Through the open door, Holly could see Victoria Martin waiting for him looking like the gorgeous movie star she was. He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close as she tilted her face to receive his kiss.
“Oh wow, they look great together,” Holly sighed, wondering for a moment what it would be like to be on the receiving end of his kiss. God, what was she thinking? She needed to remove the Hollywood stars from her eyes and remind herself he was a bit of a jerk.
“It won’t last. They never do,” Nancy said. “It’s great publicity for their movies. Sometimes it even lasts a few months after the premieres they attend, that’s about it.”
Actors seemed as shallow as the people in her parents’ social network. The same people they wanted Holly to associate with. If having money and a social status meant you had to be an arrogant jerk, then no thank you, she’d pass.
“I have a few things to finish up before we leave, I’m sorry I can’t take you home yet. It’s late, I hope you don’t mind waiting?”
“It’s okay, I should go. I’d hate to inconvenience you.” Now that Holly had assisted with filming, surely Nancy didn’t really want a stranger in her house?
“I’m not letting you spend the night on a bench somewhere, especially dressed like that.” Her hand made a sweeping motion up and down Holly’s body. She was glad Nancy didn’t ask why she had no money to stay in a hotel. Dragging up her pathetic story was embarrassing and one she’d rather not talk about.
“I’m doing a few scars and bruises tomorrow, maybe even a bullet wound, would you like to help me get what I need ready?”
Would she like to help?Hell yeah!“Sure,” she answered trying to act cool while on the inside, she hopped up and down like an excited five-year-old girl.
“Great, this will be fun.” Nancy beamed.
Fun wasn’t the word Holly would use. Try fantastic, amazing, wonderful, and much, much more.
Oh my god, what a day. From hand jobs to brush work.
Chapter 3
Ethan navigated through the dark streets in his black BMW. Victoria sat in the passenger seat looking into a compact mirror while applying deep red lipstick. Her full glossy lips popped against her flawless, fair skin. Long, auburn, straight hair sat over one shoulder leaving the other bare in the strapless blue mini dress she wore, exposing her smooth toned legs that went on for days. Hollywood’sitgirl, was in Australia as his leading lady. They’d met a couple of times at parties in L.A. It wasn’t until they were cast together that they got to know each other better.A lotbetter.
“We’ll go to The Factory, make sure we’re seen, have a glass of wine, then we can leave. Shouldn’t take more than an hour.” She flipped the mirror closed and placed it in her purse. Moving closer towards Ethan, she trailed a finger along his inner thigh. “I can’t wait to get you home.”
Normally, Ethan’s body would respond instantly to her touch, but nothing stirred. An overly made-up face with wavey honey brown hair and light brown eyes sprang to mind. Her touch, which should not have caused any reaction, because cameras and crew surrounded them, made something elsespring up.And he’d needed to stop filming twice to pull himself together, blaming the delay on Holly stuffing up her lines. He had one of the sexiest women in the business next to him. It was the hands ofhooker number three—Holly, he had the urge for. What the hell was wrong with him?
Before Victoria’s fingers found their mark, he clutched her hand in his and kissed her knuckles. “We’re nearly at the club.”
She gave him her trademark sultry smile, the one she got paid millions to show on screen, which drove men and some women, crazy. The one Ethan’s body usually responded to. The red, full lips that sent an arrow of lust straight to his dick, now did not affect him. It had been a long day, maybe he was tired? Pfft... He shook away the thought. When was he ever too tired for sex? Never. He brushed his concerns aside as they pulled up to The Factory. A valet eagerly greeted them as he took the keys from Ethan.
“Victoria… Ethan!” Paparazzi waiting outside the club for celebrity sightings, shouted to get their attention. He draped an arm around Victoria’s shoulders, and she put a loving hand on his chest as they made their way inside, pausing a moment to make sure the paps got a few photos.
Inside, the club’s music pounded through his body and vibrated up his feet. They climbed the stairs and entered the VIP section that overlooked the busy room of gyrating people on the dance floor. An American pop singer, a reality star and a B-list horror director were some who mingled in the secluded area. It didn’t take long for Victoria to spot her target, a bigshot producer looking for his next leading lady. She slipped her hand free from Ethan’s and made her way over to him.
Drinks were poured, backs were slapped congratulating actors on their movie’s successes. Flirting flowed as freely as the alcohol but Ethan wanted to go home—alone, take a long, hot shower and crawl into bed. All this schmoozing was too much. If he smiled and told someone how great their horrendous movie was one more time, his face would crack. Ethan rubbed the back of his neck, trying not to let his eyes glaze over at all the bullshit in the room. He hadn’t landed the role of a lifetime yet and therefore would put up with it until he did.
This was part of the job. Be seen, mingle with influential people, and you were more likely to land the dream roles. The dramas that made people take notice of your work. He’d been playing this game for four years now and kept getting cast into action movies. Blow things up, kill the bad guy and fuck the girl. Same movie, different bad guy.
His agent, Ralph Munroe, sidled up to him. “How’s filming going? I hear once it’s released, it should top the box office.”
“That’s what’s going around.” The waiter arrived with a tray of drinks. Ethan declined; his agent took a scotch.
“I was hoping you’d be here. I wanted to call you in the morning, you’ve saved me the trouble.” He downed the amber liquid in one swallow, his gold Rolex flashing with the movement. The sweat on his bald head glittered under the colourful lights of the club and he sniffed and rubbed his nose. Ralph had probably already done a line or two of coke. Ethan only tolerated him because he was one of the best agents around, he was the one who’d scored him massive movies and negotiated a shitload of money that boosted his family out of poverty. And if that meant sticking with Ralph for the high paying jobs, that’s exactly what he’d do. Because he never wanted to experience the struggles he’d gone through as a kid again or be forced to eat frozen dinners most nights of the week.
Ralph’s attention drifted off the conversation as he eyed an up-and-coming actress wearing a pink dress that left nothing to the imagination.
“Ralph,” Ethan clicked his fingers to snap his attention back, “you had something to tell me?”
“Right… yes. I may have a movie role lined up for you. You’re gonna love it.”
When Ralph pitched him a new film, he always said he’d love it. When Ethan first started acting in movies, he did. Who wouldn’t want to be a kick-arse action hero? Once you’ve made seven and did nothing different, it was monotonous. “Another action movie?”
Ralph must have noticed the disinterest in Ethan’s voice. “Now, now… don’t sound so glum. I know you’ve been telling me to find you something different, something that will show off your acting abilities. It hasn’t been easy. I know how great you are and, you could do it. Convincing producers and directors that you can hasn’t been easy. After the flop you starred in for your first movie role, they don’t want to risk it.”
