Writing A Memoir For The Movie Star (Billionaire Bachelor Mountain Cove Book 5) Read online

  Sadie let out the breath she’d been holding as the gates parted and they drove in. Her jaw dropped when the first lakefront property came into view—an estate that could easily encompass a third of the entire main street in Eureka Springs. Yep. I am definitely out of my element. She fought back the quivery feeling in her stomach as she realized she was about to meet Gavin Stone.

  Things were about to get real.

  2

  “Are you even paddling back there, mate?” Gavin asked, pushing his oar through the water before squinting over his shoulder at his friend Mike.

  Mike grinned, lying lazily back in the canoe with his hands crossed behind his head. “I wondered how long it would take you to notice.”

  “Hey!” Gavin narrowed his eyes and slapped the paddle backward, spraying Mike with lake water. He laughed as Mike sputtered and sat upright. “There’s more where that came from. Pull your weight, or I’ll toss you overboard.”

  Mike grabbed his paddle. “Okay, okay. I was only trying to help you get conditioned for your next movie. See if I do you any more favors.”

  Gavin shook his head. “You’re a real mate,” he said sarcastically before facing forward again. He sliced his oar through the water. “And I’m getting plenty conditioned. My arms are on fire. How long has it been since you paddled?”

  “Ten minutes. Maybe more.”

  Gavin scoffed, holding back a smile. Typical Mike. He was something of a freeloader, but Gavin let it slide. When you were a celebrity, you got used to people freeloading. At least Mike was open about it. That was what Gavin liked about him. They’d met on a rock-climbing expedition a few years back. Mike was his guide, and he’d enjoyed his laid-back nature. Most people acted differently around Gavin, recognizing him almost instantly wherever he went and morphing into gushing knuckleheads, but Mike was just Mike. He treated Gavin like a normal person, so they’d struck up a friendship, and Gavin often invited him to join him on vacations.

  He stretched his back and looked around the lake. “It’s a nice day. I like all of the trees around here.”

  “Where are we again?” Mike joked. He’d been saying that ever since they’d landed in Bentonville.

  Gavin smiled and took a deep breath. “Somewhere unexpected. Which is the best part. The paparazzi wouldn’t think to scope out Arkansas.”

  “No one would think to scope out Arkansas,” Mike answered dryly.

  “Exactly. Which makes it the perfect escape.” Gavin took another deep breath, relishing the fresh air and quiet. His main home in L.A. didn’t have this kind of quiet—he caught himself. Not home. His main residence. Home would always be Australia, and it had been too long since he’d visited.

  “What’s on your agenda for the day?” Mike asked, lazily dragging his paddle through the water.

  “Depends on if we ever make it back,” Gavin said, eyeing Mike’s lackluster effort. “Put some muscle into it, mate. This is a big lake.”

  Mike gave him an annoyed look and continued paddling the same as he had been before. “Are there any parties going on around here tonight? Where’s the nearest city?”

  Gavin shook his head. “No parties on the agenda, and I have no idea where the nearest city is. We’re miles from nowhere, which is why I bought this place. I’m here for the next few weeks to relax between shoots and to get my memoir started.”

  “Your what?” Mike laughed. “Don’t tell me you’re going to write a book.”

  Gavin smirked. “Yeah, I’m going to take that on in all of my ‘spare time.’” He made air quotes.

  “So what’s with the memoir?”

  Gavin shrugged. “Apparently Edith thinks I’ve got fans clamoring for it, so she hired a ghostwriter to interview me and write the book. Then I’ll take the credit as if I’d written it.”

  Mike snorted. “I hope this ghost is getting paid well. Sounds like he’s getting the short end of the stick.”

  “I believe it’s a she, and yes, we’re making sure she’s more than compensated.”

  “Really?” Mike perked up. “Is she pretty?”

  Gavin rolled his eyes. Mike was always on the prowl for a pretty face. “We may never know. At this rate, we won’t make it back and will die of exposure.”

  “It’s, like, seventy degrees.”

  “Yes, but I reckon we’ll be here until winter.”

