The Movie Star and the Spy (The Secret Billionaires #5)

Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5

I s it time to undress me?

The air turned thick as a sourdough starter, heavy, dense, suffocating. Julian’s wide smile had vanished, replaced by a sensual grin and smoldering eyes. He took a moment before responding. “I didn’t think you were anxious to get back into the role.”

He pushed himself into a standing position, his tall, imposing form towering over her curvy yet petite build. She stood so quickly the chair tipped backward and fell to the ground with a loud clang. She reached down to get it at the same time he came around. He loomed over her as she bent down, touching her shoulders. “Let me.”

She tightened, allowing him to stand her up. He reached down with one hand and easily lifted the heavy chair. “Are you ready?”

“Of course,” she lied. “It’s just business. We’re both professionals.”

He flexed his muscles as if preparing for the work he would soon do. He held out his hand.

She hesitated.

“Are you afraid?”

“Of course not.” She forced her hand into his. It was large and heated and firm, and as he engulfed her far smaller one, something sparked. He held her firmly as he led her to the back of the room.

“Am I supposed to just stand still while you conduct your administrations?” She shouldn’t be questioning him, should be accepting as the real Destiny Dane would, but she couldn’t help it. How would she ever manage this?

“That’s right. Most of the scene will be with the main actress, of course, but when more is exposed, it’ll be you.” When she stayed silent, he continued, “And you’re sure you’re okay with this?”

She had to be – after all, nudity was in the contract. Just not the one she signed with the police department. That cited the high risk of police work, bodily danger, physical harm. Nothing like the dangerous prospect of giving Julian Starcroft a la carte entry to her body. “Absolutely,” she bit out. “Of course, it’s okay. It’s great. It’s my job.”

“And you read the script?”

She actually had, last night. Well, as best she could with visions of one very sexy actor infiltrating every thought. She’d read the part where the hero made love to the coquettish heroine, touched her everywhere, took every liberty and made it his own. She’d never contemplated experiencing it in real life, even a surreal facsimile.

“Bet you never thought you’d be here.”

She should answer affirmatively, say she’d hoped for such a career-building role, but she couldn’t lie. “No.”

“Before this goes further, I need to admit something. I just can’t pretend anymore.” He edged closer, towering over her with smoldering intensity. “Do you know how much I want you?”

Cheyenne bit back a gasp, forced herself to stand still under his penetrating gaze. “You do?”

“Of course, I do. Haven’t you noticed how I can’t keep my eyes off you?”

No. But maybe yes. She’d been busy doing the same to him. “You can’t really feel that way.”

“I shouldn’t, but I can’t help it. I almost lost it when I saw you with those other men.”

He had seemed rather upset when she cozied up to the actors on the set. Then he’d warned them off, effectively sabotaging her mission, and all but threw her over his shoulder. Again.

“You need to stay away from them.”

Cheyenne bristled. “You can’t tell me what to do.”

His smile widened as he stalked closer, barreling through her personal space. Her breasts brushed against his chest. “Actually, I can. Haven’t you seen how everyone treats me? I’m in charge of this whole operation.” He pressed closer. “And of you.”

Unbidden desire played villain amidst a dastardly concoction of anger and attraction. He couldn’t really feel this way, couldn’t be propositioning her like this. And yet, she could barely stop herself from matching his steps and showing him who was in control. “We need to stay professional.”

“Actually, I can do whatever I want. It’s one of the perks of my position.”

He was absolutely outrageous. And narcissistic, arrogant and audacious. And gorgeous, handsome and sexy. His actions during the game and subsequent conversation must’ve been an act, a ruse to loosen her up. How could she have thought he was a nice guy? He’d probably even lied about medical school. And like one of the na?ve starlets, she’d fallen for it. “This needs to stay professional.”

“It stopped being professional the first time I put my hands on you.”

Oh yeah, it did. How far should she let this go? No matter what, she couldn’t betray her identity. He pressed even closer; now they touched along their entire length, upending her senses and weakening her resolve. “I suppose I’ll just have to prove it to you.”

Before she could ask what he meant, he swooped down and took her lips.

