His Larkville Cinderella

chapter FIVE



ON SUNDAY afternoon, Adam returned to the lot. The studio was the last place he needed to be, but he wanted to check out his trailer.

He glanced around seeing his favorite things that would help him relax in between takes and during downtimes—weights, a pull-up bar and video game consoles. “Looks good. Thanks.”

Veronica Tully, his personal assistant, stared at her tablet. She was the definition of efficiency. “You’ve been invited to two parties tonight as well as a special event at the Wilshire. If you’re going to show up, no worries, but if not I’ll send your regrets.”

With his first call on the set early Tuesday morning, Adam should make the most of tonight. But the thought of hanging with the usual crowd didn’t appeal to him.

Parts of his character, Maxwell Caldecott, must be rubbing off on Adam. Forget clubbing and partying. Hardworking, idealistic, family man wannabe, Maxwell attended formal events, the kind that required tuxedos or jackets and ties. Anything to prove his worth to the high-society wife he loved more than life. Too bad she was going to end up making the Wicked Witch seem more like the tooth fairy.

Staying home didn’t appeal to Adam, either. He’d spent last night working on lines. Still...

Sometimes he had to show up at events and parties because that was expected of him due to starring in a certain role or wanting to be cast in an upcoming project. He’d “dated” costars because the producer or studio wanted to drum up publicity. It was all business, all the time. “Any reason I should attend?”

Veronica scanned her tablet. “No.”

“Send my regrets,” he said without any further hesitation.

“I’ll book a table for you for dinner. Seven-thirty,” Veronica said with the same competency she’d shown since she started working for him a year and a half ago.

Adam didn’t want to be tied into any plans. He’d have enough of that during the shoot. “Thanks, but I’ll figure out something myself. Take the rest of the day and tomorrow off. It’ll be crazy around here starting Tuesday.”

“Thanks, boss.” She walked toward the door, then glanced back. “If you need me...”

“You’re only a text away.”

So was someone else, Adam realized. Megan. As Veronica exited the trailer, he whipped out his cell phone and typed.





Working today?





He didn’t know why Megan kept popping into his mind. No, he knew. Someone different and new was more fun than the same old same. She was probably out and about, checking off sights she wanted to see on her list. He’d bet she had actual lists, either on paper or her computer. No doubt a copy on her cell phone.

A beep sounded. A text had arrived. He checked his cell phone. A reply from Megan.





Yes, but almost finished.





Too bad. Adam was hoping she’d been able to have fun today. He typed.





Running an errand or at the lot?





Lot.





Her reply was almost instantaneous. He smiled. If they were so close, they could be talking instead of texting. An idea formed in his head. He typed another message.





All work and no play...





Hahaha.





Laughter wasn’t the reply Adam wanted. He wanted her to say she was up for some playtime. Fun. He’d try again.





Let me show you some sights when you’re finished.





No reply came. That was weird considering how quickly she’d answered back before. He typed some more.





Lived in L.A. area my entire life. I like playing tour guide.





Time dragged. He checked out the shelf full of video games. Some good titles.

His cell phone beeped. Finally. He read the text.





Too tired. Not up for fighting freeways and crowds.





Adam knew she must be tired, but he didn’t like the idea of her being alone. He remembered what being the new kid was like, whether at school or at a studio. It could be lonely, even if others were around. People had helped him when he first went to work on movies. He wanted to do the same with Megan. Tonight was the perfect time, possibly the only time, to do it. And being with her this evening beat any of his alternatives.

His thumbs tapped the touchscreen.





Understand. But I know the perfect place. Very relaxing. We can make it an early night.





As Adam waited for a reply, anticipation built. Must be the challenge. Few women kept him waiting. Most simply fell at his feet, seeing him whenever he wanted to see them. Having women willing to revolve their lives around him was convenient, but it made Adam uncomfortable because that was what his mom did for her man of the moment. He couldn’t picture Megan doing that.

The seconds ticked into minutes. He imagined her weighing the pros and the cons, the V between her eyes deepening into almost parallel lines, as she made a list. Perhaps a mental one, or she might even be jotting one down. He wouldn’t put it past Megan. But he still hoped she said...

Another beep. He glanced at the screen.





Sure.





Adam pumped his hand. “Yes.”

Another message immediately followed.





Where do you want to meet?





Picking her up would be easiest, but that might seem like too much of a date. Like it wasn’t a date, a voice mocked. Ignoring it, he typed.





Griffith Park Observatory parking lot. Five o’clock.





Okay. See you then.





