1
Lucky me. No, I mean it, really. Luck seems to surround me like a blanket lately…Only problem is that it happens to be bad luck.
Not only do I have to pretend to like someone that definitely seems to have a stalker, but now I have to walk some red carpet event with him.
Guess I can kiss undercover work away after this little stint – having one’s face plastered on the front of a trash magazine would take care of blending in anywhere.
So far, no one beyond a select few knows that I’m a pretend girlfriend. But that will soon change. 2
Lucky me.3
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4
Looking up from the report he had been reading, Detective Giovanni grabbed another piece of paper, checked something, then placed both on his desk. “There’s something that doesn’t make sense in this.”5
“Besides basically all of it?” Izzy offered.6
“Besides that,” he confirmed. “There are no unsolved incidents of biting in the Los Angeles area for the past few years,” he said. “And none of them involved a female perp.”7
“Widen the search to all of California,” Izzy said, then paused. “Wait. Check the area up to Rio del Mar.”8
“Any reason why that small of an area?"
”He goes to Rio del Mar a lot,” she said. “Someone could have followed him. Seems to me that he’d probably take a lover to his vacation home.”9
“Wow,” Gio breathed in sarcasm. “You said that without a hint of jealousy.”10
“Shut it.” Going back to her own reports, Izzy had to wonder just why she actually was feeling a little tinge of jealousy at the thought of Kyle with someone else. Damn you, Gio for putting that idea in my brain. 11
“Here we go,” Gio said, reading from the computer. “Statewide, there have been seven unsolved attacks involving bites. All female, between the ages of twenty-five and forty.” He glanced up. “Two ended in fatalities.” 12
“Grab the names and we’ll see if any have connection to Mr. Ryders.” Izzy looked at her computer for a moment. “Give me a copy of the names, I’m going to do a little internet check.”13
Printing out a list of the names, Gio handed it over. “Where and who are you checking?”14
Izzy glanced up again. “Heather Woodrow,” she said. “I’m FBing her.”15
“FBing?”16
”Facebook-ing her,” Izzy clarified. “Checking the site and see if she’s there. A warrant isn’t any good if we can’t find where she is. You check myspace, and maybe we’ll narrow this down to something that won’t take forever to wade through.”17
Gio nodded as he logged onto myspace.com and typed in her name. “Lot of hits on the name,” he said, quickly scanning through the images that were showing. “Most are private accounts. Anything to narrow it down?”18
“Kyle Ryders,” Izzy said. “Check pages that list him.”19
Grabbing the phone as it rang, Gio listened for a moment, then passed it over to his partner. “There are over two thousand accounts that list Kyle Ryders as a hobby,” he said as she took the phone. 20
“Lovely.” Putting the phone to her ear, Izzy leaned back slightly. “Detective Grant,” she said.21
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~22
Staring at himself in the mirror as a make-up artist applied a few finishing touches, Kyle tried to keep his eyes open. He was tired, no doubt about it, and being called back in to re-shoot a few close-up scenes wasn’t what he would have preferred to have been doing at that moment. 23
As was his ritual after wrapping up a movie, he’d been up basically two days straight in a video game marathon with Davy, and had just gotten to bed intent on sleeping a day away when the studio called. But, on the bright side, at least it wasn’t Detective Grant calling to bother him about something that may or may not have had an ulterior motive.24
Even though he hadn’t known Izzy long, and hadn’t really talked to her that much beyond her grilling him for answers, he recognized that a lot of the things she did and said were preludes to an idea or statement from her. And most times, that statement was worded just the right way to annoy the hell out of him. 25
All he knew was that if she asked him one more time about his past with Laine Carmichael, he was going to scream… and probably keep screaming until she slapped the cuffs on him and tossed his ass in jail. 26
He hated that she had that effect on him. 27
“Kyle?”28
Jerking at the voice behind him, his gaze went to the make-up artist’s reflection in the mirror. “What?”29
“Just making sure you’re still here,” she said with a hint of concerned humor. “You sort of zoned out on me about five minutes ago.”30
“Sorry,” he mumbled. “Just tired.”31
“Halo marathon?”32
“Halo 3,” Kyle corrected her, referring to the game in the two-day video match. 33
“You win this time?”34
“The winning isn’t important,” Kyle said as he stood from the chair. “It’s the winding down from filming that’s the thing.”35
“Davy kicked your ass again this year, didn’t he.”36
“Big time.” Giving a laugh, Kyle turned from the chair and set off across the set for the re-takes. 37
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~38
Hoping to catch a glimpse of Kyle Ryders, Heather Woodrow scanned the area in front of her as she carried three large suit bags across the film lot at Maxwell Pictures. She hadn’t really expected him to be on the lot today, and was excited when she had found out that he had been called back for a few reshoots.
