What it Takes (45 page)

“I never said it did,” Veronica said slowly.

“Kelsey,” Grayson called. She could hear the amusement in his voice, but refused to look at him. He said her name again as he reached across and lifted her chin. “Do you have a secret?” His eyes sparkled with mischief.

She pulled his hand from her face. “No.” She tried to laugh it off but cast a quick glance at Patrick. His eyes were slightly narrowed on her. “I didn’t say that.”

“No, but your tone implied it,” Grayson retorted.

“Did it?” Kelsey tilted her head as she looked at him. Out of the corner of one eye, she saw Patrick nod.

“What is it?” Veronica asked excitedly.

“I never said,” Kelsey began, looking at Veronica then turning to Grayson, “or implied, that I have a secret. We were talking about our characters and how the secrets ruined their lives.”

“I’d hardly say they were all ruined,” Patrick said.

“Chloe’s was,” Veronica added

“Geez,” Grayson said, rolling his eyes with great exaggeration. “Yes, Veronica, Chloe’s life was destroyed. Get over it. You played the victim role very well, quit whining about it.”

Veronica’s mouth dropped and she gasped sharply. She turned to glare at Grayson and they began to bicker. Kelsey sagged against Patrick, releasing tension she didn’t realize had invaded her body.

Patrick placed his lips next to her ear. “Is there something you need to tell me?”

Kelsey nodded slightly then turned and met his eyes. He was frowning and looked slightly apprehensive. She hated that look in his eyes and knew she’d tell him as soon as possible, if only to remove it. She only hoped she didn’t hate the look that replaced it more.

“Later,” she mouthed and waited for him to nod before she turned back around. It was a few minutes later before she realized they’d been riding in silence.

“So, where’re we going?” Veronica eventually asked.

Patrick replied that they were going to one of the studio executive’s homes, about an hour outside of the city. Grayson said that the house reminded him of an old plantation home then went on to describe it for Veronica and Kelsey. After that, the conversation turned back to the movie, and they spent the remainder of the ride complimenting each other on the parts they liked and dissecting the parts they could’ve done better.

They arrived at the house. Even though he’d seen the it earlier in the day, Patrick was surprised to see how accurate Grayson’s description had been. It was very large with white siding and a huge front porch with wide columns and was brightly lit inside and out. Grayson and Patrick helped the ladies out of the limo at the bottom of the stairway that led to the house, and then retreated to the back of the cars to get their bags out of the trunk. Veronica had brought a change of clothes and Kelsey had the clothes she’d worn to Veronica’s house earlier that day. Grayson was unusually silent and Patrick was still thinking about Kelsey’s comments in the car. He was wondering what her secret could be, and how it would affect them?

Veronica was murmuring something to Kelsey as Patrick approached them. With a giggle, Veronica turned to Grayson and they started up the flagstone stairs. Once they were gone, Kelsey looked around then threw her arms around Patrick’s neck and kissed him. Patrick barely had time to respond before she pulled back.

“What was that for?” Patrick asked as he held his arm out for her and they slowly followed Grayson and Veronica up the steps.

Kelsey smiled at him as she shook her head. “Never mind.”

As they ascended the stairs, he wondered more about her secret. He had to know what it was; it would drive him crazy if he didn’t find out soon. She paused on the steps and when he looked at her he opened his mouth, but only got out “Kels—” before she asked, “Were you serious?”

He had to readjust his train of thought and stood silent for a moment. “About what?”

“About me spending the night at your house.”

He nodded and felt a mixture of excitement and nerves in the pit of his stomach. “Yes, of course.”

She looked toward the house and began climbing the stairs again, slower this time. “I don’t have any clothes.”

“After you left for Veronica’s today, I took the liberty of packing a bag for you,” he said and after two more steps added, “or three.”

“Three suitcases?” She held back a laugh. “For one night?”

He let her climb one step ahead of him before he stopped and lightly tugged her hand. When she was eye to eye with him, he murmured, “Once I have you in my home, do you really think I’m going to let you leave again?”