The kiss was everything he was: heated, powerful, bold . His lips were smooth and firm and tasted of spice, peppermint and pure need. He did more than kiss her – he caressed her, tangled their breaths, inhaled her resistance. He wrapped his arms around her, pressing her against endless muscles. She fought to stay strong, to stay unaffected.

Her resolve lasted two seconds.

She was no weak maiden, no na?ve starlet or vulnerable character. She pushed into him, deepening the kiss, its intensity escalating like a star gone supernova. They pushed against each other, tasting, nibbling, devouring. When he pressed his tongue into her mouth, she matched it, unable to stop a low moan as she opened herself up for their pleasure.

Yet just as suddenly the kiss ended.

He pulled away, stared at her through passion-filled eyes. Cheyenne also backed up, licking swollen lips. How had she let this happen? She should chastise him, demand he back down, but she had kissed him right back. How could she get out of this without compromising her position?

His expression was inscrutable. “Do you know how beautiful you are?”

She shook her head, erected a mental wall against impossible words. “We shouldn’t be doing this.”

He rubbed her shoulders, a seemingly innocent gesture that couldn’t have been more intimate. “It would be easier if you accept.”

“No, buddy, it’s you who has to accept. This isn’t happening. Not now. Not ever.”

A strange light entered his eyes, like excitement before a battle. Instead of defeat, it held bold anticipation. She’d just issued a challenge to an alpha male, and he’d accepted. “You’re fighting yourself, Diana. You can’t win.”

Fantastic. Now he couldn’t ever remember her name. For inexplicable reasons, it infuriated her a thousand times more than the liberties he’d taken. “It’s Destiny,” she ground out.

His eyes clouded. He stepped back, taking his oh-so-wonderful hands with him. He blinked. “Destiny?”

If the Academy Awards created a category for biggest jerk of the year, he’d be a shoo-in. “Yes, Destiny, if you don’t remember.”

“Of course, I remember.” He absently stepped closer. That was better. “I don’t understand.”

“Don’t understand why I want to be called by my actual name while you’re seducing me?” she challenged.

“What are you talking about?” He glanced back to the floor, where her script had fallen. “Diana is the lead character. Why are you breaking from the script?”

Cheyenne froze. “The script?” she whispered.

“Yeah, the script.” His eyes widened. “You do realize I’ve been acting this whole time?”

Acting this whole time?

Acting the whole time?

Acting this whole time?!

Cheyenne calmly recited every curse word ever created. Twice. Then again just to be sure. She turned to Julian and plastered a calm smile on her face, “Of course.”

He cocked his head to the side. “Of course?”

“Of course.”

He remained silent.

“I mean obviously,” she mustered out. “Clearly. Most definitely. Obviously.”

“You said obviously twice.”

“That’s because it’s so damn obvious!”

His smile told her how obvious it was.

There was simply no way out of this. “Didn’t you see how I kept up with the dialogue?”

His expression said nice try . “You didn’t say a single word from the script. I was going along so we could get to the physical part. Now that you did perfectly.”

First came the blush. Then, the anger. Anger at herself for letting him unsettle her, anger at him for unsettling her and anger at the criminal for putting her in this position. “Well, it’s your fault for affecting me so much!”

“I affect you?” His movements stilled. In contrast to her, he was clearly pleased, satisfied even, by her words.

“No,” she hissed. “I mean how much I obviously affect you.”

She waited… and waited… and waited. He didn’t respond, instead just stared at her with a slightly pensive look. Did that mean she actually affected him? “I think we should move on,” she said quickly.

“Good idea.” He still seemed distracted. But he nodded.

“I’ll get the script.” She moved to bend down, but he stopped her with a hand on the arm. She froze at darkened eyes.

“Actually, the next part requires no script.”

“Of course.” She adopted a calm mask, faced him like the hardened law enforcer she was. “What should I do?”

“Just go along with it.”

That’s when the lighthearted levity left, when sizzling, sensual heat took over. “I’m going to begin now.” Julian timbre deepened. “Acting. So there’s no confusion.”

“No, no confusion.” She licked her lips.

