Debbi Rawlins – Hot Winter Nights (страница 9)

The slight jitter in her tummy was ridiculous. Nothing was going to happen in the stupid trailer, she thought as she climbed out of the truck. She could be called to the set at any time. Or Shannon or Diane could show up.

Lila jumped out and hurried to the door. If the place was beyond disgusting, she’d discourage Clint from coming in. “So, have I completely ruined your perception of Hollywood and all its glamour?” she asked over her shoulder.

“To be honest, I hadn’t given it much thought one way or another.”

Of course he hadn’t. The world didn’t revolve around Hollywood. Something most people in the business often forgot, including herself.

She pushed the creaky door open. It wasn’t horrible inside; she’d seen it in worse condition.

“I guess I am surprised that making a movie doesn’t take more people.” He stopped on the first step and shook the rickety railing. “This is dangerous. It needs to be tightened,” he said. “I have tools in my truck.”

Lila stood just inside the door, staring at him. She couldn’t quite find her voice, or breathe for that matter. It was such a kind, unexpected offer. A small gesture, and yet not really small at all considering he didn’t know her.

He looked up, met her eyes and smiled.

“That’s nice—but it’s only three steps. No one uses the railing.”

“Wouldn’t take me long.” He pushed up the brim of his hat, the warmth in his eyes turning them a golden brown. “And I’d feel better.”

She held in a sigh. “As much as I appreciate it, my roommates could show up at any moment...”

Clint nodded. “Okay.”

Lila turned and grabbed a pillow off the floor, then kicked Shannon’s boots out of the way. Great. Diane had left her vibrator out. Lila dropped the pillow on it and spun to face Clint.

“So...” She shrugged. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

He eyed the two unmade beds heaped with a mix of dirty and clean clothes. Tubes of mascara, pencil liners and palettes of eye shadow and nail polish in every possible color were scattered among dirty dishes.

Oh, dear God.

Lila spotted a second vibrator too late. Really, Diane? Two of them? The hot pink one was a doozy, too. Very fancy and clearly meant to leave no nook or cranny untouched.

Huh. Weirdly interesting. Lila would have to get a better look at it later.

Of course Clint spotted it right off. He frowned, angling his head to the side, as if he was trying to figure out how it worked.

“It’s not mine,” Lila blurted and felt her cheeks burn.

“Okay.” Clint gave a slow nod. “That’s what I thought it was,” he muttered, ending with a short laugh.

The place really was a disaster, and yet a minute ago Lila had decided it wasn’t so awful. When had she grown accustomed to living in a pig sty? When had her standards fallen so low?

“That’s my bed back there,” she said, jerking a thumb over her shoulder. “I make it every morning.”

He gave her a sympathetic smile, and she buried her face in her hands.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have let you come in here,” she moaned, her voice muffled.

“Hey, it’s okay. I’m not all that neat myself.” He put his hands on her shoulders and squeezed lightly. “And I have two brothers, remember? Everything was always a mess at the house. You can talk to my mom. She’ll confirm it.”

Lila smiled a little, even though he’d just lied. His truck was spotless. She uncovered her face, but she kept her chin lowered and her gaze on his chest. “This movie is important. We’ve got a real chance to get a deal with a distributor and after having begged, borrowed and bartered, we’re still operating on fumes. That’s why we have limited crew. Those of us who’ve invested in the project are working twice as hard, doubling up and overlapping jobs. Doing anything and everything to make sure the film succeeds. I’ve put in every last penny I’d saved and then some. Erin did, too. This has been our dream since we were in the third grade.”

He kept massaging her shoulders and whispering that everything would be okay in that low velvety tone that was beginning to hypnotize her into believing him.

“I’m not complaining.”

“I didn’t think you were.”

“Oh, Lord. Why am I even telling you all this? You’re a stranger.”

“Sometimes it’s easier,” Clint said, and rubbed a knot in back of her left shoulder.

“Well, fine, feel free to unload. Whatever you want to get off your chest, go for it.”

“If I think of something, I will.”

“Oh, so your life is perfect? That makes me feel so much better.”

He laughed, the sound a low quiet rumble that wrapped her in his warmth. “It’s not perfect,” he said. “More like...predictable.”

Lila couldn’t tell if he thought that was good or bad. She lifted her chin and was rewarded with a smile that reached his eyes. “Want to hear something really sad?”

“What’s that?”

“As horrifying as this pit is, I don’t care half as much as I do about not having a tub. We have a shower. A tiny stupid shower. I would kill for a tub. Any plain generic one would do.”

“I’m surprised you’re not sharing a trailer with Erin.”

“Ah.” Lila nodded. “Normally we would have. But she met someone. He lives here, actually. Spencer Hunt. He owns Moonlight Mountain. So she’s been staying with him at his ranch.”

Clint’s hands stilled and his brows rose. He looked shocked, confused, curious. All appropriate reactions, but only for someone who knew Erin. Lila had no idea what was going through Clint’s head.

“Do you know Spencer?” she asked.

“No. I’ve heard of him, though. He’s been volunteering at a local animal sanctuary.”

“They’ve invited me to stay with them,” she said. “But Shadow Creek is too far.”

“What is it, about thirty minutes?”

“I don’t have my own car, and I never know when I’m needed on the set.” She skipped the part about feeling like a third wheel. And the odd feeling she’d been having just recently that something was bothering Erin. Lila hoped it had nothing to do with Spencer. But, she was sure Erin would fill her in soon. “Anyway, predictable doesn’t describe my life, that’s for sure.”

“You have anything pressing to do right now?” His eyes were beginning to darken, a clear hint that he had something in mind for her, something she was going to like.

“Nothing at all.”

He put his hands on her waist and pulled her toward him. “How badly do you think Baxter needs me to agree?”

Unprepared for the switch in gears, she laughed. “I’d say he’s pretty desperate if he asked me to help. I know he’s zero for three with Jason.”

Clint wrapped his arms around her. “Tell Baxter to put you up in the motel in town, and I’ll do whatever he wants.”

Lila stared at him. “Huh?”

“With his own money.” Clint paused. “Or his uncle’s, I don’t care which.”

“But—I—” She laughed. “I can’t do that.”

“Why not?” He brushed a kiss across her mouth. “Would you rather I call him?”

“No.” She couldn’t think. Not when her body was flush against his and she could feel him getting hard. “I don’t know.”

“Whatever you want, Lila,” he whispered, his lips searing a path to her throat.

She swayed in his arms. His strong, muscled arms. How weird was it that she didn’t feel nervous with Clint? She’d never kissed a man five minutes after meeting him. Okay, it had been longer but not all that much. She was always careful about not playing into the Hollywood stereotype. She didn’t play fast or loose. Actually, it just wasn’t her style.

She felt the tip of his tongue trace her collarbone. Her nipples tightened. She squeezed her thighs together. Her breathing was off, and she couldn’t seem to drag in enough air.

“Tell me what you want, Lila.” His voice was low and rough, his breath hot on her skin.

Her sweatshirt was too thick. She couldn’t feel him pressed against her the way she wanted to...

He stopped kissing her and lifted his head. The second he stepped back, she heard the laughter just outside the trailer. She recognized Shannon’s loud snort.

Lila stepped back, as well.

“So, you can tell him,” Clint said when they heard the doorknob turn, “or you can give Baxter my number. That’s up to you.” He turned and nodded causally at Shannon and Diane as they entered, both of them speechless, eyes full of curiosity.