Page 8 of Ride 'Em Hard
“How come I’ve never seen you?”
My heart sinks a bit, not that I should be embarrassed about my job. “Because I work in the office, not on set.” I sigh. “Because I read screenplays in a tiny crappy cubicle all day while I try to sell my own screenplay.” I angle up at him to check if he’s listening. Chase meets my gaze. “Charlene St. James will move my script to the top of the pile if I can get you to come back to work onRide ’Em Hard.”
“So they did send you. Well, I’m a hotter commodity than I thought.”
“You are.” My heart feels lighter with hope. “And your fans love you. If you could just come back to the set, I’m sure Vital will give you whatever you want to make you happy.”
“Not happening. And I don’t have to explain why to you,” he grunts.
“But it’s a win-win for you, and your fans will be thrilled.” I give him the best perky smile I can muster, but I can see by his blank expression I’m not talking him into doing anything. “Look.” I let out a big sigh. “I have to sell my script. I need the money,” I add truthfully, hoping he’ll soften and see the bigger picture, though it probably doesn’t matter now. I don’t bother mentioning all my credit card debt, or how long it took me to write the stinking thing.
“Did you take any pictures of me?”
“No.”
“Did you sneak around my house?”
“I don’t even know where it is. I was out of gas, lost, and trying to get a decent signal out here to call someone to help me when you went all gunslinger on me.”
Chase appears to mull it over, but he has his usual poker face on, and the way he’s wearing his hat tucked down low makes his thoughts a mystery and even more worrying. What the hell is he planning on doing to me? I glance back at him. God, is he beautiful, but his expression is unreadable. He isn’t one of the most highly paid actors in the world for nothing.
Chapter Four
Inudge the mare forwardin a slow trot and take in the scenery, but it’s hard to concentrate on the trail with Lexi’s curves rubbing against me and her smooth legs practically glued to mine.
“Let’s park this subject for now and ask Doc to look at that ankle.”
Lexi shrugs and settles back. I feel her body relax against my chest, and I reflexively tighten my arms around her while guiding Angel down the path to Doc’s.
I don’t know if Lexi even realizes what she’s doing, but the fact that she’s leaning on me makes me want to look after her, protect her.
How a woman can get under my skin like this in so little time is anyone’s guess, but she’s tucked under it all right, making my cock throb and my head think of all kinds of crazy shit it shouldn’t be thinking...
There was something in those sweet eyes of hers when she confessed she was trying to sell her script that bothers me. I believe her. But I can’t wrap my head around why a firecracker like her would work in such a shitty industry. She’s not the plasticky Hollywood type. Not at all.
As we approach the house I pull back on the reins and slow Angel to a walk. Doc comes out of his log cabin and stares at us from the porch.
