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“Uh huh.” I laugh.
“So tell me about it. It’s a book series, right?”
“It is. And a very popular one at that. I read it a couple years ago and loved it. I’m not much of a reader and even I couldn’t put it down. So the part I’m reading for is Rose. Her family was murdered when she was fourteen but she was saved by a man she didn’t know. The same man shows up four years later when he learns she may be in danger again. In his effort to protect her, he ends up falling in love with her and her with him, only she doesn’t know he’s harboring a dark secret.”
“He’s a vampire,” Thad inputs.
“Exactly.” I smile.
“There’s a lot more to it. Like a lot more. But I won’t bore you with all the details.”
“I guess I’ll just have to watch the show when it comes out. Especially if my favorite actress is playing the lead role.”
“I’m not sure if I should roll my eyes at your cheesiness or kiss you for pretending to care so much.” My stomach flutters when he glances my way with that damn smile of his.
“I vote for the second option.” He winks, turning his eyes back to the road.
“When distracting you won’t possibly kill us, I’ll be sure to go with that.” I giggle.
“And for the record, I’m not pretending anything. I meant it when I said you’re very talented. A lesser woman may have given up already but there isn’t a quitter bone in your body. It’s not anifyou make it. It’swhen.”
“Thank you,” I barely get out past the sudden lump in my throat.
I swear I think I fall a little harder for Thad every day. When he says stuff like that, I feel myself tumbling down the hill at full speed.
I spend the remaining few minutes of the drive telling Thad all about L.A. What I love about it, what I hate about it, my friends, the odds and ends jobs I had to do to stay afloat, and what ultimately brought me back to the ranch.
He listens attentively, chiming in when necessary, and while I know he could be pretending to care, I sense nothing but sincerity in his approach. It’s like he really wants to know me and the thought warms me a hell of a lot more than it should considering this is supposed to be a casual thing.
Unfortunately, I think casual took a back seat after the first night we kissed. There is nothing casual about the way I feel for Thad. Of course I would never tell him that. If there’s one thing worse than not being able to have him the way I want him, it’s not being able to have him at all. I go laying all my heavy on him and not having him at all will be my reality. He’s made his stance clear and that’s something I’m going to have to live with.
It will be easier once I’m back in L.A. full time. When I don’t have to sit across the dinner table from him every night or see him several times throughout the day. At least that’s what I tell myself. But really, if I’m being honest, I’m not sure even distance could lessen how deeply this man is under my skin.
By the time we reach the airport, I’m not sure if I’m more twisted up with nerves over my audition or the sudden realization of just how deep under Thad’s spell I am. Both hold a tremendous amount of weight but deciding I can only tackle one thing at a time, I push down my feelings and focus on the task at hand.
Thad helps me out of the truck before grabbing my bag from the back. Sliding the strap up on my shoulder, he stands in front of me for a long moment not saying anything at all.
“Well, I should probably go,” I say after what feels like an eternity.
“Yeah, you should,” he says, sweeping my hair over my shoulder. His eyes linger on my neck for a few long seconds before finally meeting my gaze. “Good luck at your audition. If they have even half a brain they’ll cast you on the spot.” He grins, cupping my face.
“Well let’s hope they show up for work today with their brains intact.” I smirk, pushing up on my tip toes to kiss him.
I expect it to be a sweet, light kiss, but when Thad’s hand wraps around the back of my neck, pulling me closer, it warps into something much more.
For two people who are supposedly only hooking up, things have definitely taken on the feel of a real couple. My earlier thoughts return full force and I’m once again reminded that my time with him will soon come to an end. And instead of running away from what will eventually pull us apart, I’m running toward it.
Thad is the one to pull away first, resting his forehead against mine as he stares into my eyes. I’m breathless by the way the extreme blue seems to penetrate straight into my soul.
“Break a leg, Miss Roth.”
“As long as you’re not the one doing the breaking.” I smile.
“I was only six years old,” he reminds me. “Am I ever going to live that down?”
“Nope.” I pull back, a wide smile on my face. “I’m going to hold it over your head for the rest of your life. My arm is crooked thanks to you.” I hold my arms out to prove my point.
“Now you’re pushing it.” He laughs, shaking his head. “Get out of here.”
