We discuss a few more details about the role and Nico’s salary, and then we hang up, my stomach in knots. I remove my cell phone from my drawer and send Nico a text, telling him I’m coming home with big news. As I stuff my phone into my bag, Ash pops her head into my cubicle.
“Hey, girl. How did your meeting go?”
Two hours ago, I had a successful lunch with Carrie Le Blanc, and I felt like I was on top of the world. I still do, though my fear of losing Nico hampers my excitement.
“Carrie agreed to work with me.”
“Does Burke know?”
I shake my head. “I haven’t had the nerve or the chance to break the news to him.”
“He won’t be happy about losing a major client to a junior agent.”
I snicker at her comment. “Tell me about it. Why do you think I’ve been hiding in my cubicle? I’m not ready to face him.”
“You must tell him at some point.”
I log off my computer and slide the keyboard back into place. “I have even bigger news,” I whisper, afraid someone will overhear our conversation. “Doug Cavanaugh just called me.”
She gasps. “The head of Firehouse Films?”
I nod. “He wants Nico to star in Savages.”
Ash covers her mouth with her hand, her eyes wide. “Shut up,” she says between her fingers.
“He’s giving me until tomorrow morning to talk to Nico.”
“What?” Ash lowers her hand to her side. “Why didn’t you say yes on the spot?”
“Because it’s not just my career. What if Nico doesn’t like the script as much as I do?”
She frowns. “Girl, you know you’re stalling because you want him all to yourself.”
I press my finger to my mouth. “Shhh…”
Ash giggles and then playfully swats her hand at me. “Calm your tits, woman. I won’t say anything.”
“Did you tell Dylan?”
“I tell him everything,” she confesses. “But he won’t say anything. You have nothing to worry about.”
“If Nico takes the role, he’ll be in New Zealand for three months.”
“And you don’t want him to go?”
“This movie could revitalize his career. But yeah, the selfish part of me wants to lock him in the house.” I get up from the desk and sling my bag over my shoulder. “I told Nico I’d meet him at home.”
“At home?” Ash cocks an eyebrow at me. “You’re so screwed with him.”
I groan. “Tell me about it.”
Ash follows me out of my cubicle, accompanying me to the elevator bank. I hit the button on the wall, and when the doors open, Ash taps me on the ass, pushing me into the elevator.
“Good luck,” she says with a smile as the doors close.
* * *
When I pull into the driveway, Nico is waiting for me on the front step, tapping his fingers on his thigh. His mouth stretches into a smile when I get out of the car. My stomach does somersaults as he appraises me.
Nico closes the distance between us. “How was your lunch with Carrie?”
I grin so wide my cheeks hurt. “She signed on the spot.”
He wraps his muscular arms around me, hugging me so tight I wish he never had to let go. “I knew she would.”
Nico holds me at arm’s length. “So, what’s the news?”
“Doug Cavanaugh called me. He wants you to play the lead role in Savages.”
His eyes widen. “For real?”
I nod.
“I thought they cast Ryan Stark for that role.”
“They never completed the deal.”
Nico smothers me with another bone-crushing hug. “Thank you,” he whispers into my ear. “All of this is happening because of you.”
“It’s because of all the hard work you’ve put in lately.”
He slides his hand beneath my chin until our eyes meet.
“Mark needs an answer by tomorrow.”
“Yes,” he says without hesitation. “Rick Mallory is directing the film. I haven’t worked with him in years. Everything he directs is brilliant.”
“They shoot in New Zealand in a few weeks.”
His mouth slams shut, a grim expression crossing his face for a split second as he realizes how this will affect our relationship.
“You’ll be there for three months.”
“Oh.”
“It’s okay, Nico.” My voice has a reassuring tone, even though I’m dying on the inside. “Take this role.”
He sighs. “Come with me.”
“I wish I could, but my job is in Los Angeles.”
He runs the pad of his thumb along my bottom lip. “I’m so used to having my lucky charm with me.”
“I’m a phone call away,” I promise.
Nico leans into me, his lips so close I can feel the heat from his breath. He teases my lip with his finger, stroking it along my skin, and then he kisses me. He tastes like mint toothpaste, his spicy aftershave filling my nostrils. With each flick of his tongue, I lose myself, consumed by this gorgeous movie star who makes all of my dreams come true.
Nothing matters when I’m in his arms. It’s like I’m outside of my body, drunk with pleasure and desperate for more. I can never get enough of Nico. I knew after our first kiss that it would never be enough, even though it should have ended there. What we are doing is crazy and reckless. We claw at each other’s clothing like two horny teenagers making out in the backseat of a car.