It took less than two seconds for me to spot Dane's face and another three to spot it again. On the first one he was dressed from the waist down in army camouflage, his face sweaty and his chest spattered with blood. A women in torn clothing looking up at him adoringly from where she was kneeling at his feet. Jeez, so much for feminism. It was called Bounty Hunter 2 and was perhaps the single most unappealing film cover I'd ever seen. Even so, I picked it up. The second movie was a tacky looking romantic comedy in which he starred alongside some actress who was a big deal three years ago. Both DVDs were the kind of movies that kept me well away from modern cinema, but I couldn't resist. I paid for them along with my bottle of wine and shoved them into my handbag, feeling oddly guilty. Was this the movie star equivalent of stalking your crush on social media? Of course not. It was perfectly natural to be curious. I'd had a few one night stands here and there over the years, but never with someone famous. Why shouldn't I watch his movies? There was no harm in it.
It wasn't like I was going to see him again.
Chapter Three
Dane
The one crappy thing that always happened when I visited a small town was a call from my manager, Craig. Craig couldn't just leave me in peace to enjoy my time off. If Hollywood wasn't so bureaucratic and difficult to navigate on my own I would have fired him years ago. Unfortunately, I didn't have that option.
This time he called me at noon, interrupting my sleep. If there was one thing I enjoyed more than a good fuck it was getting to sleep in. On shooting days I often had to be up at four or five in the morning and shoot until eleven that night. My time off was a great chance to catch up on sleep. At least, it should have been.
“What?” I groaned into the phone, my face still in the pillow. I knew it was Craig without checking the caller ID. He was the only person I knew who could be that annoying.
“Hey big guy, how's small town life treating you? Still up to your old tricks?” he asked. That was the other annoying thing. Craig insisted on talking to me like we were bros when in reality, if I never heard from him again I'd be happy. I couldn't even remember his last name.
“What do you want?” There was no time for bulllshit. Craig only called when he needed me to do something or he had an offer for me.
“Right, cut to the chase. Good idea. Do you have lady with you or can I talk freely?” he asked. I glanced at the empty bed beside me. It had been empty for well over a week now and I had turned down every opportunity to change that. It wasn't like me, but there was no reason to fill Craig in on the details. If I did end up firing him, which was starting to seem more and more likely, I didn't need him going to the tabloids about me. They already spewed enough crap.
“Maybe I do, it doesn't matter. You can speak freely, just make it quick OK? This is supposed to be my time off. You swore you wouldn't bother me for a month,” I said. As soon as he'd promised that I knew there wasn't a snowball's chance in Hell that he'd be able to stick to his word. I was the most high profile client a manager could hope for. No way was he going to leave me relax when I could be out there, making him money.
“All right, all right buddy. I'll get to the point. So, did you know that the town you're in right now contains America's 39th oldest movie theater? Isn't that interesting? I was just reading about it yesterday,” he said.
“There better be a point to this, Craig.”
“There is, don't worry. The theater is still owned by the same family who opened it. Well, what's left of them. Mr Thornton is a 96 year old veteran and he still owns the place. He even lends a hand with the running of the place every so often. Isn't that awesome? Wouldn't it be so cool to be working when you're 96?” he said. Jesus Christ, the thought of still doing movies when I was that age gave me the creeps. Somehow, wrinkly old action heroes and romantic leads wasn't a huge niche. Besides, I wasn't even thirty yet and the industry already drove me crazy. Another sixty plus years of bullshit sounded like Hell to me.
“That's cute but I don't know why the fuck I should care,” I snapped, “Craig, I'm hanging up if you don't tell me why you called and I won't answer the phone if you call again. All right?”
“Sure, no worries I'm getting there. So, have you thought much about the publicity tour for Bounty Hunter 3?” he asked. I rolled my eyes. The filming for that piece of garbage had only wrapped two months ago and it wasn't due to be released for at least another four. A press tour was the last thing on my mind.
