Idolized (Hollywood Stardust Book 3) (54 page)

At last, he went to her side. Cora was not an actress in any way, shape or form. The night she tried her roleplay was a disaster on many levels, but it was also endearing, and honestly, he didn’t need an actress. He loved the fact she was genuine, and he put his arm around her.

Erin opened her gift and pulled out stock certificates to Chargge. “Oh my, Drew.”

Drew went to his wife and studied the document. “Thank you, Cora.”

A quick glance at the paper told him she gave them quite a tidy sum. If he and Cora had a baby, it would be set for life.

“If you tell your offspring to save that until he or she is old enough to ask what that is, it will be worth more hopefully.” She nodded.

“Thank you again.” Erin stood, gave Cora a hug, and then turned to him. “How do I look? I don’t get to be pregnant on set.” Erin rubbed her hand over her baby bump.

“Glowing, of course.” Ryder bent down gave her a kiss.

“I wanted a traditional baby shower like all those regular things we never did.” Erin winked at him.

Of anyone, he understood her sentiment. They both started acting at a young age and missed a few things. Sometimes having something seemingly unspectacular yet in its own way spectacular was all that was needed. “I get it.” He gave his co-star a squeeze on the shoulder and vowed then and there that his and Cora’s baby wouldn’t miss anything. Even if their daughter wanted to act, he would make sure she had birthday parties and school and normal things. Daughter.

“We’re setting up for lunch. Why don’t you two go take a seat.” Erin pointed to the long table decorated with all things baby shower.

Ryder took her hand and led her over to the table. “Would you rather have a boy or a girl?”

Cora stopped dead in her tracks, let go of his hand and faced him. “Are you mental?”

Choosing to ignore her question, he went on his own track. “I think a daughter would be good, or a son. Either way, I am good with it.” Son could be cool too. Curtis was sort of awesome when he wasn’t sticky or moist. It probably wasn’t nearly as disgusting if you made the sticky and/or moist item. Some moist items could be extremely pleasant, and he winked at her.

Jaw jutted out, hands on hips, Cora turned back to Erin. “Will you excuse Ryder and me for moment? We’ll be right back.” Without giving him a second glance, she charged back into the house.

He followed her through the Fultons’ kitchen and into their laundry room where she slid the door closed. Her back turned to him, she audibly sighed then spun on her heel toward him. “Explain yourself right now.”

“What’s the problem?” He leaned back on the door.

“What’s the problem?” She took a step toward him. “What’s the problem?” Along with another step, she raised her voice.

He pressed his back to the door.

“Comments about babies, changing my name, asking if I want a son or daughter.” She got right up in his face. “Either you’re making fun of me or you’ve gone utterly insane.”

“I am not insane. I love you, and I started thinking about it and didn’t freak out. In fact, I liked it.” He held his ground and straightened up. “I love you, we’re together, isn’t this what we do next?”

“Is it?” Her teeth seemed to grind together.

Before answering, he truly thought about it. Something told him he better make one hundred percent sure before uttering his answer. “Yes.” Let’s see what she thought of that.

She paused, searched his eyes as if she were authenticating his words, then leaned in and kissed him. More accurately, she planted one on him, molding his mouth to his and slipping him the tongue.

He wrapped his arms around her and took in her taste, the way her breasts flattened against his chest, how she let out a little coo that told him if they were alone she would want him inside her.

The sheer thought of making love to her caused the normal reaction he had with her anytime or anytime thinking of her, and he took her hips in his hand and pressed their bodies together.

“God, I love that.” She snuck her hand down, rubbing her palm over his ever-growing bulge.

“What?” He moved her hair aside and kissed her ear.

“How you get hard the second we kiss.” A low chuckle escaped her throat and she kissed him again.

“Something tells me if I took a feel, I may find some wet panties.” He cupped her bottom and got a nice handful.

“Then your intuition is dead on.” She pushed back and looked around. “We should probably get back to the shower.”

“You go be a girl and I’ll follow, I need a second.” After fixing a lock of her hair he slid the door open for her. “If I keep looking at you, I’ll have no choice but to bend you over the Fultons’ washing machine.”

“Yeah, we should wait until we’re in the car.” As she left, she ran her hand over his shoulder.

Once closing the door, he leaned back and closed his eyes. Yes, this was what he wanted. Strange, how the most important things could come out of a small spark. Again, the insignificant turned significant, probably the most significant of all.

His phone vibrated and still heady from this whole afternoon, he pulled it out without even thinking about. Maybe Cora was trying to make his situation worse by sending a little sext.

The second he glanced down at the phone his arousal dissipated as fast as it came on.

Your movie is over schedule, and our movie is getting pushed back further and further, I wont remind you again that we need a little more on our end to keep it even.

For the first time since all this started he typed back with conviction.
I’ll pay back the money in full, with interest lets just call it a day and part ways.

His heart sped as he waited for answer.

No, we want the movie. You know this.

He squeezed the device trying to think of a comeback.

We want the movie and we want the cabin as collateral.

More than ever, the cabin wasn’t on the table. Now his children and grandchildren would be in that cabin. He would never give the cabin up.
I already gave you plenty and I’m making the movie.

Your plenty is not nearly enough. We need to meet.

He couldn’t and wouldn’t get rid of his movie. Like the cabin the movie was now part of him and Cora.

Cora.

His life had become forever entwined with Cora’s, her place, his place, their jobs, it all melded into one. He shoved the phone back in his pocket. However, they weren’t married yet, their property was separate.

His soon to be fiancée was in for an engagement present she didn’t expect, and he didn’t mean a ring. He would save the cabin and save the movie and at the end of the day, it would all come out in the wash anyway.

Before shoving his phone in his pocket, he made one last text.

Hey, I need you to do me a favor.

He had to protect everything that was his.

HOLLYWOOD STARDOM

FADE IN:

INT. LOS ANGELES – NEWS STATION - DAY

CHARLES and ROXY sit at a news station office in a conference room with two of the station executives.

MAN #1

So, what we’re proposing is a bi-weekly segment on our 5:00 and 11:00 news.

CHARLES

(Reads over the contract and hands it to ROXY)

Who picks the topics?

MAN #2

We will guide you, but you have input.  We just want the segments to be timely and trending.

ROXY

(Hands the contract back to CHARLES)

What about the possibility of turning this into a full-fledged show?  Space is hot right now.  Maybe along with doing the segments, we can try a pilot.

CUT TO CHARLES WHO SMILES.

MAN #2

That is definitely a possibility.

ROXY

Maybe in three months if all goes well with the ratings?

MAN #1 and MAN #2 face each other, some soft whispers are heard.  CHARLES takes ROXY’S hand.  After a pause, the men face them.

MAN #1

All right.  We’ll try a pilot with you.

MAN #2

We will have some new contracts drawn up.

(He points at ROXY.)

You have yourself some agent.

CHARLES

She’s not my agent, she’s my, my…