Page 5 of Dangerous Kiss
As she sat down, she felt someone tickle her sides and knew who it was. “Reginald.” She said in an imperious voice then grinned as he sat down beside her. Reggie kissed her forehead.
“Good morning, beautiful.” He immediately stole a spoonful of granola, his eyes twinkling behind his glasses, his thick, wavy blonde hair a mess as always.
“Reggie, the food isrightthere,” she moaned, but really, she didn’t mind. Reggie Quinn, screenwriter, music buff, fellow geek, was her best friend in the world, her ‘person’, the one she called at the highest points of her life and at the lowest.
He had been the one to get her the job of Stella’s assistant in the first place. They’d met when he came to her college to give a lecture on working in the movie business and found Biba the only student willing to engage. He called her over afterward, and they’d talked long into the night at her favorite bar. They found so much common ground that they both joked that it had been love at first sight.
Their friendship, however, had remained platonic from the start. Biba never sought out romantic entanglements, and Reggie seemed too happy being single. Both of them agreed they had far better things to do with their lives. And Reggie was her champion when it came to her writing, endlessly giving her feedback and encouraging her to submit her work to agents. Biba still didn’t believe she would ever make it as a screenwriter, but she was grateful to Reggie’s support in any case.
Reggie balanced his chin on her shoulder, and she leaned her head against his. “How’s the Wicked Witch?”
Biba grinned. “Okay at the moment. She has a new plan.”
“Oh God. Who this time?” Reggie was rolling his eyes.
“Cosimo DeLuca.”
“God,” Reggie said, “Poor guy doesn’t stand a chance.”
“Right?” But suddenly Biba didn’t want to talk about Stella seducing Cosimo—it gave her a weird, unfamiliar sensation of jealousy and pain that she didn’t understand.
She finished her breakfast and said goodbye to Reggie, heading toward the makeup trailer.
As she rounded the corner, she suddenly rocked back, almost colliding with someone. When she saw who it was, her heart thumped against her ribs.
Cosimo looked startled, then he smiled, and to Biba, it felt like the sun had come out. “Hello at last.” His voice was deep and rich, only a hint of an accent, but it sent her senses reeling.
At last? That made her stomach flutter. “Hello, Mr. DeLuca, it’s good to meet you.” Not knowing what to do, she stuck her hand out, and his big, warm, dry hand closed around hers.
There was a long hesitation as they both stared at each other, and Biba felt herself reddening. His eyes were intensely fixed on hers—such a beautiful green—and his lashes were thick and black and long. When his eyes dropped to her full lips for a second, Biba felt a thrill go through her. God, he really was drop-deadgorgeous…and he was making her body feel things she’d never felt.
“It’s Biba, isn’t it?”
She nodded, feeling breathless. He smiled at her. “My mom used to model for Biba in London in the Sixties. Lovely name.”
“Thank you. Is there anything I can do for you, Mr. DeLuca?”Like kiss you? Like run my hand through that gloriously wild mop of curls on your handsome head?
Cosimo smiled. “You’re very kind, but no, thank you. And it’s Cosimo, Biba. Are you looking for Ms. Reckless? I believe I saw her walking back to her trailer.”
“Thanks.” She smiled at him and was gratified to see him nod. There were two rosy spots on his cheeks that surprised her—but maybe the guy was just really shy. She had heard that about him and so far, she’d seen no evidence to contradict it.
He also seemed in no hurry to leave her side. “How are you enjoying the shoot? Not that we’ve been here long, but…”
Cosimo was interrupted by the hasty arrival of Rich, who shoved something into Biba’s hand and ran off, shouting “Sorry, Beebs!”
Both Biba and Cosimo looked at each other askance, then Biba looked down. A half-empty tube of Krazy Glue.
“What was that about?” Cosimo looked after the retreating—and laughing—form of Rich.
Biba shook her head. She didn’t want to get Rich into trouble. “Nothing. Sorry, Mr— Cosimo. I do have to get to Stella.”
“Of course. Again, good to talk to you, Biba.” He smiled and touched her arm before he moved away. Biba took a long shaky breath in. Her skin burned where he’d touched it, and she wondered how her body would feel with his hands on it, stroking her, caressing her…
Jesus.A steady pulse beat between her legs, and she had to take a moment to collect herself.
Later, watching the scene between Stella and Damon on the set, Biba couldn’t help but watch how Cosimo reacted to his actors. He was unfailingly polite, but knew what he wanted, explaining to them both carefully how he felt the scene should be played, but listening to their suggestions. Gentle, she thought to herself. He’s a gentle man.
Damon was fiddling with his moustache, scratching the skin around it, and Stella looked annoyed. “I don’t want flaky skin in my mouth, Damon, thank you very much.”
