by Jill Downey
Despite himself, Griffin was intrigued. It certainly would be an antidote for the boredom he’d been feeling lately.
“Like how many lines are we talking?”
Penelope stood up abruptly. “I’m leaving. I’ve heard enough.”
Stewart said, “Get Ben to drive you home.”
She glared at him then motioned to a younger guy across from her that she was ready to leave, and he shot up to do her bidding like she was the Queen of England.
She stormed out of the bar without a backward glance.
“I don’t think the reigning diva will agree to work with me.”
“Let me worry about that. Let’s see how you do first, then, we’ll go from there.” He slapped Griffin on the back as if it was already a done deal. “Monday, meet me at the Butler House around noon. Your friend mentioned to you that we’ve rented the whole place out for the duration. Eighteenth century. It’s magnificent! Are you familiar with it?”
“Yes.”
“It’s basically become our studio. Dressing rooms, showers, meeting room, we set up a theater room for the dailies. We’ll even shoot some of the scenes there.”
“What should I expect on Monday?”
“We’ll do a read through. Real easy and casual. You should be recovered from your birthday celebrations by then.”
“I don’t know what to say except that I think you’re nuts, but what the hell, I’m always up for an adventure.”
“I knew it! I have a good feeling about this.”
“I wouldn’t get your hopes up. Between my lack of acting chops and your diva, it doesn’t seem very promising. I’d better get back to my party.” Griffin stood up, adrenaline surging through his body.
“Great! See you Monday.” He shook Griffin’s hand heartily.
Griffin returned to his friends a bit shell shocked. They were all over him, drilling him about what had transpired between him and the famous director. When he filled them in, they all guffawed except his friend Jake who said, “I can totally see it dude. You’re going to be a star!”
“Shut the fuck up,” Griffin said, deflecting the comment.
“You just wait. It could happen. Why not?”
Griffin pinched the bridge of his nose, “I don’t believe I agreed to this, it’s the last thing I want to do.”
“It’s just who you are dude. You’ve never said no to a challenge before, why start now?”
“Let’s change the subject. And this goes no further than this table. Got that?”
They all shook their heads in agreement. “Let’s get this party started!” Griffin said. And they ordered another round.
6
Griffin drummed his fingers on the arm rest as he waited in the foyer for the director’s summons. Unbelievably, he’d passed the first challenge and had nailed the read-through. The next step was to read the script with other actors. He had been given an hour to study the scene he’d be auditioning with. He shook his head. Auditioning…surreal man.
A young man approached, ear buds dangling and clipboard in hand. “Mr. Bennett?”
At Griffin’s nod he said, “Follow me.”
Griffin stood. What am I so nervous about? I don’t even want the part.
They entered a large and grand formal dining room that had a massive table with a half dozen scripts scattered around. “Have a seat. Do you need anything to drink? A bottle of water?”
“Yeah that’d be good, thanks,” Griffin said, clearing his throat nervously before taking a seat.
Stewart Abrams arrived first and eagerly pumped his hand in greeting. “How ya feeling? You nailed that first read through, Griffin. You’re a natural. Don’t let your nerves get the better of you.”
Griffin grinned, “I don’t know why I let myself get talked into this.”
“Who could resist?”
The door opened and Noah Davis entered. As confident as Griffin was in his own skin, he had to admit to himself that it was a little intimidating to be auditioning in front of an actor of his caliber. He’d been hoping to have some unknowns sitting in as fill-ins. This made it all too real. That could only mean that Penelope wasn’t too far behind.
Noah nodded his head toward Griffin and said, “So you’re the next big star, hey?”
Griffin bit back a laugh, “Hardly.”
Noah narrowed his eyes as he studied Griffin, “I have to agree with Stew, he could be on to something. You’ve got the look at least.”
The door opened again and suddenly it felt as though the air had been sucked from the room as Penelope Winters entered. Griffin’s heart pounded. Holy shit was she ever beautiful. Too bad it was only skin deep.
She managed to make even a simple black tee shirt and jeans look sexy. Griffin scrambled to find his bearings. Catching himself staring, he forcibly looked away.
The director fawned solicitously over his star, pulling out her chair with an overenthusiastic welcome. She had yet to even glance his way and he wondered, not for the first time, if this wasn’t the biggest mistake he’d ever made. His hackles rose.
“Okay, so he nailed the read-through. Now we’re going to see how it goes with you guys,” the director said.
Penelope looked at him and Griffin felt his chest tighten. Her green eyes skewered him. Whoa, talk about feeling like an unwelcome party crasher.
Exactly what he’d expected from her. He was doing them the damn favor to even consider auditioning and she was behaving like some imperial princess. He didn’t need this shit.
Griffin’s eyes narrowed as he inclined his head, “Ms. Winters,” he said coolly. She ignored him.
Two more people entered and were introduced as producers. They greeted everyone, then took their seats.
Stewart clapped his hands together and said, “Okay we’re all here. Let’s get started. Let’s have Noah and Penelope start by reading through their scene that starts on page fifty. That will give Griffin a taste for it and segue nicely into his first scene with Penny.”
