Curvy Co-Star Read online

  “You’ve never been kissed?”

  “I didn’t say that, Archer.” Her eyes flick to the ceiling, and redness paints her dimpled cheeks. “Of course I’ve been kissed, just not on camera.” Her hands fumble with her script, and she has a hard time looking me in the eye.

  I take a step closer to her. “It’s no different than kissing in real life.”

  Billie raises her chin and meets my eyes, her mouth twisting to the side. “Except for the fact that everyone will be watching. And you’re…never mind.”

  “I’m what?” My heart beats out of my chest.

  “A heartthrob.” She says, then groans. “I sound like a fangirl, but it’s true. You’re known for this kind of stuff. You won best kiss at the MTV Movie Awards, two years in a row.”

  I scrunch my brow. “Have you been Googling me?”

  “I didn’t have to search you, Archer. You’re a household name.” She licks her lips, then lets out a long exhale. “I just don’t want to look like an idiot. I mean, do we use tongues?” I don’t mean to do it, but a hearty laugh bursts from my mouth. How can one woman be so dead sexy and adorable at the same time? “I know,” she shakes her head. “I’m an idiot.”

  “You’re not an idiot.” I peer down at her, noticing the freckles poking through a thick layer of stage makeup. “What can I do to make you feel more comfortable?” Her teeth sink into her lower lip. A silence passes between us. When she looks up at me with those gigantic bedroom eyes, I know what she’s thinking. “Maybe we should practice?” It comes out as a whisper because her beauty and vulnerability takes my breath away. “Would that be okay?”

  “That would be okay.” Billie nods. “Can we run the lines right before the kiss?”

  She sets her script down and I notice her shaking hands. “Of course.” I lick my lips when she isn’t watching, and take a cleansing inhale. “Ready?”

  “Yeah, you have the first line.”

  “I do?” I shake off the mistake. “I do.” I click my neck from side to side, and start the scene. The words don’t matter. They fall to the wayside as I stare into her eyes and repeat them from memory. I take her hands in mine. Her last line cues the action.

  My hand caresses the side of her face. A tiny gasp escapes her lips and she leans into my touch, her eyes closed. My thumb brushes against her cheek. The tightness in my pants grows almost unbearable as I wet my lips. When she opens her eyes, I lean in and press my lips against hers. My entire body ignites with heat.

  At first, it’s a series of light, gentle pecks. My hand moves to the back of her neck, and she opens her lips for me. Our kisses deepen, tongues dancing and thrusting together. She presses her body against mine, and I’m unable to hide how much I want her. Her fingernails dig into my lower back, and I devour her sweet, honey flavored mouth.

  I’m aching for release, pressing harder up against her when—for the second time today—there’s a knock at my trailer door. Immediately, we break apart. Billie’s hand darts to cover her mouth, rubbed raw from my stubble. Beneath her fingertips, she’s smiling.

  “What is it?” The door to my trailer flies open. Wren bats the rolled up script against his palm. His smile falters slightly when he sees Billie in my trailer, her nipples rock hard against the fabric of her dress.

  “We were rehearsing.” Billie scoops up her script, and calls over her shoulder. “Thanks, Archer. I’m not so nervous anymore.” We hold eye contact for an extra beat, then she heads out.

  “A rehearsal, huh?” Wren narrows his eyes at me. “Looked pretty intense to me.” I adjust myself and clear my throat. “Be on set in five. And Arch, you don’t have to actually kiss her if you don’t want to. I totally get it.”

  My fists ball at my sides. But I can’t make waves on my first day. “I’m a professional, Wren, and I plan on kissing that woman until my lips ache.”

  4

  Billie

  I’ve been a mass of tingles since I left Archer’s trailer this morning. After a long day of hurry up and wait, we didn’t even end up shooting the kissing scene, a blessing and a curse. I’m not sure I could contain myself after a second round. I’ve never felt lips like his, so strong yet so soft at the same time. As his kisses grew hungrier, my brain grew foggier. Was it just me or was there actual, raw passion coursing between us?