His eyes darted to them. “I know you haven’t memorized the script, but don’t worry. There’s not a lot of talking in this part.”

Of course not. There was touching. Caressing. Exploring.

Seemed like a whole lot to worry about.

“Since the whole point is to get body shots, it really doesn’t matter what we say as long as it matches the movements. So I might improvise, and you can, too, okay?”

Cheyenne gave a jerky nod. Yet as he reached for her, suddenly it was all too much. Too much sensation, too much power, too much movie star. It was one thing putting your life on the line, but this… this was far more dangerous. There had to be some way she could both complete her mission and preserve her dignity. “Wait.” She moved back.

He retreated as well, but didn’t say anything. What could she do? She could refuse the role, but she’d probably get kicked off the film. Even if the police department managed to get her reinstated, the criminal could make his move in her absence. She had to continue. “I’m sorry, I just need a minute.”

Julian gave a crooked half smile. “Is acting with me that terrible?”

“Not at all.” Fire licked her skin, but it was true. Despite her apprehension, the thought was more tempting than unappealing. It signified the true problem. “I just got a little…” She searched for the right word.

“Overwhelmed?”

Precisely.

She shook her arms out. “I just need a second to get into character. I’ll be fine.”

“You know what I think?” Julian leaned back, flexing his triceps. “I don’t think you find it distasteful at all, and it’s scaring the hell out of you. You clearly don’t want the role, but for some reason you have to take it. Am I right?”

Yes. Absolutely. 110%. “Obviously I want the position. I wouldn’t have said yes if I hadn’t. I realize what a big chance this is.”

“Is that the issue?” He clasped his hands. “You feel compelled to take the role to further your career?”

“I’ve been honest about how I feel,” she lied. “This position is an opportunity, but eventually I hope for a more substantial role. It’s not a big deal.”

“I don’t think you can handle it.”

Cheyenne gave a short, sharp laugh. “You don’t think I can handle it? Think again, buddy. If anything, you can’t handle it.”

A furrow appeared between perfectly sculpted eyebrows. “Lady, this is what I do for a living. I undress women all the time.”

“I bet you do.” Something red and hot scorched through her.

He opened his mouth to retort, stopped. Speculation blazed in his eyes. “Are you jealous?”

“Jealous!?” Her voice squealed like nails against a chalkboard. “Of course, I’m not jealous. You’ve probably kissed hundreds if not thousands–”

“Millions,” he interrupted.

“Of women,” she ground out. “Everyone knows that. I don’t care how many women you give heart palpitations. I just don’t want you doing it to–” Woops.

He smiled. “To you? I give you heart palpitations?”

She glared. “Absolutely not. I was talking about vulnerable women. Women who are not me,” she clarified. “The point is, I can handle it.”

“What if I give you an out? A way to stay on the film, but not as a body double?”

Her next words, poised, locked and loaded, froze on her tongue. She revised then, proceeded cautiously, “What do you mean?”

“It wouldn’t be a performing role,” he elaborated. “Those are already taken. However, I could talk to the director to find a job that lets you stay on the film without exposing yourself.”

That would be fantastic . Not quite the anonymity of an extra, but close. The conmen had approached both cast and crew in past crimes, thus she’d still have a chance of being a target. Plus, she’d be able to return to speaking with the extras, working to ferret out the criminal in their midst. She couldn’t possibly be this lucky. Except…

Suddenly changing jobs may put off the criminal. He – and others – may wonder why an aspiring actress would go from a position in front of the cameras to an administrative one. Unless she had a logical reason. Something like her new boytoy didn’t want her publicly disrobing?

If she hinted she was dating Julian, just a low-key casual fling, it would provide that logical explanation. She couldn’t start a public affair, to avoid becoming tabloid fodder, but just give hints to the crew. Julian had been linked with enough costars to make it believable. Many of the victims had boyfriends, so that shouldn’t disqualify her from the criminals’ clutches.

It was the perfect plan – for the mission. And the anticipation of seeing him more, that was also because of the mission. The excitement? Because of the mission, as well. Indeed, everything was for the mission and not about any misguided, totally inappropriate attraction.

She lifted her chin and said in a clear voice. “How about a date?”