Dreaming With My Eyes Wide Open (Hollywood Legends #2) (8 page)

As far as anyone could tell, it was a vanity project. Lyle
Wilson came from money. A lot of money. Now thirty, he had inherited the bulk
of his wealth in his early twenties. Since then, he increased his fortune by
making savvy investments. He was smart. Charming. Attractive. The perfect
package.

But the package didn’t appeal to Paige.

They met soon after Paige returned from college to be with
her mother. At first, Lyle offered nothing but friendship. When he dropped by
the Double C, it was usually to bend her father’s ear about ranching.

Not that Lyle took Chuck’s advice. He had a fancy,
Harvard-educated ranch manager who made all the big decisions. No. That wasn’t
true. The manager submitted a list of
options
. Lyle made all final
decisions. That was an important point. Paige knew this because he emphasized
it every time the subject came up. And like most things that involved Lyle, the
subject came up repeatedly.

Paige had only herself to blame. She knew from the beginning
that Lyle wasn’t a man she would ever work up any interest in. However, they
met when she was emotionally vulnerable. Lyle provided a distraction that Paige
latched onto. Unlatching herself wasn’t as easy. He was not a man easily
discouraged.

Lyle would ask her out. Paige would say no. A few weeks would
pass before he made his next pitch. Three times, he wore her down. Three times,
she regretted it.

They had nothing in common beyond their zip code. No shared
interests. She was open to any subject. Sports. Politics. Entertainment. He was
open to one. Lyle. As soon as she figured out he was obsessed with himself,
Paige knew they had no future. Romantic or otherwise.

For the life of her, she couldn’t figure out why he was
fixated on her. Most women would have switched places with her in a heartbeat.
Wealthy bachelors didn’t grow on trees, especially in Basic, Montana. Paige
didn’t care about that. Money was nice. She needed a man with whom she could
carry on an intelligent conversation.

One thing she was certain of — Lyle Wilson was not in love
with her. If there were a physical attraction, he hid it. A kiss on the cheek.
Once. Not exactly the sign of a man overcome with passion.

Was he gay? Paige had no idea. He seemed almost asexual.
Neutral. He simply wasn’t interested.

It was time for Paige to make it clear, once and for all,
that neither was she.

“What do you think?”

Paige’s mind had wandered so far away, she had lost track of
the conversation.

“I’m sorry? What was the question?”

For the first time, Paige thought she saw a flicker of real
emotion behind Lyle’s normally placid pale blue eyes. However, the slight sign
of impatience disappeared as quickly as it came. The slow, calm smile that
curved his lips was in place before she could decide if it had been her
imagination.

“Chicago, dear.” His tone was slightly condescending, as
though he tried to get through to a child. Or a not too bright adult. “If you
agree to accompany me.”

One more strike against him. He never treated her as an
equal. Everything was said with slow deliberation. Simple words. It was
insulting. Not that she took it personally. Lyle spoke to everyone that way.

“What are we doing, Lyle?”

“Sharing some lovely wine.”

Paige sighed. Everything was so literal with him. Fine. If
he needed her to bash him with the edge of her blunt tongue, so be it. She
should have done this after their first date.

“You are a very nice man, Lyle.”

“And you are a very nice woman.”

“Not really. I can be a bitch.” Paige took her glass to the
sink, pouring out the contents. Lyle’s gasp made her roll her eyes. “You
haven’t seen that side of me because, the few times we’ve been alone, I never
say anything. You do all the talking.”

“I thought you were shy.”

“That proves you don’t know me. I’m a lot of things, Lyle.
Shy isn’t one of them.”

“All the more reason for you to come to Chicago.”

“No.”

“But—”

“Just no, Lyle.” This time, Paige wasn’t leaving any doubt
about how she felt. “I don’t want to go to Chicago with you. Or Missoula. Or
Basic.”

“Is there a reason or is this a woman’s thing?”

“You mean am I moody because it’s that time of the month?
The answer is no. I don’t have my period. I told you, this is me. I can call on
my inner bitch every day of the month. I don’t need any excuses.”

“There’s no need to be crude.” Lyle picked an imaginary
piece of lint off his starched jeans.

“Fine. How about some honesty? Something I should have given
you from the beginning.” Paige slapped her hands down on the imported Italian
marble that covered every inch of counter space. Lyle called the color
‘enchanted moss.’ Paige called it ugly. Like mucus with flecks of gold shot
through it. “
I am not interested
.”

“It’s that walking steroid, isn’t it?”

“It’s you and me, Lyle. It’s the fact that we— Wait.
Steroid? What are you talking about?”

