Method Acting: An opposites attract, found family romance (Center Stage Book 2) by Adele Buck (web based ebook reader txt) 📕

“Well, get ready to meet her again, Mr. Starstruck. And get ready to get gone.”

“I still think you should have been my wingman,” Russell said.

Alicia stopped, straightening her shoulders before rounding the corner to step into the Great Hall and smoothing one hand over her hair. She had worked product through it and combed the longer part into a sort of pompadour high off her forehead. No coquettish strands falling across her eyes this evening. She didn’t feel flirty. She wanted to feel in control, strong.

Stepping around the stone wall into the long room, she almost ran into Colin and Russell. For some reason, she had expected them to be at the other end near the lobby, but they were close to the stairs that led to the dressing rooms.

“Hi,” she said, reining in her startled reaction.

The two men smiled at her in unison, Russell’s mouth stretching joyfully, miming applause, his program flapping in one hand. “I don’t know what I was expecting,” he said, “but that was phenomenal.”

A reluctant grin spread across her face. “Thanks. It’s a great cast and a great director. Needless to say, it’s also a great play.”

“Well, I think you were especially fantastic,” Russell said.

Alicia chuckled. “I think it’s just that you already knew me. You were bound to be biased.”

“Actually, no,” Colin said. “I noticed your performance particularly the first time I saw the play. It was rather incredible.”

“Um, thanks,” Alicia said, examining the toes of her shoes, her pulse picking up. She wasn’t usually this awkward with compliments.

A swift motion at the periphery of her vision caught her attention and Russell coughed. “Um. So, I have a morning class tomorrow. Have to be up early to prepare. I just wanted to say how great you were. So. Um. Hope to see you again, Alicia; you were really, really great.”

Alicia smiled, surprised at his sudden awkwardness. “No, thanks for coming, Russell. It was nice to see you again.”

“Right. Great.” Russell leaned forward, and to her surprise, gave her a brief peck on the cheek. “Have a good night.”

Alicia watched as he hurried across the Great Hall and down the short set of stairs to the lobby. “That was…weird.”

Colin’s expression as he watched his friend leave was grim. “Well, that’s Russell for you.” He took a deep breath and looked at her. “I don’t suppose you have time for a drink?”

Blinking, Alicia took a deep breath. Ah. Russell’s sudden exit now made a lot more sense. “Are you sure?”

“Why wouldn’t I be sure?”

“I don’t know, you tell me. You seem to think actresses are inherently untrustworthy. Aren’t you worried about consorting with such a dangerous type as me?”

“Are you going to hold that against me forever?”

“Depends.”

“On what?” Colin asked.

“On how honest you are yourself.”

Colin just looked at her for a moment, stunned. “Of course I’m honest,” he said.

She returned his look with the same intensity. “Okay,” she said at last. “Where do you want to go for a drink?”

Nonplussed, he blinked. “That’s it?”

“What, you want me not to trust you?” She cocked her head at him, one hand on her hip. Her appearance this evening was different. Her hair was swept back off her forehead, and her clothes were simple to the point of severity. High heels and slim black jeans topped by a clinging black tank top were sexy, but also intimidatingly tough. She looked like a biker chick on her evening off.

“Um. Not at all.” A small smirk played about Alicia’s lips as he fumbled. “I mean, it’s just that…” His words ran down to nothing as he searched for something articulate to say and came up empty.

“Yeah. I know what you mean,” she said, starting to walk toward the lobby, not looking back to see if he was following. The high heels made her hips sway as she moved. His eyes fixed on her ass, round and tight in her jeans, and he almost groaned. Oh yes, he was following. She turned at that moment and caught him ogling her body, smirking as his eyes snapped up, his face burning.

“You coming?” she asked, her face suddenly a mask of innocence.

“Yes.” Colin cleared his throat, realizing that she had done it again. She had thrown him off balance with nothing more than words and looks. The difference was, this time he didn’t care.

In fact, he was slightly worried that he might start to like it.

Alicia breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that guilty look on Colin’s face. Fancy education or no, he was still just a man. He hurried to catch up with her, and she slid her eyes sideways at him, gratified at the slight flush she could see on his cheekbones. When they reached the lobby door, he held it open for her, and she could feel her eyebrows rise in surprise. They nearly reached her hairline when he paused at the top of the stone steps to the sidewalk and offered his elbow.

“Very…courtly of you,” she said.

“Blame it on my very British mother. She was a stickler for etiquette,” he said, holding the elbow steady, his dark eyes fixed on hers.

Unsettled, Alicia slid her fingertips into the angle of his arm, trying to ignore the heat radiating from his body. He was so…hard. And warm. His arm settled back against his side and she could feel the rise and fall of his ribcage against the back of her hand as they walked.

Turning down the street, the illuminated Capitol Dome rose against the darkened sky. Alicia’s breath almost caught in her throat. It was astonishingly lovely and ethereal, despite the stone solidity of the structure.

“What’s the matter?” Colin asked.

“Nothing.” She felt a nervous smile slide across her face, which annoyed her.

His gaze swiveled to face front, and he smiled slightly. “Beautiful, isn’t it?”

“I haven’t gotten used to it yet,” she admitted. “It’s so different from New York.”

“Yes,” he said. “One of the