“You have to put your social security number down, and we’ll have to follow child labor laws until you graduate from high school or turn eighteen.”
Child labor laws? He’s talking about how many hours I can legally work? Oh, I'm so dumb! He’s not the least bit interested in me. He’s not flirting with me. I deserve dumb boys, not this gorgeous man.
I can't hide the disappointment from my face.
“What’s the little pout for?” he says.
“Nothing,” I sigh. “Just wishing I was older.”
He cocks his head at me. “Are we talking about the movie?”
I just shrug my shoulders and gulp down some more wine.
He refills my glass again.
I know he’s just being polite and gentlemanly and all, but I’m not completely sure how much I’ve had. He’s never let my glass get empty.
The wind blows a piece of my hair out of my barrette and across my face. Vincent slides his hand gently across my forehead, catching the offending strand, and tucking it behind my ear.
The way he touches me is so tender.
Our gazes are fixed on each other.
The waiter comes by and checks our now empty wine bottle. “Another, sir?” he asks, which breaks our little moment.
Vincent gives the waiter an irritated glare. “Yes, please.”
He turns back toward me and says seductively, “So do you want to make a movie with me?”
I answer with a breathless, “I do.”
Vincent pours wine out of the new bottle and pops a shrimp in his mouth.
“I think we're gonna need to do this a lot.”
“What? Sit on the deck and get drunk?”
His face sobers. “Shit. Are you getting drunk?”
“No, I'm just teasing. But I should probably have some water before I drink much more.”
“I like getting to know you,” he says softly.
“I like getting to know you too.”
And I do. He has his sunglasses up on his head now, so I’ve been studying his dark, thick eyelashes. His deep mocha eyes. When the sunlight hits them right you can see the blue of the ocean reflected in them.
“I’ve just decided something about the movie.”
“What’s that?”
“Whoever we cast as your love interest will be ugly, and there will be no kissing scenes.”
“You can't do that if you want a blockbuster. People are suckers for romance. And happy endings.”
The look that crosses his face makes my cheeks feel warm, and I’m sure I’m blushing. “I mean, uh, they like happily ever after and all that.” OMG, I am such an idiot. I can’t believe I just said that!
“I know. I was just teasing you, since you said you’re done with boys. I used to say that about girls when I was in high school. I always thought I was so mature. I wanted a woman. I’ve always kind of had a thing for older women.” He stares at me for a few beats then says, “So, I know you can surf, which would help if I change the title to something like A Day at the Beach, but what other talents do you have?”
“Well, I’ve had years of dance classes. I play soccer, and I've been a Varsity starter since I was a freshman.”
“That’s impressive.”
“I also do kickboxing workouts with Tommy’s trainer. He says I have a strong right hook and a good jab.”
“That’s excellent, since you're gonna kick somebody’s ass in the movie.”
“Tell me more about the script.”
“Would you like to order dinner first?”
“Sure. I’m actually pretty hungry. The little shrimp aren’t quite doing it for me.”
“And would you like to stay here or move inside? Somewhere a little more private.”
“Somewhere more private. We don’t want anyone overhearing your movie details,” I whisper.
“Good. Because people are starting to stare at me.”
“Why would they stare?”
“I suspect it’s because I look like an older man trying to seduce a much younger woman.”
“Well, you are aren't you?”
He doesn’t reply, just gets up, and gestures for me to do the same. He puts his hand on the small of my back and guides me through the bar.
When we reach the end of the bar, I see someone I know. She hops off a barstool, says, “Keatyn, darling,” and air kisses my cheeks.
Vincent moves past our conversation, but he stops to wait for me.
When I rejoin him, he guides me to a private table in the corner. He pulls out a chair for me that lets me view the ocean, but puts my back to the rest of the room.
“So back to seducing you,” he says sexily.
“So you are, huh?” I raise my eyebrows and smile.
“That wouldn't be very professional of me.”
“I know. I meant you’re trying to talk me into making your movie. Seducing me to do it.”
Vincent licks his lips.
I realize what I just said. To do it. That might have been the wrong choice of words.
I bite my lip, because I’m pretty sure doing it just crossed Vincent’s mind.