Page 20 of The Starlet
“I think this is the way to go. The raw passion between the two of you looks amazing on screen.”
Joe sends us all on a break as they prepare for the next scene. I look over at Cristina, and she raises her eyebrows at me in question.Don’t even ask.
Elena pops her head around the corner. “Are you coming to lunch, or are you going to sit here with a goofy look on your face?” Her eyes crinkle in the corners as she smiles wide, and I know she’s joking with me.
“I was thinking of sitting here with the goofy look on my face for a while longer,” I retort but stand anyway. I grab a pair of shorts and my Bon Jovi t-shirt from my chair and put both on. At least, I don’t feel as exposed now that I have some clothes on. I follow her out, and the two of us walk in silence. I have so many questions running through my head and so many answers I want, but I’m not even sure where to start. I don’t want things to be awkward between us should she not reciprocate any feelings.
She breaks the silence first. “Listen, I want to apologize for really getting into it back there. I just want to make it look good on screen. I know it’s not easy when someone’s grinding down on you to not have a reaction.”
I chortle. Yeah, that’s one way to put it. “Elena, can we talk for a minute?”
“What do you think we’re doing now, silly?”
I look around and guide her to the set with her bedroom. Since the room is supposed to be in Zach’s house, there’s little in the way of personal effects. There’s a small framed photo of the Donatos on the night stand, but other than that, it looks like any other guest room—a bed and frame along the back wall, a dark mahogany night stand with a small lamp and clock, a dresser that matches the night stand closest to the window, and a few pictures scattering the walls. I place the family photo down on the nightstand. I don’t need Caleb to see my possible strike out.
Running my hands through my hair, I push out a deep breath. “Elena, I want you to know this isn’t normal for me. I’ve done another movie where I had to be intimate with someone, and not once did I get a boner. I want to apologize to you. It’s unprofessional, but it’s not something I can control.”
She smiles, and I can see her eyes glinting in the dim light. “Brad, it’s fine. Really. I didn’t think anything of it. I know that scene was difficult with me rocking over you. No harm done.”
She turns to leave, and I grab her wrist, stopping her from getting too far away. “That’s the problem. It’sneverhappened before.” I lower my chin and stare directly into her eyes, hoping she understands what I’m trying to tell her. I need to tell her how, over the past month and a half, I haven’t stopped thinking about her. How I wonder if she’s doing all right and if she’s happy. If she knows I’d do anything to please her. Just being friends with her is torture for me. No one wants to be friends with the person they’re falling in love with.
When she fails to move or say anything, I tuck some blonde hair behind her ear, my fingers grazing over warm cheek. “Fuck it.” No sooner do the words leave my mouth, my lips are covering hers. There’s a moment of surprise as she gasps, and then she melts into me. I press myself into her and position my knee between her legs. She rocks herself on my leg as my hands find a way up the side of her waist. Her body trembles as I graze her erect nipple with my right thumb, and she arches her breast into my hand.Damn, her tits feel perfect.
When I pull away from her, her eyes are still closed and she’s still grinding down on my leg. After a moment, she stops gyrating and her eyes flutter open.God, she’s beautiful. She looks like an angel.“Please, tell me this is what you want, too. I’ve wanted to be able to kiss you since after our first coffee date, and the more we’ve hung out, the worse it’s become. And I think you feel the same way.”
The moment of silence hangs thick between us like a blanket. “Yes,” she whispers barely loud enough for me to hear her.Thank God!My lips are on hers again in an instant. I dig my fingers into her hair, pressing her into the wall. I don’t want to stop. I’m afraid if I do, it’s going to be a dream and I’ll wake up disappointed. She pushes on my chest, and I pull back, removing myself from her. “I like you a lot, Bradley. My life is… complicated though, to put it mildly.”
“So is mine, babe. We don’t have to put a label on things right now, and we can keep it secret if that’s what you want. I don’t want you to feel any pressure to do anything. All I know is, you’re the best thing that’s happened to me in a long time. I feel… whole with you.” I’m rambling, so I close my mouth to give her a chance to voice her concerns.
“I think slow and secret would be good for right now. I need some time to figureusout and how this is all going to work.”
I nod. “Take all the time you need.”
Chapter 13
Holy.Shitballs.Did all of that just happen? Did I really get pushed against a wall and grind against Bradley’s leg as he kissed me with blinding passion? The answer to each of these questions running through my head is a resounding YES. Am I terrified? I think the use of that word is an understatement. My thoughts are so jumbled as we walk side by side to the food tent.
He grabs a tray and hands it to me as I grab a plate and add a bunch of pasta to it. I tend to stress eat, and when I realize what I’m doing, I grab a salad and make it my priority to eat that first. We take a spot at a table where Caleb is sitting alone. I’m sure, if he just smiled, people would want to converse with him. I plop down next to him and strike up a conversation.
“She’ll be here soon. Don’t worry about it. I’m sure she’ll be willing to talk with you.”
His head snaps in my direction, hope shining in his eyes. “Did you talk to her? Did she tell you that?”
It’s not my place to tell him things she told me in confidence, but I do feel bad so I let something slip to give him hope. “She misses you.”
He beams at me.Thisis the Caleb I miss seeing and talking to. “Thanks, Elena, for keeping in contact with her. I hope she’ll forgive me.” He scrubs his hands over his face and pushes his plate away. “I was such an ass.”
“Yup.” I smile as he scowls. “Don’t sweat it though. I’m sure everything will work out.”
He kisses my cheek as he gets up from the table, a small spring in his step. I look over at Bradley, who’s looking down at his plate, avoiding me. I do the same, busying myself with my salad. His left hand lands on my knee, and he gives it a gentle squeeze before pulling back and resuming his meal. Someone coughs behind me, and I cringe at the sound.Stay away from me. I can’t afford to get sick!I turn and notice Emily. She looks horrible—her face is pale, and she’s glistening with a fine film of sweat. I hope she’s not coming down with anything too contagious.
“Are you kidding me?” Tait asks her, disbelief in his voice. I want to find out what’s going on, but I know it’s best to not pry. If I’m supposed to know, someone will loop me in.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Bradley asks, knocking my shoulder.
“Quarter for your boxers?” I ask absentmindedly as I pick at my food. I drop my fork and jerk my head up to him. I widen my eyes in horror, my hand clasping over my mouth. I slowly turn to look at him, and his normal brown eyes are almost black with desire.
He brushes my ear with his lips. “You can have them for free, if that’s what you want.” I exhale on a shaky breath, and he continues. “You already know what you do to me.”