a great guy. Solid as they come. We grew up together. The Corrigans lived in a tiny, three-bedroom bungalow in Costa Mesa. Just a stone’s throw from Disneyland. We’d mow yards to get a season pass and spend every summer day there as kids. Best baby-sitter in the world, Uncle Walt.”
“I didn’t know about his humble beginnings. I did know he was a top model for Ralph Lauren before he started acting.”
Breck ran a hand through his thick hair. “He won a football scholarship to USC first. Went from sharing one bathroom with three sisters and his mother to being among the ultra-wealthy in college.”
“And a big strapping guy like you? Did you also get a sports scholarship?”
“No way. Too much of a hell raiser in high school to be disciplined enough to have some potbellied, balding coach tell me what to do. Besides, school wasn’t for me.” He grinned mischievously. “So, what did I go do? Join the army—where I had lean and mean sons of bitches boss me around instead.”
Cassie laughed. “Then you got into stunt work? You mentioned being a stuntman.”
“After a while. Left the army. Bummed around in Europe. Found Rhett modeling in Milan and stayed with him awhile. When he decided to give acting a shot, we both came back to the states. The Dynamic Duo taking Hollywood by storm.”
“Do you work on his movies? With that much stuff getting blown up and all the car crashes, I’d think you’d keep plenty busy.”
“Yeah. I can’t double for Rhett and his stunts. Tried a wig once to cover my blond hair, but it looked pitiful on camera. I coordinate and drive during most of the car chases and step in to do the stunts for the bad guys. This last movie, Fireball, I broke two ribs, my collarbone, and lost a tooth.”
Cassie touched his arm in sympathy. Breck smiled. “I’m all better now. Of course, I probably could find a place or two you could kiss and make feel better.”
She burst out laughing at his puppy dog eyes. “I already like you too much to kiss you, O’Dell.”
Restless now, she stood. “I need to find where my boss is and start earning a living.” She glanced at her watch. “It’s after ten. Is he up yet?”
Breck laughed. “Only for about four hours.” His words shocked her.
“You’re kidding. I thought you were covering for him when you said he was busy. I figured he was still in bed. I assume he’s up early on days he shoots but—”
“No buts. Rhett never sleeps in. Ever.” Breck smiled widely. “And Randi totally hates it, down to her hot pink toenails.”
“Randi? Randal James? He’s sleeping with the blonde that makes Christina Hendricks look flatter than a pancake? Why haven’t I heard this? I read all the trades and every Internet entertainment website. I even scan the National Enquirer when I’m waiting at the check-out line. There hasn’t been a hint of their relationship anywhere!”
Breck’s eyes gleamed with mischief. “Yeah. Ms. James is pretty pissed about that. Rhett’s really private. He doesn’t want to go public with the relationship yet. He’s a workhorse, though. Gets up every day to work out at six. Lifts weights, runs on the beach with Shep, does tai chi. You name it, Rhett does it.”
Cassie’s respect for her new boss grew, despite the fact he was sleeping with a former Playmate of the Year.
“Speak of the devil,” Breck murmured.
Cassie looked up to see Randi James in the smallest bikini ever sold making her way down the steps to the pool. Large sunglasses covered most of her face and she carried a small tote bag.
“Hey, Randi. How’re you doing?”
The model gave Breck a disdainful look. “Still here, Breck? Oh, that’s right. You never seem to leave.”
Randi eyed Cassie suspiciously. “And now you’re inviting your little playmates over to sponge off Rhett?”
“This is Cassie Carroll. Rhett’s new assistant.”
Randi’s eyebrows arched. “Oh, really? Well, I forgot to get a drink. Bring me one. Something cool. Not too much ice.”
The model slid onto a lounge chair and stretched out lazily like a jungle cat. In one graceful move, she unhooked her top and tossed it onto a nearby table.
Cassie wondered if she had made a mistake accepting Rhett’s job offer.
CHAPTER 5
Rhett glanced out the window and saw Cassie talking with Breck. She seemed so animated. Of course, Breck was as charming as they came. He could kill a woman with kindness as easily as snap her neck with his bare