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  He chuckled. “I’m not supposed to see the bride, not the dress.”

  “Same difference. I have to see it.” A dreamy expression settled on her face, and the corner of her mouth lifted in a sweet smile. “I wonder what it looks like.”

  He loved the look in her eyes. It meant she hadn’t a single doubt about marrying him, something that had worried him since he proposed. “I’m sure it’s nothing like the woman who’ll wear it.” He cupped the back of her head and captured her lips in a kiss, taking his time as he relished the taste of her.

  She protested and wedged a hand between their lips.

  “Oh no you don’t.” Then she spoiled her protest by kissing him and nipping his lower lip. “Now go,” she ordered, taking a step back and pointing at the door. The dreamy expression she’d worn was gone. In its place was the kick-ass stuntwoman who feared nothing and no one. It only made her more desirable, especially since she was naked and her rosy nipples were puckered so invitingly. She saw the direction of his eyes and grinned. But when her eyes lowered to his mindless cock, which was already responding to his thoughts, she groaned. Lex grinned.

  “No, you can’t do this to me again, Lex. You can’t shower with me either. You’re too distracting.” The knock came again. “That’s probably Faith at the door. Tell her I’ll be out as soon as I’m done. If it’s Douglas, order him to take pain meds for his tooth. You made me forget to give him some.”

  It wasn’t Faith. He and Douglas had signals that had served them well over the years. From a single knock on the window of a limo that indicated it was okay to open the door to when he could interrupt Lex in the bedroom.

  Lex planted his hands on his hips and almost laughed at the longing in Jillian’s eyes as she stared at his erection.

  “Well?” he teased. She hated seeing an erection go to waste, she’d often said.

  She growled and pointed at the door. “Go.”

  Lex was still chuckling when he closed the bathroom door behind him. Jillian was a woman after his heart. She wasn’t afraid to show him that she had a healthy sexual appetite, or that she enjoyed his body. She didn’t complain when he wanted a mindless fuck or when he wanted to make love to her again and again. Of course, if she ever complained, he’d stop and then show her what she was missing. She’d hinted that she wouldn’t mind watching him masturbate. He hadn’t had the pleasure of doing that in her presence yet. She tended to take over. And he didn’t believe in forcing a woman to do something she didn’t want to do, but he had no problem luring her back to his bed.

  He grabbed a robe and headed for the door. Douglas was walking away when Lex yanked open the door. He noted the camera with a large zoom lens slung around his neck. Douglas had promised to take care of the reporters, not join them.

  “Do I need to ask about that?” Lex indicated the camera with a nod.

  Douglas’ expression didn’t change as he walked back. “No, sir, but the owner will be grateful when he gets it back. He said something interesting though. One of the film crew called and told him Jillian was in the limo with us. He didn’t reveal his source, but he knew you were engaged and that you’re getting married on Saturday.”

  He didn’t care if the whole world knew he was marrying Jillian, but how Douglas got his information mattered. He never cared before. He’d been perfectly happy leaving things in his capable hands. Now that Lex had Jillian, he worried that anything they did could impact her.

  “He’s not hurt, is he?”

  Surprise flickered across Douglas’ face. “No, sir. Just unconscious. I used pressure points to knock him out.”

  Lex nodded. He could live with that. “How did the rest go?”

  “They’re scrambling to contact their editors about the piece the XSN people did. It was also on a syndicated radio show an hour ago. From what I heard from the callers, the tides are turning fast.”

  That was a good start. By the time Jillian gives the press her statement, they’ll all be on her side. “Is the film crew back?”

  “Yes, sir. The press plied them with questions about Ms. Jillian, but no one was willing to talk to them. A few mentioned the fact that she keeps to herself.”

  Lex frowned. The press could spin that either way. They could make her a shy person who shunned publicity, which would endear her to people, or snooty, leading to the opposite effect. “Was Chris with them?”

  “No, sir, but a few of the guys told the reporters to leave Ms. Jillian alone.”

