Page 70 of Nothing to No One

The stunt crew would be shooting that afternoon.

Roman liked as few people on set as possible, to maintain the illusion, she supposed. So she wouldn’t be allowed to watch.

In the trailer, she sat there, waiting. Her fingers tucked beneath her thighs before they touched her neck and ran through her hair. With a thud, her head fell back against the wall behind the couch.

If Struan walked in with anyone else. What possible reason could she have for being there? He’d come up with something. He was better at this than her.

When the door opened, she held her breath until the door closed behind him. Alone. They were alone. She exhaled.

“What’s wrong?” he asked concern immediately etching his brow.

“Nothing.”

“No? I saw you sneak off.” Had he expected her to be there? “Are you okay? Did something happen last night?”

“Nothing, Roxie and Tripp took good care of me. I didn’t see much of the house, but it seems like a beautiful place.”

“I’ve been there.” Struan stomped over to sit next to her, that groove still worrying his features. “I didn’t want to send you off. I didn’t want it to be like that. Like I didn’t want you around.I thought after everything that happened with Roman, you’d be calmer, happier, there.”

“Calmer, maybe, but happier? I missed you.”

When she tried to take his hand, he curled his fingers into a fist, away from her touch. “I can’t stand the way you’re tossed around,” he admitted. And the pain of his rejection ebbed when that same hand cupped her jaw. The pad of his thumb moved slowly back and forth on her cheek; with that simple connection the world was safer, brighter. “You shouldn’t be enduring any of this. I’m sorry.”

He’d apologized before. Didn’t take then and it wouldn’t take now.

“You’re tired.” She lay her hand over his. “You didn’t sleep.”

The corner of his mouth reacted. “You were too far away.”

“What happened after we left?”

“Took Ro a while to calm down but he ran out of steam eventually.”

“It’s so complicated, I don’t understand it.”

“Understand what?”

“You and Roman. The dynamic between you. You’re so calm and together. He’s the complete opposite. I see the strain. How the threads of your sanity are stretching. Mine would too. Anyone’s would.”

“Let’s not talk about that. Let’s not talk about him. You look beautiful today.”

Flattered, her grin was automatic. “You’re gorgeous every day. How do you feel? About this afternoon. Are you ready?”

“Piece of cake. We’ve been going through the motions. We’ve got it down. I trust my guys.”

“Set seems a lot quieter today. There’s less tension in the air.”

“Roman’s off set. He did a couple of hours this morning.”

That might mean… “Can I watch?”

“Yeah, come check it out. Set’s mine. When it’s up to me, you’re always welcome. Might throw me off my game though.”

“You?” she said, leaning in, hand trailing up his thigh. “Didn’t peg you for the performance anxiety type.”

“Don’t jinx me, baby. Hasn’t happened yet. But if there’s one woman I’m terrified to disappoint, it’s you.”

“Not possible. I’m impressed. Always impressed. Have been since the minute we met.”

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