What it Takes (22 page)

“Good.”

His smile broadened and he walked away. Kelsey watched him for a few steps, then returned to the table and sat down. She laughed when she saw that Patrick’s plate was nearly as untouched as hers and wondered, with a chuckle, if he’d be back to join her before his meal got cold.

Twelve

K
elsey’s luggage was lined up by the door, organized and ready to go. Her mind, however, was not. She’d tossed and turned most of the night, thinking about Patrick. His request, and that kiss, had been at the forefront of her mind since breakfast the previous day. Spending time with Patrick had been fun and she couldn’t help but wonder what he’d be like away from the set. She wasn’t sure she wanted to tell him “no,” if she wanted to close the door on what was growing between them.

But she didn’t know if she wanted to tell him “yes” either. She feared that what was growing between them was strictly lust and she didn’t want to be hurt again. She knew she needed to move on, to take that chance on someone, but did she want it to be with a modern-day rake?

A knock on the door interrupted her pacing and brought her mind back to the present. As she slowly walked across the room, her stomach knotted and tears pricked her eyes. She grabbed her sunglasses from her purse and put them on her head, preparing to hide her eyes if need be. When she reached for the knob, she was surprised to see her hand shaking. She slowly inhaled and gripped it firmly as she opened the door.

Patrick was smiling, his hand on a luggage cart. “Thought we could use this,” he stated simply. Without another word, he began to stack her luggage on the cart.

She picked up the two smaller bags. “You’re probably not used to this, are you?”

He glanced at her as he continued to stack. “Actually, I do this for myself all the time.” He took a suitcase from her. “Surprised?”

She shook her head and lowered her sunglasses. “No,” she managed in a steady voice. “If Veronica had said that, then I’d be surprised.”

He chuckled as he took the last bag from her and added it to the pile. He cocked his head at her sunglasses, studied them for a moment, then looked in the direction of the elevator. “Ready?” Kelsey nodded once and they walked down the hall, making as little noise as possible. In the lobby, they stepped off of the elevator. “Inside or out?” Patrick asked as Kelsey looked around.

A man sat in an armchair, pretending not to notice them as he held a newspaper in front of him. Two women at the breakfast bar quickly turned away when Kelsey’s eyes reached them. The only people who hadn’t noticed them were the clerk behind the counter and the guards in the corners.

Kelsey pointed to the door and Patrick wheeled the cart full of luggage outside. “Are you sure you have to go?” he asked, after the doors had closed them off from prying eyes and ears.

“Patrick, please don’t.”

“Don’t what?” His brow furrowed.

“Don’t make this hard on me,” she said softly. “I have things at home that I need to do.”

“Kelsey, you’ve got a week to get ready for Thanksgiving. Unless you’re inviting the whole town, it won’t take that long.”

She pressed her lips together to keep from frowning. She knew he wanted her to stay. It was one of the last things he’d said to her before leaving her room the night before. And, in all honesty, she was no longer sure she wanted to leave but felt she really needed to go. She looked away and slowly shook her head.

A blue Chevy Cobalt sped into the parking lot, toward the hotel, and stopped in front of them. A young man in a black sport coat, white shirt, and jeans got out of the driver’s seat and walked over to Kelsey.

“Mrs. Morgan?” he asked.

“Miss Morgan,” she corrected

“Whatever,” he said rudely and handed her a pen and a contract to sign. “Now, you have to return the car by the end of the day today or you’ll be charged extra for it, got it?”

Kelsey bristled at the way he spoke to her, like she was a child. Patrick lightly rubbed her lower back and some of her tension drained away.

“I’ve got it,” she said through clenched teeth. If he made one more snarky comment, Kelsey felt sure she’d snap. As she handed the papers back to the man, he looked up and noticed Patrick for the first time.

“Don’t I know you?” the youth asked with a stupid grin on his face. “Oh, yeah, you’re that actor. The one that scores with all the chicks.” He lifted his eyebrows a couple of times and looked at Kelsey with a lewd sneer.

Patrick’s hand fell away from her back and Kelsey glanced at him. She was surprised by the tension on his face. She’d always gotten the impression his reputation didn’t bother him.

“So, you want me to load this stuff in the trunk for you?” the young man asked Kelsey, holding the keys just out of her reach as he winked knowingly at Patrick.

Patrick snatched the keys away and stepped between them. “I’ve got it, thanks,” he said coolly.

“I’ll bet you do.” He smirked at Kelsey again and Patrick inched closer.

Kelsey put her hand on his arm and gave it a squeeze. The young man nodded once, then turned and walked to the sports car waiting for him behind the Cobalt. Kelsey and Patrick watched the kid climb in and have a good laugh with his driver buddy. They gawked at Kelsey as they drove away.

