Текст книги "Red Carpet Kiss"

Автор книги: Melissa Brown

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Текущая страница: 14 (всего у книги 19 страниц)

“Worth the wait?”

“It was.” She breathed heavily against his cool, wet skin. “It most definitely was.”

“Come on. Let’s go back and get warm.”

As if she weighed no more than a feather, Luke lifted Elle and placed her on her feet. With one last gentle kiss, they joined hands and ran into the cool evening air. Elle gasped as a chill collected on her skin. By the time they climbed the steps of his deck, her teeth were chattering and her chin was quivering in the cold.

“Here, put this on.” Luke pulled her to the hammock, which held several towels and two white terrycloth robes. He wrapped one robe around her, and she pushed her shaking arms into the sleeves. Before dressing himself, he handed her a towel. She promptly flipped her hair toward the deck and wrapped her soaked tresses in the towel. Luke wrapped himself in the other robe, before pulling Elle into his chest. Her heart raced as he eased her into the hammock, his hands stroking her back to warm her.

“You planned this, huh? Towels and robes at the ready.” Her chattering teeth were coming to a halt as Luke’s body heat engulfed her. The hammock rocked back and forth as Elle eased her hand into Luke’s open robe, running her fingers through the silky hair of his chest.

“I guess you are rubbing off on me.” Luke kissed her forehead and lay back into the hammock.

“We’re rubbing off on each other. I like it.”

“I do, too. I can’t believe you went skinny-dipping. I’m so impressed, it’s ridiculous.” Luke laughed, running his fingers through her hair. Elle joined him in laughter.

“You have that effect on me, I guess.” Elle deepened their embrace, pulling his midsection in for a tight squeeze. Somehow, when she was wrapped in Luke’s arms, the rest of the world just fell away. She was safe, protected, cared for.

“Good.” Luke’s hand stroked the soft cotton of Elle’s robe, pulling her close. “We’re yin and yang, huh?”

“In some ways, yeah.” Elle took a deep breath, exhaling the brisk evening air. “But I think at our core, we’re more similar than we think. You have such a good heart, Luke.”

“I like to think so.”

“Tell me something,” Elle began. “Where do you see yourself in five years?”

“That sounds like a pretty loaded question.”

“It’s not, I promise. I’m just curious. I want to know your goals, your dreams. I want to know more about you.”

“Hmm, five years. Well, I’ll be . . . geez, I’ll be almost forty. I’d like to think I’ll be acting. Maybe television, or movies.”

“I could see you in movies. Especially an action movie or a thriller.”

“Not a chick flick? I’m disappointed in you, Ms. Riley. I think I could play one of those swoon-worthy guys.”

“Oh, of course. I mean, you make the ladies swoon already. But I think you’d shine in other genres, too.”

“Well, thank you. I did receive a film offer, actually. But I’m not sure if I should do it. Wanted to get your opinion on it.”

Elle couldn’t help cringing at the idea of a film offer—at the idea of Luke’s path turning into Nolan’s before her very eyes. She swallowed hard and did her very best not to lump him in with her contempt for Nolan. “A film offer? Seriously? Why didn’t you tell me earlier? This is a huge deal.”

“You distracted me.” Luke let out another laugh. “Actually, it’s an indie film. Ben Stevenson is directing and—”

“Are you serious? Ben Stevenson is incredible. You should do it.”

“You haven’t even heard anything about it yet.”

“I don’t care—he’s brilliant. You should do it.”

“I don’t know . . . I mean, the timing is good. I’d be filming while we’re on hiatus for the show, so there’s no conflict.”

“So what’s the problem?”

“It’s filming in Vancouver . . . for six weeks. I’m not sure I can be away from you that long.”

“That’s so sweet. But I can visit. We’ll make it work if it’s something you want.”

“Or you could come with me . . .”

“To Vancouver? For six weeks?” When she thought of being in Vancouver for that long, only one person stood in her way. Troy.

“Well, yeah. I kinda like you.” He nuzzled his nose into her hair, breathing in.

“Well, that’s nice to hear.”

