If I Loved You (Hollywood Hearts 1) Read online

  Quinn’s face reddened as he fought to free himself. The two men struggled, wrestling on the floor until they exhausted themselves.

  “Truce?” Chaz called.

  “Truce.” Quinn agreed.

  The men pushed to their feet then brushed themselves off.

  “Good luck with the Rainy Sundays audition. When will you hear?”

  “Audition’s not for two weeks yet. I’m supposed to hear within a week, but you know…doubt that’ll happen.”

  Quinn took the salsa and chips into the living room and turned on a Mets game. Chaz picked up his phone. He opened his contact list, scrolled down until he found the correct name, and then touched the dial. “Hey, Evan, it’s Chaz. I’ve got an order for you. Not a big one, but I need it delivered tonight, by six o’clock. Can you do that? Great…here’s what I want...”

  “Coming home tonight?” Quinn asked, a touch of jealousy in his voice.

  “Don’t wait up,” Chaz chuckled as the door closed behind him.

  * * * *

  Wearing a fake mustache and a baseball cap, Chaz arrived at The Royal apartments. Briny stopped him, “What apartment, sir?”

  “Briny, don’t you recognize me?”

  Briny trained him with a piercing stare before shaking his head.

  “Grady Spencer!”

  “Oh! Mr. Duncan?” Briny’s mouth widened in a grin.

  “Shhh. It’s a secret.” Chaz raised his finger to his lips.

  “Sure, sure. I read the papers. I get it. Just one minute.” Briny called upstairs before giving him permission to enter.

  Chaz shot the Grady Spencer salute at the doorman on his way to the elevator.

  He carried a bouquet of apricot-colored roses, two bouquets, in fact, in his other hand. His fingertips tingled in anticipation of touching Megan’s soft skin. He licked his lips absently, thinking about her. Don’t screw this up, Dunc. A little sweat moistened his palm. His heart began to race a bit. Wonder what she’s wearing? Something easy to rip off? Lace panties? What color? No panties? He chuckled to himself as he stepped into the empty elevator and smiled as images of her naked body flashed through his mind.

  The faint sounds of piano playing drifted into the elevator as it approached the fourteenth floor. The rhythmic, balanced plunk of fingers hitting each note in syncopated succession called to Chaz’s vocal chords. He started doing scales in the elevator to warm up his voice. Walking down the hall, singing each note together with the piano wove a new connection to Meg. His heartbeat increased the closer he got to her door.

  He rang the bell, holding the giant bunch of flowers in front of his chest as he waited for her to answer.

  * * * *

  Meg jumped back a little when Chaz thrust the huge bouquet of roses at her. They were stunning, each one more perfect than the one before. The delicate apricot color had always been her favorite. Her eyes got wide as she stared at the strange man in the mustache wearing a baseball cap.

  “Do I know you?”

  Chaz laughed as he peeled off the mustache then removed the cap. Meg cracked up. “A master of disguise…will you ever stop surprising me?”

  “I hope not,” he replied, placing the furry piece in his back pocket. He dropped the cap on the credenza.

  Megan gazed at the flowers.

  “How did you know? These are my favorites?”

  “They are delicate beauties, like you.”

  A grin spread across her face as she gazed at him. “Water,” she said, heading to the kitchen while Chaz stayed behind to close the door.

  The next two hours were spent rehearsing. They took a twenty-minute break to talk about where he was weakest and what needed changing.

  At six o’clock, Briny buzzed, sending the deliverymen from Zabar’s up to Megan’s apartment.

  “Ah, dinner has arrived,” Chaz said, rubbing his hands together. “I’m starved.”

  “Dinner?” Meg looked at him.

  “Of course. Didn’t ask you to cook for me, only play for me. Dinner is the least I can do.”

  Before she could ask anything more, the doorbell rang. Chaz answered for her and took the platters of food. He tipped the deliveryman a twenty before closing the door. Meg helped him carry the food to the small, dining room table tucked into a corner on the right side of the massive living room. She pulled out the table a bit. Chaz angled two chairs so they could enjoy the view of Central Park. “Sit! I’ll serve you.”

  She laughed. “What do you know about serving food?” Her hands rested on her hips.

