Stand-In Star Read online

  Stand-In Star

  By Rachael Johns

  As an anthropologist, Holly McCartney is more comfortable in a museum than shopping on Rodeo Drive. She isn’t prepared for the media frenzy on her arrival in L.A. to accept a posthumous acting award for her late sister…or for her sister’s gorgeous friend Nate Devlin to come to her rescue. Though he resents her for some reason, she can’t fight their irresistible chemistry—especially when the paparazzi force her to stay at his mansion.

  Photographer Nate only agrees to help Holly survive Hollywood for her sister’s sake, but she soon gets under his skin in a way no other woman has. The more time he spends with her, the more his attraction grows and he finds himself opening up to her in ways he never expected. But will ghosts of the past stand in the way of their perfect Hollywood ending?

  72,000 words

  Dear Reader,

  In the world of publishing, January is an intimidating month. Mostly because we’re thinking about 2013 long before we want to be. In fact, conversations about 2014 have long since started. How’s that for intimidating? January is also intimidating because we’re expected to set goals and promise great things for the year ahead. That, Carina Press can handle.

  This year, our goal is not only to continue to provide readers with excellent editorial, but also to add a new category of New Adult to our romance line, in order to increase the number of mystery, science-fiction and fantasy titles we publish; to publish returning authors with connected books; and to grow our romance subgenres such as historical romance, GLBT, romantic suspense and erotic romance. You can look forward to all of that happening in 2013!

  In January, we start the year by finishing up Shannon Stacey’s second Kowalski family trilogy with the highly anticipated story of Josh and Katie’s romance, All He Ever Dreamed. If you haven’t read Shannon’s books, you can check out the original Kowalski trilogy for only $4.99 per novel. We also enter 2013 with the paperback release of Fiona Lowe’s 2012 RITA® award-winning contemporary romance, Boomerang Bride.

  Other contemporary romance authors joining Shannon in January include Rachael Johns, kicking off a new contemporary series set in Hollywood with Stand-In Star, and Liz Flaherty with Jar of Dreams. Liz’s debut romance, One More Summer, was described by reviewers as “compelling and addictive” and “one incredible story.”

  On the other end of the romance spectrum are several paranormal, urban fantasy and steampunk romance releases this month. Coleen Kwan returns with the sequel to her fun steampunk romance Asher’s Invention. Asher’s Dilemma brings you the continued romance of Asher and Minerva in a clockwork world.

  Two other continuing series return with fantastic installments. Claws Bared by Sheryl Nantus is the next story in her Blood of the Pride series. And Sandy James offers up The Impetuous Amazon, the second book in the Alliance of the Amazons series. Meanwhile, a new paranormal trilogy begins with Stacy Gail’s Nobody’s Angel, which brings us a tale of Nephilim and sassy heroines. Look for the second book, Savage Angel, in February.

  Cathy Pegau takes us into space with her newest science-fiction romance, Caught in Amber, while Eleri Stone takes us to a world steeped in fantasy and wrapped with pleasure in Threads of Desire, her erotic fantasy romance. Keeping us in the here and now, with more erotic sexy-times, is Callie Croix’s newest erotic contemporary romance, Covert Seduction.

  We’re pleased to welcome mystery author Wendy Roberts to Carina Press with her newest mystery, Grounds to Kill. We’re also pleased that Julie Moffett has chosen to reissue her Scottish historical romance, The Thorn & the Thistle, with us in January.

  Last, to start off 2013, I’m excited to introduce you to our two debut authors. JL Merrow offers up a compelling tale of love through the ages with the male/male historical time travel Trick of Time. Romantic suspense author Ana Barrons will blow away fans of suspense and romance with her debut novel, Wrongfully Accused. Please join me in giving these two authors a warm welcome to Carina Press (by buying their books, of course!).

