Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 67510 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67510 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
He nodded, never letting up on grazing my nose with his. “Yeah.” He mischievously grinned.
I didn’t have a clue how he could say something so dirty but make it sound like he was reciting poetry. My thighs clenched, and my face felt on fire, igniting his flame to keep going.
He pointed out, “I love that shade of red on you. Are you ready for me, Bay? You think you can take me?”
My heart drummed so fast, I swear he could hear it, feeling it against his chiseled chest. He pulled me closer by the crook of my neck as if I wasn’t already close enough, pinned beneath him.
“So not only are we not going to talk about last night… we’re also going to ignore what just happened with B. Night?”
“I like the talking we’re doing right now. Last night is handled.”
“And how much did that cost you?”
He shrugged. “If it means I get to stay on top of you and not have the world ride my ass for it.” He didn’t waver in adding…
“It wasn’t nearly enough.”
chapter fifteen
Bailey
“Robert, I already told you… I still don’t know,” I reminded my agent for what felt like the hundredth time that day.
I’d been working nonstop for the past three weeks since we began production. Add in the grueling hours of filming to promote my new perfume launching in the fall to the photo shoots for my next designer collaboration because I was the new face for their spring campaign, and now, he wanted to throw another job into the mix.
It was taxing. As much as I didn’t want to admit it to Robert, that was exhausting.
“Bailey, what’s keeping you in LA once we wrap this movie?”
Having to deal with him in my trailer during my lunch hour instead of taking a much-needed break from yet another meeting he wanted to have was wearing me down. Besides, I wanted to spend time with Aires after this movie was over, and I couldn’t do that if Robert threw me right back into another film.
“Oh, I don’t know… maybe I want to go on vacation or something?” I sarcastically stated the truth, knowing Robert was the main reason I hadn’t in years.
I brushed past him, walking over to the fridge to grab a bottle of water and some Tylenol. My head was already pounding from this exchange I didn’t want to have to begin with.
I hated fighting for more free time. My team always had a way of making me do what they wanted. I needed to speak up for myself, and I was starting to think that maybe I was too late to change that.
How do I change who I’ve been all of my career?
Robert wouldn’t drop the subject. Especially now that my career was on fire. From his point of view, it made sense for me to do everything I was asked to if they thought it would advance my career. My whole life seemed to be based on what-ifs.
If I got that role…
If I shot that cover…
If I did that interview…
If I wore this or that.
If I go here or there.
If I… if I… if I…
The endless number of ifs had no certainties attached to them whatsoever. No one understood what it was like to be me.
Not my father.
Not Robert.
Not even Aires.
Sometimes it felt as if I didn’t even know what it was like to be me. I’d been so many different people for so long, and I wasn’t referring to all the roles I’d played over the years.
“Oh, don’t give me that, Bailey! You never turn down a role we tell you is made for you. Nice try.”
It was true. He was right.
“Give me more credit than that. Look at you.” He gestured to me as I stood back in front of him. “You’re in your prime, and you’re not getting any younger. You need to strike while the iron is hot!”
“I know that. Don’t you think I know that? I think about it every second of every day, and it’s mainly from you guys constantly reminding me about it.”
I hated that we were arguing, seeing as though I couldn’t just tell him the truth about Aires and what he always meant to me. He wouldn’t understand. I barely understood. He’d tell me Aires wasn’t right for me. He’d dig into our history, and there was no way the press wouldn’t pick us apart.
My whole life would be turned upside down for a future I knew nothing about. A life we may not have together.
I couldn’t do that.
I worked too hard to get where I was, and I wasn’t ready to possibly ruin my career.
Robert sighed, getting frustrated with me. “Alright, I’ll play it your way. I’ll just move on to the next reasons you need to play this role.”
“Oh goody,” I mocked, smiling. “I can’t wait.”