Behind the Scenes Read online

  “—or like me.”

  “That’s not true, either . . . I certainly don’t dislike you.”

  “Let me finish, okay?” he said, in a voice so low she almost didn’t hear him.

  “Okay.”

  “I know you hate all of this. The show, the town, the L.A. mindset.”

  “I do not hate the show. Where is this coming from?”

  “Besides me, do you like the crew that works on the show?”

  “I adore them.”

  “Do you think they like you?”

  “I guess they’d have to with what they put up with.”

  “Do you respect them?”

  “Of course. I hope I show them that every day.”

  “Do they show you respect in return?”

  “I don’t know about privately, but they seem to.”

  “Do you think they work hard for you?”

  “Absolutely.”

  He stood up. If Tanya weren’t so worried, she’d take the time to appreciate the view as he paced back and forth behind his desk, his hands shoved deep into the pockets of his navy slacks.

  “In all of the years I’ve worked here, all of the shows I’ve produced, I’ve never held a première night party. Not because I don’t care, but because often by the time a show airs for the first time, people on the set have formed bonds with certain people, and not with some others. I’ve always let them just have their own private parties wherever and however they wanted to, if they wanted to at all.”

  “I never asked you to—”

  “The party tomorrow night wasn’t my idea. The crew got together and wanted to celebrate. To a person they wanted to be together to watch the launch. That’s never happened before, Tanya. Not on any of my sets, at any rate.”

  She had no idea what to say to that. “Thank you” seemed so lame, and she wasn’t even sure it was appropriate. “Why?” sounded ignorant. And “please don’t do it for me” sounded ungrateful. So she sat. And waited.

  “I think there are a few reasons they really wanted to do this. One, because they are all aware that they’re forging new ground here at JBC. They all had to come together and learn. They’re also aware that it could very well tank, but, dammit, not because they didn’t give it their best.”

  “Of course they have.”

  “Then, also, they are very aware that this is all new ground for you in many more ways than it is for them, that you’ve had to deal with a lot more than just learning the ropes of a television production.”

  “They’ve been wonderful.”

  He stopped pacing and faced her. “Then why, Tanya—why would you be so selfish as to slap them in the face by skipping a party being held mostly in your honor by a bunch of people who just wanted to show you how proud they are of you and the show?”

  Tanya stared at him as the truth of everything he’d just accused her of came crashing down on her. “Oh, no,” she breathed.

  “Well?”

  Closing her eyes, she swallowed and swallowed and swallowed, trying to keep from crying. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think. I . . . I’d never hurt a single one of them on purpose.”

  “You aren’t dumb and you aren’t insensitive, so this just baffles me.”

  She placed her hands on his desk to help her keep from doubling over. “You are so right. I was being selfish and a total idiot. I don’t know what I was thinking. I guess I didn’t think anyone would even notice. Or care, really.”

  “They’d do both.”

  “I’m so sorry.”

  “Please go to the party, Tanya.”

  “I’ll be there. I swear it.”

  He came around the desk and pulled her out of the chair, holding onto her shoulders. “Thank you.”

  And that was it. Just like that his anger was gone, vanished. As far as she was concerned, she didn’t deserve to get off that easily. Silently, she vowed to make it up to him—to all of them—somehow.

  AJ reached up and ran the pad of his thumb under her one eye, then the other. Until then, she hadn’t even realized she’d shed any tears at all.

  She sniffed. “I really am so sorry.”

  “I know. So stop crying. I hate that.”

  Her laughter shook. “Sorry about that, too.”

  “Me too. Crying’s not a good look for you.”

  “If I weren’t so mad at myself I’d have a good comeback for that. So thanks a bunch is about the best I can do.”

  He shrugged and grinned. “I call ‘em as I see ‘em.”

  “AJ?” she said softly, getting a little lost in his eyes.

  “Yes?”

  “I honestly mean this. I wish you were going to be there.”

  He frowned. “I’m going to be there.”

  “You are?” she said, trying not to appear happy enough to kiss him.

  “You think I’d be upset with you not going if I didn’t plan to make an appearance, too? Why wouldn’t I be there?”

  “Oh, I just heard something on the set. Maybe I didn’t hear right.”

  AJ raised his eyebrows. “What did you hear?”

  “That you had a date with some beauty-queen star to take her to the première of her movie. Or something like that.”

  Actually, it was exactly like that. She’d wanted to spit nails at him when she’d heard it from Lori and Deb. It had almost felt as if he were cheating on her or something, which she did realize was pretty ridiculous.

  He grinned. “Don’t tell anyone, but I hear the movie stinks.”

  “Oh, well, then that would be a major waste of your time, wouldn’t it?”

  “I’d probably embarrass my date by falling asleep. I’m actually doing her a favor.”

  Tanya grinned, more elated than she had any right to be, considering that she’d just almost insulted an entire group of people she’d really come to care about. “Instead you get to watch the replay of a show you’ve seen about a hundred times.”

  “Is that all? It feels like thousands.”

  “Talk about a snoozer.”

