Make Believe (7 page)

“I’m not laughing at you, Jess - I’m laughing at that patronizing bastard! He’s such a shit stirrer! He tells everyone the same bullshit. He knows it dissuades them from me. That way, he’s in control and picking who I date.  God, Jess, I’m sorry. I will be having words with him later, don’t you worry. You’ve had a hell of a lot to deal with in the last few days, haven’t you?”

“You have no idea,” I whisper.

“How come you’re still here, Jessica? And you haven’t run like the others. They never wanted to be left alone with me after Hudson’s revelations…Thank god for contracts.”

It all starts to make sense - the confidentiality clauses, being on standby 24 /7, no help, etc.

“That’s enough talking now; it’s getting late. You’ll have to stay here the night and tomorrow Hudson can drive you to work. I will drive myself in separately so that we aren’t seen in the same car.”

I agree without arguing. I don’t fancy being plastered all over the papers again and having to explain myself to Henry.

I grab my phone and check to see if I have any more texts. There is only one from my mum.I quickly decide to text Mia to let her know where I’m staying and what’s happening. I decide to send Henry a brief one too.

Sorry Heners,

Can’t phone tonight as working late.

Will try tomorrow morning.

Jess. xxxx

“Who’s that you’re texting, Jess?” he makes me jump.

“Just Mia. I’m letting her know where I am.”

“That’s good. We don’t want her sending out a search party for you now, do we?” he replies salaciously.

It throws me off my guard. Then it dawns on me that maybe because I’m here and we’ve kissed maybe he’s expecting me to sleep with him…shit.

“Where will I be sleeping?” I ask innocently.

“Where would you like to sleep?”

Oh God, he does!

“In a bed please!” I love our English sarcasm.

“Well Jess, you have a choice. My room is down the hall here or I can show you to the guest room,” he answers as he walks over to me.

Shit, how do I play this? I’ve already been seduced by him twice.  But I’m not ready to sleep with him, not yet. What about Henry….?

“Thank you for the options, but I’m really tired and we have such a long day ahead of us tomorrow. I think sleeping on my own is the best option.” I feel the butterflies in my stomach.

Am I really turning Elliott Tate down? Seriously? I fancy the pants off of him. I will probably never get this opportunity again; do I really want to say no? Pangs of lust race through my veins.

He stands and stares at me - looking my physique up and down. He’s undone the top two buttons of his shirt and I can see his tanned olive skin peeking through. He is so stunning. No wonder women throw themselves at him. I feel my self-control weakening.

He holds his hand out to me.

I place my hand in his. I feel the heat rushing between our bodies. I take a deep breath and follow him. We walk down the hall towards his room.

He pulls me into him and places one hand on my chin and the other on the back of my head; he tilts it so that I’m looking at him. I can see the passion in his eyes. He wants me and he wants me now.

He kisses me with such force that my whole body disappears into his. He runs one of his hands down my body towards my bottom. He stops just above it - I grab him and push myself into him. I want him! I fumble for the door handle. He places his hand on top of mine and undoes it, pushing it open. I pull away from him this time and lead him into the room. Despite what he has told me tonight, it doesn’t stop me wanting him. I pull him towards the bed but he doesn’t move, he stands still folding me back into him. He brushes my hair off my face and kisses me, this time more tenderly. I look up at him, yearning.

“This, Jessica, is the guest bedroom. Goodnight, gorgeous girl - sleep well.” He tugs back and a huge smile appears on his face.

The bastard, he knows exactly what he’s doing to me. I feel the colour drain from my cheeks.  I want to scream at him, please sleep with me! But I won’t play that game. How is it possible to be so turned on by someone who actually hasn’t touched you?

I grab the t-shirt which has been left on the bed for me and get changed. I climb into bed feeling so frustrated. Why did I say no? I close my eyes hoping he will make a hasty return.

Elliott’s plan works and no one manages to get my photo when I leave with Hudson. The awkward car journey I could really have done without. Hudson didn’t say a word, but the cutting atmosphere did.

Work is incredibly manic; we are on a location shoot. Any time we are not filming we head back to the trailer, but there is always someone else in there making it so hard to have any alone time with Elliott. I really want to speak to him about last night and my stupid idea of sleeping in the spare room.

Henry was the only boy I’ve ever slept with and, in our two-year relationship, I have never wanted him like I had wanted Elliott last night. That need or lust for someone - the want for his body to be with mine, even the memory makes me squirm.

Jessica, stop it! I hear my subconscious shouting. You need to phone Henry and sort this mess out. The thought of speaking to him pains me, and as for the guilt, it’s terrifying. I really love Henry but I’m not in love with him. He makes me feel safe, comfortable and we have been together for years. I remember the first time I saw him, it was at my mum’s. She was having her usual Christmas festivities at our house and she had invited Henry’s parents, who had pursued him to tag along.  I hated the way it was planned, but we hit it off straight away. The thrill she had from getting us together was implausible, the fact that he was training to be a doctor had sold it to her. I think she was convinced that because he had a proper career it meant my life would be perfect. I don’t think it ever really mattered to her how I felt about it, and the fact there was no spark between us never entered her head. Surely a relationship should be more than just a friendship? When I think about how I feel about Elliott, there is no comparison. The want I have for him is incredible. With that in mind, I persuaded myself to email Henry to clarify that it’s over.

To
[email protected]

Hello Henry,

I’m so sorry I haven’t managed to catch you. I thought the easiest way to speak would be this way.

Firstly, thank you for the text messages.