  Mike laughed and started paddling harder. “You should have told me there was a girl coming. I would have picked up the pace sooner.”

  Gavin shook his head, smiling as they glided faster through the water. This was more like it. He continued paddling, enjoying the sensation of streaming across the lake. He would have to take the boat out later. There were few things he enjoyed more than a good ski on the lake.

  When they pulled up to the dock, Edith stood waiting for them with her ever-present tablet in hand. “How was it?” she asked, nodding to the canoe.

  “Great,” Gavin replied, holding on to the dock as Mike climbed out.

  “Careful,” Edith warned as Mike’s movements shifted the canoe. “We have staff that can take care of that.”

  Gavin smiled. “No worries. I’ve got it.” He hopped onto the dock, and Edith stepped aside as he and Mike lifted the canoe out of the water.

  “This thing is a beast,” Mike complained.

  “Thankfully your arms are nice and rested, since I did all the paddling,” Gavin said, winking at Edith as they set the canoe on the dock. He straightened and stretched his arms over his head, turning his attention back to his agent. “What’s on the schedule today, Edie?”

  She tapped on the screen, the slight wrinkles in the corners of her eyes deepening. “Your ghostwriter arrived a few minutes ago and said she’s ready to give the interview at your convenience.”

  “What does she look like?” Mike interjected, stepping forward.

  Edith looked over her half-rims at him. “Michael Jensen, don’t get any ideas. We need this woman to stay focused on her job. She’s here to write Gavin’s memoir, nothing else.”

  Mike grinned and rubbed his hands together. “That means she’s pretty.” He playfully pushed Gavin aside. “Excuse me while I go introduce myself.”

  Gavin caught his arm. “Not so fast, mate. She’s my ghostwriter. I’ll be the one to meet her first.”

  Mike twisted his arm free and started running. “You’ll have to race me for it.”

  Gavin hooted and took off after him. Mike was fit, but Gavin had been conditioning for weeks for Attack Pattern Alpha, his next Cruise Donnelly film. There was no way he was losing this race. He ignored Edith’s protests and sprinted, easily overtaking Mike on the wooden steps leading up to the lake house.

  “No!” Mike yelled, grabbing at his shirt.

  Gavin laughed and wrenched his shirt free before taking off again. “I’ll give her your regards,” he called over his shoulder. He reached the deck off the bottom floor and burst through the half-open sliding glass door, nearly knocking into someone as he entered the room. The woman gasped and took a step back as Gavin slammed to a halt. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t see you standing there.”

  “I didn’t see you coming.”

  She held a hand to her neck, and he got a good look at her face. Her large eyes were a shade he’d never seen before—a sort of hazel that was nearly silver. Her full lips parted in surprise, and deep auburn hair ran well past her shoulders. She looked like an elven queen from one of Tolkien’s tales.

  “Are you the writer?” he asked, not sure if he was breathless from the run or this unexpected creature standing before him.

  She swallowed and nodded. “Yes. I’m Sadie O’Brien … And of course, I recognize you. It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Stone.” She straightened her shoulders and held out her hand.

  Gavin stared a moment and then shook her hand, feeling uncharacteristically ruffled. “Call me Gavin. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Sadie. I look forward to working with you.”

  “Me too. Thanks for—”

&nbs
p; Mike burst through the door before she could finish, eyeing both of them before his gaze landed squarely on Sadie. His face went slack.

  Uh-oh. Gavin wanted to pull Sadie behind him to protect her from his friend. Now that Mike had seen her, he would be determined to take her out, and they wouldn’t have a moment’s peace.

  “Hello,” Mike said, his shocked expression melting into a flirtatious smile as he stepped forward and held out his hand. “I’m Mike. Gavin’s BFF.”

  Sadie gave a small, uncertain laugh and looked at Gavin before letting go of his hand to take Mike’s. “It’s nice to meet you,” she said, shaking his hand. “As Gavin’s best friend, I’d like to interview you as well, if that’s all right?”

  “Oh, absolutely.” Mike’s expression turned serious as he nodded. “I’m completely at your disposal.”