  He shook his head, his hand cupping her neck, fingers stroking the sensitive flesh beneath her ear. “Strangely enough, I never get tired of watching you.”

  And strangely enough, she believed him. He wasn’t the fast-talking, slick-as-oil type she’d run into way too many times around here. She liked that about him.

  A lot.

  She also liked his hands on her skin.

  A lot.

  She liked his eyes, his nose, his mouth. Definitely his mouth.

  A whole lot.

  “But not the dimples,” she said.

  “What?”

  Tanya mentally smacked herself upside the head. But she’d just credited him with playing it straight with her; she wasn’t going to give any less. “Normally I really like dimples,” she said.

  “But you don’t like mine?”

  She shook her head.

  “Why not?”

  “Because they don’t often appear when you’re smiling. Just when you’re mad or frustrated or something.”

  “I didn’t realize they were a dead give-away.”

  “They are. Which is a shame, really. Dimples should be for happiness.”

  They stood there in silence for a long, peaceful moment. But as she watched him little by little his dimples actually began to dig into his cheeks again.

  “What?” she asked, alarmed. “Are you mad about something else?”

  “Not at all. Why?”

  Her hand strayed to his chest and the body-warmed cotton of his shirt. “Dimples,” she managed to get out.

  “I’m definitely not mad.”

  And without asking, although he certainly didn’t need to, he bent and kissed h
er. And Tanya felt as if she’d come home after a long, long time away.

  Her senses swam as he ravished her mouth in the sweetest way she could possibly imagine. His fingers cupped her head and her hands slid up his chest and twined around his neck, pulling him closer, as close as she could get him.

  His body was hard and hot against her, his lips coaxing hers open. He pulled back for an interminable moment with a soft groan, then returned to her mouth, his tongue slipping in to meet hers.

  It was fire and craving that erupted, making her want to get closer, melt against his heat. She wanted his hands all over her, his body over her, pressing down into her until there wasn’t a part of them not touching. It was the craziest sensation she’d ever experienced, and she couldn’t get enough.

  She almost cried out when he broke the kiss, but his lips travelled across her jaw to her ear, and she moaned instead. His lips nibbled on her lobe before lowering to her neck, slowly burning a path down to her shoulder and she couldn’t get enough and if he stopped she’d scream and—

  The buzz of his intercom was like an electric shock that ran through both of them.

  AJ straightened, his head falling back as he groaned his frustration, echoing her feelings exactly.

  But with her senses clearing, Tanya stepped away to give him space to get the phone.

  Closing his eyes for a moment in what appeared to be an instant of agony, he groped behind himself. Finally he gave up and turned to his desk, grabbing the offending equipment.

  “Yes?” he said, and Tanya had to give him major points for not taking out his frustration at the interruption on his secretary. Any other man probably would have barked into the phone.

  “Thank you, Mrs. Peterson. Yes, I remember. Can you please tell her assistant I need to pull the file and call her back?” He nodded. “Thanks.” And then he dropped the phone and faced her.

  Pointing at her nose, he said, “Don’t you dare regret that kiss.”

  Tanya let out a short laugh. “Regret it? Why would I do that?”

  His hand dropped. “I don’t know. I just thought maybe you’d think I was taking unfair advantage of you again here in my own territory.”

  She laughed again. “I’ll tell you what. Next time I feel you’re unfairly taking advantage of me, I’ll be sure to let you know.”

  “You do that.”

  “Trust me, I will.”

  “Gently, though.”

  “I’ll try.”

  “I . . . have to return that call,” he said, shrugging regretfully.

  “I know. I have to find my friend. Who knows what trouble she’s in by now?”

  “See you tomorrow night?”

  “I’ll be there. If I have to crawl, I’ll be there.”

  “Do you need a ride?”

  Tanya shook her head, although it occurred to her she had no idea what type of car he drove. “We’ll be fine.”

  She took one final check of herself to make certain nothing was out of place, then headed to the door. Before she turned the knob, she swung back to him. “Thank you, AJ.”

  He laughed. “You’re thanking me? No, trust me, my pleasure.”

  “Not for the kiss,” she said, then amended that. “Well, yes, for that, too. But also for telling me to grow up.”

  “I didn’t tell you to grow up, Tanya.”

  “You might not realize it, but, yes, you did. And I needed to hear it. So just say ‘you’re welcome’ and I’ll let you get back to work.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  She nodded, then shot him a final grin. “You know, I’m suddenly not as anti-dimple as I was before I walked in.”

  She could tell by the look on his face that he was confused.

  Good.

  Chapter Ten

  ALTHOUGH NOT A peep escaped through the thick mahogany entrance doors to the screening theater, the moment Sharyn pulled one open it was as if a volume switch had been triggered. Laughter and conversation washed over them, and Tanya quickly grabbed the door from her friend and closed it again.

  “That’s called a party,” Sharyn said, rolling her eyes at Tanya. “Unique concept. Fun. Food. Men.”

  “Just give me a second,” Tanya said, breathing deeply. “Do I look all right?”