  Must be the stunt crew. He’d noticed how protective they were of her. “Okay, Douglas. That will be all for tonight.”

  “Will you be going out to dinner, or should I dismiss the limo for tonight?”

  Lex didn’t think Jillian was ready to brave the outside world yet. She was a contradiction, an entertainer who hated the press. “Go ahead, unless you need his services tonight.”

  “No, sir. The food downstairs is decent enough. Would you like me to order something for you and Ms. Jillian? There are nearby restaurants with varied cuisines.”

  “We can take care of ourselves tonight. Tell the driver to be here by eight.” Jillian was filming around ten, but he knew a restaurant that served amazing pancakes and wanted her to try them. “And Douglas, take something for your tooth, or she’ll wake you up in the dead of the night and force you to take them.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Bidding Douglas goodnight, he headed back to the bathroom, getting rid of the robe along the way.

  Jillian was still in the shower when Lex entered. She was singing off-key. He grinned. Now he knew one thing she wasn’t perfect at. Once, he’d imagined himself singing in a band, but then his father had died and his brothers had needed guidance. Afterward, everything he’d done was not just for himself. He’d become the yardstick they measured themselves up against, watching him and emulating his mannerisms, until they outgrew the pimply-face stage and became their own men. He’d endured a garage band, dirt bike craze, drag and street races, and girl problems. He’d never tested his voice or experienced youthful escapades, which he regretted. And he never had women problems until the day he met Jillian. But she was one bundle of mayhem he would never regret.

  He opened the door and joined her. He liked showering with her. It always led to interesting things.

  “Was it Faith?” Jillian asked, glancing at him over her shoulder.

  “Douglas.” He wrapped his arms around her waist, brought her back to his front, and dropped his head to kiss her, water pelting his head. He shook his head. “He came to tell us he’s taken care of the reporters downstairs.”

  She frowned. “How?”

  “He gave them something to focus on for now. We’ll have to do a lot more to get them off your back.” He stroked a sensual line from her shoulder to her chest.

  She turned and created space between them. “What exactly did Douglas do?”

  “This and that.” Lex reached for the shampoo.

  She grabbed the bottle and hid it behind her. “What kind of answer is that? You’re not doing things behind my back, mister. I don’t like people micromanaging my life. You want to help me deal with any situation, discuss your plans with me first, so we’re on the same page. No, we come up with a plan and execute it. Together. Get it?”

  Her hands were now on her hips, and she looked glorious. His chest warmed with a familiar feeling he now associated with her. “You are adorable when angry.”

  She growled in frustration. “Don’t do that. Don’t try to win a fight with a compliment. It’s insulting to both of us.”

  He grinned. “Is that what we’re having? A fight?”

  Her eyes narrowed. She jabbed the shampoo at him. “You’re skating on thin ice, pal. Start talking. What did Douglas do?”

  “You need to give a statement to the media. I’ll make the call and get the reporters in a room. You tell them what they need to know. Or what you need them to know.”

  Fear flashed in her eyes, but she recovered quickly. “Bad idea on so man
y levels. One, I don’t talk to reporters. Let them say and write whatever they want. Two, I have nothing they need.”

  Lex frowned. He hadn’t imagined the fear in her eyes earlier in the limo. “Are you worried about something?”

  “Nope,” she said and pressed the shampoo in his hand. “Once the press realizes I’m not going to enable them, they’ll leave me alone.”

  For someone who’d been in show business all her life, she was naïve. He’d work on her later. “Forget about talking to them now. We’ll come up with a better solution. Together.”

  “You are a fast learner.” She reached up and kissed him. When he reached out to hold her, she slipped away and left the shower, laughing. He didn’t understand the sparkle in her eyes until cold water hit him and he realized she’d adjusted the setting of the water temperature.

  He shuddered and turned it off. “I’m going to get you for that,” he vowed.

  He heard a tinkle of laughter, then, “You’ll have to catch me first.”

