So why does shame rise in my chest like a spring tide?
It’s three degrees out, but the urge to remove my jacket is overwhelming. Sweat trickles down my spine. Every ounce of blood in my body is either furiously pumping to my face or my vagina. ‘Just so you know, I’ve never done anything like that before in my life.’
Nate’s clear green eyes widen in mock surprise. ‘You were a virgin?’ That velvety voice continues to taunt me.
My palm lightly slaps the hand gripping my wrist and a fresh wave of electricity sparks between us. ‘No, clearly I wasn’t a virgin. But I was a one-night-stand virgin.’
Max hides his guffaw with a well-timed cough, watching our exchange like all he’s missing is a bucket of popcorn. ‘I guessed you two knew each other.’ Grey eyes twinkle with open curiosity.
‘I suppose it’s not every day you’re forced to share your house with a movie star.’ A flicker of insecurity flashes across Nate’s face.
Does he think I slept with him purely because he’s famous?
‘It’s not every day I’m forced to share a house with the man whose posters I’ve been ogling since I was fifteen.’
A low guttural sound slips from his luscious lips. ‘That’s right. Those fantasies. Take the job, and who knows, we might be able to tick off a few more.’
I clench my thighs and press them together to stop myself from wriggling on the spot.He wants me to take the job?
Why did he sneak out of my house then?
Nate drops my wrist, his sculpted arms crossing over the cashmere jumper to rest on those perfectly pronounced pecs.
Max steps between us. ‘Three grand a week, Holly. That’s fifteen grand for five weeks of work. I don’t know what you normally do for a living, but unless it’s something you love, I’d seriously consider resigning.’
Accepting would help fund my art career if I really don’t have a job to go back to. But I’m supposed to be keeping a low profile. The last thing I need is to add fuel to the fire that’s already flaming my embarrassment.
Though I’m technically already on set and no one is pointing or laughing at me.
This lot are real celebrities. The chances are, none of them know or care about my fifteen minutes of shaming fame. Olivia Hansen-Lovett, Tootsie’s new friend, got her boobs out for a high school reunion movie a few years ago. That wasn’t a big deal.
I’m teetering on the edge, so tempted not just by the cash but by the opportunity to spend all day, every day, with Nate.
Could I do it? Get over my nerves for him?
For some mad reason, when he’s around, my anxiety feels minimal anyway. Like he’s got me. Perhaps it’s down to all the movies I’ve watched him in, where he always plays the hero. Maybe that’s the reason I feel safe with him.
Nate eyes me like he’s silently pleading with me to take it.
Why? What am I missing?
‘When will the movie air?’ Maybe if it’s next year, the whole viral video thing will be a distant memory.
‘Next October.’ Max confirms what I hoped. ‘I’d prefer to have waited to shoot in the summer, but this castle is apparently going to be occupied full time from March, so here we are.’
My eyes slide between the two men for a beat as I consider it. ‘The thing is, I’m really shy,’ I confess.
Nate’s lips lift at the corners. ‘Could have fooled me.’
‘No, seriously, I’m okay one-to-one, but big groups of people scare the shit out of me.’
‘There goes my plan for a hot tub orgy.’ Max slaps his thigh with a tsk.
Nate’s eyes narrow to slits. ‘Helpful, Max. Really fucking helpful.’
Max raises his hands in an unspoken apology. ‘Look, Holly, no offence, but you’re overthinking this. No one is going to be paying any of the extras any attention. Most of the actresses over there,’ he thumbs in Olivia’s direction, ‘are too stuck up their own backsides to talk to me. They’re certainly not going to bother you. You don’t have to say a word. All you have to do is stand around and look pretty.’
‘It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.’ Nate’s attention is like a physical force surrounding my body. Drawing me to him. Despite my apprehension, I don’t think I could say no if I tried.
