The upstairs is more of the same. Everything is crisply white with weird, modern art on the walls. We pass doors that I assume are to offices or spare bedrooms, and he leads me to a large, sparsely furnished master bedroom. The bed is the size of Alabama, soft and all the linens are white. There are black throw rugs covering the marble floor.
“Bathroom is through there.” He motions to the door to the left. “You can hang your things in the closet there, and the balcony is there.”
The balcony is the best thing I’ve seen so far. I wander over, open the glass door and step out onto the covered space. There are two oversized rocking chairs, and the view is breathtaking.
The ocean is bright blue, reflecting the sun. There is a slight breeze.
I would spend every minute of every day out here if I could.
“You haven’t said a word,” Leo says from behind me. I turn around and lean against the railing, watching him. His hair moves with the breeze. His tattooed hands are tucked in the pockets on his ass, pulling his red tee tightly over his hard chest. “What are you thinking?”
“I would spend every day out on this balcony.”
He chuckles and nods. “I usually do when I’m here.”
“How often are you here?”
He frowns. “Not often. Maybe about two days every two to three months.”
“So, you spend roughly one to two weeks here each year?” I ask, surprised.
“Lately, yeah.”
“Damn, no wonder you needed a break.” I cross my arms over my chest. When will he leave again?
He tilts his head to the side, watching me closely. “What was that thought you just had?”
“Just thinking about your busy schedule,” I respond.
“That’s the second time you’ve lied to me today,” he murmurs softly, his eyes hard.
“It’s not a lie.”
He moves toward me and brushes my lower lip with his thumb. “Talk to me.”
“You’re busy,” I state simply.
His eyes narrow, watching me, and then he sighs. “I’ve slowed down.”
“For now.” I shrug. “Did you decorate this place?” I ask before he can drill me further on the subject.
“No.” He laughs. “This is pretty much what it looked like when I moved in.”
“It’s not you,” I tell him honestly. “It’s cold and impersonal.”
“What am I?” He asks and moves a little closer.
“You’re not this ultra modern, sterile place.”
“Maybe I should have it redecorated?” He asks with a grin.
“Maybe.” I shrug.
I don’t like it that he lives here. That’s what it boils down to. I hate it that he owns a house in L.A. and not in Seattle. This isn’t where he belongs.
“Okay, your brain is moving past the speed of light, and as much as I’d love to torture you until you talk to me, we need to get you to Burbank.” He leans in to kiss me softly, tenderly, and I’m shocked to feel tears trying to form in my eyes. “We’ll talk later.”
“I’m fine.”
“We’ll talk later.”
***
“Thanks for coming all this way for this interview, Ms. Williams.” Mr. Foss smiles and shakes my hand. He’s shown me around the offices, introduced me to a few people, and now we’re settled in his office, ready to get down to business.
“Thanks for having me.” I smile brightly.
“Your resume is certainly impressive, and there are about three other people who will join us shortly to proceed through the interview. But before they do, I have a couple of questions.”
“Of course.”
“I called your former employer at Seattle Magazine.”
Fuck.
“Yes?”
“I’ve known Bob for quite some time. As you know, the world of journalism is a small one.” He smiles kindly, but I feel my stomach clench.
“That it is.” I nod. Get to the point.
“Bob wasn’t terribly complimentary.” He begins and I feel my cheeks heat. That sonofabitch! “But I know, being in the business we are, that there are always two sides to a story.” He raises an eyebrow.
“Mr. Foss.” I begin and clear my throat. “I love what I do. I think you’ll see from my resume and other references that I’m dedicated and that I’m good at my job. But I’m fiercely loyal to my family, and I would hope that any employer who takes me on would respect that.”
He watches me for a moment, leaned back in his chair, his fingers laced over his round belly. Finally, he purses his lips and nods. “Fair enough.”
Chapter Sixteen
“Why am I going to this again?” I ask Leo as he drives up the freeway the next morning.
