If I Loved You (Hollywood Hearts 1) (22 page)

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After scoping out the rooftop swimming pool and finding it empty, Chaz and Megan went for a swim. They splashed and played like children, racing to see who could do more laps. Meg won. As they clung to the ladder in the deep end, Chaz brushed his hand through his hair and Meg wiped her eyes.

“You’re an amazing swimmer,” Chaz said between gulps of air.

“All those summers at sleep-away camp.”

“An absolute fish.”

“You’re pretty good. Where did you learn to swim?”

“Doing summer stock in Pine Grove. Member of the cast taught me.”

“A female member, by any chance?” Meg smirked.

“So?”

Meg launched herself out of the water, pushing off his shoulder, forcing him under water. He grabbed her legs, dragging her down with him and planted a quick kiss on her lips before surfacing. They were gasping for air when they came up.

“Underwater kissing. Did you learn that from her too?” Meg cocked an eyebrow.

“You’re jealous! Can’t believe you’re jealous of someone I knew years ago.”

“I’m not usually jealous…it’s just that…just…I don’t know.” She turned away and paddled to the ladder again.

Chaz came up behind her and snaked an arm around her waist. He leaned over to whisper in her ear. “Jealous because you love me so much?”

Emotion welled up in her chest, closing her throat. Unable to utter words, she simply nodded. Chaz pulled her closer and bent to nuzzle her neck. “I love you that much, too. Don’t want to hear about anyone from your past, either. I’m a very jealous man.”

Warmth flooded her body as she laid her head back against his shoulder and closed her eyes.
How does he always know what to say?
His fingers stroked the skin laid bare by her bikini. She gripped the ladder and relaxed her body against him until a cool draft diverted their attention. They turned to see the door open wide and heard the giggling and shrieking of children racing inside and cannonballing into the pool. Chaz and Megan hoisted themselves up the ladder quickly, snatching their towels up and heading for the door.

One of the older kids stared intently at Chaz. “Look! It’s Grady Spencer!” He pointed and two of the other children turned to gape. Megan plucked their clothes up off the chair, wrapped the towel around her, and took Chaz’s hand. They sprinted for the door and escaped to the elevator before the children could follow. He checked to see if the elevator was empty before they boarded. Meg got a case of the giggles and laughed all the way to their room. Chaz threw his dry clothes on a chair and turned toward the bathroom. “Hot shower?”

Meg was shivering. “Sounds good.”

He turned on the water, and the bathroom steamed up quickly. Before Meg could peel off her bathing suit, he pulled her into the huge marble shower stall.

“Warm you up first.”

He eased her toward the warm water, and she smiled as it flowed over her body.

“Allow me.” Chaz began to peel her suit off as the water caressed them.

* * * *

Wrapped in a fluffy white terrycloth robe, Meg wandered out to the small terrace. A knock on the door alerted Chaz, who opened it to let in the waiter with their sumptuous lunch. The table was wheeled out onto the terrace, Chaz tipped the man, and they were alone once again.

Meg pulled the collar of the robe around her chin and grinned.
Chaz held out a chair for her. She eased into it gracefully as he lifted the dome off the platter to reveal a beautiful fresh jumbo shrimp salad, garnished with hard-boiled eggs, artichoke hearts, baby corn, and other finger vegetables.

“Now to feed my other appetite.” His eyes glittered as he shot an affectionate grin at her.

“This day couldn’t be better if you planned it like this.”

“Cost me a fortune to get you fired and stock the lobby with hostile reporters, but it was worth it to have you trapped here with me, in my bed, the shower…the pool.” His lips couldn’t hide a smile and Megan laughed out loud.

“Very funny,” she chided him, picking up a small corn with her fingers.

“I’ve never had so much fun making the best of a bad situation. Meg…you’re so brave…game for anything. A real survivor.”

“You’re the survivor. After everything you’ve been through…”

“That’s all in the past now.” He stabbed a shrimp with his fork.

“So what are your dreams, Dunc?”

“My dreams? To appear on Broadway and to find love…now I have both.”

Megan’s gaze dropped to her plate. She perused the food there before taking a French roll from the breadbasket, ripping it in half, and buttering it.

             
“You mean me?” Still she didn’t have the courage to face him.

             
“Of course you. Who else?”

She took a bite of the bread and butter, thankful to have something to occupy her mouth so she wasn’t expected to speak. Her gaze rose to his, and she saw love shining in his dark eyes.

“What’s your dream?” He took a French roll and broke it apart.

“Must I have only one?”

“Start with one.”

“I’d like to work with non-profits…instead of rich celebrities.”

“Then why are you doing what you’re doing?” He bit into a roll.

“This offer came along, and it was so prestigious…and my mother was finally impressed with something I’d done. So I took it. But I’ve never been comfortable there.”

“How would you work with non-profits?” He took a forkful of coleslaw into his mouth.

“I’d do financial planning, investing for small, non-profit companies and maybe…teachers and nurses…people who do good things, but don’t have a lot of money. They are the people who really need help. They are the ones who need to put something away for their retirement, learn how to manage money, and so on.”

“Is that your only dream?”

Meg fidgeted with her napkin, first wiping her lips in a delicate manner, tucking it back into her lap, then straightening the silverware. Chaz reached over and stilled her hands with his.
“Okay, tell me about the dream you’re hiding.”

She sat back and met his stare. Chaz removed his hand and picked up a piece of bread.

“I’m not hiding it…but do I have to reveal everything?” She stabbed a shrimp and an artichoke heart with her fork.

