A Reclusive Heart (Hollywood Hearts 2)

His eyes narrowed on her as he felt a tick start beneath his left eye. “You’d sell me out like that? Over chocolate?” he said with obvious disgust.

She shrugged as she held the bag tightly to her chest and let out another cute little sigh. “It’s Belgium chocolate,” she said as if that explained it all. That explained nothing. It also pissed him off that she clearly chose chocolate over him.

He reached over and tore the bag away from her, earning a little gasp of horror that he refused to find adorably sexy. “Just for that you aren’t getting this chocolate back until tomorrow.”

“B-b-b-but,” she stuttered, reaching for it but he simply stepped back.

When she realized that she wasn’t getting it back she went back to slumping in her chair. He thought he heard her mutter, “Big jerk,” but he decided to ignore it since that was most likely the chocolate withdrawal talking.

“Are you busy tonight, Nick?” Margaret asked as if the little odd conversation hadn’t just happened. Then again she was probably used to weird conversations in this line of work.

He should take the woman up on her invitation. She wouldn’t drive him crazy or have him drooling after her like some kid. In fact, he was pretty sure he’d have her out of her panties and beneath him within two minutes of walking through her front door, but unfortunately for him the thought of touching her left him cold. The only woman he wanted was coming down from a sugar high and would probably require some babying later tonight when the stomach ache hit. What the hell happened to him when he’d rather spend the night cuddling a cranky woman than f**king a willing one?

“That’s a very sweet offer, but unfortunately we have to work tonight and then catch an early flight in the morning,” he said, giving the woman his most charming smile and hoping it was enough.

“Maybe next time you’re in town,” she said, giving him that coy smile that promised all sorts of naughty things between the sheets. Since this thing with Jamie would be over by the next time he swung through Virginia for work he didn’t see any reason why he shouldn’t accept.

“That sounds like a great idea, sweetheart. How about you give me your number so I can give you a call the next time I’m in the area,” he said, forcing his eyes away from his little recluse as he told himself that he had no reason to feel guilty. He never felt guilty for living his life and he sure as hell wasn’t about to start now.

******

“We’re ready for you, Miss. Harris,” one of the assistants said, gesturing for her to join Andrew Jameson, the show’s host, on stage.

She decided not to keep her promise to Nick and hunt him down for last minute advice since he’d just given her the kiss off and joined Andrew on stage. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Nick try to discretely gesture for her to walk over to him, but she ignored him and plastered what she hoped was a friendly smile on her face and sat down in the small leather chair next to Andrew.

The man was mid-thirties, handsome and the look he gave her slightly appeased the hurt Nick had caused not even twenty minutes ago. She still couldn’t believe that he’d hurt her like that. She knew that they’d never have a lifetime together, but the last few days had been wonderful, especially yesterday when they spent all day in his bed, but apparently she’d been wrong. Well, she’d enjoyed it but obviously he had not.

If he had he wouldn’t have been making plans to meet up with another woman right in front of her. The least he could have done was taken her aside beforehand and given her the brush off. Finding out like that hadn’t exactly been pleasant.

“It’s so nice to meet you, Miss. Harris,” Andrew said warmly as he reached over to take one of her hands into both of his.

“It’s nice to meet you too, Mr. Jameson,” she said, easily returning the smile.

“Please call me Andrew. From what I gather this is your first on camera interview. Just relax and pretend the camera’s not there and you’ll be fine. I’m also assuming that you would prefer to be called J.L. Lewis during the interview?” he asked, still holding her hand she might note.

She risked a quick glance over to where she’d last seen Nick and was a little surprised to find him glaring at their hands. Considering he’d just basically made plans to have sex with another woman she thought he had a heck of a nerve to look pissed that another man was touching her. After this they were going back to a strictly professional relationship. She didn’t even want help with her list and come to think of it maybe it was time just to bite the bullet and have sex. It sure as heck would stop her from pinning after him and it would help shred a little more of the old Jamie away for good.

“If you’re ready?” Andrew asked, reluctantly releasing her hand as he sat back in his chair.

Was she?

Yes, she was and not only for this interview. It was probably childish, but tonight when she found a man to take to bed she was going to make darn sure that Nick knew that she was doing it. Not that he’d care since he’d probably be ha**ng s*x with another woman and couldn’t care less that she moved on and she had. It was just a few days. Nothing major. She could move on just as easily as he had.

“Thank you for joining us this evening, J.L. Lewis,” Andrew said, letting her know that they’d begun recording the interview.

“Thank you for having me,” she returned easily, surprising herself. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad afterwards.

After a few minutes of basic questions he moved smoothly into her personal life. “So tell me, is there a Mr. Lewis in the picture?”

With a soft chuckle she shook her head, “No, I’m not married yet.”

“Is there any special man in your life?” he asked and she wondered if that was interest she noted in his expression.

She couldn’t help watching Nick out of the corner of her eye as she answered, “No, there’s no special man in my life.” The area Nick stood in was dark, but she could have sworn he made a move to come closer, but stopped himself at the last moment. Wishful thinking on her part, she realized.

“I wanted to tell you how profoundly sorry I was about the news that came out this morning. I’m sure it was a bit of a shock that your family came forward and shared the rather personal information. I’m actually flattered that you chose KJK to share your thoughts on the matter,” Andrew said, confusing the heck out of her.

“I’m sorry. I’m afraid that I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she admitted.