If I Loved You (Hollywood Hearts 1) (19 page)

“Accident? Right,” Chaz scoffed, the cloudy look not lifting from his features.

“Yes, right! And he asked me for coffee. I had no idea someone was taking pictures of us.”

“So you did go out with him then?” The triumphant tone in Chaz’s voice raised Meg’s hackles.

“We went for coffee…hey, weren’t you the one who said, ‘no commitment’? That leaves me free to have coffee, or anything else, with anyone I want.”

“I didn’t mean it like that…”

“Oh, and how did you mean it? Freedom for you, but not for me? You can go out with Anna-what’s-her-face and put your hands on her in public, but I can’t share a cup of coffee with Quinn? That doesn’t work for me, Chaz.”

Chaz’s expression softened immediately, and Megan knew she’d won. “I didn’t mean it like that. I don’t want to date anyone else…and I don’t want you to either.”

“So now you’re talking exclusive relationship?” Megan crossed her arms in front of her chest.

“Guess so. Are you going to see Quinn again?”

“I hadn’t planned on it. We spent the whole time talking about you. He’s your friend. He didn’t come on to me or anything. He told me some pretty funny stories about the two of you in Pine Grove.”

“He didn’t come on to you? Good.”

“Of course not. And Anna?”

“That was publicity. I told you. I had my hand on her back…if it was her front, I could see your anger. Meg, maybe you don’t want to be with someone whose picture appears in the paper with other women from time to time.”

“I don’t. I never have. I hate all the celebrity crap, and you’re the last person I’d want to get involved with.”

Chaz sat silently staring at her. She knew she’d gone too far. “Are you saying you want us to be only business?”

She could see sweat break out on his forehead.
That’s the last thing I want. What have I done?

“No, no, no. I don’t want that. I…I…want to stay with you. I didn’t mean it like it sounded or came out or anything.”

“Please, I don’t want to lose you. You’re so different…special. I’m not good with words here, don’t know what to say except…my life wouldn’t be the same without you.” 

His eyes told the story. Meg could see he meant what he said, that he wasn’t acting. A small smile broke out on her face.

“I feel the same,” she said in a soft voice.

“Do you want to stay with me?” He asked.

“I do. And you?”

She could see his neck get red. “Would I be here otherwise? I haven’t had a lot of long-term relationships, Meg. It’s hard in this business. Women think they want to go out with you until the press gets nosy. When they find unflattering pictures of themselves splattered all over the media, they usually cut and run.”

“I can see why.”

“I’ve tried to date only actresses, but then I’ve found some women consider sleeping with me a stepping stone for their careers.”

“Really?” She put down her note cards.

“It isn’t long before they’re pumping me for who I can introduce them to, or they’re loving all the publicity. It gets ugly pretty quickly after that.”

“So you’re alone most of the time?”

“Alone is safer.” Chaz raised a coffee cup to his lips.

“Do you like it?”

“Are you crazy? You’re different. I’ve never met anyone like you.”

“Yeah, I’m not surprised. Nerdy women aren’t on the top of your list.” She bit her lip.

“Just because you’re smart doesn’t mean you’re a nerd.”

“I’m not exactly a hot chick, either.”

Chaz shot a wicked grin at her. “I think you are. Since we’re alone and no one can see, why are you wearing so much? Why don’t you get
comfortable
?”

“You want me to undress, here, in front of the computer?”

“Slowly and to music would be amazing.” He wiggled his eyebrows.

She laughed. “I don’t think so!”

“A guy can try, can’t he? I miss your body.”

Color shot into Meg’s cheeks as she turned her gaze away from his.

“Did I embarrass you, little chick? Don’t be. You do have a great body.”

Her cheeks got hotter as she began shuffling through papers.

“Let’s talk about Perkins. I’ve put together some figures…”

“I wish I could kiss you right now.”

Meg put the papers down and looked up. The sexy look on Chaz’s face sent warmth coursing through her veins. She studied his face, his hair falling into his eyes, the stubble on his cheek, and she lifted her hand as if to touch him then put it down. “I wish you could, too,” she whispered.

“Let’s be exclusive…okay? No dating anyone else.”

She nodded, mesmerized by the intensity of his dark eyes. He smiled and flattened his hand on the screen. She raised her palm to meet his.

“I hate being so far away. When can you fly out here? I’m going to have a day off in another ten days. I’ll email you the date. Can you come then?”

“Okay.”

      
A wide grin flashed across his handsome features, sending heat right through the computer screen to Meg. “Can’t wait to have you here with me…in my bed.”

“Dunc…I miss you.”

“It won’t be long now, little chick. Hang on. What did you want to talk about?”

The feeling of paper in her hand brought her attention back to her original mission for the call. “Perkins. Perkins Products. I wanted to go over some figures with you before I recommend investing in them…”

Chaz sat back, lacing his fingers behind his head and smiling. “Fire away, investment lady.”

* * * *

For Chaz, the next day was stop and start, start and stop. A piece of audio equipment broke down. His co-star had a coughing fit. Everything seemed to slow down shooting. Anticipation of seeing Meg again made him a bit jumpy and totally impatient. He wanted to speed up everything so he could spend time with her. This euphoria was a new feeling for Chaz. Several people remarked on his constant smile and lack of grumpiness on the set, with everything going wrong.
I’ve finally fallen in love. God, it feels great.

On Thursday, he found a semi-quiet corner and checked his phone before dinner. There it was…another reason to rejoice, a text from Allie, his agent.

