Idolized (Hollywood Stardust Book 3) (28 page)

The last week their mornings slowly morphed into a little quite time they shared, rather than a rush for her to get ready and go to the office. Some said it took two weeks to make a habit. Fortunately or unfortunately for her, this whole AM ritual only took a week. Either she was a fast learner, or she was a fool.

Since the night they watched
Hollywood Stardust
, things changed. It wasn’t something she could exactly pinpoint and definitely not something she could describe, but there was definitely something different. They lived together, came home to each other, had sex together, what did she expect?

Then last night they watched
Hollywood Starburst
under the guise Ryder needed to brush on his character’s development. Although she spearheaded the movie getting made, she never really watched that one either. Another road trip had Roxy traveling on her way back home. The story itself was deep, moving and held a strong moral about taking time for oneself. However, after getting upset all over again about Roxy and William not ending up together, she might or might not have let out that she preferred Ryder in the role rather than the Ryder lookalike actor hired to portray the character in the sequel.

Rather than teasing her or making her explain further, he simply kissed her, held her hand, and took her to bed where he was especially special.

She ran her hand over the part of his chest she wasn’t strewn over. The man was all smooth skin and muscle, maybe they needed to make a movie about that, it would be a blockbuster.

Beneath her palm his heart beat, sort of soothing and hot all at the same time. She hooked her leg over his and skimmed her hand down his side to his hip and his thigh.

Strange how the simple act of touching him aroused her, or maybe it was just because she anticipated morning sex. She couldn’t help but sneak her hand between his legs.

His morning erection greeted her, and her mouth watered. Impressive would describe him accurately, long, thick, hard, velvety, but more than that was how he knew how to use what the good lord gave him.

As she gave him some slow light strokes, she lifted her face to the crook of his neck, and right as she went to kiss him, he took her by the chin and connected their mouths.

Her heart jumped with anticipation, and she tightened her hold on him. He turned to his side, deepened the kiss, and cupped her bottom.

With a gasp she broke the kiss, and his mouth instantly traveled to her neck where he sucked and nipped her soft flesh, sending heated shivers throughout her. What about this man made her crazy with need?

In search of his lips, she turned her head. Ryder took his cue and kissed her, a languishing kiss where their tongues caressed against one another and their mouths melded together.

She pressed her body to his and now they gyrated in unison until they both panted in desire.

At last, he reached over her head, got one of the condoms he stashed in the little compartment in the headboard, ripped it open with his teeth and pressed it into her hand.

As soon as she rolled the condom on him, he got her on her back and entered her.

Her breath hitched at the sudden, welcome fullness.

Embedded inside her, he leaned up, stared down at her, and brushed her hair away from her face.

Unable to take her eyes off him, she bit her lip, and curled her legs around his waist. If he didn’t move soon, she would explode.

He lowered his mouth to hers, and rather than driving into her, ground his hips in a circle, hitting her in all the right ways.

The sun shimmered into the room, and though he needed to get on set and she needed to get to work, they lay there together as if neither of them had any cares in the world except for how they moved in that delicious rhythm designed only to edge them closer and closer to their end.

Their build up was slow but intense, her climax began to crest, and she held him tighter. “Oh God.” It was there on the horizon like the sunrise, but not quite.

He sped up but stayed fluid, gentle. “Let it happen.”

She shut her eyes, and writhed beneath him. “Ryder.”

“It’s so good.” Again he kissed her.

“Ryder.” She bucked her hips, anything to get him as deep as possible.

Finally, he lost control and rammed into her. “Cora, now!”

In a heated burst, her body gave in to those amazing pulses she craved. They encompassed her, and she dug her nails into his biceps as her climax consumed her.

“Ah!” He held her tighter and tensed with his end. “Damn.”

They remained in each other’s arms, catching their breath and allowing time for their muscles to relax. This wasn’t the morning quickie he wanted last week, everything was different, better and little bit disconcerting.

“Lord.” He lowered his face to her chest. “That was so good I swore I saw stars.”

“Maybe that’s a good omen for the movie.” She couldn’t stop a smile.

“It’s certainly better than breaking a leg.” His chuckle vibrated though her. “Let’s go clean up, stay with me while I get ready.”

“You need help getting ready?” As he moved to her side, she winced as his body left hers.

“I just want you there.” He got out of bed, took her by the hand, and took her into the bathroom with him.

Together they took care of their morning grooming, shared a shower and got dressed.

She finished putting on her mascara and watched Ryder simply comb his wet hair straight back.

“Not your favorite look I take it.” He came up behind her and brushed out her hair. “From now until this movie wraps, I won’t be doing my own hair or making my own clothing choices, unless it’s after hours.”

“Oh, I suppose that makes sense.” The fact he actually put on underwear this morning should have given her the clue.

He wiped a smudge out from under eye, and guided her to the kitchen where he proceeded to make her espresso. “So, what are you going to do with all your morning time now that I have to be on set at the crack of dawn?”

With the movie upon them, she wondered how their lives would change. They sort of had a routine, but along with routine she needed to act like any good company and be nimble in times of change. “I suppose we’ll just have to go to bed earlier.” She popped some bread in the toaster, and went to the refrigerator to grab some fruit, water and a protein shake.

“I love the sound of that.” He gave her a kiss on the cheek and the toast popped up.

While he got down two plates and prepped the toast, she doled out the fruit. He put her espresso by her plate, and she put the water by his. Lastly, he got down two glasses and poured them each some of the protein shake.

They looked at each other. When did they turn into a couple with habits? At least she didn’t have to worry about their routine.

“Cheers.” He lifted his water.

