NATE
I don’t know what it is about this woman.
I don’t know anything about her.
But I’d like to. And it’s not just because of the painfully hot attraction tethering us together with an invisible thread.
She possesses an easy nature and she’s effortless to be around. Her smart mouth is on par with her sublime ass, and one night was not enough to explore properly either.
That perfect cupid’s bow is perpetually poised, ready to be kissed, or deliver a surprisingly witty one-liner.
Her blue eyes seem frequently startled. Is it my fame? Or because she’s as shocked at the fizzing, bubbling chemistry ready to spontaneously ignite as I am?
I’ve fancied women before. Plenty of women. But nothing like this. Since the first time I laid eyes on her, all cute and crooning in that crimson negligée, she’s all I can think about. And quite frankly, it’s exhilarating and terrifying in equal measure.
‘It’s one thing taking a sly one on the side, but entirely another to stare at a woman like you’re mentally devouring her.’ Max interrupts my thoughts as we watch Holly’s sashaying backside stride towards costume.
‘If Celeste saw the way you looked at that woman, she’d have your balls on a plate,’ Max chuckles. ‘Aren’t you guys up for a couple of the year award or something?’
‘We broke up.’ A ripple of guilt snakes into my stomach. Not because of Celeste. She made her bed in Spike’s house. But because I had to pull out of the Hollywood Annual Awards Night, which means American Addicts Support Society won’t get the exposure I’d hoped to give them.
Even if I hadn’t had a blazing hot one-night stand with a mysterious brunette, going on stage with Celeste now and pretending is so hypocritical.
Especially when it’s for a charity that’s all about coming clean.
I can’t do it. But I hate letting them down.
AASS is the sole reason I’m no longer an addict. Sally-Ann wasn’t the only one who found it hard to adjust to being in the limelight. The cocaine took the edge off. Provided a buffer. Enabled me to create a different persona. Then the weed mellowed me out as I came down.
It wasn’t sustainable. I ended up hating myself for looking so strong on the outside but being so damn weak on the inside.
Drugs almost took my life. The rush, the buzz, the elation of being high compared to nothing I’d experienced before.
When I finally kicked the habit, with the support of AASS, the cravings nearly killed me.
But in all the time I’ve been clean, I haven’t craved anything as much as I’m craving a repeat of the other night.
The question is, will Holly give it to me?
She’s not like the usual fangirls who fawn after any famous guy they meet.
I suspect she’s in some sort of predicament that she accepted the job. She must need the cash, because from what I remember, she’s supposed to be keeping a low profile.
She’s the polar opposite to the usual Hollywood wannabe looking for her fifteen minutes of fame. That’s half the appeal, along with those beautiful breasts and that perfect pussy. Blood courses below even thinking about it.
‘You’re better off. I heard Celeste’s boning Spike Hancock. I thought maybe that was what got into you earlier, but given the way your cock is bulging through your trousers, that ship has well and truly sailed. This is a Hallmark movie, in case you need to be reminded,’ Max chuckles. ‘Just channel whatever attraction it is you feel for the Little Red Riding Hood in the puffa coat, straight into your performance, okay? I know this role is different for you.’
Code for‘I can clearly see you’re struggling.’
My tongue clicks against the roof of my mouth as I wonder if I can trust Max’s discretion. Clearly, he witnessed the immediate change in me when Holly arrived. Will he judge me for using my attraction to her like a crutch to get me through this nightmare?
‘I shouldn’t have accepted this role.’ I shrug. I’m only voicing what he’s already witnessed. ‘Celeste made a comment about my limited acting skills, and I hopped on the first plane over as a knee jerk reaction. It was probably a mistake for all of us.’
Max turns to face me, his weathered hand resting on my shoulder. ‘This is a high-pressure job. So many big, bolshy personalities on set are just dying to burst out. Tensions can run high. We all need a little extra help sometimes. And if that girl right there gives you big, dreamy eyes and a poster-worthy pining look, then she’s worth every penny.’ He cocks his head to the side. ‘I want this leg of the movie wrapped up well before Christmas, and my pert little butt straight back on the first flight to somewhere sunny, where the women are as hot as the climate.
‘Have some festive fun. God knows you could do with it after the whole Celeste thing. Do what you’ve got to do - bang Holly six ways into Sunday. Just don’t quit on me now. It’s too late to find a replacement.’ He stalks back towards the others, who are busy pandering to Olivia and her snowy hair.
The rest of the day’s shooting goes surprisingly better.
