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  Chris chuckled. “Be careful out there, and remember to focus, stay in control, and don’t be ashamed to ask for help when you’re in trouble.”

  Jillian rolled her eyes. “Oh, please. He’s just a man.”

  Chris groaned. “I meant skydiving, Jill. He’s already making you forget about work.” His expression became serious. “I won’t be able to give you a pep talk before you jump, so remember everything I’ve taught you.”

  Focus, stay in control, and when in trouble improvise… the three rules she lived by.

  ~*~

  Lex Fitzgerald studied the people scurrying about the Perris Valley Skydiving field and grimaced. The idea that he could find a solution to his business problem in Hollywood would have been ludicrous a week ago. Now, here he was.

  To his left were several RV trailers with tinted windows, gleaming exteriors, and popped out sides. Beside them, the other trailers looked drab and several decades old. To his right was a huge contraption with Indoor Skydiving printed on it. It wasn’t exactly the place to search for the perfect person to play the role of his wife, but he was desperate.

  Once he’d made up his mind about what had to be done, he’d set a plan in motion. Reading resumes. Doing background checks. Studying headshots, not that looks had anything to do with acting abilities. He had a history of dating a certain kind of woman, and if he deviated from that, his family would be onto him.

  He’d already chosen ten promising candidates. All he had to do now was observe the actresses in action, without them knowing his identity or intentions, and narrow down the list. People tended to act like idiots whenever his name was mentioned. Half the time he wasn’t sure whether he or his family was the cause.

  Lex was a real estate developer with a knack for finding prime properties— returning decrepit buildings to their former glory and empty lots into an oasis for those with discerning tastes. Becoming a billionaire before he hit forty was proof that the key to success was hard work and innovation. But his large Irish-American family had a presence on the west coast. They covered the full spectrum when it came to careers. From public servants to successful entrepreneurs, sports figures to land owners, one couldn’t pick a profession without a Fitzgerald popping up.

  Two years ago, his cousin Eddie, a former cop with the LAPD, had approached him with a proposal to create custom-made motorcycles. They’d started Leeds and launched their first motorcycle—Leeds Road King. Three months ago, they’d released Street Rider X and XD, the second one lighter and more appealing to younger riders. The reviews had been great and bike enthusiasts had taken notice, the first quarter surpassing their expectations. But when they started receiving orders from overseas, especially Asia and South America, Lex had realized they needed a distributor. One with a respected reputation in the extreme sports industry. There was only one distributor worth courting: Hujimura Motorcycle Distributors, a family-owned company with branches across the globe. Unfortunately, the CEO was a traditionalist.

  Yoshi Hujimura didn’t believe in doing business with unmarried men. According to him, unmarried men lacked tradition and stability, which meant they were not dependable.

  What a crock of shit.

  Lex was all about tradition and dependability. He was still unmarried at thirty-nine because he had to fulfill a promise he’d given his father—watch over his brothers and sister, and make sure they settled into their lives and chosen careers.

  He was close to fulfilling that promise. All his brothers, his sister, and cousins, who’d joined his family along the way, were happily married and had thriving careers. Eddie was the last one.

  Eddie might be a genius when it came to designing engines and motorcycles, but he was no businessman. Lex lived and breathed business. He’d been running Fitz-Valdez Real Estate since he was in his twenties. That he had to marry some stranger now to seal a deal didn’t bother him. Once his cousin’s business took off, Lex would be free to focus on his personal life.

  “Nice ride.”

  Lex’s head snapped toward the sexy, feminine voice. A woman in a red skydiving suit walked toward him, her eyes on his bike.

  He tried not to cringe. She was everything he hated about Hollywood. Her makeup was over the top, like she was trying to cover up all her imperfections. And it was impossible to tell her hair color because of the atrocious multicolored wig.

  As though she felt his disapproval, she shoved her hands in the pockets of her jumpsuit. The action drew his attention to her generous hips.

  “Thank you,” he said politely and hoped the woman would go away.

  She stepped closer. “I like the modifications.”