Normally, she wouldn’t have any reason to be near Studio Nineteen where the Geoff Saturn movie had been shot, and hoped that security had better things to do than ask questions. Besides, while carrying suit bags emblazoned with the studio’s logo, she was basically left alone to wander at will. All she had to do was make sure her extra activities didn’t take too much of her time, and she was basically left blessedly alone.
It had been close call a few days previous when she had wandered onto the movie set while the crew was on a break, and she lingered too long around the area where Kyle’s costumed uniform was kept. Luckily she had been carrying an empty suit bag, and the lone crew member that walked past gave only a cursory glance before walking away.
Swiftly placing Geoff Saturn’s uniform jacket into the bag, Heather then made her way back to her own job placement at Studio Four at Maxwell Pictures. No one bothered to check her car when she left for the day, and the suit jacket that Kyle had so recently wore was situated in her small apartment, laid out gently on the left side of her queen sized bed.
Not wanting to get too close to the studio in case someone noticed her, she held back and tried to look busy while waiting for Kyle to exit. He’d walked by her plenty of times, and always gave her that smile that she knew he reserved especially for her.
Heather knew that part of the promotion for the movie counted on him looking like he was in love with that bitch of a co-star, but once the movie was completely wrapped up, she knew that Kyle would make his intentions known to her, and he would stop this inane pretending that he didn’t know her.
She could wait that long. She would wait until the end of time for Kyle because she loved him. 39
Jumping slightly as her cell phone rang, she pulled it out of her pocket and took a quick look at the text message area. Sighing when she realized that she’d been waiting for Kyle longer than she had planned, and that the costumes she was supposed to be delivering were slightly overdue, she turned to the studio door, took one long last look, then headed for her original destination. 40
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~41
Showing her badge and identification at the front gate to Maxwell Studios, Izzy was quickly let in and allowed to wander around unescorted. Thinking that maybe being a pretend girlfriend held some perks, she set off for the area where she was told that Kyle would be. 42
Earlier that day, Christopher Word, Kyle’s agent, had called her and asked that she meet both at the studio to discuss a ‘date’ for the weekend. Not just any date, though… a movie premier. 43
Stopping in front of a large building that had a red ‘8’ on the side, she checked her watch, sighing when she realized she was little early. According to Christopher, Kyle had been called back to the studio for a few close-up shots of his character that had to be redone for the movie. It would take, she was told, until around seven in the evening, and was hinted that perhaps she and Kyle going out to dinner after she picked him up would be good for the publicity they were trying to obtain. 44
Izzy smiled lightly as Kyle walked out of the studio. He had a definite spring to his step, and he looked less intense than usual. At least until he saw her waiting for him; then, the relaxed expression changed to suspicion as his gait slowed considerably. 45
“What now?” he asked. 46
“Nothing,” Izzy said, smiling lightly. “Just thought that since we’re supposed to be dating or something equally annoying, that it might be a nice gesture on my part to pick you up from work and possibly dinner.”47
“That’s it?”48
“That, and to remind you that you’re taking me to some preview on the weekend, or something like that.”49
Kyle gave her a tired look. “I’m taking you where?”50
“Film preview,” a voice said behind him. 51
Turning slowly, Kyle stared at his agent, Christopher Word. “Explain this in a way that won’t make me want to fire your ass,” Kyle said.52
“Besides the fact that I would sue you for breach of contract?”53
”I can afford it,” Kyle deadpanned. He shook his head. “Chris, you know I love you like the brother I’ve always hated, but damn it, you’re asking a lot here.”54
