“It has a guest bedroom.” Still, he hoped to entice her into making their relationship in the bedroom more real—purely for the sake of their romantic believability in front of the press, of course.
“Naturally.”
“Don’t worry, though,” he said, making his tone gently mocking. “There’ll be enough luxuries for an A-list celeb.”
Chiara narrowed her eyes. “You think I can’t rough it?”
He let his silence speak for him.
“As a matter of fact, I was born and raised in Rhode Island. I’m used to New England winters.”
“Of course, Miss Rhode Island should visit her old stomping grounds.”
“I was an undergraduate at Brown.”
“Rubbing shoulders with other celebrity kids?”
“Financial aid. Where did you get your stunt degree?”
He quirked his lips. “Boston College. It’s a family tradition.”
“Now you’ve surprised me. I expected the school of hard knocks... So, what have you told your family about us?”
He shrugged. “They read WE Magazine.” He flashed a smile. “They know I have the goods.”
Chiara rolled her eyes. “In other words, they think we really are an item?”
“My ego wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“I’m not surprised.”
Rick heard a noise, and then felt a telltale little jolt, followed by a gentle rocking.
Chiara’s eyes widened.
“Did you feel that?”
She nodded.
Earthquakes were common in Southern California, but only a few were strong enough to be felt. “We may have sensed it because we’re at the bottom of a canyon.” Rick looked around, and then back at her with a wry smile. “I’m surprised you didn’t fling yourself into my arms.”
“We actresses are made of sterner stuff,” she said, tossing his words from days ago back at him.
He stifled a laugh. “We made the ground move.”
“It was a truck rumbling by!”
“My motorcycle sounds like an earthquake, but an earthquake is just...a truck rumbling by?” he teased.
“Well, it’s not us making the ground move, much as you have faith in your superpowers!”
Rick laughed and then glanced around again. “This earthquake didn’t seem like a strong one, but you might want to rethink your position on my rocking your world.”
“Your ego wouldn’t have it any other way?” she asked archly.
“Exactly. Good follow-up, you’re learning.” He glanced down at her impractical footwear. “Need a hand...or a lift?”
She raised her chin. “No, thanks.”