Dreaming With My Eyes Wide Open (Hollywood Legends #2) (19 page)

“That was a wonderful meal, Paige. As always. And wonderful
company.” Pushing her chair back, she smiled at Nate. “If you ever decide to
give up stunt work, you could hire yourself out to parties. You had us
enthralled.”

Nate quickly got up, helping Irene to her feet. “When you
have a colorful family, the stories write themselves.”

“But it takes a certain knack to relay those stories so
entertainingly.”

“Do you have to go so soon?” Paige looked at the clock. Ten
o’clock? How was that possible? Nate and his stories. She would have to thank
him. Smiling, she pondered the possibilities. Once she had him naked, she would
thank him – repeatedly.

“I have an early flight. I’ll be gone for most of the week,
but Dr. Langston is on call in case of an emergency.”

Hooking her arm through Irene’s, Paige walked her to the
door.

“Maybe the Sheik will ask you to marry him. Again.”

“What?” Chuck’s head jerked around from where he stacked the
dessert plates. “When did this happen?” Paige didn’t notice the harsh tone of
Chuck’s voice. Irene did. Intrigued by the reaction, so did Nate.

“Ahmed has been proposing for years.” Irene donned the coat
that Nate held for her. “He would have a heart attack if I said yes. His three
wives wouldn’t be very happy, either. It’s a little harmless flirting.”

“Marriage isn’t something to joke about,” Chuck muttered as
he carried the plate to the sink.

“Oh, Dad,” Paige playfully admonished. “It’s harmless. He
is
awfully handsome. And with all that money? You could retire and become his
California wife.”

“I’ll give it some thought in January when I’m shoveling
five feet of snow out of my driveway.”

“Travel safe.” Paige gave Irene a warm hug.

“I will.” Irene turned to Nate. “Well? Aren’t you going to
kiss me good night? How often do I get the opportunity to be this close to an
honest to goodness internet sensation?”

Nate groaned but happily complied, kissing Irene’s cheek.

“I could have gone all night without that subject coming
up.”

“Sorry. I held in the impulse as long as I could.”

“Your restraint was admirable.” Nate opened the door. “Let
me walk you to your car.”

“I swear. You are from another era. Thank you, but I have
something that I forgot to bring in.”

“I’ll be happy to get it for you.”

“That’s sweet of you.” Irene laid a hand on Nate’s arm when
he would have accompanied her out of the house. “It’s for Chuck. Would you
mind?”

“Me?” Chuck looked slightly panicked. “Um. Sure.” He wiped
his hands on a dishtowel. “I’d be glad to.”

He didn’t look glad. Nate thought he looked like a man
walking his last mile. No, that wasn’t right. Chuck looked. Nervous. But this
was something else. Anticipation? Excitement?

Well, well, well
. Chuck’s Erin had been gone for over
two years. It looked like the grief was lessening and his libido kicking into
gear. He might be reluctant. However, once that ice cracked, Chuck would have a
hard time stopping the thaw.

Unaware of the undercurrents swirling around her, Paige
watched the door close behind her father. She opened the dishwasher. She paused
when she became aware of Nate’s gaze, a slow smile forming on her lips.

Speaking of libidos. Nate’s had been working fine for years.
However, something about Paige took it to another level. That smile alone made
him want to fall to his knees and beg for a taste. One sip.

Hell, who was he trying to fool? A sip wouldn’t be enough.
Tonight would be the beginning of a long feast. The first course.

“How soon can we leave?”

Paige didn’t have to ask what Nate meant. Her thoughts were
right there with his.

“Forty-five minutes. An hour at the most.” Paige looked at
the puppy who watched from her pillow by the fireplace. “What about Beauty?
She’s gotten used to having you near at night.”

Nate patted his leg. Happily, Beauty jumped up. Her still
growing body lost control for a second, paws splaying in four different
directions. Undeterred, she righted herself before trotting over to Nate.

“You are the sweetest thing, aren’t you?” Nate picked Beauty
up. He scratched the spot behind her ears that had her eyes closing in
happiness. “Come on. You need to take care of business for the night.”

“And then?” Paige asked. She couldn’t decide who was more
adorable. The puppy or the man. When he touched his nose to Beauty’s, she
decided to call it a draw.

“I’ll put her on my bed for the night. She’ll be fine until
we get back.”