And it was the truth, although the word like seemed weak when it came to her feelings for Luke. She knew she was falling for him, of that she was certain. Her feelings were strong the first time they locked eyes, and since that day months ago, she was feeling herself grow more and more attached with each day they spent together. It started as lust, but had grown to so much more than that. After late-night discussions and moments like this on the hammock, Elle knew that their sexual chemistry was just a portion of who they were together. Despite their differences, they complemented one another, and being with Luke felt simple, natural. He made her feel desirable and sexy. He understood her, possibly in a way that even Troy didn’t. He understood her need to be in control, to be eased out of her comfort zone rather than pushed, and to do things in her own time.

“In fact,” he continued, “like isn’t a strong enough word. Not even close.”

“Oh, really?” Elle asked, lifting her head from his chest to make eye contact. Luke’s eyes were wet, his eyebrows pressed toward one another. “Wait, Luke . . . are you okay?”

Luke shook his head and laughed. “Yeah, yeah. I’m good. Great, actually.”

“Then what . . . what’s going on? You seem upset.”

“I need to say something and it’s something I’ve never said before . . . well, at least not to someone who’s not a blood relative.” Luke chuckled. His words sounded uncomfortable, nervous, vulnerable. Elle could feel his heart pounding beneath her fingertips. “I’m falling in love with you, Elle. I know it’s crazy, and I know you’re not mine . . . not entirely, but I feel it. And I believe if you feel something, then goddammit you have to say it. I’m falling for you. There, I—I said it.”

Elle pushed her hands into the harsh fibers of the hammock, her heart racing and her cheeks blushing. She hadn’t expected a declaration of love from the carefree actor. But his words were like a warm blanket around her body, around her heart and mind. They calmed her random thoughts and soothed her nervous heart. Despite the nagging of her brain telling her to avoid it, she was falling in love with him, too. But that didn’t mean she was ready to verbalize it.

Elle paused. “You’ve really never said it before? Not to anyone?”

“Never. I told you, this is all new to me.”

How is that possible? Elle thought. Women must have been throwing themselves at Luke for years. Not only was he incredibly easy on the eyes, he was charismatic and funny. The idea of being the first woman to evoke such emotion from him was mind-boggling.

“I have feelings for you, too.” Elle paused. “Strong feelings.”

Luke sighed and Elle knew he was relieved. “Then, be mine. Just mine.”

Elle shook her head, conflicting emotions filling her as her stomach clenched with anxiety. “But you said . . . you said I was worth waiting for.”

“I know what I said.” Luke looked away, breaking eye contact. That simple gesture cut into Elle. She felt exposed, guilty. Her reluctance to walk away from Troy was evident, and it threatened to ruin everything she was building with Luke. “But I want you. I’m not sure I can share you much longer.”

“Luke, I—what I feel for you is real. So real it scares me. But like you said before, I don’t want to rush into a decision and live to regret it. I want . . . no, I need to sort this out. Figure out what I really need.”

“I can give you anything you need. You just have to trust me.”

“I do trust y—”

“And you have to let go of him, of the past,” Luke interrupted, his words stern, and unyielding. “I can’t do that for you.”

Tears filled Elle’s eyes and she pressed her lips to his in desperation. She couldn’t lose him. That thought sent surges of adrenaline to her belly.

“I know. I just . . . I just need more time. Please be patient with me.”

“Okay.” Luke conceded her request, but his jaw ticked in frustration, betraying his facade.

“I mean it. You said I was worth waiting for . . . don’t take that away. It’ll break my heart.”

“And what about mine?”

“I . . . I . . .” Elle stared into Luke’s eyes. The possibility of her hurting him was unbearable. She’d rather experience a world of pain than subject him to any heartache. But she knew there was a chance it would happen. That she and Troy would find a way to move forward with their relationship and she’d be forced to walk away from Luke. Her stomach clenched again with that thought. The idea of walking away from Luke was oppressive, insufferable, cruel. It wasn’t at all what she wanted.

“I never finished my answer.”

“What do you mean?”

“In five years . . . I see myself acting, yes. But I also see myself with you. And I’m sure that scares you, but it’s true. I see myself with you, a baby in your belly, and my ring on your finger. That’s what I see and I’m not going to apologize for it.”

Elle’s heart fluttered and her mouth went dry. “I don’t deserve you,” she said, feeling her guilt consume her. But no matter the shame enveloping her heart, she couldn’t do the right thing. She couldn’t walk away to keep him from harm. She was falling in love with him, too.

