Falling for Mr. Unexpected Read online

  Damian didn’t know whether he should feel insulted or flattered she was so comfortable around him. He almost laughed. Where’s the famous charm women always claimed I have?

  The food tasted amazingly good, and the fact he actually had a hand in it, made it all the more so. They made a great team.

  While having dessert, he asked her about work. She had mentioned being a primary-school teacher the previous day. A blush infused her cheeks. She hadn’t “mentioned” her job in a very polite way. He listened to her talking about her Grade 2 class, and from her stories it had been obvious she enjoyed her work.

  Then he asked something he hadn’t properly thought through. “Are you seeing anyone?”

  Her surprise was comical.

  “I’m not asking cause I’m interested, just curious; you seem very busy.”

  She frowned. “Good to know. Um…no. I’m not seeing anyone. The life of a teacher can be kind of hectic. You?”

  “No.”

  Her eyebrows lifted to the ceiling. “Not even dating?”

  He smiled. “No. Life of an actor can be hectic.”

  She laughed, and he stared into her glowing eyes.

  Damian viewed her a little differently than he had before, even though he had told himself he wouldn’t. He couldn’t. She wasn’t his type.

  Maybe that was the reason she wasn’t his type and therein lied her appeal. Maybe she was a novelty. The reason I find her so refreshing. Damian looked up from his dessert bowl to her. She didn’t seem bothered by his scrutiny as she laid into hers. If she’s even aware of me. She ate the last of her vanilla ice cream and fruit salad.

  The doorbell rang and took him out of his reverie.

  “Expecting anyone?” she asked.

  He didn’t answer. He certainly wasn’t expecting anyone. He opened the door as the person on the other side furiously muttered, raising her hand to bang against it.

  “Oh!” Her hand stilled in midair.

  “Can I help you?” he asked, glaring at a pint-size woman.

  “Damian. Pleased to meet you. I’m your sister-in-law. Stephanie.”

  She held out a hand, and he was obliged to take it. A quick pump, and she strode past him.

  “Where’s my sister?” She scanned the room and her gaze fell on an astonished Emma. “Oh, darling!” Stephanie rushed to her.

  Damian hadn’t closed or moved away from the door yet, still recovering from the quick introduction.

  “You must feel so awful. Oh and your hair!”

  Stephanie pressed Emma against her chest.

  He couldn’t help but feel annoyed. He had only started to get used to the idea of Emma and now this.

  “You really didn’t have to come….” Emma started.

  “Of course I had to. Mom would never forgive me if I didn’t. After I told her about what happened….”

  “You told her. Ah, Stephanie. You know how she gets.”

  Stephanie made a brusque gesture with her free hand. “I assured her I’d come and look after you.”

  “I don’t need you to take care of me. I’m fine. It’s a little bit of swelling. Nothing major,” she said despite his mocking look. Yesterday she acted like she had a building fall on her.

  “And Damian….” Emma trailed off as he closed the door a little too loudly for comfort and walked to the dining table. “I promised him I’d be out of his hair as soon as I’m healed.”

  Stephanie let go of Emma as she straightened to her full height. Which wasn’t much at all. Like Emma.

  The sisters did resemble each other. But if he had to choose, he preferred Emma’s appearance, Stephanie being on the petite and fragile-looking side of the equation. He could see why his brother had fallen for her. He’d always had a hero complex. Whereas Emma, though pint-size, didn’t appear like she had just finished high school. In fact, when he’d first bumped into her, he was surprised a woman her size could actually be so perfectly proportioned.

  A pair of sculpted golden legs flashed through his mind. Clearing his throat he touched the back of his neck. He was heading into dangerous territory; this wasn’t the time to entertain hot images of Emma.

  “Damian,” Stephanie said. She didn’t sound too impressed with him. Another similarity to my sister. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”

  He didn’t buy the sincerity of the comment. Emma gave a small shake of her head, almost begging him not to be rude.

