Page 9 of The Starlet
“Oh, yeah? If I said I want your body now, would you hold it against me?” His Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows hard and licks his lips.You’re playing with fire, Elena.I step back. “What? Not a fan of Britney Spears?” I ask, playing dumb.
“Oh, yeah. Britney,” he says absentmindedly.
* * *
The hike downis uneventful and quick, both of us moving at a good clip. It’s getting hot, and I’m looking forward to getting back in my car and blasting the air conditioner. We hop in, and I start it up, turning the air on as high and as cold as it can go. With the top down, it’s still hot, but the cool air feels good as it hits my flushed skin.
I know exactly where I want to take us for lunch. I want to sit by the beach and listen to the waves as we eat.
About fifteen minutes later, I pull into the parking lot at Malibu Beach. We unload the car and carry everything to a secluded part away from the main area. Bradley sets up the umbrella as I spread out the blanket and start unpacking our food. I wanted to keep it simple—cheese, crackers, salami, grapes, and homemade chocolate chip cookies. I also have a bottle of wine and more water. After opening the letter last night, I needed something to take my mind off it, and baking was a good option.
“Wow, this all looks great. Thanks for the invite. Did you make these cookies?” he asks as he pops a grape in his mouth.
I nod and smile, noting he picked up on such a small detail. “Yeah, I whipped them up last night.”
“After I dropped you off? Really?” He chuckles. “I wish I had your stamina then. I drove home and passed out.”
I shrug. “Yeah, well, I had a lot on my mind, and this was a good distraction.”
“What was on your mind?”
Some crazy person that wants to do God knows what to me.I shrug. “Just thinking about being gone for a few months and what I need to do before then.”
He opens the container of cookies and pulls one out, taking a bite. He groans as he chews the soft treat. “This is a damn good cookie.”
I take a bite of my own. The chocolate hitting my tongue is like heaven. “Thank you.”
We sit together, enjoying the food and relaxing, listening to the sounds of the beach and the families playing in the sand and the water. I close my eyes and breathe in time with the waves. As they roll up on shore, I breathe in, and when they break, I breathe out. It’s rhythmic and relaxing.
I peek through my lashes over at him. His long legs are stretched out in front of him as he rests his weight on his hands behind him, looking out at the water. Neither of us are talking, but it’s okay; I don’t feel the need to fill the silence. Both of us seem content to just be in each other’s company.
This has never happened to me. I’ve never had this level of tranquility with someone. Normally, I feel I have to be doing something—anything—with another person. Not with Bradley though, and that scares me. I’m starting to fall for this man, and I’m sure he only sees me as a friend and a colleague. This is going to be an interesting next few months of filming.
I take a deep breath. “Want to go for a dip?”
He turns his head to the side to look at me. “I didn’t bring my suit.”
“That’s okay. I didn’t either. Stay in your shorts. I have a few towels in the car so you can dry off, or we can hang out for a bit until we dry.”
He stands and helps me up. The tingles that take over whenever we touch return, and he takes off his shirt. I give him a once over, and it takes all my willpower not to moan and reach out to touch him. He has a very nice physique, and now that I’m able to see his abs, that’s all I’m going to think of when I see him. His shorts hang low on his hips, showing the sexy V, and there’s a trickle of dark hair that disappears under the waistband of his shorts.
I would love to follow that trail with my tongue…
I pull my tank top over my head and my workout capris off so I’m standing there in my sports bra and boy shorts. Thank God, I didn’t opt for a thong today.I take off running for the water, and he catches up with ease.
As my feet hit the cool, blue water, he wraps his arms around my waist and lifts me, spinning us around. I laugh and yell at him to put me down, and he does, but he keeps his hands on my waist and remains standing behind me. The water sways our bodies together, and I drop my head to his shoulder, feeling his strength behind me.
He’s just being friendly. It doesn’t mean anything.The more I think that though, the less I want to believe it’s true.
Chapter 6
I’m packedand ready to go. My flight to Vancouver leaves in just over two hours, and I’ve been pacing in my living room nonstop. Sandy is cool as a cucumber, sitting on my couch, trying to talk me down.
“This isn’t your first movie. You’re going to be fine. Theylovedyou at your audition—you told me so. You even told me Elena likes you. If I recall, you had coffee and went to dinner with her, then went hiking and clubbing with her after that. Not many guys have that opportunity.” She flips through a magazine, seemingly uninterested.
“Yeah, I know. It’s just… this is the biggest opportunity I’ve ever had. Also, I’m nervous about the sex scenes with her. That’s a lot of pressure to put on someone. It’s not like it’s going to be a comfortable situation for either of us.”
“Bradley, stop.” I stop pacing and look at her as she stands and walks in front of me. “She’s a professional, and you’re a professional. Those scenes will be challenging, but you’re going to get through them just fine. I’ll be there for the first few days, and if you have any issues, just talk to me. I can make sure everything gets resolved. You have an assistant that’s been assigned to you, and she’s also there to make things easier for you.”