An excerpt from Starstruck
2012 (c) Copyright Ashleigh Raine

This book is intended for mature audiences only. If you are not over the age of consent, click the little X on the top right-hand corner of your screen.

They walked together toward the front door. She considered asking where he wanted to go, what he wanted to do, but she didn’t want to pressure him. Honestly, even if all they did was walk out the door, say their goodbyes and then he turned left and she turned right, she’d be okay with that. Him showing up to see her tonight was awesome enough.

Okay, that was totally a lie. She wasn’t ready to say goodbye to him yet. “How was your—?”

“You were fantas—”

They laughed, and he held open the door for her to pass through. “You first,” he said. “I’m on my best behavior tonight. Holding doors rather than knocking you over. Is it working?”

She gave him a considering look, murmured, “Hmm…” and nodded. “Although sometimes good behavior’s overrated.”

“That, I can work with,” he said softly as she eased past. When she stepped outside, the cool night breeze washed over her heated face. She wasn’t blushing though—at least she didn’t think she was. This all-over warmth could be one hundred percent attributed to Micah.

Hat shading his eyes, he held the door for another exiting couple, and then walked to her side. “Where are you parked?” he asked.

“Behind the building.”

“Me too.” They followed the sidewalk around to the back of Stars.

She watched him out of the corner of her eye as they crossed into the parking lot. The cap kept most of his face in shadow, but the streetlight highlighted his jaw, and she had the absurd desire to reach out and feel the stubble there shining golden in the light. Down, girl. Instead, she fiddled with the length of purse strap hanging from her shoulder and tucked her other hand into her pocket. “Did you have a good dinner?” There, that was polite, hands-to-herself conversation. Go her!

“Dinner was good. But the entertainment, that was fantastic. You were fantastic.”

Okay, now she was blushing. And beaming. And really wanting to throw her arms around him. She stopped walking and faced him, although her hands stayed firmly at her sides. Tackling him in a parking lot would probably be considered bad form.

“Thank you.” Her mother would be proud that even when starstruck, Jenna remembered her manners.

“So if I come back on my birthday, will you sing to me too?” He had the devil in his eyes, and his mouth was quirked up at the corners. Two could play at the teasing game.

Channeling Marilyn in expression and voice, she purred, “Oh, you like Marilyn?”

He stepped closer, so close she could see herself in his eyes, feel his breath brush her cheek as he said, “No. I like you.”

And then she couldn’t see anymore, she could only feel, because her eyes were closed and his mouth was on hers, and they were kissing. The softest pressure of his lips, not demanding, just sharing. Touches. Breaths.

And God, this man knew how to kiss. Not only with his mouth, but with his whole body. One of his hands came up to cradle her head, tangling in her hair, fingertips stroking along her neck. His other hand cupped her hip, his thumb sweeping back and forth. Even through the cotton she felt that caress, and she wished her shirt would ride up a few inches so he’d graze bare flesh.

Finally giving herself permission to touch, she lifted her hands to rest on his waist. He was so warm, his body tight and strong beneath her palms.

He pulled back and leaned his forehead against hers, their panted exhales mingling in the small space between their lips. He smoothed his hands over her back, along her shoulders and down her arms.

“Can I see you again?” he asked as he tangled their fingers together.

“Will there be more kissing involved?”

He huffed out a broken laugh and brushed his lips over hers. “Yeah, I can pretty much guarantee that.”

“Well then. I think we should make plans to meet.” This time she closed the distance between them and pressed their mouths together. “And soon.”

A sound between a moan and a sigh rumbled from his throat. “Not soon enough. My next three days are gonna be hell. Long shooting days. I’m in almost every scene. What about Saturday?”

“I work an early shift, but I’ll be out by two.”

“How about dinner that night?”

“I’d like that.”

Lifting their clasped hands, he kissed the back of hers. “Me too.”

It was a good thing they were holding hands, because Jenna still had that itch to touch him…everywhere. The limited tactile taste had only whetted her appetite. She needed to stroke his stubble-rough jaw, run her fingers through the hair flattened to his scalp… “What happened to your hat?”

His shoulders came up in a cute shrug. “Stuffed it in the back of my pants.”

“Real smooth.” Jenna chuckled. “And it’s a good thing, too, because I’ve already proven I might not duck in time.”

“Well, I am still on my best behavior.” Micah winked as he put the hat back in place. “Can I walk you to your car?”

“Sure.” She was tempted to prolong the evening by doing laps around the parking lot, but considering it would probably make her look a little crazy and a lot desperate, she took a few steps and stopped in front of her dingy, banged-up Sentra. “This is mine.” She unlocked her car and tossed her purse on the passenger seat. “So, Saturday night then?”

“Most definitely. Wait, what’s your number?” He pulled his phone out and keyed in her number as she told him, then tucked it back in his pocket. She did the same, dipping into the car to grab her green-rhinestone-star-decorated cell from her purse, so she could input his number. “Can’t wait.”

“Me neither.”

He grabbed the brim of his hat and twisted it to the side, before bringing his hands to her face and cupping her cheeks. Her eyes closed as his lips landed on hers for a sweet, beautiful, oh-too-short moment of bliss.

“Good night, Jenna.” He slowly retreated and drew his hat forward.

“Good night, Micah.” Still feeling the warmth of his hands on her cheeks, she sank into her car, barely noticing the duct tape holding the seat together scratching against her butt. Tonight had been awesome and called for loud music blasted from ancient speakers so she could sing at the top of her lungs. After she left the parking lot, though, since Micah was waiting only a few feet away, seeing her off.

She turned the key in the ignition, but her car only made its irritating fast clicking noise.

Well, she’d wanted to prolong the evening, but not by playing the damsel in distress. Fingers crossed, she turned the key again, but was met with the same lack of progress.

Crap.

She popped the hood release, got out and headed straight for the front.

“You need any help?” Micah asked, and even with the hat hiding his features, she could see his look of concern.

She shrugged like it was no big deal. “Holly does this sometimes. She’s been a bit moody since I moved to L.A.”

“Holly?” One side of his mouth tilted up.

“My mom named her. Told me that this car would get me wherever I needed to go—to school, the supermarket and even Hollywood.” She got the hood open and started jiggling the wires. “I don’t know why, but every time Holly does this, I wiggle all the wires and she starts. Just like a girl, right?” She got in the car and turned the key. Holly purred to life—well, more like choked and spluttered, but she was running and that’s what mattered. “See, all better.” She hopped out of the car to close the hood.

Micah looked at her, her car, and her again. “Can I follow you home? Make sure you get there okay?”

“I’ll be fine. You don’t have to go out of your way for me.”

“How do you know it’s out of my way?” he teased.

“How do you know it’s not?” she teased back.

Micah leaned in close. “Seriously. I’d feel better knowing you made it home okay. Plus, I need to know where you live so I can pick you up on Saturday night. See, win-win situation here.”

How could she say no to that? Besides, she wanted to spend more time with Micah. Not that him in one car and her in another constituted time together, but still. “I live in Van Nuys, fifteen, twenty minutes from here, depending on traffic. You really don’t mind?”

“Consider it a done deal.”

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