Page 43 of Out of the Gold

Talk to her, dude. “There’s nothing about you that’s plain, Goldie.”

She puts the empty bottle into the recycle bin and stares at it. She whispers, “How do the leggings feel?”

I approach her. “Like they were sewn with care.”

Her head tilts upward, hazel eyes widening when she realizes I’m right next to her. “Chase.”

Not my given name. The air thickens. “I want to go out to dinner with you tonight.” My breath seizes at the disbelief and dismay written all over her face.

“Last night . . .”

“I was shocked.” I go to cup her chin, but she moves backward, out of my grasp. “I couldn’t imagine someone as gorgeous and intriguing as you is still a virgin.”

Her arms cross over her chest, in a clear effort to protect herself. From me. For the first time, I notice dark circles under her eyes, covered with concealer. “Well, I am.”

The urge to be her first grabs me by the balls. “We’ll take it slow.” An unwanted thought crosses my mind. “That is, if—” I can’t make myself complete the rest of the sentence. Shehasto have feelings for me, considering mine for her.

Her hands reach behind her head and out come the knitting needles. Her spun gold hair tumbles over her shoulders. How can she be unaware of how enticing she is? Her broken whisper reaches my ears. “Please.”

Her response breaks my dam. My naked arms reach out and bring her willing body against mine. “I think you’re very special. I want to spend more time with you.” I tap her forehead. “I need to know how your intriguing mind works.”

Her voice is a squeak. “My mind’s intriguing?”

I smile. “Very.” I want to pull her closer and kiss the crap out of her. Remove her cute tank top and skirt from her gorgeous body. Discover the secret of how on earth the daughter of thelegendaryBraxton Hunte is still a virgin. However, I don’t do any of that, heeding an overwhelming desire to make her comfortable with me. The possibility of us.

She stares into my eyes. “I’d like to go to dinner with you.”

How does she make me feel like I just won an Oscar by simply agreeing to go out with me? “Great.” Because excitement ricochets throughout my body, I give her a brief kiss. Too brief. But I don’t want to scare her again. “By the way, the leggings feel fine.”

“Good.” Her breath wafts to my lips.

The trailer door opens and we jump apart like two kids caught hunting for birthday presents. Helene walks up the stairs. “Melody, Judith asked me to get you. She wants to talk with you about something. I’ll finish up here with Chase.”

Melody responds, “Oh, hey, Helene. Do you know what she wants to discuss?” She works the knitting needles back into her hair.

“I’m not sure.”

While Melody’s colleague is nice enough,nowI have no desire to switch my dresser. “Melody, if you don’t mind, can you talk with Judith after you help me into the bodysuit?” Not waiting for her response, I address her colleague. “Helene, please tell your boss she’ll be there in a few minutes.”

Helene has made her way over to Melody’s designer suitcase thingy, which she left open when she got her scissors. “It’s no big deal, Chase. I can finish up.”

“No offense, but I’d rather keep to my established team.” I pause. “You know us actors and our superstitions. Don’t want to mess with my mojo before hitting the set.”

Helene plays with the items in the top tray.

I raise my eyebrow, and she steps back.

Her hands return to her side. “Fine.” She sighs. “I’ll go let Judith know. Maybe I can help her out with whatever she needs.” With that snide remark, Helene glides out of the trailer.

Within seconds, Melody’s next to me, all business. After tossing me the undershirt, she shakes out the bodysuit. “Here. We have to hurry. I have no idea what Judith wants, but I know she doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”

Not wanting to impose more than I already have, I put the shirt on, slip into the gloves, and then work the bodysuit up my torso. Of course it gets stuck mid-chest. “Sorry. I’m going as quickly as I can.”

Her hands land on my torso, causing my stomach to tighten. “We don’t want you to ruin this. Let me help you.”

Between the two of us, I’m suited up in no time. Once the snaps are done, I grab the socks and boots and head to the chair. “Go meet with Judith. I’ll be on the set shortly. I’m fine here.”

“Are you sure?”

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