"I love you, sis."

Colby's eyes became misty again. "And I love you. I know you want what's best for me, but you have to take my word for it that right now Sterling is it."

"I'll expect to see you on Friday and we'll talk-me, you, and Mr. Hamilton."

"All right, James, good night."

Colby hung up the phone. Tears she couldn't control flowed down her cheeks, and sobs she couldn't contain racked her body. For the first time in her life, she felt alone.

Chapter 10.

Colby's eyes were glued to the scenery outside the car window as it moved along a canyon road. It provided an unforgettable and breathtaking view of Santa Monica Bay with mountains on one side and the San Fernando Valley on the other.

She knew they were headed to Sterling's home in the Malibu Beach Colony, a residential community of beach homes. She had read enough magazine articles to know it was a haven for numerous celebrities who wanted to get away and find peace and quiet.

And today she needed to get away.

Just as Sterling had predicted, a ton of reporters had camped outside the hotel. There had been even more of them than last night, with more cameras and more questions. Sterling had summed up an answer to their inquiries in one statement.

"Yes, Colby and I are getting married, and yes, we are very much in love."

Colby sighed deeply. Lies, lies and more lies. She was now living the life of a lie. Lies, lies and more lies. She was now living the life of a lie.

She thought about her telephone conversation with James. He had not been completely satisfied with the information she'd given him. He had more questions and he would demand more answers. She leaned her head back against the seat and closed her eyes. At the moment all she wanted to do was to think about pleasant things and she couldn't help remembering yesterday and the time she and Sterling had spent together. She had really enjoyed herself when he had taken her on a tour of the city. For some reason she felt torn by conflicting emotions. There were times the man actually got on her last nerve with his arrogance. But then at other times, he fascinated her with the way he handled things, like his handling of those reporters. She couldn't help but admire his strength and control.

Sterling couldn't help but notice Colby was unusually quiet. And from the look of things, it appeared she hadn't gotten very much sleep. He could think of only one reason for both.

"I take it you talked to your brother last night."

Colby opened her eyes and glanced over in his direction. "Yes."

He gave her a searching look when the car momentarily came to a stop on the two-lane roadway. "And?"

"And even with my story, which I thought sounded pretty convincing, he still had a lot of questions. He has a big problem with the fact I told him we'd just met two months ago."

"We both know the reason we decided on that."

Colby nodded. Sterling had explained that his activities were usually monitored by one tabloid or another seeking a story. But two months ago he had outsmarted them and spent two weeks in a secluded lake house belonging to a friend in Virginia. Coincidently, the place was less than an hour's drive from Richmond. They decided to use that to their advantage and tell everyone it was during that time their paths had crossed.

"I take it he doesn't believe two people can meet and fall in love within two months," Sterling said. "The media bought our story easily. What's his problem with it?"

Colby gave him a wan smile. "Oh, he knows two people can fall in love in a relatively short period of time. He and Cynthia did. James just doesn't think that I can."

"Why not?"

"Because taking the time to fall in love wouldn't fit into my hectic schedule. I don't date much and most weekends I spend my time doing lesson plans or trying to come up with creative ideas to become more effective as a teacher. And when I do date, the men are usually other teachers who share my love for teaching. James definitely can't see me falling in love with a well-known celebrity. It's just not me, and of all people he knows it."

Sterling reached out and gently touched her cheek. A strange, faintly tender look flashed in his eyes. "Then I guess I'll have to convince him that I swept you off your feet."

Once again Colby felt that deep feeling of heat flow through her with his touch. "Yes, I guess you will, tomorrow. He definitely wants to talk with you."

Sterling chuckled. "I'm looking forward to our meeting."

Colby almost said she wouldn't be overly anxious if she were him, but she refrained from doing so. "How much longer before we get to your home?"

"Not much longer. We'll be there in less than ten minutes."

"Who're your neighbors?"

Sterling looked over at her and smiled. "Barbra Streisand lives on one side of me and Morgan Freeman lives on the other. Neil Diamond and Johnny Mathis live across the street."

