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He traced her back, turning her muscles into liquid heat. “I’m sorry to hear that. You did look rather devastated while you laughed. Did you desperately wish to be doing something else?”
“Oh yes. I’d much prefer to be sitting home doing laundry.”
He laughed. “How could I take you away from such excitement?”
Ironically, that’s exactly what she’d be doing if it wasn’t for this trip. “You owe me for interrupting the joy of Friday night laundry.”
“Do I?” His hand tightened on hers. It was large and warm and sparked heat throughout her entire body. “What can I possibly do to make it up to you?”
A million ideas formed, none of which involved a stitch of clothing. By his darkening regard, he realized it. “Come,” he murmured, “I want to show you something.”
“Now wait right there, buddy. I’ve already seen something, and while I’ll admit it’s impressive – okay, really spectacular – I’m not–”
“Not that, silly.” He silenced her with a kiss. “Something else.” He led her down several cavernous hallways with cathedral ceilings and jewel-toned carpets, past endless rooms heralded by exquisite entrances, until they finally came to a pair of oversized oak doors, carved with a starry night sky. They opened soundlessly, and he gestured her through.
For a moment, it wasn’t clear if they had ventured outside or remained inside, until she realized it was a glorious combination of the two. The ceiling soared three stories high, domed with textured paintings that extended down intricately carved walls and framed by gilded crown molding. A four-poster bed rose from the middle of the room, a centerpiece to grand cherry wood furniture that included an overstuffed couch, an antique deskand a cozy round table for two. A huge flat screen television took up most of a wall. Yet that fourth side held the room’s true magnificence. Hidden doors opened, creating a portal into the majestic night.
Breathtaking.No other word could describe nature’s bounty. Diamond sand glittered under the starry sky, shimmering as it kissed the midnight blue waters of the vast ocean. The cool night air was fragrant with lilies and dew, as captivating as a siren from a sailor’s tales, under a brilliant full moon. Sparkling light caressed the gentle waves, illuminating golden grains and pearly shells.
“This is why I bought the island.” Julian came to stand next to her. “It’s the most peaceful place on the planet.”
Yes, it was.For a man whose every movement was watched, followed and recorded, it was a heady boon. “You must appreciate the privacy.”
“I do.” His eyes reflected amber starlight. “It’s nice to have a place that is just mine, where I don’t have to worry about acting the perfect man. Yet sometimes, it’s too quiet.”
“Don’t tell me the world-famous Julian Starcroft gets lonely.” Cheyenne nudged a solid bicep. “With a million fans, how is that even possible?”
The jest brought a brief smile, but it soon faded. “The fans want the movie star, the larger-than-life man with the perfect life. They don’t actually know me.” He looked away. “You can be lonely even surrounded by people.”
So very true.Even her job could be isolating. Positions like hers were dominated by men, and although her colleagues tried, sometimes she felt like an outsider, even among those who knew her true identity. “When you put so much into your work, it’s hard to find people who appreciate you without it.”
“Exactly.” He edged closer. “Especially when you’re pretending to be someone you’re not.”
Cheyenne stiffened, swallowed. She backed up, breaking the contact. “Everyone plays a role. It’s part of human nature.”
“Yet if you look hard enough, the façade disappears,” he murmured. “You cannot hide the true person.”
Had he seen the true her, just as she’d seen the real him? Not Destiny Dane, not the actress, but Cheyenne Kirk? “Just because you can look doesn’t mean you should. You don’t like others scrutinizing your life. Others feel the same, even if they’re not movie stars.”
He shrugged. “I can’t help what I see.”
No, he couldn’t. And just like he saw beneath her mask, she saw beneath his. He wasn’t the slick, woman-of-the-week movie star social media touted. Deep down, he was a down-to-earth, modest guy. A great guy. The type of guy she could fall for.
The type of guy shewasfalling for.
But she couldn’t let that happen. Too much stood in the way, too many reasons why it was impossible. Even if he were willing to overlook her subterfuge, she’d still have to give up the work she loved. As soon as they were romantically linked, there’d be enough publicity to compromise her entire undercover career. Even if it never progressed past a few dates, the damage would be irreversible.
The wind picked up, tousling her hair. The perfect opportunity to change the subject swept in. “What do you do when it rains?”
“Like now?” The rumble of thunder sounded in the distance, and he retrieved a remote control from the marble nightstand. It glowed neon blue when he pressed several buttons, then a humming noise sounded as three-story high glass panes emerged from either side and slowly came together to form a glass wall over the opening. Seconds later, the first fat raindrops splattered against the windows. Another minute and rain pelted against the windows in a rapid staccato.
It should have been jarring, yet the rapidly falling water droplets only made it cozier next to the muscular man. “It’s lucky you were here. Your room would’ve gotten soaked.”
“Actually, it’s usually closed.” He replaced the remote on the nightstand. “I opened it earlier so you’d get the full effect when you walked in. Plus, there are sensors in the carpet by the window. If it gets wet, it’ll automatically shut.”
“That’s smart since the weather changes so quickly in Florida.” She frowned. “Wearestill in Florida, right? You’re not actually king of this island, are you?”
He laughed. “I may be a lot of things, but not actual royalty.”