“Why not?” He asks.
“I could have just stayed at your place and sent out resumes until you got home.”
“That’s boring.” He grins over at me. “Besides, I thought I’d take you over to the pier in Santa Monica on the way back home.”
“Sight seeing?” I ask with a grin.
“Sure.” He shrugs. “I’ll take you on the Ferris wheel.”
“I’m afraid of heights.”
“I’ll keep you safe.” He kisses my hand and pulls into a parking lot.
“We’re at Arista records.” I tilt my head back and stare at the tall building.
“Oh good, ‘cause that’s where I wanted to go.” He laughs at me as he climbs out of the car.
“You’re a smart ass.” I smack his arm and then laugh when he swings me back into a deep dip and kisses me silly.
“I’m sorry,” he whispers, his eyes happy.
“You’re forgiven,” I whisper back.
“You’re easy.” He laughs and hugs me to him as we enter the building and he leads me to the bank of elevators.
“What are we doing here?” I ask.
“The other guys are already here.”
“Nash is here? Why?”
“We’re doing an interview and some photos for a spread in People for when the next album releases. It’s not for a few months, but this way we don’t have to do it later.”
“Okay, so again, why am I here?”
“I thought it would be fun.” He frowns down at me. “Are you seriously uncomfortable with this?”
“I don’t know.”
“We won’t be long.” He kisses my forehead as the doors open to a lobby that wraps around to a photo studio already set up with lights and a white backdrop.
“Hey, man.” A shorter guy with a tall Mohawk grips Leo in a hug. “How you been?”
“Good, man. Hey, this is Sam.” Leo turns to me with a grin. “Sam, this is DJ, our bassist. You’ve met Eric and Jake. That over there is Gary.”
Everyone smiles and waves.
“Good to see you again.” Eric smiles, his voice friendly and void of the flirtation from before.
“Were you testing me when I met you back in Seattle?” I ask him and plant my hands on my hips.
“You passed.” He shrugs and grins widely. Jesus, no wonder the women throw their underwear at him.
“You’re too cute for your own good.” I offer him a mock glare. “Don’t flirt with me or I’ll have to hurt you.”
“I like her.” Gary calls out from where he’s sitting in a director’s chair having his makeup done.
“Gee, you look pretty.” Leo taunts him.
“Shut up.”
“Mr. Nash, if you’ll sit here, we’ll get you ready. Everyone else is good to go.”
“You are not touching me with makeup,” Leo growls and I slap my hand over my mouth before I laugh out loud.
“But, the lights…” The pour gay-as-can-be makeup artist stops talking when Leo raises his hand at him.
“It’s called Photoshop.”
“You’re an ass.” Jake smirks and scrolls through his phone.
“But I’m makeup-free,” Leo agrees. “Where’s Lori?” He asks Gary.
“Right here!” We all turn as a very
pregnant, very tall brunette woman glides into the room.
Good God, she’s gorgeous.
“Hey, pretty face.” Leo grins and hugs Lori gently, lays his hand on her belly and kisses her cheek.
I might have to kill her.
“How are you feeling?” He asks her.
“Fat, tired and pregnant.” She laughs. “But Gary’s taking care of me.”
“Get your hands off my wife, asshole.” Gary calls out, his eyes closed. This must be usual behavior.
“I want you to meet someone.” Leo backs away and gestures toward me. “This is Sam.”
Lori’s mouth drops in surprise and her wide eyes meet Leo’s. “You’re introducing me to a woman?”
“Shut up,” he mutters and laughs.
“Holy shit. Hi.” She moves as quickly as she can toward me and instead of shaking my hand, she pulls me into a tight hug. “It’s so great to meet you.”
“Hi.” I smile and pull out of her embrace. “Shouldn’t I know you from somewhere?”
“Oh.” She waves me off and rubs her belly. “I used to do some modeling back in the day, but these days I’m a stay at home mom.”
