His Larkville Cinderella

At least she wasn’t one of those rabid stalker fans who stared at him in awe, saw his movies at least three times on opening weekends, slept on a pillowcase bearing his image and believed he was truly the character Neptune, his most successful role to date, and wanted him to impregnate her with a half human, half deity fetus. Those women scared him.

“Mr. Noble.” A feminine voice with a slight twang called his name.

Adam stopped. People rarely called him mister. He kind of liked it. He wondered which of the scantily dressed beauties the Southern accent belonged to. He wouldn’t mind playing Rhett Butler to a Scarlett O’Hara, especially one who showed the same strength as the Georgia belle. He turned.

The girl with the messy hair and pink T-shirt took a step toward him.

Her? He was usually luckier than that, except she did have beautiful eyes.

On second look, she wasn’t as plain as he originally thought. She reminded him of a Midwestern tourist or one of those nerd types who attended schools like Cal Tech or MIT and recited lines from The Lord of the Rings without a moment’s hesitation. Kind of cute if you liked geeks. “Yes?”

She looked at the sand, as if meeting his gaze would turn her into a block of stone. “The meeting is about to start. They would like you to come back to the, er, house.”

Funny, but he would have never expected her to be in the business. She didn’t look like any personal assistant he’d seen running around a lot or set. Someone’s daughter or niece? Maybe the housekeeper or nanny. “You were sent to get me?”

As she nodded, hair fell out of the clip. Curly strands framed her face. Her high cheekbones, a nice straight nose and full lips were attractive. But she wore no mascara, eyeliner or foundation. Not a hint of lipstick. He was used to women wearing makeup and going to great lengths to play up their assets and look their best. This girl seemed to have missed that memo. Or maybe she didn’t care what people thought about her. He found that idea very attractive.

“Duty calls, ladies,” he said to the women in bikinis.

As they walked away with promising smiles, the girl before him shook her head. She’d yet to smile.

Her attitude amused him. He wondered what it would take to turn her disapproval into acceptance.

“Who are you? A PA?” Adam asked her.

She tilted her chin. “I’m Megan Calhoun. An intern.”

Aha. So she was at the bottom of the food chain. But that didn’t explain the way she was acting. Her attitude and her looks wouldn’t help her move up the ladder.

“We should get going, then.” He wanted to get her to crack a smile. “I wouldn’t want to be responsible for getting you into any trouble.”

No smile, but her features relaxed. Gratitude shone in her eyes. “Thanks.”

Interesting how she let every emotion show. The girl must never have heard the expression poker face before. Adam could have some fun with that. In fact, he would.

“You’re welcome.” He handed her his surfboard. “Here.”

She inhaled sharply. As her fingers gripped the wet board, she struggled to hold on to it. The Fish weighed ten pounds or so, but it was half a foot taller than her. “You want me to carry this thing?”

The indignation in her voice made him bite back a smile. Not quite a modern-day Scarlett, but as close as he’d find on a beach in Malibu. “You’re the intern.”

“In costumes,” she clarified.

Now that surprised him. Costume people tended to dress the part. They didn’t wear their best clothes when working on the set because they could get dirty. But they usually looked good. Stylish, even in their grubbies. Megan dressed like one of the tech crew. Maybe she liked being comfortable, not stylish and fashionable.

“You’re still an intern.” Adam wanted to get a response out of her. This should do it. He grinned wryly. “And I’m the star.”

CHAPTER TWO

MEGAN’S full lips narrowed into a thin line. Pink colored her cheeks. Resentful, offended, annoyed, angry, put out. Her feelings flashed across her face brighter than the neon lights on the Las Vegas Strip.

Adam had wanted a reaction. Looks like he got one.

He fought the urge to laugh. Someone who didn’t know how to control her emotions was rare in a town where showing any weakness could mean you were shark bait. He liked it. “I suppose I can carry the board myself. If it’s too much trouble for you.”

Megan didn’t say a word. But the determined set of her chin and the gold flames flickering in her eyes told him to back off.

He did. Playing with her was more fun than he thought it would be. He didn’t want her to get angry and storm off. Not that any intern would do that if they had half a brain. Truth was, he was the star and could get away with … a lot.

