by Jill Sanders
“I was hungry.” He took a bite. “I thought you might be too.” He’d turned on the television and was watching Casablanca. The sound was on low, since he knew almost every line by heart.
“I didn’t think I was, but…” She moaned as she took another bite. “You’re going to have to show me how you make a grilled cheese sandwich taste so good.”
“The secret is butter.” He chuckled. “Lots of butter.”
“Be still my clogged heart.” She pounded her hand over her chest as he smiled at her.
“Do you want to talk about it?” he asked as he finished a square of sandwich and reached for another.
“Not really.” She took another bite. “Something changed tonight. Nothing I said or did deterred him.”
“He ripped your dress,” JT added, feeling the anger surface again.
Her eyes moved to his as a slight smile curved her lips upward. “I bruised his balls.”
He smiled, then laughed, and she laughed along.
When she’d finished three squares of grilled cheese, he turned up the volume on the television and took her hand. Pulling her up into his arms, he moved around the empty space, holding her close as the old song about time going by played.
She moved easily alongside him. Her body fit like a glove next to his. She rested her head on his shoulder and sighed as the song faded away.
“Why don’t you go in and get some sleep. We have a busy day tomorrow. I’ll sleep on the sofa.”
She took his hand and gently tugged him. “No, you’ll sleep next to me tonight. I want your arms around me. I want you next to me.” She leaned up on her toes and kissed him. “We’ll take tonight.”
Emma’s alarm went off promptly at five the next morning. Getting only a few hours of sleep was going to get her yelled at by her makeup artist, who was due at her place in a couple hours.
When she rolled over, she smiled at JT’s frown.
“Why in god’s name do you have an alarm set this early?”
She smiled and tucked her hand under her face so she could get a better look at him. His blond hair was curling around his face, sticking up in some places and matted to his face in others, much like hers was doing at the moment.
Brushing a thick strand away from his eyes, she answered.
“I have a full day of beauty appointments so I can look like a movie star at the premiere tonight.”
“You are a movie star,” he supplied as his hand moved up to her hip.
“Yes, but I’ll wager right now, I don’t look like one.”
“You do to me.” He leaned over and slowly kissed her until she melted next to his naked body.
When her backup alarm went off, she groaned and rolled out from under him.
“That’s the second bell.” She rolled her shoulders and stretched her arms above her head.
When she met his gaze again, he was frowning down at her breast.
“Was that there last night?” he asked.
She glanced down and noticed the sharp blue bruise line. No doubt the mark matched perfectly where her dress had ripped last night.
She frowned at it for a moment.
“It can be covered with makeup.” She started to move into the bathroom, but he jumped from the bed and stopped her.
“Hang on, let me take a picture…”
She laughed. “Of my breast?”
“Proof. I’ll use your phone. Just in case. It’s better to have it than not.”
She thought about it, then nodded. “Fine, but let me fix my hair first.”
She moved into the bathroom and piled her hair on top of her head, then splashed water on her face and brushed her teeth. When she came back out, JT had the curtains wide open and every light in the room turned on.
“Stand here.” He pointed to a spot along her empty wall. “The lighting will be best.”
She’d done plenty of photo shoots, but none while she’d been naked. Even though this photo was proof of abuse and for her eyes only, she was still nervous as JT nudged her into the best position. She handed him her phone and held her breath as he snapped a few photos. Then he handed her the torn dress from last night and had her hold it up so that the tear was positioned correctly.
“Check these out and make sure they’re okay.” He handed her the phone. “I left a message for the Uber driver who drove you home last night. I asked if she’d be willing to testify that your dress had been torn when she picked you up.”
“JT, I… can’t press charges.” She tucked the phone close to her.
“You don’t have to, but her giving a statement wouldn’t hurt.”
She heard a knock at her door and glanced down at her watch. “I’m late.” She rushed from the room and pulled on the clothes she’d laid out for today.
When she hurried into her living room, JT stood there with her agent, Rich. The pair of them were polar opposites in more than just their looks.
Rich was one of the best agents in Hollywood. She’d been honored and a little shocked when he’d signed her. He was so full of energy and always smiling and had won over most of Hollywood instantly.
“I’m sorry I’m late.” She pushed her jacket over her shoulders.
“No problem, I was just chatting with the great JT Whistler.” She heard the sigh and wistful tone in her agent’s voice.
“He’s straight,” Emma added.
“I can dream.” Rich smiled as he took her hand. “Ready for a day of pampering?”
“Yes, I need it.” She turned and smiled at JT.
“I’ll let myself out.” He nodded. “See you tonight.”
“Bye.” When the elevator door shut them in alone, Rich turned on her.
“Girl, you’d better spill everything and do it pretty quickly.”
She laughed, but filled Rich in on what had happened.
“Are you okay?” he asked. True concern laced his voice.
“Yes,”
“I want copies of those pictures, for your files.”
“No.” She shook her head, fighting back tears. “I… can’t.”
