Page 74 of The Movie Star and the Spy

“Playing definitely has its advantages,” he admitted, “but I want more.”

What he wanted was obvious. And damn it, she wanted it just as much. Yet she couldn’t give in. “I. Am. Not. Betting. That.”

He laughed. “I never dreamed of asking you to gamblethat. I’m the one who stopped us yesterday, remember?” He grimaced. “However, if you’re ready to admit…”

“Don’t say it.” She raised her hand. “If you’re looking for a confession, the answer is still no. Not that there’s a confession to make.”

He clearly didn’t believe the lie. “How about we make it simple? If I win, we go on another date.”

Another date? She might not make it through this one. “Our first date was one night, our second was a weekend and this one is a week and a half. If we go out again, it’ll last a month.”

“Good point. We should probably plan it for after production finishes.”

“Don’t you dare–”

“Fine. We’ll make it a normal one-night date. If you want to make it longer, I won’t stop you, but I’ll try not to plan any accidental plane trips to Italy. Although it’s lovely this time of year. Have you been to Venice?”

“Julian.”

“Of course, to get you there, I’m going to need your real name. For customs and everything. What is it again?”

She glared. “You already know my real name.”

“Destiny Dane isn’t your real name. You’re lying.”

About so many things.“Why are you so sure my name isn’t Destiny Dane?”

“Why are you so afraid to tell me the truth?” he countered. “What are you hiding?” He paused, yet she remained silent. His tone turned lower, yet no less powerful. “I wish you would trust me. I can’t stand back while you may be in trouble. I will discover the truth, even if I have to find out on my own.”

Cheyenne’s throat dried. He was no longer hinting. Hewasplanning to investigate her.

“So why don’t you tell me now?” His expression bespoke fierce intelligence, pure power and raw challenge. “Who are you really?”

CHAPTER 16

“Who are you really?”

The words echoed in Cheyenne’s mind, whispering like the breeze among the water lilies. She couldn’t admit the truth now, on a deserted island with no chance of escape. Her only chance was to change the subject, but what could possibly distract him? A splash chimed, from crystal waters. Perhaps… “What do I get if I win?”

He lifted an eyebrow, and for a moment it seemed he would continue the questioning. Yet instead he replied, “What do you want?”

So many things.Yet most she could never have, should never even want. She took a moment to compose herself, consider the potential prize. She could demand he not investigate her, yet that would only raise his suspicions, and he was unlikely to agree. There was something, however, that would remove the pressure, at least temporarily. “I want to go home.”

Except she didn’t – not really. She wanted to stay, to enjoy this majestic island vacation with this captivating man. Yet every minute she fell stronger for the star who could never be hers. If given the chance to leave, she had to take it.

His lips turned down. “The Coast Guard can get you home anytime you want.”

“You know I’d never call them. I don’t want to attract attention, and I believe you could find an easier way if you tried. You’re way too smart to leave yourself without communication – or a means to leave.” She dared him to deny it. “Those are my terms. You want another date, you’ll have to risk this one.”

He didn’t hesitate. “I’ll take it.”

He’ll take it? Just like that? That was easier than she imagined. It really was a lopsided deal, after all – he was risking an entire week for one night. Could there be a reason?

Julian shuffled and dealt the cards. A full house right off the bat. She tried to keep her poker face straight amidst her luck, hoping it worked better than her clearly lackluster acting one. He exchanged a few cards while she kept what she had, and in the end her hand easily beat his two pair.

“I guess you won this one.”

“I guess I did.” Now she didn’t hide her smile, brought on solely by the fact that she was one step closer to getting home and not at all because a hot movie star was about to take off his shirt. Realistically, if she could skip that part, she would.

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