Page 5 of Playboy Billionaire
Noah’s eyes softened for a moment with something that looked a lot like regret. “We were good once, Penelope.”
She unbuckled her seat belt and stood as the pilot and attendant waited by the exit for the passengers to disembark. “That was then, this is now.” Putting on her sunglasses, she grabbed the dog carrier and walked swiftly to the exit.
The sun warmed her skin as she stepped onto the tarmac. A large SUV with tinted glass waited to whisk her and Noah to their temporary private seaside homes. She wasn’t pleased that they were going to be next-door neighbors, and after hearing about the studio’s desire to use their relationship as bait, she wondered if it was an intentional setup.
The driver opened the door for Penelope and before sliding in she asked, “Will it take long to get there?”
He smiled shyly, looking a little starstruck. “No ma’am, about twenty minutes.”
She ducked into the cool Mercedes. “Thanks.” Unzipping the carrier, she took Archie out. His whole body wiggled as he enthusiastically checked out his surroundings. Noah sulked as Penelope did her best to pretend that he wasn’t there.
“Since we’re going to be neighbors, I guess you won’t be able to avoid me.”
Silence.
Noah’s voice softened and he said, “Penelope, the baby wasn’t mine.”
Her lips twisted. “Isn’t the point that it could have been, and it took a paternity test to find out?”
“Baby, you know damn well we weren’t getting along. It’s on me, but it’s not like we weren’t having troubles already.”
“Yeah and sleeping aroundalwaysimproves on any existing problems. Why didn’t I think of it first? You’re brilliant Noah. Bonus, you got to fuck her whenever you wanted in between takes. God, how blind and stupid could I have been? Right under my nose the whole time.”
“We can talk about that later, but right now I want to find a way to work together peacefully.”
“On set it will be fine. Off set, skip it. There’s nothing to talk about.”
“Good thing our script calls for a contentious relationship. We won’t have to do much acting,” he said dryly.
“There are a few scenes I hope to get cut.”
He stroked his chin squinting, “Hmm let me guess. The rough sex scenes?”
“You’ve always had a keen eye for the obvious.”
“Lighten up, for fuck’s sake. You won’t get them to change the script this late, even if youarePenelope Winters. You’ve already agreed to the terms; the sex scenes were spelled out, signed, sealed, delivered.”
“Don’t sound so happy about it.”
“Who wouldn’t be excited about the prospect of a naked Penelope Winters in bed next to them? Every man’s fantasy. And it’s still mine. Plus, I’ve been working out overtime to get my body in shape for the nude scenes,” he said, patting his six-pack abs. “The world is waiting to see us naked in bed together.”
“Pathetic.”
“Don’t ruin the film with petty grievances. We both need this to be a success. Let’s work together to see that it is.”
They pulled into the drive of an oceanfront home that looked big enough to accommodate a basketball team. She fastened Archie’s leash and was startled when Noah grabbed her arm, pulling her off balance. He gripped her chin tightly and his mouth came down on hers. Penelope was so taken aback that she didn’t move for several seconds as he kissed her. She quickly recovered and tried to pull away just as the driver opened her door.
“Here we are. This is your place Ms. Winters. Mr. Davis is the next house to the right.”
Her face heated with humiliation.
“Just a little dress rehearsal,” Noah whispered, grinning rakishly.
“Go to hell,” she said, through gritted teeth.
“You’re so beautiful when you’re spitting venom.”
“Don’teverdo that again.”