Hollywood Hearts (Steamy Standalone Instalove)

In moments I’ve found us both some hot and cold things to eat. The studio’s airline never slouching on meal options even for a short unattended flight.

Listing off our options, I’m relieved she’s not a lobster, caviar, and champagne girl.

I can’t eat that stuff and booze just gives me a headache.

Sensing Denise has worked some more of her magic, I find a healthy supply of cheesesteak sandwiches and rolls from my favorite deli that look and smell like they were just made.

Olivia’s eyes are wide with amazement as she helps herself to the less fancy options, and in no time we’re both tucking into what I still believe to be the best food in the state.

“Oh my god, this is amazing,” she exclaims, her chin dripping with meat juice and cheese.

“Tell me you don’t do this every day,” she insists as I hand her a hot towelette to freshen up as she eats.

“I could I suppose, but nah. Not every day,” I remind myself. “Whenever I’m in town though, I make sure and get these sandwiches from my favorite deli. It looks like Denise read my mind,” I mention casually.

The name seems to catch in the air again between Olivia and me.

“She’s a pretty good agent, huh?” Olivia observes, but I can see a little green spark of envy in her eyes.

It’s hardly something I feel like talking about right now, I’m trying to enjoy the time away from my nagging mom and agent. But Olivia’s got a point.

“It is good to have someone who knows what I like,” I tell her and leave it at that for now.

“I wish my boss was as easy to please,” she murmurs to herself, and I have to strain my ears to even catch that.

I’ve never even met Naomi Pilkington, but like a lot of things in Hollywood, she has a certain reputation. And none of it good from what I’ve heard.

“Is entertainment reporting what you really want?” I ask Olivia. Not surprised when she shakes her head in the negative before taking another full bite from her food.

For a second I think the topic of her boss might have put her off her food, but her expression shifts as she politely changes the subject.

“Any journalism is fine, but I guess there are not so nice people in every office. Mine just happens to be my boss,” she says trying to sound tactful and I get the impression she wants to leave it at that.

I try to remind myself it’s none of my business really, not to interfere. But today, me and Olivia. It’s not an ordinary day and it’s not going to end come five o’clock.

But maybe it’s time somebody pushed back against Naomi Pilkington and everyone like her.

Eating the rest of our meal in silence she finally pipes up. “I didn’t mean to whine about my boss,” she murmurs, and I smile.

“Bosses, they’re everywhere,” I respond with a shrug but file the name Naomi Pilkington away for future reference.

“You don’t have a boss though,” Olivia counters. “You can do whatever you want.”

That really makes me smile. “Uh, try telling that to studio executives when your last three movies have tanked,” I chuckle.

The jet lurches with turbulence again and we end up close but this time I manage to grab hold of my seat instead of her chest while she falls into my lap.

“Is flying always this much fun?” she asks, grinning without trying to move off me.

“It could be,” I tell her, letting my hands wrap around her, holding her as the whole jet feels like it’s being pulled on a string.

With anyone else or on my own, I’d be panicked by now. But with just the two of us, and how it’s brought us closer together physically it feels perfect.

The pilot makes a rare announcement, apologizing for the choppy ride and telling us we’re almost ready to land, but even once things level out I can tell Olivia’s in no hurry to get off my lap.

A familiar firmness has risen again, pressing into her softness and making us both feel like we’re in no hurry for this to end any time soon.

“I’m having a really nice time, Jack,” Olivia whispers, clinging to me as I shift just a little in my seat.

“Can I call you Jack?” she asks.

“What else would you call me?” I wonder aloud.

“I dunno, Mr. Mercury,” she replies, putting on as deep a voice as she can and making me laugh.

I haven’t laughed like this with anyone. Everything feels so light, so easy with Olivia.

“Well, there might be a bit more of that and even some Ms. Fanning once we reach the studio,” I caution her. “I get the feeling the ‘spend a day with the star’ organizers have a bit more in store than just a plane ride and a steak sandwich.”