Griffin caught the look exchanged between the two stars and was surprised by the tension between them. He was obviously behind on the latest Hollywood gossip. They certainly weren’t acting like a couple in love.
He leaned back in his chair and watched intently as they slipped into character. It was spellbinding. There was undeniable chemistry between them and like the flick of a switch they had morphed into their characters. Griffin raked his hands through his hair then he interlaced his fingers behind his head. No pressure here. His foot tapped restlessly against the floor.
Just as he was considering his escape plan, Penelope looked up and caught his eye. The corners of her lips tilted up contemptuously, like she was fully aware that he was about to bolt. He took a deep calming breath and willed his muscles to relax. Fuck her.
“That was great you two! No surprise there. Now let’s turn to page eighty, one of Penelope and Griffin’s scenes. Remember Griffin, your affair is new, and you’ve just had mind-blowing sex. You’re getting cold feet but completely under her spell,” Stewart instructed.
He watched as Penelope studied her lines. She glanced up from the script and caught him staring, her eyes flashed with irritation as she said, “You’ve got the first line.”
“Who me? Oh, sorry.” Clearing his throat, he began, “Looking at you makes it hard to breathe. We just made love and I’m aroused all over again. I crave you.”
Penelope smiled seductively at Griffin, her gaze roving over his body, “Then what are you waiting for?”
Griffin sucked in a sharp breath, then read the next line, his hands shook slightly as he gripped the pages of his script, “We’re getting careless. If your husband discovers our affair, he’ll make your life a living hell.”
“Quit worrying darling. He’s busy campaigning and way too self-centered to concern himself with me.”
“I may be getting paranoid, but I swear I was being followed the other day.”
“You’re definitely getting paranoid. Now bring that impres
sive body over here and make love to me again and that’s an order. This time let’s take it real slow,” Penelope read.
Griffin swallowed hard. Her voice was so smooth, like velvet and sexy…slightly husky…he felt like he was being stroked with her words. Running his hand through his hair, he read the next line, “We’ve got to be more careful. I can’t risk it for either of us. Your husband has everything at stake. His election is on the line and God only knows what he’s capable of doing to defend it.”
She flashed him a dazzling smile, “Whatever you say. Now could you please come play with me?”
“Damn you, you’re a temptress, you know that, right? I don’t think I could quit you even if I wanted to. No matter how hard I try or what I tell myself…you’ve cast some kind of spell over me. I dream about you…you’re all I can think about.” He swallowed hard reading ahead to the blocking for this scene.
It was going to be torture. He’d be in bed, making love to Penelope Winters—or rather Sydney O’Connor, the character—a very dangerous mistake to forget that important detail. And now the scene called for him to be on top of her, devouring her. He wasn’t sure he’d be able to keep it straight…what was real and what was acting. When she looked at him with those sultry eyes, he didn’t feel much like it was acting…he hoped he didn’t get the part.
Looking pleased with herself, she said, “You make me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world.”
He groaned inwardly, “You should feel like that Sydney, because you are. Your body is so lush.” Scene fades as the camera cuts, with him on top of her making passionate love.
Dead silence. Griffin was beginning to wonder if he’d bombed when Stewart stood up and began to clap, his eyes gleaming with excitement. After another moment the two producers joined him, “I knew it! You two are off the charts sexy!” the director said.
Griffin glanced around the table noticing that Noah’s lips were tight, and his face appeared pinched. Penelope kept her gaze lowered but her cheeks looked slightly pink. The producers were grinning from ear to ear.
“On to phase three as far as I’m concerned,” Stewart said.
Both producers nodded their heads in agreement, one adding, “That was sizzling hot. You two were combustible.”
Noah chimed in, “Yeah but he is a complete novice. No offense Griffin, but this is one of the leading roles. We can’t afford to have this film tank.”
“You’re right and that’s precisely why we need Griffin. It all makes sense. He is stunning, sex appeal up the wazoo, chemistry between him and Pen is undeniable, an unknown brings something special to the table. A blank slate if you will. No baggage attached. We’ll do a real scene tomorrow and if it’s even half of what I’m expecting, Griffin is the next Bryan Kent.”
Noah said, “Penelope we haven’t heard a peep from you. What do you think?”
Her eyes flickered with some hidden emotion. “I have my own concerns with casting Griffin. It’s going to be more work. He’ll be learning on the fly. It’s a lot to ask of him and of Noah and me.”
“They’re right you know,” Griffin said. “Look I’ll be the first to admit I’m in way over my head here.”
“Nonsense. You read beautifully. I think you were made for this part. We need someone that can hold his own and be believable opposite such star power. You’re it. I have an instinct for these things,” Stewart said.
“I’m just not interested. I’m sorry I wasted your time.” Griffin stood up to leave.
“I know this must be intimidating as hell, but we’re desperate. We’re already behind on shooting. Production got pushed back when the actor backed out. You can name your price.”
Griffin bit back a laugh. “It isn’t about the money, trust me on that.”
Noah sat with his arms crossed over his chest, while Penelope worriedly bit her bottom lip. Penelope spoke again, “I’ve changed my mind. I trust Stew. He’s brilliant and he’s never steered me wrong. I say we give it a try.”
