Louisa George - Hot Docs On Call - Hollywood Heartthrobs

When he drew away Jake was shaking and there were deep lines across his forehead. He looked unsettled, spooked.

Worse, she felt as if someone had taken her lifeline away. ‘I’m not going crazy, am I? There is something here? You do want this, right?’ She knew her words were coming out a little slurred, as if her mouth was full of cotton-wool. But she wanted to know...needed to know. He’d said they’d talk, well, now she was going to say a few things... ‘Because I want to kiss you. And maybe more. Some more...yes, more.’ She laid her hand on his chest, felt the reassuring beat of his heart under her fingers. There was something about Jake that was different from any other man she’d ever known. There was a quiet strength to him—one that irritated her slightly as he fought the attraction. There was a calmness there. He was funny and beautiful to look at. He made her feel good about herself. He made her think that anything was possible.

He made her lose track of her thinking—and that wasn’t always such a good thing. Because she had to keep her mind focused on her goals. She didn’t want to fall for him—but maybe it was already too late. Right now she was so laconic she didn’t care.

There was a long pause while he looked at her. Sin flashed across his gaze. ‘Yes. Yes, I do want to kiss you again, Lola, and more. But wanting and doing are different things. You’re hurting now, and pretty much flying high on meds, you don’t know what you’re doing—and, to be brutally honest, neither do I. You need to sleep it all off. Things will look different when you wake up.’

His rejection should have hurt, but it didn’t touch her. Because she knew. Knew he wanted her. Knew this was right. She couldn’t stop looking at his mouth. She wanted to feel his mouth on her skin, on her body. Everywhere. ‘Why do you keep pushing me away?’

‘Because I wouldn’t be good for you.’

Oh, you would. So damned good. But she had to admit that her vision had started to blur at the edges and she was feeling quite strange. ‘I think I can decide what’s good for me. I think sex with you would be amazing—’

His growl was low and almost feral as he edged away from her. ‘So do I, Lola. Which is exactly why we’re not going to do it.’

CHAPTER EIGHT

THE AIR WAS cooler when she woke, alone on the sofa, her body contorted, her limbs still limp, her head aching just a little. Her mouth was dry. And she was sure she was supposed to be doing something important, but all she could remember was lying in Jake’s heat and how safe she’d felt.

It was going dark too. Almost six o’clock.

She’d been asleep for hours, way too long.

Whoa, shoot. She was supposed to have phoned Evelyn Rice’s office and organised some clothes. And the beauty therapist...damn, damn, damn.

Her head was clearing now, very quickly. Unfortunately. There was no soft-focus buzz to make the neglect of her duties appear in any way warm and fuzzy. She reached for her phone.

But it was gone. As was her script. She jumped to her feet. Wobbled a little on her bad leg. Righted herself. What in hell had she been thinking, sleeping for so long as if she hadn’t a care in the world? What had he given her for the pain that had wiped her brain of any sense? ‘Jake? Jake?’

He wasn’t in the kitchen, bedrooms...the bathrooms were empty. She started to wander outside, but met him and the dogs in the hallway. He’d changed out of beach clothes and wore a navy collared T-shirt that clung interestingly to his biceps, and tan shorts that made a perfect gift of his backside. And he gripped three leads tightly in his fist. ‘Hey, you’re awake. Get down, Butter or Jelly, or whoever you are. Stop fussing. We’ve been for a walk. I think Tina was getting just a little tired of them. Cameron’s still on set.’

Lola was still a little drowsy, but her head was no longer filled with mush. She bent to stroke the dogs, gave them all the kisses they needed, then stood. Wobbled a little. ‘Why did you let me sleep so long?’

Jake held her arms at her sides and looked her up and down, steadied her. ‘You needed it. Your body told you what it needed. You’ve been working hard, you were in shock...’

‘I was drugged.’

He laughed. ‘Lightweight. Seriously, they weren’t even strong. How’re you feeling? You seem to be walking okay.’

She peered down at her leg. It was still red and swollen, but not as raw as it had been. The pain had definitely subsided and whatever cream he’d put on had helped reduce the itch. Reduce, not obliterate. ‘Better. But I haven’t time to think about that. I need to phone Evelyn Rice and arrange some clothes for tomorrow. But, damn, she’s probably left already, and I only have the workshop number.’

‘No need.’ He walked her back through to the kitchen and let the dogs off their leads, and after they’d scoffed some biscuits they scampered through the open-plan space to the lounge area, climbed onto their favourite rattan sofa and began preening. Just like their ‘mother’.

Talking of which... ‘But—I have to—Cameron asked me—’

‘Wait.’ Jake opened the fridge, lifted out a bottle and filled a glass with iced water then handed it to Lola. ‘Drink this. Okay, I’ve already phoned Miss Rice. It’s all sorted.’

‘You called her? Oh, my God, what on earth did you say?’ This was it. She was fired. Gone. Back to London. Regretting everything...except the part where she’d kissed Jake. Twice.

Whatever, she was doomed.

He grinned, obviously pleased with himself. ‘I explained what the issue was, and that I hadn’t a clue what I was doing. She took pity on me. She was delighted Cameron wanted to sample her clothes and we guessed her size. She’s sending an assortment of this season’s garments over tonight, different sizes just in case.’

Lola tiptoed to kiss his cheek, but thought better of it. The last time she’d kissed him things had gone downhill pretty quickly. ‘Great, thanks. That’s brilliant. You are brilliant.’

‘I know.’

‘And very modest too. So the only other major thing I need to do today is arrange a beautician for tomorrow evening for before the dinner.’

This time he gave her a very satisfied look. ‘Done.’

‘What?’ He was a revelation.

‘Evelyn recommended someone. I called, she’s fitting Cameron in. In fact, she’s rearranged her whole day for that divine woman. Her words, not mine.’

This time she did give him a quick peck on the cheek and neither of them seemed to mind. ‘Double brilliant. Thank you. You’re a lifesaver.’

‘I know.’

‘But what I don’t understand is why.’ To think that only a few days ago she’d never even met the man, and now he was doing her job for her, tending to her leg. And not trying to sleep with her... Maybe he was just an altogether good guy.

Apart from not trying to sleep with her...

‘To save your ass. The last thing you needed was to make a drug-slurred call to a top designer. Not a great look. Now...’ He took her hand and walked her out to the deck. In the distance someone was playing soca music, light and lyrical. ‘Sit down. Chef is sending dinner over in ten minutes. Watch the sunset...or something. I’ll just check on the dogs.’

‘Oh. Wow. Yes.’ She gazed out and wondered whether the drugs were having an effect on her vision—because the view was breathtaking. It looked like someone had taken a paintbrush and daubed the brightest colours they could find right across the horizon.

The sky met the ocean in a deep molten orange that reflected across the water. A bright yellow globe dipped into the sea and shimmered almost golden. To her left, palm trees swayed in silhouette, black against the ombre haze. And there, just in front of her, were two large torches, flames flickering in the gentle breeze, and a table set for two with candles and white linen.