The next Tuesday Mia followed Levi down the marina dock. The gaggle of reporters that had followed them from the inn was shooting from the parking lot with their telephoto lenses.
“This is really weird,” he said.
“You’re doing great.” She smiled her thanks as Levi helped her on board the beautiful wooden boat bearing the name Mystique. “Just keep smiling. Good news is, we’re about to make our getaway.” She took the beach bag from him and stowed it on a bench seat.
Levi untied the boat and hopped inside. He’d been busy working over the weekend, so Mia had just hung around the inn. She’d worked on her lines, Skyped Ana Maria, and caught up on emails.
Meanwhile the media had figured out who Levi was, and the speculation that he was a significant other had waned. Nolan suggested that being seen together on an actual “date” would help their cause.
Levi’s marina friend had loaned him the boat for the afternoon, and the rest was history. Or soon would be, when the pictures were published. Mia wore her red shorts with a white gauzy top, and Levi wore a pair of navy blue trunks with a white T-shirt. They looked like they were on a nautical dream date.
She settled close to him on the bench seat as he started up the boat, his masculine scent carrying over on a breeze.
“Think they got some good shots?” he asked.
“I hope so.”
“Let’s get out of here then.” He pulled the boat from the slip, going slow through the no-wake zone, and Mia settled back in her seat.
Levi took her across the lake to a private little spit of beach. They lay out in the sun and grazed on the snacks Miss Della had packed them. They talked about his family and his life back in Denver. Mia wondered if he knew that his tone took on a wistful quality when he talked about that life. And she wondered if his sisters knew how much he was sacrificing for them.
With the sun overhead beaming hot, Levi got in the water, swimming out to a submerged boulder and back. Mia, having no swimsuit, simply splashed in the shallows, cooling her feet.
Her ankle was only a little swollen now, and the bruising had faded to a yellow-green. She could walk without limping, though she still took care with her steps.
After three lazy hours they headed back to the marina. Mia slumped in her seat, sun-tired, her hair windblown.
“That was a nice break,” Levi said as he steered into the no-wake zone. He perched his sunglasses on top of his head.
White fluffy clouds had gathered overhead, screening the sun, so Mia did the same. “I think I got too much sun.”
His gaze raked over her, a flicker of male appreciation in his eyes. “Your cheeks are a little pink, but the color looks nice on you.”
At his scrutiny a pleasant shiver passed over her heated flesh. “I should’ve worn sunscreen—I probably don’t look very Irish at the moment.”
“That’s right. Tell me more about the movie. You said it was multigenerational?”
She loved that he listened to her. She never got the feeling he was daydreaming or thinking of what he’d say next. “It’s called Lesser Days, and it’s about a mother and her two daughters. It’s set in Ireland during the potato famine in the 1840s. It’s got a lot of grit. The female characters have lost so much, and it really showcases the power of resilience and fortitude. It’s so empowering—that’s what attracted me to the role.”
“Sounds intriguing. I can’t wait to see it.”
“We have to shoot it first.” Her smile wavered. It was still possible the studio would cancel her contract. They had the right to do so with the morality clause, and Nolan had reported that they were nervous about her participation after the scandal.
Mia settled deeper into the bench seat, feeling languid after all the sun. Their bodies touched at the shoulder and thigh. Was she sitting too close? He didn’t make room between them.
“You had a busy weekend.” She’d missed him the last few days while the inn had been flooded with guests. Though she’d enjoyed seeing the siblings in action, especially him.
“I meant to ask—did anyone recognize you?”
“A couple people. But they were cool.” She tossed him a look. But it lingered longer than she’d intended. The bit of color he’d gotten today made his eyes seem even bluer.
“So . . .” She pulled her gaze away. “Have you given any more thought to where we might look next for the necklace?”
“I know the basement is empty. I couldn’t see Dorothy hiding valuables down there anyway. I thought we might check the walls for safes, just in case. Maybe look around the main attic, even though I’m pretty sure it was cleaned out. Sorry I haven’t had a chance to look yet.”
