Page 13 of The Movie Star and the Spy
“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I–”
“Don’t you dare call me that,” she hissed. “I’m not your sweetheart. I’m not your anything. Why won’t you stop calling?”
“Because I gave you up once, and I’m never doing it again. I know it’s too late, but I want to fix things…”
“There’s nothing to fix. Absolutely nothing.”
But it wasn’t true. Not even a little. Because if there was nothing, acid wouldn’t be burning her throat like hot lava. Her breathing wouldn’t be short and her chest wouldn’t feel like it was being squeezed by a carpenter’s wrench.
A second’s pause, then a sigh. “That’s not true, sweeth… Cheyenne. I’ve spent the last fifty years observing people act, and I can tell when someone’s trying to convince me – and herself. You’re hurt, and you have every right to be, seeing ashow I’m a few decades late. But I can’t change the past, only the future. I’m asking for that chance.”
He said it so earnestly, so softly, the harsh rebuttal she’d been planning froze on her lips. Instead she breathed deeply. “What do you want me to say?”
“You don’t have to say anything. Just think about it. Please.”
She wanted to say no, wanted to forget about him. Wanted to pretend he wasn’t the heartbreak of her past, the challenge of her present, the uncertainty of her future. Yet no matter how she tried, the words wouldn’t emerge. “I have to go.”
“Of course. I’ll talk to you soon.” He hung up before she could respond, before she could tell him not to call. It didn’t matter because he was right. He would be calling soon, and – like always – she would answer on the first ring of the third call.
A group of men had congregated near the coffee bar. Pushing the phone and its caller far away, she cut a path toward them. Perhaps some good police work would put her focus back where it should be.Yet someone followed her, and she stopped.
The woman halted breathlessly in front of her. Jessica Cole, another extra, smiled widely. “Ms. Dane, thank you so much for convincing Mr. Starcroft to screen us yesterday. He recommended me to a modeling agency, and they invited me for a test shoot. This could do a lot for my career.”
Cheyenne betrayed no surprise to the lovely woman, who would most certainly make an outstanding model. With creamy skin, high cheekbones and pouty lips, her smile was genuine and sweet. “I’m thrilled for you, but I didn’t do anything.”
“Whatever you did, thank you. I’m so excited.”
How about that? Julian had actually assessed the women. He obviously hadn’t done it right then, since he’d been too busy trying to catch her like some prince grasping a lost slipper, so he must’ve carved out time out later. With how busy he was, it was actually kind of nice.
She shook her head. She needed to stop thinking aboutPrince Action Hero. So he’d done something nice, but that didn’t impact her mission. She had to focus on catching a criminal, not a movie star.
And not letting the movie star catch her.
Cheyenne approached the male extras, changing the genuine smile to a wider, less sincere, version. “Well, hello boys.”
Half a dozen men turned to her. “Well, hello.” The brawniest man stepped forward while the rest gave appreciative looks. He was tall, handsome and muscle-bound – and did absolutely nothing for her. Unlike one very sexy leading man. She shifted, showing off her cleavage to its best vantage. “What do you guys think of my new role?”
“We love it,” six men said at once, in slightly different intonations.
Cheyenne giggled, bent down to give them a better look. Nine men – her group was growing – followed her every movement. “You don’t think I’m too shy?” She batted her eyelashes.
“You were outstanding,” a hunky extra called from the back. A dozen heads bobbed up and down in enthusiastic agreement.
Cheyenne laughed, brought a hand in between her breasts. Fifteen sets of eyes ogled. “Can I tell you a secret?” she asked in a loud whisper. Even though they could clearly hear her, they leaned closer, their eyes constantly drooping to the breasts straining the thin shirt. “I don’t mind taking off my clothing for a good cause.”
“That’s fortunate,” a deep voice rumbled, “since I’ll be helping you out of them.”
Where were handcuffs when you needed them?
The words died in her throat. He shouldn’t be here, not now, not yet. Not when she’d arrived extra early just to advance her mission. Yet Julian stood in all his muscle-bound glory, as tall, dark and handsome as she remembered, as powerful as thewarriors he played on the screen. His gaze was sharp and heated andpossessive.
“Isn’t it early?” She clamped her mouth shut. What was she doing? In order to fulfill her mission, she had to play the role of naïve starlet. Questioning the leading star was out of character.
“We have a lot to do.” He smiled wickedly. “What I have in mind is going to take a lot of time and effort. Well, maybe not so much effort.”
Her breath hitched. Any effort would be on his part. She’d just be expected to… surrender.
“Weren’t you just saying how you’d happily bare all for a good cause? What could be more worthy than your career?” Julian turned to the other actors. “Just so we’re clear, Ms. Dane is a professional. There will be no undressing except for the part. I wouldn’t want anything improper happening on set.”