  When I’m back in my trailer, I change out of my wardrobe and into my street clothes. If I know what’s good for me, I’ll nip this in the bud straight away. We’re actors. He was acting. That’s it. No more; No less. But if that’s the case then why did it feel so real?

  I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror as I pull my jeans over my hips. My stomach, soft and slightly jiggly hangs over the waistband of my panties. Not a lot, but enough. It’s a reminder that Archer Bain isn’t the kind of man who’d fall for someone like me. I’ve seen his pictures on the red carpet. He’s dated Hollywood’s A-list actresses, for Christ’s sake. This is a working relationship and that’s all.

  I zip up my jeans, throw my cardigan over my t-shirt, and grab my bag before heading out the door. I don’t make it ten feet into the night air before I hear my name. When I turn, I’m surprised to find Archer, People Magazine’s sexiest man of the year, jogging over to me. My heart skips a beat seeing him, hearing my name come from his lips. I’m already deep into my fantasy. Isn’t it okay to keep it running for just a while longer?

  When he reaches me, he smiles. “I wanted to catch you before you left for the day. You were great. All of your scenes were so funny. The crew was legit laughing out loud.”

  “They were?” I can’t believe what I’m hearing. I felt a little off during my scenes.

  “They had to cover their mouths so they wouldn’t ruin the take.” He shrugs and licks his delicious full lips. “That’s a win in my book.”

  “Awesome.” I say, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. Yes, I’m flirting. Sue me! “Thanks for telling me. I appreciate the encouragement.”

  “I wouldn’t say it if it wasn’t true.” My breath leaves my body gazing into his mesmerizing blue eyes. A beat passes between us, and I’m about to call it. Luckily, I don’t have to. “Do you want to go and grab a drink?” Archer’s shoulders are again up by his ears, making his arms flex hard and strong.

  “Um…” I’m about to scream yes, but shock steals my words.

  “If you have plans, I get it.”

  “I don’t.” I say a little too quickly. “Well, I was going to go over tomorrow’s shooting script.” Disappointment furrows Archer’s brow. “But, we can do that over drinks. I mean, you’re in pretty much all of my scenes.”

  “Cool.” We turn to walk and his hand grazes my lower back. He moves it away as quickly as he placed it there. “You’ll have to pick a spot, though. I still don’t know New York.”

  “You L.A. people.” I shoot him a fake eye roll and scrunch my nose up.

  “Please, we’re not near as bad as New Yorkers.”

  I gasp, only half faking. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “No offense, but you guys think you’re better than everyone else. All artsy-fartsy, and in love with the theatre.” He uses a fake British accent to ground his point, throwing his arm out in front of us, his tricep tight as a pro football player’s.

  “That’s not fair. Some of us just prefer people who are overt assholes over the glazed filter of California’s fake kindness.”

  “Wait, are you saying that I’m fake?” His finger darts to the deep groove between his pecs.

  My panties drench, wishing it were my hands against his rock hard chest. I shake the thought away, and instead focus on my purple Doc Martens hitting the pavement in a heel-ball-toe motion. “I haven’t decided yet.” I keep my voice steady, but let my eyes dart in his direction. The line of his jaw seems more pronounced in the shadow of the street lights.

  “That hurts.” His hand presses against the deep groove between his pecs. My center twitches at the thought of touching him again. Today’s kiss left me w
anting so much more. If the director hadn’t walked in, I don’t know how far we would’ve gone. I do know that I wouldn’t have stopped him. I would’ve let Archer have his way with me however he wanted. My knees turn to jello just thinking about it.

  “Let’s go to Lucy’s.” I say, as we round the corner of the park and turn onto Avenue A. “It’s a total dive.”

  “It’s not super crowded is it?”

  “Not usually. Are you sensitive to crowds, Captain Los Angeles?”

  “No, I just usually don’t go out.” His mouth twists, gaze falling to the ground. “People think they know me because I’m a movie star, or whatever.”

  “Not whatever, Archer, you are a movie star.”

  “Fine.” He throws his hands up. “It’s not all it’s cracked up to be. You’ll find out if this show takes off. Being famous takes away a huge level of personal privacy. Everyone wants a piece of you.”