“Understandable.”
“I’m afraid we have a large family coming for a reunion tonight and staying through Sunday. Not sure how long you were planning to stay . . .”
It sounded like he was fishing, like maybe he didn’t want her to leave. Or maybe he did want her to leave because of all the extra hassle. But then she remembered the way he’d looked at her a couple times today.
“At least another week, if that’s okay.”
Did the corners of his lips lift just a bit? “Let’s plan on getting back to it after they leave then?”
“Sounds like a plan.”
The marina was quiet as Levi expertly guided the boat into the slip. Mia found herself reluctant to return to the inn. She’d enjoyed having Levi all to herself. There was something growing between them, and even though she knew it could only be temporary, she couldn’t seem to quell the butterflies fluttering about her belly. He’d made her laugh today, made her let down her guard. And it felt good. Right.
Whoa. That was a dangerous thought. Her life was in LA, and his was not. Besides, he wasn’t in the business, and that had a way of making relationships difficult.
And yet . . . those butterflies.
He’d turned off the boat, and it bobbed gently in the waves. He made no move to get up, and she could feel his gaze on her.
She looked at him and found him closer than she realized. He was regarding her seriously. His piercing blue eyes making those wings flutter.
“I had a good time today.” His words came slow and lazy.
Tension crackled in the air between them. “Me too.”
His eyes dropped to her lips, making them tingle with just a look.
And then he was right there, his lips meeting hers. He brushed them once, twice. A hum of pleasure moved through her, making the world disappear.
He moved back just a breath, pausing.
Her heart stuttered as she waited, eyes still closed, feeling his breath on her lips. Then he palmed her face and drew her back to him.
She settled her hand on the warmth of his thigh and gave herself fully to the kiss. And what a kiss it was. She’d had many of them, both on-screen and off.
But this one. She never wanted it to end. Wanted more.
He turned more fully into her, wrapping an arm around her waist, delving his fingers into her hair.
Her heart stuttered. Her breath caught in her lungs. She couldn’t get close enough. Couldn’t get enough of him, period.
A clicking sound pulled Mia back to planet Earth. A repetitive clicking. Almost like . . .
Levi pulled back.
Over his shoulder she saw the photographer, camera poised.
Levi shot up from the seat, rocking the boat. “Hey, take a hike, buddy! This is private property.”
Mia turned from the camera, running her hand through her tangled hair, her brain still fuzzy with that kiss.
Someone from the marina was already making his way down the dock. “I’ll have to ask you to leave, sir.”
The photographer was backing away, still snapping photos.
Levi took a few threatening steps toward the man. “Back off!”
“Sir, you need to leave.”
Had Levi seen the photographer lurking in the shadows as they’d approached the dock? Had he staged the moment? That amazing kiss?
Think they got some good shots?
Levi’s words from earlier flashed in Mia’s mind. Those butterflies seemed to sink like lead to the bottom of her stomach.
“I’ll tie up for you,” the marina guy said to Levi.
“Thanks, Ernest.” Levi grabbed her hand. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”
* * *
The mood had shifted by the time Levi ushered Mia inside the inn. The photographers were still out front, although there were fewer. Mia had been quiet since they left the marina.
He’d been irate when that infernal clicking had interrupted their kiss. But it had only taken about two seconds to start wondering if Mia’s generous response had been for the benefit of the camera. And that had done nothing for his mood.
The quiet drive home provided time for further speculation. This was Mia Emerson he was talking about. The famous celebrity, Mia Emerson, worshiped by every male over the age of twelve. What had he been thinking?
The front desk was empty, but there were noises coming from overhead.
Mia seemed a little shaken.
“You all right?” he asked.
“Yeah, I just . . . I think I’m going to work a while, maybe catch up on emails.”
“Yeah, sure.”
The phone rang just then. Molly must’ve turned the ringer back on.
“Guess I better get that.”
And then Mia was gone, taking the stairs like she couldn’t get away from him fast enough.
What in the world had just happened?