Exposing Alix by Inara Scott Read Free Book Online Page B

caught with a wardrobe girl
from one of his modeling gigs. The break-up was nasty, to say the least.”
    “And you cast them as lovers?” Alix raised a skeptical
eyebrow. “That hardly seems wise.”
    He brushed aside her words. “They’ve been in a couple of
movies together since then and did fine. Besides, Lena’s perfect for the role—she’s
at a crossroad in her career, right on the cusp of being recognized for her
acting and not just her looks, and Salva’s at the same crossroad. She realizes
in the film that she’s relied on her looks all her life, and that doesn’t work
with this guy.”
    “Hmm. You said they were in a couple of movies together.
Were they romantic leads?”
    Ryker paused, considering the question before he answered.
“One was an ensemble piece. They were a couple, though to be honest, there
wasn’t any serious onstage affection. In the other, they were both married but
kept up a flirtation through the film. Their chemistry was exceptional. I
didn’t think their past would be an issue.”
    “I would call what we just witnessed an issue.”
    He flopped down on the sofa next to her. He looked tired,
the lines around his eyes more pronounced than the last time she’d seen him. He
dropped his head on the back of the couch. “That’s putting it mildly.”
    “So we’ve got thirty days to get two people who hate each
other to make hot, sweaty love for the camera, and make it believable and
emotional?”
    Ryker closed his eyes. “That’s about it. Oh, and did I
mention I want the Oscar this time?”
    “I seem to recall something about that.”
    “Well, in case I wasn’t clear, let me say it again.” He
turned his head to study her. “I want that Oscar. Understand?”
    The intensity of his gaze trapped her. She nodded mutely.
    Abruptly, his expression changed, and he said with an easy
smile, “But enough about that. Are you ready for dinner?”
    “I thought Amir was setting up some scenes for us to
watch.” She put her hands in her lap and tried to ease the rest of her body farther
away without catching his attention.
    Amusement flared in his eyes. He leaned toward her. “They
can wait. I don’t want to look at anything related to Salva’s Revenge for at least two hours. We’ll have an early dinner and watch the clips later.
Don’t worry, I’ll still get you to bed at a reasonable hour.”
    Every word from his mouth seemed like some kind of sexual
innuendo. He was close enough now that she could smell a hint of spicy cologne
and feel the warmth radiating from his skin.
    She resisted the urge to jump up from the sofa. “I’d like
to check into my hotel, if that’s okay. Get settled a bit.”
    “Fine with me. That will give you time to change into
something a little more…hmm.” He curved his fingers around the frayed edge of
her T-shirt. “More, feminine, shall we say?”
    Alix grabbed the fabric from his hand. “I’m not one of
your actresses,” she said. “There’s a reason I’ve made my career on the other
side of the camera.”
    “But that’s just it. I’ve seen you without the glasses,
remember? You’re beautiful. Just as attractive as any of my actresses.” He took
one of her hands and slid his fingers around her wrist, taking their measure
with his thumb and forefinger. “Fine bones. I take back what I said about you
being like a Labrador. That’s just what you want people to believe. I think
there’s a greyhound hidden somewhere beneath all these clothes.”
    She tugged at her wrist, but he didn’t let go. “I think
you’ve got an active imagination.” A quiver of reluctant pleasure tightened her
stomach as she took in his words. He was too sensual, too damn intelligent to
be shrugged off like she expected. “Where do we eat?”
    Just as the tingles from her wrist were growing into
electric currents, he released her. She fell into the cushions and rubbed her
wrist.
    She hadn’t been with a man for a very, very long time.
Perhaps that explained