Page 13 of 1001 Dark Nights: Bundle Forty-Two

She rolled her eyes, then caught up as he started walkingtoward the cliff and the rest of the Stark Security team. “You think you’reinsulting me,” she said, “but I agree with you. Entertainment reporting is afar cry from journalism. As for actors and current events, we tend to be awell-informed group.”

“Glad to hear it. But we’re not debating current events.”

“Thank God for that.”

He glanced over and saw her quick smile. At almost three,the sun was above them at an angle, and its rays brought out the auburnhighlights in her velvet black hair. It hung loose around her face, softeningher sculpted features. She was, in a word, beautiful. And it irritated the hellout of him that he not only noticed that, but was taking the time to thinkabout it.

“—than a newspaper.”

He shook himself out of his trance. “Sorry. What?”

She shot him an exasperated glance. “How you’re going toprotect me if you can’t even pay attention to me is entirely beyond my abilityto comprehend.”

“That doesn’t surprise me.”

She wrinkled the perfect nose that probably cost a fortune.“I was saying that even though I stay up on the news, on the whole, I’d ratherread a book than a newspaper.”

“Yeah? I would have thought you’d say a screenplay.”

She gave a little shudder. “Hardly. That’s for work. Booksare leisure.”

“Bet you read lots of adaptations.” He kept a straight face,knowing he was baiting her.

“No.”

He came to a stop, taking her hand and pulling her to a haltbeside him. For a moment, he thought she was going to stay like that, her handin his, soft and warm. Then she glanced down, raised her brows, and tugged herhand free.

Across the lawn, Mario looked toward them, his hand raisedin a silent question. Simon ignored him; what else could he do? He was busybaiting the movie star, and, honestly, having a hell of a lot more fun with herthan he’d expected. “All right, princess,” he said. “Tell me what you’rereading right now.”

“The Stand. Stephen King.”

“Of course you are. The most adapted man on the planet.” Hehad no idea if that was true, but it seemed like a reasonable guess.

“The books came first. I got addicted to him when I was akid. Read Carrie, got hooked, and I’ve been reading andre-reading him ever since.”

“So you’re into horror. What else?”

“Psychological thrillers. Gone Girl wasgreat.”

“Another adaptation.”

She wrinkled her nose but otherwise ignored him.

“And I read romance. I’m reading a fabulous Regency seriesby Darcy Burke. The Untouchables.”

“So it’s another adaptation. Brian DePalma, Costner, DeNiro, Connery. Come on, Francesca, just admit it. With you, it’s all about theflicks.”

“Wrong story. I told you. It’s a Regency romance series, andit’s awesome.”

“But not adapted?”

“No,” she said, “but it should be.”

“There you go. A typical Hollywood gal. All about theadaption.”

“No, dammit, you’re not hearing me.I’m—”

He couldn’t help the laugh that escaped.