fascinating and why he wanted to keep her that way.
Now, if he could just remember that professional relationship they had, maybe he could stop imagining her naked and wrapped around him.
He couldn’t get too close to Callie. He’d sworn to never get involved with anyone again. Besides, she worked for him. Wasn’t that reason enough to keep his distance?
Damn if he didn’t want to seduce her. He’d never experienced such a strong sexual pull with a woman. And all the signs were there that she was just as attracted.
But he had to keep his distance. There were too many similarities between Malinda and Callie. The stubbornness, the stars in their eyes, the naive way they went after their goals. Not to mention that fiery-red hair and that porcelain skin. Noah couldn’t let his heart get mixed up or broken again. But he also couldn’t stand by and watch Callie ruin her life.
He’d stick close to her to make sure she didn’t make any life-altering decisions that could destroy her.
God help him for the torture he was about to endure by making Callie Matthews his top priority.
Two
Callie’s hands were literally shaking. Was this really happening? Was the door of opportunity finally opening for her? Granted she’d been in L.A. a little less than a year and most people took much longer, if ever, to get the audition that would launch their careers.
But Callie had not only gotten the audition nearly two weeks ago, she’d completely nailed it. And her agent had just called to inform her she’d landed the part. It wasn’t huge, but she had lines and three scenes with the lead actors. Now she just had to prove herself, make that role shine and wait for other opportunities to come her way.
She squeezed her steering wheel and let out a squeal as she drove toward Noah’s office. She couldn’t get there fast enough to tell him the good news. Today was her half day to work, so Marie would be there, too, to share in her good news.
This was it. She was finally going to put the old Callie to rest and have everything she’d ever wanted. She’d landed the part; next she would pose for some pictures for Noah and get the money to help her parents in a major way. God, they’d be so happy for a little more security in their lives, and she couldn’t wait to be the one to give it to them.
Her whole life she’d been overshadowed by her siblings—her übersmart brother, who was about to graduate college after attending on a full academic scholarship, and her homecoming-queen sister. Callie had been the average middle child. Because she hadn’t excelled at sports, academics or popularity, she was most often forgotten. Well, no more being overlooked…by anybody.
Callie knew she looked like a complete moron driving down the road with a wide grin on her face, but she didn’t care. For an overweight girl who’d come out of Kansas with big dreams, she’d finally gotten the break of a lifetime.
All her college years of hard work, dieting and exercising before coming to L.A. had paid off. Her goal of becoming an actress was within her reach. That chubby teen in her mind could just shut up because that naive girl with low self-esteem didn’t exist anymore.
Callie shoved aside the humiliating years of her past and focused on the happiness she felt now. No way would she let those old insecurities and her school days of being bullied and made fun of come into play. This was her moment to remember, her moment to shine in the glorious fact that she was going to be in the next Anthony Price movie.
Callie pulled up close to the office and barely got her old Honda in park before she was out and racing across the parking lot. Thankfully it was almost lunchtime and the last of the clients should be finishing up before the office was closed for an hour break.
When she entered the cool, air-conditioned building, Marie, the fill-in receptionist, greeted her.
“Hey, Callie,” the elderly woman greeted, a smile beaming across her surgically smooth face. “Someone looks very happy today.”
Callie couldn’t hide her excitement. “I got the part,” she all but yelled. “I can’t believe it. I got it.”
Marie jumped up from her chair, came around the desk and threw her arms around Callie.
“I’m so excited for you,” Marie said as she squeezed her.
“You may not be excited when I have to quit once filming starts.” Callie eased back. “You’ll be swamped with extra hours.”
Marie laughed. “I’ll make sure he hires someone else, though no one could replace you.”
The compliment warmed Callie. “Is Noah wrapping up back there?”
Marie nodded. “Mrs. McDowell is getting her stitches out and then he’ll be all done. Go on back to his office, and I’ll make sure he knows you’re here.”
“Don’t tell him the news.” Callie shifted her bag higher on her shoulder. “I want it to be a surprise. Actually, don’t even tell him I’m here. You can just let him know someone is in his office.”
Marie giggled. “I like how you think. I’ll make sure he goes straight there.”
Callie turned to the right, toward Noah’s office and away from the patient rooms. She couldn’t wait to tell him, to share her excitement and accomplishment.
She went in and took a seat behind his desk in the big, oversize leather chair. Maybe it was not professional to get cozy at his desk, but she honestly didn’t think he’d mind. Easing her bag to the floor beside her, she crossed her legs and waited.
She’d tried to call her parents on her way here, but the phone had been disconnected…again. She couldn’t get that fifty thousand fast enough. She’d buy the new roof, a reliable new car and prepay some of their utilities for a few months.
With her father still laid off from the chemical plant and his unemployment long since run out, Callie’s mother was pulling double shifts at the local grocery store to make ends meet…and they weren’t meeting very well.
Guilt ate at Callie. How could she spend all the money she made on herself when her parents were facing such desperate times? She knew families all across the country were struggling, but it was hard to see the ones she loved fall on hard times.
Besides, she’d do something for herself with the money she made from the movie. God knew she could use a new car, as well. Her poor Honda needed to be laid to rest years ago. She couldn’t wait to go car shopping. To find something that really said I’ve arrived.
Before her thoughts turned too shallow and she could imagine the color of the car she’d look best in, Noah stood in his doorway. She didn’t give him an opportunity to speak before she jumped from the chair and screamed, “I got the part!”
Noah froze for a moment as if to process her words, then he crossed the room and she suddenly found herself coming out from behind the desk, meeting him halfway and being enveloped in a strong, masculine hold.
Oh. My. God.
Had she known he felt this good, this…hard all over, she would’ve insisted on good-morning hugs every day he came into the office—a much better pick-me-up than coffee. When you could feel a man’s rippled muscles beneath his clothing, you knew there was some mighty fine workmanship beneath that cotton.
Noah eased back, keeping a firm grip on her bare biceps. “You seem really happy.”
“I’ve never been happier,” she told him, the thrill of her phone call still running through her.
“Then I’m excited for you,” he said, letting his hands fall away.
“I feel like celebrating.”
He laughed. “Don’t celebrate too much and forget the photo shoot in the morning.”
Callie smiled. “I know when it is. I’ll be there.”
Noah