Page 79 of The Movie Star and the Spy

Julian watched Destiny sleep,so beautiful, so peaceful, so perfect. He’d moved her from the water when she started shivering, but she’d been so tired, she didn’t even stir as hecarried her to the warm blanket under a row of palm trees. Now he sat next to her slumbering form, a million and one emotions boiling through him, all culminating in one truth:

He couldn’t let her go.

It didn’t matter that they lived two different lives. It didn’t matter that he was an actor and she was a mystery. Itdidmatter that she resisted him, but she resisted herself as well. He would break through that resistance, find out who she was and why she lied. Even if he didn’t know her real name, he knew the true woman, and she was more amazing than any he’d ever known. She was beautiful, inside and out, kind and considerate, fun and daring, strong and giving. He simply couldn’t imagine a more perfect woman. He might not know much about her, but he knew the most important truth of all:

She was his.

CHAPTER 17

Cheyenne had promised to enjoy the rest of the vacation, but she never imagined she’d fulfill her pledge to such an extent. The time on the island was like a dream, filled with pleasurable days and romantic nights. They hiked through the gorgeous flora and fauna, swam in lakes and creeks and made love under the twinkling stars. They spent time indoors and out, talking about anything and everything. She barely managed to keep her identity hidden through their hours-long discussions, and may very well have unwittingly slipped. Whether he had any inkling of the truth, she didn’t know.

Like in a dream, time flew quickly. She kept meaning to tell him they’d return to a platonic relationship once they rejoined society, but she couldn’t quite bring herself to do it. She’d do it when they returned, because then it would be easy to go back to pretending nothing romantic existed between them. She’d give herself this week and end it when they got back. Nice and easy.

Only not so much.

The day of the ship’s return came. There was no fanfare, no event of rescuing long-lost castaways, but a calm arrival as if they’d simply been scheduled to come back (which obviously had been the case). When they finally embarked on the trip back,the crew looked at her curiously when she talked about the lack of communication. They mentioned Julian’sdozenor so satellite phones, his two boats, but the mischievous actor only smiled widely when she glared. Still, she couldn’t stay mad at him, not when it had been so perfect. Nor could she maintain her anger when they returned home. He was just too good, too kind, too wonderful.

As for that breaking up she planned to do…

That part didn’t exactly happen. No matter how much she tried (okay, she didn’t try that hard) she couldn’t stay away from him. She didn’t want to, and realistically it would’ve been difficult even if she had. She was still his personal assistant, at least for a few more weeks, and Julian found constant tasks to keep her close. He must have given a vacation to every single employee for all the jobs he assigned her.

The case wasn’t just progressing slowly – it had come to a complete and utter halt. None of the leads panned out, and finally only a week remained. A miraculous break was her only chance, so she was back to wearing her badge and gun during the day. She tried to stay positive, especially since many of the offers were made at the last minute, presumably so castmates didn’t wonder what happened to the missing women.

Of course, there was the matter of their last date. A romantic picnic under the stars at a private beach, it reminded Cheyenne of her forced yet pleasurable vacation. Afterwards, they made love to the sound of the waves.

When she left (the next morning) from their (alleged) last date, Julian mentioned how their agreed-upon last date was only supposed to last a few hours. Because this one continued all night until the next morning, he asserted it didn’t qualify as their last date. Somehow that made a lot of sense to her at the time (probably because he was naked), so she agreed to another date. The next date also ended the next morning, so it was decidedthat they should go on another. Four dates later, Cheyenne gave up the pretense and agreed to go out with him… for the duration of the production. He flatly refused the time limit, but she would save the arguing for later. She’d be leaving soon, and if he ever discovered her identity, no doubt he’d end it himself. It was astounding she’d kept her secret for so long.

It was the last week of filming, her last chance to catch the criminal and her last moments with Julian. Both thoughts were disturbing, with only the first capable of providing a happy ending. She had all but given up hope the criminal would approach her. Despite her portraying the perfect personality for the criminal, her position as Julian’s assistant had become too all-encompassing. It was unlikely the criminal would single her out when he had so many anonymous women from which to choose.

But all hope was not lost. There was still a chance he would choose one of the other women. If she could figure out who, she could track down the middleman and find her way to the mastermind. Then her mission would be fulfilled, her quest complete, and she would leave.

Successful or not, she had to leave.

As she neared the inescapable separation from Julian, her feelings crystalized into perfect clarity, no matter how she tried to deny them. This was no short-term fling borne of simple lust, no mere attraction. Her emotions were too strong, too encompassing, too passionate. There was no mistaking it:

Love.

Her heart knew the truth. She loved Julian Starcroft with all the emotions and feelings and fantasies that came with it. She wasin lovewith him. But it didn’t – couldn’t – matter. Not because of her career, for a love that strong, she would give up her undercover work. Yet could a successful actor commit to a long-term relationship? A normal man faced temptation, butJulian kissed beautiful women, pretended to make love to them. He had countless fans begging for a moment’s attention. In the past, there had been a man with the same temptations, a man who had given up the woman he’d claimed to love, along with his only child. How could Cheyenne give her heart to an actor only to have him shatter it? In her line of work, few things scared her.

Losing him after sacrificing all terrified her.

Yet was it fair to judge him against another, a man who even now claimed he’d changed? And if one man could change, could Julian be different than she assumed? Perhaps it was time to confront the past. Thus when the phone rang that next time, with the caller she always and never expected, she didn’t wait for the third call, or even the second. She answered it immediately.

At first there was silence. “You answered right away.”

“Yes.”

“Does this mean you’ve changed your mind?” The voice was tentative, hopeful.

“No. Yes. Maybe.”Focus.“How about that cup of coffee?”

A moment’s hesitation, then a rushed response. “I would like nothing more. How about tonight?”

A whisper of anticipation flew through her. But she was a strong woman, a woman who controlled her life. No delay was necessary. “That’s fine.”

“Okay, then.” He rattled off the address swiftly, as if a second’s breath would give her room to change her mind, then hung up. It was set.

The day flew by in a daze of personal assisting and chasing leads, and for once, Julian Starcroft wasn’t at its forefront. His filming schedule was heavy, and they barely saw each other as she conducted her investigation. After work, Cheyenne drove home and busied herself with mindless paperwork, before preparing for the evening. She donned a conservative black pencil skirt and navy blouse, then pulled her hair intoa severe French twist. Nerves begot restlessness, and she left early, arriving at the restaurant half an hour before they were scheduled to meet.

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