  Gavin snorted and put his arm around Mike’s shoulder, squeezing tight enough that his friend would feel it. “Don’t waste your time with him,” he said, looking at Sadie. “He won’t give you any information worth writing about.”

  “Nonsense.” Mike shrugged Gavin’s arm off. “Your fans will want to know the real Gavin, and that’s the perspective I can give. Am I right, Sadie?” He gave her a rakish smile.

  “Well … yes.” She looked between them, clearly unsure about her place in the debate. “That’s what we’re after with this project.”

  Gavin shrugged. “That’s fine. Feel free to interview whomever you like; my life is an open book, so to speak.” He winked at Sadie and was gratified by her smile at his corny pun.

  “Thanks. I’ve prepared a list of interview questions, but I’m fine to conduct the interview whenever you’re ready. I know you have a busy schedule, so just let me know.”

  “He does have a busy schedule,” Mike interjected, tossing a smirk Gavin’s direction before looking back at Sadie, “but my day is wide open. Have you had a tour of the place yet?” he asked, taking a step closer to her.

  “Actually, today is a great day for the interview,” Gavin said, suddenly territorial of his ghostwriter, which didn’t make sense. Mike had made moves on dozens of girls who were initially drawn to Gavin’s fame. He was like a scavenger, preying on the pretty women who came by the dozens hoping for a date with a movie star. Although “preying” might be too strong a word. Mike was a flirt, but he was harmless; otherwise, Gavin wouldn’t be his friend. Similar scenarios had played out countless times during their friendship, and they had a sort of ongoing contest when it came to available women—so why did Gavin mind this time?

  Sadie looked between them again before her gaze settled on Gavin. “Okay. So you’d like to start the interview right now?”

  Mike crossed his arms. “Hadn’t you better check with Edith first to make sure you don’t have something going on?”

  Gavin waved a hand. “The main reason I’m here is for this memoir. If I have something, she can postpone it.” He checked his watch. “Besides, it’s just about lunch time.” He glanced at Sadie. “How about we do the interview over a meal?”

  She lifted a shoulder. “Sure. Let me just grab my laptop from my room, and I’ll meet you in the kitchen.”

  “You’re staying here? Overnight?” Mike’s eyes lit with eager interest.

  “Y-yes.” Sadie bit the corner of her lip and turned to Gavin. “At least, that was the arrangement Edith made. I hope that’s all right? She thought it would be easiest to put me up in a room here so I would be available whenever you were ready to interview. I planned to use the rest of the time to write, and I promise not to get in the way.”

  “You won’t be in the way,” Gavin assured her, his stomach flipping at the thought of Sadie staying in the same house … then twisting when he saw the same thoughts passing across his friend’s face. She would definitely need to be kept away from Mike. Gavin nodded at her. “What do you say we go get some lunch?”

  “Great. I’m starved,” Mike said, patting his stomach.

  Gavin clapped his hand on Mike’s shoulder. “It will be easier for me to give this interview alone. But Antoine will be happy to make you something, I’m sure.”

  Mike gave him a measured look, clearly aware that he’d lost this round. “No problem. I’ll catch up with you guys later.” He smiled at Sadie. “I’ll be ready to give that interview whenever you are. Maybe over dinner?”

  She blinked, looking at Gavin for a cue. “Um, maybe?”

  He smirked at Mike. “We’ll keep you posted, mate.”

  Mike’s face fell. “Enjoy your lunch.” He waved at them and walked away, giving Sadie one last look over his shoulder as he went.

  Sadie offered a small wave in return, and Gavin found himself staring at her profile. There was something about this woman that intrigued him. He was used to beautiful women; in his line of work, he was surrounded by them all the time. But there was something different about Sadie—something extra.

  She turned to him. “I’ll grab my notebook and be right back.”

  “Sure.” He glanced at her outfit, his gaze dropping to her heels. “If you want to change into something more casual, feel free.” He gestured down to his tee shirt, shorts, and flip-flops. “I’ll be going like this.”

  Relief passed across her face. “Thank goodness. You have no idea how ready I am to ditch these heels.”

  He laughed. “Well, what are you waiting for? Take them off right now.”

