LITMIR.BIZ

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to be my protector.” She spluttered as if searching for words. “I won’t agree to it.”

      “You could solve two problems at once. The bad press from your father, and the issue of your stalker and needing security. Don’t quibble.”

      “I’ll get a restraining order.”

      He took a step forward. “Damn straight, you will.”

      “So I don’t need you.”

      “You need physical protection, too, unless you have seven dwarves hanging around, because a court order is just a piece of paper.” He didn’t want to think about how many news stories there’d been concerning an order of protection being violated—and someone getting hurt or killed.

      She looked mutinous. “I’ll hire professional security.”

      “It still won’t solve the problem of your father and distracting the press.”

      Chiara threw up her hands.

      “Don’t worry. I’ll always be a step behind you, like a good prince consort—I mean, bodyguard.”

      “Hilarious.”

      “I’ll make sure to hold an umbrella open for you in the rain,” he added solemnly.

      “What’s in this for you?”

      “Let’s just say I have a vested interest in the star of my next blockbuster staying safe until the end of filming. Everyone working on this movie wants to see it finished so they can get paid.”

      “I thought so. Well, my answer is still no.”

      He’d given her the wrong answer, and she’d responded in kind. “Do you just act contrary, or is this your best side?”

      “How can you say that about the damsel in distress you helped save from a helicopter?” she asked sweetly.

      “Exactly.”

      They were practically nose-to-nose, except because she stood several inches shorter than his six-foot frame, it was more like nose-to-chin. But then she raised her face to a stubborn angle, and he abandoned his good intentions about keeping himself in check during this conversation.

      Hell, here goes nothing.

      He tugged her forward and captured her mouth. It was just as good as before, damn it. There was a little zap of electricity because they were differently charged, and then he was kissing her in earnest, opening that luscious mouth and deepening the kiss.

      She smelled faintly of honeysuckle, just like Snow White ought to. He caressed her cheek with the back of his hand. She was petal-soft, and he was getting hard.

      After what felt like an eternity, she pushed him away.

      Her chest rose and fell, and he was breathing deeply with arousal.

      She touched her fingers to her lips and then shot fire at him with her eyes. “That’s twice.”

      “Are we getting better? We’ve got to be convincing if we’re going to pull this off.”

      “We’re not practicing scenes, but if we were, try this response on for size.” She stretched out her arm and pointed to the door of the trailer, giving him his marching orders.

      It was a proverbial slap in the face, but Chiara was wrong if she thought he was backing down. “Let me know when our next scene is scheduled for filming. It might be time to throw a plate or break something. For real, not pretend.”

      After this parting shot, he turned and headed to the door, almost laughing as he heard her bang something behind him.

      * * *

      “She doesn’t want to get extra security.” Rick ran his hand through his hair. “She’s stubborn.”

      “Hmm.” Odele nodded. “And I’m her manager, so I don’t know this?”

      “And reckless, too.” They were sitting in Novatus Studio’s commissary having coffee before lunchtime. Rick had asked to meet and had told Odele not to mention it to Chiara. “How long has this guy Todd been hanging around thinking he’s her special friend?” Or fiancé.

      Odele shrugged. “Several months. I had staff look at Chiara’s fan mail after he showed up at her house. He’d sent an email or two, and my assistant says he’s cropped up on social media, too. Then he started a fan club and wanted autographed photos.”

      “And now he’s moved on to believing he’s her fiancé.”

      Odele sighed. “Some people buy into the Hollywood celebrity stuff a little too much.”

      Right. Rick leaned back in his chair. “Besides trying to scale the fence at Chiara’s house, has he made any other moves?”

      “Not until yesterday. At least not that I know of.” Odele took a sip from her cup. “I’ve already instructed Chiara’s attorney to go for a restraining order.”

      “You and I both know it’s only a piece of paper, but she doesn’t want to consider additional physical security. Not even if I appoint myself.” Rick didn’t hide the frustration in his voice. Damn it. Who was he kidding? Chiara would resist, especially if it was him.

      “So you’re considering my idea of being a pretend boyfriend? You need to move in.”

      Rick shook his head in exasperation because Odele was a bulldozer. “If she doesn’t want a fake relationship and won’t tolerate a bodyguard, she definitely won’t have someone living in her house.”

      If he and Chiara lived under one roof, they’d drive each other crazy. He’d alternate between wanting to shake some sense into her and take her to bed. And she’d... Well, she’d just rage at him and deny any sparks of a simmering attraction.

      It was a recipe for disaster...or a Hollywood movie.

      Odele gave him a mild look. “It’s all a matter of how it’s presented to her. If you’re going to distract the press as her new boyfriend, the story will play even bigger in the media if you move in. There’ll be more opportunities for the two of you to be photographed together.”

      “Pretend boyfriend.” Everyone needed to be clear on the fake part, including and particularly him, if he was going to get involved with another actress.

      Odele inclined her head. “Leave convincing her to me. I won’t say anything more about having you function as a bodyguard. But believe me, the press attention surrounding her father is really upsetting her.”

      In Rick’s opinion, Chiara should be spending more time worrying about her stalker than about her estranged father. Still... “Tell me about Michael Feran.”

      Odele set aside her coffee cup. “There’s not much to say. Chiara’s parents divorced when she was young. Chiara and her mother were in Rhode Island until Hollywood beckoned. Her mother died a few years ago. She developed sepsis after an illness. It was a shock for everyone.”

      “But her father continues to make waves.”

      “Last year, he accepted money from a third-rate weekly to dish about Chiara.”

      Rick cursed.

      Odele shot him a perceptive look from behind her red glasses. “Yes, Chiara felt betrayed.”

      So Chiara’s was far from a fairy-tale upbringing. No wonder she was prickly around him, and no doubt distrustful of men.

      “Take it from me. Be the good boyfriend that she needs and keep an eye on her. Just don’t bring up the bodyguard part to her.”

      “A pretend boyfriend.” Pretend being the operative word there. He wasn’t sure if he was reminding himself or Odele, though.

      “Right.”

      Right.

      * * *

      Chiara

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