  “The feeling is mutual,” he replied, unable to help himself.

  Stephanie’s eyes narrowed. “Mark couldn’t come. He’s busy at the hospital. He said he’ll stop by tomorrow for a couple of hours.”

  “The more the merrier.” He shrugged. She couldn’t expect him to be happy. He had planned on being alone. No media hounds, no stalkers, fans, or family. He needed to think. Clearly that isn’t happening.

  “I’ll stay until you’re well. Damian shouldn’t have to take care of you,” she said her gaze going from Emma to Damian.

  “Ah. But I don’t mind taking care of a beautiful woman,” Damian said.

  Stephanie’s eyes became saucers as she gaped at him. Then he noticed the glare shooting at him from Emma and gave her a charming smile.

  “It’s been great getting to know Emma…intimately,” he added, knowing how much havoc he caused.

  That’s what they get for invading my privacy. She quickly turned to Emma, who vehemently said, “Damian’s been a great help and friend.”.

  “Well then we are all family,” Stephanie replied and stressed the word family. “So I’m also looking forward to getting to know you.” Her tone didn’t bode well.

  He glanced at his half-eaten dessert. “Would you like some?”

  Stephanie blinked at the dishes on the table as if seeing the dessert for the first time. “I already ate, thank you. But I would like a cup of tea, if you don’t mind.”

  “Not at all,” he said with a forced smile. “Emma, would you also like some tea? Oh, no, wait, you’re a coffee person.” He turned to Stephanie. “I found out this morning when I made her breakfast in bed.” And with those words, he left a gasping Stephanie and a fuming Emma behind.

  “It’s so not what he made it sound like,” Emma defended, and he smiled as he entered the kitchen.

  Emma’s sister was a little too uptight for her own good. He frowned as he put on the kettle. Like his brother. Who said opposites attracted?

  ***

  “This is not how our parents raised you,” Stephanie said.

  Her sister’s assumption surprised her. “I can’t believe you would come to the conclusion that we’re sleeping together.”

  Stephanie gestured to the kitchen. “How can I not?” Then she pointed to the table. “What’s this? A romantic dinner for two? You couldn’t honestly think I would leave you in the company of some fly-by-night playboy.”

  “Shush. Not so loud,” Emma whispered. “He’s not a playboy. He’s your bother-in-law.”

  Stephanie rolled her eyes. “I read the gossip pages. I know what he gets up to. He uses women like…door handles. Everyone gets a turn.”

  Emma snorted. “Wow, did you come up with that all by yourself?”

  “Don’t be unpleasant. You know what I mean. He’s a magnet for trouble. You don’t know him.”

  “And you do?” Emma asked, annoyed, but not for the reasons her sister might believe.

  “Yes, I kind of do. Mark told me about him. He’s not stable. Not someone you can count on.”

  “You make it sound like I’m interested in him.” When Stephanie started to respond, she held up a hand. “My box of books fell on my feet, causing me to be immobile for a while. That’s why I’m still here. Not for any other reason. You think I would jump into bed with someone I don’t even know. It’s insulting and offensive of you. You, of all people, should know me better than that.”

  “He’s Damian Davidson.”

  “And it’s supposed to mean what exactly? He’s irresistible to all womankind? I don’t see you f
alling at his feet,” she said, now unable to conceal the anger and sarcasm from her voice. Her sister was starting to work on her last nerve.

  Stephanie held up her ring finger. “Happily married to the better brother.”

  Emma didn’t know why, but she took offense at the remark. “Stephanie, go home to…the better brother. I’m doing fine without you and I certainly don’t need your lack of faith in me.”

  Forgetting her sore feet, she tried to stand up from the table, only to have to brace herself against it as pain shot up her legs.

  Stephanie made a grab for her.

  “No!” She carefully sat down again.

  “I think it’s time for another painkiller,” Damian spoke up behind them.

  Emma didn’t know how long he had stood there with the two mugs in hand, but she hoped he hadn’t heard what Stephanie said.