She maneuvered the Fish awkwardly, as if she’d never held a surfboard before. Given the way she tried to carry it, she probably hadn’t. She looked like she might tip over.

He reached toward her, but she shrugged off his assistance. Interesting. Many women liked playing the damsel in distress to his knight in shining armor. Not this one.

Megan readjusted the board, nearly losing her balance again. She walked toward the villa.

Adam’s respect inched up. She was tougher than she looked. He liked rooting for the underdog. He’d been one himself until recently.

He lengthened his stride to catch up to her. “Being an intern sucks. But you have to start somewhere in this business.”

He waited for her to say something. She didn’t.

“I was a stuntman and a stand-in before becoming an actor,” he continued.

Still nothing. That was … odd.

Something had to be wrong with her. People sucked up to him no matter what he did. Women would kill to be in her spot right now. Not carrying the surfboard, but having his undivided attention.

“Long hours.” Adam wasn’t sure why he was trying so hard. Maybe because most women liked him, flirted with him, wanted him. He wasn’t used to it when they didn’t or how to feel about that. He settled on amused. A challenge was always nice. “But it paid off in the end.”

Megan stared at Chas’s patio about a hundred yards away, as if Adam didn’t exist. He might as well be talking to a brick wall. That was both annoying and intriguing. Women didn’t ignore him. Okay, a few did because they were playing hard to get. Megan didn’t look like that type, but he’d never put anything past a woman. He’d grown up watching his mother do some crazy things to get a man.

“Let me guess,” Adam said, not ready to give up. “You’re interning in costumes, but you really want to be an actress.”

Megan stared at him as if he were a wild animal let loose from its cage at the San Diego Zoo. A V formed above the bridge of her nose, making her look strangely attractive. “Do I look like someone who wants to be an actress?”

Her harsh tone matched the annoyance in her eyes. “Honestly, no. But you could be a method actor and deep in character at the moment.”

The V deepened. “What character would that be?”

He studied her—curly, messy hair, slumping shoulders, two-sizes-too-big clothes that could be hiding some delectable curves. Or not. “Insecure girl desperately seeking a boyfriend.”

Her icy glare would have frozen the equator.

He’d been a little too honest. Next time he’d stick to being polite. “O-kay, not an actress.”

As she walked—almost marched—away from him, heading toward Chas’s place, Adam’s curiosity grew. No rings on her fingers. Hooking up with her could be a possibility. Though she wasn’t his type. He preferred athletic women who were tan, lithe and straight-to-bed sexy. Still he wouldn’t forget those eyes anytime soon.

“So …” he said.

“I’m here doing my job, Mr. Noble,” she said. “You don’t have to go out of your way to talk to me.”

Her straightforwardness surprised him.

“Call me Adam. I’m just messing with you about carrying my board. A little Hollywood hazing of the intern.” He waited to see if she was amused. Nope. He almost regretted making her carry the board. “I’ll take it now.”

She tightened her grip on the board and sped up.

Stubborn. Adam had to admit he was impressed by Megan Calhoun’s total lack of sucking up to him. He wanted to know more about her. “You sound like you’re from the South.”

No reply.

“You must be new in town,” he tried again.

Megan glanced his way again, only this time her gaze was wary. “Why do you say that?”

Her pale skin and clothing were dead giveaways. Not to mention her ignoring him. Most people no matter what their job title and status in the industry would leech on to him, like barnacles on the hull of a boat, in hopes of getting a boost to their own careers. “Just a hunch.”

“I’ve been here six days.”

“A newbie.”

She nodded.

“First time in Malibu?” he asked.

Another nod.

A breeze toyed with the ends of her hair. Adam wouldn’t mind twisting one of those curls around his finger. He imagined her hair loose, flowing past her shoulders in long ringlets. The temptation to remove her hair clip was strong.

Nah, better not try it. She would drop the Fish. Or hit him with it. The mousy ones could be a lot stronger than they looked. Megan might not have the posture of a ballerina, but she was showing some backbone.

“They call this weather the May Gray,” he explained. “The June Gloom follows.”

“I thought the beach would be sunny.”