Are you sitting down? You got the part in Rainy Sundays. Next stop…Broadway.

Chaz leap
t up and hollered, which silenced the room immediately.

“I’m going to be in a Broadway musical!”

A round of applause plus the good news doused his appetite.
Meg!

After finding a quieter place, he dialed her phone. It went to voice mail so he left a cryptic message, wanting to share the news in person. And while he was eating, he hatched a plan.

The next day, Chaz was given the morning off because more equipment repairs were necessary. He reached into the pocket of his jacket and found the business card he was looking for.
Brielle! That was her name. Right.

He sat down and drafted an email:

Brielle, I need a favor. I’d like to surprise Meg. Please move $25,000 from my account to hers. Don’t tell her. Let me know when it’s done and I’ll tell her myself. My password is spencer500. Thanks a million.

Chaz

After firing off the email, he sat back, smiling to himself.
Perfect way to thank her for her help. Can’t believe I’m doing Broadway. Now we can be together. Does life get any better than this?

Euphoria at winning the part lightened his step. His broad smile bespoke the joy in his heart to have the support of his co-workers, Megan’s devotion, and a coveted part
—one he had wanted all his life.

* * * *

Back in New York, Brielle’s excitement when she saw Chaz’s email turned to disappointment, which then transformed immediately into jealousy. She stared out her big window and into Megan’s office. The hard-working brunette had her eyes glued to her computer screen while she made notes. Totally consumed by her work, she never looked up to notice Brielle glaring at her.
Little bitch. She’s probably sleeping with him. Who wouldn’t? She’s building her division. She’ll make vice president way before me. Not anymore.

An evil smile curled her lips so that when Megan finally looked up, Brielle appeared to be shooting her a friendly look. Megan tossed back a feeble smile before returning to her work.
Keep your nose to the grindstone…for all the good it’ll do you. I’m taking you down, and you’ll never know what hit you.

Brielle sat back in her chair and closed her eyes, plotting and planning. When she opened them, a sense of triumph marched into her heart.
Like Napoleon…like Hannibal…I march to victory. And I’m taking Chaz, too. By the time I’m done, he won’t even look at you.
She drummed her pen on the desk, then snapped her fingers and bounced the chair forward. “Andy, come in here, please.”

Meg never even looked up when Andy pushed to his feet and entered Brielle’s office. “What’s up?”

“Close the door and sit down. I need a little help from you.” Brielle cast a flirtatious glance his way.

“Yeah?” His eyes lit up as they traced her curvy form.

“Might be something…uh…really special in it for you too.”

“What?”

“First, a little surprise for your boss. But I need her password before I can deliver it.”

“I can’t give you that.”

“Gee, that’s too bad because then I can’t give you the most memorable, sexy night of your life.”

“Huh?”

What a moron!

“All you have to do is slip me her password, and then you can come to my place tomorrow night…and stay over
—if you get my meaning.”

Andy’s face turned slightly pink and his eyes glowed as a salacious grin spread across his face. “Her password is Grady200.”

Brielle scribbled something on a piece of paper. She stood up and approached him. Before handing him the piece of paper, she leaned in close to him. Her hand slipped down over his crotch and rubbed. His body jerked a bit and he turned bright red. “Just a little preview…”

Then she handed him the piece of paper. “Here’s my address. Be at my place by nine p.m. and be prepared for the most amazing night of your life.”

He snatched the paper out of her palm and put it in his breast pocket. Andy hesitated in front of her before he raised a finger and slid it down her cheek quickly. She grinned at him and licked her lips. Red returned to his face before he beat a hasty retreat to his desk.

Hmm…Grady2
00, eh? Smug, smart little Megan Davis…it’s been nice knowing you, but it’ll be wonderful saying
goodbye
forever.
Brielle turned to her computer and started typing.

Chapter Twelve

Megan leaned back in her chair, facing the computer screen where Chaz’s face stared back at her. “Can I vent for a moment?”

“Hell yeah. I’ve been venting for the past forty-five minutes.”

“I keep meeting with these famous people Harvey is so excited to sign, and I have a nagging feeling I’m doing the wrong thing.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’d rather be working for non-profits, helping them invest. The idea of growing an investment for, say… the ASPCA, is exciting to me. Dealing with some of these
prima donnas
who think they are God’s gift to the world…I don’t like it. I don’t like them, and I don’t want to waste my time making their twenty million become forty million. I want to help people…people who need help.”

“Have you told Harvey?”

“I don’t have the heart to. He’s so excited.” She lowered her gaze to her hands.

“If you work hard at it and make it a success, can’t you write your own ticket there and do what you want to do?”

“Maybe. I hadn’t considered that angle…I’ll think about it.”

“Hard work has always been the one thing I could control in my life…my way to success.”

“I’m not afraid of hard work. Wish it could be for a worthy cause.” Her gaze met his.

“What about me?”

“You’re different.” Megan shrugged.

“And you’re overdressed.” He cocked an eyebrow.

Megan slowly stripped off the clingy little dress she wore to reveal a turquoise bra and matching panties. Chaz, previously slumped in a chair, bolted upright. “Holy Hell, are you bringing that to Phoenix?”

“I could…if you want.” The heat of his gaze traveled through the screen, warming her.

“Oh, I want. I want so very badly. Yes, please bring that, wear it, whatever. Wow.”

“Now you.”

Chaz stripped off his t-shirt and slid his snug jeans down to the floor. Megan’s smile widened as her gaze caressed his bare chest.