Rogue Beast (The Rourkes, Book 12) Read online

  “Of course, sorry.”

  It’s actually my first time ever showing up at one of these things, but I’m too focused on getting rid of the interloper to explain. I turn to the guy. “I’m Garrett Rourke. And how do you know Harper?”

  He smiles uneasily. Good. Aggressive message received. “We just met, but I feel like I know her from her outstanding performance on The Zone.” He offers his hand. “I’m Jeff Briggs.”

  “Nice to meet ya, Jeff. Harper and I have some catching up to do.” I give him a pointed look.

  “Garrett,” Harper says, sounding somewhere between surprised and appalled.

  “We do,” I insist, never taking my eyes off Jeff. I will glare him away.

  He offers Harper a smile. “Nice to meet you. I’m available if they’re casting for Living Gold. Jeff Briggs. I’m SAG.”

  Harper smiles tightly. “I don’t have any control over casting. You should go through your agent for any casting notices.”

  “Of course, I just thought it wouldn’t hurt…” He trails off at my glare, turns, and walks away.

  “Does that happen a lot?” I ask.

  She sighs. “All the time.”

  “Did you ever approach actors at parties, hoping to get an in?”

  She scoffs. “No. I busted my ass going to audition after audition. I would never…” She stops herself, her teeth clenched together. “Doesn’t matter. Big news is that you and I broke up.” She lowers her voice. “I told you not to mention me to the paparazzi when you gave them a statement.”

  I grimace. I should start following this stuff more closely. “I thought I was doing the right thing putting them off the story of us. Anyway, sorry. I get now that I should never say anything personal to them. Swear it won’t happen again.”

  She nods. “Thanks.”

  “Are you still mad I got excited about being a model?” I tense in anticipation because this could be a real problem. “I wasn’t trying to steal your spotlight,” I add.

  “I was never jealous or mad that you were featured. That’s not your fault. I was just hoping Best Friends Care would’ve gotten more press since that’s what the whole night was supposed to be about.”

  That makes sense. I press on just to be crystal clear. “After I said the press thought I was a model, you said it was crap and meant nothing. Kinda a slap in the face.”

  She blows out a breath. “I was trying to make you feel better. I thought you’d be upset since modeling isn’t nearly as important as what you guys do with your development projects.” She gestures around us. “Look at where we are tonight because of it. All these people supporting a good cause to build neighborhoods instead of tearing them down in favor of skyscrapers owned by some faraway corporate entity. Josie and Sean told me all about it.”

  I rub the back of my neck. “That’s the problem with texts. Too easy to take the words the wrong way. So you know I’m not a user like your ex, right?”

  She looks over my shoulder. “I admit I was confused by our whole conversation.”

  “Our fight.”

  “It did feel that way, yes.” She meets my eyes, a soft vulnerability lurking there. “I hoped you were different.”

  I nod, relief making me relax. She wasn’t jealous I stole her spotlight. It was just a misunderstanding. “So just you and Joe on a hot date?” I jerk my chin at him standing guard. He scratches his cheek with his middle finger. I bite back a laugh. I really like Joe.

  Harper doesn’t notice. She’s staring at her untouched champagne, her brows knit together. “Well, after the disastrous way things ended after our date last week, I thought it best not to drag another guy into the spotlight.” She meets my eyes. “Not that the date itself was bad, just the fallout.”

  I lean close to her ear. “It wasn’t a disaster, sweetheart.”

  She shivers and crosses her arms. “You can stop pretending we’re in a relationship now.”

  “No more lamb chop?”

  She laughs. “I thought you were mad at me.” She leans close to whisper, “You hung up on me. And then the paparazzi staked out your apartment, which was my fault, and then you told them we were over.”

  I shift to whisper in her ear, “We both got a little touchy. I’d like to try again.” I straighten. “How’ve you been?” Josie told me Harper was a little down at work this week. Part of me hopes it’s because she missed me.

  She lets out a breath. “Can’t complain.”