A short while later Sterling brought the car to a stop in front of a huge wrought-iron gate. Seconds later, after keying in a special code, the gate opened, allowing them pa.s.sage.

They pulled into the driveway of an enormous two-story structure nestled among cacti and palm trees, and gardens that included numerous exotic flowers. The sweet smell of the surrounding botanical landscape and the strong salty scent of the ocean a.s.sailed Colby's nostrils.

"You're on the beach!" she exclaimed. A huge smile curved her lips.

Sterling couldn't help but smile at her excitement. "Yes, I live on the beach. It's a private beach owned by the people who live here. But that doesn't mean you're allowed to go skinny-dipping any time you want," he teased.

"I don't skinny-dip," she said, opening the car door and getting out before he had a chance to come around and a.s.sist her.

"I really like this place, Sterling."

"I'm glad. Come on and let me introduce you to Simon."

"Simon?"

"Yes, my housekeeper. He's been with me for quite a while. You'll like him."

No sooner had the words left Sterling's mouth than a tall, thin elderly man opened the door for them. "Welcome home, Mr. Hamilton."

"Thanks, Simon," Sterling replied as he and Colby stepped into the foyer. "I'd like you to meet Colby Wingate, my fiancee."

Simon smiled. "Yes, sir, I heard all about it. It's in the newspapers, and it was announced on the Today Show Today Show this morning. I must say you and Miss Wingate have caused quite a stir." this morning. I must say you and Miss Wingate have caused quite a stir."

Then he gave his undivided attention to Colby. "I'm happy to meet you Miss Wingate and congratulations."

"Thank you."

"Simon, I have some business to take care of, and then later today I'm expecting Kyle Garwood. I'd appreciate it if you took care of Colby for a while. See that she's settled into one of my guest rooms."

"Yes, sir. I'll be glad to." He turned to Colby. "Let me show you to your room, Miss Wingate."

"All right, Simon."

"Colby?"

She turned and gazed up into Sterling's dark eyes. "Yes?"

"Because of my business meeting with Kyle, I won't be joining you for lunch. However, I'd like for us to have dinner together. And Kyle will be joining us."

"Okay."

Colby watched as Sterling turned and walked across the hall and into a large room. She caught a glimpse of the expensively decorated room with its thick carpet before he closed the door behind him.

"Not only is Mr. Hamilton a dynamic actor, he's also a top-notch businessman," Simon said proudly of his boss.

Colby nodded. She followed the man as he led her up some large, sweeping stairs. "I have quite a few messages for you, Miss Wingate."

She looked up at Simon, surprised. "Messages for me? Are you sure? Who would know to call me here?"

"Didn't Mr. Hamilton tell you he had all your calls forwarded from the hotel to here ever since early this morning?"

Colby shook her head. "No, he didn't mention it."

Simon shrugged. "I guess he forgot. Well, here we are."

Colby found herself in a room too beautiful for words. It had a bay window facing Malibu Beach. The view was magnificent. "It's lovely, Simon."

"I'm glad you like it. I'll leave you to get settled and will bring your luggage up in a minute. If you need anything just call me. The messages for you are on that table over there." Then he left, closing the door behind him.

Colby walked over to the table and picked up five slips of paper. One was from Ebony Ebony magazine requesting an interview. The other was from magazine requesting an interview. The other was from People People magazine requesting the same thing and the other three messages were from Cynthia. magazine requesting the same thing and the other three messages were from Cynthia.

She picked up the phone and immediately called Cynthia. A soft voice answered.

"h.e.l.lo, Cynthia, it's me."

"Colby! Is it true!"

Colby smiled. She could just imagine her sister-in-law's excitement. "Is what true?"

"Don't play games with me, Colby Wingate. Is it true you're actually engaged to Sterling Hamilton? The The Sterling Hamilton?" Sterling Hamilton?"

"Yes. I guess James filled you in on everything."

