Enthralled: A Box Set

by Pamela Ann

  “How is Bass? I haven’t spoken to him in a while.” Okay, it was more like five months, but who cares?

  “Not on speaking terms, are we? I knew something was up, but I didn’t want to press you about it. Moving on, I have the ‘scene list’ and your sleeping arrangement.” Barbara cleared her throat as she pulled a sheet of cream paper from a folder and handed it to me.

  The ‘scene list’ was actually a list of what type of material I would prefer during the nude scenes with Spiros and Logan. Ha!

  “Do you know who will be playing Spiros? You haven’t mentioned him yet.”

  “Of course, his name is Dimitris Kosta. He’s Greece’s equivalent to our Bass Cole.”

  “Oh.”

  “Precisely—the man is a total charmer. Be wise, will you, Emma?” Barbara sounded worried.

  “About me and Dimitris?” Christ. I didn’t know if I should be insulted. I was certainly not a loose cannon.

  “Oh, don’t look offended. That wasn’t my intention. All I’m saying is that you will be stuck in this place for months! You will be spending a crazy amount of time filming, not to mention the sex scenes that will happen—hormones will be jumping around. The men… they will need to release… and hunt for their chosen meal. We’re only human and there will be times—how do you put it? Hmm… like you will be tempted to just let go and be reckless. All I’m saying is BE safe. And if it does happen… don’t forget to take those birth control pills on a daily basis. I mean it, Emma. No unwanted pregnancies when you’re barely making a dent in your career. I can have my assistant call you on a daily basis to remind you.”

  Geez, seriously? “Barbara, both of my parents are doctors. My mom’s a gynecologist and she never failed to drill the safe sex speech into my head. I do love babies, but I’m not ready for that. You have nothing to worry about. I guarantee it, okay?”

  “Good. Moving on… read through the scene list and circle what you prefer. Of course, it would be best to discuss that with Bass and Dimitris beforehand. Do you need Shiva to come here and practice running your lines together?” Gosh, I knew I was new, but my memory wasn’t lagging. I think the past months with Shiva would suffice. I needed a break from him—even if it was for only a day or two.

  “I’m fine. I want to go shopping before my spa appointment. I need to grab a few things before tomorrow.” I huffed out a sigh and took a sip of my iced water.

  “I informed Martin’s assistant, Jack, about your sleeping arrangement. You did say you wanted to stay in a cottage?”

  I had the option of staying in one of the twenty cottages around the area or have a room in the villa. The thirty room villa would be too crowded for me and I wanted to be alone. I couldn’t wait to wake up greeted by the breathtaking beauty of the Aegean Sea. “Yes, I’d much rather stay in a cottage.”

  Barbara ate a bite-sized cannoli then dabbed a napkin on her pristine red-painted lips. “I did tell Jack that. He said that a lot of the crew chose to stay in the cottages, too. Jack said he would try to secure you your own cottage, but since we submitted the request late he can’t guarantee it.”

  “I understand. I apologize it took me a while to get back to you about that. It’s been hectic with finals and all.” Excuses, excuses.

  Barbara gave me a curt nod. “Just make sure that doesn’t happen again because in this business, everything changes and shifts in the blink of an eye. Your phone is your salvation. Keep it close to you at all times. Little things like this are essential, Emma. You must understand that.”

  I was trying to, but I would try harder. “I will, Barbara. Trust me, I will. I take everything that is related to work very seriously.”

  That promise earned me a pretty smile. “That’s more like it. I don’t want to work with a harebrained actress. As long as you stick with that work ethic, you and I will get on just fine, Emma. Bass and I have a brilliant working relationship and I want that with you as well. I see the fire in your eyes—keep that and you will become successful. This movie will make or break you, dear. I don’t underestimate Lombardo’s choice, so I am really aiming for you to become the next ‘it’ in Hollywood. Just as long as you don’t get too caught up with all the trappings of drugs and sex scandals, you’re going to do fine.”

  “Huh? Well, I don’t plan to scandalize all of America with my crotch, thank you.” I only want to be recognized as a good actress… not a porn star.

