THEY LOOK MISERABLE out there. It’s gotta be freezing. Even I can’t ignore it. I decide to make a new pot of coffee and set up a tray with cups, sugar, and cream. When it’s done brewing, I walk everything to the front. Antonio sees me, and opens the door.
“What’s this?” he asks.
“Coffee. You guys look cold out there.”
“I’m freezing. Thank you.” He grabs a cup and pours himself some coffee. Warming his hands, he smiles. “This is great and very kind of you.”
“I’m not a jerk.”
“I know that.”
“Are you filming? What’s going on?”
“In a few minutes. Dan is going over directions with the extras.”
“What scene is it?”
Antonio smiles. “I’m going to set up an elaborate romantic display in front of the store as a declaration of my love for Susie.”
“Well, isn’t that sweet?”
“It’s the kind of stuff women like. Or so I’ve heard.”
“Women in movies.”
“Women who watch movies.”
I grin. “Good point.”
“You don’t?”
“What?”
“Watch movies?”
“Not often. I’m more of book kind of gal.”
He laughs, nodding towards the store. “I see that.”
“To be honest, I hate movies. I hate Hollywood. I hate movie stars, and I especially hate paparazzi.”
“Yet here you stand talking to me.”
“To give you coffee.”
“Is that the only reason, Giovanna?”
“Yep.”
He smiles, and I almost drop the tray. He’s so disarming.
“Have dinner with me.”
“For fuck’s sake, no.”
“Such a dirty word coming from such a pretty mouth.”
“Like you’ve never heard a woman cuss before.”
“Of course I have, but not from one as sweet looking as you. What other surprises are you hiding?”
“I’m not that sweet.” I fight back my grin. He is such a charmer. “And I’m not hiding anything.”
“Hmm, I’m not so sure.” He sips his coffee. “So, dinner?”
I roll my eyes. “No.”
“Please?”
I sigh. “If I do, will you stop asking?”
“Hmm, that depends on how it goes, I suppose. What if you like me?”
“I won’t.”
“But what if you do? What if you want to have dinner with me again? How will I know if I don’t ask?”
“You certainly earn an A for persistence.”
“I’d rather earn your moans.”
A smile I can’t hold back cracks my lips. “I know you’re used to women dying to spend the night with you, but for me, I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“I think it’s an amazing idea.” He steps closer to me, balancing the tray for me. “Tell you what. I’ll get a car and we’ll drive far away from prying the eyes in town. We’ll have a nice dinner, we’ll talk, and then I’ll kiss you. And then I’ll kiss you again. Then, if you like my kisses, and you will, we’ll talk about future dinner dates. And more. So much more, Giovanna. All you have to say is yes.”
I gaze into his eyes as he speaks, and they are hypnotic. He’s so charming and sexy, and my God, is he beautiful. If I’m not careful, he melt my resolve away but dammit, I kind of like it. I haven’t had this kind of attention in a long time and it feels good.
I clear my throat. “That all sounds very nice, but you’ve been clear that you don’t just want dinner and kisses from me.”
“You’re right about that. I want all of you, but I’m not a jerk either. Dinner first. We’ll figure out the rest later. Say yes.”
“No.” I smile. “Do you want some more coffee?”
He grins. “Yes, thank you.”
I watch him pour another cup, and then I offer some to the other people nearby. Walking back to my store, I try to avoid his stare, but it’s no use.
“Think about it, Beautiful,” he says as I walk past.
I roll my eyes. I won’t be able to think about anything else.
Sitting at my desk, I put my head down. Why did they have to pick this town? My life was fine before he showed up. In just two days, everything has turned on its head. I can’t think straight. I shouldn’t even be considering dinner with him. I saw the paparazzi vultures all over him. How would I avoid getting sucked into that? I can’t trust him to protect me from it. I can’t trust him at all. Still, it would be so nice to be in a man’s arms, that man’s arms, again. I deserve love and attention. I just wish I could get it from some unknown regular guy. Not a famous movie star.
“Ugh!”
“Gio?” I look up startled to see Melissa. “You okay?”
“Oh, yeah, I’m fine.”
“You don’t seem fine. This movie thing is really getting to you, isn’t it?”
“Yeah. It’s so disruptive.”
“I know sales are slow, but you’re being compensated, right?”