A satisfied feeling flowed through Adam. He couldn’t wait to see Megan. Once the shoot started, things would be hectic for both of them. He wanted to make the most of tonight.

And he would.

* * *

The sun dropped lower toward the horizon, filling the sky with satiny tendrils of yellow and pink. Megan sat on a blanket on the lawn area of the Griffith Observatory. Adam sat next to her. In his jeans, long-sleeved red shirt with a surfer logo on the front and an L.A. Dodgers hat with the brim pulled low, he still didn’t look like an average guy. But no one walking passed them recognized him.

The scent of the grass filled the air, mingling with the smells from the delicious dinner Adam had brought. A good thing they’d taken a short hike through Griffith Park when they arrived. She didn’t think she could do it now after eating fried chicken, corn on the cob, sweet potato fries and the flakiest buttermilk biscuits she’d ever tasted.

Megan stared at the view of Los Angeles, including the iconic Hollywood sign. “I always thought everything in L.A. was flashy and loud. Glad to see I was wrong.”

“This is an oasis in the city. My mom and I used to come here when I was younger.”

She wondered what Adam was like as a kid, probably a daredevil even then. “Thank you for suggesting we come here. It’s so nice. The park. The view. The food.”

“The company.”

She smiled up at him. “That, too.”

And so romantic. Better not go there. They were friends. Only friends.

Except being with Adam wasn’t the same as hanging out with her friends. A strange undercurrent kept things from feeling comfy and cozy like when she was with Rob. With Adam, she felt kind of prickly and off balance. She had no idea what might happen next. Funny, but that didn’t bother her as much as she thought it would.

Megan put her arms behind her so she could lean back and support her weight. Her hand brushed Adam’s. Heat and tingles erupted from the point of contact. She straightened. “Sorry.”

“No worries.”

Megan was worried. She couldn’t control her body’s reactions to him. Even the slightest touch sent her insides aquiver. Not good.

He removed a white cardboard box from the picnic basket, then opened the lid. “I hope you saved room for dessert.”

Megan peeked inside to see two big chocolate cupcakes with fluffy white icing. The mouthwatering scent added two more inches to her hips. She took one, anyway. Focusing on dessert was better than thinking about Adam. “No matter how full I am, there’s always room for a cupcake.”

Laughter filled his eyes.

“What?” she asked.

“It isn’t often I meet a woman who enjoys food the way you do.”

Megan shifted uncomfortably. She wanted to fit in with everyone else, find where she belonged, but she wasn’t about to starve herself to do it. Especially when cupcakes were involved. “It’s a love-hate relationship. Most women enjoy food, but they hate the calories.”

“You don’t seem worried about calories.”

“I’m not,” she admitted. “I might have been a size zero for about a week when I was twelve. But as long as I’m fit and healthy why not eat?”

He held a cupcake. “I agree completely.”

She bit into hers. The vanilla frosting, creamy and sweet, filled her mouth. So tasty. The cake was light and chocolaty. Perfect, like Adam.

Megan stiffened. He wasn’t perfect. Okay, maybe physically. She’d concede that much. But other things considered—stability and respectability—not even close. Adam might not be as big a show-off as she’d first thought, but he was reckless and a daredevil. Totally wrong for her. She stared at her cupcake.

“You look a million miles away,” Adam said.

She turned her head. The intensity in his green eyes made her breath catch.

“I’m back.” She took another bite of the delicious cupcake. “You said you came here with your mother.”

He nodded. “We didn’t have a lot of money when I was growing up. This was one place we could afford. Admission is free except for the planetarium show.”

“A bargain for the beautiful views.”

“Wait until you see inside and look at the sky through a telescope. I used to...”

The wistful look in his eyes intrigued Megan. She leaned toward him, eager to hear what he was going to say. “What?”

“Dream about being an astronaut.”

More adventure and thrills. Not surprising. “You wanted to fly the space shuttle.”

“No.” Now that surprised her. “I didn’t want to be a pilot, but a mission specialist. A scientist.”

To be a scientist meant he had to like science. Her first impression of him being a dumb jock had been way off base. This only reaffirmed how far off.

Megan imagined Adam wearing a white lab coat. He would look good no matter what he wore. “You would have been the hottest scientist ever. Every female research assistant would have wanted to work on your project.”

On him!

Adam grinned. “Thanks.”

“But I’ll be honest, you would look even hotter in a spacesuit.”

“I’ve worn one before. I played an astronaut in a movie. The best part was experiencing zero gravity during a parabolic flight. Talk about wild. You would have liked it.”

“I suppose doing somersaults in midair would be fun as long as you didn’t hit something while you were floating around.”