  “Splendid, then I suppose I will run along. I will check on you in a week or so. Have a safe trip.” Barbara got up and gave me a quick hug.

  Chanel No.5 hit me full blast. Goodness, did the woman bathe herself in it? A spritz or two should suffice, not the entire damn bottle!

  “Thank you. I’ll speak to you soon!” I gave her a tight smile and watched her saunter towards the door.

  I groaned when the door shut behind her. I went inside my room and hunted down my purse. If there was one thing that would help ease my nerves it was shopping. I guessed I could splurge a little bit. I had been partially paid and that amount was sitting in my bank account. I supposed a dent on the amount wouldn’t destroy me, so why not be fanciful?

  Rodeo Drive and Robertson Boulevard here I come!

  E

  After a long eleven hour plane ride from Los Angeles to London, I was beyond ready to fall in my bed and snore the night away once we checked in at The Dorchester Hotel for the night. I was dreading the flight to Greece tomorrow–I was sick of airplanes!

  Once inside my room, I pulled out my phone and sent a mass text message to my family and friends.

  Me: Just checked in @ the Dorchester H and I’m pooped! I will get in touch once I land in Greece. Love all you peeps!

  During the plane ride, I had a lovely chat with Ross Maitland. She had that whole warm, motherly feel to her that reminded me of my own mother. It didn’t take much time for us to start chatting about her kids and what I should expect for my first time being in a movie. She was very reassuring and I was glad when she didn’t question me about Bass.

  For the past few months, I’d been keeping track of Bass through gossip magazines and websites. Pathetic, I knew. I didn’t want to, but at the same time, my curiosity was killing me. I wanted to know what he had been up to since I couldn’t bring myself to call or even text him. After all, I didn’t hear from him either, so why make the big gesture? Because… because you’ve been dying to hear from him?

  E

  Once we deplaned and I saw the island of Aspasia, I was in love. My God, this little island was a beautiful piece of heaven with miles and miles of beautiful white sand and the clearest, bluest water I’d ever seen. This island was going to be my home for the next few months…hell yes!

  “Welcome to Aspasia,” a young tanned girl, somewhere in her late teens, greeted us. She stood next to a small circular table with iced lemonade.

  There were fifteen six-seater, pimped-out golf carts and three Jeeps with matching uniformed drivers in each. I assumed the Jeeps were for the equipment and luggage.

  “Will you be staying at the villa?” David Shilling asked me. Some of the people took their drinks and left with their assigned ride.

  I shook my head. “Nah, I’m staying in one of the cottages. I want to be close to the beach.”

  Ross Maitland laughed. “You young kids! See you during dinnertime then.”

  We grabbed our iced beverages and said our thanks to the smiling girl. “See you guys then!”

  With a quick wave, I walked towards the cart that said ‘Ms. Emma Anderson.’ Wow, how cool was that?

  “Herete, I’m Anaxos and I will be driving you to your cottage,” a man in his fifties greeted me with superb hospitality.

  “Hello. That would be lovely, thank you.” I gave him a bright smile before I slid into the second row of seats.

  I took in the breathtaking scenery on the ride to the cottage. They were right on the shore and the wide pathways were lined with beautiful, colorful flowers and boulders. I could see the expanse of the villa,
which sat atop a hill from afar. We passed a few of them on the way to mine and it seemed that they were half a mile apart. I had no idea why they called them cottages when they looked like freaking dream houses. They were all white with hot pink bougainvilleas crowding them. They were perfect!

  About ten minutes later, Anaxos finally stopped at the end of the pathway in front of a cottage that looked a little bigger than the other ones we passed by. While the smaller ones looked like they had two bedrooms, this one looked like it had four.

  Excited, I hopped out of the cart. “Thank you, Anaxos.”

  He gave me a toothy smile. “No problem, despoinida. Here is your key and your luggage will be delivered to you very soon. Enjoy the beautiful islands of Greece. Have a good day.” I gave him a quick wave before he jumped back in the cart and drove off.

