Page 39 of Dangerous Kiss
What was worse was that they shared an agent which meant Dan Flint was pushing Jennifer more than he was Stella—probably because they’d pay more for Jen, and his cut would be bigger. Stella was old enough and smart enough to know that made sense, but where was his sense of loyalty? Stella had made him a millionaire several times over, and, more importantly, a power player in Hollywood.
Stella tapped out another cigarette. It killed her appetite, but lately, she had begun to wonder if the constant starvation and working out was worth it for the roles she was getting. Except this one, of course. She had planned on this movie being the one which kick-started her career again. She might be the biggest movie star on the planet, but when you were at the top, there was only one way to go…down.
She scrubbed at her face with her hands. Christ, she was only thirty-six, but she felt a decade older. Maybe it was from being with someone as young as Biba all the time. Stella wasn’t someone who had female friends, and her own mother was estranged from her. The older Reckless had written a tell-all about her daughter five years previously which nearly torpedoed Stella’s career with its revelations of teen pregnancy and abortions. Biba was the closest person to Stella, not that Stella would admit that. Which is why, honestly, when Stella needed to lash out, Biba bore the brunt.
Stella’s biggest fear in life was being too close to someone—and then losing them. It stemmed from her losing her beloved Pa when she was eight, suddenly in a fiery car wreck. She had been pulled from the car at the last moment and had heard his screams as he died. They stayed with her. So, when she found herself softening towards her long-term assistant, she drew back and got extra bitchy with Biba.
Now, as she stepped from her trailer and walked back to the manor, she saw Biba and Cosimo hand-in-hand, so obviously joyful in their love for each other. Stella again felt the jolt just as she had when she first realized Cosimo and Biba were falling for each other. It hurt. She hated to admit it, but it hurt like hell that she had been passed over for Biba.
And then there was Biba’s wild, untamed beauty. Stella wished she had the natural freshness Biba had, the utter lack of reliance on makeup, instead harnessing all the vitality of youthful spirit. Stella wished she didn’t care as much over her own appearance; she knew she was beautiful but in an ice queen way, not the soft, sensual, breath of fresh air way that Biba inhabited.
She ignored Biba and Cosimo as they made their way to see the other members of cast and crew. Franco kissed Biba’s cheek, and Sifrido twirled her in his arms. Jesus. Stella’s lip curled up in a sneer.
When Biba came over to her, Stella turned cold eyes on her. “Aren’t we the center of attention?”
She pushed the guilt aside when she saw Biba’s face fall a little. Biba quickly picked herself up though. “And good morning to you, too. I was going to see if you wanted to join Cos and I and some of the others for lunch.”
“No, thanks.”
Biba stared at her, and her eyes turned cold. “Fine.” She stalked off, and Stella sighed. What was the point of that? It was Biba’s birthday, for Chrissakes, why shouldn’t she be feted and celebrated? God, I’m turning into such an old movie star bitch cliché. She turned to call out after Biba, to wish her a happy birthday, but Biba was already halfway across the site, her arm around Cosimo’s waist.
Shit. I’m sorry, Biba. But I can’t show how much you mean to me. If I do, I’ll lose all the power in our relationship.
Stella grabbed some black coffee and went to work.
