Idolized (Hollywood Stardust Book 3) (51 page)

ANCHOR

Well, I can’t thank you enough. I, for one, can sleep tonight.

CHARLES

Remember to look at the stars tonight.

(He glances over to the side of the stage.)

Cut to ROXY standing on the sidelines.  She claps silently.

The music cues through the studio.

DIRECTOR O.S.

Cut!

CHARLES takes his mic, stands and shakes hands with the anchors before joining ROXY.

ROXY

(Hugs him)

You were perfect and you used your tagline.  Remember to always say it.

CHARLES

That was a great idea. I’m glad I listened to you and didn’t rehearse too much.

ROXY

(Pulls back)

Well, I’m glad I listened to you now I don’t have to live in fear of an asteroid hitting me.

CHARLES

(Chuckles)

I have connections.  Never be afraid.

ROXY

I’m not when I’m with you.  You’ve always kept me safe.

CHARLES presses his palm to her cheek, leans in but stops.

ROXY (whispering)

What are you afraid of?

CHARLES

This.

ROXY

Don’t be. I’m not an asteroid.

(She presses her body to his.)

CHARLES

No, but you could be more catastrophic.

He wraps his arms around her and bends her back in a passionate kiss.

Chapter Twenty-five

“CUT!” RYDER YELLED and got out of his director’s chair.

Though unsure why he stopped the scene, Cora somehow managed to ditch her mother and take a few moments to watch the man she loved at work. With all the chaos of the last few days, she barely got the chance to really observe him work this side of the camera. One thing was certain, his and Logan’s styles were vastly different. In a shocking development, Ryder was more detail oriented than his co-star.

While she wanted the filming to get going, she also really liked his attention to every little nuance and took her opportunity to walk over to him.

From the set Logan lifted his arms. “What?” He barked out the word.

Without acknowledging Logan even spoke, Ryder lifted the script pages to his face.

In truth, since they returned from his cabin, she’d never seen the man as intense, and she gave his shoulder a light massage.

“Hey babe.” He didn’t even glance her way.

She frowned. “Everything all right?”

“Just working.” He gave her hand a squeeze, stood and charged over to the lead camera man. The two men spoke and started switching lenses.

“Ryder!” Logan stomped over. “What are you doing?”

“Directing.” Ryder walked past Logan and held his hands up as if framing the shot.

Cora bit her lip. The focused working Ryder was sexy, really sexy, but also a little aloof. Since her mother and stepfather arrived three days ago, he seemed unusually pensive, staying pretty quiet, especially for him, and working really late. When they did speak, it was about work. Worst yet, her cheeks heated when she thought about how long it had been since they made love. They had now gone longer than the two days they were apart right after her attack and she wanted to rip his clothes off and have him take care of her. Alternatively, she wanted to ask him if something was wrong. This was much easier before she loved him.

“The shot is fine.” Logan continued to challenge him.

“Since we went through all this trouble to move everyone to Arizona, I want to do a set of shots with the wide angle lens so we can actually see the backdrop the studio is paying for.” Ryder looked through the camera lens.

She would be lying if she said she wasn’t impressed at how much Ryder knew about cameras and lenses. Maybe Logan did as well, but she didn’t pay as much attention.

She tilted her head as he adjusted a light.

“Are we done yet, Mr. Meticulous?” Chest puffed out, Logan stood right in front of him.

Ryder straightened up, standing at least an inch taller than Logan. “Get back in the shot or it will take longer.”

At Ryder’s rough tone, she had no choice but to lick her lips. Still, she could go for a kiss. His attention last night and this morning was a little lacking. Focus was one thing, but she also wanted a little thrown her way. Oh lord, she was turning into what she hated.

Rodger came up behind her and slipped her a coffee. “I have two things to tell you.”

“Please don’t make them horrible.” She shook her head.

“One is horrible one is not.” Rodger laughed.

“Hit me.” Might as well get it over with, it wouldn’t go away.

“McAllister invited you to a golf outing with the men.” Rodger patted her.

Unsure if that was or was not the horrible one, she glanced over at him. In case anyone forgot, she didn’t know how to golf. “And?”

“Incoming.” Rodger shrugged.

Fine, that was the horrible one. “You know, you’d be a much better secretary if you knew how to get rid of her.” Cora snarled.

“I don’t do parents, sorry, but she’s leaving.” Rodger dashed off with Spike in tow.

Damn boundaries from employees. Before she had a chance to brace herself, she felt the presence surround her, making the little hairs on the back of her neck stand up. For most difficult situations, it was best to face the situation head on. With her mother coming up behind her, she chose to keep her back to the woman. Maybe if she didn’t see her mother, her mother wouldn’t see her.

“He is a sight to behold.” The woman found her. “Actually, all the men are. Too bad the other two are spoken for, or could have had quite a fantasy orgy.”

“Mother.” Cora shook her head and kept her eye on the prize. Namely Ryder.

“Oh, give me a break,” her mother elbowed her, “I’m not the only woman who has thought it, trust me. I’m sorry I just showed up here, but you wouldn’t have let me come any other way.”

Out of the corner of her eye Cora glanced at her mother. They were different. Extremely different, but alike. Actually, once she joined the ranks of her mother with a successful Internet company Cora sort of understood the woman a bit more. Finally got the late nights, and never ending trips, and empathized with how the business came first.