Rising Star Read Online Free PDF Page B

I’ve been through
there. I’ve only seen it from the highway, but it’s a beautiful
view across the valley and mountains.”
    “ Yes, it is. It’s the only
home I’ve ever known. I’ve never been much of anywhere
else.”
    “ Nowhere?”
    “ Well, I went with my dad
to Denver once and I’ve been to El Paso, but that’s about it. I
envy you all the travel you get to do.”
    “ Yeah, it’s a great chance
to see the world, but believe me, it gets old after a while. It
would be nice to have a place of my own to come home to. And a dog.
I’ve always wanted to have a dog, but I’ve never had the
opportunity.”
    “ That’s too bad. Or even
if you had a horse. Rusty thinks he’s a dog most days. He would
follow me into the house if I let him. Anyway, don’t you live in
L.A.?”
    “ Yeah. I have a house
there. Up in the hills. But I spend so little time there, it
doesn’t feel like a home. Just a big, beautiful house with no soul
to it.”
    No soul? She thought about that. “I guess I
know what you mean,” she said. “It’s not really a home unless you
live there all the time.” As they rode slowly along, their horses
picking their way through the wash, she thought about how different
their two worlds were. He still made her feel like a small town,
hick girl, with his extensive knowledge of places and cultures
she’d never even seen. She would love to have the opportunity to
travel the world, visiting foreign and exotic locations, but of
course, she wouldn’t trade her loyal horse and her beloved desert
for anything.
    They stopped their horses under a huge old
cottonwood tree, its limbs gnarled with age. Selena jumped down,
leaving Rusty’s rein trailing to the ground, and stretched her
legs. She watched as Matt moved toward her, taking her hand as he
neared and, without the prying eyes of cast and crew members, he
swept his black cowboy hat from his head and kissed her. Really
kissed her. Selena was startled at the intensity of the kiss. He
pulled her closer, kissing her deeply, his lips crushed against
hers, until she finally put her hands up to his chest and took a
step back.
    “ Sorry,” he said
unabashedly. “You’re just so damn beautiful Selena, and so
different from the kind of girls I know.” He seemed a little out of
breath as he spoke.
    “ Sure,” she said, feeling
breathless herself. “But you will only be here for a few weeks,
then you’ll be back in Hollywood.”
    He hadn’t really given it any thought, but
now he realized she was right. “Okay, I’ll try to back it down a
bit. But really, I’m not that kind of guy.” He took her hand again
as he spoke, rubbing his thumb across her fingers.
    Selena wasn’t so sure. She knew the
Hollywood type, always looking for a good time. Not that she hadn’t
wanted the kiss to continue. And what a kiss. Like how they kiss in
movies, she thought. Her body still tingled and she could still
taste him on her lips as he stared at her, his blue eyes twinkling
and full of mischief. But she wouldn’t allow herself a moment of
fun now, only to be hurt a few weeks from now. No. No way. No
matter how much I’m attracted to him, I won’t let myself get hurt,
she thought.
    Matt let go of her hand finally, looking
slightly hurt himself, and they continued their ride. As the
tension between them subsided, they slipped back into their
easygoing banter.
    “ Race ya,” Matt yelled as
he charged his horse ahead.
    “ Oh, no you don’t,” Selena
yelled after him as she turned Rusty loose and let him run. Rusty
caught the big bay horse within a few leaps and they raced side by
side across the desert.
    Their faces were flushed with color and
excitement as they returned to the set. Matt took her hand and
kissed her again as he left her at her horse trailer, a light
gentle kiss goodbye. Selena was prepared for more and she almost
wished she hadn’t said anything earlier. He was just such a good
kisser and she was attracted to him like nothing she’d