has proven lately that I don’t always know what’s best for me.” I take a breath and hold my hand up when he opens his mouth to respond. “Please, just don’t make me add another regret to my already stuffed full closet.”

I don’t give him a chance to respond; instead, I pull the handle and step out into the comfortable Georgia fall weather. Kirby is standing nervously outside of the vehicle that brought her and her family here.

“Are you okay?” she questions obviously noting my appearance and frazzled nerves.

I sigh. “Honestly, Kirb? I’m not really sure.”

I look back at the black windows that close Kane to us and wonder what in the hell I’m thinking by allowing myself to potentially be crushed by that man. I wasn’t lying; I don’t trust him. I would be a fool to blindly trust someone I don’t know, let alone someone who is so publicly scrutinized.

I’ve wanted a change, and this is about as big of one as it could possibly get.

It’s time to put the new Willow out in the world and finally be the strong woman I’ve been building myself to be. Fear is no longer a ride I wish to travel.

WE SPEND THE REST OF our afternoon enjoying the house we’ve been put up in. I’m not sure how Kirby managed to swing this, but we might as well be staying in a mini mansion. With seven bedrooms—SEVEN—four bathrooms, the largest gourmet kitchen I’ve ever seen in my life, two living rooms—both formal and informal—and probably every upgrade known to man, this place is far beyond something that a regular member of the production team would ever have. Kane’s entertainment company sure did roll out the red carpet for Kirby.

Alli and Rob have been playing PlayStation in the media room—yeah, actually, it’s more like a mini movie theater that takes up the entire third floor. Complete with a candy vending machine, soda dispenser, and popcorn maker. Last I saw Kirby, she had been enjoying it just as much as her family, but if I know her, she’s dying to hunt me down and question me about what happened on the way here.

I’ve been in the kitchen baking things I have no intention of eating. Taking full advantage of the fully stocked fridge and pantry, I replay every second of my encounter with Kane. Cooking out my thoughts and trying to convince myself that I haven’t lost my ever-loving mind when I agreed to explore this … bond Kane and I seem to have linking us together.

My stomach rumbles when I place the last of the chocolate chip cookies on the cooling rack. I look down, and with a sigh, I stuff one of the warm cookies into my mouth. I let out a deep moan around the sweetness that explodes in my mouth and start to lick the chocolate off my fingers.

Heaven.

“Fuck me,” I hear mumbled harshly and snap my head over to the doorway and the intruding voice.

“Crap,” I muffle through a full mouth of sugary heaven. I had been so lost in the first taste of sweets I’ve had in a long time that I didn’t even notice I wasn’t alone anymore. Finishing the bite too quickly to enjoy and wiping my mouth with a discarded towel, I look over at the man filling the room with the thickness his heated gaze is causing. “You’re going to give me a heart attack,” I snap, more embarrassed at being caught mouth raping a cookie than I am at the man himself.

He reaches down and I watch in shock as he presses his hand against the crotch of his jeans before adjusting himself. Does this man have no shame?

“That noise. Shit, Willow, that noise.”

“Yes, well … I’m sorry, but it was a really good cookie,” I lamely tell him.

“Yeah, I’m sure it was,” he purrs and moves toward me.

“How did you get in here?” I question, my mind clearing long enough to form some sort of coherency.

“With my key,” he answers with a devilish smile.

“You have a key? To our house?”

“I would hope so since I own it.”

Do what? “You own this house?” Well, that would explain the grandeur around me. “So why are we here and you aren’t?” I evade his advancement and back up a step when he takes another toward me.

“Because.” He doesn’t continue, but his smile widens.

“Because ...?” I implore. Crap, I can smell him—that delicious cologne he wears—and I swear my body hums with arousal.

“Why are you in here cooking?” he asks, ignoring me when I back up again, butting into the counter behind me.

“Because,” I smart, and even with my nerves spiking by just being near him, I’m enjoying this little game.

“Fair enough, Ms. Tate, fair enough.”

“You’re a confusing man.”

His eyes twinkle with mischief as he walks further into my personal space. His eyes study my face, my body, and then my face some more. I resist the urge to pull at my top when his eyes travel the length of me.

Barely.

“You missed some,” he oddly says, but before I can comprehend what his words mean, his head is lowering and his mouth is on mine.

Teasing.

Exploring.

Feasting.

Oh. My. God.

The shock of his lips against mine, soft and warm, holds me still, but my heart picks up and panic starts to invade.

He pulls back, licking his lips, and the fire in his eyes burn into mine.

“Delicious,” he whispers, then turns to grab a cookie off the cooling rack and leans against the counter.

“Is this you trying?” I ask, giving in to the urge to lick my lips, tasting him again on my tongue.

“No, this is me taking,” he retorts, and with a smirk, he takes a huge bite of the cookie. When I don’t respond, he continues to study me … study my reaction to his kiss.

Okay, Willow. You want this. You promised yourself you would be better, honest, and try. So … do it.

“You’re terrifying.” There … that wasn’t so bad.

His smirk dies. He drops what’s left of his cookie on the island, and he opens his mouth.

“Willow?” I hear Kirby call, cutting off his response. I look around the room frantically as her footfalls get closer.

Crap.

“I don’t want to scare you,” he tells me honestly, ignoring Kirby’s advancement.

“Wills?” Kirby’s calls out again, her voice closer this time, and my eyes widen. My shocked and somewhat panicked brown eyes meet his calm and assessing ice blue ones.

