Chapter One
Alessandra
“I can do this.” My words disappeared into the empty trailer as I looked over my new work station for the next four months. Everything was organized, all my makeup and special effects products were laid out for me to grab easily. I had been a makeup artist for close to ten years now; it was basically second nature to me.
So why was my heart beating erratically, and my palms starting to sweat a little? My eyes found themselves in the brightly lit mirror in front of me.
“Okay, you’re going to be working on Joel Kline, all day, every day, for the next four months.” I knew the answer to my own question. No use fighting myself like it was some great mystery.
Joel Kline was Hollywood’s hottest actor. He was huge right now, especially after his last movie with the comic book studio. Everyone knew who he was, especially me. I watched my cheeks turn pink as I thought about the first time I met him.
He was at the bar, looking sexy as hell, just like he always does on screen. But this time he was flesh and blood, and I swore I could feel the heat from his gaze on me. I had been on the hunt for a man to play with for the night, but as soon as I saw him, I changed my mind. It had been a while since I had been with a guy, and I wasn’t going to start with that one.
Nope. I wouldn’t get involved with Joel Kline in any way if I could help it. He was too much. My body would love it; I saw that in his eyes. He promised a great night between us. But the damage to my life could be astronomical. Cameras followed him everywhere; some even came up online about that night the morning after. I looked! I couldn’t play with that bonfire. Nope.
When he whispered his line to me, it all but sealed the deal. It was stupid. What woman would fall for that crap? He was good-looking, but dumb as a rock. I bet he couldn’t have an actual conversation with someone without trying to use his looks to get whatever he wants. Now he had status to help him out even more.
I’ll admit he is a pretty good actor. My son, Jenson, idolizes him right now, which is yet another reason not to get involved with him.
My son.
Shaking my head, I didn’t wanna think about how much of a protective mama I was right now.
Checking my appearance once more, I decided I looked good, and professional. I was not about to wear cut-off shorts or anything that signaled to a man that I was up for grabs. He made it very clear he would fuck with me any chance he could.
I still can’t believe he signed me up to sing on stage, but joke was on him. I was a feisty bitch. I looked him in the eye, and the girls that were hanging on him, and turned it back around.
“You are not going to let him rile you up,” I told myself in the mirror.
I smacked my red lips at myself, and ran my sweaty hands over the thighs of my jeans. My black hair was rolled in a pinup-like style and my makeup was on point to show off my blue eyes and long lashes. My oversized but fashionable sweater looked cute with my skinny jeans tucked into my knee-high, flat boots. I was comfortable,yet functional. I didn’t know how some of these women wore heels all day. I loved heels, but not when I was on my feet for hours, like I would be today. I looked at the clock on the desk in front of me. Almost 7:00 a.m. He should be here at any moment.
The door creaked open, and Lisa, the key makeup artist, along with Joel stepping into the trailer behind her.
Seeing him in person made me say a silent prayer to the heavens that he didn’t remember me from the bar. It was over a month ago, so I mentally crossed my fingers.
Then his eyes met mine. Those piercing, light-blue-almost-silver eyes found mine, and his lips went up one side. He definitely remembered me. Oh well, there went that prayer.
“Alessandra! On top of the game, as usual.” Lisa smiled at me then looked at Joel.
“Joel Kline, meet Alessandra Rose. Alessandra, meet Joel.” She did a quick introduction for us,and then asked him to sit in the chair facing the mirror. We needed to go over everything one more time, with Joel present, so I could see his face properly.
He and I hadn’t said anything to one another, but his eyes would meet mine in the mirror occasionally. I just ignored it.
When Lisa felt I was ready to fly on my own, she left the trailer to go check on the other artists.
“Tilt your head up, now to the right. Close your eyes,” I directed him, keeping up the professionalism in the room. It wouldn’t last long though; I knew he wouldn’t stay quiet.
“I’ve imagined you so many times in my head since our first meeting.” He approached the elephant in the room with that. I just rolled my eyes.
“I’m sure you have.” He simply hummed hearing my voice. Maybe thinking about those probably dirty thoughts he’s had before.
“Just as sexy as I remember, and feisty.” This was going to be a long four months, if he kept this up. Time for me to lay down the law.
“Okay, open your eyes, and then look at me,” I directed him. He did, and I was momentarily stuck looking into his eyes. They weren’t hiding any of the lust and desire he held for me. It was a little unnerving.
“I am your new makeup artist for the next four months. I will not be sleeping with you, nor having any sort of relationship other than a professional one. And don’t try to take that as a challenge, either. I’ve got too much riding on this to screw it up with you. So yes, we met before at a bar and you threw some stupid line at me. I smacked your pretty boy face because you deserved it. Then you tried to get me back by making me sing, which I did, and it felt good. That’s it. There’s no more to our story. Got it?” I pointed my brush at him, being completely serious. He just flashed his white teeth at me and didn’t say a word for a few seconds, which was starting to rile me up on the inside a bit.
“I feel like there’s more to our story, Lips.”