  I hope you’ll join me for another excellent year of books at Carina Press. Our 2013 schedule is shaping up to be full of books our team loves and can’t wait to get into readers’ hands, including a new trilogy from Fiona Lowe; a compulsively readable new adult romance, Rush Me, from debut author Alison Parr; the last two parts of Jax Garren’s dark Beauty and the Beast retelling; more contemporary romance novels from up-and-coming author Christi Barth; the kickoff of a thrilling urban fantasy series from debut author Steve Vera; more erotic romance compliments of Lynda Aicher; a series of erotic Love Letters from a collection of authors; noir historical mystery Die on Your Feet by debut author S.G. Wong; and another installment of Marie Force’s romantic suspense series.

  This is only a small portion of the amazing books we have coming up in 2013, so please look for these and more from the awesomely talented Carina Press authors.

  We love to hear from readers, and you can email us your thoughts, comments and questions to [email protected]. You can also interact with Carina Press staff and authors on our blog, Twitter stream and Facebook fan page.

  Happy reading!

  ~Angela James

  Executive Editor, Carina Press

  www.carinapress.com

  www.twitter.com/carinapress

  www.facebook.com/carinapress

  Dedication

  To Charlotte Herscher, Angela James and the wonderful team at Carina Press for believing in me and this manuscript. Thank you!

  Acknowledgements

  Eternal thanks must go to Craig, Mum and the boys for putting up with my writing and giving me time to pursue my dreams. I love and appreciate you all so much.

  To my awesome writing friends—especially Bec Sampson, Cathryn Hein, Jackie Ashenden, Melissa Smith, Joanne Dannon, Janette Radevski, Fiona Lowe and Scarlet Wilson. Thanks for all your support and encouragement.

  To the Sassy Sisters for always being there to run ideas by and brainstorm and for keeping the faith. And finally to my followers and friends on Twitter who helped me make my Aussie phrasings more global.

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  About the Author

  Copyright

  Chapter One

  Holly McCartney stepped out of baggage claim at LAX International Airport and came face-to-face with a sea of people, cameras and flashing lights. It took all of five seconds to realize the media circus was here for her.

  Every nerve ending in her body stood on edge. As Hollywood’s darling, this was the existence her sister had chosen. Daisy loved the limelight and had built a life on being the center of attention for as long as Holly could remember.

  Holly couldn’t think of anything worse.

  Sucking in as much oxygen as she could inhale in one deep breath, she tightened her grip on her laptop bag and suitcase. Then, she lifted her chin high, pushed her shoulders back and prepared to walk through the crowd like she had no inkling that all the frenzied attention was focused on her.

  And let’s face it, she could be wrong. This was Los Angeles. Actors, rock stars, agents, producers, any number of starlets could have been on the plane and she, having no interest in such things whatsoever, would have been completely obli
vious.

  She flexed her toes in her comfortable travelling shoes and put her best foot forward. Immediately the crowd “ahhed,” more lights flashed in her face and the people behind the lenses pushed even closer to the barricade. She gulped. Froze. Felt like the most popular exhibit in the zoo—the one everyone wanted to get their hands on.

  Someone shoved a tiny microphone in her face. “How did you feel about your sister’s death?”

  “Is it true you hadn’t spoken to her in three years?” Another face, another identical microphone. These people were good. They’d dug deep for their facts, but how could they justify making a living in such a manner?

  Holly blinked as another camera flash almost blinded her.

  What was it they said in the movies? No comment?

  “Which designer created your dress for the awards night?”

  She almost laughed at that question. She’d like to see their faces when she told them she hadn’t given a thought to what she’d be wearing should Daisy win a posthumous Academy Award for Best Actress. But hysterical laughter made way for sheer panic.

  Perhaps stupidly, she hadn’t anticipated any of this. When her parents had convinced her to come, she hadn’t imagined for one second anyone would be interested in the plain, boring younger sister of Daisy McCartney. Not when Hollywood was filled with bevies of near-clones of Daisy. Skinny, blond, beautiful, bubbly glamazons.

  Everything Holly was most definitely not.