She enjoyed the view of Nate’s ass as he left the room. With
a silent whistle of appreciation, Paige sped up her task. The sooner the dishes
were done the sooner they could head out to Lottie’s place. The sooner they
were at Lottie’s the sooner she could rip Nate’s clothes off. Naked Nate. Soon
to become her favorite thing ever.

“WHAT DO YOU have for me?”

Irene watched with amazement as Chuck circled her car,
peering into the window.

“Is it in the trunk?”

“Don’t be an idiot. No, strike that. You’re already an
idiot. Don’t compound it.”

Chuck swallowed nervously, his hand rubbing the back of his
neck. A gesture Irene recognized. He was upset and confused. She felt her
indignation begin to melt until she remembered.
She
was upset and
confused. No one gave her any slack. Especially Chuck.

“Irene—”

“No. I’m going to talk. You listen.” With each word, she
poked a finger into his chest for emphasis. “It was a kiss. One kiss. A very
nice kiss.”

“But—”

“I loved Erin, too.”

“I know.”

“Not once while she was alive did I harbor any thoughts
about you except as a friend.”

“No.” For the first time all evening, Chuck looked directly
into Irene’s eyes. The sadness he saw made his heart clench. “I never dreamed
otherwise.”

“Good,” Irene nodded. “Because there is something you need
to understand.”

This was hard, but it needed to be said. Whatever happened,
she couldn’t lose Chuck. He was one of the first friends she made when she
moved to Montana. She didn’t know if something romantic was possible with him.
As she had said, thinking of him that way was new. And scary. There was Erin’s
memory. It was over two years since her death, but Irene knew that Chuck still
grieved for his wife every day.

She wasn’t going to tell him that Erin would want him to
move on. It was a cliché, even if it were true. Chuck knew that, above all
else, Erin would want him to be happy. It was up to Chuck to decide what that
meant. Irene couldn’t tell him.

The kiss had come as a surprise to both of them. If Irene had
seen it in a movie, she would have rolled her eyes. Chuck stopped by her office
to pick up some ointment for one of the horses. They bent at the same time to
pick up a file she had dropped. As they stood, it happened. No warning. Chuck
pulled her into his arms and kissed her. To her amazement, Irene kissed him
back.

It left her breathless and a little lightheaded. By the
glazed look in his eyes, she was certain Chuck felt the same. It took about ten
seconds for the implications to sink in and less than that for him to rush out
the door. Two weeks later, this was the first time she had gotten him alone.

“I like you, Chuck. I can’t tell you when I started to want
more than just your friendship, but there it is. I would like us to be lovers.”

Chuck’s eyes widened. Irene waited for him to say something,
but when he opened his mouth, all that came out was air. Like a slowly
deflating balloon.

It appeared Chuck wouldn’t make this easier. With a sigh,
Irene plowed forward.

“The Genie is out of the bottle, Chuck.” She shook her head,
frowning. “You know what? Forget the stupid metaphors. We’re adults. Let’s act
like it. I’ve told you what I want. If you decide you’d like it too, that’s
fine. If not, I still want to be your friend.”

“I want that too.” Chuck found his voice. It sounded raspy
and rough, but it was there. “The friend part.” Chuck sighed. “I always want us
to be friends, Irene.”

“And the rest?”

“I don’t know.”

At least it was honest. A little part of her had hoped for
more, but at heart, she was a pragmatic woman. Chuck needed time to process
what was happening between them. In his mind, he was still married to Erin.
Thinking of Irene as anything but a friend would be cheating. Until he moved
past that, there was nothing more she could say.

“Can we talk when you get back?”

“Of course.” Irene gave him a sympathetic smile. “I wish I
could tell you not to beat yourself up over this, but that’s your decision.”
Before getting into her car, she hesitated, and then gently squeezed his hand.
“Friends first and always.”

Chuck watched Irene’s car drive into the night.
Friends
first and always
. Did he want more? Was he capable of more? He closed his
eyes, waiting for Erin to give him the advice he so desperately needed.

Nothing
. A wave of panic washed over him.
Where was
she? Where was the
voice that had kept him sane? His link. His lifeline
.
Then he heard it. Faint but clear.

It’s time, my love
.

His head fell back. Looking into the clear, star-filled
night, Chuck felt a deep sadness crash over him. He wasn’t ready.

Then, the panic lifted. Calmness settled into his bones. The
sadness — his loss was still there. However, for the first time in forever,
there wasn’t a weight on his heart.

