Chapter 1
The music thrummed through the club. Da Vogue was busy for a Monday night. Needing to stretch his legs, Luke strode through the crowd toward the bar to order a round of drinks for his table.
They could have waited for the cocktail waitress, but the place was slammed, and he was hungry for something not on the menu. Maybe someone would pique his interest.
Surprisingly, he walked right up to the counter. The bartender tipped her head. “Evening, Luke. Who are you with tonight?”
“Ryan and Manny.” He’d been on a TV show with Ryan King when they were kids. Ryan’s older brother, Manny, was a part of Hollywood now, but always behind the scenes.
“I know what to make.” She went to work on drinks while Luke turned to take another look for a companion. Three weeks to relax between movies, and he needed something.
For now, he’d settle for a wild night. Anything to get this pent-up energy out.
A beautiful blonde moved close, her smile seductive. He recognized her, but couldn’t recall why.
“Looking for a dance?” she asked.
“After a round of drinks. What are you having?”
“Gin and Tonic.”
Luke turned and the bartender’s brow arched, but she made the drink without having to be asked. Luke handed over his card, took two drinks, and nodded to the other two. “Help me out?”
The blonde smiled. “I get to sit with Luke Chance and Ryan King?”
Nodding, he smiled. “And after my drink, we’ll dance.”
“My pleasure.”
She followed him back to the table and he slid in. Once seated, she leaned closer. “I’m Tara Punce. You’re Luke, you’re Ryan.” Her gaze settled on Manny. “I’m sorry, I don’t recognize you.”
Manny smiled. “Manny King. His brother.” He nodded to Ryan. “I’m a screenwriter.”
“Nice to meet you.” She immediately turned her attention to Luke.
He gulped down his drink and nodded to the floor. She drank hers quickly and took his hand. He caught Ryan rolling his eyes and paused for half a second before deciding he didn’t care what Ryan thought.
Luke didn’t have much time to unwind before he was back to a crazy filming schedule.
* * * *
Four-thirty in the morning and Luke already realized his mistake. Tara was a damned fame-hound. After round one, she talked non-stop about red carpet events, where they could go to have their picture snapped. After round two, she was finally asleep.
He managed to extract himself from her grasp and pull on his clothes before tip-toing through the door.
He made it to the street and pulled the phone from his pocket, hoping to find a nearby Lyft. Luckily, one was around the corner.
He leaned against the fence outside her apartment building.
Tara came running out in a nighty and he closed his eyes, praying the damned car would hurry up.
“Where are you going?” Tara demanded. “You said we had a great time.”
He rubbed at his forehead. “Yeah, but that’s all it was. I told you, I wasn’t looking for more.”
“Men always say that. They never mean it.”
He snorted. “We usually mean it.”
“You’re an asshole.”
He’d been called worse by similar women. “Look, Tara, it’s nothing against you, but I’m going to be leaving for another movie soon. I don’t have time for you.” More specifically, he didn’t have time for someone who wanted to be with him just to get herself in the spotlight.
“We can have more fun while you’re in LA. Then after you come back, we can pick up where we leave off.”
“Not happening, Tara.” The car pulled up.
Luke ducked into the back seat and gave the address.
Tara yelled at him.
“Please drive,” Luke calmly suggested.
The driver nodded, not saying a word. She finally pulled onto the street.
“You okay?” Luke asked.
“Sorry, a little starstruck. Bad night?”
He glanced back at Tara, who ran after them, still yelling. “Night was fine. This morning blows. One day, I might learn my lesson.”
The driver focused on the road, while he put his head back and closed his eyes.
He should have realized what Tara was after when she dismissed Manny. She was only interested in Luke’s fame.
* * * *
Two nights later, Luke sat at their table at Da Vogue. Ryan and Manny were at his side. He was restless, watching women pass by. Some stopped to talk, but not a single one caught his attention.
“Shit,” Ryan muttered. “Drama-hound is back.”
Manny perked up. “Tara?”
Ryan rolled his eyes with a nod.
Luke scooted down in the seat, hoping to go unnoticed.
“What’s your problem?” Manny snapped. “You took her home just a couple nights ago.”
“Relax, what crawled up your ass?” Luke asked.
“I would have at least treated her right. Instead of storming out of her house in the middle of the night.”
Ryan shook his head. “She’s full of drama. You heard him tell Tara it was one night, nothing more.”
“Yeah, but I want a lot more than that with her,” Manny bit out.
Luke held up his hands. “Then by all means, have at her. But good luck. She’s a drama queen, and I don’t have time for that.”
Manny pushed his way out of the booth and strode to the counter.
Luke swung his gaze back to Ryan. “Did you know he wanted Tara?”
He sighed. “Yeah, but he doesn’t stand a chance. He needs to learn that some women are only after one thing. She wants to be famous for being with someone famous. That’s all Tara cares about. And she’ll parade that around the tabloids if it gets her face out there. And I gave you the signal.”
“Yeah, but I didn’t think anything of it. And had I known Manny wanted her, I would have left her alone.”
Ryan watched his brother. “I’m hoping this teaches him a lesson. Do me a favor. I don’t care how horny you get. Don’t fuck with her again.”
Luke shot him a glare. “Never.” He looked down at his hands. “Besides, I’m tired of the game. Tired of the women I meet.”
Ryan’s brow arched. “Going to try men on for size?”
“No.” He leaned back and sighed. “I need to find the right woman.”
“You’re looking for love?”
He met Ryan’s gaze. “Maybe. Right now, I need something more than what I’ve been getting. I want to get to know someone, figure out if it’s worth it.”
“Good luck with that. Though I really doubt you’re going to find that here.”
Checking his pockets, he slid out of the booth. “You’re right. In fact, I’m not feeling it tonight. I’m going home. Tell your brother I wish him luck with Tara.”
Ryan sighed. “I will, but I hope to God she turns him down.”
Luke snorted. “You and me both.”