Starry Nights by JB Duvane

Originally published in the Tropical Tryst box set, this edition of Starry Nights includes a Valentine’s Day epilogue that isn’t available anywhere else.
Sometimes even being a movie star can’t buy you a second chance with the girl you still hunger for. But true love can…

Shane:
My life as a movie star has been great, don’t get me wrong. But after a while, it started to feel so empty. I don’t know who I can trust. I don’t know if people want the movie star persona or if they’re interested in the real me. I’m tired of the meaningless sex and the fake women. I’m ready for someone who’s real. Someone like Maggie… my Maggie. It’s been ten years, but when I looked into her eyes, I swear could still feel her in my arms like it was yesterday. When I saw her, I panicked. I retreated into ‘movie star Shane.’ It’s become this habit I can’t shake after so many years. Now we’re on opposite sides of this land deal, and it’s like she actually thinks I don’t love the island as much as she does. And she thinks I don’t care about her. But she’s wrong.

Maggie:
So, the big movie star’s come back to his hometown. No doubt to impress everyone with his good looks and money. He actually has the nerve to try and buy up protected land on our island for his own use…and for profit. Typical, selfish movie star behavior. Somehow I expected more though. And then, he acted like he didn’t even remember what happened between us. I guess I really was just one in a long line of faceless girls to him. But I’ll never forget the way his lips tasted or the way his body felt when it was pressed against mine. And now I have to pretend that I don’t remember either, otherwise, it’s hurts too much. Shouldn’t be too hard, because, on all accounts, he’s turned into just another cocky bastard.

And if he thinks he’s going to buy up our island, he’s going to see how little all of his movie star charm gets him. At least that’s what my head is saying… I’m trying really hard to listen to my head right now because that million-watt smile of his is tearing me up inside.