Natalie held her breath and kept completely still. Her gaze was riveted to the doorknob. She’d locked it, but would it hold?

She heard the rustle of fabric, and the woman’s heels clicked back toward the sink.

“I think he’s doing it as a publicity stunt. Something to slap Hollywood in the face.”

Was that all she was to Chase? He loved her. But had it all been make-believe?

“Totally. He can use her, and Hollywood will keep trying to figure out why. That’s probably the real reason. Besides she’ll sink back into oblivion when he’s done with her.”

Natalie’s heartbeat echoed so loud she wondered why the women didn’t hear it.

Her heart tightened painfully as the door closed behind them. Was he trying to prove something to someone by toting her around everywhere? By dressing her up and taking her to the Oscars? Was that some kind of slap in the face of the Hollywood engine?

She stepped down off the toilet. She had to get out of here. She needed to go home. She needed to get away from these people. She waited another few minutes in the bathroom before venturing out into the hallway.

Rushing to her desk, she grabbed her purse and switched off the computer screen. Hoping to avoid the women from the bathroom and everyone else who obviously thought she wasn’t worthy of Chase’s attentions, she hurried out the front door without meeting anyone’s eyes.

Once in the safety of her car, she glanced around. Her eyes stopped on the men with their cameras. How did actors do it? How could they prevent the cameras from catching them when their hearts were on their sleeves and tears were in their eyes?

Chapter Twenty

The luncheon took up more time than Chase remembered. Between the photos and everyone stopping to ask about his latest project or film and, in turn, telling him about their latest project or film, Chase couldn’t wait to be near Natalie and not have to worry about the rest of the world.

After saying good-bye to Robert, he dialed Natalie’s cell phone on his way to his car, but the call went to voice mail. He called her office number but got voice mail there, too. Tipping the valet, he slipped into his car before dialing the office.

“Pandora Productions,” the receptionist said.

“This is Chase. Is Natalie still there?”

“Um, no.” There was hesitation in the woman’s voice. “She left a few minutes ago.”

At the slightly guilty tone of the receptionist, Chase’s heart dropped. What had happened while he was gone? Natalie never left work early unless someone told her to. Had he pushed too hard? Was she going to leave him like Becca did?

He hung up the phone without saying another word. He’d have to wait until he saw her to make any conclusions. She seemed so sure that she was ready to be a part of his public life, but he couldn’t help wondering when it would become too much. When would she leave him again? He wasn’t ready to let her walk out of his life, but what choice would he have?

Maybe this was a mistake. He never should have started something with someone who wasn’t part of the industry. It seemed only a matter of time before Natalie left him for good. He couldn’t offer her the life she wanted. Quiet. Unassuming. But he also couldn’t stand the thought of losing her again.

Would she go to his place or would she go to her apartment?

He decided to head back to his place. He’d asked her to meet him after work and, if she still wanted him, she would be there. If she wasn’t there, he’d have to deal with that when it happened.

He’d given her the gate code as well as an extra garage-door opener. All he could do was hope that she had used them.

Remote controls were evil. Chase had sworn to her that the remote he had for his media center was user-friendly. Apparently not if that user was Natalie. She’d found the DVD for If Only and, after another fifteen minutes, figured out where to put it in.

She had the remote in her lap and stared at the blank touch screen. It was one of those high-end ones that controlled everything from lighting levels to the popcorn machine.

Well, probably not the popcorn machine. She’d just be happy if she could figure out how to turn on the damn remote. She’d tried touching the screen, and nothing had happened. She’d turned it over and all around to see if there was a switch somewhere. She found a few places to plug in cords.

She sighed. All she wanted to do was lose herself in her movie and be here when Chase came home. In his house, she was surrounded by a wall that kept out the outside world. She could pretend that this calm space in his life was all there was. That the cameras, catty women and unwanted attention didn’t exist in this house.

Her emotions were completely wrung out, and the damn frustrating remote wasn’t helping to hold back the tears burning behind her eyes.

Whatever the reason Chase wanted her didn’t matter. It didn’t matter that those women thought she didn’t deserve him. He wanted her. He’d made it clear so many times that she was the one he wanted. He’d proved it to her with his words, with his lips, with his hands… She shook off the desire that spread from the center of her at her unruly thoughts.

Remote. Chase had shown it to her. He’d picked it up and pointed it at the TV, and it had worked. For him. But for her, it obviously wanted a blood sacrifice or something.

She set it down on the chair next to her. There had to be a way to make it all work without the remote. The large screen stared back at her, but no buttons were in sight. The shelves of black boxes with a dozen lights and buttons looked like something from a sci-fi movie. Overall it was intimidating.

“Evil remote.” She glared down at it.

“I don’t find it at all evil.”

She swiveled around to meet Chase’s smiling eyes. Her heart filled, her pulse kicked up a notch and the worries from the day seemed to fall away in his eyes.

“In fact I find it a lot easier than dealing with the twelve that came with the components.”

“It probably is, once it’s turned on.”

Chase sat down next to her and leaned across her to grab the remote. His cologne touched her nose. His arm brushed against her breasts, and a shimmer of awareness rushed through her.

“Now, let’s see here.” He glanced up at her and then down at the remote. Taking his thumb, he placed it in the center of the screen. The main menu came up instantly.

“But I did that.” She reached out, and he handed it to her. She squinted down at the menu and touched Play DVD. Glancing up at the TV, she saw nothing happen.

“Here,” Chase said and held out his hand. She held out the remote but he grabbed her hand instead. “Your fingers are probably too cold.”

He brought her fingers in front of her mouth and blew hot air across them. “We just need to warm them up.” With both of his hands, he massaged her hand.

Her ability to breathe was lost as he made slow circles on her palm with his thumbs. His gaze remained on her hand as he brought each fingertip to his lips and kissed the pad. He cupped her hand and blew against it.

“Now try it.” He lifted his gaze to hers.

Her brain had ceased to function, except to send shivers of desire throughout her body. Gently he took her finger and pressed it against Play DVD. The screen came to life.

“There. See, all better.” He drew her back against his side and set the remote down. His arms gathered her close, and she relaxed into him. Whatever his reasons for wanting her here, she was here in his arms. He said to trust him, and she did. And even if he was faking it, he was a very convincing actor, because she truly felt loved and cherished and desired.

She settled into him and rested her head against his chest. The steady, rhythmic rise and fall of his chest, and the movie lulled her. His fingers skittered up and down her bare arm.