  He placed them on the dining table and walked off to get the pills.

  Stephanie drank her tea as if nothing happened.

  “What?” she asked all nonchalant.

  “You’re unbelievable.”

  Stephanie placed the mug back on the table with a sigh. “Emma, you don’t know the real reason he’s here.” But before she could speak further, Damian returned with two pain tablets and a glass of water.

  She took them and thanked him.

  “I think I’ll have an early night. Stephanie, you are welcome to make use of any guestroom, of course. Good night, ladies.”

  Emma didn’t miss his sardonic smile. Stephanie had invited herself, and now he played the gracious host. I have to give him some credit for ignoring her forwardness.

  Chapter Five

  By three in the morning, Emma had all but given up on sleep.

  I shouldn’t have had caffeine at dinner. She sat up in bed, though it would be a lie to claim coffee was the only thing keeping her awake. Running a hand through her hair, she took in the moonlit room.

  The wide-open curtains gave the impression there could be something lurking in the shadows. A completely childish sentiment, but she didn’t like to sleep in total darkness. The only time she ever slept with the windows covered was with someone else in the room. And since she and her sister hadn’t shared a bedroom in years, she slept with the moonlight or a bed lamp.

  Feeling like she needed some air, she tried her good foot first. Relieved to not cave completely, she put more weight on it. I have to take it slowly.

  Emma edged toward the door, holding onto everything in her reach.

  If only I had crutches. In the dim hallway, she paused for a moment, sinking down to the floor. She needed to rest her feet a bit.

  She didn’t want to think about what Stephanie told her, but she couldn’t help it. The conversation they had after Damian left played in her mind.

  Stephanie, sure Damian wasn’t in hearing distance, had spilled the beans.

  “He left Hollywood because of a huge sex scandal with one of his co-stars.”

  She had stared at her sister dumbfounded; the news shocked her more than it should have. “What? I mean, what happened?” she’d asked in spite of herself.

  “A sex tape surfaced of him and the leading actress in the movie they were filming. Apparently the movie isn’t going to be made anymore. It’s all over the Internet.”

  Emma had gulped her coffee, not knowing what to say. Yes, she took notice and read of things like this happening to celebrities but never had she met anyone involved.

  Stephanie had snorted. “Do you know how I found out?”

  Emma didn’t answer, knowing her sister didn’t really want one.

  “At the tennis club. Amanda Jenkins couldn’t wait to inform me of my new brother-in-law and his escapades.” Her mouth formed a thin line.

  Emma knew too many stories of her sister’s vendetta with Amanda Jenkins; it didn’t surprise her she would be the one to rub her sister’s nose in such a family scandal. The two were always in competition with each other, especially with who “caught” the best husband.

  Emma’s stomach knotted.

  “Were they in a relationship?” He’d told her he wasn’t dating anyone.

  “Who knows? Actors usually get together even if it’s only for the duration of the movie.” She snorted again. “And now he’s here, hiding out. No wonder he didn’t let his family know he’s back in the country. I don’t know how Mother’s going to handle this.”

  Stephanie called Mark’s parents Mother and Father and their mother, Mom. She didn’t know why and didn’t feel much like asking her about it.

  “Father’s predictions were correct.”

  Emma had frowned. “Predictions?”

  Stephanie sipped her tea before answering. “How an actor’s life is devoid of any morality. You should see how people on the Internet are going on about this tape. There are blogs dedicated to’Hunky Damian Davidson.’ I can’t believe how this has boosted his popularity. It seems no publicity is bad publicity. Being infamous can also get you recognized.”

  She had a hard time wrapping her mind around what Stephanie had revealed. She didn’t know Damian well, but the little she had come to know of him couldn’t be reconciled with someone who would make a sex tape.

  Their first meeting wasn’t anything to be desired. She frowned into the darkness. Could it be I’ve only known him for forty-eight hours? It felt longer.