“Muscle boy,” Lyle sneered. “The guy guarding the house when
I drove up? You should get a dog, Paige. They’re easier to train.”

“Nate? Nate Landis?”

Under other circumstances, Paige would have laughed.
Steroids? She supposed to a man like Lyle who had a slightly underdeveloped
physique, it might seem like Nate was muscle bound. To the eye of an
appreciative woman, his body was perfection. Sex on a very long, gorgeous
stick.

“Landis. Why does that sound familiar?”

“It’s a common enough last name.” Paige didn’t want to get
into the whole ‘we’re making a movie’ thing with Lyle. She wanted to go home.
Now. “I’m tired, Lyle and as you pointed out earlier, my day starts early.”

“Of course.”

Nothing ruffled Lyle. Paige could see that as an asset. If
you were an air traffic controller. Or if you defused bombs for a living. In
everyday life, it was damned annoying.

If there were ever a time to cut the small talk, this was
it. Naturally, Lyle didn’t get the memo. The ride back to the Double C seemed
never ending as he went on and on about the fluctuating Asian market. Paige was
so happy to see the front porch light she had the truck door open before they
came to a full stop.

“Goodbye, Lyle. I—”

“I won’t take what you said tonight to be the final word,
Paige. Think about it for a few weeks. I’ll call you when I get back from
Chicago.”

“There is nothing to think about. There is nothing between
us, Lyle. You must feel the same. You’ve never even kissed me.”

“Is that what this is about?” Paige saw Lyle’s white teeth
gleaming in the glow from the porch. “Why didn’t you say so?”

When he started to get out of the truck, Paige jumped across
the seat, grabbing at his arm. When he wanted to, Lyle moved quickly. Not
wanting to be trapped, she slammed the passenger door. Before she could run up
the steps to the safety of the house, Lyle was in front her, blocking her path.

“I don’t want you to kiss me, Lyle.”

“You’ll change your mind. I’ve been told I’m very good.”

“No.”

“Relax.” Lyle’s hands closed around Paige’s upper arms.

“And what? Think of England?”

“I don’t know what that means.”

“It means the lady doesn’t want you mauling her.”

Nate’s arrival gave Paige the opportunity she needed. A
quick twist of her body and an elbow to his midsection had his hands dropping
away. She didn’t stick around to enjoy the sight of him doubled over.

“Get in the house.” Nate growled as Paige moved past him.
She stopped long enough to take his hand.

“If you come with me.”

“I’m right behind you.”

Nate tugged at his hand, but Paige wasn’t letting go. Their
eyes met. No longer a warm ocean blue, there was ice in his gaze that made her
more determined to get him away from Lyle.

“Please, Nate. I’m fine. Nothing happened. Besides, he’s
already gone.”

While Paige waylaid Nate, Lyle wisely decided to get out of
Dodge. A plume of dust and screeching tires signaled his hasty retreat.

“Fucking coward.”

Paige pulled Nate along. With his cooperation, the task was
a lot easier. He watched the taillights of Lyle’s truck for a moment longer
before following her into the house.

“Did he hurt you?”

Nate helped Paige off with her jacket. He lifted the edge of
her sleeve, checking the skin.

“I’m fine.” She tried moving away but when he gently held
her still, she didn’t put up a fight. It felt good to be fussed over. If only
for a little while. “Nate, Lyle got the worst of the encounter. I jabbed him
hard.”

“You should have let me jab him harder.”

“With this?” Paige took his hand in hers. “You could have
shattered his jaw.”

“Nah. I know how to throw a punch. I was thinking of a split
lip. Painful and lots of blood.”

Satisfied she wasn’t going to bruise, Nate looked at Paige.
The ice had melted, she thought with a sigh. Warm ocean blue.

“Thank you,” she whispered. “Though I could have handled it
on my own.”

“I have no doubt.”

Nate gently traced the ridge of her knuckles with his thumb.

“Bad idea.”

“Hmm?” Nate smiled.

Damn that mouth. It gave a woman ideas. Bad, nasty, glorious
ideas.

“I shouldn’t be holding your hand.”

Remembering his conversation with Chuck, Nate agreed.
Friends
with
benefits, my ass.
The warning had been clear as crystal.
Keep
your hands off my daughter
. Nate planned on doing his best. At least in the
house. However, Montana was a big state. If Paige could be persuaded, all bets
were off outside these doors.

“You’re sure he didn’t hurt you?”

“Positive.”

“Then he can keep breathing.” Nate kissed the back of
Paige’s hand before letting it go. “Any chance he’ll be back?”

“Not if he has a trace of self-preservation.”