“I have. Now you.” He lounged back in his chair, lazily chewing on the French bread, his eyes never leaving hers.

“Like most women, I guess I’d like to get married…have a family…”

“How many kids?” He swallowed the bread he had been chewing.

“Two, I guess.” Megan poised her fork, balancing a piece of hard-boiled egg in midair.

“Perfect! Me too…I mean, two kids. I’ve always wanted to be part of a family. Playing the dad works for me. You get it right?” He laughed nervously.

Meg smiled at him. He placed his hand over hers and she wrapped her fingers around his thumb. They removed their hands and continued to eat in silence. Meg focused on her food, stealing a glance at Chaz from time to time. She expected him to look nervous after all the talk about marriage and kids, but he appeared calm. A smile graced his gorgeous lips when his eyes met hers. Her pulse sped up. She could feel her heart beating.
Oh God, it’s really love…what do I do now?

“Ready for dessert?” Chaz’s voice broke into her thoughts.

Megan nodded.

He lifted up the second silver dome to reveal two dishes of perfect strawberry shortcake, made with real biscuits and
—after a quick taste test by Chaz—genuine whipped cream. They both gasped.

“We should save some of this whipped cream for the bedroom.”

“This morning twice…then the shower…you’re not…not…sated?” She raised her fork.

“I doubt I’ll ever be sated as long as you’re around.” Desire twinkled in the black pools of his eyes, and Meg smiled to see his gaze move down to the V in her robe. It had opened slightly, giving him a teasing glimpse of her breasts. The heat of his stare burned a trail of warmth on her skin, as if his hand were gliding down her chest. She took a big bite of the shortcake before Chaz’s phone rang. He wiped his lips and answered it. After a few minutes, he put the phone down and turned to her.

“Press conference is scheduled for day after tomorrow, in the club lounge, here.”

“That’s the day I’m leaving.”

“I know. We’ll still have some time left after that.”

Her grin turned to a frown as she thought about the press conference.

“Don’t worry. It’ll be fine. We’ll tell the truth, what can go wrong?”

Chaz slipped his hand over hers and grinned. Still, tension roiled in the pit of her stomach.

Chapter Fourteen

Meg hauled herself out of bed at four o’clock to accompany Chaz to the studio. He was due there at five, and she had vowed to go along. Yawning in the limousine, Meg looked with distaste at her egg sandwich.
Too early for food. Give me coffee.

Chaz seemed to read her mind. “There is more coffee on the set, little chick.”

“Thank God. I feel like I need a gallon.”

They pulled up at quarter to five and Chaz took her hand, leading her through the studio and into makeup. She stuck by his side until he had to shoot. Then she found an empty chair and sat quietly watching him.

Everyone has been so nice. They like Chaz…or are good at faking it. I guess he’s important, since he’s the big star.

The deference he received from most of the cast and the respect from the director impressed Megan. Chaz joked with the cameramen, did a scene, then again and again with no complaint.
He’s so professional! Not like the goofy guy splashing in the pool with me.

Finding herself fascinated watching Chaz in action, she put her book down and sat quietly, mesmerized by all that was going on around her. Shooting ended at eight o’clock and afterwards, an exhausted Chaz joined her in the limousine. They shared a kiss before Megan spoke. “I loved watching you on the set, but I have a million questions.”

Chaz opened the bar in the big car and poured a vodka and tonic.

“Let’s have a drink first. Want one?”

She nodded, and he handed her a drink before pouring a second for himself.

“Can we save the questions for the morning? I’m beat.”

“Of course.

Back at the hotel, they retired right after dinner, which was room service again.  Megan took off her clothes and got into bed next to Chaz. He reached for her and pulled her in close. His hand wandered down her back to stroke her behind.

“Aren’t you too tired? I’m wiped out.” Megan fought exhaustion.

“I am tired. Have to be up at four tomorrow too.” Despite his words, he continued to caress her back.

“Maybe we skip tonight?”

“You’re leaving tomorrow…don’t know when I’m going to see you again.”

“You’ll be back in New York next month right?” Megan rested her hand on his hip.

Chaz nodded. “Supposed to wrap up by the end of August…four weeks or so.”

“We can last.”

Chaz kissed her, then kissed her again with more passion. A small fire started inside of Meg. She pressed her breasts against his chest.

“If you’re gonna do that, I’m gonna get a second wind,” he whispered.

Chaz maneuvered himself closer to her, their hips flush against each other. Meg could feel his growing desire, and it turned her on. He lowered his hand, sliding it down her thigh until he reached her center. His fingers stroked her, looking for her most sensitive spot and finding it.

“Oh my God, Chaz.” Megan gulped and closed her eyes.

“Maybe we should wait…” he teased, withdrawing his hand.

“Don’t you dare stop now!” She placed her hands on his shoulders and tugged him closer.

He kissed his way down her body. Opening her legs, he lowered his head.

“Still too tired?” His tongue flicked at her center.

“Are you kidding?”

He laughed, kissed her neck, and swung into high gear.

* * * *

The next day was similar to the one before except they were leaving early for the press conference. Megan again found herself fascinated by the art and technology involved in making a movie and enjoyed the pleasant atmosphere on the set. At two thirty, they piled into the limo and set off for the hotel.

“You’re not nervous, are you?” He turned to face her, resting his palm on her thigh.

“A little. Maybe…a lot.” Meg chewed on a fingernail. “I’ve never done a press conference before. I won’t know what to say.”

“Don’t worry. They’ll pelt you with questions. All you have to do is answer them honestly.”

“If it’s that easy why do so many people get trapped into looking like serial killers by reporters?”