by Azod, Shara
“I promise not to try to force myself on you,” he said at last after several long, uncomfortable minutes. “But I won’t stop wanting you either. I won’t get in your way, but just remember, if you ever change your mind, my door is always open.”
Free exhaled a pent up breath she hadn’t been aware she was holding. “Deal,” she smiled, relieved she hadn’t lost the job after all. After they got to L.A., he would be so busy and surrounded by so many gorgeous starlets, he would forget all about her. If only it would be so easy for her!
“We are leaving for my place in L.A. in a couple of days,” Travis finally let go of her hand, but his eyes held her in place just as sure as if he had been physically restraining her. “When I’m shooting, I will want you and Lorelei on the lot in my trailer, if it’s okay with you. It’s a pretty big trailer, so you’ll have space. I just don’t like being away from my niece for long stretches of time. The schedule will be pretty demanding, I apologize in advance for that, but I promise whenever I’m not on set, you’ll be free to do…whatever.”
Free got the feeling this conversation was hard for him. It could be wishful thinking, but the thought of her having free time didn’t seem to sit well with him.
Get a grip, girl. He’s not for you.
“Good,” Free smiled with forced brightness. “I better go check on the baby now.”
She was just about to make the perfect escape when Travis’ deep, lightly accented voice stopped her in her tracks.
“I expect to see you tomorrow morning,” he called after that. “In fact, I’m counting on it.”
The problem was so was she.
Chapter Seven
The shoot was not going well. Travis grit his teeth as the director called “Cut!” yet again. That was five times in the last twenty minutes! The problem was his so-called love interest. A seasoned actress, one would think Lia Martin new better than to show up to a shoot two hours late and high as a freaking kite. To make matters worse, she stank to high heaven. How the hell was he supposed to get into the character of an ardent lover when she smelled like raw sewage?
“Damn it!” the director, François Cubin bellowed stomping over to where Travis stood with Lia. The man’s thick accent made it sound more like “damn eat”. Lia apparently couldn’t stop giggling every time the man talked. “You are no good!” the man thundered getting right in Lia’s face. “You are like, like wet rag! Get off my set!”
That seemed to sober Lia up.
“What? You sound weird.”
Poor dumb soon to be unemployed airhead. Truth was Travis was relieved. Because of her complete lack of discipline and her belief she couldn’t be replaced due to the fact she was the hottest commodity in town, Travis had spent way too much time on set the last several weeks and away from Lorelei and Free.
Despite the fact he gave her most evenings off, Free spent her time with him and Lorelei. It had become something of a ritual for the three of them to goof off on the family room floor of his Bel Air residence. Travis found her easy to talk to, funny, and open. Best of all, he really, really enjoyed her morning exercise routine. Even knowing he was watching, every morning she was outside on her yoga mat, resplendently nude and infinitely desirable. Travis had jacked off more in the past three weeks then he ever had going through puberty. Yet, it was more satisfying then slaking his lust on some ditzy Hollywood hussy like Lia.
“Get off my set!” The director screamed right in Lia’s stunned beautiful face, sending flurries of handlers scurrying to get the woman away from the volatile Frenchman before something worse was said.
“Look, I’m sorry,” Lia’s agent, who had wisely decided to hang around in a futile attempt to corral his talent, twittered as a group of burly looking men spirited Lia away, probably to her trailer to sleep it off. “We’ll get some coffee in her, maybe make her take a little nap and she’ll be right as rain this afternoon.”
“That foreign asshole yelled at me!” Lia could be heard whining as they half dragged her away. “Ow! You’re hurting my arm. Let me go back there and remind him who his goddamn star is!”
Travis wisely faded into the scenery with the rest of crew, waiting to see what would happen. The producer came running over, and soon the agent, the director and the producer were yelling at the top of their lungs.
“I refuse to work with such a disaster!” The director screamed. “I want her out! Out! There are many actresses panting to be in my movies!”
“You can’t fire her, damn it! She is under contract!” The agent was sweating bullets, but doing a damn good job of playing at outrage. “So she’s a little under the weather? She’ll be fine in a few hours!”
“Under the weather?” The producer screamed. “She’s stoned out of her mind! You better get her to straighten up her act. There are clauses in her precious contract, asshole!”
“No! I refuse!” the director threw up his hands. “She is worthless. I cannot work with such an empty vessel!”
“Wait a second here,” the producer turned to the director. “We can’t afford to keep putting off the shooting. Where are we going to find a replacement who can memorize the script?”
“I know someone.”
The dead silence that greeted the statement made Travis realize he had spoken out loud. Damn, he hadn’t meant to. He wasn't at all sure she would do it, but Free had been helping him with his lines during breaks when he visited the trailer. She had gotten so good at it, she barely looked at the script anymore. She was a natural.
Truth be told, he didn’t really need help memorizing his lines. He just really liked to hear the passionate words from the script she might never say in real life. Not yet anyway.
“You bring her tomorrow,” the director spoke as if it were a done deal.
