Page 21 of Rush

“Yeah, I wouldn’t mind hittin’ that.”

“Too bad she’s got a kid with her.”

That grabbed Linc’s attention. He turned to see two guys a few yards away, watching Nora as she walked across the lot. Livid, he shoved his phone back into his pocket and strode over to them.

It was hard not to see him coming and they had no problem noticing him. The one guy nudged the other and they were all smiles when he arrived.

“Lincoln Scott! Man, it’s a pleasure—”

Linc ignored the guy’s protruding hand. “You like your eyes in their sockets?”

Their smiles instantly fell along with the guy’s hand which he left dangling at his side as mutual confusion clouded their features.

Linc helped them out, growling, “That’s my woman you’re eye-fucking.”

Both their Adam’s apples bobbed as they swallowed.

The shorter of the two bravely spoke up, “I’m sorry, man. No disrespect. We didn’t know.”

He eyed them each in turn. “You won’t be hitting that now or ever. Got it?”

They nodded in unison.

“Remember it.” He shot them one last meaningful look before giving them his back to head over to the craft table.

He stopped short when one said, “Is it possible to get your autograph?”

Not bothering to look back, he just kept walking. Fucking idiots.

He was still seething ten minutes later when he got called back onto the set, barely having a chance to inhale half a sandwich.

And fifteen minutes after that, the director was shouting, “Yes! That’s the energy I’ve been looking for! One more time from the top with that same passion.”

Turns out, the director wanted angry.

Who fucking knew!

Chapter Eight

Their hotel in Beverly Hills was beautiful and not someplace Nora could ever hope to afford to stay. So, while Linc was busy at the studio, she took advantage of the luxury, putting on her bathing suit and taking Sophie to the tropical-themed pool.

Yet another reminder of the vast difference between her and Linc’s social standings. If the limo hadn’t driven the point home earlier, this hotel with its glamorous opulence and every amenity under the sun surely pounded the last nail into Nora’s optimistic coffin. Linc could never look at her and not think country mouse. Although she hated to admit it, the eye-opener was a good thing. After spending so much time with Linc, getting to know the man behind the celebrity, she’d been starting to believe her fantasies had a chance to come true. All of this glitz was a good reminder of her real role.

Still early afternoon, the pool area was crowded when they arrived though the pool itself was virtually empty—only one lone swimmer was doing laps. Seemed as though the hotel’s guests preferred to sunbathe rather than swim, taking up most of the loungers. Nora was lucky enough to snag a pair on the outskirts, which she quickly claimed by tossing her and Sophie’s towels and discarded clothing on top.

Not yet the height of summer, the California sun still shone with nary a cloud to block its warming rays. Nora soaked it in, tipping her head back, relishing the heat hitting her cheeks. Something she missed with Portland’s mostly overcast skies. Oz kept promising sunnier days, but she’d yet to see that happen.

A tug on her hand got her attention. Sophie, looking adorable in a pink with purple polka dots one-piece, wasimpatient to get in the water. The girl didn’t talk, yet she had no trouble making her wishes known.

Nora stood in the shallows of the tepid yet refreshing water, legs planted wide for balance and watched as Sophie swam the width of the shallow end, making extended strokes with her arms and powerful kicks with her legs, not having a problem putting her face in the water like so many children her age did.

After over an hour of splashing antics, Nora called a halt to their play. “Let’s get out and take a break. I want us to rest and apply more sunscreen.” Though she’d loaded them both with SPF 30 before coming down to the pool, Nora could feel a slight burn on her shoulders and figured they could both use a fresh application.

“Remember to always walk, not run, around a pool,” Nora called out to Sophie’s retreating back as the little girl made a beeline toward their lounge chairs.

Sophie slowed her pace but still ended up reaching them before Nora, picking up a towel and trying unsuccessfully to get it wrapped around her shoulders.

“Here, let me help.”

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