When they were in the back of the limo with the security glass firmly in place, he reached across to lay a hand on hers. “Honey, someone has to look out for you. Since you pay me some pretty big bucks and I love you like a sister, let me be that person. Trust me on this. I won’t show anyone… unless…”
She closed her eyes and rested her head back on the soft leather. “I’ll talk it over with JT and see what he thinks first.”
“Do that,” Rich agreed. He took a deep breath, then waited until she did the same. “Now, bad juju aside, let’s have fun and get pretty.”
Chapter 22
There was little in life that JT had zero patience for. Being pampered and poked was one of them. He stood still as the woman fixed his tie and then powdered his nose lightly. He wanted to growl at the makeup artist, but he knew it was her job to make his face not shine under all the cameras.
The limo was due to arrive any minute, yet he was still being pawed.
“I have to go,” he said, finally. “The car is here,” he lied.
“Please remember, don’t wipe your face with your hands. If you do, you might end up with makeup all over your white shirt.”
“Right.” He nodded, already feeling his nose itch. Damn, this was going to be a long night.
The woman helped him on with his jacket, then spent almost a minute with a lint roller. How any lint could have gotten on the black material in the last few seconds was beyond him. Still, he waited until she was satisfied.
“Perfect.” She nodded. “Go.” She smiled and winked at him. “Stop all the women’s hearts tonight.”
As he drove to the premiere at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in downtown Hollywood, he thought of the only heart that mattered out of the crowd.
When he stepped onto the red carpet, his name was shouted as bright lights flashed, almost blinding him. He’d been warned and knew better than to blink or raise his hands to defend a
gainst the brightness. Instead, he stood like a statue trying to smile through the entire ordeal.
His arm was taken and he moved up the row. It wasn’t until he stood in front of a rather large camera that he realized who stood next to him.
Nikki wore a sleek black number that plunged dangerously low. All the way to her navel, as a matter of fact. The material appeared as if it had been glued to her breasts so that nothing peeked out that wasn’t supposed to.
Then a microphone was shoved in his face.
“JT, who are you here with?” the woman asked, nodding to Nikki.
His eyes narrowed and he realized he’d been Hollywood maneuvered.
They were halfway down the red carpet when everyone in the crowd started screaming. He turned around and, after moving to the side, watched Emma and Mark step onto the red carpet together.
Emma’s dress was something out of one of the classic movies he watched over and over again. The long flowing material waved lightly in the wind. At her feet, the material started as crisp white, and, the higher you looked, the more pastel colors were added, until just at her waist, it all turned a deep black. Her shoulders were bare and there was a sparkling emerald choker around her neck with matching teardrop earrings. Her long blonde hair was done in a classical style with long locks flowing around her face and shoulders.
He’d never seen her more beautiful than she was now.
When she walked, the dress showed more and more colors. He was almost mesmerized by it, until Mark took her arm and blocked his view of her.
“We’d better move,” Nikki added. “They’re waiting for us.” She nodded to the next camera crew.
He spent the next ten minutes answering questions while trying to get a slight glimpse of Emma down the pathway.
By the time they walked into the theater, his eyes were dry and his throat raw from answering questions.
He’d asked Jim to keep the possible sequel a secret, but several times that night he’d been asked if there was one in the works. To which he’d replied that he’d have to think about it.
He didn’t know what he was expecting inside the theater, but being showed to a seat next to Nikki was a little surprising. There was a gift bag on each seat and, thankfully, he noticed Emma’s name tag next to Nikki’s seat before she sat down and quickly switched seats with her so he would be sitting by Emma.
Quickly picking up both bags, he sat down and handed her the bag with her name as she sat down.
“You could have warned me,” he said.
“Hmm?” She looked up from the bag.
“About being my date.”
“Oh, it was Jim’s idea. When he noticed you hadn’t put a name on the list, he figured it wouldn’t do to have you sit alone.”
Right, he thought. “Well, I appreciate your hospitality.” He glanced back at the doors when he heard the noise level rise as Emma and Mark entered.
He noticed the moment Emma spotted her seat next to him. Her smile was so bright, he counted to five before he felt his heart restart.
“You look amazing,” he leaned in and whispered to her when she took her seat.
“You as well.” She smiled. “Did you survive all that unscathed?” Her eyes moved past him, to Nikki.
“Mostly.” He sighed lightly. “You?”
“Thanks to a good dinner last night,” she said in a low tone. She shifted slightly as a picture was taken of her and Mark.
“How about one of Emma and JT?” the photographer said.
Emma leaned closer and placed a hand gently on his arm. He was close enough to smell the sexy scent of her hair as it brushed his face. He wanted to lean in closer, but instead, looked at the camera and smiled.
“Now what?” he asked when the room grew quiet.
“Now we see what the past year and a half has been for.” She settled back.
“Are you nervous?” he asked, wishing he could take her hand in his.
“Very.” She smiled.
Just then, Mark reached over and took her hand. Since Emma had been so busy looking at JT, she was caught off guard.
He had to give her credit, it took her less than a minute to drop his hand and fold her hands in her lap, away from Mark’s reach.