“Wait a minute,” the producer cut in. “We don’t know anything about this woman! Who is she, where did she come from? I’m not putting some floozy starlet in this picture until I meet her first!”
“You both can come by my place tonight,” Travis said, mentally kicking himself. Oh well, it was too late now. Free was definitely going to kill him. “You can meet her then.”
“No way!” the agent screamed. “You are not firing my client!”
“You had better start praying now,” the producer fixed the man with a hard glare. “If this woman is any good, your precious Lia is not only out of a job, I will sue her ass for every dime of the advance she’s probably already snorted up her nose!”
It was a bluff, meant to shut the agent up, and it worked, for now. The agent hurried off in a huff, probably to call a lawyer. Lia was far too stupid to come groveling for her job. Her ego would never allow it. Problem was Travis wasn't altogether sure he could talk Free into taking the job, if offered. She was so far outside what Hollywood looked for in a leading lady it wasn't even funny. But Travis knew that once they actually saw her, they would understand. Free had a kind of inner light that just drew people to her. Together they would burn up the screen. He was so certain of that he was willing to bet his paycheck. He would just have to do a damn good job of convincing Free of that.
“You know it’s the height of folly to work with your lover, right?” The producer, Lenny Davis, came over to talk to him after everyone else wondered off. There would be no more shooting today. The drama with Lia had killed all production yet again. “It’s the quickest way to kill a relationship.”
“She’s not my lover.” No matter how much he wanted her to be. “She’s my nanny.”
“Tell me you didn’t fall for that!” Lenny looked horrified. “You didn’t hire a wanna-be actress for your nanny did you?”
Yeah, it looked bad. If only it were the truth, it would make the coming night easier.
“She’s not an actress,” Travis attempted to defend himself. “She doesn’t want to act. I mean, I think I can get her to do it, but it’s not something she wants to do.”
“Yeah, right.” Lenny laughed slapping him on the back. “Don’t worry about it. Yo
u got her an audition; you can’t be expected to do more. If anything, it will scare Lia enough to straighten up her act. See you at eight, and she better be ready!”
Chapter Eight
“You did what?!”
Travis was glad he had waited until they had returned home and Lorelei was down for a nap before broaching the subject of Free being in the movie. He didn’t think he had ever seen Free look so, well, not mad exactly, but a long way from happy. Stunned disbelief would be a better word.
“Just listen to me, please,” Travis grasped both her hands and tugged her down to the couch beside him. She sat, but stiffly. “Please just hear me out.” He had thought of what he wanted to say all the drive home but he didn’t want to sound rehearsed.
“I’ll listen, but I seriously doubt anything you have to say will make me want to do this.”
“That’s fair,” Travis said quickly. Anything to get her to hear him out. “Look, uh, well, I know it is probably the last thing in the world you want to do -”
“You got that right! I have no desire to be in the movies. Not even in the deepest, darkest places in the corner of my heart.”
That wasn’t good.
“Yeah, I know. But I need you.” Not exactly the way he had planned on saying it, but true nonetheless. “You’ve been helping me go over my lines so much you practically know the script. And you have done it well. I’m really comfortable with you, and I know the camera will love you.” Of that, he had no doubt. Free’s essence was something that could not be bought or manufactured.
“You didn’t need my help with the script, Travis,” Free sighed. “We both know it.”
Well, damn. He hadn’t expected that at all. He thought that he was playing his part well. Obliviously, she had seen right through yet she still played along with him. That gave him hope.
“It’s just that, the life you lead is not my thing. It’s not what I want for my life,” she went on when he didn’t say anything. “I’m happy being just me.”
“I’m happy with you being you, too,” he told her softly. He had it bad. She was everything a man could possibly want, and she didn’t have a clue. “I don’t want to change you. And I know I’m asking a lot. I just, well, I can’t see anyone else playing this part but you.” He wasn’t sure if she was going to believe him, but he was being honest and not feeding her some line.
The problem was, in one short month, he had fallen head over heels for this woman. Not only was she perfect for him, she was perfect for Lorelei. Free had become such a staple in the baby’s life, as well as his own, in such a short time, she couldn’t leave them. He didn’t want any other woman playing his love interest, in real life or in the movies. This was going to be his last film, and with any luck, she would be the last leading lady he would ever have. He doubted he could seriously play the damn part if Free wasn't there with him. He couldn’t say the words of love he needed to say to any other woman.
“Free, I can’t have anyone else in this part, I really need you. The thought of having another woman in your place doesn’t sit right with me. It wouldn’t be right speaking the words or pretending to make love with someone else. My acting skills can only go so far.” It was said with all the sincerity he felt, straight from the heart.
He could feel the tension slowly draining from her body as he held her gaze. She was going to do it!
“What about Lorelei?” Free finally asked and Travis knew he had her.
“We will just have to find a nanny,” Travis laughed, kissing her cheek in a moment of sheer joy. “Thank you, sugar! You don’t know how happy you made me!” He crushed her to him, swinging her around in a big circle. His relief and joy apparent but looking down at Free she pulled back, staring at his face.