“I’m asking you to pretend to like what’s-her-face here so that maybe the cops can stop a psycho that’s targeting you.” 55
“Her name’s Isobel,” Kyle said with a sigh. “If you want me to pretend I’m screwing someone, at least learn her name.”56
“Look, just take her out, be seen with her, wine her, dine her, take her home, spend the night, whatever,” Christopher said. “Just make it look like she’s your type.”57
“I’m not taking her home,” Kyle argued.58
“Then stay at her place.”59
“Excuse me,” Izzy said in a crisp tone. “I’m standing right here.”60
Looking from Christopher to Izzy, then back, Kyle shook his head. “Fine,” he whispered. “What premier?”61
“New Colin Farrell movie.”62
“Really?” Kyle said, perking slightly. 63
“I knew that would get your attention,” Christopher said, his brown eyes dancing in amusement. He looked at Izzy. “I assume you have adequate attire?”64
Kyle gave a dismissive wave of his hand. “It’s fine,” he said. “So, get away from me or something, before your agent cooties infest my total awesomeness.” 65
Giving a fake laugh, Christopher walked past Kyle and Izzy, and continued on into the studio. Pulling her stare away from his retreating back, Izzy arched an eyebrow as she looked at Kyle. Not liking the evaluating look he was giving her, she was half tempted to lay her hand on her holster to remind him just who was in charge.66
“Come on, Cinderella,” he said with a nod. “Time to get you your gown for the ball.”67
“What?”68
“You’re playing in my world now, Detective,” he said. “You want to party with the rich and famous, then you’re going to have to look the part.”69
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~70
“Bitch.” 71
The whispered insult came out so suddenly that Heather couldn’t stop it. And she couldn’t stop the hatred that was directed at the woman who was talking with her Kyle. The same woman from the park. 72
As the pair started to walk to the front gate of the studio, Heather quickly checked her watch. If she hurried, she’d be able to run back to sign out for the day, then make it to her car. Watching as Kyle climbed into the passenger side of a jeep, she spun and ran.73
Making it to her own car, Heather calmly drove out of the employees lot, then spun around the corner in time to see the jeep turn left at the lights.74
Keeping the car in her view, Heather muttered curses to herself as she drove. How dare that hussy offer Kyle a drive?! He was, after all, the man Heather was going to marry, and he shouldn’t be putting himself into the predicament of being with another woman before he’d even had the chance to discover the love Heather had for him.75
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~76
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Kyle asked as Izzy drove through traffic.77
“Do what?”78
“Pretend to be seen liking me?” Kyle clarified. “Once you get pictured with me, there will be no going back. Your private life will vanish, friends you thought you could count on will turn you over for a hefty paycheck, and strangers will be taking your picture 24/7.”79
Looking at him as they sat at a red light, she could see that he was being brutally and bitterly honest with her. “If it catches a murderess, then it’ll be worth it.”80
“Your choice,” he replied with a shrug. “Just don’t say I didn’t warn you when you find someone peeking in your windows at three in the morning.”81
Sure that he was now exaggerating, she smiled as she drove through the intersection. “I live on the fourth floor of a condo building,” she said, “so if someone wants to shimmy up the drainpipe, they can take all the pictures they want.” 82
“Any closer to catching whoever it is so that I can stop pretending to want to get in your pants?” Kyle asked.83
“Pardon?” She couldn’t believe that he’d actually just said that.84
“It’s giving me a headache pretending to be nice to someone that doesn’t like me,” Kyle clarified. “I’m far too wiped out from having to be civil to Sabine for the past year.”85
“I don’t hate you,” Izzy said, annoyed that he kept implying that she did. “I’ve already told you that.” 86
“Fine,” he relented. “So the tenseness is your natural demeanor?” 87
“Is being an asshole your natural demeanor?” she shot back.88
“Pretty much, yep.”89