  Lex gave her a second glance, trying to see beyond the heavy makeup. He noted her button nose, lush lips, and the gentle curve of her cheekbone. “Modifications?”

  “The handlebar, the chrome finish, and the hand-adjustable rear suspension weren’t in the original Road King. The adjustable seats and the fenders are also new.”

  A woman who knew bikes. Now he was intrigued. He noted more things about her. She wasn’t busty, but her posture said she was proud of whatever she had under the suit. He was a curves man. Not something to brag about, but curves and gentleness were two things he appreciated and enjoyed in the opposite sex.

  He couldn’t tell anything about her. Not her hair or the color of her eyes hidden by the long fake lashes and hooded eyelids as she studied his ride. Not that it mattered now. She could be wearing a sack over her head and he’d find her interest in his bike fascinating.

  “It can hit eighty in fifth gear and still run smoothly,” Lex said. “You obviously know your bikes.”

  “I’ve ridden some, modified a few. Road Kings are powerful and beautiful, but I prefer smaller bikes. I own an XD after years of being an F4i fan, but—”

  F4i were made by Honda and were favored stunt bikes. Eddie planned to replace them with Leeds bikes. “But?”

  Her head lifted, and their eyes met. She flashed a smile. “The XD could do with a little tweaking here and there. How does RK handle on the highway?”

  He’d pushed the RK to one-forty with ease, but he was still reeling from the effect of her smile and couldn’t respond. It transformed her face, garish makeup and all. She had gorgeous turquoise eyes, darker on the edges and lighter toward the center. Then what she’d said registered.

  More tweaking? Eddie and his team of engineers had worked their asses off to get the engine and proportions right. He reigned in his annoyance and forced himself to focus on her question. What was it? The RK on the road.

  “Handle her with care, and she’ll give you the best ride of your life.”

  “Sounds like something I’d like to try,” she purred, grinning while giving him a slow perusal that said she was flirting with him. “I love rides. All kinds of rides,” she added softly, voice all husky, eyes meeting his under the canopy of her fake lashes.

  And damn if she didn’t get a rise out of him. She wasn’t even his type. “Maybe I’ll let you, if you ask nicely,” slipped out of his mouth before he realized it.

  “I don’t do nice, but I could make an exception”—she laughed, her eyes twinkling—“for the Road King.” She turned and threw over her shoulder, “Nice chatting with you. Take care of that baby. It’s truly a king among bikes.”

  Lex didn’t say anything. He was still trying to find his balance. Who knew a woman’s laugh could have such an effect on him. When she’d paused at an exception, he’d expected her to say him. He’d never been jealous of a bike until today.

  His eyes followed her, loving the sway of her hips, which was surely for his benefit. She confirmed it when she glanced over her shoulder, winked, and laughed.

  That rise she’d gotten out of him was now a throbbing hard-on. Lex shook his head to clear it and focused on controlling his body. He didn’t know what had just happened, but he was finally looking forward to being at the Perris Valley Skydiving School today and the party this weekend. He had to know the identity of that wom
an.

  “Excuse me?” A man wearing a security badge interrupted his musing. “The drop zone is off-limits today, sir.”

  “I’m here to see Barbs Riggins.” Lex handed him his card.

  The guard studied it. Of course, the man didn’t know Lex or that he was bankrolling this movie. “You need to talk to Mr. Gunter, the location manager. No one sees Mrs. Riggins without going through him.”

  He’d made the necessary adjustments in his schedule for this detour, and the last thing he needed was to be given the runaround. On the other hand, he couldn’t take out his frustrations on a guy following orders.

  “Okay, my friend, take me to Mr. Gunter.”

  “This way, sir.” The guard headed toward groups of people under a tent at the edge of the field. Possibly actors and actresses. Beside them were several golf carts.

  According to the studio, they were filming here for the rest of the day. The drop zone might not be open to the public, but he could see spectators by the club building. Another group was by the plane, which was already on their little runway. He could see the woman in the red suit talking to Barbs.

