Eleven months later

At midnight, I crash with a sigh onto the secondhand couch of my tiny studio apartment. After almost a year in Hollywood, my dreams of being an actress did not take off as Dax Pierce promised they would.

I push myself to my feet again and head to the kitchenette, where I warm up a tuna pizza left over from yesterday. Then I settle down with my dinner in front of the small TV. After a long day on my feet while waitressing at the Olive Grove, my body and mind feel numb. I waitress at the restaurant a few days a week, when I’m not working as a receptionist at a boutique hotel across the road from it.

Before leaving Mistport, I had promised Christa that I would not depend on Dax Pierce since I don’t know him. Of course she was right. Even though Dax had offered for me to stay with him at his penthouse in Hollywood Hills, I reluctantly turned him down. I haven’t even visited the place. The temptation to say yes was great, but I could not shut off Christa’s voice inside my head, warning me against being impulsive yet again.

The day I told Christa I was moving to Hollywood, she had been so shocked that she hadn’t said a word for almost ten minutes. Before I could pack my bags and say goodbye to her, we had our biggest fight ever. She was convinced I was making a huge mistake.

My cell phone rings as I’m about to take the first bite of my pizza. I lower the slice onto the plate and answer. My stomach twists when Christa’s voice comes through. She already called three times today, still trying to convince me to return home.

“I’m really worried about you, Emma,” she says.

I massage the tension from my forehead. “How many times do I have to tell you that you don’t need to worry about me? This is where I’m supposed to be.”

“You have been there for almost a year. Nothing seems to be working. I hate to think of you suffering over there.”

“I’m not suffering. And I’ve had a few great auditions this month. I have a feeling one of them will be successful.” Although I’m not exactly where I thought I would be, I haven’t been a complete failure. I did land a few small roles in less popular films. “I actually landed a role in a commercial that’s starting to shoot next week.”

“What kind of commercial?”

I close my eyes and rub my forehead. “It’s for a shampoo, but—”

“I thought you wanted to act in movies.”

“Well, it takes time. Many well-known actors also started this way.”

“Anyway, I just want you to know that I’m here. If you ever decide to come back home, Heidi said she’d be willing to give you another chance . . . a final chance.”

I’m quiet for a long time and when I speak my voice is determined. “Please tell her I don’t need the job. When I come home, it will only be to visit you, not to stay.”

When I end my call with Christa, the doorbell rings. That’s weird. I never get visitors, definitely not this late. Since I have little time left to socialize—too busy working, in acting classes, or auditioning—I haven’t been able to make friends, at least not the kind that would visit this late.

I’m frowning as I go to the intercom and press the button. “Who’s there?”

“Emma Stanton?” The person downstairs says.

“Yes,” I say suspiciously. I don’t recognize the husky male voice.

“This is Hector Mcneal. Mr. Dax Pierce sent me to you.”

At the sound of Dax’s name, excitement seizes my body. The power of his name over me never fails. Every time I read it in the papers or hear it on TV, my stomach tingles.

“I’ll come down,” I say without hesitation. I don’t even stop to think about the danger of going down this late to talk to someone I don’t even know. At least I’m not asking him to come into my apartment.

I quickly change from my pajamas into a pair of black jeans and a faded gray t-shirt, then I rush downstairs. My feet barely touch the ground. Could Dax be waiting downstairs as well? Since the last time I saw him briefly, six months ago, shortly before he left to shoot a movie in Europe, I’ve been longing to see him again but only got to speak to him on the phone. Talking over the phone has always been brief and never felt like enough.

Inside the tiny elevator, I fix my hair and press my lips hard against each other, to give them a natural pink tint. When the doors open, I step out, short of breath as though I’d taken the stairs.

A burly man in a suit as dark as the night sky above him is standing outside the door. I peer at him through the slice of rectangular glass in the center of the front door.

“Emma Stanton?” His deep baritone voice seeps through the wooden door as he leans forward to peer right back at me.