  “You joke, but I’m experienced. I took care of my mother during her worst bouts with drugs. I learned to cook some basic foods. I was always the one to set the table for meals and put out the food.”

  “I’m sorry.” Megan put her hand on his arm.

  “Don’t be. It’s good to be self-sufficient,” he said as he unwrapped a platter of meat.

  “Looks yummy. What is it?”

  “Cold supper. Let’s see…this is cold filet mignon, cooked medium…on the other side of the platter, we have tomatoes covered with a slice of mozzarella and topped by a basil leaf. In the center is German potato salad. No mayo, less fattening…not for you. But I have to watch my weight.”

  Megan’s mouth watered as Chaz placed the big platter of artfully arranged food down gently. He handed her a napkin. Then he unwrapped a chilled bottle of Martinelli’s sparkling cider.

  “No alcohol when I’m singing,” he explained.

  Another bowl contained cold green beans.

  “Oh my God, I forgot the appetizer!” Chaz promptly uncovered a bowl of the biggest cold cooked shrimp she had ever seen. A smaller bowl contained cocktail sauce.

  Megan reached in, took a shrimp, dipped it in the sauce and took a bite. It was perfect.

  “This looks absolutely delicious! Oh Chaz! What a meal. It must have cost you a fortune.”

  “Now, now…lady money manager is gone for the weekend. Only the best for the lovely woman playing piano for me…who let me into her bed.”

  For a while, they were silent as they dove into the luscious culinary delights. Megan was much hungrier than she thought, shoveling in the food eagerly. She wiped a dribble of tomato from his chin then licked it off her finger while staring at him. He bit off the end of a shrimp that stuck out of her mouth, connecting their lips briefly. Megan could feel her blood begin to heat up as she gazed at his body dressed in a tight t-shirt and jeans. Knowing what was under those clothes brought a pleasurable sensation to certain places.

  When the feast was through, she turned to him and asked. “Coffee?”

  “For sure. Need to stay awake and have to have something to go with dessert.”

  “Dessert? I don’t think so.” Megan patted her stomach.

  “But it’s Tiramisu.”

  “Tiramisu! My favorite dessert! How did you?”

  “Lucky guess.”

  They spent the next half hour sipping coffee and slowly feeding the rich, creamy confection to each other on a shared spoon. When the food was finished, Meg read desire in his eyes before she hauled their plates into the kitchen.

  “Discipline,” Chaz muttered.

  “Huh?” She glanced at him while she rinsed the dishes before loading them into the dishwasher.

  “Discipline…duty before…pleasure.” Chaz packed up the leftover food and put it in the refrigerator.

  “Meaning?”

  “Meaning I’ve got to sing for another hour before I rip your clothes off and make passionate love to you.” He came up behind her, winding his arms around her waist, burying his face in her neck, his lips leaving a hot trail up and down the sensitive column.

  “Work…piano…” Megan managed to squeak out before his hands reached her breasts.

  “Right.” Chaz dropped his hands and stepped back. “I can’t resist you, Meg.”

  She played the two songs over and over for an hour while Chaz sang. He stopped every half hour or so to repeat bars where he went off key.


  After gargling with salt water, he whispered to her, “No talking for me now. Must rest my voice. I have other things to do with my mouth.”

  Taking her by the hand, he led her into the bedroom.

  * * * *

  Two weeks flew by for Meg. Days were spent watching investments for Mark and Chaz then meeting with potential celebrity clients. Two actresses and a famous politician met with Harvey Dillon and Meg. They seemed impressed.

  Nights were spent eating fabulous food Chaz had delivered from an assortment of restaurants, from Greek to French from gourmet Chinese to the best deli food anywhere after she played piano for him. As the days passed, Meg noticed a marked improvement in his singing as well as his performance. He showed emotion in his delivery. The perfectionist in Megan had been skeptical at first but after observing him work day after day, she believed he had a chance to win the part. After every music session, Chaz would gargle then they’d retreat to the bedroom, heating up the sheets with their growing passion.

  Meg expected Chaz to tire of her. She waited with nervous anticipation for his passion to die down. Instead, it appeared to increase. She desired him more and more every day as well.

