Danger Zone (2 page)

“Nothing.” Quinn watched a crowd form around the wrecked car.

Kurt Densmore had a Ph.D from Purdue. The thermodynamicist had worked in their lab for months and invented the new engine case. But two months ago, Densmore had disappeared without a trace. His car and his bank account were cleared out and there was no sign of him anywhere. His apartment hadn’t been touched; there’d been no sign of foul play. It looked as if Kurt had left with nothing but the money in his account and the clothes on his back. Authorities were still looking into the matter but as yet had no information.

“You don’t think he’ll turn up?” Mac asked.

“I don’t know, but I wouldn’t count on it.” People didn’t evaporate. Densmore loved his job, loved his life. The simple act of disappearing meant foul play in Quinn’s mind.

Mac adjusted his shades. “There’s not much we can do but wait. In the meantime, Hank’s doing a great job. Really proving he can handle the pressure.”

Hank Gallus had been at the company for as long as Quinn could remember. After Quinn’s father died, he’d been a confidant to Mac and him as well.

“Yeah, he is, but that isn’t changing my mind about selling. Now’s the time to get out. I deserve this, Mac. In two years, I’ve taken our racing team and made it a force to be reckoned with.” Not Quinn specifically, but he’d hired the man behind the idea that had changed all their lives. “I’ve done my part, accomplished what you and Dad didn’t. If you want to keep things going then you can do it, but I’m serious about getting out. You can have Formula Racing Design. Buy me out of you want.”

Mac laughed. “You know I can’t afford to do that.”

“Then—”

“Sorry, Quinn,” Trace said, taking her husband’s hand and dragging him behind her. “I need him for an interview I promised in a few minutes.”

Frustration bubbled in Quinn’s veins. “When’s a good time for us to talk?” He wouldn’t waste any more time. If he got business out of the way, he could actually take a few days and enjoy himself. He hadn’t had any R & R in two years…not counting his hospital stay six months ago. Yes, he’d partied at college, mostly to prove to Mac that he intended to live his own life the way
he
wanted, but since then he’d put all his energy into the company and he deserved the consideration Mac owed him.

“We’ll catch up later,” Mac said over his shoulder. “Welcome to California.”

Yeah, right. Quinn let him go, not that he had a choice. Mac couldn’t run from him for two weeks.

Julie Fraser passed by, headed straight toward the stuntwoman like everyone else. Beautiful dark hair, shocking blue eyes and a body to die for. The Emmy Award-winning actress was making her feature film debut playing Trace Bradshaw. How many times had Quinn, and the rest of the heterosexual male population, lusted after Julie while watching her sitcom for the past seven years? Now that the show had finally bitten the dust, Julie was aiming for high-octane stardom. Pun intended.

Maybe hanging around today wouldn’t be so bad. He hadn’t thought about meeting the star, but now that he’d spotted her, he didn’t see a reason to leave. He hadn’t been in California that long, but the place was already growing on him.

Quinn hung around and learned some of the showbiz lingo as he watched the process. He did a lot of observing at work too. He watched, listened and made decisions according to logic, statistics and probability. Good advice from employees didn’t hurt either.

Hours had passed when Trace waved him over to where a group of people had gathered. They’d spent the day filming an emotional scene on the hot track and, aside from lunch, it had been agonizingly slow. After reaching the circle, Trace introduced him to the director, writer and executive producers. Aside from Gordon Wallace, the names ticked by in a forgettable list. Wallace was famous worldwide. Whatever the man touched turned to gold. This film had all the makings of a blockbuster hit.

Though meeting Wallace was interesting, it was the two women in the middle of the group that caught Quinn’s attention. Not just one, but two Julie Frasers stood side by side.

Trace pulled him forward. “Let me introduce you. Quinn, this is Julie Fraser,” Trace said, gesturing to the first Julie. “And this is her stunt double Ellie Morgan. But everyone calls her Elle. This is my brother-in-law, Quinn Reynolds. Quinn is visiting for a couple of weeks.”

“Where are you from?” Julie asked, giving him her famous smile. The woman was a knockout. No wonder she’d been cast to play Trace.

“Originally Indiana, but I’ve been working in London the last couple of years.” And planning to move in the near future, but he wouldn’t air dirty laundry on their first meeting with Mac in earshot.

“I love London,” she gushed. “It’s one of my favorite cities in the world.” Strike up one thing they didn’t have in common. Not that it mattered to Quinn. They didn’t have to agree on everything to get horizontal. She leaned closer, her eyes sparkling. “Maybe we could get together later and compare notes.”

