Genuine Lies

a cigar out of his pocket. “Still on the clock?”
    “Always. You should understand.”
    He punched in the lighter, then shrugged. He did understand. “All right, then. I knew a woman had spent the night. There were a few telltale items of clothing strewn around the living room.” He caught her look, arched a brow. “Shocked, Jules?”
    “No.”
    “Just disapproving.”
    “I’m simply imagining Brandon under the same circumstances. I wouldn’t want him to think that I …” “Had sex?”
    The amusement made her stiffen. “That I was indiscriminate or careless.”
    “My father was—is—both. By the time I was Brandon’s age, I was quite used to it. No lasting scars.”
    She wasn’t so sure about that. “And when you met Eve?”
    “I was prepared to dismiss her out of hand. I was quite the little cynic.” Comfortable, he blew out smoke. “I recognized her when she walked into the kitchen, but I was surprised. Most of the women my father bedded looked, well, let’s say worse for wear the morning after. Eve was beautiful. Of course that was just a physical thing, but it impressed me. And there was a sadness in her eyes.” He caught himself and grimaced. “She won’t like that. More important to me at that stage of my life was the fact that she didn’t find it necessary to coo all over me as so many of them did.”
    Understanding perfectly, she laughed. “Brandon hates it when people pat his head and tell him what a cute little boy he is.”
    “It’s revolting.”
    He said it with such feeling, she laughed again. “And you said no scars.”
    “I considered it more of a curse—until I hit puberty. In any case, Eve and I had a conversation. She was interested. No one can spot false interest quicker than a child, and there was nothing false about Eve. We walked on the beach, and I was able to talk to her in a way I’d never been able to talk to anyone before. The things I liked, didn’t like. What I wanted, didn’t want. She was amazingly good to me from that first day on, and I developed a monumental crush on her.”
    “Do you—”
    “Hold it. We’re nearly there and you’ve been asking all the questions.” He took a lazy last drag, then tapped out his cigar. “Why celebrity bios?”
    With an effort, she changed gears. “Because I don’t have enough imagination for fiction.”
    Paul stopped at a light, drumming his fingers on the wheel in time with the music. “That answer was much too smooth to be true. Try again.”
    “All right. I admire people who not only tolerate but court the spotlight. Since I’ve always functioned better on the sidelines, I’m interested in the kind of people who thrive on center stage.”
    “Still smooth, Julia, and only partially true.” He let the car drift forward as the light changed. “If it were really true, how do you explain the fact that you once considered a career in acting?”
    “How do you know that?” Her voice was sharper than intended and pleased him. It was about time he pierced that slick outer layer.
    “I made it my business to know that, and a great deal more.” He shot her a look. “I do my research.”
    “You mean you checked up on me?” Her hands curled into fists in her lap as she struggled with temper. “My background is none of your business. My agreement is with Eve, only Eve, and I resent you poking into my private life.”
    “You can resent anything you want. And you can also be grateful. If I’d found anything that didn’t jive, you’d be out on your sweet ass.”
    That snapped it. Her head whirled around. “You arrogant son of a bitch.”
    “Yeah.” After pulling up at the Beverly Wilshire, he turned to face her. “Remember, on the drive back, I get to ask the questions.” He laid a hand on her arm before she could wrench the door open. “You tear out of here and slam the door, people are going to ask questions.” He watched as she strained, fighting for control, and won. “I knew you could do it. By God, you’re good.”
    She took a deep breath, and when her face was composed again, turned to him and spoke calmly. “Fuck you, Winthrop.”
    His left brow shot up, but he let out a quick laugh. “Whenever you like.” He climbed out and handed his keys to the valet. Julia was already on the curb. Paul took her stiff arm and led her inside. “Eve wants you to mingle,” he said quietlyas they filed through a press of reporters with mini-cams. “They’re will be a lot of people here tonight