Page 13 of The Starlet
“I need to make sure you’re okay.”
I offer him a small smile and rest my hand on his cheek. I keep my eyes focused on his, and when his glare softens, I drop it and leave with Chloe to the makeup trailer. “See you on set, Brad.”
Chapter 8
I couldn’t letElena sneak off to interact with her fans alone. Too many memories of Jasmine had my mind bouncing all over the place in the few short minutes she was gone.Elena is not mine to protect.I barely know the girl.Okay, that’s a lie.I feel like I know this girl better than anyone. I can’t help it though. Anytime I’m with her, I feel this urge to protect her—no matter what happens.
I know nothing bad would have happened to her because the police were there, but I would never forgive myself if somethinghadhappened. I watch dumbfounded as she and Chloe walk to the makeup trailer. I shake the uneasy feeling and walk toward mine, to get into costume. Cristina meets me there with a large plate of breakfast. She sits in a corner and sips her coffee as she chomps on a piece of toast.
“You okay?” she asks, brushing crumbs off her lap.
“Yeah, fine.” I motion toward a covered plate. “This for me?” She nods, and I gladly accept the scrambled eggs and toast she loaded up for me. “Thanks.”
I replay the interaction over and over. I need to ask someone what they think. “Can I ask you something? You can tell me if I’m crazy.”
“The answer is usually yes to that answer.” She smirks and swallows her bite. “Why do you think you’re crazy?”
“When I went to get Elena, there was this guy that grabbed her wrist, and she jerked away. She looked scared, and when I approached, the guy ran off. Does that seem odd?”
She shrugs. “I don’t know. You can be intimidating. Maybe he thought you would call the police over? He didn’t want to make a big deal out of something that was probably not a big deal to him. Plus, fans can get excited when they meet their crushes, right? Haven’t girls fawned over you yet?”
I smirk, understanding what she is trying to say. “No, I’m not big enough of an actor. Most people have no idea who I am.”
“Well, landing this role is going to change that for sure. You’re going to be a household name by springtime.” She kicks her feet and jumps up. “Come on, finish up. You’re needed on set soon, and I’m not going to get in trouble for not having you there. You’ve got twenty minutes.” She saunters out the door, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
* * *
The golf cartstops in front of a building, and Cristina and I get out. Tait and Elena are already there, and I stop when I catch a glimpse of her. Her hair is piled high on top of her head, a few loose curls falling down her back. The dress costuming put her in is so short and tight I’m surprised I can’t see her ass cheeks. My cock stirs to life the longer I stare at her.
My fingers are itching to touch her exposed skin. I remember what it felt like to hold her when we went hiking, and I want to experience that again. This time though, I want her under me. I want to explore, I want to taste, I want tofeel.Yup, now I’m not only hard as a rock, but it’s pointing in her general direction.
Stop being a fucking creeper, Mathas.
She sees me and gives a small wave. She drops her gaze, pulling her bottom lip between her perfect, white teeth, before returning to the conversation.I imagined that, right?I make my way over to them and stand next to her. She bumps my hip with hers and smiles as Joe joins us.
“All right, so the camera is going to start over here,” he points to the front of the building, sweeping his body around to face us again, “and then sweep down toward the three of you. I want you, Elena, to show me how much you hate how Bradley’s forced you into this meeting. I know you guys can do it.”
He takes his seat behind the camera, and I hear Elena mutter, “That won’t be hard. I really hate this dress.”
I lean toward her and let my lips graze her ear. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but if this were real, I’d never let you leave the house.”You’d be tied to my bed.
I see a tinge of color stain her cheeks, and her breaths become shallow. She keeps her voice low. “Why’s that, Brad?”
“I—”
“All right, places. Let’s take it from the top,” Joe calls out, quieting the commotion behind him.
An assistant stands in front of the camera, holding the slate board in front of her. “Scene twenty, take one.”
“And action,” Joe calls out.
“You havegotto be kidding me with this outfit, right? Am I supposed to be one of your sluts for the night? When my brother hears about this, there won’t be anything left of you,” Elena chastises. She tries to back away, and I grab her behind the neck, holding her still, and drop my face so it’s inches from hers.
My voice is deep and menacing. “Sofia, if you want to stay safe, you need to play the part. I can’t trust you enough to leave you alone, and I couldn’t miss this meeting. Now, be a good girl. Stay quiet, andstopfighting me.”
She pushes on my chest, adding a few inches of space between us. “If I don’t?”
“I have no problem punishing those who don’t listen to me. Mark my words, little girl. I promised your brother I wouldn’t let you get hurt, but I never promised him you wouldn’t have a few bruises along the way.”