Quinn grinned. “I think that can be worked into my schedule.” One of the execs called her over and she lifted an eyebrow. “I’d better go. Hollywood is calling.”

That wasn’t the only thing calling. After a six month hiatus, Quinn’s libido had finally made an appearance. “Hey,” he said before she left. She turned and cocked her head to the side. “You need to do me a favor.” He paused. “Later…if I get lost in your pretty blue eyes, you have to promise to come find me.” She grinned and shook her head, taking his cheesy line with the humor he intended.

How long had it been since he’d used
that
line anyway? It had come out of his mouth without any thought on his part whatsoever. It felt foreign. Like someone else inhabiting his body. Seven or eight months ago, he might’ve said that same thing or something similar and not thought twice about it, but now it left a weird taste in his mouth.

Quinn caught the stunt double’s gaze as she shook her head too. Only her headshake accompanied an eye roll as she put on a pair of sunglasses. Ellie Morgan wasn’t buying his line, but he didn’t need her to. As long as Julie latched on, he could reel her in. A little business and a little pleasure.

Oh, yeah…California was looking better and better.

The Mexican restaurant jumped with the happy-hour business crowd. Dozens of people packed the bar, starting the weekend early. Red, green and white streamers hung in large arcs against the walls in anticipation of Mexican Independence Day.

Ellie fought her way through the throng and spotted other crewmembers sitting at tables along the wall. A rousing chant of her name from coworkers sent a shot of pride climbing up her spine and brought a smile to her lips. Right now she wanted to sit down with a cold root beer and revel in a good day’s work. A potential budget crisis had sent the executives and Gordon into a closed-door meeting and shut down production. Short days rarely happened and when they did, most everyone celebrated, especially today after such a tough stunt. Ellie crammed herself into the booth with the guys from her department and waited for a server.

A minute later, a ruckus broke out at the bar. Two men faced off, one red-faced and unsteady and the other…she’d met not too long ago on the set. Quinn Reynolds, aka Player. Gorgeous and tall. He had short black hair with long strands at the top and shoulders a mile wide. His faded jeans covered solid thighs and the muted green T-shirt hugged his muscled chest and arms. He looked calm, cool and as serious as a major earthquake. Over the noise, Quinn’s razor sharp voice boomed loud and clear.

“You heard her,” he said to the bigger man. “She told you she wasn’t interested. Take it somewhere else.” The room quieted in tense anticipation.

“You gonna make me?” the man asked, poking Quinn’s shoulder. He had about forty pounds on Quinn. Not good if people started taking odds.

Regardless, Quinn got in his face. “I’m going to ignore that because you’re shit-faced drunk. The next time, you won’t be so lucky. I’m going to say this once, so listen real hard. Get a taxi and go home. Your happy hour is over.”

“Why don’t you go fuck yourself.” The man’s words were very distinct and very close to Quinn’s face.

“Why don’t you do yourself a favor and call it a night?” Quinn’s words were softer, but full of meaning.

During this whole exchange, the manager had said something to the bartender who’d picked up a phone and made a call. Could’ve been for a taxi or could’ve been to the cops. Now, he stepped between the men and convinced the inebriated customer to cut his losses.

With the trouble gone, noise erupted. Ellie expected Quinn to move in on the pretty lady at the bar, but instead he smiled, shook her hand and headed toward the restrooms. Maybe he wasn’t the kind of guy she originally pegged him as. The redhead at the bar certainly seemed thankful and her longing gaze at Quinn’s back spoke volumes. Maybe chivalry
wasn’t
dead.

Five minutes passed and still no server came to the table. Parched and not willing to wait any longer, Ellie headed to the bar. Two bartenders worked furiously to keep up with the crowd and one tipped his chin toward her.

“What’ll it be?” he asked.

“I’ll have a root beer, please.”

“And I’ll have a light beer. Whatever’s on tap,” a voice said from behind her. The man next to her moved away and Quinn took the spot. “Sorry. I figured I’d order while I had his attention. This place is packed.”

“No worries.” It wasn’t as if he was a complete stranger. They’d met a few hours ago. Ellie spotted Mac and Trace at a nearby table, but saw no sign of Julie. Knowing the actress as she did, Ellie figured there was a fifty-fifty chance of Julie being here. As much as Julie wanted to live like a normal human being, showing up at a restaurant was virtually impossible for her the last few years. She was constantly mobbed. On the other hand, she might’ve been in the ladies room.

“That was a nice thing you did, just now,” she said, gesturing toward the redhead at the end of the bar. “You must not mind taking chances. That guy had forty pounds on you.”

He shrugged a shoulder. “He was too drunk to do any real damage. I could’ve probably pushed him over with my finger.”

