Free Aim For Love by Pamela Aares Page A

week’s worth of dishes. He needed more than an assistant. From the look of the kitchen, he needed a full-time housekeeper.
    Derrick came up behind her, put his hands on her waist and pulled her back against him. “Did you bring dessert?”
    She’d had doubts about having a sexual relationship with him before she’d left LA. And her unnerving experience with Kaz told her that something in Derrick’s touch wasn’t right. There was no sensual underlay, no subtlety. It was as though Derrick wanted to possess her, to claim her. She wasn’t in any mood to be claimed.
    “Let’s go over the second scene,” she said as she slid away from his grasp. “That’s why I flew down here.”
    “Work can wait until tomorrow, Sabrina. Nights are for fun.”
    He pulled the cap from her head, and her hair tumbled around her shoulders.
    “That’s better.”
    He lifted her hand to his lips. All she could think about was how Kaz’s touch had been so different. He’d always asked permission before he touched her. And though Kaz’s touch fired her senses, she hadn’t felt the same wariness she felt just then when Derrick brushed his lips across the back of her hand.
    She pulled away. “If we’re not going to work, maybe I should go. I could use the rest.”
    “I have a better idea,” he said. “Sunday night at the Metreo should shake out some of those cobwebs.”
    She didn’t want to think she had cobwebs, and was pretty sure he hadn’t meant to insult her, but she rose to his challenge. After all, finding fun had always been one of her strong suits.
     

     
    The Metreo was packed with the LA club set. Though Sabrina hadn’t yet turned twenty-three, the pulsing, laughing dancers surrounding them made her feel old. Maybe it was the constant nag of pain. Pain could make anyone feel ancient. She followed Derrick to a table beside the dance floor. She would’ve preferred the private booth they usually reserved, but he’d insisted on a table in the middle of the action.
    A scantily clad waiter brought a pitcher of martinis and poured one for each of them. Sabrina twirled the stem of the glass and then shoved it to the center of the table. Surrounded by the pulsing music and bodies, she felt strangely alone.
    “I’m going out to the Central Valley on Tuesday,” she said over the din of the music.
    “I thought we were rehearsing on Tuesday.”
    “I’m going for a few days.” She tilted her head toward her right shoulder. “To solve this problem.”
    “We have PT people here,” he said as he poured a second martini. “I have a great trainer. I’ll book him for the afternoon.”
    “I’m going out to see Alex’s friend.”
    “The Jap?”
    “You did not just call him that.”
    “That’s what he is.”
    She wasn’t going to argue Kaz’s attributes with Derrick. It’d just bait him. “I think he can help me.”
    Derrick narrowed his eyes. “I’ll come with you.”
    “That’s okay, you have work here.”
    A commotion at the door drew Sabrina’s attention. Four men with cameras slid in. Derrick looked over his shoulder.
    “That’s Joe Severs.”
    She tensed up.
    “It’s okay, he’s a pro. Shoots for Insiders magazine. No monkey business like the jerk who tanked you.”
    He waved Joe over to their table.
    “Hey, the Hollywood glam couple, just my luck.” Joe slid into a seat next to Derrick. “Mind if I take a shot?”
    Derrick slid his chair to hers. Then he grabbed her and planted a kiss. Light flashed.
    “Great,” Joe said as he touched his knuckles to Derrick’s.
    Sabrina was stunned at Derrick’s performance.
    “I’d rather you not use that,” she said in a polite tone.
    “Don’t worry, it’s a hot night,” Joe said. “Seems loads of A-listers are out on the town. The editors already have a lot of other juicy shots to choose from.”
    A waiter brought a third glass, and Derrick poured Joe a martini.
    “I’m going to marry this girl,” Derrick said. Sabrina heard the slurring in his