I hesitate for a moment, then open the door. The air outside is balmy against my skin. I plant myself in the doorway. “Hello. You mentioned that Mr. Pierce sent you to me?”

He bobs his head. “I’m his driver. I came to tell you that he’s back in town and wants to have dinner with you.” He glances at a Rolex watch. “He gave me thirty minutes to deliver you to him.”

“It’s—it’s after midnight.” What I really want to say is hell yes, but I don’t want to seem too eager.

“Mr. Pierce’s plane landed an hour ago. He hasn’t had a chance to eat dinner yet. He wishes for you to join him.”

The fact that Dax arrived an hour ago must mean he’s just as eager to see me as I am to see him. What could it all mean? I know what I want it to mean, but I don’t dare get ahead of myself.

“I’d like to talk to him first, if you don’t mind.”

“Of course.” Hector pulls out a phone, presses a button and puts the phone to his ear. “Sir, she wants to talk to you first.” He pauses. “Okay. Please hold on.” He hands me the phone.

“Dax?”

“Emma, I hate eating alone. Join me.”

“Are you aware what time it is?” I slide my lip between my teeth. “I—”

“You’re awake, I’m awake. Time doesn’t matter. Get dressed and come over here. I’ll see you soon.” He hangs up before I can continue to play hard to get.

“I’ll go and change.” I hand the phone back to the driver, then pull in and release a deep breath. I've never allowed anyone to make my decisions for me like Dax does. I’m still unsure how that makes me feel.

“Of course.” He pockets the phone. “I’ll be waiting in the car.”

I run a hand through my bob and gaze over his shoulder at the black stretch limousine behind him. I’ve never been inside a limo before. I have a feeling things are about to change for me, in more ways than one.

“I’ll be right back.” I turn on my heel and hurry to the elevator. Behind me, the door closes with a thud.

On my floor, I sprint down the hallway so fast it’s a wonder I don’t trip or sprain my ankle.

Ten minutes later, my hair is brushed to a sheen and I’m wearing the most expensive dress in my closet, a strapless canary yellow cocktail number I have nicknamed my lucky dress. It’s the dress I normally wear to auditions.

It’s both casual and fancy at the same time. Since I’m not in the position to afford many expensive clothes. . . yet, I choose pieces that do double duty. Before walking out of the apartment, I throw a black cardigan over the dress.

Back inside the elevator, on my way downstairs, my body is tingling with both excitement and anxiety.

Hector opens the door for me and I slide inside the most beautiful car I have ever been in, sinking into the cream leather seats and inhaling the rich scents of expensive leather, wood, and cologne.

For the first time since coming to Hollywood, I feel like a star, even though a part of me is telling me I don’t belong here.

My palms are sweaty, my throat dry to the point I can barely swallow. I don’t even ask Hector where Dax told him to drop me off. I’m assuming it will be at his place, where I’ve never been before. I allow myself to be surprised.

After what seems like the longest ride of my life, during which I become more and more nervous, the car finally stops and my door is opened. When I step out, it’s not Hector who is standing there, but Dax Pierce himself.

“Dax.” I get out of the car, but stumble back, almost tripping back into the limousine. He reaches for me at the last moment, his strong hand firm around my wrist. He pulls me even closer to his body and slams the door of the limousine shut. He smells of soap and the cologne that had lingered inside of the limousine.

I glance down at my arm, the one he’s holding. He releases me with a tentative smile.

“You look beautiful, Emma Stanton. It's been too long.”

“Yes,” I say, breathless.

He kisses me on both cheeks, leaving the places he touched glowing as though I have hot coals under my skin.

“Let’s go inside.”

I suddenly notice that we’re outside The LaClaire Restaurant, one of the most exclusive restaurants in Hollywood, owned by one of the wealthiest families in the world.

Dax rests a hand on my lower back and ushers me into the glass building. All the tables are empty except for one in a back room of the restaurant.

