Well, that wasn't all he wanted to do… he leaned back in his seat and let himself contemplate what he would do when he got her back to his place.
First he'd get her inside with the offer of food. Then he'd watch her eat. God, he loved watching her eat at the studio. She was delicate, like a cat. But watchful, wary. Kind of like she couldn't believe she had so much to eat. The first day he'd watched as she'd snuck a treat into that cheap handbag of hers. At first he'd been afraid she was really too broke to afford dinner. Now it was clear that it was for the kid.
He frowned. Why was she so afraid though? Had somebody hurt her? He turned his head slightly so he could watch her. Her profile was stunning. A delicate blush started to light up her cheeks and throat. She knew he was watching her.
He smiled and leaned back again. If he pushed the seat back far enough, he could stare at her legs instead.
***********
Kat's eyes widened as they pulled up the private road to Bruce's place. There had been a heavy gate at the bottom. Bruce had been very casual about showing her the secret code to get in. Casual, but deliberate.
Why was he doing that? Did he really think she'd be coming back?
He smiled at her as he got back into the car and his eyes slid down to her lips.
Oh God.
He definitely thought she'd be coming back.
Often.
Bruce got out and started walking toward the house. He turned back and stared at her quizzically.
"Coming?"
She took a deep breath to steady her nerves and got out of the car. What else could she do? It wasn't like it was a date. She would just go inside, make some small talk, and leave.
Easy peasy.
There was another keypad at the front door. Once again, Bruce made it very easy for her to see the code as he punched it in. She looked away deliberately, staring at the stunning old trees that surrounded the house.
"We built around them."
"What?"
"The trees. Seemed criminal to cut them down. There's even one growing straight through the center of the house."
Then he opened the door.
She'd never seen anything like this in her life. Ahead of her, about fifty feet away, there was a sheer wall of glass. Beyond that was the blue of the Pacific Ocean. Bruce gently took her arm and guided her inside, but she barely noticed.
The decor was simple but opulent. The sort of utilitarian look that was very, very expensive to achieve. Everything had a masculine feel to it, with a slight Western touch. Navaho blankets covered the low, comfortable couches and there were woven baskets here and there. A enormous sculpture of a horse made out of drift wood. But it was the ocean that had her attention.
"You can see it from every room."
"What?"
"The water. Come on, I'll give you the tour."
Kat followed Bruce through the house, trying not to seem like a total podunk. She felt outclassed it every way. His taste was impeccable. He described how he'd worked with the architect to design the place, even showing her the hidden pathway to the beach.
A heated saltwater pool and spa were on one end of the expansive deck, with a seating area at the other. Finally he led her to the kitchen, where he started pulling things out from the fridge. He glanced over his shoulder at her and shrugged.
"The least I can do is feed you after making you drive me all the way out here."
"You didn't-"
He just raised his eyebrow at her.
"Okay thanks."
It's just money. He's not better than you. Just richer. And more successful. And incredibly good looking and talented.
Kat forced herself to relax as she perched on one of the stools surrounding the marble island. Bruce worked quickly, chopping fresh herbs and veggies.
"Can I help?"
He shook his head.
"Fish or steak?"
"Fish. Please."
He smiled at her, clearly catching her belated attempt to correct herself. Outclassed again.
Kat felt her stomach doing little flip flops while she watched Bruce deftly prepare two salmon fillets. Bruce Harrison was cooking for her. Her boss was cooking for her.
She was on a date with her boss, billionaire mega super star Bruce Harrison.
How the Hell had this happened?
The room started tilting sideways as she contemplated this new, very strange reality. He'd tricked her somehow. The man was bending over backwards to get her to - what? Date him? It didn't seem like he was just after sex. Then again, who knows? Maybe this was all part of his routine.
Wine and dine them, charm them, take what he wanted and then poof- on to the next.
If there was a way she could gracefully retreat, she would.
"I need to- um- make a call."
He turned to give her an assessing look. As if he knew what she was up to.
"It's in there."