She didn’t look half as pleased as he felt, but he would change her mind. Once they were neck deep in the steamy love scenes, she wouldn’t be able to hold him off for long, he just knew it. He wasn’t sure how he was going to survive them. The script called for intense scenes, both of them being damn near naked. His cock stirred at the thought.
“I have to go call my parents,” Free sighed, pulling her hands out of his.
“Why?” Okay, he hadn’t meant say it quite like it sounded, but the statement threw him for a loop.
“You’re going to need a good nanny,” Free threw over her shoulder as she walked away. “There is no way in hell I am leaving that to you! Lorelei needs someone who is going to show her love and respect, and if it can’t be me, it’s gonna be my mom!”
He was going to marry that woman. With that one sentence, she had sealed her fate. Not many women would have even thought about his niece, but for Free, it was her number one priority. All he had to do was to figure out a way to get her to agree. He wasn’t going to stop until she wore his ring around her finger and took his last name. Then once they were married, he would start the process to officially adopt Lorelei. Travis loved his sister but he didn’t think that Trisha would ever settle down or be able to give Lorelei what she needed. Lorelei deserved to be loved and have a stable home environment. He and Free would give her that.
*****
The last thing in the world Free wanted to do was to be in anyone’s movie. But Travis had looked so sad, so desperate when he was pleading with her; she didn’t want to disappoint him. Besides, she doubted very seriously the director and the producer would go for it, which was why she had agreed to meet with them. She was sure that they would take one look at her and adamantly refuse. She was the complete opposite of what Hollywood thought beautiful. Not that she bought into the image, but they were in the business of making money and she couldn’t see them taking the risk in making her the leading lady.
“Just be yourself,” Travis told her nervously as they waited for the duo to walk from the front door to the living room. “You’re gonna do great.”
Poor thing. He needed a stiff drink before he drove her batty with the constant reassurance and the rubbing on her shoulders. She would be fine. He, on the other hand, looked like he was courting a nervous break of some kind. Without saying a word, she walked over to the bar and poured him a healthy drink, which he downed without taking a breath. Oh dear. Turning back to serve him another, she was brought up short.
“Oh my God, this is she?” a heavily accented voice boomed from the entryway.
That had to be the director, François. Travis had said he was French. The little man, no more than five foot four at the most, rushed over and grasped her chin, turning her face to the left, the right, then jumped back clapping his hands like an excited child. Free just stood there, motionless, as the animated Frenchman talked as he continued to look her over.
“She is magnifique! Her skin, so smooth, so clear. The body...” he jumped forward spun her around then spanned his surprisingly large hands around her waist. “The camera will love her!”
Wow, this was not what she had expected at all. She looked over at Travis who was smiling like an idiot.
“She does have the look,” the other man said, stepping over to inspect her. She felt like a specimen under a microscope. “Nice locs, good skin. But can she act?”
He must be the producer, the infamous Lenny Daniels. He had made and broken many a star in Hollywood. His films were always blockbusters. He was a man who exuded power, and he knew it.
“I told you,” Travis beamed like a proud parent.
“Who cares if she can act?” François shrugged as if it were an insignificant thing. “Acting is only half of playing a role. She can be taught.”
“Well, that’s true,” Lenny rubbed his chin, still staring at her thoughtfully. “We could bring in a coach.”
Free could feel her hypothetical cell door closing. It looked like she was about to star in her first, and hopefully only, major motion picture. They continued to make plans, speaking of her as though she wasn’t even there in front of them. Every once in a while François would look back at her and nod his head at something only he knew. Free was a little appreh
ensive but they never gave her a chance to ask questions. They were soon on the phone talking about her to other people, making more plans, and not consulting her for her opinion.
Chapter Nine
“Well, this is one day I’d never thought I’d see.” Doctor Helene Summer kissed her on the forehead fondly, beaming down at her one and only daughter. “Oh, honey, don’t look like you’re going off to be beheaded! You’ll make your young man sad.”
Her mother really saw far too much sometimes. But then, she was a psychologist; it was her job. Lorelei began stirring from her nap, making both women turn to the crib. The first thing the baby saw when she opened her beautiful blue eyes was the two of them looking down at her. Lorelei immediately recognized Free, smiling and reaching up for her with her pudgy little hands. Free took her in her arms, kissing her soft forehead. Free talked to her, telling her how much she was loved, how special, and intelligent she was. Lorelei understood her, “talking” back and laughing. Then her mom began talking to the baby, getting Lorelei familiarized with the sound of her voice. It was a while before Free could get back on the subject of Travis and agreeing to do the movie.
“Mom, am I doing the right thing?” Free asked, stalling the inevitable. No matter what, she was going to do it. Not so much because it was something she wanted to do as much as it was something she wanted to do for Travis. Since the night she had accepted, Travis had kept a silly smile on his face. He continued to reassure her that everything was going to be fine but she wasn’t so sure.
“Well, would you be betraying some deeply held conviction if you did it?” Her mother asked her, sitting down on her bed. They were back in her bedroom, Lorelei on her mother’s lap.