  Emma crawled to the top of the stairs and sat down.

  Damian’s life wasn’t her concern. And his love life definitely wasn’t her business. And, yet, here she sat in the dark thinking of him.

  A movement on the sofa caught her eye and she gasped.

  “It’s me,” Damian whispered in his baritone.

  He sat up. She couldn’t make out his expression.

  “You want to come down?”

  She hadn’t found her voice yet, her heart still thumping loudly in her ears. She nodded.

  He got up and went to the stairs. She stretched out her arms, and he lifted her easily. As they descended the stairs, she realized she wasn’t uncomfortable around him anymore. She trusted him.

  He placed her on the sofa and then parked himself next to her.

  They sat quietly in darkness for a moment, only the moonlight from the patio casting a dim light.

  “You know why I’m here.”

  Emma sighed. “Stephanie told me.”

  He stared off into the dark living room with a frown.

  “It’s none of my business,” she said, knowing it probably didn’t change much. When the paw-paw hit the fan, people usually had the urge to explain or absolve themselves. She wondered which he’d choose.

  But he did neither when he finally spoke. “Did you know I studied medicine for two years before I quit?”

  “No, I didn’t.”

  He gave a sardonic smile. “I tried. I studied full-time and on weekends I would join this creative arts workshop at UCT. Everyone knows you can’t serve two masters, so I had to make a choice….”

  “And you chose drama.” Her next question could be dangerous. “Is that why you and your father are not on good terms?”

  “Yes and, as he claims, I could have been a better surgeon than him and my brother but I chose mediocrity over saving lives.”

  She didn’t know what to say. She didn’t understand his world, couldn’t even pretend to.

  “I left for America a week after I quit my studies.”

  “A cocky move,” she said honestly.

  He grinned. “But it worked. The first couple of months were hell. I did crazy jobs from being a bartender to package delivery.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Almost every actor does modeling work at some point. At first I plainly said it wasn’t my thing, but when you’re hungry and don’t know where your next meal is coming from….”

  “So you did modeling, too?”

  He nodded. “It’s how I got my first film break.”

  “A French film.” She grinned when his eyebrows shot up. “A couple of my girlfriends and I went to see
it at the Cape Town Film Festival. You were good. I remember because it was the first French movie I watched.”

  “They weren’t sex tapes.”

  Her brow lifted at the change of topic and then she cocked her head. “Plural.”

  He looked at her inquiringly.

  “Stephanie said a sex tape. You said sex tapes. Plural.”

  He got up from the sofa and walked to the patio door, gazing out at the soft, rolling waves. “It’s kind of funny in hindsight or maybe I’m masochistic.”

  She didn’t reply, knowing he wasn’t finished.

  Damian put his hands in his jeans pockets, and she noticed for the first time he was still dressed.

  So he didn’t go straight to bed. He just didn’t want to talk to her sister. She couldn’t blame him.

  “Lizle took getting into character too literally. She became difficult and didn’t respond to the director. He asked me to help. Her character’s a recluse but with a seductive quality. And, in the story, she had to seduce her new tenant. The director suggested some of the scenes could be filmed at her apartment. The love scenes.”

  He was quiet for a moment, and she didn’t even realize she held her breath until he had stopped talking.

  She exhaled slowly.

  “Someone leaked the scenes, saying they were actual sex tapes of Lizle and me instead of scenes from the movie. Production stopped. The media was all over the story. We couldn’t finish filming since investigations had to be made on who had compromised the movie and no one knew how long that would take.”

  “So you came here.”

  He nodded. “Yeah. It seemed like a good idea at the time.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “For what?”

  “For what my sister said.” A cloud moved over his face. “She’s wrong. It’s easy to make assumptions when you don’t have the facts,” she said.

  “But you didn’t.” Damian turned to her.

  She shrugged. “Who knows? Maybe if I had known about everything, I would have done the same. I’m no saint.”

  He grinned. “You peg me as someone who makes his mind up for himself.”