Chuck brushed at something on his cheek. Tears. Taking a
breath, he let them fall.

I will never stop loving you, Erin
.

Walking back to the house, Chuck wasn’t thinking about loss.
His mind was on the future. The possibilities. The smile of a lovely woman and
the kiss that no longer seemed like a betrayal.

Taking a deep breath, Chuck let the clean Montana air fill
his lungs. Then with one last look at the stars, he entered the house.

THE ROOM WAS quiet. The only sound coming from the old
grandfather clock that stood in the corner.

Chuck was in bed. He went to his room as soon as he returned
from walking Irene to her car. Nate found it interesting that he wasn’t
carrying anything. Whatever Irene wanted to give him, it was either small
enough to fit in his pocket, or it had been an excuse to get him alone.

By the introspective look on Chuck’s face, Nate guessed it
was the latter.

He helped Paige finish the dishes before putting Beauty in
the mudroom. After discussing it with Paige, he decided she, and his bedding,
would be better off in a room where she couldn’t get into any mischief.

Nate checked the mudroom thoroughly, making certain all the
cleaning supplies were out of reach. He filled her bowls with food and water.
Then he settled her onto her pillow. Crouching down, he placed her new chew toy
nearby.

“Chuck is going to install a doggy door in the morning. For
now, if you can’t hold it, don’t be embarrassed. Puppies have less control.
I’ll clean it up if you make a mess and promise to keep it between the two of
us.”

Beauty cocked her head, blinking twice. It didn’t matter that
his words were meaningless to her. His tone was what mattered. She knew she was
safe and loved. Wasn’t that what everyone, person or dog, wanted?

“Is she going to be okay?”

“She’ll be fine.” Nate gently closed the mudroom door. “I
turned on the dryer. The sound should soothe her until she falls asleep.”

“How do you know so much about puppies?” Paige asked.

Her smile widened when Nate moved closer. He took her hand,
linking their fingers. Paige’s fingers were long, tapering to nails that she
kept short and unvarnished. Turning her hand, he gave the back a lingering
kiss. His reward, besides the feel of her soft skin against his lips, was the
flair of awareness in her deep, brown eyes.

A man would fight any battle to have a woman like Paige look
at him that way. And here she was — offering herself freely. No battles. No
strings. No expectations. Nate was a lucky bastard.

“I read a lot when I travel. Delays are part of the game. I
pick up magazines people have discarded. You learn some interesting things that
way.”

Paige was learning more and more about Nate. In this day of
handheld technology, he chose to read magazines rather than spend all his time
bent over his smartphone. He read articles about puppy care when he didn’t own
a dog. And the touch of his lips on her hand sent her pulse racing.

Nate Landis was infinitely sweet and surprisingly complex.

“I like it when you smile. Want to share what’s on your
mind?”

“I hope it’s the same thing that’s on yours.”

“Mmm.” Nate eased her arm around his waist. He anchored
Paige’s hips with his cast. “It’s a sure bet. Are you ready to go? Anything you
need to get?”

“I put a bag in the truck before dinner. How about you?”

Everything Nate needed was in his jacket hanging by the
front door. Condoms and a toothbrush. He could still hear the edict his father
gave to each of his sons. Never leave home without protection. And always,
always use one. Nate treated his father’s words as the Gospel.

As for the toothbrush? Nate liked his teeth. They were
strong and white. And he planned to keep them that way.

“I’m set.”

Nate helped Paige on with her jacket, and then took her
hand, leading her out of the house. He waited while she locked the door.

“You’re going to open the truck door and help me in, aren’t
you?”

Surprised by the question, Nate frowned.

“Does that bother you?”

“At this point, I would be disappointed if you didn’t do
it.” Paige took his proffered hand, walking down the steps. “I don’t think
admitting that means I have to turn in my liberated woman card. It’s sweet.
Old-fashioned.”

“I’ll tell my mom that you approve. She didn’t harp on us
about it. When Dad would open a door for her, or help her on with her coat, she
would say, ‘See boys. This is how you show a woman respect.’ It stuck.”

Paige started the truck. As soon as Nate was in the cab, she
hit the gas. It was after ten. She wanted to get going before any more of the
night slipped away.

“Are you nervous?”

Nate asked the question after several minutes of silence.

“Sure. A little.” She shot him a look before returning her
eyes to the road. “Are you?”

