‘There’s nothing wrong with conversation.’
‘Fine. So let’s talk. Tell me why you always wear brown.’
‘I happen to like the colour brown.’
He leaned forward, his gaze disturbingly acute. ‘Why don’t you like having your picture taken?’
‘Not everyone is born an exhibitionist.’
‘Here’s a hint—’ he spoke softly ‘—when you’re lying, you need to look someone in the eye and act sincere. You, Katie Field, are an appalling liar. And you have your secrets, just like anyone else.’ He lifted his glass and took a mouthful of wine, watching her over the rim of his glass.
Not secrets, she thought. Insecurities. It wasn’t the same thing.
Their eyes held and she felt the blood pound in her ears.
But he had secrets, that much was obvious. And she suspected they were dark secrets. Secrets he didn’t share with anyone.
What surprised her was how much she wanted him to share them.
How much she wanted to provide a listening ear.
He was looking at her with those spectacular eyes and suddenly talking and listening were the last things on her mind. It was obvious that he was thinking about that kiss. And so was she.
Her pulse thudding dangerously fast, Katie put down her fork. Seeking a safe subject, she chose acting. ‘Tell me more about how you prepared for the part of Alpha Man.’
She half expected him to refuse, but he relaxed back in his chair and proceeded to regale her with stories about filming. He was witty and sharp, his observations about his cast members so wickedly incisive that she found herself laughing even though she’d promised herself she wasn’t going to fall under his spell.
He was such amusing company that it was only after the last of the plates had been cleared away that she realised he still hadn’t revealed anything personal. The whole evening had been spent talking about other people.
‘So, how about you, little Miss Talkalot.’ He leaned across and topped up her wine glass. ‘How did you end up designing costumes? School play?’
Make me something to wear, Katie.
‘Way before the school play.’ She dismissed her sister’s petulant voice from her head. ‘I always loved costumes. Clothes. I used to make my own dolls’ clothes. We didn’t have that much money so I used scraps of fabric and old buttons from Mum’s sewing kit. I hovered around thrift stores, car boot sales—anything I could find. My friends and I used to play Hollywood.’ Afraid she was boring him to death, she broke off and took a sip of her drink.
‘You used to play Hollywood?’
‘We’d pretend we were a film studio. Martha was the director.’ Katie grinned at the memory. ‘She was the bossy one. Then there was Emily—she was the drama queen so she always had the leading part. Sally and Jenny took whichever parts Emily didn’t want.’ And then there was her sister, Paula. I have to be the princess. I’m the prettiest.
‘And you?’
‘I made everyone else look good.’ She gave a simple shrug. ‘All I ever did at school was draw and draw. We had a school prom and I designed and made everyone’s dresses. My parents wanted me to read English at university, but all I was interested in was art, fashion, the movies and theatre. That’s all I ever wanted to do and they were so good about it. Were your parents good about you wanting to be an actor?’
‘I never asked their opinion.’ His face was inscrutable.
‘I read somewhere that you left home at sixteen and went to Hollywood. That’s pretty young. My parents would have totally freaked out if I’d suggested crossing the Atlantic at that age.’
‘I had an opportunity. I took it.’
‘And your parents didn’t try and talk you out of it? Lucky you. I did my degree in London and my mum and dad were constantly worried about what would happen to me. Not that I’m complaining,’ Katie said hastily, ‘because at the end of the day you know it’s because they care. Yours were obviously pretty chilled about that sort of stuff.’
His eyes glittered and he rose to his feet. ‘Goodnight, Katie.’
‘Oh, but I—’ Her mouth opened and closed because she was talking to herself. Nathaniel had gone.
Katie spent the next few days poring over the script and making sketches.
She saw virtually nothing of Nathaniel.
After that first night, he’d kept his distance. They ate meals together and when he talked about films he’d made he was entertaining company, but she was acutely aware that he was acting a part. The part of host. He said nothing about himself and his conversation was delivered with the same air of bored mockery that characterised all his communication. The slightest attempt on her part to turn their verbal exchanges into something more personal was met by an impenetrable icy wall.
Increasingly lonely, Katie took to hanging out with the staff. She befriended Ben and even went out fishing with him early one morning. She spent time with Sylvia and Kylie who cooked for them. Soon she was firm friends with everyone.
Everyone except Nathaniel.
‘You talked to Ben for so long today he couldn’t get his work done,’ Nathaniel drawled one evening as they ate a delicious meal.
Katie put down her fork, trying not to feel hurt.
‘We were chatting. Do you know he only gets to see his girlfriend once a week?’
‘Lucky guy.’ Nathaniel suppressed a yawn. ‘He gets the sex and none of the rest of the junk that comes with a relationship.’
‘Do you always have to be sarcastic about everything?’
‘Who says I’m being sarcastic?’
Katie thought about his wicked reputation with women. ‘Haven’t you ever been in love?’
He threw back his head and laughed, genuinely amused. ‘That’s a question straight from Katie-land where the sky is blue and the sun always shines.’
Angry, she stood quickly, knocking over her chair in the process. ‘Actually, the sky isn’t that blue in Katie-land. I’ve had my share of problems. My life has bumps in it, just like anyone’s. Right now I’ve lost my job, thanks to you, and there is no way any bank is going to give me another loan when I don’t have work. Not that I expect someone like you to understand.’
‘So if it’s raining in Katie-land,’ he said softly, ‘why are you always so damned cheerful?’
Katie picked the chair up and sat down on it slowly. ‘I don’t know.’ She bit her lip. ‘I suppose I just prefer being happy to being miserable. Over the years I’ve learned what cheers me up.’
‘Talking?’
‘Yes—’ she flushed ‘—I like people. I find people interesting and generally very warm and friendly. Human contact is what makes life OK when things are tough.’
‘Really? Generally I find it to be the other way round.’ His beautiful mouth curled. ‘Human beings are what make life tough when things are OK. I presume your need to talk and make friends is the reason you’re distracting all the staff.’
‘I’m not distracting them.’
‘Sweetheart, you’re virtually on the payroll.’
‘I’d love to be on the payroll! At least then I’d be earning some money. And it’s better than