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“You’re wrong on both counts. It’s fourteen.”
“Well, suffering succotash.”
He smiled warmly, reached over and gave her a hug as if it was the most natural thing in the world. “I love the way you talk.”
Even though he had to be teasing, the words warmed her. The close contact – now that brought tingles. “Now you’re making fun of me.”
“I’m not.” His gaze was unwavering. “I really do enjoy it.”
Her grin faded as they stared at each other, until the sounds of early morning traffic drifted from down below, disturbing the conversation and bringing reality back. What was she doing? Every second they stayed in the magical garden posed a risk. Someone might realize they were together, and if they did, mission over.
“By your panicked expression, I assume you’re ready to leave.”
She nodded and rose from the chaise, yet stayed rooted in the flower-filled space. Before she could leave, she had to come up with a plan. “What are we going to tell people about last night? Do you think anyone put one and one together and came up with a couple?”
“I doubt it.” He smoothed down his wrinkled shirt. “The party was winding down, and people probably assumed we slipped out. I sent my driver home.”
“You did? But that means…” Her voice trailed off. He hadn’t inadvertently drifted off like her. She must’ve fallen asleep, and he made the conscious decision to stay.
“Don’t worry,” he murmured. “Like I said before, nothing happened.”
Nothing except they slept next to each other. Held each other.All night.But she couldn’t change that now. “As long as it never happens again.”
He smiled… and didn’t agree. “It’s really no big deal if they see you.”
“How can you say that?” she returned. “We talked about the publicity you’d get, about the publicityI’dget. I don’t want to be known as Julian Starcroft’s girlfriend of the week.”
He winced.
She softened her tone. “I didn’t mean it that way. I just don’t want to give people something to talk about when there’s absolutely nothing going on.”
He folded his arms across his chest. “No comment.”
“Julian…” she warned. He took a step toward her, but she stood tall. “Why are you doing this?”
He stopped with a pensive expression, as if even he didn’t know the answer. A second later, his usual confidence returned. “I’m not so certain there isn’t something between us.”
Neither was she. But they couldn’t let it become real, for a hundred reasons. Her job, of course, yet something else lurked. Something deeper and far more personal. An actor had once shattered her when she needed him most. That’s how actors were.
Her heart would not be destroyed twice.
“I heard your fans. Marry Me, Julian! Have my baby, Julian! Sign my you-know-what, Julian!Isn’t that sufficient to keep you smiling?”
He came so close she had to look almost straight up just to keep him in her sights. “Would you like me to sign your-”
“No.”
“Are you sure? Because I’d really like to sign your-”
“Julian…”
“Script.”
She growled.
He moved so quick, he was a blur. The kiss was quick, unexpected and far too short. It was also warm and gentle and oh so delicious.
She growled again.