Page 66 of One Kind Hand

“Am I loser if I wanted you to say tomorrow?”

She shook her head. “Okay. Tomorrow. I have two flights scheduled for the day, but come to my place after filming ends.”

“Deal.”

“I’ll call you if I get summoned to an unexpected rescue though.”

“Do you ever turn down a rescue?” He held up a hand. “Not that I’d want you to. I think it’s wonderful that you’re involved in that type of work. I’m just wondering.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever said no to a rescue request. How could I? I’d feel terrible if I could have helped someone and I didn’t.”

Austin squeezed his arms around her. “I’ve never met anyone like you.”

“I’ve never met anyone like you either.” She rubbed his whiskered jaw. “I’ve been missing out.”

“Me too.” He kissed the tip of her nose then moved down to her mouth. They enjoyed some good, old-fashioned making out that probably would have paired nicely with 80s pop music. “Care to shower with me?”

“Only if you let me get creative with the soap.” She propped herself up on one elbow and looked down at him.

“I’d be disappointed if you didn’t get creative with the soap.” He sat up, wincing a little when he leaned too heavily on his right arm.

Charlie rose to sitting next to him, taking his arm in her lap. “This hurts?”

“A little. When I lean on it.” He lifted her left arm. “Your elbow looks better though.”

She bent it a few times. “Yeah. It’s fine, but are we sure you didn’t bust anything in yours?”

“I had it X-rayed from every damn angle thanks to Cody.” Austin poked at one of the bruises on his forearm. “I’m sure it’ll feel better in the heat of the shower, especially if you’re going to get creative with the soap.”

“Let’s go.” She got out of bed and met him at the bedroom door, looking absolutely delicious naked.

He followed her to the bathroom, loving the take-charge attitude she sported as she opened the shower door and turned on the water. They cleaned up—cleaning up taking on a whole new meaning when Charlie was in command of the soap—then they hit the couch for some cuddling and a movie. Charlie made him laugh when they flicked past a Chad Zimmers movie and she chucked a middle finger at the screen.

“Dick.” Charlie rested her hand on his shoulder. “What if Cassandra didn’t believe you? What if she still thought you said those things? That could have been a big problem, right?”

“Could have been. If we couldn’t have resolved the situation, Flicka Entertainment may have had to let one of us go.”

“Do you think that was Chad’s goal?”

“Maybe.” He hadn’t considered Chad’s motivation beyond being a jerk, but it was possible he was up to no good. “I’ll have Cody investigate. He loves to dig into these kinds of things.”

“Do these kinds of things happen often?”

“Not to me, but I’ve heard tales of actors trying to sabotage each other.” He ran his fingers along her forearm resting across his stomach. “Seems to me we should all be helping each other succeed, not tearing each other down.”

Charlie’s arm tightened around his waist and she snuggled deeper against him. “I completely agree.” She was quiet for a moment. “I’m not sure how I ended up here with such a nice guy.”

“You entered your chopper for a chance to be in a movie.” Austin threaded his fingers with hers and brought her hand up to his mouth, pressing kisses to her knuckles. “Then you used this kind hand right here to let me know I wasn’t alone in that tunnel underground.”

She rose up and climbed onto his lap. Holding up her free hand between them, she wiggled her fingers. “Wonder what else these hands can do.”

Austin couldn’t wait to find out.

Chapter Twelve

“I said I was sorry.” Austin tied the laces of the combat boots he’d be wearing in the next scene.

Cody’s frown only deepened. “When you’re late on set, it holds everybody up. Time is money on these movies, Austin.”