He regarded her intently as if he had something very important on his mind. She found it hard to tear her gaze from his eyes. “Would you like to go to a real Hollywood premiere, with a red carpet and everything? I need a date for The Ice Queen’s Castle, and I was wondering if you’d go with me.”
The words hung in the air for a moment as Elizabeth’s brain slowly absorbed them. He wanted…a date? That’s what this was about? She had assumed he wanted a roll in the hay, here in the trailer.
Wait! He wants me? ME? To accompany him to a premiere? She suppressed an urge to search for hidden cameras in case she was part of a bizarre reality TV show.
“R-Really?” she asked. “Your date?”
“Yeah.” He leaned toward her. At this distance his eyes were the clearest blue—like the sky on a cloudless summer day. “I’d be honored if you’d be my date.”
Only a few inches separated them. Damn, it would be hard to say no to that chest. To those eyes. But she needed to think coherently, rationally. Or at all.
With an effort of will, she turne
d her head away from his mesmerizing beauty and said the first thing that came into her head. “B-But you don’t even like me.”
He laughed softly. “What gave you that idea? The truth is that I find you very intriguing. We could have a great time.”
I intrigue him? The thought got stuck in her head, not allowing other thoughts through, like a paper jam in a printer.
He closed the distance between them and lowered his lips to hers. They came together like fire and lightning, a sizzling heat igniting. Elizabeth knew she would get burned, but she couldn’t help herself. The kiss was like a drug, and Elizabeth couldn’t get enough. His scent enveloped her. His hands closed on her waist, one dipping down to—
The sensation awakened some previously buried protective instincts. What the hell am I doing?
Elizabeth pushed him away so hard that he bounced against the sofa cushions. “What is this? Seduce the PA Day? It wasn’t marked on my calendar.”
That’s it: sarcasm. Sarcasm would be her weapon in this otherwise bewildering situation.
Will pulled himself into a seated position, the dumbfounded shock on his face so profound that she stifled a laugh. “I’m sorry if I moved too fast,” he said. “But I find you so attractive…”
Elizabeth closed her eyes briefly as if that could somehow shut out words that were all too seductive. God, she’d love to believe that William Darcy, of all men, found her attractive.
But Elizabeth possessed a mirror. She wasn’t the kind of woman who would inspire a second glance from a guy like him. She didn’t know why he was peddling this crap. Strike that; she did know: he wanted to get her into bed. Maybe he was simply horny, and she was the closest available single female. Anyone would do in a pinch.
If you wanted a fish, you baited the hook with a worm. If you want a woman, you bait the hook with a date on the red carpet and a few compliments. Fury blazed through her veins.
“Don’t lie to me,” she said to him in a low, venomous voice.
He seemed genuinely shocked, but she reminded herself that he’s an actor. “I’m not— Maybe you’re not conventionally beautiful like some of the women in Hollywood, but I genuinely find you attractive. Please believe me.”
“Why should I?” Elizabeth crossed her arms over her chest as if they would somehow protect her.
“I invited you on a date!” Now he sounded a little aggrieved. “I don’t do that with just anyone, you know. Most of the women I’m seen with are rising stars. And you’re not, but I like spending time with you. You’re funny, and you treat me like a human being, not a superhero.”
Elizabeth’s heart melted a little. Clearly William wanted to be loved for who he was. “But…but…you told Charlie that I was unattractive and not very bright.”
He winced. “You heard that. God, I am so sorry. I-I think I was trying to convince myself that I didn’t find you attractive since you were my personal assistant.” A corner of his mouth quirked upward. “Obviously that was an epic fail.”
Elizabeth realized that her body was already leaning toward him. Each word just melted the walls around her heart a little more. Maybe she should just pluck it from her chest and hand it to him.
“I don’t believe I’ve found any woman this attractive in a long time.” Those impossibly sky-blue eyes were focused on her, nobody else. And she could do nothing other than drink in the sight of him, inhale his scent, feel his hand on her arm…
He gave her a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, I wasn’t thinking of anything serious. Just one night.”
Her heart hurled itself right back into the cavity in her chest with such force that she nearly gasped. “One night?” she echoed incredulously. “In your bed?”
He gave her a lopsided smile; God, that was charming. “If that’s where we end up.”
Oh, the arrogance of the man knew no bounds. “Just to be clear: you’re not inviting me for a date; you’re inviting me for a one-night stand.”