“No, I haven't. Because it's not time yet and I don't give a shit about that movie,” I said. The scorn in my voice always went over Craig's head.
“Right, but there's no harm in starting early. I thought it would be great publicity for you to go down to the move theater today, sign a few posters, pose for a photo or two with Mr Thornton and maybe take about what an honor it is to be at America's oldest theater,” he said. It sounded like the worst idea in the world to me.
“I thought it was the 39th oldest theater?”
“Well yeah, but it doesn't really matter does it?” said Craig, “You could even do a meet and great for your fans. It will be such great publicity.”
“No,” I said firmly, “There is no way in Hell that I'm doing that today. You can fuck right off.” As irritating as he was, Craig always found a way to convince me.
Savannah
After going through all of the Dane Reynolds movies at the liquor store I ordered a few more online. It was so strange to see him on my television screen pretending to be someone else. I had to remind myself that those were the lips I had kissed, those were the arms that had held me and that was the hair I had run my fingers through. It was unreal.
I knew I was getting obsessed, but I couldn't help it. It was fascinating to watch Dane act. He really was an incredible talent. He even managed to convince me that he was a nice guy in some of his roles.
There were even a few sex scenes that I replayed over and over again. I just loved getting to see his body again, even if it was only on the screen. I longed to touch him again, to feel his breath against my skin. It obviously wasn't to be.
Between work and my new movie addiction I had very little time for anything else. I barely had time to do my groceries and the list of errands I had to run was becoming bigger and more unmanageable by the second. I decided to take Saturday off work and refused to let myself touch the DVD player until all of my tasks were completed.
It was a busy day of going from store to store and walking around town in uncomfortable shoes, but it was worth it. Once I put my mind to it I was able to get everything done in less time than I had anticipated. I paid my bills, sent letters to my family back home and dropped my laptop off at the electronics store to be fixed. My stress began to recede. I decided to allow myself an inexpensive treat as a reward for all the hard work I'd been doing lately. It didn't take me long to figure out what it was that I wanted.
Mr Thornton's movie theater was a large, old fashioned building in the middle of town. Since I'd moved here I had only been there once on a night out with a few friends. It was nice and I appreciated the genuine vintage feel of the place, but I'd had no interest in going by myself. Not until now, that was. I had actually enjoyed some of Dane's movies and discovering that made me feel that I may be missing out on some greats by avoiding new releases. Who knew, they may even be playing one of Dane's films. There was no way that I would say no to seeing his chiseled features on a giant screen like that.
To my surprise, when I turned the corner that lead to the theater there was a massive queue winding all the way up the block. It couldn't be coming from the theater, could it? I walked past hordes of excited people to see that the line was indeed coming from there. That was strange. Very strange.
There was security everywhere. Something big was going on. I walked up to the guard closest to the door. He was tall and beefy with a severe military haircut. I saw him glancing at my tits as I approached.
“No skipping the line!” he said, looking me in the eye, “And don't th
ink cos you're cute that I'll make an exception.”
God, men could be so gross sometimes. Despite my revulsion, I gave him a big smile.
“Oh I have no intention of skipping anything. I just wanted to know what's going on here? I wanted to go see a movie, but then I got here and there are so many people. It's so busy and chaotic!” I said, putting on my best bimbo voice. Dane's comment about me looking like Marilyn Monroe was not accurate, no matter how much I wished it was. Yet I sure did know how to charm men like she did. It just seemed to come naturally to me. I could see the guard was warming up to me already. “Honey, didn't you hear? Dane Reynolds is here today meeting fans! That's why everyone is going crazy. Boy, you sure picked a bad day to see a movie,” he looked at me with a hint of suspicion, obviously unsure as to whether my confusion was real or not, “It seems strange that a girl your age wouldn't know that. Everyone's obsessed with him.”