  “But if you could complain—” I cup a hand by my ear and lean down “—go ahead and whisper it.”

  I draw back at her silence. She’s smiling.

  I grin. “You missed me, didn’t ya?”

  She shakes her head. “I felt guilty as hell. I never want to be a user. I thought that’s what you thought of me, asking you to go with me last minute to the gala, telling you what to say for the cause. And then, well, you know the rest.”

  “Hey, what did you really get from me other than a sexy escort?”

  “Shh, it sounds like I paid you.” She lowers her voice. “Like a male prostitute.”

  “Worst hundred bucks I ever spent. I didn’t even get a kiss.”

  “What? You never paid me anything. Besides, I would pay you, not the other way around.” She stops and laughs. “Oh. Sorry, my guilt is getting in the way of your joking.”

  “I get it about needing to be careful when you’re in the public eye. My dad was raised to be king and went through a lot of public scrutiny from the day he was born all the way until he abdicated the throne and was banished. Luckily, that was before social media and the internet, but it was still pretty big news.”

  “I read a little about it. It sounds like he made a choice he’s happy with.”

  “Married the best woman in the world. That’s what he always says about my mom.” I tug a curly lock of her dark brown hair. It’s soft and springy. “Were you looking up stuff about me?”

  “I read through some of the press last week, and a bunch of stuff popped up about your family.”

  “So yes.”

  Her eyes sparkle as she bites back a smile. “Only to see how bad the damage was.”

  “No damage. Actually, look at this.” I pull the agent’s card from my pocket and show her. “This guy wants to represent me and get me a commercial. You think I should do it? It seems like a no-brainer with the pay for one day’s work.”

  She reads the card, her lips pressed together. “It’s a top agency.”

  “Think I should go for it?”

  “Have you ever acted before?”

  “No, but it’s a commercial. How hard can it be?”

  Her eyes narrow. “Acting is a craft. It takes time and many hours of study to hone your skills.”

  “To say something like ‘get a close shave with Sharp Edge’? He says he’ll get me in for an aftershave commercial.” I rub my clean-shaven jaw. “Apparently, this jaw is perfection.”

  She hides a smile by sipping her champagne. My charm is totally working on her. “Is that so?”

  “Sure is. Touch it.” I lean my cheek toward her.

  She claps her hand to my jaw in a near slap. “Wow.”

  “Right?”

  She tilts her head. “You know the odds of getting a commercial your first time out? More like after your one hundredth audition, if you’re lucky. You sure you want to put in that kind of time?”

  I shrug. “I’ll go on one audition. If I don’t get it, no problem. I’m not quitting my day job. I just like the idea of having some money in the bank to buy a house. Maybe with a yard so I could finally have a dog.”

  She softens. “That’s nice. Really nice.”

  I execute a formal bow like my royal cousins do. “With your blessing.”

  She hesitates.

  I wait, my eyes intent on hers. I don’t want her to think I’m a user either. If I succeed or fail at this new gig, it’s all on me.

  “Sure, it wouldn’t hurt to go on one audition,” she finally says.

  “G
reat. Now how do I get on your show?”

  She scowls. “Not funny.”

  “Harp, I don’t need you for connections. I could just as easily have asked Josie for a part on the show.” Not that it ever occurred to me to try acting before.

  She stiffens. “But you didn’t, did you? It wasn’t until you were on the red carpet with me that the press took notice. A top agent took notice too. Be honest, you’re starting to take it seriously as a career path.”

  “And what’s wrong with that? You’re the only one who gets to be an actor in a relationship? That’s not what your boyfriend history says. Why would I be any different?”

  Her eyes flash. “First of all, we’re not in a relationship.” She backs up a step. “Forget it. This time I’m listening to my gut.”

  And then she turns and walks away.

  Seriously, she walked away!

  I thought we were getting along too. What’s her problem?