“Everything is controlled. Very safe.”

Being an actor gave Adam the opportunity to experience unique things that an average person like herself didn’t get to do. That had to be fun for him. “Playing an astronaut in a movie would be a lot safer than actually being blasted into space.”

Mischief gleamed in his eyes. “Nothing wrong with a little danger.”

“Says the surfer who rides the biggest wave out there.”

He raised his hands in the air like he had won a close race. “And conquers the biggest wave.”

“Long-term, my money’s on the wave.”

Adam shrugged. “The rush is worth the risk.”

“I’ll take my chances on dry ground.”

“There’s rock climbing.”

“Not my thing,” she admitted. “I’m not a big fan of heights.”

“So no skydiving or BASE jumping.”

“Nope.” She’d never done anything like that, nor did she plan on it. “I like to keep my feet firmly planted on the ground. I’m addicted to breathing, not adrenaline.”

“Come on, you can’t tell me you’re totally risk adverse.”

“It’s true.”

“If it were, you wouldn’t be here.”

Megan drew back, feeling suddenly exposed. Most people took what she said without looking deeper. Even Rob. She might not have known Adam long, but the things she kept hidden from the world seemed somehow visible to him. She didn’t like it. “You mean here with you?”

“I’m not dangerous.”

Oh, yes, he was. She swallowed.

“I was talking about your internship,” Adam continued before she could say anything. “You left your family and friends to move to Los Angeles. That’s not exactly taking the safe path.”

Moving to a new town wouldn’t kill or injure her the way his risks would. At least she hoped not. “There aren’t many job opportunities for costume designers in Larkville. None unless you count the annual Christmas pageant at the community church. They’ve used the same costumes for years.”

“What about another city like Austin? They’re well-known in filmmaking circles.”

She’d had this discussion with Rob. “Nothing beats being in Hollywood if you want to be in the film industry. Lots more opportunities.”

“That’s true,” Adam said. “A great place to gain experience.”

Maybe that was why Rob had encouraged her to take the internship. Once she had experience, she would be able to move to Austin. “But relocating for a job isn’t the same as risking my neck trying some extreme sport.”

“Maybe not, but it still could be life changing.”

She stifled a yawn. “Time will tell.”

“You’re tired.”

Nodding, she wiped her mouth with a napkin and put the cupcake wrapper with the other trash. “It’s been a long week.”

“Let’s relax and watch the sunset before heading into the observatory.”

With her stomach full and her eyelids heavy, Megan stretched out her jean-clad legs and leaned back on her elbows. “Sounds like a plan.”

“That doesn’t look comfortable.” He moved back until he was behind her, his legs outstretched alongside hers. “Lean back.”

Her heart lodged in her throat, as if she’d swallowed an entire box of cupcakes whole. This didn’t seem like a friendly gesture, but a come-on. “I...”

He slipped his hands under her arms and scooted her against him so her back rested against his chest. “This has got to be more comfortable.”

Only slightly better than walking on hot coals. Every single muscle knotted. Should she pull away or...?

“Relax.” He kneaded her shoulders. “You’re so tense.”

Warmth and more tingles pulsated through her. If Adam decided to give up acting, he would make a fortune as a masseur.

“That’s a little better,” he said.

Yes and no. The man had magic hands. The tightness in her shoulders loosened, quickly melting beneath his skilled fingers, but his touch heated the blood flowing through her veins. Uh-oh. She could not allow herself to make a mistake here. “Much better. Thanks. You can stop now.”

“In a minute.”

A minute, huh? Megan could handle that. She started counting. One-Mississippi, two-Mississippi, three...

* * *

Megan was asleep. Her entire body was finally relaxed. Her chest rose and fell evenly.

With his left arm around Megan, Adam felt an odd sense of contentment. He’d never brought a date here before. This had always been his and his mom’s favorite place, but bringing Megan felt right. Special.

One of her curls tickled Adam’s nose. He inhaled the scent of her shampoo, fruity and sweet.

“Wheeeeee.”

A little boy squealed as he toddled across the grass while his mom chased after him. Beyond them, on the path, an older couple walked hand in hand. A teenager jogged to catch up to his friends heading toward the observatory.

Megan shifted in his arms. He glanced down at her. She was wearing lipstick, a natural-looking pink shade. He’d never noticed her wearing makeup before.

A serene smile graced her full lips. Was she dreaming? Of him?

This morning he would have said no way, but he wasn’t sure now. She’d agreed to spend the evening with him and didn’t protest his massaging her shoulders. She might be a little more dazzled than she would admit, but that didn’t stop her from acting naturally around him. She didn’t try to impress him. Nor try to seduce and flirt with him. She was herself and let him be himself. A rare occurrence. One he liked very much.