His name sent a shiver down my spine and I knew right away that I had to see him, no matter how awkward it would be. The fact that I had stumbled upon this meet and greet was a sign. However, I kept my face neutral and continued to play the role of the dumb, lovesick Barbie doll. It worked like a charm.
“Dane Reynolds? I know him, he's in some movies right? He's the one everyone says in handsome but...” I trailed off. The officer was intrigued now. He leaned forward, his eyes wide.
“But what?”
“I shouldn't say. You work for him and it's quite rude,” I teased. The guard shrugged.
“I work for the security company. My loyalty's not with him. You can tell me anything, sweetheart. I'll keep your secret safe,” he said. I hated the way that he spoke to me. It was a disgusting mixture of patronizing and lecherous. It was what made him so easy to play.
“Well, I'm sure he's a really nice man but I don't think Mr Reynolds is that good looking. In fact, I don't think that he's handsome at all!”
This pleased the guard greatly. All his suspicion melted away in an instant and he was like putty in my hands.
“Yeah? That's what I was thinking but I'm a guy, I don't understand these things. You're probably the first girl I've met who doesn't have a thing for Dane Reynolds!” he said.
“I'm not like most girls,” I giggled. It was as simple as that. A few flirty looks later and the guard was leading me around the back of the theater to let me in. They weren't running any movies today but I'd insisted that I needed to use the bathroom and he couldn't see any issue with that. Good thing I wasn't a crazy fan girl or he might have gotten fired for trusting me so easily. Then again, I'd wasted so much time marathoning Dane's movies. Maybe I was crazy.
The guard, whose name was Tim, opened the emergency exit for me and told me to be quick. I thanked him profusely. My heart had started to pound now. Maybe I didn't want to see Dane after all.
The door lead me directly into the lobby. I could see Dane and his management on the other side, posing for photographs with Mr Thornton who owned the place. My stomach dropped. After spending so much time watching movies I'd almost forgotten that Dane was a real, living person. He looked even sexier in real life, dressed in a white shirt and leather jacket. What would he ever want with a girl like me? It had been silly to try to see him again. What did I think would happen? That he'd take me in his arms and confess his love like in all those romantic comedies? That was just unrealistic. I wasn't leading lady material by any means.
I scurried along to the bathroom without being seen. I might as well use the facilities while I was here. There was no other reason for my presence. I would be leaving Dane alone.
Chapter Four
Dane
The meet and greet was absolute torture, just as I had expected it to be. Craig only announced it on social media an hour before it started, but by the time we arrived there was already a line of people stretching right around the block. I had a bigger fan base here than I had anticipated. They were female, for the most part but there were several men who screamed their love for me as I was rushed into the movie theater. It turned out that we had all kinds of people there. There were teenage girls who wanted me to sign posters that they'd torn out of magazines. Moms who had named their kids after the characters I had played. There were even a few elderly women who loved my romantic comedies. This would be a hard work day for sure.
I signed, hugged and smiled for hours until my body was so exhausted that I felt like I'd run a marathon. I must have met at least two hundred people but there were easily as many waiting outside to see me.
“No,” I said to Craig, “I'm getting carpal tunnel now. You told me this would be an hour and I've been here for five. We're done here.”
Craig tried to convince me but he'd already pushed my buttons quite enough today. I wouldn't be swayed. I made him turn the rest of my fans away though he was terrified that they'd start a riot. Luckily, after a little bit of drama, they left.
“I hope you know how many people you've disappointed!” he said, when he came back in. That was rich. Craig wasn't talking about my upset fans either he was talking about the Hollywood executives and producers who were hoping to squeeze more free publicity out of me. Well that wasn't going to fucking happen. I'd done my part. If they wanted any more out of me they'd have to cough up big time.
However, even I wasn't heartless enough to deny Mr Thornton a photograph to display in his lobby. He was a kindly old man who, despite his age, waited on us hand and foot and kept telling us how honored he was that I would visit. It was nice.