“Yes, you do. And I deserve you. We deserve each other, Elle.”

Elle pressed her forehead back to Luke’s chest, running his words again and again in her brain. She imagined herself as Luke predicted. Her belly swollen, a diamond ring around her finger, and Luke at her side. They’d walk the red carpet together, Luke steadying her belly as she walked up the steps, never leaving her side. She saw them lying just as they were, in the hammock, wrapped in fluffy robes, their legs entangled, the cotton bed swaying in the summer breeze.

She saw their possible future.

And it was beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.

Whether or not it would come to pass was an entirely different story.

For another part of her brain imagined all of those things . . . but with Troy. Troy’s hand on her belly, Troy standing at her side, his ring on her finger. She pressed her eyes tight, fighting the fantasy brewing in her mind. She hated herself—her indecision, her inability to walk away from her past.

She couldn’t make a decision, no matter how much she was falling for Luke.

The truth was, she simply wasn’t ready. And until she was, no answer could ever be the right one.

When Elle arrived at work the next morning, she found an unmarked copy of Us Weekly on her desk. No note, no explanation as to who had given it to her, but a Post-it marked a page inside. Elle turned to it.

An interview.

With Gina.

A glamorous shot of Gina adorned the two-page spread, but Elle’s eyes jumped to the title of the article. “Love After Heartbreak: How Gina Romano Bounced Back.” Elle’s stomach flipped and her breath caught as she read the first lines of the article:

Gina Romano, the star of television drama Follow the Sun, has had a rough year. After a tumultuous affair with her on-screen love, Nolan Rivera, that ended this summer, she has found love again with a new member of the cast, Luke Kingston. Luke, a rising actor, has helped the actress heal her broken heart and learn to love again. We caught up with the actress to discuss her Golden Globe nomination as well as the new man in her life and the excitement of starring on the hottest show on television.

“No.” Elle’s heart sank as she read those words. There were two possibilities: either Luke had been lying to her for months, and he was balancing a relationship with both her and Gina at the same time, even after she’d confronted him in his dressing room. Or their showmance was in full effect, regardless of his proclamations that he would turn Gina down, that he wanted nothing to do with such nonsense. That he wanted his work to propel him to fame and nothing else. Either way, he wasn’t being honest with her, which was the one thing she had always feared. Yes, she was torn between Luke and Troy, but she was honest about it. Always. She gave Luke an opportunity to tell her the truth about Gina when Perez Hilton posted the photos of them together, but he denied it. He denied any attraction or involvement with the actress.

So what was Elle to believe?

Less than twelve hours prior, he’d confessed his love. He’d seemed so genuine, so nervous and sincere. Was he playing her? After all, he was an actor. Was it possible his Oscar-worthy performance was simply to keep her on the hook for more screen time or an extended contract? Was he using her to advance his career while sleeping with Gina on the side? The thought made her sick to her stomach.

She was falling in love with Luke, and the idea of falling in love with someone who was playing you for a fool was reprehensible, disgusting, and more than she could handle. As much as it pained her, she read the entire interview. Gina not only claimed to be “getting serious” with Luke, she also referenced his home on the beach and alluded to “midnight swims” with the actor. Bile rose in Elle’s throat as Elle thought back to the night before, one of the most romantic of her life. The thought of Gina eating Luke’s homemade sushi, swimming naked in the ocean with him, and cuddling beneath the terrycloth robes with him on the hammock made her physically sick. The room started to spin and she gripped the edge of her desk to keep from falling to the floor in a heap.

Don’t lose control. Don’t lose control. Don’t let them win.

Elle took a moment to calm herself, urging the spinning office to return to normal and her pounding heart to slow. A confrontation with Luke was necessary, inevitable, and needed to happen right then and there before she lost her nerve and walked away completely. She had to know the truth. Did he love her or was she only a pawn in his quest for fame?

Before she could change her mind, Elle sent him a text, asking him to join her in her office. He responded immediately saying he would be there in five minutes, that he’d just arrived on the studio lot. She glanced at the clock—forty minutes before the table read. She needed to gather her thoughts instead of following her gut, which was to lash out emotionally, to retaliate, to make demands with her heart. Normally, her mind was always the winner, the one in control. But with Luke, this was not the first time her heart battled to take over, that her emotions silenced her reasonable mind.

