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His challengeandsuspicion deepened. “I’ll do what is necessary to discover your secrets. You have to surrender.” He stepped closer, and all humor vanished.
Instincts urged retreat, yet she stood strong. She was a powerful woman, and no actor would intimidate her. “I will never surrender to you.” The script dictated anger, instead her words emerged breathless and light. A smile played at Julian’s lips, and she involuntarily licked her own. “Why don’tyouget undressed?”
Yes, please.
Um, what?
She didn’t just think that.
And if she did, she definitely wouldn’t admit it.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk.” Julian now stood directly over her, towering in Herculean strength. His power encircled her in heated waves, as if she had stepped into the deserts of the Sahara on the summer solstice. He studied her, not the character, not even Destiny Dane, but her, Cheyenne Kirk. Her mouth dried as he whispered, “This is happening now.”
“Wait!” Cheyenne pushed against that solid chest just as he pressed closer. Or rather tried to. Although not part of the script, she couldn’t help herself. If Julian was fazed by her misstep, he didn’t show it, because he broke script when he grasped her hands and gazed down at her with a wicked smile. “Time to discover who you really are.”
CHAPTER 2
Julian always delved deep into his characters, not simply portraying them but becoming them, bringing the characters to life. It could be difficult at times, to pretend to be someone so different from truth, yet in this case, he needed no effort and no tricks. There was no acting – he wanted to explore this woman, and not just physically. No, he wantedher.
Of course, no one could deny her attractiveness. With long blond tresses, creamy skin and a petite stature, she looked like an old-time movie star, a pin-up of yesteryear. Her skin was clear and slightly pinkened, her limbs slender yet toned, and she held enticing curves that dipped in all the right places. In a room full of beautiful actresses, she wasextraordinary.
At least two dozen extras possessed similar enough features to fill the role, yet something compelled him to pick her. She had arrived a few days ago, later than the rest, and the fact that he noticed was strange enough. There was something different about her, something stronger, something substantial. In a crowd of preening swans, she stood out as an eagle. The gaze in her eyes bespoke a rare intelligence, especially when he caught her watching others, something she did with great frequency.
Her behavior was a mystery in other ways, too. When she talked to her fellow extras she changed completely, turning coy, silly and downright flirtatious. He had been an accomplished actor far too long not to recognize a poor one, and she had been acting. She hadn’t seen his movies, at least notThunder Force. Despite her words, she did not want the role every extra clamored for, the position that could gain her notoriety and a break to her career. Yet she also didn’t want to directly refuse. It didn’t make sense. He might be an action star, but he loved mysteries. Even more, he loved solving them.
Now she stood before him, watching him watch her. It was time for her to accept her new role, and he would discover her true one. A burst of satisfaction sparked as he moved toward her, embarking on a journey to discover the truth…
He would uncover the real Destiny Dane.
Breathe.Cheyenne reminded herself several dozen times as Julian stalked ever closer. The script slipped from her grasp, but the director hissed, “Keep going! Don’t worry about the script − just follow Starcroft’s lead!”
Cheyenne locked eyes with the movie star. His flashed as if lit by cobalt fire. “No more waiting,” he murmured. “It’s time.”
Cheyenne had to physically bite her lip to stop the indignant reply the words deserved. Although she didn’t know the correct lines, the character’s response was obvious. She gave a quick, jerky nod.
“Don’t move.”
She was far more accustomed to giving commands than receiving them. But her surrender was in the script – she had no choice but to follow along.
His hand plucked a spaghetti strap.
You can do this.You’ve faced armed murderers, drug dealers and crime families, you can face a powerful actor who simply wants to undress you. Surely it can’t be worse than the crime families.
He pulled the spaghetti strap down.
Okay, not much worse.
“Now reach for him!” the director yelled.
Yes, much worse.
The exchange wasn’t one sided. Her character wanted him as much as he wanted her.So she opened her palms and splayed them on the raw steel of his expansive chest. He was solid and heated and firm, and the muscles jumped under her touch. And then… she squeezed.
That’s right, she squeezed the famous actor’s chest.
He stared.
She stared.