  Keeping her heart separate, safe, and protected became impossible. Chaz’s charm slipped under her skin. For the first time in her adult life, another man besides her brother cared for her. It thrilled her almost as much as it scared her.

  Lying in bed after making love the night before his audition, Megan became chatty. “When do you leave for the next West of the Sun shooting?”

  “Saturday. Gives me a day to settle in before fittings and blocking begin.”

  “That’s two days away.” She chewed her lip.

  “I’m going to miss our time together.” He rolled onto his side, his fingers combed through her hair.

  “Chaz…I don’t want to be a celebrity investment advisor.”

  “Why not?” His hand stopped.

  “I’m not cut out for the limelight. I don’t know what to say to reporters.”

  “Does that include seeing me?” He sat up.

  She hesitated.

  “Well?” The sheet slowly slipped to his waist.

  “Not exactly but I don’t want the attention, you…you thrive on it…” She cast her gaze away from him.

  “I know how to handle it but it doesn’t mean I like it. I’m nice to everyone. I talk without saying anything. You’ll get used to it. It’s not that terrible when you have the rewards of fame, like money—”

  “I don’t need that much money. I don’t want to be famous…‘Harvard Honey’…ugh! I hate that.” She made a face.

  “Will you come and visit me for a weekend?” He changed the subject, lacing his fingers with hers.

  “Fly to…where are you shooting?”

  “Arizona.”

  “Fly to Arizona for a weekend?” Her eyebrows rose.

  “People do all the time. And I’ll be crazy without you for two months, maybe three.”

  “Maybe three!” She sat up exposing herself to his eyes.

  “Three months without this...without you.” He put his hand on her breast, bending his head to kiss it.

  “Three months…good thing we’re not in love or anything.” Her face became a mask, hiding her emotions.

  His head snapped up, his eyes sought hers.

  “I mean, that kind of separation, if you’re madly in love, would be torture, right?” A little sweat broke out on her upper lip.

  Chaz moved his hand away from her and sat back. “Right, right...of course. If I loved you, I’d go…hey…the lyrics to the song.” He smiled.

  She chuckled. “If I loved you, I’d never be able to stand being away from you for three months.”

  “Maybe it’ll only be two. And you can come visit. Sometimes, I get a day off. We could be together. I’ll buy the ticket.”

  “I have enough money to buy a ticket to Arizona,” she sniffed.

  “I didn’t mean you didn’t, but…I wouldn’t expect you to pay.” He brought her hand to his lips.

  She picked at a cuticle. Three months! Pain singed her heart.

  “We can see each other every day on the computer too. Will you continue with my daily reports?”

  “If I get some new clients…I might not have time.”

  “Oh, of course.” His brow furrowed, “Don’t quite like the idea of sharing you.”

  “What about me? You’re going to be on the set with a ton of beautiful women…you won’t miss me one bit.” Meg bit her lip.

  “Yes, I will.”

  “But you’ll be dating…”

  “I’ll be working, not dating,” Chaz interrupted her with a scowl. “You’ll be here, in New York, with a gazillion rich, handsome men…dating.”

  Meg shook her head.

  “Yes you will,” he insisted.

  “I won’t. Who could I date after being with you?”

  He laughed. “Hah! Lots of guys. All those celebrities whose money you’ll be handling. You’ll be rich, famous…you’ll forget Dunc, the guy from the Bronx.” He turned away from her.

  Megan put her hands on his shoulders. “I could never forget you…never.”

  “You say that now…but when Wealthy Wally from Wall Street comes a-callin’, you’ll swoon into his arms. I’ll be nothing but a memory, perhaps a sweet memory, but still a memory.”

  “Don’t say that! I’m the one that’ll be the memory.” Tears clouded her eyes as she looked away.

  Chaz sat stock still, silence heavy in the room. He raised his hand to the back of Megan’s head to stroke her hair gently.

  “Oh no, Meg, you could never be just a memory for me. There’ll never be…you’re irreplaceable.”

  Slowly she turned her tear-stained face to meet his. He placed a tender kiss on her lips before tugging her into his arms. With her face buried in his bare chest, she cried. “I don’t want to break up,” she wailed.