When the movie began, he felt his own nerves spike.
It was strange to see his characters come to life in front of him. He’d watched a large portion of the filming, but the filming and the final product were two different things.
There were so many after-effects added, which enhanced the entire movie beautifully.
There were scenes he’d forgotten he’d written and soon after the movie started, he forgot he’d written it at all. He was so lost in the story, in the acting of Emma, Mark, and Wyatt. The trio spent almost three-fourths of the movie on screen together.
At the scene when Liam Adams died, JT heard several sniffles from behind him.
“They love it.” Emma rested a hand on his.
Then, before the audience got too comfortable, Mark’s character changed and became the pure evil that had torn out his best friend’s throat.
He heard gasps and felt Nikki’s hand grip his. When he glanced over at her, her eyes were glued to the screen.
“Did you read the book?” he asked.
She shook her head, her eyes going big as Mark’s form changed.
He shook his head and wished the woman’s nails weren’t so sharp and long. He knew he’d have a few marks on his hand when the movie was over.
He glanced over at Emma, who was just smiling back at him, then she wiggled her eyebrows and nodded to Nikki’s hand and rolled her eyes.
He couldn’t help it, he chuckled.
The after party was tiring. She was thankful she didn’t have to spend the evening fending off Mark, since JT never left her side.
She wished at times he would hold her arm or hand, but instead, his hands remained by his side or holding a drink he barely sipped.
When Mark made a comment about her watchdog, JT just chuckled and sipped his drink.
Nikki had lost interest in JT shortly after arriving to the party. She’d found a new mark in one of the upcoming directors, who was young, single, and rich.
“It looks like you lost your date,” Mark had sneered.
“She wasn’t my date. Jim sent her to fill a seat,” JT had replied smoothly.
“I need some air,” Emma added, setting the champagne glass down. “JT, would you care to walk with me?”
“It would be my pleasure.” JT handed his half-empty glass to Mark. “Hold this for me.” He didn’t wait for a response; he took her arm and moved across the crowded room.
“It looks like the movie is a success,” he said next to her ear.
“We won’t officially know until opening day numbers come in.”
“What happens now?” he asked when they were out on a balcony. There were a few people smoking, but they found a spot away from them near a railing.
“Now, we hit the circuit. I leave for New York tomorrow morning, then Paris, Rome.” She sighed. “Several more places.”
“I’m booked to head to New York early tomorrow morning, then I return home.”
“Yes.” She turned and looked at him. “Mark and Wyatt will be attending all of them. I’m hoping Wyatt will take pity on me since his wife will be staying behind.”
“I can have a talk with Jim.”
“No.” She shook her head and looked out over the night. There was a bite to the air, but she didn’t mind. It had been too hot inside.
“It’s time I did something drastic. If Mark continues to act up, I’ll bring it to Jim, then go directly to Mark’s agent.”
He took her shoulders lightly in his hands and turned her towards him.
“It kills me knowing you’ll be traveling with him, alone.” When he brushed a finger over her chin, she felt her knees melt.
She’d needed last night. Needed him. When she was on the island, she’d started counting on him, being less independen
t. It had scared her. Memories of how she had depended on her father surfaced. Blinking back the feelings, her chin rose.
“I won’t be alone. Rich has agreed to go with me,” she answered.
His eyebrows rose slightly. “Good.” She could still see concern in his eyes and chose to break the contact.
“I’m sure we’re needed…”
“Emma.” His deep voice stopped her. “Do you regret being with me last night?”
Slowly, she shook her head. “No, you?”
“Never.” His answer was quick. “If I could”—he moved towards her again—“I’d go with you.”
She replied, “I’d love that,” but the noise from a group of partiers drowned it out.
For the remainder of the party, she avoided Mark as best as she could. It wasn’t until a quarter to midnight that she realized she hadn’t seen him in almost a full hour. JT had left almost an hour earlier and she had been trying to sneak out, but Rich kept dragging her around the crowded room and introducing industry people to her. She doubted she would be able to remember any names, but she smiled and chatted with everyone.
When she glanced around and noticed Mark was nowhere to be seen, she counted it as a blessing. By the time she was able to sneak out around two in the morning, she was exhausted.
She had her bags packed for her upcoming trips already. Her dresses and outfits were scheduled to be delivered to her hotel from local shops. She had never imagined she would have some of the top designers begging her to wear their designs.
It was all so very overwhelming, as was the fact that some of the people she’d spent her entire life looking up to were nothing more than normal human beings.
As the limo took her back to her condo, she once again thought of the only person who hadn’t let her down in the past few years.
Why was she having such a hard time choosing to make a commitment with JT? Sure, they hadn’t talked about commitments, nor had he told her his true feelings for her. Then again, she hadn’t opened up to him either.
Ever since her father’s passing, she’d had a hard time getting close to someone else. Especially men.
With Mark, she’d allowed the Hollywood lights to blind her. When she’d finally realized what he was, she’d pulled away. JT, however, was something completely different.
