Page 17 of Stunts and Sparks

“Okay,” he said. “Let’s do this.” He just had to trust her to know her own profession, which was exactly what he’d wanted from her. The least he could do was reciprocate.

This time, when she rushed him, he performed the block and drop exactly the way he had rehearsed it with his other partner. This one was, of course, a lot more pleasant for reasons he was only barely admitting to himself. Heather went down hard, but landed exactly the way she should have, and she spared her wrist.

Once down, Cole rolled his body over hers and looked down at her with a high degree of smolder. This wasn’t strictly part of their specific roles, but it was in the script, and Cole decided it was worth tacking on, if only to get a good look at her beautiful green eyes. Her skin was flushed from the exercise, but his pride convinced him it was his proximity. Maybe it was, anyway. He dropped his head an inch, close enough that he could kiss her. But he didn’t. It wouldn’t be right, though he had every intention of trying again later, when the time was right.

Her body against his was so warm that he hated to get up, but again, he did, and he helped her to her feet as well. “That was an impressive fall,” he admitted.

Heather smiled and blushed, but she quickly put on her mask and looked like the compliment hadn’t affected her half as much as he could tell it had. “Thanks, I guess.”

“I mean it, you know,” he said. “I should have known I didn’t have to go easy on you.”

“Well, I’m grateful that you did anyway. It was an overcorrection, maybe, but at least it was a correction.” She stuck her tongue out, and he grinned at her.

As they walked through the set, more people gave them looks. Heather didn’t seem to notice, but Cole did. They looked relieved, and Cole had to admit, they were right to be. There was no chance he and Heather were not going to be able to work together now. They were a well-oiled machine as far as he was concerned.

“You know what might help us to bond even better than a boot camp?” he said to her when they were more or less alone.

Heather had just gathered her things from a dressing room and was now walking back to the parking lot. She looked far more casual outside her usual leather costume. She wore a short dress and leather boots, and to his surprise, she actually wore a short cut jean jacket. She looked ready for a date, and so he meant to ask her to go on one with him. “Huh?” she said, barely paying attention.

“You were supposed to guess,” he said. “What would help us bond more than boot camp?”

Without even looking at him, she answered, “More rehearsals?”

Cole sighed and shook his head. Outside, the sun was just above the horizon, and all the shadows were long. It was a beautiful evening, and he was fumbling this attempt.

When Heather got to her car, Cole tapped her on the shoulder, and she turned to face him. “Why did you follow me to my car?” she said indignantly. “That’s a little creepy, don’t you think?”

“If I have to be creepy to get your attention, then I guess that’s what I have to do.” He moved closer until she was leaning against the door of her car. “I’m trying to ask you out, and you just keep on acting oblivious.”

“Out?” She squinted up at him. “Like on a date?”

He smiled at her. “Yes, on a date. Did you have plans tonight? I know of a great little bar on the boardwalk. The view is to die for and so is the food. Do you want to join me?”

She glanced down at herself with a judgmental expression. “I’m hardly dressed for a date,” she said.

“Are you kidding?” He pulled her away from her car and gave her an obvious visual appraisal. “You look amazing! Better than any date I’ve ever had before anyway. You know, dressed up but not too formal, not too stuffy. You look like you’re ready to have a good time, and that’s what I’d like to do with you if you’ll let me. Come on, Heather. Let’s get out of here and have some real fun together.”

She let out a low chuckle. “Sounds like you’re asking for something else, honestly. Andthat, I’m not up for tonight. I like to take my time about that. But if you’re really just talking dinner and a drink, then sure. I’ll go out with you.”

“Do you trust me to drive?” he asked.

“If you had asked me that before today, I would have said absolutely not.” She laughed and put her keys back in her purse. “But you won me over this afternoon. And, as long as you promise not to take any corners like a race car driver, I’ll take that chance.”

CHAPTER 9

COLE

Cole Reynolds had rarely dated, but the few times he had, he’d refused to take his date to one precious location. It was his own personal oasis, a place he could go to when life seemed overwhelming and impossible. He never brought his dates here because he knew the relationships weren’t going to last. He wasn’t the type to get serious and settle down. The fact that his oasis was the first place he thought to bring Heather said something Cole wasn’t ready to admit just yet.

Instead, he told himself this was the only place he could think of on a whim. He knew the menu was good, and the vibes were even better. He knew it wouldn’t be too busy this time of day and that the sun would be just short of setting over the water. With a patio table, the view was going to be gorgeous, and it made him feel proud that he knew exactly how to make Heather’s night a magical one without needing weeks to plan it.

The bar itself had a dark, cozy interior, with wooden details on the ceiling, some cushioned chairs, and a dark green couch in front of a gas fireplace that was more for ambiance than heat. The fireplace itself was double-sided, one side facing inside andthe other facing out. It all worked out rather well in the usually warm weather of Los Angeles, and the patio was everyone’s favorite place to sit. But Cole was a regular, friends with the owner, and he called ahead to get a table reserved.

He pulled up to the place feeling proud, like he was inviting a new girlfriend into his home. The owner, a plump middle-aged man who also happened to be a veteran, greeted him from the bar. “Been a minute, Cole,” he said in a gruff, familiar voice. “Where have you been hiding?” Then he glanced over at Heather and added, “Whohave you been hiding?” with a suggestively arched eyebrow.

“Oh, right!” Cole gently guided Heather toward the bar with one hand on her back. “This is Heather, my stunt partner and my date for the night. Heather, this is my good friend Mike.”

Heather offered her hand. “It’s good to meet you, Mike.”

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