She blinked furiously and he realized her eyes were misted over. “Are you sure?”

“I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life.” He kissed her lips as he joined her on the step then slowly pulled away. They walked two more steps before he sighed. “So, would you like to tell me your secret?”

Kelsey shrugged her shoulder and stared at the house. “I should,” she said softly as they continued up the steps.

Patrick waited in silence until they stepped onto the large flagstone patio. “How long have you kept it?”

She focused over his shoulder. “Six years.”

“You haven’t been in Hollywood that long, have you?”

With a wry laugh, she shook her head. “No.” She finally met his gaze and the anxiety he saw made his stomach knot. “It’s actually something that could probably do more damage at home.”

He reached out and laid his palm on her cheek. “You’re starting to worry me.”

“You shouldn’t worry,” she soothed him, closing her eyes as she pressed into his hand. After a deep breath, she opened her eyes and looked straight at him. “Zach’s adopted.”

His first reaction was to laugh, but instinct kept him from doing so. He shrugged instead. “Kelsey, that’s not a big deal. So Janelle’s not Zach’s biological mother? People—”

“I am.”

His eyes rounded in surprise. Suddenly, her fear for her family’s privacy was much clearer. She was Zach’s mother and didn’t want anyone to know. Given what he knew about Kelsey, he could almost guarantee Tim was the father, so why had he left? Patrick realized now why their break-up had been so hard on her and why she didn’t like to talk about it.

“Patrick, please say something,” Kelsey whispered, staring at him with a deeper fear in her eyes.

“Kelsey! There you are.”

They both turned to face the woman who was approaching them, Kelsey’s agent, Michelle Richmond. Patrick quickly took Kelsey’s hand and squeezed it as he stifled a groan. Now was not the time for Michelle to take Kelsey on a tour of the guests; he needed her by his side.

“I’ve been waiting for you,” she kindly scolded Kelsey, then peeked around her and smiled. “Hi, Patrick.” He tightened his grip on Kelsey’s hand. She tilted her head at him and he shook his head once. “There’re some people I’d like you to meet.” Michelle was speaking to Kelsey but her eyes were pleading with Patrick. He knew it was what was best for Kelsey and her career, but that didn’t cause him to loosen his grip.

“Could you give us another moment?” Patrick asked as sweetly as he could manage.

“Of course,” Michelle reluctantly agreed as she backed up a step. Kelsey and Patrick continued to scrutinize her, waiting for her retreat. When it was obvious they weren’t going to speak in her presence, she threw up her hands. “Fine. You have one minute. I’ll be at the door.”

Patrick watched Michelle walk to the front door and stop with her back against the frame, then turned to Kelsey. Her eyes were searching his face, looking for reassurance, but he wasn’t sure why.

He placed a palm on each of her cheeks and leaned down so they were eye to eye. “You’re an amazing woman,” he said and kissed her on the tip of her nose.

“What?” she asked, bewildered. “You aren’t angry that I didn’t tell you sooner?”

“Not at all.” He shook his head and the tension drained from her face. She closed her eyes and sighed softly. “You were protecting your family, that’s all. You’ve always said that was important to you, and now I understand why.”

“Kelsey,” Michelle called from her post at the door.

“We can talk about this later, okay?” Patrick said when she looked at him. She nodded as he kissed her forehead. “Now, go dazzle the half of Hollywood you haven’t already impressed.”

She stretched up and quickly kissed his lips before turning toward the house. He watched her disappear inside before following, finding a place on the outskirts of the room where he could easily watch Kelsey in the crowd. She was animated and smiling as she talked with two producers. Patrick felt a small stab of jealousy at the attention she was giving the men but shook it off when he realized how foolish he was being.

He was alone for only a second more when one of his former co-stars approached him with a Cheshire cat sized grin. Patrick controlled the urge to roll his eyes as she brushed her leg against his.

“Hi, Patrick,” she said, voice dripping with sweetness.

