Deadly Obsession by Kristine Cayne Read Free Book Online

colored. “The inappropriate questions are always the best.”
    “At the photo shoot, didn’t it bother you when Vivian oiled you up?”
    Laughter rumbled in his chest. “I keep forgetting you haven’t been tainted by Hollywood yet. On set and for most photo shoots, there’re people who do my hair and makeup. If the costumes are complicated, they dress me. If I have to be bare-chested, I get waxed, painted, and oiled. And I won’t even mention the fans. Anyway, to make a long story short, wherever I go, people touch me.”
    “If I ever get somewhere as a freelancer, I’ll keep that in mind. I want my clients to feel respected, not molested.”
    “Not if, when.”
    She smiled. “I’ve been wondering, why Nic The Lover?”
    “I earned it.”
    She blinked. He laughed. “It’s the English translation of my name. Lamoureux means The Lover.”
    “So it’s not a reflection of your abilities… on screen… or off?”
    “The name stuck because I acquired a certain reputation with the ladies… on screen… and off.” He loved teasing her but kept it gentle. She seemed somehow fragile and innocent, even when she was trying to get in his pants.
    The waitress arrived with their entrées. As Lauren ate, he watched her. She was nothing like the women he usually dated. Okay, so this wasn’t a date. Whatever. She was intelligent and funny, reserved yet unpredictable. The sparkle in her ever-changing eyes made him smile, and he wanted to kiss the small heart-shaped freckle below her right ear.
    What he’d grown up around and what attracted him were petite curvy women, women like Lauren. But his life was the opposite of hers. Whereas hers was simple and safe, his was chaotic and, now, dangerous. Even if she could see beyond the ugliness of his past, who knew what the stalker would do if they got into a serious relationship? He couldn’t afford to get involved with her.
    Even so, it wouldn’t hurt to know more about the beautiful Lauren. “Did you grow up in Seattle?”
    “I moved there when I got a scholarship to study photography at the Art Institute of Seattle.” She leaned back in her chair and took a sip of her wine. “You’re from Montréal, right?”
    Nic watched her lick a stray drop off her lips. He stared as she swallowed. He wanted to kiss her lips and lick the long expanse of her throat. Christ . He spread his legs a little wider under the table, easing the pressure against his fly. What had she asked him? He shook his head and tried to focus.
    Her eyebrows flew up. “You’re not? Every article I’ve ever read about you said you were from Montréal.”
    Nic slugged back his beer and forced himself to concentrate on her words and not on her mouth. “No. I am from Montréal.”
    “Do you go back there often?”
    He grimaced. “Whenever I can, which isn’t often enough. Vivian keeps me pretty busy.”
    “Don’t you miss your family? I’ve only been here a few days, and I miss my son already.”
    How could he answer her question without revealing anything? She leaned over the table and placed her hand on his. “That’s too personal. Please forget I asked.”
    Great. She probably thought he was hiding something. Which he was, but he didn’t want her to know that. “There’s nothing to talk about. Hollywood is my only family.”
    Using a redirection technique he’d picked up from Kaden, he changed the subject. “Tell me about your son.”
    “Jason is eight going on eighteen.” Her face shone with pride, making his heart ache. He missed seeing that look on his own mother. “I think he’s your youngest fan. He’s seen all your kid-friendly movies and knows the dialogue by heart.”
    “What’s his favorite?”
    “He has two.” She counted them off on her beautifully shaped fingers. “One is Lost Treasure . He loves all the action. Last Halloween, he dressed up as your Jonathan Buckley character.” Her eyes twinkled as she laughed at the memory.
    Leaning back in his chair, he took