“
Probably
being the operative word,” she teased.

He grinned.

The bartender placed their drinks in front of them and Ellie reached for her pocket and some cash.

“I’ve got it,” Quinn said, handing over a ten.

“You don’t have to do that.”

“I know.” He smiled and Ellie felt a rush of goose bumps along her neck. The man had a powerful smile. No wonder Julie had gone gaga over him. Being a superstar, Julie usually kept her distance with strangers, but she’d flirted like a pro with him earlier. Who could blame her? He was delicious. “It’s the least I can do for horning in on your order.” He winked.

A little shiver raced down her spine. Appalled at her reaction, because she knew better than to fall for a pretty face, Ellie lifted her root beer and tapped it against Quinn’s glass. A mariachi band started up in the next room and the loud music forced her to lean closer to his ear. His scent, a spicy mix of sandalwood and musk, drifted up her nostrils and made it tough to form a sentence. “Well, thank you again. It was really unnecessary.”

Ellie took a long swig and Quinn did the same. He didn’t take his gaze off hers as he chugged a few swallows. His Adam’s apple worked in his throat and Ellie had the odd desire to touch her tongue to the spot. A shot of lust arrowed straight between her legs and took her by complete surprise. She couldn’t remember the last time a man had this effect on her, but that didn’t mean she had to stick around for more. If nothing else, she’d learned to stay clear of guys like this. Let Julie have him.

The bartender brought change and Quinn left it all on the bar. “Have a good one,” she said, taking a step in search of her friends.

“Hey, wait a minute.”

She stopped. She shouldn’t have. She should’ve walked away, pretended she’d never heard him over the music, but too late for that. Ellie turned back. “What?”

“You’re going to let me buy you a drink then leave me alone?”

She barely heard him and read his lips more than anything. “I doubt you’re alone,” she said, moving closer and scanning the crowd for Julie.

He kept his gaze focused on her. “True, but my company is worth ditching. What about yours?” A devilish smile accompanied his question.

That answered that. Julie must not be here. She was anything but
ditch-worthy
. Still the question seemed odd. Why was he coming on to her when he’d had eyes for Julie just a few hours ago? She considered asking him point-blank when he shot her another killer smile.

“Let me ask you a different question,” he said. A quasi-serious expression settled on his face as she took another drink. “If I get lost in your pretty green eyes, will you promise to come find me?”

She nearly spit out her soda but managed to swallow. Her jaw slacked open wide. Was he kidding? That was the exact same line he used on Julie. She realized how goofy she must look and closed her mouth with a clack of teeth. He looked away from her and seemed suddenly uncomfortable, but she got the feeling it wasn’t only her reaction that bothered him. Something wasn’t right. Why would he say the same thing to her? The answer hit her. He’d met her three hours ago while she’d been standing next to Julie Fraser, looking exactly like the actress in a wig and makeup. He had no idea who she was.

Oh, this was too funny. She burst out laughing and he seemed even more uncertain. Quinn looked around and finally met her gaze.

“Want to share the comedy?” he asked. He gave her a weak smile, almost as if he knew what was coming.

She nodded and wiped her eyes, biting back more laughter. Ellie put her hand out. “My name is Ellie Morgan. We met earlier today. I’m Julie’s stunt double.”

Now, his eyes widened and his jaw went slack. Ellie wanted to laugh all over again. Quinn’s gaze shot to her buddies at the far table then just as quickly landed on her. From head to toe he took her in. Without the shoulder length black wig, her blond hair flowed to her waist and the small birthmark on her cheek peeked out sans makeup. Instead of the blue race suit, she had on her own jeans and orange halter-top. His assessment made her blush, but she didn’t back down. She watched him steadily as they made eye contact. He sighed, shook his head then grinned. Pleased to see a flush creep up his cheeks, Ellie waited for his reply.

“Okay…” He laughed. “I’m wholly embarrassed.”

“As you should be,” she agreed. “I mean really…that is one of the cheesiest lines I’ve ever heard.” He pressed his lips together and nodded his head in agreement. “It’s right up there with—” she lowered her voice, “—‘Heaven must be missing an angel if you’re here with me.’” She chuckled as his flush deepened. “Please don’t tell me you’ve used that one too. I’ll be
wholly
disappointed.”

His silver eyes twinkled. “I haven’t. And—” he raised his right hand, “—I solemnly swear never to use a cheesy line again. Those days are over.” His gaze locked onto hers. “I’m serious. I said it earlier out of habit. Honestly, it’s
so
cheesy it opens the door, but I haven’t said it in a long time and I don’t plan to in the future.”