  Bubbles of excitement rushed through me as I used my key to open the cottage. The moment I walked in, a stunning view of the Aegean Sea greeted me from behind floor to ceiling windows. There was a glass door across the room that led to a large, shaded patio with an all-white pergola adorned with the twining hot pink bougainvilleas. I strolled towards it and opened the door to check it out. There was an outdoor rattan canopy bed, a table for six and lounge chairs were scattered around. There was even a pathway to the beach. I moved over to the white cement railing and took a long whiff of the sea air.

  “Ah, this is the life!” I closed my eyes and basked in the sun’s warmth.

  I jumped when I heard a loud banging noise. I tensed and listened to see if I would hear it again. After a moment of silence, the banging sound started up again and gradually got louder and louder. Was someone at the door? I moved back inside and walked towards the front door. I peeked out the peephole, but there was no one there.

  Okay…

  The banging got frenzied. I tensed when I realized someone was having sex in one of the rooms. I have a house mate? Ah, fuck.

  “Yes! Give me that meat, you dirty fucker!” a woman’s voice screamed. The banging got out of hand then. It sounded like hundreds of horses were galloping at the same time. The woman was screaming and it echoed all through the house.

  Holy crap, she sounded like she’s getting some hard, heavy pounding.

  I stood in the middle of the living room as I listened… hell yeah, I listened! It was like listening to porn in surround sound.

  “Yes! I’m coming!” the woman screamed like she was being murdered.

  Oh, dear. If this woman was going to be my housemate, she and I would have to set some ground rules. It would be a living nightmare if I had to hear those loud screaming voices all night.

  After what seemed like a marathon of wall banging, it finally ended. How long have I been listening?

  I was about to move when I heard a door open. A beautiful exotic woman—who looked like Sophia Vergara’s doppelganger, but with green eyes—came out of the room, wearing only a skimpy shirt. From the looks of it, it wasn’t hers. Her hair was wacky… banged up hair. Ha!

  She was smiling, but halted when she finally saw me. “Oh, hello, I’m Alexia.” Without waiting for a response from me, she went over to the other side of the room towards the kitchen. Okay… that was odd.

  “Lex, can you grab me some water, too?” a male voice yelled. I watched the door open and saw a black, tight-boxer brief clad Bass come out.

  HOLY MOTHER FUCKING HELL! You have got to be joking!

  “Emma?”

  I squeaked.

  FUCK!!!!! Floor, please swallow me whole.

  “What are you doing here?” Bass asked as he came closer, wearing a weird expression on his face. I think he was trying to make sure it was really me. The closer he got I noticed his body had a nice glossy sheen of sweat that made his abs and shoulders much more pronounced. Gah! Stop gawking, Emma.

  Did he just ask me a question? Where the hell did my voice go?

  One.

  Two.

  Three.

  I cleared my throat and spoke, not meeting his eye, “I was told this was my cottage.”

  “Here you go, stallion.” Alexia kissed Bass on the lips and handed him his water.

  “I thought this was mine. Jack himself arranged it for me,” Bass spoke in a tone I wasn’t familiar with.

  “Barbara arranged mine.”

  Bass cussed and left the room, mumbling about fixing the problem. I supposed the ‘problem’ was me?

  Well, too bad. If he didn’t want to share this cottage with me, he could move out for all I cared. I was staying put, with or without the angry Bass Cole.

  Untitled

  “The aim of the wise is not to secure pleasure, but to avoid pain.”

  ~Aristotle

  Chapter One Hundred Nineteen

  Bass finally emerged from his bedroom after a few minutes, looking as pissed off as ever.

  “I’m going back to our room. Don’t make me wait too long, I don’t want to have to come and get you. You still have promises to deliver, stallion,” Alexia teased then sauntered past us towards the bedroom.

  Stallion? Blah.

  “Jack said the extra cottage was given to the costume designer people. Fuck!”

  Well, his obvious disdain towards me couldn’t be any clearer. Did I expect him to greet me like this after months of not seeing each other? Hell no. Was I hurt? A thousand times yes. As much as I wanted to retaliate and stomp about, I didn’t want to argue with him. I just had to ignore it. Time to suck it up, Emma!

