“Oh, are you someone else’s date?”
He ran his fingers through his hair.
“I’m Carter Hills. It’s nice to meet you.”
I lowered my voice. “Like the Carter Hills? The music superstar Carter Hills?”
“That would be me.”
“It’s nice to meet you. I know nothing about the music industry, but I’ve heard your name a lot. I know you’re a big shot on the country music scene.”
He offered me a shy smile.
He wore his emotions in his eyes. The man had been hurt. And guilt was eating him alive. I could work with that. First, weakness assessment: check.
“So why are you here, Mr. Hills? Why did you agree to suffer through this night?”
“Carter, please. No Mr. Hills. I’m not old enough for that.”
I watched him and pushed a timid smile to my lips, hoping my cheeks would flush just a little to add some credibility to my act.
“One of my songs is featured on the soundtrack, so that’s a requirement of the job.”
His eyes traveled to my cleavage, and I noticed, so I folded my arms to bring his attention to my expensive set of breasts.
His throat worked.
Yeah, I could have him if I played my cards right.
He was on the lookout for something, and I’d find whatever it was and provide it to him.
Second step, nailing the damsel-in-distress act: check.
Carter Hills eyed me with a gaze I had trouble deciphering.
I pouted a little because I was aware of the way men zoomed in on my lips when I did.
“I’m out of here. Do you want to grab a bite or something? I ate nothing since I got here. And now I’m starving.”
My stomach grumbled as if I’d rehearsed this scene a thousand times.
Inside, I congratulated myself for being such a great actress. Soon Hollywood would be my playground, and I would make everybody eat from my hand.
The man facing me downed the rest of his water, and the bobbing of his throat pulled me into a trance. “A midnight snack sounds awesome.”
I breathed out.
Part one of my Seduce-Carter-Hills plan was complete.
Time to put part two into action.
God, I loved the chase.
And I was the best at this game.
His hand drifted to my lower back, and I walked two steps ahead of him. And swaying my hips just a little, to give him the perfect view of my backside, I gave the audition of my life.
* * *