Growling in aggravation, Izzy shook her head, and decided to retreat to the safety of her professional side. “Do you know a Heather Woodrow?”90
“Don’t think so,” Kyle said, pleased that he’d been able to rattle her. From the little he knew about Izzy, he knew that she had to loosen up and stop being so damn tense if she wanted to play in his world. “Who is she?”91
“She may be the woman who is stalking you,” Izzy said, deciding to let him in on part of the investigation… the part he could help the most with. 92
“Got a picture?” Kyle asked. He took a piece of paper from Izzy that she blindly took out of a folder in the space between their seats. Looking at the image, Kyle blinked in surprise. She did look familiar, but he was too tired to recall from where. “The park,” he said, knowing that was at least one place he’d seen her.93
”Yes.”94
“To be honest, I thought a stalker would look… I don’t know… insane, maybe?” He glanced as Izzy as she drove, then went back to the picture. “She’s very pretty, and yes, looks like the type that I’d be attracted to, but I don’t know her.”95
“Are you sure?” Izzy asked. “She seems to know you.”96
”Magazines do these things,” he said in a conversational tone. “You might have heard of them… they’re called ‘articles’.”97
Smart ass. “I wouldn’t know,” she said. “Reading about temperamental stars isn’t a pastime of mine.”98
Smiling to himself at the thinly veiled insult, Kyle covered a yawn with his hand and looked out the passenger window. He was glad he’d been driven to the studio earlier, since the way he felt now, being behind a wheel wouldn’t have been the wisest thing. 99
“Take a left up here,” he said, motioning to the intersection. 100
“I have dresses, you know.”101
“I don’t doubt that for a moment,” he said. “But like I mentioned, you’re in my world now, and Christopher will have kittens or something equally disgusting if you show up at a premier wearing a Wal-Mart special.”102
“I have expensive dresses,” she clarified, annoyed at his attitude. 103
“And you’ll have another one after today,” Kyle pointed out. “Can’t a guy buy his pretend girlfriend a dress?”104
”No.”105
“Too bad.” Kyle pointed to a street ahead. “Left here.” 106
“Why are you buying me a dress?”107
“Because it’s the nice thing to do?” Kyle suggested. “See, I’m giving this scam a go, and trying to be nice to you.”108
“I’m nice.”109
Kyle couldn’t stop the laugh that exploded from him. Tired as he was, that statement was completely funny. “Give me a compliment,” he said after a few moments.110
”A what?” Izzy asked as the light ahead turned to amber, then red. 111
“A compliment. You know, when someone says something nice about another person.”112
“I know what a compliment is.” She glanced at him as they sat at the light, and contemplated kicking his ass out so he wouldn’t be sitting there with that smug look on his face. “Fine. You make a wonderful jerk.”113
“That wasn’t hard now, was it?” he said, humor in his tone.114
“Your turn,” she said. 115
Kyle shrugged. “You have very beautiful eyes.”116
Slowly looking at him, Izzy tried to see if he was serious or not. He had lost the smirk, and returned her gaze with one of tired sincerity. 117
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~118
Rodeo Drive? Izzy had never shopped anywhere close to here before, and part of her was trying to shove away the excitement that suddenly hit her. They’d driven the entire street so Kyle could check out the displays, then after parking, had gotten out and walked back.119
“Aren’t you worried you’ll be mobbed here?” Izzy asked.120
“Rodeo Drive is okay,” he said. “A lot of rich and famous come here, so the regulars are fine.” He stopped to look at a dress in a window, then glanced at Izzy before shaking his head and moving on.121
“Kyle?”122
Turning at the familiar voice, Kyle smiled. “Kitten!” Leaning towards his stripper friend, he kissed her cheek. Pulling back, he caught a look of… something… in Izzy’s eyes. 123
Kitten looked Izzy over. “She’s pretty,” she said, then centered on Kyle. “I think I forgot my earrings at your place.” 124
“Living room or bedroom?” Kyle asked, wording it that way to get the maximum annoyance effect from Izzy. 125
