Page 48 of The Movie Star and the Spy

He paused for a second. “I wrote a screenplay, but most people don’t even want to see it. They tell me to stick to acting.”

“That’s because writers don’t take off their shirts,” she replied automatically. His eyes crinkled as she tried again to reverse time. And again, failed. She was giving away far too much. Yet she sobered at his serious look. “Don’t tell me the mighty Julian Starcroft lets others dictate what he can do.”

“Of course not.” He frowned. “It’s just hard when they refuse to even look.”

“Then convince them,” she said softly. “It’s hard to become a movie star, yet you did it. It’s hard to fit in time for all that charity work, but you do. It may take an extraordinary man to convince them, however…” She lowered her voice. “You are extraordinary.”

His gaze was unfathomable as the seconds ticked, as they drank each other in like fine wine. “You are extraordinary,” he murmured.

Heat crept up her neck. She was extraordinary, but not in the way he believed. And if they didn’t return to the light banter, he would discover how. “Maybe you could be creative. Take off your shirt while acting out the script.”

And just like that, the comfortable atmosphere returned. “Actually, I don’t get unclothed. That’s the role of the body double.” He looked at her pointedly. “Why did I help you switch out of that?”

“Because you’re not interested in me like that?”

“Nope.”

“Because I’m not interested in you like that?”

“Definitely not.”

Moving on.“So tell me about your writing. Let me guess – romances?”

“Is it that obvious?” He laughed. “It’s my passion, but it’s tough to write those alpha males.”

Alpha male – that’s what he was, all right. Every solid, muscle-bound inch. But she was an alpha female. She gave in to the urge for a little mischief. “Not everyone can handle one like I can. They’re actually quite easy to manipulate once you get the hang of it. They may think they’re all-powerful, but the truth is a strong woman can always take control.”

“So you think you can control me?” He rose, took a step toward her. “As a member of the male species, and specifically of the alpha male persuasion, I owe it to my brethren to accept the gauntlet you just threw.”

“There’s no gauntlet.” She looked at her nails, gave a bored look. “Just a statement of fact.”

“That’s definitely a statement of opinion. One I intend to disprove.”

She forgot about her nails. And the world in general. “And how do you plan to do that?”

His smile was pure wicked.

It was her only warning before he swooped down and captured her lips.

CHAPTER 11

So he kissed her.

She wouldn’t respond. Nope. Not a chance. No way.

He caressed.

She wasn’t going to react. Wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of seeing how much he affected her. She was a block of ice.

He massaged.

Okay, a melting block of ice, but still, she could do this.

He licked her lips.

Who was she kidding? She grabbed his shirt and pulled him down.

Julian growled in satisfaction as he leaned over her, creating tantalizing pressure along her entire body. He explored tender lips, nipping and probing and creating all sorts of havoc. He was pure hardness, swathed in muscle and power, entirely focused onher.

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