  She grinned and slipped the heels off, instantly dropping a few inches. His chest warmed. She wasn’t one of Tolkien’s elves—more like a pixie. A tiny, gorgeous pixie.

  “Be right back,” she said, grabbing her heels and whisking away toward the stairs.

  “I’ll be here,” Gavin called after her, his heart skipping a beat as he watched her lithely jog up the stairs. He’d never been so eager for an interview—not by a long shot.

  3

  Sadie was dreaming—she was sure of it. She grabbed her notebook and pen from the desk in the guest room, double-checking that her laptop was still inside her messenger bag before clasping it again. It was silly to be paranoid in a place like this. With expensive paintings on the walls and the highest technology known to man in every room, who would steal her three-year-old laptop? But old habits died hard. She glanced out the window above the desk to the lake below. This whole experience was unreal. And the fact that a famous movie star was waiting to take her out to lunch didn’t help.

  She’d expected a hasty, formal interview with a bored celebrity, like the previous high-profile jobs she’d done. In a few cases, she hadn’t even met with the client at all. Gavin’s warm and friendly lunch invitation had caught her completely off guard. His smile made her heart climb into her throat. Who would have guessed that Gavin Stone would be as personable in real life as he was on the screen? But then again, he was good at acting. Hopefully, she would be able to spend enough time with him to find out who he really was.

  She gave a tiny squeal at the impossibility of the situation as she slipped on her leather sandals. She’d opted for a hunter-green fitted tee and white slim-fit capris, grateful for Gavin’s laid-back style. A quick brush through her hair and a swipe of lip gloss later, and she was out the door, heading back to where she’d left him.

  He stood leaning against the doorframe of the sliding glass door, looking out at the lake. His broad shoulders and toned upper back and arms beneath his tee shirt made her pulse hammer. She had the strongest urge to take a picture of him standing there, capturing this unexpected moment. But even without the strict no-photo clause, she wouldn’t have intruded on his privacy that way. She cleared her throat, and he turned, his mouth lifting up in one corner as soon as he saw her.

  “That’s more like it,” he said, taking in her outfit with a nod. “Are you ready?”

  She swallowed, a little dazed by his Aussie accent and the fact that he was smiling directly at her. So surreal. “Yes.” She tucked the notebook under her arm. “Which way to the garage?”

  “The driver is out front
waiting for us.” He frowned in thought. “But maybe I’ll drive instead. It’s been a while since I’ve taken one of my cars for a spin.” He pulled out his phone and sent a text message. “We’ll give Archie the day off. He’ll like that.” He slid the phone back into his pocket and smiled. “I’ll even let you pick the car.”

  “Thanks.” She pretended it was perfectly natural to have a driver to whom you gave the day off and to “choose” the car you were going to take to lunch. The writer inside of her logged all of the details away to use for later.

  “This way.” He turned and led her down a long hall with doors on either side. “Did Edith give you a tour when you arrived?” he asked, opening the final door.

  The automatic lights flipped on as soon as they entered the garage, and Sadie’s jaw dropped. This was no garage—it was a showroom. The expansive floor was a polished black, and there were oversized glass windows on nearly every side to allow in natural light. She counted eight sports cars, each pristinely clean and likely worth more than twice her mortgage. “No, Edith didn’t give me a tour,” she said after finding her voice.

  “I sort of guessed, judging by your expression,” Gavin teased. He spread his arm wide. “Go ahead and pick one. Any car you like.”

  She stared at him. “You don’t have a favorite?”

  “Do you have a favorite book?”

  She laughed. “Touché. If you feel as strongly about these cars as I feel about books, then I totally get it.”

  He nodded. “Cars have always been a passion of mine. Ever since my dad used to take me out drag racing in his old Camaro in the Outback. He still has it, in fact.” His eyes softened at the memory.

  Sadie liked picturing a young Gavin drag racing in the Australian Outback with his dad. Wait. She smacked her forehead and pulled out her phone. “I should have been recording that. Do you mind repeating what you just said?”

  Gavin’s lip twitched. “The interview hasn’t even started yet.”