“It’s rather empty in here,” I say, as he pulls out a chair for me. I feel almost faint with nerves.

“I thought it would be nice to have a little privacy.”

“Yeah. Okay.” Our eyes meet from across the table, the moment disturbed only by the flickering candlelight. Sitting here with him, I feel as though I’m on another planet, not at all like the small-town girl from Mistport, the girl with big dreams I never thought would come true. He makes me feel so close to my dreams.

For a split second, I pretend I belong here with him, in this place, this moment.

He blinks and the magical moment shatters. “I’m sorry I didn’t keep my promise.”

“What promise was that?” My voice comes out in a whisper.

“I promised you wouldn’t be alone in Hollywood, that you would know someone here.”

I tilt my head to the side and my hair sweeps against my shoulders. “You owe me nothing, Dax.” The truth is, he has already given me more than I could ever have wished for. Dax Pierce introduced me to a dream I didn’t even know belonged to me. He awakened me to my destiny. “And you were a great help. You informed me about a lot of auditions.” Most communication had been through his personal assistant, but it still counts in my eyes.

He leans back and sizes me up, lips softened by the gentle curve of a smile. “I should have done more, but I didn’t expect so much work to get in the way.” He brings his fingertips together. “Forgive me.”

“There’s nothing to forgive, really.” I moisten my dry lips. “It was me who made the decision to come here. You’re not my babysitter.”

Heat ripples under my skin in reaction to his deep, quiet gaze. He looks like he’s studying my face feature by feature.

A waiter appears at our table to take our orders and Dax shakes his head as though to pull himself out of his deep thoughts.

“The menus, sir.” The man hands us the leather-bound menus and folds his hands in front of him. He glances at me with a bright smile.

“I’ll order for both of us.” Dax picks up the menu and flips it open. He looks up again and instructs the waiter to bring us our food, a bottle of wine, and some sparkling water. It’s a good thing that he ordered for us. I’d be too nervous to choose any of the expensive dishes. I’d read in magazines about how expensive it is to eat at the LaClaire Restaurant, a place frequented by A-list celebrities. I probably wouldn’t even be able to afford a glass of water.

“Very well, Mr. Pierce.” The waiter moves away to fill our order.

“I hope the auditions were successful,” Dax says, continuing our earlier conversation.

“No—well, some.” I purse my lips. I wouldn’t want him to see me as a complete failure. “I got a part in a . . . a shampoo commercial.”

“I’m not surprised. You have beautiful hair.” His fingers stroke the soft table linen. How would they feel on me?

“Thanks.” I slide my gaze from him to hide the flush in my cheeks.

“Any other successes you’d like to share?”

I shake my head slowly. I hope he doesn’t see the disappointment in my eyes. So far I’d only been an extra in two minor movies that will never get my name out there.

The waiter returns and places our drinks discreetly on the table. He’s about to open the bottle of wine when Dax stops him with a simple shake of the head. The waiter disappears again, leaving the bottle of wine.

“Don’t look so upset,” Dax says. “Sometimes one has to start small. As I said in Mistport, it’s only a matter of time before everyone sees your potential.”

That’s what he’d said, but he also said he’d try to get me into another one of his movies, and never brought it up again. Maybe he doubts my potential, after all.

“I appreciate your faith in me.” I force a smile.

“Maybe I can restore your faith in yourself.” A slow smile spreads across his face. “I actually have another reason for seeing you today. I have great news.” He deftly opens the bottle of white wine and pours us both a glass. “You’re on your way to being a star, Emma Stanton.”

“What?” I unglue my tongue from the top of my mouth. “What do you mean?”

“While in Europe, I had a talk with my production company about you. I convinced them to take you on as one of the characters in my next movie, Velvet Flame, the one I told you about a while ago. I’ll be involved as an actor and assistant producer.”

He stops talking when the waiter brings our meals. I’m frozen in my chair, unable to believe what he just told me. The aroma of my chicken cordon bleu tries to tempt my appetite, but I’m no longer in the mood for food, however expensive it may be. With the excitement swirling inside my belly, it would be hard to keep anything down.