  Harper

  I’m being smart, I reassure myself as I walk to the European sculpture garden for dinner. Joe trails behind me. My emotions are all over the place with Garrett, and I’m probably extra sensitive to him getting into the industry because of what happened with Colton and John, but I just can’t go through that kind of hurt again. I promised myself I’d listen to my gut when it sends a warning signal, and it’s churning them out like crazy. God, it’s so easy for him too. He has no idea the grueling years of auditions I’ve been through. I got lucky at fifteen to get a teen TV show and then another. After that, there was a long drought before I was cast on Capital Asset. I almost gave up. But I couldn’t face going home in defeat, especially when that meant facing my grandmother.

  I enter the courtyard, where round tables with white tablecloths are set with crystal glasses, china place settings, and a large floral centerpiece. Marble statues surround the edges of the room. There’s a small podium set up at the far end of the room, probably for a speech. Thank God it’s not me up there tonight.

  Josie stands and waves me over to her table, where Sean is already sitting. It’s assigned seating, and I’m so glad to have a friendly face with me for dinner.

  As soon as I reach her, she’s enthusiastic as always, hugging me like we’re long-lost friends. It’s so funny because I just saw her last night for our show’s taping.

  “You’re next to me,” she says, taking her seat.

  I sit next to her and glance at the name card on my other side in alarm. Garrett. I’m about to casually switch his name card farther away when the man himself takes his seat. My cheeks flush. Josie set this up.

  Josie beams at Garrett. “I’m so glad you two made up!”

  “She can’t resist me,” he replies.

  As if we’re in a relationship! I think I was clear about that earlier when I walked away. Now how do I get through an entire dinner with him?

  I stare at him, desperately trying to come up with a solution that puts more space between us. I don’t want to leave Josie. And this is his family, so he’s not going to want to leave. Could I get him to sit over by Sean?

  He gives me a slow sexy smile that makes my heart thump harder. “Sweetheart.”

  I jerk my gaze back to Josie, my mind blanking on a comeback from sweetheart. It’s like a warm hug wrapped around my heart. Her brows knit quizzically. I can’t explain when he’s right there. This is so awkward.

  Sean elbows her, and she recovers herself, smiling brightly. “Good, good, good.”

  Garrett rests his arm along the back of my chair, almost but not quite touching my bare shoulder. I’m hyperaware of him, every nerve ending on alert.

  Josie pops up from her seat, signaling to someone across the room, and grabbing Sean by the arm to join her. They leave. Since the rest of the people at our table haven’t arrived yet, I decide it’s time to define the boundaries here. “No need to pretend we’re in a relationship.”

  A smile plays over his lips, his eyes glowing in the dim light. “I know, darling.” His voice is as silky as a caress.

  A shiver races down my spine. “So, uh…” Think! Lust diverts all energy south of my belly button. Why must I be so attracted to him? “You can stop calling me sweetheart and darling because we’re not a couple. And friends don’t do that.” Not that I want to be his friend. I just want to get through this dinner without letting myself get any further tangled up with him. My gut says no. I can ignore every other tingling part.

  “Darling gets the axe too? Damn.” He shakes his head, his lips pressed together like it’s a real shame. He lifts his head, his expression brightening. “How’s babe?”

  I bite back a smile. “No.”

  “Honey?”

  I snort-laugh and slap a hand over my mouth. “No sweet names of any kind, please.”

  He slowly nods. “Just friends. Got it.”

  “I’m serious.”

  “As a heart attack.”

  “Right.”

  He grins. “Okay, lamb chop.”

  I bite my lower lip, torn between laughing and making sure he understands about the boundary here.

  “So, since we’re friends…” he drawls in a husky voice.

  My heart kicks up, and every part of me fires up in anticipation. I lean in, dying to know what he thinks we’ll do as friends.

  “Mind if I sit here?” a deep voice asks. A handsome dark-haired guy with a neat beard swipes the name card from the seat next to Garrett, pockets it, and puts his own name card down. Wyatt Winters.

  Garrett smiles. “Wyatt, hey, man, sure, take a seat.”