“No. Not nervous. Anxious would be a better word. I want to
make this as good for you as possible.”

“I want the same thing.” She chuckled. “In reverse. You have
a lot more experience, Nate. I don’t want to disappoint you.”

“I’m a guy, Paige. We’re easy to please.” He leaned as close
as his seatbelt allowed, taking a deep breath.

“Vanilla and wildflowers. Plus that elusive bit that comes
from you. Your scent makes my mouth water. The touch of your hand on mine makes
me hard. Want to feel?”

Hitting the brakes, Paige swerved to the side of the road.
Her hands gripped the steering wheel so hard her knuckles turned white.

“I didn’t mean to upset you.” Nate hit the latch on his
seatbelt. “I’m sorry, Paige. Let me—”

“No. Let me. Please, let me.”

Paige launched herself at Nate with no thought except
touching him. She sighed with satisfaction when he caught her easily with his
good arm. His strength made her melt inside.

“Remind me. What was your question?”

Nate buried his face in Paige’s long blond hair, his lips
curving.

“Want to feel?”

“Yes, please.”

Paige adjusted her body, her long, jean-clad leg hooking
over Nate’s muscular thigh.

“I’m going to kiss you.
And
touch you. Okay?”

Nate waited until Paige’s lips were a breath away before he
growled deeply, “Yes. Please.”

Paige wasn’t in the mood to tease. Not that Nate would have
let her. Their mouths met in a rush of mutual desperation.

“So sweet.” Nate’s tongue teased her bottom lip. “Like wild
cherries. Open for me.”

Nate didn’t have to ask twice. Her tongue met his. The glide
was heated. Intense. They couldn’t get enough of each other, going back for
taste after taste. The sound of their breathing filled the cab, steaming the
windows.

Running her hand over his chest, Paige sighed with pleasure.
Nate had a body meant to be enjoyed. His chest was like iron. She opened his
shirt, cursing the buttons. Snaps. The man should invest in shirts with easier
access. She gave a sigh of pleasure when her fingers touched his heated skin.

“Perfect.”

“I’m glad you think so.”

“Mmm.” Paige’s hand wandered lower, her mouth following
behind with a trail of kisses, bringing a groan of pleasure from Nate. The
groan turned into a gasp when she lightly bit the ridge of his defined abs.
Paige smiled. If he liked that, wait until she…

“Jesus, Paige.” Nate’s hips jerked once, then twice. “I said
feel. If you keep squeezing me like that, I’m going to go off like a
firecracker.”

Gently, Nate removed her hand from between his legs. He
brought it to his mouth, kissing her palm.

“I didn’t realize you would be so…”

“Easy?” Nate laughed.

“Big.”

Paige swallowed. Nate was a large man. Very large. It hadn’t
occurred to her that he would be big
all over
. It was a little daunting.
The men she had been with had run from average to on the small side. It was
quite a leap to go up not one size, but several.

“Paige. I’ve never had a problem
getting in
, so to
speak. I’ll take it slow.”

“I’m not worried,” Paige assured him. “Honestly.”

“This is new.” Nate tipped her chin so he could look into
her eyes. “Not sex, but sex with each other. We decided to do this on a bed.
Remember? I got a little carried away.”

“Me too.” Paige’s gaze wandered to Nate’s straining zipper.

“Move over. Put your seatbelt on and drive to Lottie’s
place.”

“Maybe if I got a sneak peek.” She reached for the button
closure on the waistband of Nate’s jeans.

“No.” Nate pushed her across the bench seat. He placed her
hands on the wheel before buckling her in. “I am not riding with my dick
hanging out. Drive.”

“Fine.” Paige did what he asked. “I don’t think I was asking
too much.”

“What if I asked you to whip off your shirt and bra? Would
you mind driving with your breasts out there for anyone to see? I know there
isn’t a lot of traffic around here. Would you want to take a chance on another
rig driving by and getting an eyeful?”

“It isn’t a fair comparison.” Paige tried not to laugh, but
the situation had gone from overheated to ridiculous so quickly, she couldn’t
hold it in. “No one would be able to see what you had on display. And, you’ve
strayed from the original point.”

“What was the original point?”

“Size?” Paige nodded toward his prominent erection. “I
wanted to see what I will be getting into.”

“Or rather, what will be getting into you?”

