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“It’s none of your business.” She turned away from him, casting her attention to the window. Dark hair tumbled down her back and over slender shoulders that were shaking slightly.
He reached out to comfort her, thought the better of it and found another seat as they taxied.
Damn her.
Chapter Eleven
The rest of the day passed by in a blur. Christian had procured another private jet, but instead of finishing their trip, they headed back to Vegas and to separate rooms. Without a good-bye.
Zoe fully expected him to ignore her the rest of the time he was there. She fully expected him to go out with other women who wouldn’t shoot him down or insult him.
I liked it just fine.
God, his face had been priceless. He looked shocked, then hurt. It had satisfied a base need in her to injure his pride like he’d done to her. However, her satisfaction was short-lived.
She cringed as she thought about their conversation before the little girl needing a heart transplant had boarded the plane with her family. But what had really gotten to her was the fact that she and Christian had exited the plane before the family got on. They never knew it was Ian Romanov, world famous actor, who was helping them.
When she’d asked him about it, he’d only said, “I don’t want them to feel like they owe me, and I don’t want the press to hound them for supposed insider information. The McConnells should be given their privacy and dignity when they have a child suffering from a disease that will most likely cut her life short.”
The contrast between the man he could be and the playboy he was did things to her heart that couldn’t be ignored. However, it could be denied and safely tucked away in a little box.
She looked out of her window, the Vegas strip coming to life with neon lights. Only four more days to go and she’d be free of him once more.
Her cell rang and she searched for it, finding it under the dresser with a necklace and yellow flower petals. The vases of flowers that had taken over her room had been sent to the other guests on her floor. Except for one. One vase she kept for herself and her memories.
She answered on the third chorus of Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream”. That needed to change. Maybe to Cee Lo Green’s old hit “Forget You”.
“Ready for your book signing tomorrow at two?” Martha asked.
“Yes.” Actually, Zoe had forgotten all about it. For the first time in years, her career obligations had taken a backseat to her wants and dreams. To Christian.
“I appreciate the way you’ve been helping Ian over the past few days. Peak has offered him the part of Dimitri and he accepted this afternoon. The contract’s been signed and you’re off the hook. You don’t have to force yourself to be seen with the scoundrel.” For once her aunt wasn’t her usual hardcore self of all business and not so gentle insults.
“That’s wonderful.” Now it was a certainty Christian didn’t need her anymore. No one did, but her fans. They were loyal and devoted. They showed up at her book signings. At her new releases. At blogs, on Twitter and in chat rooms. They had been there through the ups and downs of her career.
“You don’t sound wonderful.”
Zoe’s reflection lifted its chin even as tears threatened to fall. “A little headache. That’s all. Nothing a hot bath and a good night’s sleep can’t cure.”
“Did something happen that I need to know about?”
“No, Chris-Ian is exactly what they say he is and definitely not the guy for me. So no worries of a spontaneous marriage by Elvis.” Zoe tried to laugh at her own joke, but her throat tightened as if someone had grabbed it. “I’ve got to go now. I’ll recheck my email for details. Good night, Aunt M.”
The line went silent. Zoe mentally pleaded with God to make Martha leave things alone. To not ask her questions that she couldn’t—wouldn’t answer.
“Your book signing doesn’t happen until two days from now.”
“I knew that. It’s just, um, I haven’t been myself lately,” Zoe said.
“Get some rest tonight and go to the spa tomorrow.”
“Sounds like a plan to me. Then I’ll have the day after that to relax by the pool.”
Martha cleared her throat. “No, I’ve arranged a helicopter tour for you and Brennen McGowan.”
“I’m not going out on a date with him,” Zoe groaned. She was done with movie stars. Forever.
“This isn’t a date. It’s just something fun to do with another person while you’re in Vegas. Besides, you know how I like for my clients to be seen with one another. Makes us look like one big happy family.”
“Sounds fabulous.”
“I knew you’d think so. Have a good night, dearie.”
Zoe ended the call, then made her way to the bathroom and turned on the spigots. She added a dollop of bubble bath, watching the white froth cover the top of the water. Once she was submerged neck deep, she let the tears fall until her eyes were swollen and her nose stuffy.
Things would look better come morning. They always did.
She hoped.
***
Christian threw his phone on his bed, then moved to the living room on the penthouse. Near the coffee table, he found a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. He hadn’t smoked in months, but there were times when nothing else would do. Usually, he’d find something or someone to take his mind off it his cravings. But this time, this time he didn’t give a shit.
Giving into temptation, he grabbed both and strode across the room to the balcony.
He was furious with Zoe, with his own inaction and reaction. He knew he’d hurt her with his thoughtless words about discreet employees and allusions to random women mile-highing it with him. Any other woman wouldn’t have cared.
The sliding glass door that led to the outdoor pool and patio bounced as it hit the stopper in the tracks.
However, Zoe wasn’t any other woman. She was a woman he wanted to know everything about, but prying into her past hadn’t been the way to go. Not everyone felt a need to over-share, but with her, Christian wanted no secrets between them. He wanted to bare his soul to her and it scared the hell out of him. He was utterly out of his element with her.
Brennen swaggered in, blue highlights in his hair making Christian wince. God, he didn’t know what was worse, the dye job or the wardrobe.
“Ed Hardy must be your biggest fan.” Christian lit a cigarette and walked over to the edge of the balcony. Every piece of architecture glowing with brilliant illumination.