“Yeah, it’s not about the money.” I have enough to last me ten lifetimes. “I just like my routine, and it’s all out of whack.”
“I know.” She sits down. “You should try to enjoy the fun of it. It’s a once in a lifetime situation.”
“No, it’s not,” I mutter.
“Huh?”
“Nothing.” I look up at her and smile. Can I trust her? I always have before, but not with anything personal. I just need to talk about this. “Can you keep a secret?”
“Yeah, of course.”
“I’m serious. This is major. It would kill me if people found out.”
“Okay. I swear.”
“No matter who asks you. Not Sammy and especially not the media.”
“What’s going on?”
“Can I trust you?”
“Absolutely.”
I take a deep breath. “Antonio asked me to dinner, and I don’t know what to do,” I blurt out.
“What?!” She jumps straight up in the air. “Are you serious?”
“Shh! Sit down.”
“Holy shit, Gio,” she says, lowering her voice. “Antonio Fucking Russo! What the hell do you mean you don’t know what to do? Have dinner with him. Are you nuts?”
“No, I’m not nuts. I just…” I rub my forehead. “I have reasons.”
“What possible reason could you have not to go out with the sexiest man on the planet?”
“I don’t date celebrities.”
“Who the fuck does?”
I laugh. “Okay, good point.”
“Seriously, how could you even be thinking of saying no?”
“I don’t want to be some nameless girl that he adds to his collection.”
“What would be so wrong with that? I know it’s not your thing to have casual sex. I get that. But this is Antonio Russo,” she says his name slowly with emphasis. “If anything, it will be the most amazing night of your life. Plus, you never know, it could turn into more.”
“I don’t think so. In six weeks, he’ll be gone, and I’ll never see him again.”
“You don’t know that, but even if you’re right, what a story to have.”
“I don’t really know why he’s interested in me.”
“Really? Have you looked in a mirror lately? You’re gorgeous. Surely, you know that.”
“By Hollywood standards?”
“Have you ever thought maybe he doesn’t want that?” She reaches across the desk and takes my hand in hers. “He’s surrounded by it all the time. Maybe he’s looking for true beauty. That’s what you have.”
“Thanks, but I just don’t want the media to get wind of it. I don’t want to get caught up in something I can’t handle.”
“From what I’ve seen, Gio, you can handle anything.” She squeezes my hand before releasing it. “You’re a strong woman. You can manage a date with a hot celebrity.”
I laugh. “I guess maybe I can.”
“If he wants to sleep with you, please for the love of books, do it and then tell me all about it. In painstaking detail.”
“You’re hilarious, you know that?”
“I try.” She claps her hands together. “So, did our little talk help?”
“I think so.”
“What are you gonna do?”
I look up and smile. “I’ll at least consider it.”
“Good! Let’s go see what they’re doing.”
“Okay. Not a word to anyone, remember.”
She crosses her fingers over her lips as if locking them. “My lips are sealed.”
“Thank you.”
“Anytime.”
When we walk up front, the crew is inside setting up for the next scene. Yasmin is setting up behind the cashier stand, and Antonio sits in a nearby chair, reading his script. When our eyes meet, I feel like I’m being pulled toward him as he stands and walks toward me. My brain says run, but dammit, I can’t get my feet to obey.
“Hey,” he says.
“Hey.”
“Did you think about my offer?”
“No,” I lie.
“You have to eat. Why not do it with me?”
“I’ve successfully managed all my meals without you so far. Why change?”
“What about dessert? I could be that for you.”
I shake my head, fighting a smile. “You should focus on your work.”
“I should, but I can’t. Not with you around.”
“Then I’ll go.”
“Please don’t.” He grins. “This is the most fun I’ve had in a long time. Aren’t you having at least a little bit, too?”
I try to avoid his gaze, but I can’t. “Maybe.”
“I’ll take that.”
I look up to see the director taking his seat. “Looks like they’re ready for you.”
“Yep. Are you going to wish me good luck?”
I smile and pat his arm. “Break a leg.”
“Thanks, Beautiful.” He winks as he takes his place.
I walk away, not sure what I’m going to do next, but feeling excited. Maybe a night with a movie star wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. I just can’t make any hasty decisions. I need time to think about this. I think tomorrow the best thing for me to do is keep my distance. Every time the man gets near me, the only thing I can think about is the constant ache between my legs.