“Bedroom,” Kitten replied, then paused. “Liam’s bedroom,” she clarified, then shook her head. “Stop trying to make your new lady jealous, Kyle, it so doesn’t suit you.” She smiled at Izzy and held her hand out. “I’m Kitten, by the way,” she said. “Since Mr. Arrogant-Ass here didn’t see fit to introduce me.”126
“Izzy,” came the reply as the two women shook hands. “And yes, that descriptions fits him perfectly.”127
Feeling slightly trapped, and knowing it could get much worse, Kyle took a step back. “Yeah, before the claws scrape across me, I’m going to go over there,” he pointed to a news stand, “and see what lies are being spread about me this week.” 128
“Coward,” Kitten said with a laugh as he walked away. She turned back to Izzy. “So, have you two been dating long?”129
“Not really,” Izzy said, sizing up the older woman and taking an immediate liking to her. “And it’s more like a professional partnership.”130
“Ah,” Kitten said in understanding. “Well, you could do far worse. Kyle’s a sweetheart. Always was, always will be.”131
“That remains to be seen.”132
“Kyle doesn’t trust easily,” Kitten said. “So if he’s pulling his ‘I’m a big-shot and you’re crud on the bottom of my shoe’ attitude, it usually means that you’re confusing the hell out of him and it’s his way of getting some control in the chaos.”133
“He does that attitude rather well.”134
“He does,” Kitten agreed with a wink. “You two should come by the club tonight,” she said. “I’ll give you both a private show.”135
“Private?”136
Kitten gave a smile that set off her looks to perfection. “I’m a... dancer.”137
“Hate to break this up,” Kyle said as he walked back from the newsstand. “But, Isobel, we have to get going.”138
“All right,” Izzy said, her mind going over what the other woman had told her. She nodded at Kitten. “Pleasure to have met you.”139
“Same here,” Kitten said, then gave Kyle a hug. “If I don’t see you before next week, happy birthday.”140
“Thanks,” Kyle said as he gave her a peck on the cheek. He offered his arm to Izzy, who rolled her eyes and then ignored him. Laughing to himself, Kyle motioned in the direction they had originally been walking.141
“Your birthday’s coming up?” Izzy asked.142
He looked at her, then nodded. “Eighteen days after Davy’s.”143
“Big party planned?”144
“I don’t do birthdays.”145
“Why not?”146
Kyle shrugged. “A party with me and three hundred of my closest friends?” He shook his head. “We usually just celebrate with a quiet dinner. Bring a date, char some dead animal…”147
“So, no chance of a lot of people being invited, and this Heather showing up again?”148
“Not if I can help it, no,” He slowed down. “You know,” he said, his tone preoccupied, “I think I’ve seen her before the park.”149
“Where?”150
“No idea,” he admitted. “I’m too tired to think, really.” He laughed, then sobered. “Sorry. Been up for two days straight, and I really need sleep.”151
“So, go sleep.”152
“I would,” Kyle nodded. “But listening to Chris bitch about me dumping your ass on Rodeo Drive wouldn’t be worth the headache.”153
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~154
Oh, this was just getting better and better… all sarcasm intended. Heather couldn’t believe it when the other slut from the party met Kyle on the street and then actually embraced him! In front of her!155
The only bright spot in what was quickly turning into a crap-tacular day was that the woman Kyle had been driving with hadn’t seemed that upset with the actions of Kyle and the other woman… so maybe she was just a friend, and not someone that Heather had to worry about. 156
That was fine, and she could deal with that. 157
The buxom older bitch, however….158
She watched as Kyle and the younger woman continued on their way, and just by watching them, Heather got the distinct impression that they were not a couple. In fact, they looked like two people that were barely tolerating each other, and had to be together for business reasons. 159
She watched from the small café as Kyle stopped in front of an exclusive boutique, then walked in after holding the door open for the woman. Heather grimaced. There was no way she would be able to get into the boutique without being spotted by the woman. That would only cause an argument to break out.160