“Here’s to toast.” She held her espresso up, and they each took a sip of their respective beverage, shared their quick breakfast, and then left the apartment, parting only to get in their respective cars.

“Come here.” He held his hand out to her. “Edward doesn’t allow phones on set, so if I don’t get to text or call, that’s why.”

“Break a leg.” She gave him another kiss and got in her car.

They both sat in their cars and looked at each other.

More than a minute passed, then Ryder made the motion for her to roll down her window.

She pressed the button and the glass that separated them disappeared.

“What are you doing?” he called over.

Faced with one of those moments where she could lie or tell the truth, and with her head still in a post orgasmic haze, she went with the truth. It was easiest. “I was waiting for you to drive away. What are you doing?”

“I was waiting for you to drive away and since that’s a guy thing, can you get going so I’m not late?” He flashed her a grin.

She gave him a thumbs-up, rolled up her window and never admitted to herself or anyone else that she watched him follow her for several blocks, until he had to turn toward the studio, and she toward the office.

Too many times to count, she ended up at the office during these early morning hours. The quiet was welcome compared to walking into chaos in progress.

Yes, they were welcome, unless she had a movie star in her bed. One who knew how to use her espresso machine and make toast, and make love. At her thoughts, she sped into her parking space and let herself the building, walking through the lobby, the click clack of her heels echoing on the marble floor.

This time of day there was absolutely no one else there and probably for the first time ever, rather than heading straight toward the elevator, she walked over to the huge floral display in the center of the lobby and actually looked at the arrangement. The whole coming into office early and staying on Ryder’s schedule thing would work right until the time he went on location for some of the filming.

What would happen then?

Of course, the greater question would be what would happen after the CEO position was filled? They never really put a time frame on their situation. Did it last until the decision was made? Was there some other boundary she didn’t know about? Maybe they would do as Ryder said and live the role.

Her stomach tightening, she shook her head. These silly girl thoughts didn’t belong in her world. No matter if her office was empty or not, she refused to walk inside her sanctum with anxiety over nothing. How was this different than any other relationship, except for the part where they pre-planned a few things and made some arrangements? She had no time to worry and waste time on such silly nonsense that came with a more traditional relationship.

The pound of foreign footsteps interrupted what should have been complete silence.

Startled at the interruption and she spun around to find nothing, no one.

Though it was probably the guard, the shudder down her spine made her feel as if someone was there, watching her. “Hello?”

Nothing.

She wrapped her arms around her shoulders and glanced around in all the corners.

Again, nothing.

Since Ryder and all the disruption with her business, her schedule had been off. She wasn’t the woman who was scared to be alone. This was where she worked, where she spent the majority of her time.

Even with her heart still speeding, she forced herself to the bay of elevators, and pressed the button. Solace would be found upstairs.

Out of the corner of her eye, she swore she saw some movement.

“Hello!” She froze and broke out into a sweat. The shaking started instantly, and she swore her knees wanted to give out. “Hello!”

The only answer she received was the ding of the elevator and the doors sliding open.

Her hand on her chest, she scanned between the elevator and the lobby.

Even with her trembling, she managed to retrieve her phone from her purse grinding her teeth together when her first thought was to call Ryder, then remembered he couldn’t take phone calls on the set.

“Damn it.” Out of nowhere, her world was off kilter. What the hell would Ryder do anyway? What was wrong with her?

Once more, she looked into the empty elevator, but she couldn’t shake the sensation like someone was there.

She backed away from the doors and went toward the front of the building. Her shaking vibrated to the point where when she reached the doors leading to the main street, she could barely push them open. At last she managed, and the cool morning air hit her face. She took her first full breath since her mind decided to play tricks on her. Then she saw her favorite coffee cart setting up.

“Miss Caine.” The older man nodded at her. “I’m not quite open yet.”

“That’s fine. Do you mind if I sit here?” She motioned toward the little table and chairs set up around the little courtyard.

The man smiled. “I’ll be ready in a few minutes.”

Hugging her purse to her, she sat at the table and went to the Internet on her phone.

Chargge was fine. They weren’t on the front page, but she supposed that was all right. After a quick peek at her auction sites, she did a quick search for her and Ryder.

The
National Reporter
came up as having uploaded a story about them in the last forty minutes.

At a mention in the sleazy tabloid, she bit her lip and hit the button.

Her throat dried out at the headline.

You Get What You Pay For

Over the last two weeks, we’ve all be watching in wonder as the romance of the Hollywood hero, Ryder Scott and Internet Ice Queen, Cora Caine, has unfolded in almost picture perfect fashion.  We caught this pic of Ryder driving to his first day of shooting the anticipated
Hollywood Stardom
in a brand new Aston Martin.  Either Ryder goes through cars like alkaline water bottles, or Miss Caine bought herself the ultimate Hollywood hunk.  We have to say Miss Caine, you got a bargain at twice the price.

In need of that coffee, or a break or a tranquilizer, most definitely an antacid, she hit the speed dial on her phone.

“I’m on my way to the office,” Viktor answered. “I saw the
National Reporter
.”

“I’m at the coffee stand in front.” Her voice came out scratchy as if she hadn’t spoken in a year. “We’re not going to the office today.”

“Where are we going?”

In the background, Cora heard Viktor starting his car.

“We need to go check out what’s happening on the set at
Hollywood Stardom
.” She hung up and went to the man with coffee. Everything changed too fast.

HOLLYWOOD STARDOM

FADE IN:

EXT. ARIZONA – ON LOCATION IN THE ARIZONA DESERT – MIDDAY

PAN to ROXY standing while the male lead gets down on one knee in front of her.  She sighs, shakes her head and turns to STEVEN.

STEVEN