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“Why is Mr. Namara paying almost double for the time in production for the music video?”
Ezra leans back and brushes his fingertips over his lips. “For my time of course.”
“Your time?” My brow rises.
“Yes. His time was included in the original contract, but since I’ll be present and personally overseeing the project, my time is now accounted for too. Mr. Namara is aware of this change and signed off on it already.”
I glance down at the paper and notice his initials are indeed on it. I make sure to look over all the details again and pay attention to the wording, which is exactly what I was taught to do. I tap my nail on the table, very unsure all of a sudden. This minor change isn’t a huge deal and isn’t exactly unheard of. The suggestive way Ezra made it sound is what is giving me pause. I’m signing up with more time with him.
“Something wrong, princess?”
Shivers work their way over my skin with his words and I lift my gaze to his. Suddenly, I’m aware of how close we’re sitting together even with the table between us. It’s like I can feel the heat of his body still, and every time his gaze runs over my body, it’s like a bold caress.
“It's just different, I guess.”
His eyes burn into mine. “What is?”
“This. You, me, how much time has passed, and we’re once again sitting at the table making a deal. But everything has changed. You look different too,” I answer, hating the faint stinging sensation in my eyes. I don’t know why this realization makes me want to cry, but it does.
“You look different than I last saw you too. Your hair is longer, you look stronger, healthy, even more beautiful,” he murmurs.
My hands clench in my lap. “Two years will do that, I guess.” And just like that the little bit of reminiscing is over for me. I pick up the pen and scrawl my name on the appropriate line before getting up from my chair and scanning it through for Tabbi. I don’t speak the entire time it takes me to complete the task, but I can feel him watching me. I keep my back to him and contemplate how I can just skip out of the room without needing to say goodbye.
I sense him before I feel him. Ezra moves so quietly, there isn’t even a chance for me to move out of his grasp. One of his hands grips my hip, and the other runs the long strands of my hair through his fingers. A rush of heat runs down my spine and my eyes close. “I’ve missed you, Ocean.”
“You made the choice to leave,” I remind him, and feel the hollowness slide back into my heart.
His grip on my hip tightens, and he pulls my body into his. “Let me explain. Please let me show you why I had to leave.”
It's on the tip of my tongue to ask how he can show me when my phone starts vibrating like crazy. Paranoid it’s Tabbi and I messed up the contract somehow, I move away from Ezra and grab my phone. Jade’s name flashes on my screen with a 9-1-1 in the text and a bunch of exclamation points. She calls a second later and I answer on the first ring.
“Are you alright?”
Her next few words take my breath away and my heart breaks for our friend. Mia has been absent for so long since her heartbreak was made public all over the media. It was terrible and I knew she needed to escape just to survive. I didn’t realize however just how much more she had kept from us.
“Mia had a baby?”
Chapter Eighteen
Ezra
Groaning, I knock my head against the wall again, staring up at the ceiling rather than what is happening in front of me. I know I’m partly to blame, putting the bug in his ear, setting the contract up and insisting I be here, but I was not prepared for the music video. I damn sure as hell would not have signed off on it knowing all the ways they would be touching each other and climbing into the back seat of a car. Neither of them know I already told the director they won’t be kissing at all. This is just rehearsal and planning and I already want to chop my client’s hands off and carve his eyeballs out of his skull. Seeing her with another man makes me want to commit murder, whether it’s acting or not.
After a moment, I take a deep breath and get my shit together. The faster we get this part done, the sooner I can send Mason home and finally have Ocean to myself. It’s been slowly driving me insane that she keeps disappearing. She all but fled from Rosen Record’s offices that day to go see Mia and her baby. She barely let me arrange the car to take her to the airport; shewas in a rush and panicking. I couldn’t get in contact with her while she was away. I didn’t even know she was back until the notification from Kyle hit my inbox. The need to see her, touch her, talk to her is a building frustration. I can’t even think about the pictures from her trip until we’re alone. Dozens of pictures of my beautiful girl holding a baby had me undone. She looked so happy, natural, sweet, and fucking sexy as hell.
My mind is so lost in the memory, I almost miss Mason’s arms wrap around Ocean, and when he tilts her head back, his mouth lowering toward her. My vision turns red and the real possibility of this guy’s death is becoming a reality. A growl escapes my chest, and in the next second I’m next to her, getting in his face. “If you kiss her, I will end you in more ways than one.”
Mason’s eyes widen and the shocked expression does nothing to help me reel in my emotions. “The hell, Ezra, it’s part of the script.”
“I don’t care, Mase. Back the fuck up.”
“Can you two keep it down?” Ocean glances between us both, trying to keep her smile in place, while eyeing down any workers nearby. “We’re not alone.”
Mason glances from her to me and back to her again before taking a step back, his arms unwinding from around her body. “I guess we’ll cut that part out.” He jokes and the tension leaves her shoulders. I wish I could say it was the same for myself.
“I think we’re done for the day.” I call to the director and sparse crew. Everyone looks a little lost, but they start picking up and clearing out.
“You should head back.” I shoot my gaze to Mason. “Caleb will take you back.” He nods silently and leaves shortly after.