  “So let’s not.” He tightened his arms around her.

  She relaxed in his embrace for a moment before wiping her eyes with her hand.

  “Come to me in Phoenix, Meg. I need you…”

  She nodded and he gave her a small smile, “That’s settled then.”

  Meg peeked at the clock. “Oh! It’s eleven. What time is your audition?”

  “Eleven thirty. Plenty of time.” He kissed her hair.

  “I took tomorrow off. I can make you a nice breakfast.”

  “No milk, creates mucus on the vocal chords.” He raised his palm.

  “Got it. We should get some sleep.” Meg broke from him and laid down flat on the bed.

  “Right.” Chaz slid down next to her, taking her in his arms. She turned on her side so he could spoon her, wrapping one arm around her, resting his hand on her breast. A sense of contentment washed over Meg. How will I ever sleep again without him beside me?

  * * * *

  Meg woke with a start Friday morning. She’d turned off the alarm and slept until eight o’clock. Forgetting momentarily that she had the day off, she bolted upright. Chaz cracked an eye open. “Hmm, lovely site, even at this hour.” His gaze traveled to her naked body.

  “Go back to sleep,” she tossed off the sheet, grabbing her robe as she headed for the kitchen.

  It wasn’t long before the delightful aroma of brewing coffee filled the kitchen. The sound of bacon crackling in the pan alerted Meg to turn down the heat. She poured her first cup of coffee and sat for a moment, sipping the hot liquid while gazing out the window. My first real love affair. She smiled. It’s wonderful. He’s wonderful.

  The smell of frying bacon teased her nose, breaking her reverie. Oh my God! The bacon! She made a beeline for the stove to turn the bacon and lower the heat. Cooking breakfast occupied her mind, but her heart was singing and she couldn’t stop smiling.

  “Smells great in here.” Chaz’s deep voice startled her. She looked up as he lowered his lips to brush her neck.

  “Breakfast is almost ready,” she sa
id.

  “Don’t remember the last time someone cooked breakfast for me.” He hugged her from behind.

  Meg finished cooking the eggs and heaped the food on two plates. Chaz whisked them off the counter and delivered them to the kitchen table while Meg pulled out silverware. They ate in silence for a moment. “This is a big day for you.” She ventured.

  “My first Broadway audition.”

  “Are you nervous?”

  “Terrified,” he admitted before putting a forkful of eggs in his mouth.

  “You’ll be great. You’re prepared.” Meg picked up a strip of bacon and chewed off the end.

  “Thanks to you, I’m as prepared as I could possibly be.”

  “So you shouldn’t be nervous then.”

  “Doesn’t work like that,” he chuckled. “Besides, a few nerves are good. Keeps you sharp.”

  “I know you’ll be great.” She reached over to squeeze his arm.

  After they finished eating and cleaning up, Chaz raised an eyebrow at her, “Shower then warm up the chords?” He raised an eyebrow.

  “You’d better shower alone. It’s already nine o’clock.”

  He took her hand and led her toward the bathroom. “Do you know the best cure for nerves?” He called over his shoulder.

  “Uh…”

  “Showering with my girlfriend,” Chaz grinned.

  She laughed as he closed the bathroom door behind her.

  At ten o’clock, Chaz was standing at her front door getting ready to leave. “I have to change at Quinn’s, then go back there after the audition to pack up.”

  “Can you be back here by five? I’m making dinner for a change.” She cupped his cheek.

  “I’m curious to try your cooking. See you at five.”

  They embraced. Chaz gave her a long kiss.

  “Good luck,” Meg called from the door, listening to him doing scales, warming up his voice until the elevator arrived.

  Chapter Nine

  She threw her clothes on and headed for the store. Tonight will be a night to remember. By four thirty, Meg was frantically putting on make-up. Her hand shook as she tried to apply her mascara, so she stopped to take a deep breath. Calm down. Everything is done. Relax! She slipped on a sexy little sundress with nothing but panties on underneath. The small flower pattern on the dress in green and turquoise on a white background emphasized the deep green of her eyes and, of course, Chaz was sure to notice the low cut neckline.