Paige snorted. “Funny. You should take your act on the road.
The size of your dick is a matter of comfort. My comfort. The size of my
breasts is, well, to tell the truth, I don’t know why that matters. Unless you
have a thing for mammoth hooters. If that’s the case, you are out of luck.”

“I like all breasts,” Nate declared. “Give me a woman with
her shirt off and I’m a happy man.”

“I’ll tuck that away for future reference.”

Nate was so unabashedly honest. He liked women. He liked
naked women. Why that didn’t bother her, Paige couldn’t say. Nothing about Nate
bothered her. She was afraid that might end up being a problem. For now, she
was going to enjoy him. She would worry about her vulnerable heart another time.

“Here we are.”

Paige pulled to a stop. Last month, Lottie had moved out of
the house she grew up in. Her father passed away two years ago and she moved
back to help her mother. It was a reasonably amicable arrangement until Aunt
Phyllis came to visit — and never left. Her mother’s sister did not approve of
Lottie. As soon as the word tramp passed her aunt’s lips, Lottie was gone.

She visited her mother whenever she was certain Aunt Phyllis
was out.

Lottie rented a small house on the outskirts of Basic. It wasn’t
fancy, but the lawn was green and freshly mowed. A line of marigolds bordered
the walkway, the yellow warm and welcoming. Paige knew that Lottie hated
getting dirty. She wondered who her friend had charmed into doing the yard
work.

“I like the color.”

“Mmm. Lottie batted her eyes and her landlord repainted the
entire place. Inside and out.” Patiently, Paige waited for Nate to open her
door.

“Lottie can get more done with her fluttering eyelashes than
anyone I’ve ever met.”

“It’s a talent she was born with.”

They walked hand in hand to the front door. Paige took the
key from her pocket. Once inside, she waited until Nate turned the lock.

“Now. Drop your pants.”

“Just like that? No foreplay?”

“What do you think we’ve been doing since you arrived? And
in the truck? It’s been one big, frustrating pile of foreplay.”

“I can’t argue with that.”

Paige leaned against the pale lavender wall, her arms
crossed, and waited.

“You want a show?” Nate unbuttoned his jeans, and then
unzipped them. “Slow? Fast? You pick.”

“Why don’t I give you a hand?” Paige straightened. She
closed the distance between them in three long strides. “That cast will slow
things down.”

“Paige. Slowing things down might be a good idea.”

Easing to her knees, Paige smiled up at Nate. Her eyes
sparkled with anticipation as she tugged at the denim that stubbornly clung to
his hips.

“You don’t like me down here?” Paige touched his leg just
below his sexy black briefs.

“That’s a loaded question.”

“Loaded,” Paige said the word slowly, making it sound
provocative. “Like you.”

With her eyes glued to his erection, she reached out to
unwrap her present. Nate almost let her. It was tempting. Unlike Paige, he knew
what would happen if she touched him again.

Nate was a man who prided himself on his control. It wasn’t
that he insisted on ladies first. Paige would be taken care of. Again and
again. He worried about coming the second she touched him. That hadn’t happened
since he was an untried teenager under the bleachers with Adrienne Wolstein. Paige
had him on edge. The way he felt, the touch of her sweet, warm breath might be
enough to set him off.

“What?” Paige asked when Nate moved her hands.

“Why don’t you stand up?” Nate tugged, urging her to rise.
“We’ll get you undressed.”

“I like it where I am.” Paige smiled, feeling
uncharacteristically smug. “You’re in a bad way, aren’t you?”

“Paige… Don’t poke the bear. Not when he’s dealing with a
raging hard-on.”

“I don’t want to poke you. I want to kiss and make it
better.”

“I haven’t had sex in over a month.” Nate knew the smart
thing to do would be to back away. However, the closer her mouth came to his
dick, the more he felt rooted to the spot.

“Me neither.” It was more like a year, but Nate didn’t need
to know that. “What’s your excuse?”

Nate lightly tapped his cast against her shoulder. “Recovery
from a concussion. A hovering mother.
And
an unplanned trip to Montana.
It became the perfect storm. I haven’t been celibate this long since… It had to
be in my teens.”

“I can count on one hand the number of men I’ve been with
and you’re worried about a month without sex? Poor baby.”

The sarcastic teasing in Paige’s voice made Nate smile.
Until she made a sneak attack. The kiss she gave his cloth-covered dick put an
end to the debate. No more fooling around. Things were about to get serious.
Seriously good.