Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 93575 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93575 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
She blinked. “Oh.”
“Is that a yes?” I asked, hearing Andi say goodbye to whoever she was on the phone with.
“Yes.”
Andi sat down. “You two behaving yourselves?”
I smiled at her. “Mila’s insight is helping me see my character better. I still have tons of questions, though.” I glanced at my phone then at Mila. “You should eat, though, right? I don’t want you to faint again. I can get you something from crafty.”
She shook her head, and I glanced at Andi, who looked surprised at my words. I cleared my throat, covering my slipup. “I assumed yesterday happened because of no food and the heat hitting you.”
“Oh, um, yeah,” Mila mumbled.
Andi stood. “You should take a break, kiddo, and walk around. We can sit down again after lunch if you still have questions, Nicholas?”
“Yeah, I do. Plus, I was hoping Mila was going to be around during some of the filming so I could pick her brain on occasion.” I glanced at Mila. “Yes?”
“We haven’t determined how long,” Andi said smoothly. “But some time is planned.”
“Good.” I winked subtly at Mila, reaching under the table to squeeze her fingers again. “That is good.”
I managed some more time with Mila in the afternoon. Andi was busy talking with Amber, so I got Mila’s number and arranged to meet up with her at six.
“What will you tell Andi?” I asked, curious.
She laughed. “That I’m writing. She never disturbs unless it’s an emergency. And if she did and I wasn’t there, I would tell her I was swimming.” She looked concerned. “You sure no one will see us?”
“Nope,” I assured her. “I have a plan.”
“Okay.”
“Meet me by the side door at six.”
“How should I dress?” she asked.
“Super comfortable.”
“Okay.”
At ten past six, I was waiting, smiling when she appeared, rushing my way. She was in leggings and a long top, her hair piled up on her head, looking somewhat messy. Not a bit of makeup on. Sneakers. Natural. Perfect.
I did what I had been dying to do all day and cupped her cheek, kissing her sweet mouth. I dragged my lips across her cheeks, finally knowing that her blush did make her skin warm. I nuzzled the soft spot behind her ear, grinning when I felt the heat intensify.
“Hi, pretty lady.”
“I was writing,” she murmured. “I got caught up in a scene. I’m sorry I made you wait.”
I chuckled, kissing her again. “Ten minutes is nothing. I’m used to being kept waiting far longer.”
“I hate being late, but I usually am if the words are flowing.”
“We can go back upstairs, and you can write.”
She frowned. “And what would you do?”
I shrugged. “Watch you. Study the script. Make sure you ate.”
She shook her head. “Wow. Not what I expected, but no. I want to go out. I don’t want to ruin your plans.”
I bent and kissed her again, wondering how I had gotten addicted to her mouth so fast. “As long as you’re there, my plans are complete.”
She blinked. “Oh.”
“But I would like you to take a break. We don’t have to be gone long.”
“I want to go with you.”
I held out my hand. “Then let’s go.”
Mila peered around my SUV, then at me.
“What?” I asked.
“I would have thought you’d drive a convertible or some expensive, sporty car,” she admitted.
I chuckled. “I’m sure you’ve seen photo shoots of me beside cars like that. I had one a few years ago, but it attracted attention. I like this one. It’s comfortable, blends in, and I feel safe when I’m driving it.”
“Road safe or protected from the world safe?” she asked, indicating the tinted windows.
“Both.”
“Do you like being an actor?” she queried.
“I love acting. I hate the world around it,” I admitted.
We drove in silence. I liked the fact that she was quiet. She didn’t fill the air with idle chatter. She didn’t even ask where we were going, instead trusting me to take her wherever.
She looked curious as I pulled off the road, guiding the SUV down a dirt path.
“Are you a serial killer? Planning on dumping my body?”
I chuckled. “Yep. And you fell for it.”
“Damn. I really wanted to finish that chapter.”
Then she gasped as the road opened up and the view appeared. The cliffs overlooking the ocean were one of my favorite places to escape to. She leaned closer to the window, gripping the dashboard and staring at the vista. I parked the vehicle.
“I brought a picnic. No one will see us, and we can be together.”
“It’s so beautiful.”
“I wanted to share it with you.” I paused. “I have never brought another person here.”
She turned and pressed her mouth to mine. “Thank you.”
I smiled against her lips. “You’re welcome.”
We climbed out of the SUV, and I grabbed the picnic basket and blanket from the back. I spread out the blanket on a flat piece of ground as Mila wandered to the edge, looking out over the ocean. I joined her, wrapping my arms around her and pulling her back to my chest. “Not too close,” I murmured.