  “Gorgeous. The color black should worship at your painted pink toes.”

  “I’m serious.”

  “Have I ever lied to you? You look fabulous.”

  “Hair?”

  “Yes, you have plenty.”

  Tanya wrinkled her nose. “Okay, asking for a hair compliment probably was straining the boundaries of our friendship. By the way, as if you didn’t know, you look beautiful.”

  That was no exaggeration. Sharyn’s appearance was almost indescribable. She had very angular features that, taken alone, might be considered harsh, but her almost comically large, round eyes hit you right in the gut. If she wanted to, Sharyn could bring a man to his knees by turning those wide hazel eyes on him and batting them once or twice. Her short hair seemed to make way for eyes that wouldn’t quit.

  Tonight she had on a champagne sheath that brought out the golden highlights in her hair and eyes.

  Sharyn grinned. “Just point me in the direction of Denny the Director.”

  “Don’t forget our signal.”

  “Yes, ma’am. Now let’s go. You have a hot and warm body waiting for you in there as well.”

  “Right.” Tanya would protest, but after that kiss yesterday she knew such denial would just be self-delusion on her part. She’d tossed in bed half the night reliving that experience with AJ.

  After turning it over and over in her mind, she’d worried that her imagination had made it a more mind-blowing experience than it really was, but she’d never felt that way before from kissing.

  After all, the first kiss—in this case, their second—was always exciting. She would expect that feeling to be no different, no matter whose lips they were.

  Maybe she had just matured since her last first kiss and could appreciate the nuances more. Or maybe AJ himself was the nuance that should be appreciated. She knew without a doubt that his mouth deserved accolades. When he was kissing her that was . . . talking was a different matter.

  Then again, the only time he’d truly spoken harshly to her was yesterday, and she’d deserved much worse than what he’d dished out.

  She needed to think about this more. Maybe she should go someplace quiet right now and—

  “Don’t even think about it,” Sharyn said.

  “Remind me not to speak to you after all of this is over,” Tanya said. “You rat.”

  “I know. I hate myself for it. Now come on before all the hors d’oeuvres are gone.”

  The screening room at JBC Studios was a mini luxury movie theater. The floor was plush burgundy pile carpeting, the walls black padded paneling. The seats, numbering around fifty, appeared large enough to comfortably hold two people each, and individual black lacquer side tables flanked them. They were covered in a muted burgundy, rose and black weave.

  The velvet curtains covering the enormous screen were also black, their JBC logos in the same burgundy as the carpeting. Recessed lights marched down the steps of the theater and along the walls, throwing off a dreamy, muted illumination.

  Long tables of food ran across the front of the room, producing mouth-watering aromas, but Tanya’s stomach was too twisted in knots to even think about eating anything.

  “Tanya! Yea! Good to see you!” said Jimmy, the script producer. “And, hello,” he said to Sharyn. “I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure.”

  Tanya introduced them and a dozen of the others who eventually ventured over to say hello. Sharyn, as usual, immediately fit right in. It warmed Tanya’s heart immensely that the people she worked with i
nstantly accepted her friend. And once they figured out that Sharyn could turn a hairstyling horror story into a hilarious tirade, she was a hit.

  Tanya smiled and backed quietly away, content to go find something to munch on after all. She was busy deciding between the crab-stuffed mushrooms and the marinated shrimp when she felt the heat of a body beside her. Without looking up, she inhaled deeply, the crisp scent of his aftershave exploding her senses.

  “Hello, sexy,” he said, his voice tingling and warming her insides like a sip of aged cognac.

  She raised her eyes to meet his. “Hi.”

  He held up a crystal flute. “Champagne?”

  “I’d love some. Thank you.”

  She took the glass and brought it to her lips. “Mmm.”

  “You got that right,” he said, his eyes locked on to her mouth.

  “You look wonderful,” she said, and that was no empty compliment. He was dressed a little more casually tonight with a pale blue cotton shirt under a light cream cashmere sweater, sleeves pushed up nearly to his elbows. Khakis covered the lean, powerful length of his legs.

  Tanya wondered, not for the first time, if he was a runner, too. Maybe they could go running together some time.

  “Even my hair?” he asked, a twinkle in his eyes.

  She looked at it, but just shook her head and smiled. “Brownie points for trying,” she said. “But I’m not one to talk.”

  “Since when?”

  “I’ve turned over a new leaf.”

  He actually appeared concerned. “Why?”

  “I’m trying to be a more amenable person.”

  “After this much time, I don’t see any reason to chart that new territory.”

  “How do you know how long I’ve been . . . not as amenable?”

  “Sass like that doesn’t spring up overnight. That’s cultivated over years. Maybe even generations.”

  Tanya laughed and glanced around the party. “This is really nice. Thank you.”

  “Don’t thank me, I just showed up.”

  “Uh-huh.” She knew better. She’d heard Mrs. Peterson haggling with the caterer yesterday over last-minute details.

  AJ shrugged. “You smell good,” he said, seemingly out of the blue.