  “Perhaps she’s mute,” yelled a voice from the hoards. Cackles of laugher followed, making her feel about the size of an ant.

  She had to say something but right now—after a fifteen-hour plane flight from Sydney during which she’d sat next to a know-it-all neurologist who spoke nonstop about his successes—she was struggling to recall any of the questions. While Holly racked her brain for something to say, anything to get this unexpected and unwanted welcome off her back, a commotion erupted in front of her.

  She peered through the tightly-knit wall of people to see a tall, dark, curly-haired head making waves in the crowd. A moment later the man had pushed through the photographers and come to a stop directly in her line of vision. Her heart skipped a beat. She reminded her lungs to pump. And tried damn hard not to stare. She’d never been big on movie stars—not the type of teen to wallpaper her bedroom in celebrity posters—but this man had to be someone famous. The kind of famous who inspired heartthrob status.

  The dark curly hair she’d noticed above the masses was only the cherry on the top of the ice-cream sundae. For a second, Holly forgot the sticky situation she was in and simply took time to gawk. She’d been so focused on getting her Ph.D these last couple of years that she hadn’t found time to go to the movies or watch TV, but if this man did have a role on the big screen, she envisioned he played a very sexy bad boy. Stretched over taut thigh muscles, his fitted, dark jeans left little to the imagination. He wore a tight white tee and a well-loved, black, leather jacket. Designer sunglasses rested atop his head, adding to his air of indifference.

  The way he scanned the crowd as if he had a hundred other and better places to be intrigued her. When his gaze finally rested on her, her defenses crumbled and she found herself staring back.

  “Sorry I’m late, sweetheart.” His words broke her reverie. In one graceful move, he leaped over the barricade, and swept her suitcase from her fingers. He tucked the case under his arm like it was an empty shoebox. Then he moved in even closer and kissed her on the cheek.

  Her skin tingled under the imprint of his lips and heat rushed to her face. Her ears still recovering from his gruff but devilishly sexy voice, she stared up into two of the most divine, almost-black eyes and fought the urge to lift her fingers to her cheek. To touch the spot his lips had.

  Had she heard him right? She didn’t know this man. As far as Holly could recall she knew absolutely nobody in America and she was frickin’ certain she’d remember this face.

  Seemingly a mind reader as well as a man-God, he leaned forward and wrapped his arms around her in a light touch that sent a quiver through her veins. He whispered into her ear, “I’m a friend of your sister’s. Follow my cues and I’ll get you out of this jungle.”

  “You’re rescuing me?”

  He leaned back, breaking their contact. “I guess you could call it that.”

  Although the idea appealed for a second, reality slapped her hard. She didn’t need a man to save her, not anymore. And, any real friend of her sister’s would probably not come within a ten kilometer radius of her. Besides, how had he known she was arriving today at this precise moment in time?

  She shifted a bit, away from him. How had any of them known? For all she knew he could be a particularly crafty member of the press trying to lull her into a false sense of security before he swooped.

  She eyed him again, trying to see past those dark, hot eyes. He didn’t seem like a crazy-psycho. Then again her first impressions radar had malfunctioned years ago.

  “You knew Daisy?”

  “Yes.” Contempt filled his features, erasing the friendly ease of a moment ago. And in that second she understood.

  Daisy had fed him poison.

  “Then why do you want to rescue me?”

  “I wouldn’t leave a dog to these sharks.”

  When she didn’t reply to his harsh words, he grabbed her hand—traitorous hormones jolted at his touch—and said, “Come on.”

  I don’t think so. The words were perched on the tip of her tongue ready to jump, but she looked past him and saw the hungry eyes of the cameramen waiting to devour her. Did she really have any other choice? If she stepped past the barricade on her own, she wouldn’t have the faintest clue how to handle what confronted her. And, due to her less than sugar-sweet relationship with Daisy, she wouldn’t know how to answer the questions without putting at least one of them in a bad light.