Besides, there was no way Heather would ever cause a scene and embarrass her future husband, and …Stopping suddenly when she realized what Kyle was doing, Heather smiled. The woman he’d entered the store with was about the same general build as Heather, and somehow she knew that Kyle was using her as a stand in for getting a dress for Heather. Smiling at how sweet he was, she was content with sitting back and letting him pick out something to surprise her with. 161
She just hoped it was teal… Kyle’s favorite color.162
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 163
“How much?” Izzy said in disbelief, looking at her reflection in the mirror.164
“Two thousand,” the woman standing beside her repeated. She cast a glance at Kyle, who was lounging in a chair just outside the dressing area. 165
“Do you have it in teal?” Kyle asked.166
“Yes.”167
“Let’s see it, then,” Kyle said, then waited while she walked away. He eyed the dress speculatively. “Two grand?” he asked, shaking his head. “For that?”168
“What’s wrong with this?” Izzy asked, not knowing why she was insulted. 169
“It’s too plain,” he said, standing. Walking to her, he could see her eyes as she watched him approach in the mirror. Stopping behind her, his hands slowly raised and landed on her upper arms. 170
They stared at each other’s reflection for a few moments. Wariness was directed at him, and he nearly backed out of his decision to give her a crash course in acting like she could at least tolerate his presence.
“You’re a very beautiful woman,” he whispered, smiling slightly as doubt crossed her face. Taking a step forward, his arms wrapped around her waist. 171
“What are you doing?” she hissed, but didn’t move.172
“I want you to see your reaction with something a simple as an embrace,” he whispered in her ear, hands gently caressing the silky fabric. “You’re too tense.”173
Repressing a shiver as his warm breath caressed her skin, Izzy’s gaze went from the reflection of eyes, down to the embrace. It was true, she was stiff, and looked like she wanted to bolt and run out of the store. If she did something like that in public, it would be a complete giveaway that they weren’t really a couple. 174
“Relax,” he whispered, giving her a small kiss on the neck before removing his arms and stepping back.175
She turned to look at him as he returned to his chair, then stopped when she realized that half of the store’s staff and customers were discretely watching. The confusion that his touch had given her quickly morphed into an annoyance that he’d pulled a stunt like that in front of an audience. 176
He gave her a half smile. “Your eyes are totally amazing,” he told her honestly. “When they’re not condemning me, that is.“177
In a list
Comments
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*sigh*
I'll just be sitting here, patiently awaiting more.
Their relationship (Kyle & Izzy) is evolving quite nicely. I do hope Kitten will be left alone. I hope the private dance scene is written in somewhere *crosses fingers*
Heather is insane! Written quite well, disturbingly so...
J/K!!
I love the scene with him asking for a compliment.
Nitpicks lol-
Luck seems to surround me like - surrounding
Detective Giovanna grabbed another - Isn't it Giovanni or am I remembering it wrong?
“There’s something that doesn’t make sense in this?”4 - I don't think you need a question mark
Besides that,” he confirmed. “There are no unsolved incidents of biting in the Los Angeles area for the past few years,” he said. “And none of them involved a female perp.”6 - I was just a little confused. If there are no cases, why would he say none involved a female?
evaluating look her was giving her - he was giving
spun around 'he' corner in time - the
“Any closer to catching whoever it is so that I can stop pretending to want in your pants?” Kyle asked.82 - just me being confused again lol. Should there be a 'to get' in there?
she realized 'hat' Kyle was doing - what
This seriously ranks up there with some of the best stories I've ever read. Ever.
I love it, can't wait for more.
beginning: 5, language: 5, plot: 5, ending: 5, dialog: 5, characters: 5.
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Giovanni...
right. 
I shall change those errors!!! And, I'm working on chapter 8 now... most of it's done, and I'll be working on it tonight.
for continuing to read.
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