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“Everything okay?” she asked.
Nodding, he shoved his feet into his shoes. “Of course. I’ll lock the door behind me.”
Unable to avoid temptation completely, Ian crossed the room, leaned down and kissed her lips. Just as her hand came up to his stubbled jaw, he pulled away and left her alone.
He stepped onto the front porch, closed the door behind him and leaned against it to catch his breath. The easy way Cassie welcomed him into her bed—and into her life with Emily—terrified him. Last night she’d accepted him without question and she’d given him everything she had...including love. He’d seen it in her eyes, but even more worrisome was what she may have seen reflected in his.
Because in those moments, when they were one and her bright blue eyes sought his, Ian had found himself completely and utterly lost. He wanted so much, but fear of everything he’d ever known regarding love and family made him question his emotions and his intentions.
Damn it. His intentions? What the hell was this? He wasn’t the kind of man who had dreams of driving a minivan or heading up a household. He was a top Hollywood agent and if he didn’t get his head on straight, he could lose one of the most important clients he’d ever had the chance of snagging.
Shaking his head, Ian pushed off the door and forced himself to walk toward his trailer. Twenty-nine years old and doing the walk of shame? Classy, Shaffer. Real classy.
Darkness and early-morning fog settled low over the estate. He shoved his hands into his pockets and decided he needed to shower and change before seeing Max...especially considering he was wearing the same clothes as yesterday.
He hadn’t totally lied when he’d left Cassie’s bed. He would talk to Max, but it wasn’t dire and they could always talk later. Yet he worried if he stayed, he’d give Cassie false hope.
Okay, he worried he’d give himself false hope, too, because being with her was like nothing he’d ever experienced before and he wanted to hold on to those moments.
But the reality was, he was passing through.
Ian took his time getting ready for the day, answered a few emails and jotted down notes for calls he needed to make later in the week. He hated to admit he was shaken up by this newfound flood of emotions, but he had to come to grips with the fact that whatever he was feeling for Cassie Barrington was most definitely not going away.... It was only getting stronger.
By the time he exited his trailer, he had a plan of action, and today would be all about work and focusing on the big picture and his agency.
Crew members were gathered around the entrance of the stables, and off to the side were Max and Lily, holding their scripts and chatting. Ian headed in their direction, eager to get the day started.
“Morning,” he greeted them as he approached.
Max nodded. “Came by your trailer last night to discuss something. Have a late night?”
The smile on Max’s face was devilish—and all-knowing.
“What did you need?” Ian asked, dodging the question.
With a shrug, Max shook his head. “It can wait. I’m going to talk to Bronson before we start filming. Excuse me.”
Ian figured Max left so Ian could chat with Lily. Good boy.
“I glanced over today’s filming schedule.” Ian stepped in front of Lily to shade her face from the sun. “Looks like after three today you guys are free.”
Lily smiled. “We are indeed. Are you available to talk then?”
He’d be available anytime she wanted if it meant persuading her to sign with him. “I am. Would you like to stay here or go out to grab something for dinner?”
“I say go out,” she replied. “Hopefully we can talk privately without everyone around.”
Before he could respond, Lily’s gaze darted from his to a spot over his left shoulder. A smile like he’d never seen before lit up her face and Ian couldn’t help but glance around to see who she was connecting with.
Nash.
More confirmation that this Hollywood starlet and the groom on the Barrington estate had something going on.
Ian only hoped whatever was happening with the two of them was kept quiet and didn’t interfere with filming or hinder her judgment in signing with him.
“Going out is fine,” he told her.
Blinking, she focused back on him. “I’m sorry. What?”
Yeah, definitely something going on there.
“I said we could go out for a bite to eat. I can come by your trailer about five. Does that work?”
“Of course,” she replied with a nod. “I’ll see you then.”
As she walked away, Ian turned and caught Nash still staring as Lily entered the stable. Nash had the look of a man totally and utterly smitten and Ian couldn’t help but feel a twinge of remorse for the guy. Nash and Lily were worlds apart.