And then it hits me. “You’re Lori Fitzgerald!”
“Yeah.” She smiles shyly.
“’Some modeling, huh?” I ask with my tongue in my cheek. “That’s like saying I do ‘some breathing’.”
Lori laughs. “Well, I guess that’s true.”
“Hey, guys.” Another woman enters the room, consulting an iPad gripped in her arm, not looking up. She’s clearly used to being around famous people.
Thank God.
“I’m glad you’re all here.” She scowls at Leo, but he just stares her down, unflinching.
Leo Nash doesn’t apologize for being late.
A photographer joins her and begins snapping photos of the guys where they are, getting ready for the shoot, talking to each other.
Me, standing next to Leo and Lori.
“Why is that man taking my picture?” I ask, my bitch voice on full-throttle.
“He’s taking candids for the spread.” The woman answers me. “I’m Melissa, the publicist for Nash.”
She eyes me for a moment, and then her blue eyes go wide. “Oh my God, you’re Luke Williams’ sister!”
And just like that, my walls go up and I school my features, pull away from Leo and clench my hands into fists. Luke Williams’ sister. No name of my own.
“I haven’t given anyone my permission to take my photo.”
Melissa looks to Leo for guidance, but he just shrugs. “She’s right. It’s her call.”
“Are you two an item?”
“No!”
“Yes.” We answer at the same moment. Leo scowls down at me. “We are.”
“Holy shit, this is a scoop!” Melissa moves in and I bare my teeth.
“I am not answering questions. I do not want my photo in this spread. Not one goddamn word, do you understand me?”
She comes to an abrupt stop and frowns. “You dated Scott Parker, didn’t you?”
“You did?” Lori asks, her voice impressed.
“No comment,” I reply and wish with all my might that I wasn’t here. What was I thinking taking an interview in L.A.? I can’t move here.
“Hey.” Leo turns me around and hugs me, but I stay stiff as a board. “Sam, stop this.”
“Do your interview, take your pictures, and get me the fuck out of here.” I glare at him for a moment and then soften. He didn’t do this on purpose. He just wanted me with him.
I take a deep breath, my back to the rest of the room, facing Leo. He’s frowning, but his eyes are full of worry, not anger. I shake my head and grip his hands tightly in mine.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper. “I just don’t want my picture in this spread.”
“Done,” he replies and kisses my forehead. “Her photo does not appear in this spread.” Melissa bristles.
“But this is a major scoop, Leo.”
“I don’t give a fuck. Unless you want to lose your job, you’ll leave her out of it.”
“Or we leave,” Eric agrees quietly. For the first time since Melissa walked in the room, I glance around at the other guys. They’re all glaring at her.
“You’re not TMZ,” Lori reminds her.
“Fine,” Melissa snaps, glaring daggers into me. “Let’s do this.” She turns her back and her heels click across the floor as she walks into the studio.
“She’s a bitch,” Lori whispers and winks at me.
“I’m not a fan of the press.”
“Yet you work in the industry.” Leo shakes his head and laughs at me.
“I am an editor for lifestyle magazines, not rags,” I clarify.
“So, you dated Scott?” Lori asks, catching my attention again.
“Briefly, a long time ago,” I murmur so Melissa and the interviewer she’s speaking with can’t hear me.
“He’s hot.”
“He’s an asshole.” I grin sweetly. “No matter how wholesome and sweet he wants everyone to think he is.”
“I knew it!” Lori laughs. “No one is that put together.”
“You have no idea.”
Leo is watching us quietly and catches my eye. I shrug.
“Let’s go guys!” Melissa calls. “We’ll be out of here in thirty.”
“Famous last words,” Lori mutters and lowers herself down into a chair as the guys move into the studio for photos and to answer questions. “Sit with me.”
“Okay.” I join her and watch the flashes go off in the other room.
“How long?” She asks, her eyes also on the studio.
“A few weeks.”
