Page 53 of The Movie Star and the Spy

“This is such a bad idea,” she murmured. Yet she dipped her finger in the bowl, tracing whipped cream down his torso, smoothing the cool dessert over his muscles. She started at his neck, then lower and lower, running out just at his waist. He stood perfectly still as she leaned in, barely kept control when a little pink tongue lashed out to lap up the cream. As she continued her journey downward, the scent of gardenias surrounded him, and he growled, fighting to restrain himself from hauling her against him and kissing those luscious lips.

She finished licking up the cream. “Oops.” She bit her lip innocently, but her eyes sparkled. “I guess I didn’t go far enough.” She took another scoop of whipped cream.

And that’s when he learned…

Sometimes control was overrated.

Cheyenne tossedher purse on the table, cringing when its contents rolled out onto the faux wood floor. She’d get themlater. Right now, she needed a nap before work started in a few hours.

That’s right, a few hours.

She’d accomplished many things in the lastforty-eighthours, but sleep hadn’t been one of them. Sure, she’d gotten a few minutes here and there, in between lovemaking sessions and heartfelt conversations. They seemed to slip in between them, mutually unable to keep their hands off each other. They had spoken about anything and everything under the starlit nights – everything, that was, except for her true identity, although not for lack of trying on his part. His suspicions were obvious, his reservations valid, as if he knew her resume belonged in the fiction section. Would he investigate on his own?

Meals had been haphazard, too. Pizza delivery the night of the ruined lasagna and then a parade of takeout and leftovers the rest of the weekend. Now she plopped on her bed, much harder than the softness of Julian’s luxurious mattress, and placed a hand on her head. She’d spent the rest of the weekend with him, leaving only enough time for half a night’s sleep before the work week began.

This was ridiculous.

She may not have broken department regulations – only because Julian was never a target in the criminal ring – but the relationship was definitely detrimental to the investigation, the case and her sanity in general. The more she focused on him, the less she could concentrate on finding the criminal. The more he focused on her, the less attractive she would be to anyone looking for an easy target. She’d known that going into the date on Friday. So what happened?

Hehappened.It was like sitting in front of a three-scoop ice cream sundae, complete with caramel, whipped cream, hot fudge and cherries (all of which played a part during theweekend) and trying not to eat it. Julian was her ice cream sundae, and she was simply not strong enough to resist him.

Which was positively ridiculous.

The worst part was that it was more than physical attraction – far more. As much as she loved his creativity in pleasuring her, she enjoyed their conversations just as much. They talked for hours about so many things. Like a cliché, they eagerly finished each other’s sentences, with similar opinions and judgements, likes and dislikes. How she managed to keep her secret, she didn’t know, especially when he tried to expose her (in more ways than one) every chance he got. She’d managed not to blow her cover, but for how long? Hopefully she hadn’t missed anything.

Was she falling for him? She couldn’t be, not after what happened to her family. She understood actors. They were charming and perfect one minute and would vanish the next. It was simply in their nature.

Yet somehow a date that was supposed to last a couple of hours progressed through a night, then another day, another night and still another day. Every time she brought up the subject of leaving he managed to… distract… her. And she liked distraction a little too much.

Well, no more. They would go on one more date, but that would be it. It would not be a marathon, and there would be absolutely no whipped cream. Definitely no cherries and certainly no caramel. She closed her eyes and fought for sleep. Then she dreamed of…

Ice cream sundaes.

CHAPTER 12

“Ireally think he likes me!” Jess squealed. “Isn’t he amazing?”

The women agreed enthusiastically, because realistically, Zachary Thompson was pretty amazing. Not as amazing as Julian, of course, but amazing still. Kate rolled her eyes, but the rest ignored her.

Cheyenne smiled at her friend. How different Jess was compared to her, barely able to stay awake this Monday morning after a weekend of wicked indulgence. She should probably be happy for the small amount of sleep she got.

“I hate to tell you, doll, but Zachary likes anyone with boobs.” Kate smirked.

Gray clouds overtook the sunshine in Jess’ expression. The others snickered, but Cheyenne put an arm around the pale woman. “That’s not true,” she said, and was shocked to discover she meant it. When had she ever thought actors could be anything more than shallow, self-centered players? “He’s been more focused lately.”

Jess perked up. “Really? You think so?”

Cheyenne nodded, while Kate gave a snort. “Whatever. If you ask me, he’s just like the rest. When you want a man who’s honest about what he wants, you come to me, okay?”

What a spiteful woman. Cheyenne put herself in front of Jess. “She doesn’t want a man who’s just looking for fun.”

Kate sneered. “They’re all looking for fun. Why not get one who doesn’t pretend? At least you won’t cry into your pillow when he doesn’t call.” She turned her venomous glare to Cheyenne. “It’s just like you and Julian.”

Cheyenne stiffened. “There’s nothing between Julian and me.”

“Yeah, right,” Kate retorted. “Nothing serious, I’m sure, but something fun? It’s written all over your face.”

This wasn’t good. If people were starting to notice something was going on – not that anything was going on…

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