  I can’t help but think about the name card he pocketed. I point to his pocket. “Aren’t you going to put that name card on someone else’s table? That person could be wandering around wondering where they’re supposed to sit.”

  “Right,” Wyatt says, taking out the card and making a small paper airplane out of it. He sends it sailing, and it lands in a floral centerpiece a few tables away.

  I gesture toward it. That is not going to cut it.

  He sighs and stands to retrieve the card. “Your girlfriend is bossy,” he tells Garrett and winks at me before walking over to the other table.

  Garrett grins at me. “Don’t worry, there was a space between girl and friend. I tell everyone I meet. Don’t forget the space.”

  I purse my lips. He’s teasing me. At the same time, I feel like I’m losing ground here as he heartily agrees with everything I say. He taps the end of my nose and laughs.

  Wyatt returns to his seat and leans around Garrett, offering his hand to me. “We got off on the wrong foot with my terrible manners. I’m Wyatt.”

  I shake his hand. “Harper.”

  His eyes widen. “I know you. You’re Amanda Boxer. Badass.”

  “Yes, Amanda is,” I say evenly. “Now I play a different role. That’s what actors do.”

  He leans back in his seat. “Sure, I know. I met a bunch of actors in LA and Josie of course. Probably the reason most of us are here. She’s something, isn’t she?”

  I follow his gaze to where Josie is enthusiastically embracing a woman and then gesturing as she introduces her to the group surrounding her. She’s like a firefly, her light attracting everyone to her. I’m more like a caterpillar in a cocoon, who emerges only as a completely different creature in my butterfly-actor skin. Getting philosophical here, Harp.

  “She’s awesome,” Garrett says. “She’s my sister-in-law, like the sister I never had. I’ve got five older brothers.”

  Wyatt rubs the top of Garrett’s head with his knuckles. “Bet they kicked your ass on a regular basis.”

  Garrett grins. “Mostly they carried me around and looked out for me, except for Brendan. He’s only two years older, and we got into it a lot. We’re close now.” He turns to me. “What about you? Any brothers or sisters?”

  “Only child.”

  “Lucky,” Wyatt says. “I’ve got three younger sisters.” He widens his dark eyes and leans in. “The drama. The high-pitched squeals.” He shudders. �
��It’s a wonder I’ve still got my hearing. Most of it anyway.”

  A group of older women arrive at our table, and after a brief introduction, they resume talking to each other.

  Wyatt turns to Garrett. “So, back to the reason we’re all here tonight, tell me how you decide what kind of community project you’ll do with each development job.”

  I listen as Garrett explains the process his family’s company goes through from scouting out properties of potential value to coming up with a comprehensive development plan, considering what they can do with the space that best suits it. The projects they’ve done sound really cool. They’ve won awards too. I can tell he’s proud of their work. Of course, it was obvious even when we met. One of the first things he did was talk about his family business.

  “So what’s your part?” Wyatt asks.

  Garrett laughs a little, but it sounds forced. “The youngest brother doesn’t get first pick for any exciting position in the company. My older brothers took charge, saying I was too inexperienced. I probably was at the time we took over the company from my uncle. Anyway, I’ve spent the past eight years working crew. Maybe I’ll always work crew until something else opens up.”

  Like acting. I suddenly understand why he’d want to try something different. He got the short end of the stick, and he knows it.

  “Like an older brother retires?” Wyatt asks.

  Garrett exhales sharply. “Yeah, we’ll all be old by the time that happens. I don’t know, man, I just take it one day at a time.” He taps the table. “I love working with my brothers.”

  Wyatt shoots me a disbelieving look and turns back to Garrett. “Ever think of a different line of work?”

  Garrett hesitates before saying, “Born into the family business. We stick together. What about you? Now that you’re retired, ever think of a second career?”

  “Retired?” I echo. “How old are you?”

  Wyatt shakes his head. “Why does everyone ask that when I say I’m retired? Can’t a guy just take his billions and be done?”