"Are you kidding? Your brother has told me very little. I think he's still in shock himself. In fact he didn't even mention it until breakfast this morning. And that was mere seconds before I opened the newspaper to discover it myself. He claimed the reason he didn't tell me sooner was because he didn't want me getting overly excited in my condition."

"Yeah, that's a thought."

"Colby, you made the front page here today."

"The front page?"

"Yes. It's not every day a local girl snags a Hollywood superstar. There're a number of pictures of you and Sterling in very interesting poses."

"What sort of poses?"

"Poses of the two of you kissing. Obviously you and he enjoy doing that."

"Oh."

"Yes, 'oh.' James nearly hit the ceiling when he saw them, but he soon calmed down after reading the newspaper article that came over the wire service. Sterling Hamilton did an outstanding job of upholding your reputation. In fact, he made it very clear you mean a lot to him. At this moment, you're probably the envy of every woman in the country."

Colby frowned. "I really don't understand why."

"Well, according to this article, and I quote...'The mighty Sterling Hamilton has fallen...undeniably in love. At least that's this reporter's opinion who saw the couple together last night as they entered the Paradise Cove Restaurant. The woman on his arm, who he proudly presented as his fiancee, was a beauty and deserved all the attention and unselfish affection being lavished on her by Hamilton. Colby Wingate of Richmond, Virginia, whose career is in education-(she's a third-grade teacher)-has accomplished something many thought was an impossible feat. She is bringing Sterling Hamilton to the altar and without any underhanded tactics, as one fellow reporter discovered when he boldly asked the couple if by chance they were expecting a baby. That reporter, and I won't give his name, found himself under Hamilton's famous belligerent stare, and his reply left all in attendance satisfied a baby is not on the way, and the reason for the soon-to-take-place wedding is for purely selfish reasons. Hamilton merely wants the woman he loves by his side as his wife. I, for one, believe his story. I'm no romantic fool, but I've seen Hamilton with numerous female companions in the past, and I've never seen him display so much open attention to one before. And that includes Diamond Swain. In my wrap-up, I can only say that Colby Wingate has evidently tamed the beast. Hamilton may have put a ring on her finger-and a huge one at that-but she's gone one step further and put an even bigger one in his nose. The man is definitely smitten. But as they say, the bigger they come, the harder they fall, and it definitely appears to this reporter that the mighty Sterling Hamilton has fallen, and fallen hard.'

"Well, what do you think of the article?"

"Interesting."

"Is that all you have to say?"

"Afraid so."

"I can't believe you kept your involvement with him from me. You've known for years that I'm an avid fan of his. You owe me all the details. How did the two of you meet?"

Colby swallowed and tried not to let anxiety cool her thoughts. She was prepared for the question and had actually rehea.r.s.ed the answer that morning. However, she still felt uncomfortable with the lie she was about to recite.

"Sterling happened to be in Virginia, and I ran into him at the library."

"The library? You actually met Sterling Hamilton at the library here in Richmond?"

"Yes. He'd been using a friend's winter home in some secluded place and had gotten bored and drove into town to get a good book to read."

"Wow! Did you recognize him right away?"

"No."

"No?"

"No. I didn't recognize him right away. He came up to me and asked where he could find a particular book and I told him."

"For Pete's sake, Colby, how could you not recognize Sterling Hamilton!"

"Well, I didn't. I knew he was an attractive man but I didn't know who he was. He had a beard and I'd never seen Sterling Hamilton with a beard before."

"So you fell in love with him, Sterling Hamilton, the movie star."

Colby thought about her actual first meeting with Sterling in Edward's office, and the time she had spent with him since. Although there were a number of things about him she didn't know, like his relationship with his mother and the full truth behind his relationship with Diamond Swain, a part of her felt that over the past couple of days, she had gotten to know him in a way deeper than she would have by just reading about him in newspapers and magazines. She had gained more insight into Sterling Hamilton, the man, moreso than Sterling Hamilton, the actor.

"No, I didn't fall in love with Sterling Hamilton, the actor, but I have fallen in love with Sterling Hamilton, the man," she said simply, regulating her tone when she realized the words she had just told Cynthia were true.