Paige wasn’t thinking about what Nate would do to Lyle. If
the jerk showed his face around here again,
she
would break his jaw.

“Good. We have an early start in the morning. Chuck has set
up a meeting with everyone who will be working on the movie.”

Paige shook her head. She was amazed at how much her father
had gotten done without her knowledge.

“He isn’t letting any grass grow under his feet.”

Nate followed Paige up the stairs, stopping at her door. He
wasn’t going to look. He was better off not knowing what her bed looked like.
Feeding his fertile imagination with images of how she would look, naked and
ready for him, would only add fuel to the fire.

“Good night, Paige.”

Inside her room, Paige listened to Nate’s footsteps and the
closing of his door. Thank God, her father was in the house. His and Nate’s
rooms shared a wall. That was all the deterrent Paige needed if she found
herself tempted.

With a sigh, she flopped onto the bed, bouncing slightly.
Nothing would happen between her and Nate. But oh, was she tempted.

For the second time that night, she cursed Nate Landis. The
man was too good looking. Too sexy. Too… Everything. Why couldn’t the man be a
jerk? She could resist a gorgeous asshole. Unfortunately, Nate seemed to be one
of the good guys.

Paige punched her pillow in frustration. Everyone had flaws.
She was determined to find something, anything that would dampen the
attraction.

Nate Landis could not be as perfect as he seemed.

MORNINGS ON THE Double C carried a routine that seldom varied.
Animals didn’t care if you had a bad night or wanted twenty more minutes of
sleep. They depended on you. Their well-being meant your needs came second.

Paige had always been an early riser. She liked watching the
sun crest over the horizon as she tended the horses. It was something she
missed when she went away to college.

It was a bonding time. For the past year, Paige had begun
acquiring
problem
horses. Animals considered untrainable or had been
badly abused. They were skittish around humans — rightfully so.

Neglect, beatings, starvation. She saw it all. These horses
had no reason to trust her. It took time and patience. Things other people were
not willing to give.

Paige knew the rewards. Seeing a beautiful animal restored
to physical and mental health. On rare occasions, the horses were beyond her
help. Calling the vet, having an animal put down, was the hardest part of her
work. However, the rewards far outweighed the bad times.

When one of her horses found a new home with a carefully
vetted owner, she knew it was all worth it. She had a growing collection of
pictures on her office wall of smiling owners and the equally happy horses.
Seeing the fruit of her labor made it all worthwhile.

“Hey, Rollie.”

Paige scratched the horse’s nose, feeding him a handful of
oats. His constant companion nuzzled her hair, snorting his greeting.

“Winter.” Paige laughed. The feel of his velvety muzzle
against her cheek was familiar and welcome. “When have I ever forgotten you?
Here you go.”

The horses chewed contentedly. They were her favorites. Her
first rescues. Looking at them now, it was hard to believe that they were the
same half-starved animals that the local vet had delivered to her a year and a
half ago.

They had been two racks of bones, their coats patches of
mange and littered with fleas and puss-infested sores.

No one considered them worth saving. When Dr. Irene Mount
contacted Paige, the horses were scheduled for euthanization the next day.
Saving them was a long shot. Looking at Rollie and Winter now, she dared anyone
to say it wasn’t worth it. They weren’t for sale. Never had been. Never would
be. They would live their lives out on the Double C — pampered and content.

“I love you guys.” Paige gave the animals one last pat.
“Maybe we’ll take Nate out for a ride one day soon.”

Winter’s ears twitched. He loved a good gallop through the
fields. When Paige took him into the foothills of the Bitterroots, he could go
for hours, exploring different paths.

Rollie wasn’t as enthusiastic. He needed Winter to spur him
on. If Paige took him out alone, he tended to plod, barely picking up his
hooves. He would give a long-suffering snort, hanging his head with a heavy
sigh. The only time he had any real energy was when he was turned toward home.
With his comfortable corral as a goal, Rollie could move like the wind.

“You keep Rollie on his toes, don’t you? He never lags when
you’re there to nip at his rump.”

They were a perfect pair. Inseparable. Paige didn’t know
what they would do without each other. Luckily, neither of them would ever have
to find out.

“You’ve had your breakfast. Now it’s my turn.”

Paige’s thoughts turned back to Nate. That was nothing new.
He had filled her head from the moment he stepped off the plane.
Had it only
been yesterday?
How could one man become so important so quickly?

Because you’ve never met anyone like him.

It was true. Paige slowly walked across the barnyard toward
the house. In less than twenty-four hours, Nate stirred up a variety of
emotions. From lust to frustration and back to lust again. He made her laugh.
He made her angry. Mostly, he made her want something she couldn’t put her
finger on. How could she want it if she didn’t know what
it
was?

