If I Loved You (Hollywood Hearts 1) by Jean C. Joachim Read Free Book Online Page A

ever… not sensible?” He cocked an eyebrow at her.
    “Rarely,” she admitted.
    “I’m going to see if I can’t find a few less sensible things you should indulge in.” His eyes twinkled as he turned a warm smile her way.
    Megan tried to look away but his expression was so sexy, so alluring. His dark eyes were sparkling, the shadow on his cheek inviting her touch, and his lips so tempting she couldn’t drag her gaze away; or herself, either. She hung around in front of The Royal, staring at her feet then looking up at the stars, anywhere but in Chaz Duncan’s eyes.
    “Can I take you upstairs?” Chaz took her elbow.
    “I’m safe from here on…”
    “I’d like to see where you live. I might want to get a place in Manhattan…”
    Megan motioned for him to follow her. He tagged along as she walked through the door.
    “Hi, Briny,” Megan greeted the burly doorman, who was holding the wrought iron and glass door open.
    He nodded to her before breaking into a huge smile.
    “Yes, this is Chaz Duncan. Chaz, Briny.”
    Chaz shook the man’s hand. A pug rose from a sleeping position next to the doorman’s desk and stretched his front legs.
    “Can’t believe Grady Spencer is right here in my building.” Briny tipped his hat.
    “Onward, Lieutenant!” Chaz gave the salute he used playing Grady Spencer in his movies. Briny saluted back.
    “What’s Baxter doing here?” Megan asked, stooping to scratch the pudgy pug behind the ears.
    “Mrs. Bender is in the hospital, so I’m taking care of him until she gets back.”
    “Nothing serious, I hope.”
    “The family hasn’t told me,” Briny explained.
    The elevator door opened. Megan took Chaz by the arm as she punched the button for the fourteenth floor.
    “Fans everywhere, huh?” Megan leaned against the back of the elevator.
    “It never gets old.” Chaz smiled at her.
    She opened her front door, turning on a light as Chaz followed her in. Dropping her keys in the silver bowl on the credenza, Megan toed off her shoes and wiggled her toes.
    The spacious apartment had a small foyer opening onto a large living room.
    “The kitchen is through there,” she said, indicating an archway to the left.
    “Your bedroom?” He asked with a snicker.
    “Down the hall, with the other bedrooms,” Meg gestured to the right, ignoring his insinuation.
    The living room had windows eight feet high. A large black leather sectional—dotted with red, orange, and white throw pillows—hugged one wall. An impressive flat screen television faced the sofa. A chrome and glass coffee table fit perfectly into the right angle of the couch. In the opposite corner sat a round, glass table and four ebony and chrome chairs in a modern design. A few smoky black plexiglass book cubes were artfully stacked, filled with books and art objects. Five large, modern oil paintings hung on the bright white walls, bringing warmth plus a splash of color to the room…the perfect finishing touch.
    “Wow, did you decorate this room?”
    “With Penny, Mark’s wife.”
    “It’s beautiful.”
    A few feet beyond the foyer sat a black upright piano with a black piano bench tucked under the keyboard. Chaz went over and lifted the keyboard protector. He ran his thumbnail over the keys. Megan jumped as the sound echoed through the empty apartment.
    “Who plays?” Chaz turned to her.
    “Penny and I do.”
    “Play something.”
    Megan opened the music book she had left out. Chaz moved to stand behind her. She selected the song “If I Loved You.” Standing behind her, he started to sing. His beautiful baritone voice was perfect for the song. He rested his hand on her shoulder. The heat from his body warmed her. As he sang, the words reverberated in her head, describing how she was beginning to feel about him. If she loved him would she be able to admit it, or would she feel shy, like the song said? Would he think her simply another groupie, another woman out to bask in reflected fame?
    When the song