  “Whatever.” I shrugged and moved past him. I chose the opposite side of the house, the room farthest from his, which was only two doors down. It wasn’t far enough, but what choice did I have? I certainly was not going to be sleeping in the villa with the rest of the crowd.

  I checked my room out. I had a huge bathroom and a massive bedroom with a very stunning view of the sea. It was enough to make me able to tolerate Bass and Alexia as long as they didn’t fuck like rabbits all night or get in my business. I was still appalled and disconcerted about my encounter with Bass, but if he wanted to act like a total asshat, so be it. I would not let it get to me because the more I thought about it, the more I would be distracted and I needed all my concentration focused solely on my job. I’d just have to suck it up.

  There was a soft knock on my door and I spun around when it opened. A young girl gave me a nice smile. “Ms. Anderson, my name is Maria. Your luggage is here. Takis will be bringing it in very soon. I’m here to inform you that there will be afternoon tea and snacks at the main villa in an hour. There is a directory next to the telephone in the living room. You can call for someone to come get you when you’re ready, if you like. Have a good afternoon.” I gave her an easy smile, thanked her and Maria smiled brightly and nodded her head before she opened the door a little wider to let the guy, who I assumed was Takis, bring my things in. I gave him a tip and said a quick thank you.

  Once they left my bedroom, I dragged myself out of my jet-lag funk and headed to the bathroom. After a quick shower, I wore a long, pale, lemon-colored halter-top dress and finished it off with studded gladiator-style slippers. With a quick application of peach lip gloss and a hasty fluff of my long blonde hair, I was set to go. Since the studio asked me to grow my hair longer, I had been scared to go to a salon and get it trimmed. It was odd, yes, that I hadn’t had a haircut in a long time, but I was hesitant. You see, from experience, stylists always nodded and pretended that they understood when you tell them that you only want half an inch off, but once you were in that leather chair, bounded with clips and the shampoo cape, you were at their mercy. More times than I could count, these people did not follow through with instructions. I hadn’t minded it before, but with this movie, it was critical for me to follow through. I certainly didn’t want to bother with extensions, so I ended up taking care of my own problem.

  After endless research on the internet, I had found my salvation. Coconut oil, hot or cold. I had been applying it twice a week on my hair and it looked healthy and lustrous and most imp
ortantly, longer.

  When I surfaced from the room and strode past Bass’s door, I could hear laughter and something twisted inside me. I pushed forward and skittered out of the cottage. I needed a good walk to clear my troubled head and the ten minutes to get to the villa, did the trick, mostly. The villa was humungous. If I didn’t know any better, I would have thought I walked into an acropolis.

  I was ushered inside a large banquet room. It was vast and airy and had all glass walls that overlooked the Aegean Sea. It looked like a shimmering blue jewel and reminded me of Bass’s beautiful eyes… the eyes that were gazing in Alexia’s this very moment, I thought painfully.

  There were a lot of people already here and when Ross Maitland saw me, she got up and introduced me to some of the other actors that I hadn’t met. There were possibly five people my age; three guys and two girls. I thought they may have been cast as Logan’s friends.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a man stand up. I spun around and found a set of light blue eyes, fringed with sooty dark lashes. I was taken aback by his ravenous gaze–he was looking at me like I was his dinner. Barbara was right; I was going to be tested like mad. I was surrounded by hot men. God, help me. The man before me was the real deal. A real Greek Adonis.

  Ross suddenly gushed. Yeah, I know the feeling. “Emma, meet Dimitris Kosta, your soon to be fake husband in a couple of days.” Why was I frozen again? How many times did this have to happen to me? Fuck!

  He held out a large, tanned, beautiful hand to shake mine. “Kalispera, Emma. I am Dimitris.” He said, telling me ‘Good evening’.

  Damn, deep dark voice, too. Why couldn’t he just have a squeaky, high-pitched, annoying voice? Why did he have to be armed with the whole hot package? I eyed his over six-foot frame; he wore skinny chinos that showed off his powerful thighs and a powder blue dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows and his thick, wavy dark hair was trimmed neatly. My intrigued eyes roved about and took in his chiseled sculpted cheeks, strong jaw, straight nose and tantalizing smile. If he tells me he plays soccer…