  Barbs and her husband were a Hollywood power couple. He produced, she directed. Their romantic comedies often became blockbusters, but with the Terra Frost franchise, they were branching out into a new territory. Because the last installment of Terra Frost had tanked, the studio almost canned it, until Barbs and her husband took it over and brought in younger actors to keep its target audience. Convincing his mother, Estelle Fitzgerald, to get involved hadn’t been hard. She liked a challenge.

  “Which one is Gunter?” Lex asked.

  “The one in a white suit,” the guard answered, pointing at a gangly man in a Dodgers baseball cap. He was with the group by the tent.

  Mr. Gunter looked up and smiled when he saw Lex. He left the others and hurried toward him while talking into the earpiece of a walkie-talkie.

  “This is a wonderful surprise, Mr. Fitzgerald.” He shook Lex’s hand with enthusiasm.

  “I hope I’m not in the way,” Lex said. “My secretary called.”

  “She must have talked to Barbs, but you are always welcome here, sir. Come and meet the rest of the gang.” Gunter was in the middle of introducing another assistant something when Barbs’ golf cart pulled up beside them.

  “Lex!” she called, hurrying to his side and tilting her head for a kiss. “I cannot believe it’s taken you this long to come see us, you naughty boy.”

  Lex chuckled. Barbs had known Lex since he was a child. He’d even had a crush on her at one time. Unlike his mother who was accepting her age gracefully, Barbs had nipped and tucked all signs of aging and could pass for a forty-something from a distance. Her dark hair was without a single gray strand.

  “Why? Do you want me looking over your shoulder?” Lex teased.

  She laughed, her hazel eyes twinkling. “As long as we’re within budget, my dear.” She took his arm and led him away from the others. Like his mother, she didn’t reach his shoulder, but she knew how to command attention. “Of course, if you had a few million more to throw my way, I wouldn’t cut corners.”

  Lex grinned. He had bankrolled the production because of his mother. Estelle Fitzgerald was one woman Lex had never been able to refuse anything.

  “I’m out of millions,” he said just as the plane’s engine kicked into gear. Lex’s attention shifted. The people on the ground moved away from the plane. The biker chick in red was gone. “What’s going on?”

  Barbs shaded her eyes with her hand, despite her sunglasses, and studied the plane as its blade whipped the air. “A mid-air fight. It’s spectacular. We’ve done dry runs, and Lander timed down the sequence to the last second.”

  Lex frowned. “I thought you did that kind of thing in a simulator.”

  “We do,” Barbs said. “But we also shoot at a location for authenticity. The camera crew on the ground”—she waved toward the field—“and the one jumping with the actors give us views from different angles.” She touched the communicator piece on her right ear. “Oh, excuse me. I need to answer this. Yes? Go ahead. Give him whatever he wants to make him happy.”

  Lex watched the plane taxi, anticipation making him edgy. Barbs touched his arm. “If I know you, you didn’t read the summary I sent you or the list of stars.”

  Not until last week when it became apparent he needed help. “I’ve been busy.”

  “We got Keith LeBlanc as the supporting actor. Lots of talent there. He’s the next Cruise. Yes?” She murmured into the mouthpiece. “Is that so? Tell Jill to talk to him. She seems to have a knack for calming him down.” Barbs turned to Lex. “Maybe not the next Cruise, but close enough.”

  “Is the lead actress doing the jump with LeBlanc?”

  “Margo?” Barbs chuckled. “You wouldn’t catch her doing a single stunt, which makes Keith very refreshing. She’s in her trailer resting before her scene, which starts when Jillian lands on the ground. You should meet her. She’s a very talented young lady. I stole her from Sissy.” She giggled. “Poor Sissy still hasn’t forgiven me, but I plan to change that at your mother’s party. I’m going to introduce her to a dashing middle-aged Aussie I met last week. Might be her next husband.”

  Somehow, Lex doubted it. Sissy, another director and sorority sister to his mother, loved younger men. “Jillian?”

  “The stuntwoman, Jillian Finnegan. She’s Margo’s double. Leslie”—Barbs waved to a tiny blonde hovering by the golf cart—“tell Margo we have a visitor she must meet.”