Patrick walked to the back of the car and, with Kelsey’s help, loaded her luggage into the trunk. “So much for southern hospitality.” He slammed the trunk closed and glowered after the sports car. Kelsey put her sunglasses on her head again and took in his turmoil filled face. “I can’t believe how rude he was to you. That look he gave you when he saw me. And those innuendos . . .” his voice trailed away as he looked down.

She took his hands and drew his attention to her. “Does it really matter?”

His dark brown eyes softened but his forehead crinkled. “I hope not,” he said quietly.

Kelsey understood now why the car rental guy’s behavior had bothered Patrick so much and her heart swelled. He was afraid it would affect her decision. She shook her head a couple of times, knowing it was the truth. The young man’s response to Patrick wouldn’t change anything. He smiled and she studied every feature of his face—his strong jaw, his soft lips, and the little cleft in his chin—to strengthen the memory.

“So, I guess you should go,” he finally said, breaking the silence. Kelsey nodded as he wrapped her in his arms. “I wish you’d let me come with you.”

That was something else they’d talked about after Veronica and Grayson had left the night before. Kelsey had explained why that was such a bad idea. Janelle wouldn’t be expecting him and her mother would probably have a field day with it, and not in a pleasant way. Kelsey didn’t mention Richard, who, whether it was his weekend for visitation or not, had a tendency of stopping by. She couldn’t imagine what a confrontation between Richard and Patrick would be like.

“I know,” she murmured into his ear, suddenly wishing he could.

He pulled away and she was lost in the brown depths of his eyes that were getting closer. Her heart leapt in anticipation of a kiss but their lips barely touched before he stood straight again, looking around uneasily. Kelsey looked down to hide her disappointment.

“Call me when you get home,” Patrick said.

She nodded. “I will.”

“Oh, wait right there.” He dashed into the lobby and, just as quickly, returned with a half dozen red roses.

“Patrick—”

He handed them to her. “They’ll get you through the next couple of days.” He led her around to the driver’s side of the car. “I just . . . I wanted you to have them.” He stumbled over his words, a first for him.

“You shouldn’t have,” Kelsey argued.

“Yes.” He took her hand and looked deeply into her eyes. “I should have. Kelsey, I . . .” His expression changed from complete relaxation to total confusion. “I’ll talk to you soon.” He opened the door for her.

She regarded him for another second, head tilted as she wondered whether there was something else. When he simply remained silent, she climbed in and buckled up. As she was putting the roses in the passenger’s seat, Patrick tapped on the window. She turned the key so she could put the window down and he leaned in.

“You will think about it, right?” he asked.

She nodded and lifted the corner of her mouth slightly. “I said I would.”

He kissed her cheek, lingering with his lips once the kiss ended. “Take all the time you need,” he whispered. “I’ll be waiting.”

She looked into his eyes as he stood. He smiled as he walked to the door of the hotel and she started the car. In the rearview mirror, she saw him watching her drive away.

Fifteen minutes down the road, Kelsey realized that for the first time since filming began, she was alone. There was a comfort in going home, but she was momentarily overcome by loneliness. As she considered it, there was really only one person she was missing.

Patrick.

The last seven weeks had been a whirlwind of ups and downs. She’d discovered that she’d been totally mistaken about him as a person. He wasn’t at all what she’d been expecting. Yes, he’d flirted with the girls at the bar, but that had been the extent of it. He’d not been the player she’d imagined.

And she’d experienced her fair share of those.

She’d had many short relationships in high school with immature boys who only wanted one thing from her. When she wouldn’t give it to them, they’d moved on to the next girl and flat out ignored Kelsey from then on. Most of those relationships had only lasted a month, maybe two. Luckily they’d never lasted long enough for her to fall completely in love, but it hadn’t taken her long to learn to guard her heart.

And then there was Tim.

Obviously, he’d lasted longer than a month or two, and his maturity level had been a little higher, but only just. Before they’d even started dating, he’d been the perfect gentleman. That had only improved as their relationship strengthened. They’d really enjoyed doing things together and almost all of her pleasant memories from college involved Tim. They’d almost instantly clicked and gradually connected on a deeper level, one she hadn’t experienced before him. One she hadn’t let herself experience since.

He’d treated her well, spoiled her with little things like chocolates and flowers, and never made her feel like it was only about sex. He’d never lifted a hand against her. He’d never really had a harsh word to say to her. Well, not until the end anyway. But he’d never shown any signs that at the first sniff of trouble he’d bolt.

Things with Patrick were starting out very similarly. Once she’d allowed herself to do so, Kelsey had enjoyed spending time with him. Patrick had made her laugh, let her cry on his shoulder, and always acted like the perfect gentleman. And she knew that if she let herself, she could fall desperately in love with him. Because of that, she couldn’t help but be afraid that, at some point, he would leave her too.