“Don’t let the clouds fool you, you can still get sunburned. Always wear sunscreen.” That was what his mom had told him. He bet Megan’s nose would be a little pink soon. Her cheeks, too. “How do you like Los Angeles?”

“I haven’t seen much,” she said. “No time.”

It would be hard to sightsee and make friends with the hours interns worked. No pay. No sleep. Zero respect. “If you’re ever lonely and want me to show you around town …”

The offer escaped before he realized what he was saying.

Her pursed full lips looked as if they’d been specially made for slow hot kisses. Maybe she would say yes. He wouldn’t mind a kiss. He was curious whether she tasted sweet or bitter.

“Thanks,” she said. “But I’m not that lonely.”

Most likely bitter.

But her dismissive tone only piqued his interest. Chasing Megan could be interesting. Catching her, too. He winked. “At least not yet.”

She stumbled.

Adam grabbed hold of her, wrapping an arm around her waist, and the surfboard, to keep both from hitting the sand. Her body tensed beneath his hand. “Relax. I’ve got you.”

She stiffened more. “I’m okay now.”

Better than okay, actually. He expected the baggy clothes to be hiding a soft, lumpy body. But that didn’t seem to be the case. Megan Calhoun, intern, was full of surprises and much thinner and fitter than she looked. “Let go of the board.”

“I’m fine.”

“Let go or I won’t let go of you.”

Her hands released the board as if it were on fire.

He liked her doing what he said. Playful images of the things he wanted to tell her to do to him ran through his mind. He could think of a few ways to put a big smile on her face. He wondered how her eyes expressed attraction, desire, passion.

Megan accelerated her pace.

Adam kept up with her. “What’s the hurry?”

“My boss is watching us.”

He glanced up at the deck. Chas, who was producing Adam’s new film, stood next to Eva Redding, the costume designer. Adam hadn’t known which of the three costume people Megan would be working for, but she didn’t seem the type to get along with Eva. Not that many people got along with her. “You’re interning with Firebreather?”

Megan nodded.

Damn. Adam should have made the connection before. He still wasn’t sure why he’d been included in today’s costume meeting, but at least they’d told him to go surfing while they waited for the designs to arrive. He probably shouldn’t have surfed for so long. He wanted to give his input and make this film the best it could be. Maybe then he’d get the recognition he wanted for his acting. “I’m sorry.”

And he was. Not only for having Megan carry his board. Someone who wore her heart on her sleeve would never stand a chance with Firebreather. Eva Redding wowed people with her talent, but also intimidated them with her take-no-prisoners personality. She went through interns like bubble gum. Rumor had it the last one, a young woman he’d met during a costume fitting, was let go on her fourth day.

“When did your internship start?” he asked.

“Monday.”

Three days ago. The clock was winding down for poor Megan.

Adam felt like a jerk for treating her the way he had. She must be under a lot of pressure. He hadn’t made a great impression, either. Having Eva see him holding Megan could make things worse for the intern.

He knew what it was like to work your way up from the bottom. It would be hard enough to succeed with Eva Redding as a boss. He didn’t want to do anything to screw up Megan’s internship. Best to back off so she didn’t get in trouble.

As Adam rinsed off in the villa’s outdoor shower, Megan stood by the stairs with his surfboard, something he apparently called the Fish. She hadn’t been sure what to do when they arrived at the house. She decided to wait for Adam, figuring it might be considered bad form to go up to the deck without him given he was “the star.”

The guy had some nerve.

She was surprised he hadn’t wanted her to walk four feet behind him, as if he were royalty. But Adam Noble was no Prince Charming. Not like Rob, who would never allow her to carry a shopping bag, let alone a surfboard. Well, if he surfed. Rob didn’t like the water. He was into mental challenges, not physical ones.

Still she couldn’t deny Adam’s attractiveness. His eyes shone brightly and he could carry a conversation, suggesting he wasn’t as stupid as she initially thought. But it was weird that a movie star of his caliber had bothered talking to her at all.

If you’re ever lonely and want me to show you around town …

Yeah, right. The man had gorgeous half-naked women throwing themselves at him. No way would he want to spend time with someone like her.

Insecure girl desperately seeking a boyfriend.

Surprisingly he’d gotten it half right.