“Right.” Like she believed that. Although she couldn’t argue his logic. Julie had certainly responded to him.

“I’m not even sure why I said it just now,” he continued. “It felt weird before and this time was worse.” He looked genuine. “Sometimes I’m a slow learner. But I do learn from my mistakes. And I’ve made a ton of those.” He shook his head and sighed. “TMI?”

Ellie wasn’t sure if
too much information
was part of his come-on or the real thing, but the sincerity in his gaze made her palms sweat, which meant it was time for her to leave. “No worries. Thanks again for the drink.” She toasted him and turned to go.

“Wait a minute,” he said, taking her arm. His hand was warm, his grip gentle and a fresh wave of goose bumps chased up her arm. It was ridiculous. “So you’re the one who did that stunt today. That was amazing. You were amazing.”

A line or the real thing? Hard to tell with Mr. Suave. But she did appreciate the compliment. “Thank you. It was a tough one. I’m glad it went off without a hitch.”

“I got there just before you hit the wall.” He released her and cool restaurant air replaced his warmth. “Scared the shit out of me.”

“Between you and me…I was a little scared too.” She took a long drink.

His brows rose. “Just a little?”

She shrugged and enjoyed his surprised tone. “I was more worried about screwing up.”

“Let me ask you this…are you frickin’ crazy?” His smile lessened the impact of a potential insult. He wasn’t the first person to think she was nuts or worked at a crazy job.

How would she phrase this without sounding as if it mattered what he thought of her? She gestured to the guys in her department. “We work hard and take care to make sure we’re safe when we do a stunt. It might be kind of dangerous, but it’s not as dangerous as you might think.”

He lifted a skeptical brow. “How long have you been doing stunt work?”

“Ten years.”

His eyes opened wide. “What’d you do? Start when you were ten?”

A flush heated her cheeks as she smiled and looked away. “Not quite,” she murmured.

“Eleven?”

Against her will, she laughed. He smiled. The impact his grin had on her heart should be outlawed. She wiped a sweaty palm against her jeans, willed her pulse to slow to a regular beat and took another sip of root beer.

“Eleven and a half?”

Ellie shook her head and laughed again. “Didn’t anyone tell you it’s rude to ask a woman her age?”

“I didn’t realize I’d done that.” His grin faded, but the intensity in his eyes didn’t. “My apologies.” Watching her, he took another hit off his beer. Their gazes locked and all the sound faded until Ellie only registered the loud beat of her heart.

Quinn wiped his bottom lip with his thumb and Ellie followed the movement. She had a quick vision of that thumb tracing her own lips and a tingle shimmied down her spine.

Someone bumped her and she blinked the moment away. Bar noise and loud music penetrated her fuzzy brain as the mariachis strolled closer. “No worries,” she mumbled.

The music got louder and Quinn leaned close. “Let me buy you another drink,” he offered. “You’ve nearly finished that. How about something a little stronger…to celebrate the day.”

“This is as strong as it gets for me. I don’t drink alcohol.” Talking like this, with their faces so close together, only made Ellie more aware of his scent. His warmth. His strength. The man was absolutely edible. Were his ears as sensitive as hers? Was he half as turned on as she was? “I’d better go,” she said.

“Don’t.” His lips hovered against her cheek. For a split second, she reveled in the feel of him. Immersed herself in a quick fantasy of his arms around her and their lips connecting in the crowded bar. “What got you into stunt work in the first place?”

She concentrated on his words and not his bedroom voice, a voice that had undoubtedly seduced dozens of women for many years. What got her into stunt work? “Luck, timing and impetuousness.”

The band moved off, but Quinn didn’t budge.

“Tell me.” His lips brushed her ear and his low voice combined with the soft caress sent her nerves skittering wildly and hit a sexual chord in her center. Maybe she was so sensitive because she’d been without a man for so long. Or maybe this guy just knew how to catch a woman. But she didn’t want to be just any woman. She didn’t hop into bed and ask questions later. A couple of laughs or a few hours in a bar wasn’t nearly enough to get her between the sheets and this man seemed to think that was all it took.

He had another thing coming.

“Maybe another time. My friends are waiting.” She pulled away and lifted her bottle in a toast. “See you on the set,” she said and quickly made her escape.

Air. She needed air. To breathe, to think clearly. Being near Quinn Reynolds required way too much concentration.

The punching bag swung as it took repeated hits. Hard hits. But the man didn’t see a punching bag. He was hitting Quinn Reynolds. Over and over again. His loathing for Quinn had hit a boiling point. In two years, Quinn had changed Formula Racing Design in ways that infuriated him. It should be
his
company. His employees, his warehouse, his cars.