She nods. “These guys aren’t easy. Sexy as all get-out, but not easy.”
“Are guys ever easy?” I ask with a laugh.
“Good point,” she agrees.
“Do you two have a past?” I ask calmly. She glances down at me and back over to the men.
“No. It’s always been Gary for me. We’re good friends.” She sobers again. “He’s different you know.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“Well, then.” She exhales and smiles down at me while she rubs her belly. “Welcome to the clan.”
***
“When are we heading back to Seattle?” I ask Leo when we are in his car, heading back toward the freeway.
“Thursday morning, why?”
“Do you have your heart set on going to the pier?” I turn in my seat to watch his face. I just enjoy watching him. He glances over at me and then back to the street.
“Do you have something else in mind?”
“I’d love to spend time at the beach, but I’d rather it was more private.” I smile over at him and run my fingertips up and down his thigh.
“Hmm, private, huh?” He grins and slips his sunglasses on. “I know a spot.”
“Great.”
He guides the car onto the freeway, and less than twenty minutes later, we’re in his driveway.
“Well, this would be private,” I murmur and grin up at him as he helps me out of the car.
“As private as it gets around here.”
“Do you actually own a piece of the beach?” I ask, excited to get down to the water.
“Yeah, I could have bought a small third world country for what it cost me, but it’s pretty great.”
I start to walk around the house, but he stops me. “Let’s go through the house.”
“I want to go down to the water.”
“So impatient.” He smiles down at me and leads me inside. “We need a few things.”
“Such as?”
“A blanket.” He winks and my stomach clenches and the cute little pink thong I wore with these khakis is immediately soaked. One look from this man, and I’m a puddle.
God, I love it.
“Let’s go.” I’m practically jumping up and down with excitement.
“You don’t get to the beach often do you, sunshine?”
?
??It’s January, Leo. I believe it was forty degrees and raining when we left Seattle. It’s seventy-five and gorgeous here. Hell yes, I want to go walk on the beach.”
“You can leave your shoes up here. The sand is soft.” He takes my hand in his and leads me down a wooden staircase to the soft white sand below. The water here is so different from the north coast.
“You’d never imagine this is the same ocean,” I murmur and happily breathe in the ocean air.
“Pretty different.” He nods, watching the waves crash on the shore. It’s a picturesque day, sunny and warm, the water fairly calm. The beach is empty.
“Let’s go.”
Leo drops a thick blanket onto the sand and leads me down to the shoreline.
“It’s gonna be cold!” I squeal and step into the warm water. “Oh, it’s like bath water.”
I jog in place, enjoying the feel of the water on my feet, ankles and legs and kick and splash around, until I realize I’m frolicking like a loony toon all alone. I stop and look around and find Leo about twenty feet behind me, his arms crossed over his bare chest, sunglasses down over his eyes, and a wide smile across his face.
“Aren’t you coming in?” I ask.
“I don’t think you play very often,” he comments and joins me in the warm water.
“You do?” I ask with a raised eyebrow.
“Not as often as I should,” he agrees and pulls me to him. “I love watching you like this, happy and smiling.”
He lifts me into his arms, and he doesn’t just kiss me, he possesses me. Consumes me.
Finally he allows me to slide down his body, my feet splashing back in the water.
“Let’s walk.” I grab his hand and pull him down the shoreline, splashing my feet in the water as we walk.
“Talk to me about Parker.” His voice is quiet, but strong. He’s not going to allow me to evade or give him half-answers.
Hell, I wouldn’t either.
“He was in the Nightwalker movies with Luke. He played the older brother.” I begin and watch the white foam on the waves.
“Yes, I remember who he is. How did you become involved with him?” He asks.
“Are you going to get all jealous and stupid?” I ask him, only half joking.
“No, but I have a feeling this might explain quite a bit.”
It’ll explain some of my baggage, but not all of it. I’ll tell him this. I’m not ready for the rest yet.