First Take (Star-Taken) Read Free Page A

same thing and were so much easier to walk in, especially with her knees all wobbly from proximity to Mr. Raymond.
    When she reached the door, she paused and inhaled a steadying breath. Would he evaporate in the light of the day? Had some magic genii granted her birthday wish of Stephen as a movie date, but the fantasy was bound to the building? She almost chuckled at the ridiculous thoughts.
    She pushed open the heavy door to the real world. The summer heat rolled through the ever-increasing gap. “Man, I can’t wait for fall.”
    Stephen shot his very real, non-vapor-like arm over her head to hold open the door while they exited the theater. “It’s the best time of year to be in New York.”
    S tepping onto the pavement, she nodded. While some people had the odd idea that because northeastern winters involved snow, the summers were cooler, that just wasn’t the case. The skyscrapers trapped the heat and humidity until it smothered the streets and the people on them. When it came to sticky-hot, New York City in the summer was little different than Houston, the big city that cast its shadow over her small hometown of Richmond. An errant breeze caught the hem of her flirty, layered skirts and sent them dancing across her knees, but the stifling heat of the air did nothing to cool her.
    He released the door once they’d cleared it, and a second later, it slammed shut with a clang. The echo was drowned by the masses of people on the sidewalks, most probably on their way home from work or whatever daytime outing occupied their time. Tomorrow she’d return to her regular schedule as well, nine-to-five behind a desk, while Stephen would no doubt be enjoying what had to be downtime between filming. Another reminder that however real Stephen’s presence was beside her, their worlds were miles apart.
    She smiled. But then, the more different the birthday present, the better the memories.
    Making small talk, though Rachel couldn’t say about what, they walked the two blocks to the restaurant. Questions swirled in her head. Would someone recognize him? Would they wonder what he was doing with her, who she even was? Would paparazzi follow them and wait outside the sushi place while they ate? That would only add to the surreal nature of this whole afternoon.
    In her fantasies, she’d always pictured herself smiling and nodding if they got waylaid. Friendlier seemed like a better way to be, though some of the cameramen were known for aggressiveness. Th ose she thought best to ignore.
    Stephen’s tabloid shots normally made him appear uncaring of the intrusion on his life, but the photos of him were also few and far between. Maybe he blended into the crowd. In which case, that made her the perfect camouflage. He could use her anytime.
    Heat flared to life between her thighs. Her step and breath hitched as arousal slammed into her. Uh-oh, she was in trouble, but it was too late to back out now. Besides, it was just dinner.
    Without incident , which was unsurprising really, they arrived at the restaurant. She hardly ever looked at the faces in the crowd when she was intent on a destination, why should she expect others to be any different? People had their own lives after all. They had to get home for dinner, meet friends for after-work dinks, hit the gym, or any of a hundred different things that would occupy their attention as they walked the streets.
    When she entered the restaurant, the air-conditioned temperature raised goose bumps along her arms. She rubbed them as Stephen greeted the hostess, who smiled and nodded before leading them to a corner table away from the windows and shielded from view of most of the restaurant by a screen.
    He really must come here often. Rachel paused even as Stephen held out a chair. “Normally, I eat at the sushi bar.” She liked watching the chef prepare the food. It was a fine art.
    “I like to as well, but it’s not quite as easy to talk.” He started to push the chair back in.