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His poker face had her afraid to breathe, afraid to move. Her voice cracked as she started to explain the highlights of the last ten chapters as she anticipated they would pan out. Taylor listened carefully, his hands folded in his lap. When she finished, he stood and took a few steps before glancing away, across the backyard to the wood line.
Crap. He thinks it sucks, and he doesn’t know how to say it.Abruptly, she stood, stuffing the manuscript back in the envelope. She flung back her arm, aiming for the fire. Taylor’s hand shot out, grabbing her wrist and the envelope in one large grip. Roberta’s arm stopped short.
“It sucks,” she said, her heart thudding so loudly it echoed in her ears. Tears welled in her eyes, threatening to spill. She had to get out of his sight to regain her composure.
“Wait. I told you before, I think it’s great. I really do. I want to read the rest of it when it’s done.” Taylor bent down, trying to look her in the eye, but Roberta avoided him. He pried the envelope out of her grip with his free hand before letting her go. “Please sit.”
Teardrops slid out from under her eyelids. She turned away from him and sat on the bucket. Squeezing her eyelids shut, she tried to force the water out. As she swiped at her wet cheeks with her palms, a tingle rose up her backbone. Taylor stood inches behind her, his body heat scorching her back. His hands gently massaged her shoulders. Incredible sensations zinged through her body at his touch, down to her core.God, it has been too long. Roberta shook her head and dropped it in resignation.He’s a Hollywood hotshot. He can have any woman he wants. Why would he want me?
“As I told you earlier, I showed it to a few literary people I know. They loved it. They want to see it as soon as it’s finished. And they loved the two scripts I sent them.King Louis’s Daughtersand the pet psychic comedy. I know I shouldn’t have done that without your permission. But you are one stubborn woman. You have an agent if you’re willing to accept one. One who has a huge book and movie offer for you.” His words were soft in her ear, like a whisper. When she gasped, his grip on her shoulders tightened. The well of emotion she had been holding back rose from her gut, bringing fresh tears.
Sobbing outright, Roberta fled toward the house through blurred vision. In seconds, Taylor caught her arm, turned her around, gathering her against his chest. She cried all the harder with the tornado of emotions whirling through her. When her tears had wrung out, she pushed herself away from him. She knew she looked like a blubbering mess; her eyes were swollen, her nose ran, her shirt and his shirt were soaked with her tears. Roberta covered her face with her hands, turning her back to him. Hiccups erupted erratically. She wiped her face with her sleeve.
“Come back over here and sit.” He seized her elbow and steered her back to her seat.
Roberta swallowed hard, trying to clear the lump sticking in her throat. Taylor’s eyes stayed glued to her face, making her more uncomfortable. She cleared her throat to speak. “What if they are just saying that to appease you?”
“They wouldn’t.” He shook his head. “Please trust me.”
Roberta stared at him through her bloodshot eyes, sniffling still from her crying jag. Taylor took her hand, gave it a squeeze, and smiled.
“Does it really have merit?” Big tears erupted again, spilling down her cheeks as she bared her doubt. The doubt that had haunted her for so long. As long as she had been writing and even more so since Pete’s stunt.
Taylor cupped her face with his hands and wiped her tears away with his thumbs. “Yes. I liked what I read. Yes, your book has merit,” he said. “Finish it and get those other two scripts sold as screenplays.” He took her hands in his. His thumbs stroked the back of her hands while his fingertips brushed her open palm.
Unable to speak, electricity and desire coursed through her again.
Taylor’s eyes locked into hers. “I love you, Roberta. Don’t ever leave me again.”
Roberta’s tears overflowed. “I love you, Taylor. I won’t.”
Taylor’s gaze fixed on her nipples straining against the thin, form-fitting cotton of her T-shirt. Smoldering blue eyes came back to her green eyes before he released her hand. Startling her, he picked her up in his arms.
“What are you doing?” Roberta’s heart leaped in her chest.
Kissing her quiet, Taylor answered, “What do you think, Bertie?” He spun around and headed for the house.
Roberta snuggled in his arms. “I thought you’d never ask!”
