If I Loved You (Hollywood Hearts 1) (8 page)

“A hot babe who doesn’t know it? How do you find these women, Chaz?”

“Dumb luck.”

“Does she have a friend?”

“What happened to Selena?”

“Didn’t work out.”

“Sorry. She was hot…a stick of fire.”

“Stick of dynamite is more like it. What a pain in the ass. She was demanding and always needing attention…constantly. Geez.” He shook his head.

“Meg’s independent. Maybe too independent.”

“Thought she was only a financial advisor.” Quinn turned a probing gaze on his friend.

“Wish it were more.”

“When do I get to meet this perfect woman?”

“Why would I introduce her to you?” Chaz cocked an eyebrow at his friend.

“Thought you wanted me to use her services?”

“Not that type of service, bonehead!”

“Afraid of a little competition?” Quinn straightened up.

“Not stupid’s all.”

“Don’t want to screw things up with the ‘love of your life’ here.” Quinn placed the bottle back on the coaster.

“Shut up, Quinn.” Chaz rifled a throw pillow at his friend.

Quinn returned the pillow. Within seconds, a full-fledged pillow fight blossomed in the living room.

*
* * *

“Megan Davis.” Meg answered the phone using her business voice.

“You sound so…so official.”

“Yeah. Business office, remember.” Megan smiled at the sound of his voice.

He chuckled.

“What can I do for you, Mr. Duncan?”

“You can have dinner with me tonight. I have tomorrow off…they’re shooting a different scene with an actor who has other commitments. So, since I’m free tomorrow, I can stay up late tonight.”

“Late? What did you have in mind?” Meg raised her eyebrows.

“Dinner. Just dinner.”

“Really?” She chuckled.

“Days I’m shooting I have to be at the studio by five, so I go to sleep very early. Since I’m not done until nine at night, I usually grab something quick, de-stress a bit, then go to bed. But tonight, I can be…uh…social.”

“In that case…sure. What time?”

“Hmm, how about nine fifteen?”

Megan burst out laughing. “Dinner after nine?” She put her coffee down.

“Oh, I forgot. Normal people here.”

“Maybe dessert?”

“Great! Dessert! Wear jeans. Bobby and I’ll pick you up in front of your building at nine fifteen.”

“Is this business?”

“Uh…not really. Does it have to be?”

“Well…you’re a client…and…”

“I want to know why you picked The Gregory Company stock over Colorado Mining. Does that qualify?”

“Perfect…uh…fine. See you later.”

She hung up the phone, rested her chin on her hand.
A date.
She smiled.

“Dreamy eyes…must have something to do with Chaz Duncan.” Brielle leaned against the doorframe, her blonde hair sparkling and her lips rouged to perfection.

Anger caused heat in Megan’s cheeks. She hated Brielle second-guessing her. Brielle made her jealousy of Megan obvious unless Harvey Dillon or Carleton Weed was around. Then, she’d be singing Megan’s praises. Moreover, having Brielle’s office directly across the hall made it impossible to work unobserved. Megan glanced down at her computer screen. “If you can call it dreamy-eyed to be happy the stock market is up, then I guess I am.”

Brielle’s face took on a sour look. “So what’s up with you and Duncan anyway?”

“I’m managing his portfolio. Period. I’ve got to get back to work.”

Hoping Brielle would leave, Megan again lowered her eyes to her computer screen. The blonde oiled her way across the hallway, stopping to smile beguilingly at Andy. She chucked him under the chin before entering her own domain. With narrowed eyes, Megan watched through her glass wall. It made her nervous to see Brielle making up to Andy.
What does she want with him?

Chapter Five

At seven o’clock, Megan returned home and heated up leftovers. She changed into jeans and another sweater she bought with Penny, this one a low-cut sweater in coral. While she ate, Megan focused her attention on annual reports and stock market charts.

At nine fifteen, she boarded the elevator for the quick ride to the lobby. She spied Baxter asleep on a small rug in the back. She glanced at him and then at Briny.

“Mrs. Bender is still sick,” Briny explained.

“Baxter is lucky to have you.” Megan bent down to scratch the sleeping pug behind his ears.

Briny nodded, tipped his hat to her, and then opened the door.

Chaz was leaning up against the town car when she left the building. He gripped a small basket as he stepped forward and took her hand.

“Central Park.” he took her hand, guiding her south.

“But it’s almost dark.”

“The darker the better.” She glimpsed a mischievous gleam in his dark eyes as she followed along.

“What’s in the basket?”

“Moscato, a sweet wine, plastic wine glasses, and strawberries dipped in chocolate.”

Megan’s mouth watered.

“Where are we headed?”

“The Ramble.” He walked down Central Park West with Megan at his side.

“The Ramble? It’s dark and lonely in there…people hang out there for all sorts of reasons.”

“Are you afraid?”

She shivered.

“You’re with me. No one is going to bother you. Nothing to be scared of. I have two flashlights too.” Chaz tightened his grip on her hand while he drew her closer.

“Do you know the stone arch in the ramble?”

“I try to stay out of the ramble. I always get lost there,” she confessed.

“Don’t worry, I know my way around. The arch is my lucky place.”

“Lucky place?” She raised her eyebrows.

“I have visited the arch before every lucky break I’ve had.”

“And you’re going there for luck with your Broadway audition?” She picked up her pace to match his long stride.

He laughed.

“Why else?” She asked, glancing at him as they slowed down.

“My secret.” He planted a quick kiss on the tip of her nose.

When they reached Eighty-First Street, Chaz steered them to the left and they ducked into the park, passing the silent, empty Diana Ross playground. They wended their way deeper and deeper into the shadowed parkland, dotted with benches and spring flowers in bloom.