Adam didn’t think Megan was as practical as she claimed to be. Planners could have an adventurous streak. He would like the chance to bring hers out. He wanted to see her face light up with joy, to hear her laugh from the gut. If only she would let him...

He brushed a corkscrew curl off her face. Her pale skin contrasted with her brown curly hair.

A modern-day Sleeping Beauty or Snow White.

All she needed was a kiss.

Bad idea.

Each time they touched, Megan about jumped out of her skin, suggesting she was attracted to him. But she was denying her interest in him. She was trying to banish him to friend zone because she had her sights set on another guy.

Adam could overcome her resistance. He had no doubt about that. Yet even if he was tempted to brush his lips against hers and steal a kiss, he wouldn’t.

Adam might be charming, but he wasn’t a prince. He was more like the huntsman. Megan’s heart wasn’t safe with him. She might not be his normal type, but the more time he spent with her, the more he liked her. One kiss might lead to more and that could take them to the wrong place. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt Megan.

Listening to her talk about her feelings for Rob, hearing about her plans, told Adam that she was a forever type of woman. He wasn’t that kind of guy. Kissing her was out of the question. Even if he might want a...taste.

She shifted positions, turning so her cheek rested against his chest. Her soft-in-all-the-right-places curves pressed against him.

A flame ignited deep within him.

Adam swallowed around the lump in his throat. Better there than in his jeans. That would be hard...difficult to explain if Megan woke up.

He focused on the other people around them. It didn’t help.

He thought about the scene he’d been working on earlier that day. He’d kept screwing up one line. He repeated the words in his head, messing up again. But at least his temperature hadn’t skyrocketed into the danger zone. He went over the line in his head. Again and again. He spoke the words aloud.

Megan stirred.

Damn, he should have been quieter. At least he’d managed to stave off being embarrassed by his attraction to her.

A gasp escaped her parted lips. Wide eyes stared up at him.

He smiled at her. “Sleeping Beauty awakes.”

Her cheeks turned a cute shade of pink. She bolted upright. “I fell asleep.”

He missed the feel of her warmth and softness against him. “You were tired.”

She wouldn’t meet his eyes. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize.” He didn’t want her to be embarrassed. “I’m sorry I woke you. I was practicing a line.”

To stop himself getting too turned on. Real classy, Noble. A good thing Megan didn’t need to know that piece of info.

“Do you need help?” she offered.

Yes, he would love her help, but not with the line. “Another time.”

“Just tell me when.” She brushed strands of hair off her face. “That’s the least I can do to thank you for being my bed while I napped.”

If only they could be in bed together... Nope. Not going there. “You’re welcome. I’m happy to oblige anytime.”

“Anytime Eva’s not around,” Megan clarified.

She would bring that up. Adam wished he could put her at ease about her internship. He enjoyed flirting with her whether it went anywhere or not. “Even if Eva strolled by, what could she say? It’s not like we’re naked with our legs and arms tangled amid the sheets and each other.”

The images had been rolling around in his head ever since she’d mentioned the word bed.

Megan cleared her throat. “No, you’re right. It’s not like that at all.”

Too bad, Adam thought. That image held a certain appeal.

“A good thing or I’d be out an internship,” Megan continued.

“True,” he said.

But what a way to go.

* * *

Forget movie magic, Megan had gotten a taste of real magic tonight with Adam. She stood next to him by her car in the parking lot, feeling rested and content.

Above her in the night sky, stars twinkled, the same stars she and Adam had stared at through the telescope at the observatory. “I thought that was a shooting star.”

“Shooting star. Satellite,” he said. “Not a lot of difference.”

“You can’t wish upon a satellite.”

The lights from the parking lot combined with the brim of his baseball cap cast shadows on his face. The proverbial tall, dark and handsome. “You can make a wish on anything you want.”

“No, you can’t,” she countered. “You need a coin and a fountain or wishing well. Birthday candles or...”

He grinned wryly. “I didn’t know there was a wish rule book.”

Megan gave him a look. “You can’t make up your own wishing rules.”

“For your information I’ve made plenty of wishes up here,” he said. “Granted, they were on stars, but none were shooting across the sky.”

She wondered what Adam would wish for. He had looks, money, fame and a great career. Nothing was missing from his life. “Have any come true?”

“Yes,” he said without any hesitation. “So there’s nothing from stopping you from making a wish now.”

“Only if you make one, too.”

“I’m always up for making wishes,” he said to her surprise.

