Page 119 of My Lucky Star
He threw out his arms, eyes blazing. “What does that even mean? Who commits to being a bachelor? Seriously?”
“I don’t know. It’d make a weird ceremony.”
Cem burst into laughter. “God, I missed you!” He caught my hand, his gaze flicking at the ceiling. “Wanna come to my room? I booked the same one as last time. It’s got a fancy Art Deco chair you like. If you could sit in it naked, that would really make my day.”
“Are you suggesting we destroy a piece of antique furniture by having sex on it?”
“I’ll order a replacement. My dad’s antique shop has about ten of those.”
Again, he closed the distance between us, stroking his hands down my arms, giving me shivers. But I had a job to do.
I took a step back, glancing at the door. “We can’t leave. They’re setting up the next shot. I don’t want to get fired.”
“Don’t worry. You’re looking at the executive producer.” He jerked a thumb at himself and grinned.
My stomach flip flopped so hard it hurt. “You invested in this film?” I almost couldn’t look at him. “Did they hire me because—”
Cem’s eyes circled the room. “No! They hired you... way before. I think.” He wasn’t even a little convincing.
Pain of the realization seared through me. “Please don’t tell me...”
I tried to turn away, but Cem grabbed my hand, his eyes searching for mine, desperate. “Aria. Come on. It’s not like that. They loved you, but they were considering someone else they thought was more bankable... So, I suggested I’ll make an investment to balance the scales. I didn’t think you should lose out to someone who got hired because of their fame. I helped them make the decision theywantedto make. You know Lars. He’s either crazy or genius or both. He’s not someone who compromises his artistic vision for a bit of cash. It doesn’t matter how you got the part. It matters how you play it.”
I’d thought of this as my big break. The one I’d earned. But had I really?
“So, it was you?” I blinked back tears, my throat so tight I could hardly speak. “You did this for me?”
He brushed his fingers down the side of my face, catching a wayward tear. “You promised I could buy you a present. Would you rather have a hundred-dollar jar of honey?”
I looked down at my vintage shoes, trying to gather my thoughts. They’d scattered like rabbits after a gunshot. What did this mean? Did his revelation cancel out everything I was proud of, everything I had worked for? Was part of me still so hung up on the idea of earning my success, that I couldn’t accept the possibility of luck, blessing or even a bit of help?
I looked out the window. “Back in Auckland, when I dreamed about this, when I imagined myself finally getting that lead role... I thought I’d never let myself become one of those obnoxious jerks who thought they worked harder and were more talented than everyone else, so they deserved it... I promised myself I’d never think like that. I thought I’d be happy. Grateful. I’d count my lucky stars—”
“Count me!” Cem cupped my face, his brown eyes burning holes in mine.
“What?”
“I’m your lucky star, Aria. Count me.” His eyes glowed.
I don’t know whether it was his creative grasp of the English language, or that slightly frenzied, earnest delivery, but it made sense.
“You are a star,” I admitted, a smile hovering on my lips, a ray of hope piercing the dark cloud swelling inside.
“And I’m lucky.”
“Triple Irish.” A dreamy smile seized my lips. Then a thought hit me. “But what about you? How can you go from leading roles to... this?”
Cem’s eyes widened. “What are you talking about? I get to act with you!” He touched my chin, gently bringing my face closer to his. “Besides, it’s only the beginning. I have to learn to pronounce words like ‘bad’ and then I can go for bigger English-speaking roles.” He rolled his eyes animatedly.
I couldn’t hold back my shaky laugh. “That’ll be fun. Want me to teach you?”
Cem trailed his hands down my back, anchoring my hips to his. “Will you teach naked?”
“Allah, Allah!” I protested, but let him pull me against him, enjoying the erection I felt through his dungarees. I inhaled his scent, the familiar spice and musk, but no tobacco. “You didn’t start smoking again?”
“Gee! No, I didn’t. How many more questions do you have?” His hands roamed my body, lighting up little fires all over the place.
I could barely concentrate, but I had to put my mind at ease. “Umm... Do you want to stay in New Zealand?”
