Page 17 of Ready, Willing and Abel

“That first day?”

“Yeah.”

“As soon as I got close enough to see your face.”

“You didn’t say anything.”

“Well, I was kinda freaking out that you were in my field. It’s not every day you find a trespasser arguing with your goats. Especially if that trespasser is a famous actor.”

He takes a sip of his iced tea.

“You’re not going to ask if I’m a fan?”

His eyes cut over to me. “No. I wouldn’t want to know if you think I’m a complete hack. I mean, my reputation in Hollywood is basically that I’m eye candy. It almost feels like a game. Like they’re trying to find as many roles as possible for me to do without my shirt.”

I laugh. “Like that movie with Tina Fey and Steve Carrel, Date Night. And Steve says to Mark Wahlberg’s character, “Will you please put on a shirt?” Or something like that.”

“That’s a funny movie.”

“For the record, I am a fan. I like your movies.” I lean a little closer to him and put a hand on his arm. “But I have to confess something.”

He winces. “You don’t think I deserved that award nomination. I know. I hear that all the time.”

“What? No, I —” I shake my head. “I was just going to admit that I had a huge crush on you when I was a kid. From Oliver’s Twist. It was my favorite show, and you were my first celebrity crush.”

He stares at me, and then the moment is broken when the server brings over the check. While Abel takes care of that, I slip out my phone.

ME: He’s definitely flirting.

MIA: And?

ME: I’m gonna go for it. I might be heartbroken later, but tonight I’m charging forward.

MIA: Ride ‘em, cowgirl.

chapter

nine

Abel

I’m in love.

I can’t even believe it, but I am ass over head in love with this woman. It’s taking every bit of my concentration not to blurt it out. But she’d think I was a lunatic and likely not want to see me again.

I’m not sure if she ever noticed the photographer when we arrived at the restaurant. Inside the restaurant. Walking down the street to the ice cream shop. Holding hands the whole time. Probably the kiss I’m giving her pressed up against my car. By now, though, I’m done paying attention to anyone but her.

“Abel, she whispers against my lips.

“Yeah?” I hold my forehead against hers.

“I’m not ready for tonight to be over.”

“Thank fuck.”

I press another heated kiss to her lips, then help her into my car. I threatened to fire Tish if she didn’t make sure that the photographers didn’t follow us back to Esme’s house. It’s one thing to invade my privacy when I’m in public, but at her house, that’s off limits.

I might break several traffic laws getting back to her house. But she’s got her hand on my thigh and I’m rock hard for her.