He pointed to a small doorway she hadn't seen. It was behind the kitchen, still hugging the wall of glass. She walked into what appeared to be his office. It was warm and inviting. And bless him, he had a landline.
Kat dialed home and waited for her mother to pick up.
"Kat darling, where are you?"
"I'm in Malibu."
"At his place?"
"Yes, but I'm coming home."
"Okay, are you sure?"
"Yes. I need… a reason…"
Her mother's sigh was audible over the phone.
"Sweetheart are you sure? He seems awfully nice. And awfully determined."
"I'm sure. I need to-"
"Alright, just tell him you need pick up medicine or - supper - for me and Tommy. Tell him your check just cleared."
Kat sighed, feeling a weight lifting off of her.
"Thanks Mom."
"Uh huh. See you soon."
Kat hung up and walked back into the kitchen, feeling oddly guilty. Bruce glanced up at her while he squeezed lemon onto the sizzling fish. They smelled delicious. But it was better to go now, before he could ask her any more questions.
Before she gave him the wrong idea.
Or before she wanted to stay.
"So… I just need to pick up Tommy's meds before the pharmacy closes."
He looked at her, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Now?"
"The pharmacy is closed on Sunday. If I leave now I should just make it. I completely forgot."
"Medicine?"
"Yeah, he's just getting over an infection. But it's hard for my mom to go during the week."
"I see."
He was still watching her, his tanned and muscular arms crossed over his chest. He didn't buy it for a second.
"Anyway, thanks so much. For… everything. I wish I could stay. It smells delicious."
"I understand. You have to take care of your kid."
"Yeah well. I'm not exactly winning any Mother of the year awards."
He finally uncrossed his arms and walked toward her. She backed up until she felt her lower back hit the island. She swallowed nervously as he put one hand on either side of her and leaned in.
"I'm not going to pounce on you Kat."
"You're… not?"
"Uh uh."
He was smiling softly as he brought his face very close to hers. He smelled… really good. Clean and manly and delicious.
Jesus, what was wrong with her? Snap out of it Kat!
"Okay good, because um…"
"You work for me."
"Right."
She was nodding eagerly, thankful that he was helping her explain why this would not work. Why it could not work.
Ever.
At all.
"And you have a kid to support. You need to focus on that."
"Yes. Exactly."
He reached up and tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear, sending shivers through her whole body. Her arms broke out in goose bumps. But in a good way.
"I understand completely. Then again, rules are made to be broken. Aren't they?"
She nodded, not exactly sure what she was agreeing with. Her limbs felt heavy, like she was moving through molasses. Bruce leaned a fraction closer and let his eyes slip to her lips. She could almost feel the weight of his gaze as it traveling across her lips to her ear and then lower...
And then he pushed back and stepped away. She almost hadn't wanted him to. In fact, she felt a strange sense of loss as soon as he was gone.
"So. Disneyland tomorrow? You can't have that much to do before you leave."
"It's really not a good idea. He's just getting over- mono- and his immune system is shaky."
Bruce was staring at her again with sensual intent. The man was practically oozing sex. For a minute she was tempted to just give him what he wanted.
What they both wanted.
She circled around the island and started backing away.
"But thanks again. Seriously. We'll take a - um- a rain check on that."
Bruce followed her all the way to the door. The man moved like a panther! He was stalking her like one. She suddenly had a very clear idea of how those poor gazelles felt in those nature shows about the Serengeti.
"So, um, bye! See you on Monday!"
She practically ran out of the place and leapt into the car. The car he had just given her.
She glanced in the rear view mirror as she pulled down the drive. Bruce was standing in the open doorway, watching her.
It was weird, but for a moment he looked utterly alone, standing in front of his gazillion dollar beach house. She had the strangest feeling that he needed her more than he wanted her. Which after today, was saying a lot.
Because now she knew without a doubt that Bruce Harrison wanted her badly.
And he wasn't going to stop until he won.
8
Bruce pulled into the Hard Rock Hotel. He handed the valet a twenty as he got out and stretched his legs. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Kat's Audi being parked.