She might be insecure. Who wouldn’t be in a brand-new place doing a brand-new job and after a lifetime of being told she didn’t fit in? But she wasn’t looking for a boyfriend. Far from it.

She knew the man she wanted. All she needed was for her best friend to come to his senses and realize friendship was the perfect foundation for a serious, committed relationship. Marriage would follow. Then a dog, cat and kids. A happily ever after, the kind she’d grown up watching in the movies and dreamed about for years.

The shower stopped.

Adam’s wet suit hung over the swinging door. Megan saw his bare feet underneath. He stepped into a pair of blue-and-white board shorts.

A lump formed in her throat. Had he not been wearing anything underneath the wet suit? Not that it mattered one way or the other.

The shower door swung open. Adam stepped out.

Her breath caught in her throat.

He wore board shorts. No shirt. His hair was wet—so was the rest of him.

She swallowed.

Water rolled off his wide shoulders, down his muscular arms and chest, past his six-pack abs to his narrow hips….

What in the world was she doing?

Heat flooded Megan’s cheeks. She forced her gaze up to the patio. Eva no longer stood there. Thank goodness. Megan didn’t want her boss to think she was ogling the film’s star.

Yes, Adam Noble was handsome and had a killer body if you liked that all-American athletic look. But she would never be interested in him.

Adam sauntered over, his wet hair pushed back off his face. Water dripped from the ends.

Her pulse kicked up a notch. Maybe two. She understood why he’d been named one of the Fifty Most Beautiful People.

“Thanks.” He took the surfboard from her. “After you.”

She motioned him ahead of her. “They’re not waiting for me.”

Adam opened his mouth as if to speak, but didn’t. He climbed the stairs. She followed.

On the patio, the others sat around the table. People greeted Adam. He gave each person his full attention, focusing his gaze on them, the way he’d done with her on the beach.

Her father had been called “larger than life.” Adam Noble was like that, too. His charisma captivated people. Herself included.

Adam joined the five people at the table.

“Hey, you,” Chas said to Megan. He motioned to the bar where a stainless-steel coffee carafe and several glass pitchers containing various colored beverages sat. “Refill everyone’s drinks, Texas.”

Megan cringed at the nickname. She wanted to forget where she was from. But Chas was the producer so she assumed that meant he could call her what he wanted. Given the choice, she preferred “hey, you” to “Texas.”

She headed to the bar, resigning herself to the fact her internship wouldn’t give her much costume design experience, but she’d end up with great waitress and driving skills. She picked up the requisite pitchers and refilled the glasses on the table.

“We are on schedule.” Eva had the costume sketches displayed. She must have started the meeting without Adam. “Based on our last meeting, Damon, I made the alterations to Calliope’s costumes. I’ll need Krystal and Adam for a final fitting, then we’ll be ready to shoot.”

Megan had loved Krystal Kohl’s most recent movie. The tall, willowy and gorgeous actress was so talented. Though Krystal had a reputation for being difficult on the set and everywhere else.

Adam held one of the sketches. “This is the new gown for the dinner scene.”

Eva nodded. “Krystal will look divine next to you in the Dior tuxedo.”

He nodded. “Excellent work.”

Eva’s sincere smile made her look nice. Maybe there was more to the designer than her bright red lipstick and severe personality. “Thank you, Adam.”

Chas removed his sunglasses. “Great work, Eva. As usual.”

Damon nodded. “That’s exactly the look I was going for. And I appreciate the effort you put into the new designs, but there’s been a slight change. That’s why we’ve asked all of you here today.”

Eva’s gaze bounced between the producer and director like a Ping-Pong ball during a championship match. “Define slight change.”

Chas leaned forward. “Krystal Kohl is at a rehab facility in Tucson. Her role is being recast.”

No one gasped. No one said a word, but an uncomfortable silence fell over the table.

Eva stared at the costume designs with a blank face.

The two wardrobe people looked at each other, but their expressions didn’t change.

Megan stood at the bar arranging glasses and pitchers, trying to appear disinterested. She might be a “newbie,” as Adam had called her, but this couldn’t be good news with filming scheduled to start next week.

She looked at Adam to see his reaction.