Griffin’s eyes widened in shock. Was this the same woman who only minutes before had insulted him? “Why the change of heart?”
She shrugged one shoulder nonchalantly, “Stew’s right. We must put the film above our personal feelings. I don’t have to like my co-stars,” her eyes strayed to Noah, “I just have to be a professional and do my job.”
He sputtered, “You’re unbelievable. Two introductions and you’ve already decided you don’t like me.”
“I have my reservations yes, but again, I bow to Stew’s wisdom.”
“Gee thanks for the hearty endorsement,” Griffin said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. She looked away.
“Well I’ve put my two cents in, but I’ll respect your decision Stew.” Noah grinned, then said, “May as well give it a shot Griffin. If you like adventure, this will be the ride of your life.”
That jogged Griffin’s memory of why he’d even considered it in the first place. Boredom. Well hell, he’d sure got his adrenaline fix today. Despite major misgivings he heard himself say, “I guess I’m willing to go the next step. If you believe in me at least I can give it a try. If by some miracle this happens, I’d have to find a substitute golfer for a charity event I’m scheduled to participate in. If I can’t find one, I won’t accept the part.”
Stewart grinned, “Then I’d advise to start looking for a replacement now. After the run through tomorrow you can meet with our lawyers to go over the contract,” Stew said, beaming.
“My brother Kyle Bennett is a local attorney; we can meet at his office.”
“Perfect. If there are no objections, everyone here tomorrow, ten a.m.”
Penelope turned on her heel and left without saying goodbye and Noah cornered one of the producers for a chat. Griffin stood there at a loss until the assistant entered the room with a full script in his hand. He handed it to Griffin.
“Study your little heart out,” he said, eyeing Griffin appreciatively.
“Thanks. I’ll definitely be doing that. Don’t want to humiliate myself.”
Stewart turned to Griffin and said, “Start memorizing your next scene with Penelope, the one that comes after what you read today. I think it starts on page ninety-five. Don’t sweat it, just do your best. We’ll all be here to help you.”
Griffin raised one eyebrow, “You sure about that?”
The director grinned, “Yes. Despite themselves they’re ultimately team players and nothing but professional. No worries.” He clapped Griffin heartily on the back and left the room whistling.
What could possibly go wrong?
7
Penelope tucked her hair up in the ball cap and slipped on her sunglasses, hoping it was enough disguise to protect her anonymity as she pedaled her bike to the beach house. Her forehead creased thinking about her new potential co-star…Griffin Bennett. He was gorgeous, she’d give him that at least. His unruly mop of brown hair and his intensely blue eyes were compelling. Tall, lean and muscular, killer smile, perfect white teeth.
So why was she less than thrilled? He was irritating and for the life of her, she couldn’t figure out why she was so triggered by him. He only had to open his mouth and she felt annoyed.
She refused to give notice to the tingling she felt between her legs when she thought about his piercing eyes. She’d caught him staring at her more than once today and her fluttering pulse was entirely unwelcome. She was tired of men objectifying her. He could keep his wandering eyes to himself. If she were honest though, she’d have to admit that his interest had seemed appreciative yes, but not leering or creepy.
He was a bit too cocky for his own good. Who is that confident? He waltzed in like he’d been reading scripts his whole life. He might say he was in over his head, but his attitude belied his words. Men. They were so damn entitled. They never had to worry about power…they were born into it. She frowned. I’ve become a certified cynic. But with good reason. They’ll use you and abuse you if you give them an inch!
A chill went down her sp
ine when she flashed back to her early days in Hollywood. That had been the end of her innocence. A few foolish choices had cost her dearly. But she kept those secrets and memories locked away. She’d finally put to rest her worry that one day her past would resurface to haunt her. If it was going to be uncovered, it already would have been.
She locked her bike to the rack beneath the car port and went straight inside to don her swimsuit. She put on a white bikini and floppy pink hat, grabbed Archie, a towel and headed outside to the pool.
Her phone pinged with a text from her make-up artist Dolly.
Penelope: Can’t wait for you to get here. So much to tell you. Noah is still an ass and the new co-star is going to make some waves I’m sure. I’ll tell you all about it when you get here.
Dolly: So excited! See you Friday. Can’t wait to hear all of the juicy deets.
Penelope smiled and set her phone aside. Dolly was the only one she trusted with her hair and her confessions. They’d worked together for over three years and Penelope didn’t know what she’d do without her. Dolly had been a rock after her mom had died and that had solidified their friendship. At Penelope’s insistence, they’d be roommates during filming. The house was huge, and she needed a friend.
She threw her hat on the lounger and dove into the pool. The cool water felt like silk against her skin and soothed her tense muscles. She ducked under and touched the bottom before springing back to the surface. Rubbing her eyes, she turned onto her back and floated, the sun warming her exposed skin. She let her whole body relax, suspended like a jelly fish. With her ears submerged she heard her own breath as if through a tunnel.
A muffled voice startled her out of her reverie. She kicked her legs and feet to tread water as she glared at Noah, who stood towering in his swim trunks, dipping his big toe into the water.
“Hey beautiful. Mind if I join you?”