“Hello, Allie,” he replied blandly.

She took a step closer and rubbed his arm. “The movie was great,” she stated and Patrick nodded. “Reminded me a little of our time together.” She took another step and pressed her hip to his. Patrick took a step to the side and glanced at Kelsey. She tilted her head, a frown slowly forming as she glared at Allie, who obliviously continued, “I was hoping we could re-live some of it later.”

“No, Allie, I don’t think so,” Patrick said and took another step away.

“Oh,” she said, smiling through her rejected tone. “Well, if you change your mind, you know how to reach me.” She winked and walked back into the crowd.

Patrick met Kelsey’s scrutiny again and helplessly shrugged. She nodded as she turned her attention back to the men in front of her, now joined by Michelle and two others. He took a few more steps away from the door, sticking as close to the wall as possible. Two of his former co-stars found him and propositioned him in a fashion similar to Allie’s. Kelsey didn’t notice, but Patrick had just rejected the third one when Xavier found him.

“There you are,” he said, turning his head to watch the woman walk away. “Was that Celia Jennings?” Patrick nodded and Xavier’s eyebrows waggled. “What did she want?”

“What do you think?” Patrick searched the crowd for Kelsey again. When her eyes met his, they smiled at each other and she blushed. Patrick chuckled as he looked back at Xavier, who was watching Kelsey too.

“She’s pretty, I’ll give you that,” Xavier said, a smirk on his face.

“She’s beautiful,” Patrick murmured.

“You seem pretty serious about her,” Xavier remarked as he lifted his drink to his lips. Patrick nodded and gritted his teeth. Xavier studied his tense expression then looked away. “If you’re happy . . .”

“I am,” Patrick said, relaxing his jaw. He’d been expecting a little more condescension from his agent. Xavier was always encouraging him to “entertain” his co-stars, Brianna being the latest on that list. She was also the last, and Patrick looked at Kelsey realizing just how much of a relief that was.

“So, there’re some people I’d like you to talk to,” Xavier said after a few minutes’ silence. Patrick nodded and followed him into the crowd.

The next hour was spent talking to people he’d already met about movies they wanted him to make, products they wanted him to sell, or interviews they wanted him to do. Every so often, he caught a glimpse of Kelsey in the crowd. Her entire expression was radiant as she laughed and talked to people from all areas of the business, and Patrick just wanted to be next to her.

Xavier left Patrick talking to a hopeful director, only to return a moment later with another. After the first one wandered off, leaving Xavier and Patrick chatting with the second, Patrick glanced up. He felt a moment of unease when he couldn’t find Kelsey in the crowd. When a large man a few feet in front of him walked away, he spotted her coming closer, smiling. As another man intercepted her, stopping her to talk, Patrick excused himself from the conversation and walked in her direction.

He made his way closer, briefly greeting a few of the people between them, most of whom were simply offering congratulatory remarks on the movie. Another step and Celia stepped in front of him.

“Hello again,” she purred as she rubbed her thigh up his. He could smell wine as she exhaled but tried not to look affronted by her forwardness. “How can I change your mind?”

“You can’t,” he said shortly.

She leaned toward him with her lips puckered for a kiss. He artfully dodged it, noticing the daggers shooting from Kelsey’s eyes as he looked over Celia’s shoulder. He swallowed a lump of fear until she met his eyes and he realized her deadly glare had been aimed at Celia’s back.

Kelsey glanced around the room, noting the lascivious looks most of the women were casting at Patrick as he walked the last few steps to her side. He slid his arm around her waist and lifted her closer.

“Sorry about that,” he whispered.

She smiled warmly. “Why? You did nothing wrong.”

Patrick exhaled slowly. “I missed you,” he said as he kissed her forehead. “Can we go home now?” he murmured across her ear and Kelsey slowly blinked. He nibbled her earlobe before telling her they’d been there for close to two hours. She bit her lip to keep from moaning. He chuckled and nipped at her neck. “Should I stop?” he asked mischievously.