  Lex stepped out of the shower and went after her. She squealed and ran out of the bathroom. He followed her laughter to the bedroom. If someone had told him a month ago he’d one day be chasing a naked woman in a hotel room with no intention of screwing her brains out and loving every moment of it, he would have called them crazy.

  “You can’t pull that shit and get away with it,” he warned, blocking the only escape route—the door to the living room. She stood by the bed, ready to hop on it and scramble to the other side. “I have a thing about cold water.”

  “Boohoo, big baby.”

  He feigned a move to her right. She jumped on the bed and headed in the opposite direction. She ran for the door, but he was faster. He caught her by the waist and lifted her up. She squealed and kicked, the sound of her laughter bouncing around the room. He carried her to the bed and threw her on it, trapping her with his thigh and arm.

  “You know you can never escape me, don’t you?” he whispered against her lips.

  “Now, why would I want to do that when I love playing with you?” She freed her leg and wrapped it around his thigh. The back of her other knee cradled his erection. “Kissing you.” She planted kisses on his cheeks, nose, and forehead. “Making you laugh.” She skimmed a hand along his side. “Are you ticklish?”

  “Of course not.” He was. Lex tried to get off her, but her leg tightened around his thigh.

  “Liar,” she said and zoned in on his armpit, but he trapped her hand. “Admit it.”

  “No way.” He buried his face in her nape, determined not to squirm as she wiggled her fingers. He tried to distract her by kissing her sensitive neck and nibbling her ear, but she was unstoppable. He laughed.

  “I love seeing you like this,” she said, easing up on the torment.

  “Like what?” He stroked a sensual line down to her waist.

  “Relaxed.” She caressed his temple and traced his eyebrows to the area between them. “No frown lines.” She swept a finger down his nose to his lips. “Sensual lips curved into a smile.”

  “I was relaxed and smiling earlier,” he whispered, letting her map his face as though memorizing his features with her fingers. He loved her touch. It was gentle. Feather light. Loving. His chest warmed again.

  “That was the release of sexual tension you’d built up.” She stroked his shoulders. “This is different.” She smiled and kissed him. “But as much as I love it, I have to go now.”

  He didn’t want to leave her arms either. “Dinner is at seven. Here in my room. I’ll make the arrangements. We’ll get your things from your room and move them in here afterward.”

  She groaned. “No-oo. It’s too much work to move now, Lex. When I pack, I’m heading to the airport.”

  “Tell Troy to do it. His duties include packing and unpacking for you.”

  “Uh, no way. I’m not letting him touch my delicates. We’re not that close.” She bucked as though to push him off her, but he trapped both her legs with his. “Come on, hun. Move.”

  “You’re not sleeping a floor below mine while I’m here, Jillian. You either bring your things in here, or I’m moving in with you. Take your pick.”

  She swatted his ass playfully. “With that attitude, I’m better off staying in my room tonight. Alone.”

  Stubborn woman. He stood, pulled her up and into his arms, and pressed a kiss on her temple. “Don’t fight me on our sleeping arrangements. You’ll lose.”

  “You already lost, you knucklehead. I told you not to micromanage me. What room is Faith in?”

  CHAPTER 4

  Of course, she planned to sleep in Lex’s arms. It didn’t matter which room they used. She missed falling asleep while listening to the firm beat of his heart and knowing he’d be there to wake her up with a kiss.

  Lex was a passionate man and unconventional. Some men preferred late night sex, while others wanted it in the morning. Lex made love whenever and wherever. He could be aggressive in what she now called his fuck-mode, but he could also be gentle and wickedly sensual when he switched to the lover. He might rock her world when he plundered her at a ferocious pace, but when he made love to her, he completely screwed with her head. She wasn’t a crier, yet she did every time.

  With a different man, Jillian would be afraid to show that much vulnerability. Not with Lex. She knew he would never exploit her weaknesses because he let her see him vulnerable, too. There was nothing she liked better than having him at her mercy. Those moments might be few and far apart, but she treasured them just as much as she did the times when he made her cry.

