Page 24 of Cocky Bastard

I still didn’t know who my partner was going to be or even if there would be more than one partner. All I had were the two snippets they’d sent me to read through and memorize. One was from a ball where the two men were conversing and trying to hide their feelings behind pleasantries and manners and one took place in a garden where the lord, Charles, found Llewelyn painting. In the second scene, they talked much more openly but it was clear the bonds of polite society were still holding them in place.

Even if those bonds were close to stretching well beyond breaking point.

The chemistry read was in the same building I’d been in last time, so I buzzed in, made my way to the waiting room, and took a seat until I was called. However, unlike last time, there was no one else waiting.

I frowned and looked around, wondering if I’d somehow missed something, but the receptionist hadn’t mentioned anything about me being early, late, or turning up on the wrong day altogether. Maybe I was the first person they were seeing and other people would be along later—that would make sense.

Still, there was a funny feeling in my stomach that ran all the way down to my toes. I wiggled them in my shoes and bounced my legs a few times, hoping to work the twisting, fizzing sensation out.

“Jude Kane?” I looked up to see Freddie, Melanie Law’s assistant, waiting at the same side door as before and grinning at me. “Do you want to come with me? We’re just back here again.”

“Yes, thank you,” I said, standing up and grabbing my bag off the floor. I squashed my nerves down as I followed Freddie through the door and towards the same studio I’d been in previously.

“In here,” he said as he opened the door. “Can I get you anything? A bottle of water maybe, or some tea?”

“Some water would be great, thanks.” I smiled at him as I stepped inside, grateful for his offer. The last thing I wanted was to randomly start coughing and derail everything. And while I had a water bottle in my bag, it never hurt to have extra.

Similarly to last time, the studio had a little bit of furniture laid out, only this time it was an easel and a box of paints along with a few fake rose bushes, and it was slightly off to one side so there was plenty of room to move around it.

Melanie Law and Jenny Hall were sitting behind their familiar table at one end, but this time there were a couple of extra people with them I didn’t recognise. All of them stopped talking as I walked across the studio and I felt slightly like I was headed for the gallows.

“Good morning, Jude,” Jenny said, giving me a broad smile. “How’re you today? Thanks for coming back to see us. Grab a seat. We’re still waiting for your partner to arrive.”

“Morning, I’m good, thanks,” I said as I headed for one of the empty chairs Jenny had pointed at. “Thanks for having me back.”

“You’re very welcome. We thought you did a good job.” Jenny picked up her pen and marked something on the sheet of paper in front of her, the colourful bangles on her wrist jangling as she wrote. “You remember Mel?”

“Yes, hi,” I said as Melanie smiled and greeted me.

“And these three,” Jenny said, gesturing at the trio sat behind her, “areLlewelyn’s directors. This is Nick, David, and Anna. They’re here to observe and make notes but try to ignore them as best you can.”

I bit back a smile at Jenny’s mild disdain for them, as if they weren’t all people I knew, at least by reputation.

“Nice to meet you,” I said politely, giving them a little nod.

“As Jenny said,” Melanie added, “we’re just waiting for—”

Her words were cut off as the studio door flew open and a stunningly handsome man strolled through, pulling off his sunglasses and flashing us the dazzling smile that could make an entire army swoon: Henry Lu.

Fuck. Me. Sideways.

Had they really gottheHenry Lu in to play Charles? What magic had Jenny worked to make that happen? Or was Jenny’s name on a project enough to draw the attention of even Hollywood’s brightest star?

“Sorry I’m late,” Henry said as he strode across the room. “Traffic was a nightmare in Central.” He stopped beside me and held out his hand as he turned his beautiful smile on me. “You must be Jude Kane. I’ve heard so many wonderful things. I’m Henry.”

As if he needed any introduction. Henry Lu was an icon.

Not only was he a brilliant actor who’d won both an Oscar and a BAFTA and had starred in the biggest blockbuster franchise in cinema history, but he was also considered one of the world’s sexiest men alive as well as a fashion darling and had a reputation as a devilishly charming, funny flirt. I’d never met him before despite being in the same room as him a couple of times at award shows, but simply being near him now was enough to make my heart skip.

I could see exactly what everyone meant when they described him as magnetic.

“Hi,” I said with a slight cough, trying to stop my voice from coming out as a high-pitched squeak only dogs could hear. “Hi, nice to meet you.”

“Gosh, aren’t you gorgeous.” He turned to Jenny and Melanie, finally letting go of my hand as he did. “I can see what you meant about him being the perfect Llewelyn. He’s got that… artistic air.”

“I thought you’d like him.” Jenny chuckled. “Well, now you’re finally here, maybe we can get on with things. And please don’t be late again, Mr. Lu. It’s one of my pet hates.”

“For you, Jenny, I’ll do anything.”

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