Thrill! (22 page)

Roxy said, smoothing down her clinging sweater, hard nipples thrusting through the flimsy fabric.

"We don't bite not unless you request it! Have a drink with us."

"Yes,"

said Yoko,

"you can sit next to me."

He wasn't even tempted to score with any of these women. They were nothing and Lara was everything.

"Gotta make some calls,"

he said, excusing himself. Til catch up with you guys in the mornin'."

He went upstairs and stared at the phone, forcing himself not to call Lara. Had to make her wait. Had to make her yearn for him as he yearned for her.

He'd already decided that as soon as he got back to New York, he'd take the money he'd made from the movie, pay Madelaine back and move out. That way he'd be under no obligation, and she couldn't go around saying he was a thief.

Of course, that meant he'd be broke again, but so what? He'd survive. He always had.

For a moment he almost gave in and picked up the phone, stopping himself just in time.

He knew exactly how to make Lara want more.

She was his future, and he couldn't afford to screw it up.

149

^^^__^^lfc

"THAT'S NO way to behave,"

Madelaine said, her ^^I^PiB^A pinched face tense with anger.

"What?"

said Joey, not really listening as he idly switched TV channels. Why did he always get caught in these traps with women he didn't want to be with? Madelaine had been good to him, but now that he'd found Lara, he had to get out for both their sakes. It wasn't fair to string Madelaine along.

"What kind of a name will you get in the business if you go around punching people on the set?"

Madelaine demanded, all steelyeyed and pissed off.

"Kyle Carson's a big star - you can't afford to have people like that mad at you. And let me assure you, Joey, word soon spreads if you're difficult. Then the work stops."

"We had a fight scene,"

he explained, clicking off the remote.

"Kyle Mr Fucking Big Star Carson was supposed to pull his punch. Instead he knocked me flat on my ass."

"Kyle Carson is the star of the picture,"

Madelaine stormed, dismissing his explanation.

"You should have accepted it."

"Is that what you think I should've done?"

he said sarcastically.

"Well, Jeez, Mad, guess what? I'm not in this business to get punched out - an"

I don't give a crap who's doin1 the punching."

"You won't be in this business at all if you carry on like this."

She'd been irritable ever since he'd gotten back. He knew it was because he'd refused to have sex with her. Of course he'd come up with a credible excuse, told her he might have herpes.

"What?"

she'd asked, astounded.

"I've got this ridge on my dick - dunno what it is,"

he'd lied.

150

Tm worried about it. The girl I went with before you had kind of a dubious history."

"I can't believe this!"

Madelaine had exclaimed, the colour draining from her face.

"What if I've caught something?"

"Don't worry,"

he'd said. Tm sure it's nothin', only I wouldn't wanna put you at risk. Here, take a look,"

he'd added, unzipping his pants.

"No."

She'd shrunk back, horrified.

"Tomorrow you must see a doctor."

The next day he told her he'd been to a doctor who'd informed him it was merely an abrasion, and that he should refrain from sex for a couple of weeks.

So now they were living in the same apartment and not having sex, and this did not please Madelaine one bit, since as far as she was concerned sex was his main attraction.

The third night he was home he waited until she was asleep, and then took off. He did not do his usual prowl around the mean streets, instead he went straight to a bar, found a pay phone and called Lara in the Hamptons.

She answered the phone herself.

"Remember me?"

he said.

"Joey,"

she responded, sounding pleased to hear from him.

"Thought I'd check in - see how it's goin"

on the movie,"

he said casually.

"Everything's great, thanks. Nice of you to think of us."

"Kyle's gotta miss me like crazy,"

he joked.

"Anythin"

happen after I left?"

"He mumbled about you a lot, told Miles to be sure to cut you out of the movie . . ."

"Will he?"

"Not if I have anything to say about it. Our scene together is in the script I accepted. I fully expect to see it on the screen."

He laughed.

"I like a woman with clout."

She laughed back.

"You don't know the half of it."

A short silence - then

"Hey, Lara, it was really good spendin"

time with you."

"I enjoyed it, too,"

she said softly.

"When are you off to LA?"

151 "Three weeks."

"Bet you're lookin"

forward to some down time."

"Me? Down time?"

she said ruefully.

"I'm making the most of it while I can, before I turn into an old hag."

"Yeah, thirty-two's really gettin"

up there."

"Actually, my next project is Nikki's movie."

"NikJd?"

"You met her at my party. She's producing her first film. In fact, she's signed Mick Stefan to direct."

"Interesting choice. Although I heard somewhere he's a maniac."

"It's a different type of role for me - something that will stretch me as an actress."

She paused for a moment, then added thoughtfully,

"You know, Joey, they're not going with stars - maybe there's something in it for you. Shall I ask Nikki if they'll see you?"

That'd be great."

"Problem is they're all on the West Coast."

"I can fly to LA."

"What about Phillipa?"

"Too busy, as usual."

Til speak to Nikki - see what she says."

Td appreciate it."

"Consider it done."

"Uh . . . Lara?"

"Yes?"

A long beat.

"Nothin"

. . . I'll call again in a coupla days - don't wanna keep you up."

"No, no,"

she said quickly.