  Despite her opinion of her late sister, and for her parents’ sakes, she refused to speak ill of the dead.

  He tightened his grasp and looked questioningly into her eyes.

  His opinion of her didn’t matter. All that mattered was that he was obviously accustomed to this kind of media attention and would therefore have the know-how to get her out unscathed. It wasn’t like she was marrying the guy—all she needed to do was stay close while he escorted her out of the airport to find a shuttle bus. She’d thank him politely and hopefully never see him again.

  “Lead the way,” she said.

  Without another word, her reluctant knight in black leather wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her tight enough against him that she could feel muscles rippling beneath his tee but loose enough that they could still walk. He angled one impossibly broad shoulder toward the crowd and began to push through.

  As they walked, Holly tried not to look in the direct line of any camera. Thankfully there were so many questions being hurled in her direction that she couldn’t be expected to hear any one in particular. She refused to look back but got the distinct impression the media frenzy wasn’t subsiding much. If anything she had the feeling more people were following them.

  Her heart rate kicked up a notch as she started to panic. What would she do when she parted ways with her rescuer and had to handle any aggressive cameramen on her own? Although she’d planned on doing this trip on a shoe-string budget, a taxi suddenly seemed a much safer option than a shuttle bus.

  “Is there usually much of a wait for taxis?” she asked as they filed past a row of fast food joints. She silently prayed LAX would be the exception to the other airports she’d traveled through.

  “I wouldn’t know.” His voice had powers to melt her bones but his dismissive attitude irked her.

  “Sorry I asked,” she muttered under her breath.

  “You don’t need to worry about cabs,” he said dryly. “We’re taking my car.”

  Until that moment, her sights had been so focused on the paparazzi that she’d paid little attention to her surroundings. Now she looked up
to see a sign that read Valet Parking.

  “Oh. No.” Forgetting he still had a firm grasp on her hand she froze and yanked him to a standstill. “I couldn’t possibly put you out.”

  He turned his head, sighed and raised a brow. “I’m already here. And I’m heading back that way anyhow.”

  She pursed her lips—her brain engaging in a full-on brawl with her nerves.

  He tapped his boot-clad foot against the floor. “Saying that, I don’t have all day.”

  She barely heard his words over the shouts of the media at their heels.

  Despite being intoxicatingly good-looking, this friend of Daisy’s really was one of the most arrogant, rudest men Holly had ever had the displeasure of meeting. But it was a choice between him and the unscrupulous vultures behind her.

  And she didn’t have a death wish.

  She took a deep breath, swallowed her pride and let a reluctant smile tug her lips. “Thanks. A ride would be lovely.”

  * * *

  Nate Devlin bit down on the retort that there was nothing lovely about this situation and instead strode through the gates to valet parking. He greeted the attendant, handed over his ticket and tried not to gaze sideways at Daisy’s surprisingly attractive sister. In direct opposition to Daisy’s stick-thin frame, Holly had the kind of curves most men found striking. On first impressions, she wasn’t at all how he’d imagined her based on Daisy’s comments and even the photo, which when he thought about it must have been taken when Holly was in her late teens.

  He’d been hemming and hawing all morning about whether or not to come and finally caved to Daisy’s memory. She’d wanted more than anything to see her sister again. The least he could do was take a look. But he certainly hadn’t anticipated talking to the woman. Ten minutes max—that’s how long he’d guessed it would take to look from a distance and watch Daisy’s wicked sister leech onto the fame that rightly should have been Daisy’s.

  Holly McCartney stood there clasping her bag as if she feared for her life, the truth masked behind lilac eyes. She had to have some kind of mammoth nerve to contemplate getting up at the Oscars in front of hundreds of cameras that would beam her performance to the world. Especially when she’d been giving Daisy the cold shoulder for the last few years. She’d refused to visit, wouldn’t even talk or email when Daisy was alive, but the moment she was dead and up for a world renowned award…sure, Ms. McCartney could forget her bones-to-pick then and bask in the associated glory.