The Game (6 page)

I knew she was fishing for more gossip, so I kept my mouth shut and plastered on a confused expression on my face, and smiled at her vapidly.
Two could play at that game.
I wasn't about to deny the rumors of being pregnant on national television. For one thing, it was great press. Every day, there was a new "
Is she or isn't she?
" article, wondering if I had a baby bump, with pages devoted to analyzing each piece of clothing I wore. It was ridiculous and mildly creepy, but I much preferred them talking about the baby bump and not that other scandal that started it all.

Once we came back from commercial break, Troy and Kerry spent the rest of the interview talking about my movie. It went by quickly and smoothly, and I left the studio with a nice break before my next interview later in the afternoon.

Chapter 6: Rob

L.A. was making me paranoid. Every time I turned around, there was another photographer hiding, ready to snap a shot of me. I wasn't doing anything particularly interesting either--getting a cup of coffee, filling the car with petrol, on my way to the gym. Then again, it seemed like they ate those shots up more than the staged ones at premiers and parties. I'd never considered myself especially vain, but I found myself scrutinizing my clothes and general appearance before I stepped outside.

I wasn't exactly a stranger to seeing my name in the news back home, but those tended to be things like T
attler's Little Black Book
. It was nothing like seeing my name and picture on television screens, and the front pages of magazines at the supermarket. So far, the experience had been new and exciting, and a large part of that was because of Emilia. I could easily imagine how this arrangement could have become tiresome, but she was such a breath of fresh air, that I actually found myself enjoying this whole charade.

When I'd first met her out with Ryan a year ago, I found her extremely enticing, but ultimately shallow and empty-headed. That didn't stop me from pursuing her, and our little flirtation heated up nicely until she was called away for a movie shoot. At the time, I couldn't say I was upset about it. She was just another woman, and there was no shortage of them in my life.

So it was a nice surprise to discover that there was more to Emilia than just her looks. She had a wicked sense of humor, and when she wasn't watching what she was saying, there was a cleverness about her that made me wonder how I ever thought she was shallow at all.

I was looking forward to our date tonight. She had called me earlier today and informed me, very business-like, that we should "show some PDA". I had to admit, I was eagerly anticipating what that would entail.

Up until now, I'd been on my best behavior, restricting myself to just hand holding, and kisses on the back of the hand, but that was starting to get old. I was only a man, after all, and even though I'd signed the contract stating no sex, I could still hope. She was a beautiful woman--it was only natural that I was attracted to her. Maybe we could make an exception to the rules. It seemed silly to deny the both of us something that I knew would be highly pleasurable for the both of us.

Before my thoughts could wander further down that road, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I glanced at the incoming call screen and smiled as I pressed answer.

"Hello, Mother. How are you today?" I asked.

"I'd be better if you told me what you're playing at," she answered.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Don't play dumb with me, Robert. What's this I hear about you dating an actress?" she said, cutting to the point.

"Oh, you mean Emilia. I meant to tell you about her earlier, but it's just been so crazy lately, I guess it slipped my mind," I said. I tried to infuse my voice with a dreamy, love struck quality, and hoped my mother bought it. She remained silent for several moments, and I couldn't help the smile that stretched across my face.
That'll teach her to meddle in my life.

"This is news indeed," my mother said, sounding slightly alarmed. "And you're serious about her?"

"Absolutely. She's perfect, Mum. I just know you'll think that once you meet her, and get to know her. Now, you might have heard about some of the garbage that's been written about her in the tabloids, but don't let that prejudice you against her. She's so refreshing and honest. She really doesn't hold herself back," I said.

I could tell my assurances did little to convince my mother to give Emilia a chance, and that just made me smile even wider. Being the consummate lady that she was, my mother would agree to meet Emilia, but she'd hate every second of it. And hopefully, she'd be so turned off by the prospect of me marrying Emilia that she'd agree to leave me alone, and stay out of my business once the engagement was ended.

"I see," she said, her voice sounding strained. "Well, I'm anxious to meet this woman who has captured your heart. When were you planning on introducing her to your father and me?"

"I was thinking of bringing her over for your Ruby anniversary party. You know, meet the whole family and all our friends in one go," I said.

"Are you sure that's such a good idea?" she asked.

"What do you mean? I thought this is what you wanted me to do--find a girl and settle down. Now I've found her, and I know she's the one. What's the problem with bringing her to your party?" I asked.

"If you feel that strongly about it, then bring her to the party. I just wondered if it wouldn't be easier for her to meet in a more--er--intimate setting," she said, sounding a bit peeved.

I bit my bottom lip to keep from laughing out loud. "Oh, don't worry about that. She's not a shy wallflower. I think she'll love the attention, and is quite keen on seeing the grandeur of Kettering Hall all lit up and dazzling for one of your famous parties."

She made a slight choking sound in her throat before clearing it. "Well that just lovely," she said.

Once she hung up, I flung the phone on the couch and threw back my head and laughed. It was all worth it, everything--the paparazzi, the abstinence--for that one phone call.

***

"You look like you're in a good mood," Emilia said as I entered the theater.

She spotted me immediately and headed over my way. We were at the premier of her latest film, and had decided to arrive separately. We wanted to give off the impression that we were fiercely protective about our privacy, even though she had just been on the talk show circuit bragging about us. It was always this cat and mouse game. You had to be open, but only to a certain extent. If you crossed that line, it would come off as fake or desperate. I learned very quickly that if there was one thing people despised in this town, it was desperation.

So we played the game and gave the people enough to entice them, but not too much that we were shoving our relationship down their throats. It was all rather amusing, and I had to admire how well Emilia played the game.

"I'm in a much better mood now," I said taking her hand and lifting it to my lips. The gesture felt very natural and I didn't even think about it, but when I saw the flash of a camera phone, I realized it would probably be plastered over the gossip blogs the next day.

