Free Malibu Betrayals by M.K. Meredith

confirm my story.”
    “No problem. But why don’t I take you, and we’ll figure out your car situation later?”
    “Really? No, I couldn’t. Are you sure? That isn’t necessary. I don’t want to bother you.”
    Bel laughed. “Are you kidding? Driving a pretty woman around is never a bother to Gage Cutler. One of the reasons people find him so charming.”
    He narrowed his eyes. “Nice.” He turned toward Dani. “Never mind her, she’s a brat. Come on, let’s get to work.”
    Before he could step away, Bel leaned up and kissed his cheek, her blond hair fluttering in the breeze. “Look, I know you don’t want to talk about it right now, but do me a favor and be careful with Sam, with your expectations. Protect your heart, okay? Love ya, big brother.”
    Gage smiled in return. His sister worried, and he got that. But he wasn’t worried. There were certain things he wanted in his life, new directions he wanted to take, and Sam was one of them.
    He hadn’t gotten where he was by taking “no” for an answer.
    …
    Sam tried to focus on her work, but her eyes kept drifting to Gage. It had been a couple days since they’d been together, but the sight of him still turned her inside out. They’d planned on meeting for coffee out at his place, but plans had to be cancelled. Gage’s work was demanding, and he was often given very short notice, whether for last-minute meetings or interviews.
    She enjoyed watching him. Every move he made, his expressions and gestures, seemed different now. Stronger and sexier. Like she knew something no one else did, a special heated secret. Giving in, she pushed away from her desk and stepped closer, watching from around the corner of a shelf full of equipment. Ever since they’d talked about the dialogue earlier on, he’d nailed his character. With every “Action!” she’d found her mind drifting away from the screenplay in front of her and getting lost in the drama on the set—and memories of his performance between the sheets.
    She blew out an excited breath. Pull it together, Dekker . Going back to her desk, she stopped short and then sat down, leaning on her elbows to take a closer look. Spread across the top was a magazine opened to a section sporting pictures of Gage—and another woman.
    A heavy weight settled in her gut as visions of Ethan’s eight-by-ten glossies crowded her mind. There, in full color, Gage walked along the beach with a lithe blonde, laughing at some private joke, and another picture showcased them in a tight embrace.
    No. No. This was not happening. She slapped her hand on the magazine and bunched it in her fist. This was why she had her no celebrity rule.
    Being one of his groupies in a revolving door of willing warm bodies would never work for her. Besides, it was dangerous. She only slept with one man at a time. She deserved the same consideration.
    Why did he push so hard for them to be together if he was seeing someone else? He knew her better than this. She tripped on that thought and slowed down. Smoothing the magazine out, she studied the front again.
    Her emotions, raw and exposed, softened as she looked at the joy on his face. Whoever the woman was, she made him happy. Sam rubbed the back of her neck.
    When the crew stopped for a quick break, she walked up to Gage. “Can we talk?”
    He raised a brow but put his hand to the small of her back and guided her through the crowded space and out the door.
    In the privacy of his trailer, Sam slid the magazine in front of Gage. “I know it’s nothing; I mean, I don’t know.”
    “What the hell?” He flipped through the magazine. “Shit, my sister’s going to be mortified.” Glancing up at her he said, “Where’d you get this?”
    She blinked in mute relief.
    “Sam.”
    “That’s your sister?”
    With a nod, he pushed a box in front of her, with a hesitant smile. “Here, I got you something.”
    “You didn’t have to do that.” Tilting her head, she glanced at him and then slowly