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CHAPTER ONE
Current Day
“Miss Sinclair, they’re ready for you.” One of the many runners announced through the closed door, letting her know the production crew had finished lighting the set for the next scene.
“I’ll be right there,” Elle called back.
So many other actresses would kill to be in her position. Her long, perfectly coiffed hair fell straight against her shoulders, the highlights and lowlights accentuating her facial features. Professionally applied makeup hid any minor skin imperfections that would’ve been magnified a hundred times on the big screen. She stared at her reflection in the mirror, barely remembering who she’d been before the madness of her life as a celebrity began. The one goal she’d worked so hard to attain had become the very thing she wanted to run away from most.
A second knock on the door meant the crew grew more impatient, ready to finish the scene so they could go home, only to start it all again early the next morning. Like a robot, Elle rose from her seat and plastered a smile on her face as she rejoined the cast and crew. She hid her irritation when she realized the set had been opened to a select group of entertainment news reporters to help create early buzz for the movie.
Even on lower-budget films she’d starred in, she normally insisted on a closed set to keep the paparazzi out—and anyone else hoping to capture the perfect shot to twist and misconstrue into sensationalized lies for headlines. Such was the life of a movie star, even one classified as an on-the-cusp A-lister like Elle. She’d already experienced the backlash of the vicious rumors that ran rampant through the entertainment circuit. The general public apparently believed every word printed in big, bold letters, even without one shred of credible evidence.
Sex sells, but so do lies, she thought as she took her place beside her costar.
In front of the cameras, Jax Hart was charming and charismatic. His commanding presence on-screen filled the theater seats around the world and produced record-breaking opening weekends with each new release. Cast opposite him in any role was the absolute dream of every single actress, a sure bet to thrust her into the stratosphere of fame and fortune.
Off-screen, Jax Hart was actually Jason Hartman, and he was a far cry from the dashing and daring hero he pretended to be. Elle's agent, Ray Burke, often reminded her how hard he worked to land her the leading role, rather than a brief cameo appearance so many other models-turned-actresses would find themselves cast in. But she’d been in the entertainment business long enough to know exactly what Raywasn’tsaying.
He was getting something out of the deal.
A trade-off had been made to benefit him. Otherwise, Ray would've pushed one of his established A-list clients instead. Judging by Jax’s daily diva-worthy demands, she couldn’t help but think somehow, she’d drawn the short straw in Ray’s under-the-table deal. Regardless, if all the stars aligned, and the directors and editors worked their magic on this movie, she’d be able to pick and choose her future rolesandpossibly have a say regarding who the studio cast as her leading man.
With everyone in place, Elle switched gears in her mind and fully immersed herself into character. They’d reached another sex scene in the romantic drama storyline, and thankfully, it would be the last shot of the night. While Elle wanted nothing more than to get it over with and get away from her costar, she had to be convincing when she portrayed her character’s desperate love for Jax’s alter ego. As with every other scene, the only way she could even remotely dothatwas to lose herself in the memories of another man.
When Jax cupped her cheek with his hand, it wasn’t his palm that radiated the heat through her body. Jax’s lips brushed against hers, but her lips remembered the feel of another’s instead. Every touch, every sound, and every scent pushed her further into the dream world she’d created and used as an escape from her unpleasant reality. Even though she was fully clothed, the flesh-colored suit gave the illusion of nudity while it added to the ambiance of the scene. In her mind, there were no barriers between her and the man of her dreams, their bodies completely intertwined in an erotic dance.
“Cut!” Vince, the director, yelled. "Holy shit, that was so fucking hot. If I didn't know better, I'd swear you two have been practicing that scene quite a few times in private."
Elle was abruptly pulled from her fantasy when Jax rolled off, leaving her feeling exposed and self-conscious, despite the fact that the bodysuit covered her completely. The smirk on Jax’s face after Vince's comment said it all. He thought her performance was because she wantedhim. Nothing could be further from the truth, but Elle couldn’t tell him that and risk the repercussions.
“I guess it was okay,” Jax replied with a dismissive shrug. “I’ll know better when we review the film.”
“You won’t be reviewing the film, Jax. That's my job. Elle, you keep that up, and you'll have to prepare an acceptance speech before you know it." Vince clapped his hands and rubbed them together vigorously. "Hopefully, so will I."
Elle responded with her best smile, putting her acting skills to the test again. “Thanks, Vince. That would be a dream come true for us both, wouldn’t it?”
Vince’s response didn’t register in Elle’s mind, because Jax jumped into the conversation concerning awards and statues, showing no humility in his quest for validation of being loved for his abilities and not just his face. Annoyed, Elle walked toward her dressing room to change, lost in the make-believe world with the man she missed more every day. She silently mused over how he’d invaded all of her senses yet again, when he wasn’t anywhere near her.
It’d be another long night of tossing and turning, dreaming of him and what they couldn’t have. No amount of cold water could douse the fire he’d lit in her long ago.
"It's been a long day," Beth grumbled, echoing Elle's thoughts when Elle stepped into the trailer. "I'm beyond ready to crawl into bed and zone out in front of the TV until I pass out from exhaustion.”
“That sounds perfect. We’re out of here as soon as I throw my clothes on.”
Elle grabbed her shorts and T-shirt off the clothes rack and quickly changed while Beth gathered their belongings. When they walked out, Elle heard Vince’s and Jax’s voices carrying across the lot. “Let’s go the other way. I don’t want them to see us and start another conversation. I’ve had all I can stand of Jax for one day.”
“That guy is a serious jerk. He propositioned me again while I was doing his makeup today. I’ve only told him ‘no’ about a hundred times now.” Beth shuddered at the thought.
"Yes, he’s a complete ass. This movie can't wrap soon enough. But I'm so glad we're on the same set. After I accept my award, my first diva-demand will be to have you as my personal makeup artist for every movie."
"Hey, getting assigned as your personal makeup artist for life is my dream job. Don't tease me."
The forty-five-minute drive to their shared apartment in Westwood seemed to fly by, and they were home in no time. Beth would no doubt assume Elle's long day of filming wore her out, but the truth was she felt like she was revved up on a triple-shot of espresso. Her thoughts stayed on her dream man, reliving every moment of every encounter, remembering every word spoken, and wishing circumstances were different.
True to her word, Beth retreated to her bedroom and was soon sound asleep in her bed. The TV volume was high enough to drown out any other noise, and the light from the screen cast a soft blue hue over her room, changing with an occasional flicker. Elle paced in the living room, close to wearing a path in the rug with her back-and-forth marching. She gripped her phone, sorely tempted to dial the number she'd memorized by heart years before.