His posture hadn’t changed. He sipped from his glass of water, as if the news of his leading lady being replaced at the last minute wasn’t a big deal. It didn’t seem to be except …

A muscle pulsed at his jaw.

Not as immune as the others appeared to be. He wasn’t happy about the role being recast.

“A lot of work went into casting Krystal as Calliope,” Adam said. “This isn’t some summer blockbuster flick, but a serious drama.”

Chas nodded. “We know the caliber of talent needed for the role.”

Adam leaned back in his chair. “Who are you thinking about as a replacement?”

“Lane Gregory,” Damon said. The award-winning actress was the only child of two movie stars and America’s sweetheart. “We’ve worked together before. Very professional. She can step in at the last minute without a lot of prep.”

“She’s older than Krystal,” Adam said.

“Yes,” Damon admitted. “Lane brings a different level of maturity to Calliope.”

Adam straightened. “She’s accepted the role.”

It wasn’t a question. The tension lacing each of his words surprised Megan. She loved Lane Gregory, way more than Krystal Kohl. Lane had the reputation of being nice and down-to-earth. Maybe those qualities weren’t what Adam wanted in his next movie-set fling.

The thought of him with the talented actress left a bitter taste in Megan’s mouth. Lane was too sweet for a man like Adam. But what happened between the two actors was none of Megan’s business. Neither was the discussion they were having now. She wiped the bar where condensation had dripped off the pitchers.

Damon nodded.

Tight lines bracketed Eva’s mouth. “Krystal is tall and thin. Lane is short and curvy. We’re going to have to rethink everything, including the dinner gown.”

“You have until Tuesday,” Damon said.

Eva’s startled gaze darted from the director to Chas. “What?”

“We have no leeway in the schedule,” the producer admitted. “Adam is committed to another project after this.”

Adam nodded.

“The other talent has commitments, too.” Damon flashed the designer a big smile. “No worries. You’ve done this before, Eva. And won awards.”

“I have.” Eva shot a pointed look at the two wardrobe people, who pulled out their cell phones and started texting furiously. “I will again. But it’s either going to kill the costume department or they’ll want to kill me.”

“Don’t they already?” Adam teased.

Chas and Damon smiled. The two wardrobe people pressed their lips together as if not to agree with the actor. Megan felt herself nodding and ducked behind the bar to grab some napkins before Eva saw her.

“Tell us what you need,” Chas said to the designer. “It’s yours.”

“You don’t have the budget for what I need,” Eva said.

Megan stood.

Adam waved his empty glass at her. “Refill, please.”

She grabbed the water pitcher with lemon slices floating on top. As she stood next to Adam refilling his glass, awareness hummed through her. All that bare skin and muscle was hard to ignore. She wanted to touch him and see if he was as strong as he looked.

No, she didn’t.

The guy needed to put on a shirt. And pants. Long ones.

She tightened her grip on the pitcher’s handle.

“There goes your weekend,” Adam said to her. “Mine, too.”

Megan stared at him, confused. His clear, warm green eyes weren’t helping matters. He had to be wearing contacts. She realized he was still talking to her. “What?”

“There will be a mad dash to get costumes for Lane. That means extra fittings and alterations,” he explained. “Some of my clothes will change, too, since they were designed to go with Krystal’s.”

“Oh.” Not the most intelligent response, but that was the only thing that came to mind as she looked at him. Darn the man with his hard, hot body, killer smile and amazing eyes. “I didn’t think I’d have a lot of free time until after filming ended.”

If she was still here then …

That burst of reality helped her regain her focus. She checked everyone’s glasses so Eva wouldn’t think she was slacking off. Or worse, swooning. No one else needed more to drink.

“You won’t have much time,” Adam said. “But the experience you gain during the shoot will be worth it.”

Megan didn’t know why he was talking to her. He must be bored because the others were busy. Unless he’d taken a fall out on the water and whacked his head on his surfboard. That was the only other logical explanation for the attention he was giving her. “Do you want me to get you anything else?”

Wicked laughter lit his eyes. “I can think of a few things …”

Megan inhaled sharply. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out.

“Be careful with what you offer around here, Texas.” Adam spoke with a low voice so others wouldn’t overhear.