Ashley nodded. “She wanted me to stay on, but I told her only part-time.”
Jennifer was a complication to his plan. A big one. His family all wantedto know her every move and his lawyers had worked hard on the deal for him even being on set near her.
He bumped into Ashley’s shoulder as they strode past security. “I’ll pay you enough so you don’t have to.”
She looked up at him like she was asking permission but then sucked in her lip. “I… I want to do both if that’s okay.”
And that made the fake girlfriend idea a questionableplan rather than a perfect one. He put his hands in his pockets. “Why?”
“I like to stay busy.”
The small hand gesture she’d done just now. He swore he’d seen it before. Maybe it was coincidence…he liked to follow first impressions, and he’d liked her. Matt ignored the doubt and waved for her to walk with him into the parking lot. “Let’s get going.”
As they passed the firstrow of cars, she bounced beside him. “What’s the address so I can meet you there?”
They made it to his spot near the front as he motioned for her to stay with him. “Parking is a nightmare. Come with me.”
Her gaze narrowed and she stopped. “I have a rental.”
Rental? Came to Jennifer. Maybe his observations were more on point, so he asked, “When did you get to LA?”
Shesmiled up at him. “This morning.”
His stomach knotted. There was more to the questions in his mind. He knew it. “Where are you from…in Miami?”
“Originally South Miami.” Her brown hair flew in the light breeze and she pushed it out of her face as she said, “I flew out to be Jennifer’s assistant.” His heart stopped but then she continued unfazed and said, “I don’t even have a placeto live. I was going to find a hotel when you offered…” And he calmed down as the warmth she caused in his body overtook him. “So I figured we could talk, eat and then I’ll figure out what happens next.”
He studied her as he studied most people and she seemed genuine. She was telling the truth. He reached for her hand, taking it with a jolt. “Come with me.”
He led her to his Harley.She tugged on his arm to stop in front of it. “You’re on a motorcycle?”
He winked at her. The wind against his body made him feel alive which was why he rode it but he put his hands in his pockets and said, “My agent and the studio hate it, but it’s easier in LA traffic.”
She crossed her arms and stared at his bike like she’d never touched one before. “Ummm…”
Ashley and heneeded to talk about their possible arrangement. Everything else could be worked out later, so he massaged her shoulders till she put her arms down and said, “I’ll have your car moved for you. Don’t worry about anything. Just come with me.”
The air between them smelled like her citrus shampoo. “Okay.”
Most of the women he knew smelled like flowers. He handed her a blue helmet. “Putthis on.” He fastened his black helmet and then helped her with the chin adjustment. Once he finished, he met her gaze and desire him hit fast. “You look adorable.”
“I try.” She laughed and hopped on the motorcycle behind him.
She held onto his muscular body a little too tight. She’d clearly never ridden as she was tense. But her nearness made him… hard.
Normally a woman’stouch in a non-sexual way didn’t stir him, or hadn’t since he’d been twenty-one. Ashley’s proximity made him come alive.
His own body was tense and hard with desire as he drove them toward the restaurant, but the wind kept him focused.
If he hadn’t made this plan to date a normal woman and raise his approval rate, he’d be tempted to seduce Ashley.
And maybe he still could.Maybe he would. Everything depended on this dinner.
The setting sun turned the sky orange. He pulled into the parking lot of the Italian restaurant and parked in one of the reserved spaces. Once he turned off the engine, Ashley stayed on the back, not getting off as she unbuckled her chin strap. “This is the restaurant? It’s way too pretty. I’m not dressed-”
“You’re with me.” Hetook her helmet, placing it back in his seat.
He secured his bike and turned toward her as she hugged her waist like she was nervous and said, “Okay…”
