Two weeks. While she worked on set, how was Holly supposed to keep her hands to herself? Did she want to? No, but she at least had to try. Why was that again? She’d never done a casual fling. Didn’t people say it was good to try things at least once?
“What are we doing?” she asked, rubbing her hands over her knees. “I mean, you’ve broken up with Victoria… what does that mean for us?”
He propped an arm on the window frame and rubbed a finger over his mouth. “I’m sorry I can’t offer you a commitment. My work takes me all over the world. Relationships rarely work in my industry. I hope you understand.” He glanced at her with a hopeful expression. “Maybe we can have fun while you’re here.”
“After Oliver, I’m not ready for anything serious. I’ve never done this casual… casual…” She waved a hand between them. Kissing was the easy part. Taking it further, she wasn’t sure if she could go through with it.
“Sex?” Ethan provided.
God. The word rolled off his tongue like silk, sending goose bumps over her skin.
She nodded, not trusting herself to speak. She’d done plenty of dirty things to Ethan in her mind. Could she do it for real and for only a few weeks?
“We both know where this is heading. We can’t keep our hands off each other. I want you to be sure this is what you want. I promise I won’t touch you again. Not unless you ask me.” A playful smirk twitched at his full mouth.
Okay, great. No pressure.
“Just remember. I’ll make it the best time of your life.”
She laughed, “Conceited much?”
“Stating the facts.” He grinned.
Oh, she had no doubt it would be one hell of a ride. Her decision was already half made in his favour.
“Come on, let’s get to work. I don’t want to be late.”
Chapter 16
Holly stood in the catering tent set away from the filming equipment. Day two on the job and Holly was still pinching herself. If she had any doubt about what she wanted to do as a career, it’d flown out the window. Transforming people into characters just by applying makeup gave her so much satisfaction.
What if she told her parents this is what she wanted to do with her life? Tell them that working for the family hotel chain wasn’t a career she wanted to continue with. Would they remove the conditions from her inheritance and let her follow her dreams? They made it clear she needed to return in six months. Threatened she’d lose the money if she didn’t. Surely, they were bluffing? What if they weren’t? Could she let go of everything she’d left behind, permanently? For the last few months, she’d scraped by. Having no money wasn’t fun.
Her gaze flicked to Ethan where he stood talking to Trudy. Even dressed in a dirty suit with black smudges on his face, he was still the best-looking man she’d ever seen. Leaving Sydney meant leaving him. No, he’d be leaving her. Without hesitation, he told her his career came first. Even though she knew nothing could grow between them, a surge of disappointment at what might have been pressed heavy against her heart.
It didn’t stop the flutters in her stomach when she looked at him.
“You going to keep staring at Ethan or pick a muffin? The banana ones are my favourite.” Simone, nudged Holly’s shoulder and gave her a playful grin. “I don’t blame you for looking. He’s hotandactually really nice. A rare combination in this business.”
Holly didn’t argue. She pulled her attention away from Ethan, to watch Simone pile her plate with muffins, scones and apple pie.
Her brows lifted. Simone shrugged and said, “I haven’t eaten in five hours.”
“No judgement,” Holly laughed and loaded her plate up to match the hairstylist.
“Those calories are going straight to your hips.” A deep, rude snicker sounded behind them.
Both women swung around. Shaun stood in front of them with his nose wrinkled in disgust.
“Men like me don’t like women who let themselves go.” He sneered at Holly.
“It’s a good thing I like women then. And Holly has better taste in men,” Simone said as she took a huge bite from her banana muffin.
Shaun’s face grew red, his glare centring on Holly. “You made a mistake at the club. I could’ve been your ticket to better things. You screwed up your chance. Don’t come crawling back to me when you need a career boost because no one will hire anunqualifiedmakeup artist.” He inspected Holly from head to toe with a curled lip before marching away.
“I told you looks and being nice were rare in this business. What’d you do to be on the receiving end of his death stare?”
Holly’s palms grew sweaty and she scrubbed them on her jeans. “Threw my wine at him when he wouldn’t keep his hands to himself.”
