Tinseltown by Stephanie Taylor Read Free Book Online Page A

realized tonight how wrong we were together, I’m closing a chapter of my life I’ve kept open. It was the chapter where I could get married and have kids. I thought the option would always be there if I made the choice to stop acting.”
    “Yeah, that’s stupid. Either he accepts you for who and what you are or not at all. Oh, and you know what?”
    “What?”
    “You’re already married to the best guy there is.”
    She snorted. “Do you really believe these things you’re saying or are you just trying to make me feel better?”
    He grinned boyishly. “Both?” He shrugged and released her face, taking a step back.
    “That’s what I thought.” She laughed and shoved his shoulder.
    “C’mon, I’m freezing my butt off out here without a jacket. I need a hot shower and some coffee.”
    “Thanks for coming to my rescue,” she said softly, when he was almost to the door. She still stood in place and, for the life of her, she couldn’t make her feet work, she was so moved with gratitude. Zach might not be the scheming, manipulative man she thought him to be after all.
    He turned and smiled at her. It was a real, bone-melting smile, full of promises that made her go weak. “I would say you could thank me later, but since it’s out of the question, I’ll settle for saying that coming to a fair maiden’s rescue is only part of my repertoire.”
    Deb giggled at his dramatic declaration but knew there might be some truth behind his words.
    And that was what Deb feared most.
    * * * *
    Zach turned the knob of the shower on cold as a vision of Deb crying sent his body into protective mode all over again. His instincts kicked in hard, as did his need to be near her. He wanted to wipe away any trace of hurt and leave her breathless, so she would forget all those things the man said.
    To think Deb loved Brad! It must be hard for her to see where their love took them over the years. Hanging onto the hope of marrying him with the ultimatum she must quit her acting career or else? That was low. Who in their right mind issued conditions on their love? I’ll love you if you give up everything you’ve ever wanted for me . Zach was certainly no expert, but it’s not what he imagined love to be. Love should be a bigger form of friendship, surpassing all the hoopla of overpowering feelings , and resting more on the side of comfort and knowledge. Maybe he had it all wrong, and he probably did, but it was what he envisioned.
    Deb was a beautiful woman. While he would love to share her bed and even a part of her life as a real husband, he knew after today she wanted forever. His baser instincts shouted at him to run, but he ignored them, for his own sake as well as Deb’s. Maybe Deb would be the one to change her hesitancy, and a small part of him hoped she would, but he could never guarantee anything after the past he had lived with.
    Yes, they had forged a semblance of a friendship. Mr. Fernbank would be proud when they returned, but he wasn’t sure how strong their new alliance was. And there was the little matter of marriage they had to take care of. She’d already said she wanted a divorce and he had to respect that.
    If he could keep his hands off of her, he knew there was hope to continue their friendship, but how easy it would be to keep that promise would be the tough part. He didn’t want her to think he was Brad or the person she believed him to be in Vegas.
    Zach finished rinsing in the frigid spray and turned the knob. When the water stopped, he stood there for a moment, not knowing how on earth he had gotten himself into this mess. Sure, he had proposed to her. He’d had a lot to drink in Vegas too, and his tongue was loose, but he hadn’t been drunk. And yeah, he’d envisioned forever with Deb many times. Of course, when they got together on screen, things exploded, and the few times off-screen, things were better than great.
    He needed some fresh air and time alone. Deb and her mother had gone shopping