Hollywood Flirt - Alexa Aston Page 0,65
to the kitchen, she plied him with treats and told a few stories about Sydney growing up. It was obvious Diamond thought of Sydney as one of her own children.
Then the housekeeper grew serious. “After she lost her mama, Miss Sydney lost her way. She’s a good girl. Very smart. Working for Mr. Monty will be the best medicine for both of them. He’s so happy that she’s finally come home.”
Sydney entered the kitchen at that moment. Dash saw the surprise on her face the moment she spotted him. It wasn’t a good, light up her face, I’m happy to see you kind of surprise. Instead, he saw more of an oh, no, I’m caught off guard because this is the last person I want to see look on her face.
Diamond stood. “It’s time for me to go. You two be sure to put the leftover cookies in the cookie jar for me, will you?”
“Will do,” Dash assured the housekeeper when Sydney remained silent.
Diamond left and Sydney took a seat at the table beside him.
“What’s wrong?” he asked. Dash wanted to take her hand but she’d crossed her arms in front of her, reminding him of the skittish Sydney when they’d first met.
“Nothing. I’m surprised to see you here, that’s all.”
“You didn’t answer any of my texts. I got a little anxious being out touch with you.” When she didn’t say anything, he added, “I know, that sounds stupid. Like some overprotective parent. I’m sorry.”
“Dash.” Sydney paused. “I think we’ve gone too fast.” She licked her lips nervously as she placed her palms against the table’s surface, as if to steady herself.
He placed a hand over hers. She looked away. “I knew I should’ve waited to tell you that I loved you.” He kicked himself mentally. “I figured we felt the same way about each other. Why not share our feelings?”
“I think we need a break.” She continued to stare off in the distance, not meeting his eyes.
“Why?”
“I’m starting a new career. Really, a new life. I want to be taken seriously. It’s bad enough that I’m Monty Revere’s daughter and will be working as first AD on his film with literally no paid film experience under my belt. I can already hear the cast and crew talking about that behind my back.” Her eyes finally met his. “To also be sleeping with the star of the film? That’ll ruin any credibility I can build in pre-production.”
Sydney placed her free hand atop his. “Can we get through this shoot and maybe pick up where we left off?” she pleaded.
Her words were like a two-by-four slamming him directly in the face. “Maybe? Maybe pick up? That’s bullshit, Sydney. I love you. I want to be with you. I’m crazy for you. You’re talking being apart six months or more, between fittings, the table read, rehearsals, then filming.”
“I know. I need that time to establish myself in the industry. Then if we still have the same feelings—”
Dash came out of his seat and yanked her to her feet. He ignored the flash of fear in her eyes. Words weren’t getting through to Sydney. Maybe actions would.
His lips came down hard on hers in a punishing kiss. His hands gripped her waist. She tried to protest but Dash kept kissing her. Gradually, her resistance faded. Sydney’s arms wrapped around his neck. He gentled the kiss into a more leisurely exploration of her mouth. Those little sounds of satisfaction came from the back of her throat, the ones he loved to hear.
Dash broke the kiss. “If the feelings are still there? Babe, they’re here now. They’ll be the same in six months. And always. I love you, Sydney. You. No other woman but you. I want to marry you someday.”
Tears welled in her eyes. “I believe you.” A stubborn look entered her eyes. “I still want time apart, though. I promise I won’t see anyone else. I’ll bury myself in work. Can you try to understand?”
He ran his fingers through her hair. “No, I don’t want to understand. But if that’s what you want, it’s what I want.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
Sydney kissed him. Dash could taste loss and a bitter sweetness. Still, he wished the kiss could go on forever.
“Do I have to pretend not to know you?” he asked, finally come up for air.
“No. I just don’t want others to know we’ve been intimate.”
“What about after hours? Could we see each other at my house?”
“No!”
Her empathic response set warning bells off in Dash’s head. There had