Megan thought he would put up more of a fight. She hadn’t taken Adam as the fanciful type, but the more time she spent with him, the more she realized how much she didn’t know about him and wanted to know.

“Close your eyes,” Adam said.

“You implied there isn’t a rule book.”

“Now is not the time to be logical.” He tapped the tip of her nose with his fingertip. “Close them.”

She did. “Are yours closed?”

“Yes,” he said. “Now make a wish.”

I wish I could spend more time with Adam.

Wait. The words sounding in her head had come out of nowhere. Her eyes sprung open. Spending time with Adam wouldn’t be smart if she wanted to impress Eva. Megan grimaced.

She knew what she should have wished for—a permanent costume design job. Or Rob to see her as more than a friend. Or finding the place she belonged. Or... Her shoulders sagged.

Instead, she’d made a stupid wish. For something she didn’t want or need. For someone who wasn’t a part of her life and never would be. A do-over wish was definitely in order.

Adam’s eyes opened. She realized he’d taken a long time to make his wish.

“Did you make one?” he asked.

“Yes.” Even if it was a total waste of a wish. Oh, well. Her wishes had never come true. This one wouldn’t, either. “You?”

“I made a good one.”

He sounded happy. She was tempted to ask him what he wished for, but realizing he’d want to know hers kept Megan quiet. No way was she admitting her wish to him. To anyone.

This seemed like a perfect time to say good-night. They couldn’t stand here for hours, making wishes or staring at each other. She needed sleep and clarity. “I should get going. Thanks for tonight.”

“It doesn’t have to end.”

Megan’s pulse kicked up a notch. She didn’t want the night to end. Being with Adam made her feel special, as if for the past couple of hours the universe revolved around her. She knew it was the way he treated everybody—making her feel like the most important and only person in the world—but she didn’t care. It felt so good. Her dad had made her feel so unique and special. With him gone, she’d wondered if she would ever feel that way again.

“There are plenty of other sights to see at night,” Adam added.

His trailer? Her pulse sprinted as if she were running a hundred-yard dash.

Uh-oh. Time to slow down. No sense getting carried away over a pleasant evening. Adam had admitted to being a flirt, but she shouldn’t go too far hanging out with him. Definitely time to call it a night.

As she removed her car keys from her purse, metal jingled.

“I have an early call time tomorrow morning.” The words sounded flat even to her ears. She needed to sound more enthusiastic. She had come to Hollywood for her career, not to be crushing on a movie star who had millions of women lusting after him. She forced a smile. “Lots to prepare for Tuesday’s call.”

“Strong work ethic. I like that.”

“Something my dad instilled in us. Me.”

“It’s an admirable trait.”

Megan couldn’t drum up any excitement over Adam’s compliment. He may have been interested in her enough to flirt, but she wasn’t hot enough for him to put in more effort and pursue. Being friends seemed to be okay with him.

Disappointment shot through her. Foolish, she knew, because friends were all they could be given her internship. And Rob. Megan couldn’t forget about Rob. But spending time with Adam tonight gave her a glimpse of what being a princess must be like. Usually she felt like one of the ugly stepsisters, not Cinderella. Megan didn’t want the feeling to end even if it were for the best. “Thanks again.”

He wrapped his arms around her in a big bear hug. “Thank you for tonight.”

The scent of him filled her nostrils. Musky and spicy and oh-so-male. Her cheek pressed against his chest, his heart beating in her ear. She hugged back, wanting to soak up his warmth. If only it could last for a little longer.

He released her.

She forced herself to let go of him.

Adam’s gaze locked on hers. She wasn’t experienced when it came to men, but she recognized the desire shining in his eyes. Her blood pressure spiraled into the red zone.

He looked like he wanted to kiss her.

Megan wanted him to kiss her.

His mouth was so close to hers, mere inches away. His warm breath, sweet with a hint of chocolate from the cupcakes, caressed her face.

She parted her lips in invitation.

Kiss me.

A wish. A plea.

He drew back slightly. “Drive safe on the way home.”

Her heart dropped to her feet. He was saying good-night, not trying to kiss her. She cleared her dry throat. “You, too.”

The two words were all she could manage.

“See you on Tuesday,” he said.

Not if Megan could help it. She’d never had this kind of reaction to a friend before, not even Rob. The less she saw of Adam, the better. He made her feel entirely out of control.

She wasn’t a swooning, obsessed fan, wanting a one-night stand with her idol. She was a professional. Okay, an intern, but if she wanted a permanent job she had to stay focused and not think about Adam Noble.

Not now, not ever.