I watch Dax shaking out his napkin, acting as though he hasn’t just told me a piece of life-changing news.

I reach for my glass of wine and swallow way too much of the alcohol. “Is it really true?” My eyes search his as I lower the glass back to the table next to my plate. “What kind of role? As an extra?”

“No, baby.” Dax picks up his knife and fork. “You’ll be one of the main characters, a supporting actress.”

My hand clutches my throat as I almost choke from my wine-scented saliva. “But without an audition?”

“It wasn’t easy, but I told them if they didn’t take you, I’m out. All you have to do is be yourself. Like last time.”

“You did that?” Tears threaten to come to my eyes but I blink them back. I don’t understand why he would do something like that for someone like me, someone he doesn’t even have a relationship with. Or he might be lying. But why would he?

“That’s how much I believe in you.” He starts to eat his food as if he lands roles for unknown actors all the time.

As excited as I am, I’m also terrified. What if I let him down? “Can you tell me more about the role?”

“You, Emma Stanton, are going to be my lover. How do you feel about that?” He frowns at my plate. “Aren’t you hungry?”

I shake my head, my mouth still open with shock.

Dax leans back in his chair, clearly satisfied with himself for knocking my socks off. “I knew you’d be surprised.” He lifts his glass of wine to his lips. Then his expression stills and he frowns. “Are you okay with the role?”

“Yes.” I take another drink of wine. My head is starting to swim, not from the alcohol, but from the news. “Of course I am. I don’t know what to say. Thank you, Dax.”

“Thank me when you’re a star.” He cuts into his steak. “I was a little nervous about the look on your face. For a moment there I thought you might have a problem with being my lover.”

I release a giggle and drop my gaze. “Of course not.” I force myself to meet his eyes again. “Thank you for everything. I really appreciate it.”

During the rest of the meal, I manage to eat a few delicious bites, and Dax tells me more about the movie, which tells the story of a married couple starting a new life after being separated for a year by war. He soon brings the conversation to how I’m doing financially, a discussion which makes me uncomfortable.

“Let me help you out. I can pay some of your bills until you’re back on your feet.”

“No.” I shake my head, but I’m touched by his offer. “You have done so much for me already.”

Dax insists that he has enough money and he’d be happy to help, but I stand my ground. Accepting his offer would make me feel greedy. We’re not even a couple. I don’t know what we are.

Finally, he gives in and we talk about the countries he visited in Europe. I tell him that I’m determined to see Europe, that listening to his stories fills me with grand dreams of travel. Then dinner is over and we’re back inside his limo on our way to my apartment. He had insisted on dropping me off.

Outside my apartment building, he escorts me to the front door. I’m surprised when he follows me into the small lobby.

“I had a nice time.” I turn to face him, my hand clutching my purse.

“I did too. Here.” He gives me a black folder. “This is the script. You might want to look through it. Expect a call from someone named John Harrington in the next couple of days. And get as much rest as you can. Once filming starts, you’ll be working around the clock. Do you think you can do this?”

“I know I can. I won’t let you down, Dax Pierce.”

“Let’s stick to Dax, shall we, especially since you’re going to play my lover.”

I chew a corner of my lip. “Dax.” His name taste like warm honey on my tongue.

“Much better.” He takes a step away from me, but changes his mind and closes the distance between us. He reaches for the same wrist he’d held earlier.

“What are you doing?” My voice is a croak inside my throat.

His cool and smooth fingers slide over my bare arm, then curve under my chin as he moves his mouth to my ear. “I changed my mind about you auditioning for the part.” His lips sweep along my cheek until they reach mine. Fireworks go off inside my head as our lips meet in a warm, gentle kiss that heightens my senses. Then he pulls away and steps back, a thumb on his lips. “I was right. You are the perfect person for the role. It’s time the world sees what I see.”