  “It beats feeling like a shadow.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “No one ever sees me.” My bluntness surprises me. “When I told my mom I wanted to be an actress, she put me on a diet. She said the only way anyone would notice me is if I were skinny. Hell, the last casting director I auditioned for pulled me aside on my way out and told me I might want to lose a few, because—and I quote—thin is in.”

  Archer’s jaw clenches. “He said that?”

  “She said that.”

  “That is royally fucked up.”

  We stop at Lucy’s front entrance. “Is it though?” I shrug, shaking off twenty-nine years of dealing with being fat shamed in an industry obsessed with perfection. “I can’t control what people think of me, or what they feel entitled to say. I can only control how I react to it.” My eyes again drift to my Doc Martens. “Let’s go inside.”

  Archer gently takes my arm and turns me to face him. For a moment we just stare at each other, and I don’t know what to make of it. My heart beats so fast, I may pass out.

  “I think you’re perfect just like you are, Billie Wyatt.” That box office smile is gone, replaced with the most serious gaze I’ve seen from him, yet.

  “You don’t have to say that, Arch.”

  “I’m not just saying it.” His low voice sends shivers all over my body. “I see you, Billie.” The floor drops out from beneath me. I don’t know what to say. A strange series of sounds escape my mouth. This isn’t something I was prepared for. Is he being serious, this movie star who has a tendency to fall for his co-stars?

  I reach up and put my hand on his cheek, warm and soft to the touch. “You’re wonderful, Archer. And nothing at all like I thought you’d be.”

  “How so?” His voice is soft, gentle.

  “You’re human.”

  “I think you’re perfect just like you are, Billie Wyatt.” That box office smile is gone, replaced with the most serious gaze I’ve seen from him, yet.

  “You don’t have to say that, Arch.”

  “I’m not just saying it.” His low voice sends shivers all over my body. “I see you, Billie.” The floor drops out from beneath me. I don’t know what to say. A strange series of sounds escape my mouth. This isn’t something I was prepared for. Is he being serious, this movie star who has a tendency to fall for his co-stars?

  I reach up and put my hand on his cheek, warm and soft to the touch. “You’re wonderful, Archer. And nothing at all like I thought you’d be.”

  “How so?” His voice is soft, gentle.

  “You’re human.”

  5

  Archer

  I’m not surprised that one drink led to three, but it’s hard to pull myself away from her. It’s been a long time since I’ve been around someone who isn’t wrapped up in the Hollywood game. Everyone has something to gain from you once you’ve “made it.” With Billie, there’s no ulterior motive. It’s like we’re two teenagers going on a weird first date, that isn’t actually a date, in an obscenely dark environment. What’s more teenage than that?

  Her unabashed laugh is more like a cackle, and every time she lets one rip I can’t help but laugh along with her. The woman is radiant. I’m so glad I have her all to myself before the world discovers how irresistible she is.

  “And then,” she sets her drink down, brushing a stray hair away from her face. “The man dropped trow and started peeing.” Her eyes go wide. “Right next to me on the subway platform.”

  “Is this a fetish of yours?”

  “Ew.”

  It’s my turn to laugh. The only thing cuter than her laugh is when she’s grossed out. Her face scrunches up and her eyes beam with insulted intensity. God, I love this woman.

  Whoa. That came out wrong. I love being with this woman. My co-star. There’s no way I could actually love her. I barely know her. And God knows she barely knows me. As Billie keeps talking I try and suppress the voice in my head reminding me that maybe she’s like everyone else. Maybe she too just wants a piece of me?

  I shake the thought away as fast as it arrives. I’m being paranoid. Life in the spotlight will do that to you.

  “Oh my God, are you Archer Bain?” A woman’s face hovers between us, cutting Billie off mid-sentence. I lean back a little to give myself breathing room. “You are, aren’t you?”

  “Funny how people always say my full name.” I say to Billie. “This’ll happen to you too, you know?” I hope this makes Billie smile, but she’s too busy eyeing this woman up and down to take in my words. I can see why; This strange woman is practically naked. Short skirt. Tight tank top. Knee high boots. Like she’s an extra on the set of Pretty Woman.

  “I loved you in Viking King.” The Pretty Woman Extra runs her tongue across her top teeth.