I was just forcing another smile for a picture when I saw Savannah at the other end of the lobby. She wasn't looking at me, her head was down but it was definitely her. I could recognize those curvy hips and that blonde hair anywhere. What the fuck was she doing here? Had I somehow summoned her by obsessing over her?
“We'll have to take that one again Dane, you were looking the wrong way,” said Craig. I sighed and stood for a few more, though Savannah returned out the emergency exist. Before the team could say anything more to me I told them that I had to go and sprinted for the emergency door. I couldn't miss her, not now. I had to see her again. I wasn't sure why, but I just had to.
They called after me but I slammed the door. I couldn't afford to miss her.
To my relief, Savannah was standing in the back alleyway, talking to one of the security team members. Their heads both whipped around in surprise when they heard the door slam. They were even more surprised when they saw that I was standing there.
“Mr Reynolds!” exclaimed the security guard, his voice shaking, “Hello! Do you need me to escort you to your car?”
“Shut up,” I said, turning to Savannah, “What are you doing here?”
She was blushing now. That pretty porcelain skin was tinged with pink. It was quite adorable, though I never would have admitted that. What was wrong with me? Girls weren't adorable or cute. Fuck, they weren't even pretty. They were either hot or they weren't. Savannah was hot and that was the only reason why I gave a shit about here. That was what I kept telling myself.
“I wanted to see a movie,” she said softly.
“You picked the worst day in the world for it,” I said and she giggled. The guard kept looking between us.
“Do you know him?” he asked her, and she shook her head.
“Just from the movies. Not in real life,” she said. So the girl wanted to deny that anything had ever happened between us? Fat chance that I was going to let that happen. I'd fucked a few girls over the years who I'd be embarrassed to let anyone know I'd been with, but no one had ever been embarrassed to have slept with me? Why should they? I was the best looking movie star in Hollywood and I fucked like a demon.
“Savannah, don't lie,” I said and her pink skin flushed scarlet. The guard looked appalled. He obviously wasn't a fan of me but he definitely was a huge fan of Savannah's. I couldn't blame him. A pathetic lump like him probably never got any tail. A girl as sexy as Savannah standing in front of him was like finding an oasis in a desert. Too bad h
e would have to stay thirsty, “So, how about I give you another ride home? In my Porsche this time.”
All right, so I was showing off a little bit but when you worked as hard as I did you could afford to. What was the point in being a star if you didn't use it to get pussy? Even if it was pussy that I'd already had a taste of. There wasn't anything wrong with going back for seconds if you didn't get attached. I never got attached.
To my surprise, Savannah shook her head at me.
“I'm sorry Dane, but Tim wants to take me out for drinks,” she said. This was a shock to my system. I hadn't been turned down by a woman for years. In fact, I couldn't remember the last time someone said no to me. Even before I was famous girls were desperate to ride my dick. Being the gentleman I was, I usually obliged them. Was she really blowing me off to hang out with this meat head? Jesus Christ, the world had gone nuts.
He looked so pleased with himself to have landed a piece of ass like Savannah. It was infuriating. I wanted to punch him in the face but I knew that wouldn't bode well with my tabloid reputation. “Seriously? This guy?” I said. Savannah clenched her fists and nodded firmly.
“Yes, this guy. And I don't see how that's any of your business, Dane. You're not my boyfriend and you're not Tim's boss. We can do what we want,” she said, “Now why don't you go fuck one of your mystery blondes?”
The guard, Tom or Tim or whatever he was called, nodded in agreement. He'd been looking very confused up until that point but now he was confident.
“Yeah, I'm taking her out!” he said. I sighed and pulled my wallet out of my pocket. Most actors I knew didn't carry cash, but I always did. I loved the heavy feeling of it and the fact that I could do whatever I wanted with it. It was probably the thickest wallet that loser had ever seen. I pulled out my credit cards, my ID cards and my debit cards until all that was left in the wallet was cash. I showed the guard how much was there.
Sweetest Sin: Bad Boy Bundle Page 65