Page 3 of Starring Role

Chapter two

Jimmy's cousin, Hope, gave him a sidelong look, a mixture of disapproving and knowing. Of course she never got inappropriate crushes on the stars they helped protect. Short, stocky, and tough, she was perfect at her job, working security for the TV studio. Among other things, they protected the stars and staff from everything from death threats to unruly reportersand over-exuberant fans. She was blazingly competent, and people underestimated her.

Jimmy, on the other hand, was mostly here for muscle, and looked like it. When he didn't say anything in response to her remark, she shook her head at him. "You know he's just another spoiled, entitled asshole."

That was usually the case, he supposed. Still. "He seems nice enough."

She rolled her eyesat him. "He's an actor, Jimmy."

"I know. But he's..." He tried to think of what he meant, the right words to describe the vulnerability and gentleness the newly cast actor had exuded. The only word he could think of was "soft," and he was pretty sure that would make his cousin snort. But there was something about the guy; he hadn't imagined it, and the guy hadn't been acting. His scenthad matched his expression—and "soft" was still the best word Jimmy could think of.

Definitely not saying that aloud to Hope.She would probably think soft meant weak, and that wasn't how Jimmy saw it. The way he saw it, most people spent so much of their time trying to be hard and strong, and mocking anything that wasn't, that it was really very brave to be a gentle soul letting the worldsee what you were really like.

It also did things to Jimmy's insides and made him feel protective and tender—but there was no reason to say that, either. Of course the guy's adorable good looks didn't hurt, but it wasn't only that, maybe not even mostly that. He was a sucker for a pretty face, but he was an even bigger sucker for a soft man, a gentle and humble man.

You didn't see many actorslike that, not if you worked in the industry and saw when they weren't acting. At least that was his and Hope's experience. That was probably why he was so impressed by this guy: cute, gentle and vulnerable, and according to Jimmy's wolf senses, absolutely sincerely so.

It had been nice to feel seen by him, as well. The small frisson between them, that intimate moment of standing under theumbrella, the sheer physical awareness of each other... He shook his head. It had been the right thing to do, to pull back by calling Cooper by his last name. He had to remain professional here, and even Jimmy knew you didn't go getting involved with the actors. Or hinting that you'd like to. Or doing anything unprofessional at all.

It would shame his pack greatly if he was fired for behavingunprofessionally. Getting such a respectable job, like his cousin, had been a big deal. Sometimes he felt like he was really, finally, a man, now that he was pulling in a regular paycheck. Of course that was a stupid way to measure adulthood, but he still felt that way. He could have stayed on the farm and worked just as hard with his family, but he'd chosen this instead.

Now, he wasn'tjust one of the pack, one of the stair-step brothers, one of the cousins, a quiet one in a rowdy group, soon forgotten and easily mistaken for one of his more outgoing brothers. No, now he wore a uniform and everything, and people paid him for his vigilance and protectiveness. Plus, he got to work with Hope. Even though she scared him sometimes, he felt mentored and safe with her. She would definitelyhelp him learn all the ins and outs of the business—the things she'd had to learn the hard way.

It was good not only to work with family, but also have a foot in the larger world, and a uniform and identity and money of his own. It felt good, and right, and he had a niche now that he'd had nowhere else, even if it was all still kind of new and sometimes downright terrifying. To be on his own,and responsible for everything in his life, and for the safety of others—and knowing it wouldn't be Mike's or Luke's fault if he messed up and got into trouble somehow.

Not that he seemed likely to get into trouble. With Hope to steer him right, and the studio so far pleased with his work, he seemed to be OK. That could change quickly, though, if he got unsuitably attached to one of the actorshe was here to protect. He needed to be tough and impervious, like Hope. He wasn't going to ask—or assume—that she'd learned that the hard way. Part of him assumed his older cousin had always been this tough, this motivated and on-task and unassailable. But that wasn't him; he'd have to guard himself and work hard at it.

Even calling Cooper by his last name had cost him a pang; the lookin those eyes had made him regret everything. And that more than anything meant this was something to watch. He'd better be careful, or his heart would be on his sleeve once again.

And that always works out so well for you, doesn't it?

Today was the first day of filming, and he was nervous. Not because of job worries; he had the job pretty well under control and knew most of what he neededto know. Besides, his cousin would steer him right if he was about to mess up. No, he was nervous because he was going to see Cooper Hayes today, and he'd been wanting to see him—wanting, wanting, wanting. It was ridiculous; one soft-eyed actor shouldn't turn him to goo. He would remain professional. He would be aloof. He would.

Besides, he's not even going to glance at you. He's hereto work.

Commissioner Singh had arrived today, which was unexpected. Jimmy was rather taken with him as well: that small, fierce non-shifter who was married to a wolf shifter and seemed ready to bend the world to his will, taking on everyone to make the world a better place for wolves. He was admirable, and he moved with a youthful energy that belied the hair that was starting to go a bit gray.He was beautiful and inspiring. But what was he doing here on a filming day? Surely, he had better things to do.