A slow burn started in her lower belly. “I—I—”
His composure cracked and he smirked. “I’m kidding. I’m not that kind of a guy. Really, you think I put out on the first date?” He pushed her shoulderplayfully.
“Do you … put out?” she asked. Throughout the afternoon she’d learned quite a bit about him, some of it surprising. She hadn’t thought he was the type of guy to seduce women—he always seemed to take their kisses seriously, like they meant something much more than a cheap thrill. Like she was worth more than herkisses.
His smirk melted away, replaced by a look of thoughtfulsincerity.
She looked down, unable to look him in the eye. “I’m sorry. That was too personal for a firstdate.”
His large hands settled on her waist. “No, honey. I do notputout.”
She slowly lifted her eyes to meethis.
His eyebrows lowered. “Andput outis a bristly phrase coming out of your perfect mouth.” He traced his thumb over her upper lip, sending a shiver up her spine. “Please, don’t feel like you can’t ask me a question. I will always tell you thetruth.”
A shadow crossed his eyes, one she’d seen long ago. A shadow that hinted at a darkness inside London she could never touch. It was gone as quickly as it came, making her doubt if she’d seen it in the first place or if her memory had put itthere.
Choosing to go with the whole first date/getting reacquainted theme for the night, she pushed her worries aside and reached up to kiss him on the cheek. “Good night,London.”
He held her to his ever-loving, perfectly shaped chest. She loved the hardness of his body and the way it contrasted with the softness of hisheart.
“Good night.” He kissed hercheek.
She hobbled through the door and turned so she could smile and wave at him before shutting it all theway.
“Did you have fun?” asked April. She hopped off the couch and followed Maia into her bedroom, pulling the comforter down. The kind gesture wasn’t lost on Maia. April took on tasks above and beyond her written job description because she was a nurturer. She would have made a fantastic pediatricnurse.
Maia stared at her shoes, reliving the feel of London behind her, strong and solid. “Idid.”
“Are you going to see himagain?”
Maia sat on the bed and hugged a pillow to her middle. “Of course.” They were starting anew, beginning again, testing uncharted waters—together.
April pushed her glasses up her nose. “Well, I’m not sure when that’s going to happen—unless he plans to tag along with us tomorrow.” She picked up the other pillow and began tofluff.
Speaking of uncharted waters, Maia hadn’t had a serious relationship while dubbing the film. In truth, she hadn’t had much of any kind of relationship before then either. Between filming and the premiere, she’d gone out with a couple guys, mostly Hollywood types with high-profile names. They were good guys. Most of them were regular people looking for a match. Maia hadn’t been into any of them enough to be their headlining woman. If she’d learned anything, it was that two high-profile people dating are to the media like honey to a bear. And like a bear, reporters would tear her apart if they got wind ofdrama.
“He won’t be tagging along.” She smoothed the pillowcase with flat hands. “We’ll work something out, I’msure.”
“Okay. I’ll just wait tohear.”
“What did you do tonight?” Maiaasked.
“I binge-watchedStrangerThings.”
Maia covered her ears. “Nospoilers.”
“On my honor.” April laughed as she held her hand up in a scout’s salute. Her laughter died off slowly. “Aaroncalled.”
A sense of urgency entered the otherwise peaceful room with its white comforter and softwood flooring. Aaron was her liaison with the studio. He was, in a word, uptight. “What did hewant?”
“To talk to you, of course. I told him you wererecuperating.”
Maia bit back a curse. She ran her fingers over the bandage on her thigh. She should have been recuperating. Instead, she was out chasing a childish crush on the football field. When would she ever learn? She touched her lips; London loved to brush his thumb over them, and she loved the feel of his finger on her lips. As long as his touch lit a fire inside of her, she’d be subject to his charm. “Thanks. I should be ready to gotomorrow.”
“I’ve already booked a horribly early flight for all of us.” April paused. “You’re supposed to dance onstage with Franz in twodays.”
She chewed her thumbnail. “That’s not going to happen. I can’t pop these stitches. The plastic surgeon will killme.”