Emilia gave me a satisfied grin and leaned in close so she could whisper into my ear. "That was very good of you," she said. "Have you given any thought as to how you want our first public kiss to go?"

Everything about her gestures and movements gave off the impression that we were in our own little lover's cocoon, oblivious to the world. She wasn't a fool and knew that all eyes and most camera phones were trained in our direction.

"Hmm, how about now?" I said lifting her chin with my fingers and staring into her eyes. I found myself taking to this charade very quickly, like a fish to water. I saw her eyes darken as she licked her lips, and felt a surge of excitement.
So she wasn't indifferent to me after all
. Before I could capture her lips in a kiss, we were interrupted by a loud piercing voice bearing down on us.

"Oh mah gaw! Emilia you sly little thing. What are you doing hiding away in this little corner with this handsome man? You can't keep him to yourself all night, girl!"

I looked down at Emilia, whose eyes were flashing, and whose lips were turned down into a frown. She quickly gathered herself, and pasted on a smile before turning around to greet the intruder. I looked up past her to get my own look at the owner of this piercing, yet nasally voice with an exaggerated southern twang, and smiled politely. She was extremely tall and thin, with curly black hair. Her face had that smooth, plastic look that so many women of a certain age in this town had. Her lips were grotesquely plump and her nose ridiculously thin.

"Maddie! I didn't expect you here tonight," Emilia said, brushing her cheek against the woman's cheek.

"I couldn't miss the premier of the season, darling. People are saying this is going to break all the box office records! And besides, I wouldn't pass up the chance to meet your new beau," she added slyly.

"Oh, where are my manners? Maddie meet Rob, my boyfriend. Maddie was the producer of one of my first films," Emilia said turning to me.

"A pleasure to meet you," I said, taking her outstretched hand and lifting it to my lips. She seemed to derive an inordinate amount of pleasure from that and giggled like a school girl.

"Aren't you charming," she said, swatting my shoulder playfully. "Tell me, do you have a brother?"

"I'm sorry to say I don't."

"Oh well, that's too bad. If this one gives you any trouble, you just give me a call," she said giving me a wink.

"Maddie! I'm standing right here!" Emilia protested.

"Sorry hon, but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do," she said unapologetically. "I see Rose Hansen over there. I must say hello. It was nice seeing you again, darling." She gave Emilia another buss on the cheek. "And you, my dear, are too charming by half," she said to me before flittering away again.

Once she had gone, Emilia turned to me and blew out a breath. "Sorry about that," she said.

"Why are you apologizing?" I asked.

She looked at me a moment before breaking out into a giggle. "I don't know," she said. "It just seemed like the right thing to do."

Her laugh was infectious and I found myself laughing right along with her. I saw a few more flashes go off in the corner of my eye, but ignored it. If they needed evidence that Emilia and I were in love, then we were giving them plenty of material to work with.

We were soon ushered to our seats and sat through the movie in a companionable silence. I'd never seen one of Emilia's movies before, and was pleasantly surprised by how good it was. Her performance was phenomenal as a young woman who travels back in time to stop the death of her grandfather. I could see why she was getting such rave reviews.

Once the movie was over, Emilia suggested we head to the after party at the Armand Hammer Museum. "You can push me up against the wall and kiss me passionately," she said, jokingly. I laughed along with her, but the mental image her words brought up were anything but funny. In fact, it was hard for me to think of anything else the whole ride there.

"Is it strange that I'm kind of nervous about this kiss?" I asked as we pulled up to the museum.

She turned to look at me in surprise. "I'm kind of nervous too," she confessed. "It's not like we haven't kissed before though, which is what makes it even crazier."

"I know. But that feels like a lifetime ago," I said.

"Tell me about it."

Chapter 7: Emilia

We exited the car amid a flurry of flashes. I was sure we'd be all over the gossip sites again in the morning. Charlotte would appreciate that. I slipped my hand in his, a gesture I found comforting and surprisingly satisfying. I didn't even need to think about it. I found that with Rob, I didn't have to force a lot of things. Everything felt right and seemed completely natural.

The after party was packed with people when we arrived. Those that didn't make the premiere were already here. Several heads turned in our direction when we stepped into the courtyard.

After the past few weeks together, we had worked out a nice little routine for these types of events. We'd circulate around the room, chatting and networking with other actors, directors and producers. It was good that Rob was successful in his own right, and wasn't just some handsome guy I found who was living off my fame and money. He seemed to garner respect and admiration wherever we went.

"Oh look. There's Warren Peters," Rob said. We walked toward the man Rob had pointed out. He was standing by the bar alone with his back turned toward us. "What the hell are you doing here," Rob said in greeting once we reached him.

Warren Peters smiled as he shook Rob's hand and quirked an eyebrow. "What does it look like?" he drawled.

He was a little shorter than Rob, but still over 6 feet. His dark brown hair was graying at the sides, and made him look distinguished, but his mischievous smile made him seem younger. He wasn't conventionally handsome, but there was something about him--he had presence.

"It looks like you're up to something," Rob said, narrowing his eyes at him. "This isn't really your scene."

Warren Peters lifted one side of his lips in a lazy grin. "It isn't exactly yours either," he said before sliding his gaze to me. "You must forgive my friend Rob. He seems to have forgotten his manners in his paranoia. I'm Warren," the man said in introduction.

I looked up at Rob, who was still staring at Warren suspiciously. It was obvious that there was some history between the two men. Warren was holding out his hand to me and rather than be rude, I took it.

"Emilia," I said. He lifted my hand and brought it to his lips, much like Rob had done, and kissed the back of my hand. Somehow the gesture felt all wrong coming from him.

"Charming," he said.