Why now? Her mother used to laugh that Paige skipped the
worrisome teenage years, heading straight into adulthood. Her parents were
never concerned about her becoming boy crazy. It wasn’t going to happen. Not
because she was mature beyond her years. There were times when Paige wished for
nothing more than to temporarily go off the rails over a boy. Lottie did it
every other week.

Paige would have gladly joined her if there had been anyone
in Basic to get her hormones pumping. She remained a virgin until the grand old
age of twenty-one.

As she did every morning, Paige used the side entrance to
the house. Right off the kitchen, technically a mudroom, it was designed as a
place to leave boots, coats, hats, and gloves that were loaded with muck from
all over the ranch. Erin had made the rule before Paige was born. Work boots
were not for the house.

Her mother might be gone, but Paige automatically toed off
her boots. It never occurred to her not to.

“There you are. Perfect timing. I’m just dishing up the
hotcakes.”

“On a weekday?” Paige stopped, breathing in the aroma of hot
coffee and bacon. “Did I miss the memo? This is holiday food.”

“This morning felt special.” Chuck filled a plate. “Sit.
They’re always better fresh off the griddle.”

Having washed her hands in the mudroom, Paige didn’t
hesitate. She had been up long enough to work up an appetite.

“Milk?”

“Please.”

Paige liked her hotcakes with plenty of butter and a dash of
syrup. Her father liked his to swim in a pool of the dark liquid. Sweet maple
soup with hotcake croutons. That was how her mother described it. Then she
would kiss him, declaring she picked up enough syrup from Chuck’s lips for her
own serving.

It used to be a running joke. Paige hadn’t thought about it
in ages.

As he set the plate in front of her, Chuck looked at Paige.
The smile he gave her was a touch sad but for the first time, she saw a spark
of genuine humor in his gaze. The memories were easier to deal with. Especially
the good ones.

“Where’s our guest? Still in bed?” Paige took a sip of milk.
“Hollywood hours won’t cut it around here.”

“Nate was up and out with me before you finished your
shower.” Chuck flipped the last hotcake. “We fed the herd down by the old barn
and repaired a section of fence I wasn’t aware was down. Nate noticed it on our
way back.”

“So there.” Nate entered the kitchen, using his good hand to
smooth back his slightly damp hair.

“Show off.”

There was no heat in her words. Nate’s willingness to jump
in only added to her admiration. Why couldn’t he be lazy? A slug-a-bed? She
needed to find a reason to tamp down on the growing attraction she felt for
him.

“Do you snore?”

Nate’s blue eyes twinkled as he snatched a piece of bacon
off her plate.

“I haven’t heard any complaints.”

I’ll bet
, Paige thought. A woman would put up with a
lot if it meant having Nate in her bed.

“Hey,” Paige slapped at his hand when he would have taken
more food from her. “Dad practically cooked a whole pig.” She pointed to the
platter heaped with bacon. “Leave mine alone.”

“Yours tastes better.”

“Why is that?”

“Because it’s yours.”

Paige’s eyes widened. Flirting when they were alone was one
thing. But in front of her father?

“Coffee, Nate?”

“I’ll get it, thanks.”

Neither man acted as though anything odd had been said. It
was as though this kind of thing was routine. A stranger was in their kitchen,
drinking their coffee, eating food off her plate. That was not normal. Nor was
Nate winking at her over the rim of his cup.

“Hollywood hours?” Nate asked before she could comment on
his behavior. “What would those be, if you don’t mind me asking?”

Paige thought about it for a second, and then laughed at her
foolishness. “I have no idea.”

Surprised and delighted by her response, Nate grinned.

“Let me give you a crash course on the subject. Unless you
aren’t interested.”

“My mind is a sponge, professor. Consider me your willing
pupil.”

“Oh, I could teach you a thing or two.” This time, Nate
whispered. Flirting was one thing; all-out sexy talk was another. “All you have
to do is say the word.”

Paige’s eyes met Nate’s, silently pleading for him to keep
quiet. Nate’s smile widened. Apparently, he enjoyed her discomfort.

“Well?”

“Not going to happen.”

“What isn’t going to happen?” Chuck asked, joining them at
the table.

“Nate wants to direct.” Paige felt a burst of satisfaction
when Nate choked on his coffee. “I told him it was your movie. You are the
director.”

“Is that true?” Chuck gave Nate his full attention,
breakfast forgotten. “I know everyone in Hollywood has aspirations.”

“Paige is right, Chuck. I wouldn’t dream of stepping on your
toes.”