Searching and questioning me with just a glance.

God, he confuses me.

“Trying to find somewhere to stuff me?” He laughs. Stepping away from me slightly, he grabs his discarded cookie and swallows the rest in one bite.

I shift, trying to ease the throbbing between my legs as his tongue comes out to lick his lips.

“No,” I deny. “Okay, maybe.”

He throws his head back and laughs. The heavy energy flooding the room just seconds before starts to dissipate some. I watch his throat work as his hilarity reverberates around us. God, he’s beautiful.

“Oh,” Kirby says, faltering as she walks into the room. Her eyes move from Kane’s smiling face to my shocked one before she quickly recovers. “Mr. Masters, nice to see you again.” She walks forward and reaches out to shake his hand, looking over at me with an expression that tells me she’ll demand answers as soon as possible.

He ignores her hand and pulls her into a friendly hug. “Kirby, it’s a pleasure. Thank you for getting here so quickly. I apologize for not coming in earlier. I had some things on set that needed my attention.”

“Earlier?” she asks, knowing dang well what he’s talking about.

“Yes, I should have had Willow pass on my regards, but we were busy,” he pauses and looks over at me wickedly, “discussing other things.”

“I’m sure you were, Mr. Masters.” Her words say one thing, but what I hear is ‘We’ll be discussing this in more detail later, Willow.’

“Kane, Kirby. I’ve told you already, please call me Kane.”

“Kane it is, then,” she smirks. “Busy day exploding ovaries?”

I gasp at her audacity, which really shouldn’t surprise me with Kirby, but Kane just laughs.

“I only care about one set of those, Kirby. Glad to see you haven’t lost that sense of humor.”

She smiles, and I look back and forth between the two of them, my brow crinkling in confusion. “You two are so strange.”

They both look over with matching smiles, and I roll my eyes.

“I see you and Willow have made up for lost time?” she asks.

“Yes,” he answers at the same time I snap out a no. His smile grows, and Kirby laughs.

“Right-o. Well, I’ll leave you two while you’re not making up for lost time. Alli smelled cookies, so I was on a mission. By the way, Willow?”

I meet her eyes. “Yeah?”

“Your lip gloss looks great on Kane.”

My eyes shoot over to his lips—those full, delicious lips—and I feel my cheeks heat when I notice the glossy shine coating his. How did I miss that? Oh, that’s right, you were too busy succumbing to his charm and falling into the desire that his touch ignites. How is it that he makes it so easy to forget any misgivings I could have about him … or whatever this is between us?

He smiles but doesn’t move to wipe his mouth, just dips his tongue out and—slowly—licks over the shiny coat. And God help me, I moan, not even the least bit ashamed he’s brought that reaction out of me. What is this man doing to me? I’ve never reacted like this toward a man before, and Kane, a man I hardly know, knocks down all my insecurities in one fell swoop. Or better yet, a few kisses.

Kirby and Kane continue to talk about her schedule for tomorrow—going over the call sheet for the day and how early the leading actress needs to be ready for her first scene. I tune them out and move to clean up the mess I made during the last batch of cookies. Alli comes running in a few times, completely ignorant to the movie star before her, and scrambles off with as many cookies as her little hands can carry.

“Willow? Did you catch that?” Kirby questions, and I move my attention from the mixing bowl I had been scrubbing.

“Catch what?” I ask, rinsing my hands and turning off the tap.

“Kane said he needs you to help him with some things tomorrow. It will be a light day for me since only Alessandra and two other actresses are in my chair, and then I’m just sitting on the sidelines waiting for touch-ups, so it won’t be a problem for me.”

“Uh … isn’t the point of me being here to help you?”

Kirby looks at Kane, and they seem to communicate briefly without words before she looks back over and shrugs.

“It was the point, Willow, but I’ve decided things are going to be a little different now. We’re at the tail end of production, so there aren’t as many demands on Kirby’s plate. And per her contract, she does have one other makeup artist at her disposal. Unfortunately for me, my PA, Sam, was called away for some business he needs to tend to back in LA, so I need a little help until he can return.”

“Help?” I look back at Kirby for some direction, but she’s avoiding my probing gaze. “What exactly do you mean by that? I’m sure I’m not qualified for anything you could need help with.”

Kane chuckles. “You couldn’t be further from the truth. I think you’ll find you have all the qualifications I desire.”

Kirby clears her throat, but I don’t move my eyes from Kane. It’s obvious he isn’t talking about anything work related at this point.

“I’m sure your desires are not something I would be able to meet, Kane.” Actually, I would love nothing more than to meet his desires, but just the thought of taking things further than the few kisses we’ve shared has me hitting panic level DEFCON 5.

“Yes, well … that’s the beauty of trying, Willow. You’ll find I would never lead you down a path you couldn’t handle while enjoying every second of it.”

“You two …” Kirby pauses and pulls at the collar of her tee shirt while fanning her face with her other hand. “You could light a fire with the amount of heat you two are sparking.”

My eyes narrow when Kane winks at me.

“Take a chance,” he tells me, his voice a low rumble for my ears only.

I study his eyes. Their blue depths pleading.

I nod, and his relief is evident when he lets out a deep exhale.

“If you’ll excuse me,” I tell them and walk around them both and through the house until I reach the bedroom I had claimed.

Yes … if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go silently freak out where no one can see me.