  Troy wasn’t back in their suite. She got rid of her borrowed man clothes and studied the marks Lex had left on her skin. She bruised too damn easily. She got to work covering the pink blotches.

  “Pathetic,” she murmured.

  Giving up, she changed with Lex in mind. He loved her in sexy things, and she loved his reaction. She studied her reflection after putting on the stockings, garter belt, and matching panties and bra. She pulled on a simple tube dress. It didn’t take a lot of movement for it to hike up and show the edge of the stockings. It was going to drive him nuts.

  Grinning, she dialed Troy’s cell number.

  “Hey, we were just talking about you,” he said.

  Not exactly what she wanted to hear. “Why?”

  “We’re hanging out in the trailer and invited some of the reporters for a chat.”

  Her stomach dipped. She hated feeling vulnerable like that. “Why would you guys do that?”

  “Just a second.” There was silence, and then Troy came back on the line. “The reporters ambushed us when we came back, and they started making comments that ticked off the crew. Chris told them that if they wanted to know about you, they should either talk to you or to people who know you. Then he invited them inside the trailer, and the guys did a Q and A about working with you.”

  Annoyance flashed through Jillian. What the hell was Chris thinking? “Like what?”

  “Nothing personal,” Troy said quickly. “Just about work.”

  She relaxed and grinned. She should have known Chris would not betray her. “I can imagine.”

  “They told them about the time you sprained your wrist but didn’t tell anyone because the production was behind schedule and you didn’t want the director to blame Chris and the stunt crew. And when you helped an actress who was having a hard time getting her sequence right after she nearly had you fired. In fact, one of the reporters tried to bring up the topic of your grandmother and Mr. Fitzgerald, but no one responded. He finally got the hint that certain subjects were off-limits. Oh, two things. Someone called the local reporters and told them about your engagement and wedding. Who did you tell?”

  Jillian frowned. “You, Chris, and the stunt crew. I handed out the invitations days ago, but they are my people and they wouldn’t talk. Not after I told them it was a private affair.”

  “Hmm, strange. Isn’t Barbs friends with Lex’s mother?”

  Jillian couldn’
t see the producer using her for free publicity. On the other hand, anything was possible in this business.

  “Someone talked, Jillian,” Troy said, sounding pissed. “From now on, I’m going to screen people who have access to you. Expect questions from reporters about the piece a station did on you.” The door to the suite opened, and Troy entered.

  She hadn’t known he was headed upstairs or she would have told him not to bother. She terminated the call. “What station?”

  “XSN News.”

  “Really?” XSN or Kisn as it was usually called, was her go-to place for everything extreme in sports. “What did they say?”

  “They did a piece on you and your family, showed footage of your family performing for the troops. It’s on right now.” He turned off his cell and picked up the remote control for the TV. “You should see it.”

  Jillian looked at her watch and groaned. “I can’t. Maybe later. I’m changing then leaving.” He followed her into the bedroom. “In fact, you didn’t have to come upstairs.”

  “I thought you wanted me.”

  “It can wait. Are you familiar with Faith Fitzgerald’s work?”

  “Falasha Designs? Yes. She’s gifted, but far from being a household name. In a few years, maybe. It’s a cutthroat business.”

  “Household name or not, she’s designing my wedding dress, so cancel all the appointments you’ve made.” She threw him an apologetic glance. “I’m sorry. I know how hard you worked to find what I liked.”

  Troy shrugged. “I’m sure they’re used to cancelations. It’s not like they created the gowns after my call. I’ll contact them first thing in the morning.”

  “Thank you.” She touched his arm and started for the door. “I’m going to see her now. I’ll let you know how it goes.”

  “She’s here?” Troy asked, following her. “Can I come with?”

  “Nope. You’ll see the dress with everybody else on Saturday. I’m sure she doesn’t want an audience while she pokes and prods me like a pin cushion.” Jillian ignored Troy’s disappointed expression. “Go hang out with the gang.”