“You wouldn’t be.” Chuck sat back. He had the look of a man
on death row, given a last minute reprieve. “I know it’s a big job. I never
would have asked. But if it’s your dream. This is fantastic.”

Chuck dug into his food with vigor. Between the relief of
handing the responsibility of director over to Nate, and the dozen other things
he needed to do, he missed the silent exchange between Paige and Nate.

I am going to kill you
.

There was no misinterpreting that look. Trying her best not
to laugh, Paige put a hand over her mouth, rubbing at the corners. A small
cough covered the chuckle that slipped out.

Knowing she wouldn’t be able to hold it together much
longer, Paige jumped to her feet. Heading toward the mudroom, she called over
her shoulder, “Leave the dishes. I’ll do them when I get back.”

“Where are you going?” Chuck called out. “Paige? Huh.” He
looked at Nate with a slight frown. “I wonder what that was all about?”

Not expecting an answer, Chuck poured half of the pitcher of
syrup over his hotcakes.

Nate barely noticed. His mind was filled with one thought.
He was stuck. For the life of him, he couldn’t think of any way out. Garrett
would bust a gut laughing when he heard. Wyatt and Colt would never let him
live this down.

Directing a movie? Son of a bitch!

“Excuse me, Chuck. I’ll be right back.”

Nate rushed after Paige. She hadn’t gone far. She was
outside, leaning against the building. She had gotten her laughter under
control and wiped the tears from her eyes. When she saw Nate, she almost lost
it again.

“What the hell was that about?”

Paige cleared her throat. “Sorry.” The look he gave her said
he didn’t believe it for a minute. “Honestly, Nate. I had no idea Dad would
react like that.”

“Why did you bring it up?”

“It’s your fault.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

Paige pushed away from the building. She was considered
tall. Her boots had a two-inch heel. Yet she had to tip her head back to look
Nate in the eyes. Happily, the journey was a scenic one. She started at his
chest. Took in the strong curve of his neck. His alone was worth the price of
admission — Paige considered herself lucky. She had a close up view — for free.

“What was I saying?” she asked, her eyes fixed on his mouth.
Such a nice mouth.

“Has focusing always been a problem?” Nate moved closer. “Or
has something, or someone, rattled your brain.”

“There you go. That is why you’re to blame. You don’t just
flirt. You F-L-I-R-T!” Paige put a hand on Nate’s chest. Her intention was to
push him away. Instead, she sighed, her hand rubbing ever so gently.

“Paige.”

“Hmm?” Nate’s chest was huge. Superhero huge. Swallowing,
Paige tried to picture him without his shirt. It was easy. Too easy.

“Paige? Concentrate. You threw me under the bus. I don’t
want to direct. Not this movie. Not any movie.”

“Really? I thought wanting to direct was the ubiquitous
Hollywood dream.”

“Not in my family. We have two producers, two actors, and
one director.”

“And a stuntman.” Another piece of the Nate puzzle. “You
like what you do, don’t you? I bet you’re good at it.”

“I am.”

“The best?”

“Top five.”

Nate would never put himself at the top of any list.
However, he knew his worth. In his corner of the entertainment universe, people
respected the Landis name.
Nate
Landis. Nate liked where he was.
Who
he was. He wasn’t an aspiring anything. He was a stuntman.

“Top five is good.” Paige nodded. “Great.”

“When it comes to other things?” Nate trapped Paige’s
wandering fingers, flattening her palm against his beating heart. “I’m number
one. Want to hazard a guess what they are?”

“What is wrong with you?” Paige pulled at her hand. With a
smile, Nate let her go. “You’re always saying things that make my mind wander
into dangerous territory.”

“Sorry.” Nate didn’t sound contrite. Just the opposite.

“Lyle accused you of being on steroids.”

“Asshole.”

“My thought exactly.”

“If you talk your dad into directing, I’ll let you feel my
ass. And anything else you want.”

“If I don’t?” Paige swallowed hard. In jeans, Nate’s ass was
amazing. Naked? She swallowed again. Her mouth watered at the thought.

“You know the answer. You want to touch any part of me?”
This time, Nate’s smile was slow and full of promises. “All you have to do is
ask.”

“This is dangerous territory.”

“Only if you make it that way. There’s nothing wrong with
enjoying a kiss, Paige. Or a touch. Or…”

Hoping Nate would take the decision out of her hands, Paige
felt a wave of disappointment when he backed away.

“Nate…”

“I’m not going to kiss you, Paige.” Nate’s eyes no longer
held a teasing light. “After last night? If I pushed myself on you, even
thinking you wanted me, I wouldn’t be any better than your neighbor.”