I was really hurt with how you reacted when I told you about this job. You know how hard I’ve worked to get where I am. And this job is a deal breaker with concerns to my career. I know you don’t like it when I’m away. But I need to think about me at the moment. You always take your career over me no matter what! You would cancel anything when it comes to your career. Even if it’s pre-booked and paid for, like our weekend away for our anniversary.   I was really pissed off about that, but didn’t say a word as I know how important your career is to you!

I would appreciate the same respect from you with regards to my job.
   I don’t feel that we can really work anything out whilst I’m over here. It’s impossible.

I think we should take this time whilst I’m away to re-evaluate what we both want from each other and our relationship.

I hope you’re not working too hard.

Love Jessica xxxxx

I push the send button. I can’t help but feel like such a bitch as part of the email is true, but I’m also aware that it’s a way for me to justify things with Elliott.

Mia rushes in to find me.

“Jess, Elliott’s looking for you.”

“Where is he?”

“He’s in the makeup tent.”

I put my phone away and hurry to him.

“Jessica, where the hell have you been?  I’ve had to wait ages for you, for God’s sake. The whole scene is taking bloody longer than expected, without your help.”

“Sorry, I had to go to the loo,” I make a feeble excuse and fumble around him.

Elliott bursts out laughing.

“Well at least you’re honest, Jess. At least I can rely on you to tell me the truth.” His laugh is infectious, I can’t help joining in.

“I reckon we will be finished here in an hour or so and Hudson’s organized drinks for everyone at La Deux club.”

“Oh, he hasn’t mentioned it to me.” I feel the disappointment languish throughout my body.

“That’s why I’m mentioning it to you, Jess, because I would like you to come.”

I melt with every word he says and a silly grin appears on my face.

“I take it that’s a yes?” He pulls me towards him and places his hand on my chin, pulling it up to look at him.  I feel my whole body tense with anticipation. The urgency for him to touch me is agony.  He leans down and his lips are on mine, kissing me like it’s our first kiss. I wrap my arms around his neck pulling myself harder into him. God, I want him so badly!

“Excuse me, I would like a word with my client!” I instantly recognize the asshole’s voice.

I pull back immediately but Elliott doesn’t let me go. He looks past me and acknowledges Hudson.

“What’s up, Hudson?” He has that mischievous tone in his voice.

“We need to talk, Elliott, alone.” He glares at me.

I take the hint.

“I’ll just be outside, Elliott,” I whisper as I walk out.

I stand at the tent entrance, close enough to eaves drop but not be seen.

“What the fuck are you playing at, Elliott?”

“Nothing, what do you mean?” he replies.

“Why are you hanging around with that dull bitch for anyway? You could have any woman you want, you know that, and you pick Plain Jane for God’s sake.”

“Hudson, stop It’s just easy with her, that’s all. God, stop stressing out. We’re only having a bit of fun.”

“Have you fucked her yet?”

I gasp hoping no one’s heard me.

“No, not yet. Why, not that it’s any of your business.”

“Keep it that way; you don’t want another virgin selling her story do you? She’s so fuckin prim and proper that even the sight of it will scare her. She wouldn’t know what to do!” He laughs that disgusting laugh.

I feel sick. I can’t believe that they are discussing me like that. It’s as if I’m some commodity in his life. 

Hudson walks out and I avoid his gaze. “He’s ready for you,” he breathes into my ear.

Oh God, that man makes my skin crawl.

Elliott watches me walk in.

“Jess, I’m sorry about that.” 

I just nod. I don’t want to speak to him.

“Please, you know it’s all an act with him, yes? I have to be a certain way with Hudson or he’ll walk all over me.”

I look at him.“ I heard your conversation.”

“I know you did, that was his intention. It’s so you’ll back off. Everything he does is for a reason, Jess! Everything - you have to understand that. Hudson’s had a tough life and he’s not going to let anything or anyone take this away from him.” He gestures around the room.

I feel so mad at him. “But I have nothing at all to do with him! I work for you.”

“Yes, but if you screw over the talent, then he’s left high and dry.”

“I understand that but treating people the way he does is just...so degrading.”

“He’s just looking out for me.  I can’t blame him for that.  The way he acts… I am sorry about that. He has a problem with women. He thinks they should know their place. I don’t agree with him at all. But he had a bitch of a mother who left him when he was seven. She was a prostitute with a drug problem who got a better offer. He tried to look after himself by still going to school, but welfare found out and moved him into a children’s home. He never speaks about that place. God knows what he went through there. He then got a job when he was eighteen in a show bar. He took note of the big CEOs coming into see the girls and then he would make it his mission to sleep with their wives. He worked his way up through tons of women to eventually where he is now. I’m not quite sure how the agency got started, but I have a feeling it has something to do with photos of the CEOs wives and the papers!” he smirks.

I roll my eyes. “Nice, he sounds like such a delight.” But what Elliott says makes sense, unfortunately. I’ll just have to try and avoid him, but not tonight.

I smile at him.

“What?” he asks, kissing my cheek.

“I’d love to go tonight. Thank you for asking me.”

“My pleasure, Miss Ing, and you know what I said last night I meant, all of it.  You’re so different from all of the others, Jess. You’re so comfortable to be with; I can be myself with you. I love that.”

Chapter six

The music’s so loud in La Deux that it’s hard to hear what anyone’s saying. But once we are escorted into the VIP area I see Elliott, he’s doing what his does best - entertaining. He looks so good. His hair is in that messy style he wears, he’s wearing a white v-neck fitted t-shirt with dark blue jeans and a navy blazer. He looks the ultimate celebrity. I can’t stop myself from watching him. He catches me and gives me his signature smile.