A quick knock at the door startled her. Luke entered the office with aviator sunglasses tucked into his t-shirt and his wavy locks mussed from the wind . . . or from Gina’s hands. Elle realized she didn’t know this man at all. And she couldn’t trust him.

When he entered the room, his expression changed as he took in the sight of a distressed Elle. Her eyes burned and her hands shook. She pressed the Us Weekly to her chest until he closed the door, and then she threw it directly at his chest. He flinched, catching the magazine and looking stunned.

“What the hell? Baby, what’s going on?”

“Don’t ‘baby’ me. I want the truth. Right now, Luke. Enough is enough.”

“I don’t understand.” Luke studied the cover of the magazine with wide eyes.

“Don’t look so shocked!” Elle crossed her shaky arms in front of her chest, doing her best to stand tall with her chin tipped toward the ceiling. She couldn’t let him see her heart was crumbling inside her.

“But I am shocked.” Luke stepped toward Elle, placing his hand on her shoulder. She flinched at his touch and he pulled his hand away as if she were made of fire. “Baby, talk to me. Seriously, what the hell is going on?”

Elle cleared her throat, fighting to regain her composure. “Turn to the marked page.”

“Fine.” Luke turned to the page marked with a Post-it note. His cheeks turned pale as he read. “What the hell? Elle, you must know this is bullshit. All of it.”

“No, I don’t. Either you’ve been lying to me for months, or you lied to me weeks ago about the showmance. So which is it?”

“Neither.” Luke’s chest rose and fell with labored breaths. He stepped closer to Elle once again, and she stepped back, walking to stand behind her desk. “I swear to you, Elle, I told her no. And the only time I’ve even seen her outside of work was that one night you already know about. This has nothing to do with me. Nothing.”

“Do you know how ridiculous this makes me feel? My God, Luke, I thought I was falling for you.”

Luke closed his eyes and shook his head, crossing his arms in front of him. “Don’t say that. Don’t talk about us in the past tense. We’re not over. This is just Gina having a tantrum, that’s all.”

“And why should I believe you? You’re an actor, and a really good one. How do I know you’re not playing me?”

“Because you know me. Think about this rationally, please. I didn’t do anything but fall in love with you. I want nothing to do with Gina and never have. Don’t throw us away because you bought a magazine.”

Luke attempted to join her on the other side of the desk, but she hustled to the other side of the room, her guard fully up.

“I didn’t buy it. It was waiting for me when I got in this morning.”

“Don’t you get it? She’s trying to mess with you . . . with me, with us. Gina left that for you, she wants you to get pissed off. She wants revenge.”

“That’s ridiculous. I’m her boss! And I have nothing to do with her and Nolan.”

“Whitney’s your best friend, and Whitney slept with Nolan. She wants revenge and she’ll drag us all down to get it.”

Luke’s argument made sense, and part of her wanted to believe him, to succumb to his reason. But she couldn’t risk it—she couldn’t risk being a pawn in their game.

“I can’t listen to this. I have to go.” Elle grabbed the magazine and stormed from the office, pushing the door to the side as she charged toward the hallway leading to the soundstage and dressing rooms.

“The table read starts in half an hour,” Luke called out after her, but she blocked him from her mind. She’d had enough of Gina’s horrible behavior and was ready to confront her, no matter the cost. She could hear Luke’s footsteps behind her, but she didn’t care. She could confront them together and end this once and for all.

Gina, dressed in a low-cut blouse and miniskirt, greeted Elle with a bright smile, a smile Elle hadn’t seen from the actress in months.

“Good morning, Elle. How are you on this fine day?”

“Shut your mouth.” Elle’s nostrils flared as she stood before the actress, holding the magazine in front of her. “Care to explain this?”

The corner of Gina’s lips curved up in satisfaction. “I don’t understand. Did you not like my interview? It’s great publicity for the show.”

“Cut the bullshit, Gina. You left this on my desk.”

“Um, no. I just got in, so I have no idea how you got your copy. But I also have nothing to hide. Luke and I agreed to do this to promote the show. Geez, if anything you should be happy.”

