Page 12 of Made for You
Well, okay, no. Notevery bitbecause Jack had Oscars and landed in a tax bracket that was justfunif you’re an accountant, and Bruce was human. More than that, he’d been a soldier in some prestigious black ops organization and that made him a hero, and probably a few other things, too. Where Jack looked casual and comfortable, Bruce’s bearing spoke of an awareness, an alertness, that created an interesting edge.
So there they were, a hero on screen and an actual one, chatting in their suits like they were just shooting the breeze.
But oh, boy, did the man wear the tux. He did the stripped down, sweaty, and dirty thingrealwell, don’t mind if I do, but this?
This was devastating.
CHAPTERSIX
Bruce
Movement down the hallway caught my eye, but the typical drip of adrenaline didn’t hit when I realized it was Rosie and Nikki.
A different drug hit my veins, something like endorphins, and sure, maybe it was adrenaline in there that made it feel like I should jog over and get a closer look at her. Luckily, I hadn’t forgotten who I was or what I was doing here.
“This them?” Jack asked, nodding to the two women making their way toward us.
“Yep.” I smiled at them as they came to a stop. “Glad you made it. Rosie Renwick, Nikki Hastings, this is Jack McKean.”
Jack smiled his billion-dollar smile and held out a hand to Rosie. Unsurprisingly, she wasn’t fazed by the uber-A-list celebrity’s presence or by the prospect of shaking his hand. She grinned, batted her lashes, and shook.
“Nice to meet you, Jack. Love your work.”
I stifled a laugh and studied Nikki as she accepted Jack’s proffered hand next. She wore more dramatic makeup tonight, and it did nothing to calm the thrum of my heart pounding as I stood there and watched her clasp her delicate fingers around Jack’s hand.
“Nice to meet you,” she said, far softer though not weak or embarrassed. Her cheeks gave away her blush, and I couldn’t deny I loved to see it, even if it was due to Jack McKean and not me.
Not that it should be because of me. Or that it ever would be. Or that I had a right to want that. I didn’t. I wouldn’t. It couldn’t.Whatever.Point was, she looked really beautiful, and the blush just clinched it.
“Likewise, Nikki. Bruce here has been telling me that you’re new in town. Did he mention I’m thinking of getting a place in Silverton?” Jack asked, then finally released her hand.
Bit of a long handshake, but I couldn’t begrudge him for enjoying it, nor could I her for the same.
Nikki’s lush lips opened, then shut for a moment before she spoke. “Uh, no. He hadn’t mentioned it. I can’t tell you much other than Bruce and this one make a nice welcome party, should you need it.” She elbowed Rosie, who grinned.
Jack smiled, and I could swear his eyes sparkled. “Good to know. I have a few friends in the area, and I’ve wanted to spend more time here, so I pushed for Silverton for the screening.”
“It’s nice that you chose a place like this.”
Nikki’s voice hadn’t wavered, and if I was reading her right, she wasn’t tongue-tied or losing her cool in any way.Interesting.
“I think so,” he said, still all charm.
My watch buzzed and signaled the next phase. “Time to get to the entrance for photos. Take a minute and I’ll be right behind you.”
Jack nodded and grinned at the women. “Ladies, a pleasure.”
They murmured their replies, and Jack slipped inside the green room. He’d be hopping in a town car, and they’d circle the block and arrive at the front as though he’d just come from elsewhere, all for the photos.
“So you’re his security tonight?” Rosie asked, clearly completely delighted by this news.
“Thought it might be fun to meet him. He’s a good guy.” My eyes found Nikki’s, and my stomach dropped low.Wow, she looked good. The teal of her dress made her eyes practically glow back at me, her hair all smooth and shiny and soft framing her face and brushing her shoulders.What would it feel like in my hand? Against my chest?
“He seems nice,” Nikki said, eyes slipping over my tux.
“Oh, pardon me, but I promised I’d meet a friend inside and we’d sit together. I’ll save you a seat, Nikki.” Rosie patted my arm in her usual fashion and bustled away right as Nikki looked back up at me.
“I’ll come with you, I—”