“It’s still light enough to see the tulips and irises.” Megan’s eyes lit on the bright colored flowers.

“Let’s go to the Shakespeare Garden.” Chaz led her along the paved road toward the Shakespeare Theater then veered right. The split rail fence reminded her of vacations in the country when she was a child. Small colorful flowers, bright in the fading daylight, coupled with the glow of street lamps, lined the fence. Bouquets of pink and white roses blossoming along the walk were a treat for their eyes. The roses, bursting with sweet scent, perfumed the air, seducing their noses.

“This is one of my favorite places,” Chaz said, slowing his gait to a stroll.

“I’ve never seen so many roses in one spot.”

He draped his arm around her shoulders. They wound around the maze of park paths. “You do know your way around here, don’t you?

“Told you.” He steered her to the left.

“Take many girls to the Arch?” Megan peered at him in the fading light.

“You’re the first.”

She slipped her arm around his waist and moved up against his side.

He stopped suddenly to point. Megan raised her gaze. “How do the stones stay together like that?” She stepped nearer, staring at the structure.

He shrugged. “No idea.”

“It’s a work of art.”

Chaz led her to a bench facing the arch where they could eat. He opened the basket and popped the cork on the wine before pouring two glasses. Megan took a sip. “Mmm…delicious.”

He handed her a plastic container. She opened it to reveal a dozen giant strawberries half coated in dark chocolate. Taking one in between her fingers, she slowly raised it to his lips. Their gazes locked as his lips surrounded the succulent berry. A bite sent a copious amount of juice flowing down his chin. Megan leaned forward slightly, but caught herself before she licked his face clean. Instead, she plucked a napkin out of the basket.

“Were you going to…?”

She nodded before putting her finger over his lips as she wiped off the juice. Picking up a berry, he mirrored her movements, except this time, Chaz licked the strawberry juice off her chin. His lips slipped over hers effortlessly. She finished chewing and swallowed as his tongue swept across her lower lip, setting off a spark in her belly and igniting
her passion.

He pulled her closer until their chests barely touched and kissed her in earnest
—his lips working hers until she opened for him. Megan placed her hands on his broad shoulders, feeling the taut muscles of his upper back through the thin fabric of his windbreaker. The taste of strawberry mixed with the feel of his tongue gliding over hers excited her. Her nipples hardened, aching for his touch.

Moving his hands to her back, he closed the gap between them so that her breasts were touching his chest. He moved his hands up and his fingers played with the ends of her hair. She didn’t resist, yielding to her desire to be close to him.

He angled his head and took the kiss deeper. Meg floated, her mind turned off. All she could do was feel his hands on her, feel his lips on hers, soft yet demanding. She breathed in his intoxicating scent mixed with his after-shave. The ache inside her stoked the fire so hot it seemed to scorch her insides. She clamped her thighs together but that only made her desire increase. Before she could stop herself, she purred into his mouth.

Encouraged by her response, Chaz ripped his mouth from hers and moved it to her neck. His lips and tongue burned a trail down the column. He deftly unzipped her jacket and slipped it off one shoulder, allowing his lips to continue down to her shoulder. His hands were on her waist, holding her steady. Her nipples stung, needing to be touched. As if he could read her mind, Chaz slid his hand up her ribcage until it covered her breast. She gasped at the sharp tingle that shot straight to her core when his fingers closed on her nipple.

Chaz raised his head.

“Sorry. Got carried away.”

Her eyes were wide, dark green with passion. Two words tumbled out of her mouth without her brain’s knowledge.

“Don’t stop.” It was almost a moan.

Their eyes met. Megan reached up and traced the edge of his sensuous lower lip. He continued to stare at her until she slid her hand up his chest to curl her fingers around his neck. Her gentle tug brought his lips back to hers. A small sigh escaped as she surrendered to his kiss.

Boneless, she melted against him, feeling the hard muscles of his chest against hers. She wanted him, wanted him with every fiber of her being. Caught up in passion, she didn’t stop to think…about anything. Chaz raised his hand slowly as if he were fighting his desire to touch her and losing. Once more, his hand captured her breast and he squeezed it gently while his lips placed tender kisses on her neck.

“Let me touch you,” he whispered as his fingers stroked the exposed top of her breast.

“Yes,” she murmured into his neck, closing her eyes.

Chaz dragged himself back, lowered his hand, and separated slightly from her. “Not here.” He let out a breath.

She moved back from him, removing her hand from his chest. Her skin pebbled at the touch of cool air. Meg looked down and saw the top two buttons of her blouse were undone, exposing part of a pink lace bra and a lot more cleavage.
Wow, he’s smooth. Didn’t feel a thing while he was undressing me.

As heat rose to her face, she reached for the buttons, fastening them again. Chaz leaned over to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear.  “You’re beautiful.” His eyes darkened with emotion.

She gazed at her hands resting in her lap.
Me, beautiful? That’s a laugh.
“Not quite…”

Chaz grabbed her chin. He jerked her face around to within inches of his. “If I say you’re beautiful, you’re beautiful.” His smoldering look, mixed with the moonlight, confirmed his honesty.

She nodded, a small smile playing at her lips.

“One kiss in the arch, then let’s go.” He said, staring at her lips.

They stood up and joined hands. Chaz eased her close to him, his hands glided down to her bottom, and squeezed. Megan yelped. His lips found hers. They were so close together even a piece of paper wouldn’t slide between them. She wrapped her arms around his neck and relaxed against him. As he increased his passion, excitement began to build inside her. He pressed closer. Feeling his growing erection only made her want him more.