“Love after heartbreak, huh?” Elle was seething as she glared at the actress.

“I know, right? What a great title. I bet it’ll sell millions of copies.” Gina placed her hands on her hips, a pompous smile still perched on her face. “Look, I’m sorry you had to find out this way, but I’d assumed you knew. I thought Luke gave you a heads-up. Anyway, just know we’ll have to do some photo ops, and should probably go to the Globes together.”

Elle’s lip curled in anger as she contemplated a response.

“Are you deranged?” Luke snapped from behind Elle. “I’m not doing that!”

Gina scrunched her lips together and tilted her head to the side before walking to Luke’s side, placing her hands on his arm. “Luke, seriously, you don’t have to pretend anymore. It’s all out in the open.”

Luke pulled away from Gina, focusing on Elle. “She’s lying, Elle. You have to believe me. This is all some sick, twisted game. I never agreed to this.”

“Oh, please.” Gina sneered, her fake smile erased from her face. “You could have told her. God knows you had plenty of opportunities. I gave this interview weeks ago. Don’t blame me because you’re a chickenshit.”

“What are you talking about? I told my agent I wasn’t interested in pretending with you. But you did it anyway! You’re sick, you know that?” Luke’s cheeks were scarlet and his chest was heaving up and down as he snarled at the actress.

“I’m not taking the fall so you can keep nailing the boss, Luke. Tell the truth.”

“You’re such a bitch,” Elle snapped, offended by the insinuation. But what if it was true?

Luke pulled on the ends of his wavy hair. “Oh my God! You are deranged!”

Gina shook her head and flipped her dark hair behind her shoulder. “And what about you? You knew how this would play out, that poor Elle would be humiliated, but you went along with it anyway. You’re breaking this poor woman’s heart for the chance to be an A-lister. The least you could have done was tell her before it went to press.”

Elle had no idea who to believe. Yes, Luke seemed enraged and confused, but perhaps he was just backpedaling, trying to figure out a way to cover up his scheme with his costar, trying to save his career. She tossed the magazine to the side, smoothed down her skirt and blouse, and regained her composure.

“Table read in less than thirty. I’ll see you there.”

“Elle, wait, please.” Luke grabbed her arm, but she brushed him off, pulling her arm away from his grasp. “Don’t go. I had nothing to do with this, I swear to you. Let’s go back to your office, let’s figure this out. I’ll call my agent, I’ll do anything. Just . . . you have to believe me.”

Elle shrugged, her voice cracking. “I’m sure your Twitter followers will double by this afternoon. And more movie roles will follow. Not indie films, but the big stuff. That’s what you’ve always wanted, right?”

“Elle, stop.”

“See you in the conference room.”

Elle slammed the door behind her, ran to her office, and locked the door behind her. She slumped into her leather chair and sobbed. Moments later, Luke knocked on the door.

“Please, think this through before you throw us away. I can’t lose you, Elle, please.”

“Go away. Please, just . . . let it be.”

“You can’t believe her, Elle, please. It’s not true. I’ve never lied to you. Not once. And I never will.”

Elle felt herself caving. She stood, tempted to allow him to enter her office. But she knew what would happen if she did. She’d succumb to his charms, she’d believe everything he said simply because she wanted to believe in him, in his goodness. She wanted to believe this wonderful, sexy man was exactly who he claimed to be. But her time spent in Hollywood had left her jaded. And she needed to put him to the test.

“If you don’t leave, I’ll call the police and they’ll escort you out. And then I’ll call the papers. Trust me, those aren’t the headlines you want.”

Elle waited with bated breath for him to call her bluff, to insist he’d gladly go to jail if it would prove his love and devotion to her. But when the other side of the door grew silent, she knew it. He left.

Everything suddenly became clear. Months ago, she’d suspected Luke was using her for his career, and now it felt as if every fear she had was confirmed. He didn’t care about her. Not really, not enough. What he really cared about was fame, fortune, and headlines. No matter his proclamations of love, or visions of a future together. And she hated herself for buying into the fantasy. For allowing the images of them together, swollen belly, diamond ring, and lazy days on a hammock to travel from her mind to her heart. He was a gifted actor and nothing more. Nothing more.