  Lex had no interest in Margo anymore even though she had made his list. Jillian Finnegan hadn’t, but she was on it now. Stuntwoman.

  The woman he’d met was no one’s double. He remembered the sparkle in her eyes, the tinkle of her laugh and its effect on him. He stared at the plane as it took off, anticipation and apprehension shooting through him.

  He might have just found the woman he was searching for.

  CHAPTER 2

  Jillian studied the patches of green and brown visible from the window of the Cessna. They were about thirteen thousand feet above the drop zone and should be jumping soon, yet her mind was on that biker and her reaction to him. The moment he’d turned and looked her way, she’d almost chickened out.

  Up close, the man packed way too much sex appeal. He had a presence most men worked hard to cultivate and failed.

  Talking to him… No, flirting with him had filled her with the kind of excitement and nervousness she only felt when she was about to perform a stunt. Something few men had ever achieved. And the way her body had tightened when he’d given her a once-over had completely blindsided her.

  “Jill?” Chris shouted above the drone of the aircraft’s engine.

  Jillian forced herself to focus. What the hell was wrong with her? Being distracted by a sexy smile would not do. Not before a stunt. She stood, braced herself against the wall of the plane, and moved to Chris’ side. He studied her with a frown.

  “Are you okay?” he asked, concern in the depth of his eyes.

  “Yeah. I’m good. Great.” Liar. She was rattled. She’d never reacted to a man the way she had to that biker. Damn it. She didn’t like not being in control. She nodded vigorously as though trying to convince herself more than Chris.

  Scowling, Chris’ narrowed eyes stayed on her as though he didn’t like what he was seeing, or hearing. He could always read her. “Then pull yourself together or we’re scrapping the jump.”

  And have Barbs get angry? No way. Her temper was legendary. So far, it had been smooth sailing on the set. But Jillian had overheard her and her husband arguing about keeping the production on schedule and on budget.

  Cheeks warm, Jillian said firmly, “I’m fine.”

  “Then prove it,” Chris snapped.

  Why was he riding her so hard? She had this. She took a deep breath and exhaled. I’m in control. I can handle anything.

  Calmer, she stared straight into Chris’ eyes and caught the flicker of concer
n in their depths before he went back to being her superior. “I’m good.”

  Chris continued to study her intently. She sighed with relief when he nodded and glanced at Keith. “Calm him down.”

  Jillian stole a glance at the Aussie. She could see why Chris was concerned. Keith’s jaw flexed, and he kept clenching and unclenching his hands. Most actors and actresses didn’t do their own stunts, but the import from Australia liked to do things his way, including his stunts. So far, he had braved scenes that would have fazed an amateur stuntman.

  As if aware of Jillian’s scrutiny, he glanced at her and flashed a smile. His sweet smile often captivated female fans of all ages. Too bad it didn’t have the same effect on her. The sensual promise she’d glimpsed on the biker’s lips had packed a bigger punch. Made her wonder what kind of kisser he was. She’d never believed in instant lust, until today.

  Dang it, she was thinking about him again.

  She stole a glance at Chris to see if he was watching, but he was busy consulting with Packman—the first assistant director standing in for Barbs. Jillian scooted to Keith’s side. “You ready?”

  “Yep.” Then he chuckled nervously and swept a lock of blond hair from his forehead. “Guess I’m a little nervous. How can you stand doing this all the time?”

  Jillian shrugged. “I don’t let fear stop me. Plus, it pays the bills.” She was twenty-nine, not old enough to start worrying about retirement and not too young to believe she was invincible. Serious injuries were always a possibility and a concern. “Everything will be fine,” she reassured him. “Just follow the sequences we did during dry runs and nothing will go wrong. Remember, I have your back and Chris is the best in the field.”

  “And you’re not saying that because you’re his niece?”

  Honorary niece, but he didn’t need to know that. “No. You did the burning car scenes yesterday and made it out without a scratch.”

  Keith grinned. “That was amazing. He’s kind of a perfectionist.”