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"So am I. I don't suppose we could pretend the last ten minutes didn't happen. Maybe just go back to the way thingswere?"
Damn it was tempting. "I'm notsure..."
"I insist. At least until we catch this asshole who is after you. I won't trust your safety to anyone else." He paused before adding. "You need me right now. No one else can protect you like Ican."
Her pulse spiked. The only way she'd gotten through the last few days since the break-in was because she knew Trevor would give his life for her. He did make her feel safe. He was right. The thought of him not protecting her right now scared the shit out ofher.
"Are you sure you can handleit?"
His smile was wan as he answered, "Not being able to protect you right now is the only thing I couldn't handle. I promise. I can keep it professional if that's the way you wantit."
She didn't miss his hopeful inflection. "It's the way it needs tobe."
They stood silently until it turnedawkward.
"I'll go out and tell the crew to come in and getstarted."
She nodded. "Thanks, but I'd like a few minutes alone first. Ask them to give mefive."
"You got it." He paused, like he wanted to say something more, but then decided against it, turning and heading out into the sun, closing the door softly behindhim.
The silence of the trailer was a welcome change. She'd had almost no time alone since the break-in to think, and God did she need to think. Everything was closing in on her and she felt like she might suffocate if she didn't relieve some of the stress weighing onher.
As if fate wanted to say 'fuck you' to her need for silence, she heard her cell phone ringing in her leather bag on the counter. She let it go to voicemail as she paced the small space, trying to think through all she had on her plate. A ding alerted her to a voicemail message. Within seconds, the alert for an incoming text rangnext.
"Jesus, it better not be the Kaplans." She wrestled her phone from her purse and her heart lurched when she found it was Chase Cartwright trying to reach her. There'd been a time when hearing from her ex, Chase, would have brightened her day, but since Valentine's Day, she couldn't think of Chase without remembering the dangerous game of Valentine Roulette he'd conned her into playing. How disastrous it hadbeen.
Okay, the event itself hadn't been disastrous, but the aftermath of having to walk away from the man who'd turned out to be her sexual soul mate was draining her. She should have moved on by now, yet she felt stuck, unable to forget how Ryder Helms had mastered her perfectly for exactly three hours and then walked out of her life without a backward glance, leaving her to wonder if it had all been some figment of herimagination.
Message fromChase:
I heard about your stalker. Am worried about you. Check in when you can and let us know if there is anything Jaxson, Emma and I can do tohelp.
XOCC
As tempting as it was,she didn't think it was a good idea to ask them to get in touch with Ryder for her and tell him... what? What the fuck would she say to him right now even if he were here? He'd made it clear he had no room in his life for a silly actress. Ryder Helms was a dead end forher.
Message toChase:
Thanks, but I'll be okay. Police investigating and have beefed up security. My love to you, Jaxson andEmma.
XOKM
Her five minuteshad flown by. The knock at the door followed by six hustling people invading her trailer assured her that her meditation time was over, and it was time to get down to work. Sandra, the costume designer, worked to get Khloe poured into the full leathers she'd be wearing for that day's filming schedule. She'd been having fun playing the daughter of the leader of a motorcyclegang.
Hair was next. Randy, her stylist, worked his magic to create the messy up-do for today's scene with her longlocks.
"Working with you is like a dream, Ms. Monroe," he flattered her. "Your hair is the perfect base for all of my special creations. I'll stick around the set in case you need a touchuplater."
"Thanks,Randy."
It was Cathy's turn next to start on her makeup. The award-winning makeup artist stepped in front of Khloe, blocking her view of the hairstylist in the mirror. "I need to get started because we're running out of time. Mr. Lancer wants you on the set in five minutes, and we're never going to makethat."
For several minutes, both professionals prepped Khloe until Randy was finished. "All done! I can't wait to show you the back." He stepped around her to the long counter that held all of the supplies. Randy spent several minutes rummaging through the drawers and cabinets. Finally, Cathy proddedhim.
"What are you lookingfor?"
"The big hand-held mirror so I can show her what the back lookslike."