  “If you’ll excuse me.” Billie hops up off the barstool. “I need to use the restroom.” Without a second glance, she darts toward the back of the bar, leaving me alone with this star fucker groupie. I can spot them a mile away.

  The woman continues talking to me. Her breasts come closer and closer to my arm and I have to constantly pull away so that I don’t make contact. Even without meeting her eyes, the woman doesn’t understand—or doesn’t care—that I’m not interested.

  “Can you not see that I’m with someone?” I interrupt her. She flinches like I’ve slapped her across the face.

  “That fat girl? You’re with her?”

  “Do us both a favor, and get the fuck out of here.” I wave my hand through the air, knowing that if the general public finds out I said this to a fangirl, my publicist will have a shit fit. “Please.”

  “You’re not that hot anyway.” She storms off, wiggling her hips as she struts away. A wave of relief washes over me. Seconds later, Billie reappears.

  “Where’s your girlfriend?” She nudges my shoulder.

  “She wasn’t into my suggestion of a threesome.” I tease.

  Billie looks around the bar. “Oh, who were you going to ask to join. Wait…don’t tell me. The old man who keeps falling off of his stool at the end of the bar?”

  “No.”

  “Okay, the guy in the trench coat with the Robert Smith hairdo?”

  “That’s a man?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “No.”

  “Well, then it must be—” Billie’s eyes explore the bar once more. Before I can stop myself, I’ve taken her chin between my fingers. Gently, I pull her face toward mine.

  “I’m looking right at her.”

  Billie’s big, green eyes appear black against the bar’s red lighting. She blinks a few times, then without an ounce of irony says, “you want me to have a threesome with you guys?” I let her chin go, resisting the urge to run my hands through her thick, fiery hair.

  “I want nothing to do with that woman.” I take a sip of my drink.

  “But she’s so hot.”

  “She’s nothing compared to you.”

  A groan escapes Billie’s lips. “Why are you saying that to me, Archer?”

  “Why can’t you believe it? I can’t take it
anymore, Billie. I haven’t felt this free in years, and it’s because of you. You’re so…normal, and wonderful. And I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anyone in my life. Is that so hard to believe?”

  “Yes, actually.”

  “Then I’ll prove it to you.” I reach behind her neck and pull her toward me, pressing my lips against hers. I stiffen instantly. I’m not as gentle this time, she needs to know how bad I want her. Now that I’ve claimed her lips, no one else will ever touch them again. She’s mine and was always meant to be. I taste the inside of her mouth, sweet with whiskey. My head swirls as she meets my aggressive kisses with ferocity. Her hands find my chest, fingers digging into my pecs.

  “I want you so bad, Billie.” I groan into her mouth, one hand wiggling its way up her shirt. I palm one of her full breasts over her lacy bra, and nearly come on the spot. It feels as good and soft as I knew it would. “I want to taste every inch of you. But only if you want it, too.”

  “Of course I want it, Archer. But…”

  “But what?” I say between kisses, hard as a rock at the thrill of a public make out session. “We shouldn’t.”

  “Why?” My ache to be inside of her intensifies.

  She presses her palms against my chest, pulling away enough to look me dead in my eyes. “Because we work together. It could really screw things up.”

  “It won’t,” I say, leaning in again toward her delicious lips.

  “Look,” she says. “I want you, too. More than you’ll ever know. But, I don’t want to fuck this opportunity up.” She breathes in ragged spurts. “I need this show.”

  The weight of her words hit me. Maybe I’ve mistaken her interest in me for an interest in her own career. And I can’t fault her for that. It’s a tough business. “Okay.” I run a hand through my hair and reluctantly pull myself away from her.

  “I’m sorry, Archer.”

  “I understand.” I don’t mean for it to come out so sharp.

  “Maybe we should call it a night.”

  “That’s a good idea.” I down the rest of my drink, half hoping it will erase this embarrassing rejection. I want this woman so badly, and when she resists me it hurts. But if it’s space she needs, I’ll give it to her. I’d do anything for my Billie. She’s mine. I’ve claimed her, and all I care about is keeping her happy.