"I was watching television."

"Well... it was good talkin"

to you."

"You too, Joey."

He put the phone down, strolled over to the bar and had a beer.

Things were looking up. Lara Ivory and a role in her new movie - what could be a better combination?

# -fr

152

Lara hung up. She had to admit she was ridiculously pleased to hear from Joey. The truth was she couldn't get him out of her mind.

She called Nikki and asked her if there might be something for Joey in the film.

"Mick has very set ideas,"

Nikki said.

"That's not to say I can't get him to meet with Joey as a favour to you. Is he coming to LA soon?"

"If there's a chance for him to see Mick Stefan, he'll be on the next plane."

"Hmm . . ."

Nikki murmured thoughtfully.

"Am I reading something into this? Let me see - the guy is engaged, you had dinner with him, invited him in for a coffee - he didn't go for it. Now you're trying to get him a part in Revenge. Could be you're taking a shot?"

"No way,"

Lara said indignantly.

"We're just friends."

"You're just friends

"cause he chooses to have it that way,"

Nikki said knowingly.

"You think I couldn't get him?"

Lara responded boldly.

"You're too nice to go after another girl's guy. It's not your MO."

"Don't be so sure. You don't know everything about me."

She put the phone down. Nikki could be so infuriating.

# ft if

"I think Lara's finally found herself a man,"

Nikki said matter-offactly.

Richard placed the copy of Variety he was reading on the bedside table, removed his glasses and looked up.

"What did you say?"

They were sitting comfortably in bed, propped up by pillows, surrounded by newspapers, magazines and the daily trades.

"I said,'"

Nikki repeated slowly,

"that Lara has found herself a guy."

"What makes you think that?"

"She met an actor on her movie. He's supposedly engaged, but

153 there seems to be something going on between them. She wants me to see him for Revenue. He's prepared to fly out. Now, would she go to all that trouble if she wasn't interested?"

"Have you met him?"

"I saw him when I was in the Hamptons. He's a looker macho, dark. I don't know how talented he is, but hey - if it's what she wants, I may as well read him."

"Why would she get involved with an actor?"

"It's really none of our business who she gets involved with."

"Yes, it is,"

he said irritably.

"I look out for Lara and her interests, she needs looking after."

"She's your 6*-wife, Richard,"

Nikki reminded him.

"You don't have to watch out for her any more."

"I thought she was your friend."

"She is my friend and I love her. I'd like nothing better than for her to get laid - it's been almost a year."

"God, you're vulgar!"

She moved closer to her husband, gently touching his thigh, her hand moving slowly up.

"Isn't that what you like about me?"

He picked up his copy of Variety again.

"I'm not in the mood,"

he said, pushing her hand away.

"You always used to be,"

she said, adding jokingly,

"in fact, for an old man you're extremely horny."

"And I'm not old either,"

he said, failing to see any humour in her crack.

"OK, OK,"

she said, backing off because she realized he was age-sensitive.

"I stand corrected - middle-aged."

"I hate that phrase,"

he muttered.

"Well, that's what you are,"

she said, continuing to needle him.

"Where's Summer tonight?"

he asked, changing the subject.

"I've given up tracking her. The only person she'll listen to is you."

"That's because you treat her like a baby. Give her more space, let her know you trust her."

"I don't trust her, Richard. Every time I see her she's with a boy

- kissing, groping . . . God knows what else."

154

"Isn't that what you used to do when you were her age?"

"Yes, but not in front of my mother."

"Ease up - then maybe you'll have a better relationship."

Nikki realized that since Summer had arrived their sex life had definitely taken a dive. Usually when she made the first move, he was ready, willing and able. Not tonight. In fact, not for the last month.

She tried it again, deftly plucking Variety out of his hands, running her fingers lightly across his bare chest.

He reached over, switching off the bedside lamp.

"I'm tired,"

he said.

She continued to work on him, her fingers travelling downwards, stroking his skin in little circles the way she knew he liked.

"Don't pressure me, Nikki,"

he said, moving her hand again.

"Pressure you?"

she repeated, amazed.

"I thought you loved me taking the initiative."

He stretched out with his back toward her.

She moved up behind him, nuzzling against his comforting warmth.

"Tomorrow night,"

she murmured, yawning.

"Let's go to bed early, then neither of us will be tired."

"OK,"

he said.

"Oh, and Nikki'

"Yes?"

"Don't push Lara into anything."

lMe?

"Yes, you. You have a habit of forcing things. She's fine by herself."

Nikki shifted away from him. He wanted Lara to be alone. He didn't like the idea of her being with a man. In some sick way he felt he still had a hold over her.

For a moment she was hurt and angry. Then she thought, This is silly - he loves me, not Lara.

And she closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

# if &

The next morning Lara realized she didn't have a number to contact Joey, so she sent Cassie into the production office to collect

155 a cast and crew list. Sure enough he was listed, with a Manhattan address.

She took his number home with her that night and sat on her bed, contemplating whether to phone him or not. Finally she decided to do so, after all, she had a perfectly legitimate reason.

She dialled his number in New York. A woman answered. It had to be Phillipa. Panicked, she hung up.