Page 8 of The Man I Once Hated

The ice in my veins sets alight with a raging fire. Because fuck him for underestimating me. For thinking that I didn’t stand a chance on some dumbass movie when I’ve lived and breathed acting for as long as I can remember.

And now that I know he’s planning on me bombing, I’m more determined than ever to knock it out the park.

By the time I walk into my audition the next morning, the fire has subsided but only enough to be swirling lava. I’m depending on my anger for Edward Spencer to propel me through what I hope to be the audition of my lifetime. I use it to stoke up the emotions I’ll need. I let it take over, blinding me as I push through the door when they call my name.

“Reading for the lead?”

I blink at the panel in front of me. I’ve done this so many times before, have stood in front of countless producers, directors, and casting directors. I’ve got this. I was born for it.

“Cara?”

I hear my name being repeated, but it’s coming from somewhere a hundred miles away. Another galaxy even. Because I’m no longer in the small audition room anymore. I’m flung out into space without a tether, not a star in sight. Nothing but blackness.

Blackness and Edward Spencer, grinning at me from behind the panel.

4

Edward

“Cara, are you okay?” I’m using my professional executive producer voice, but inside I’m laughing my ass off.

Her face! It looks like she’s seen a ghost and been hit by a bus at the same time. Exactly how I wanted it to happen. I wasn’t planning for her to clean up so well, though.

She looks hotter than ever in a fitting white tank and denim cut-offs. I was right about the rack I imagined under that jumper the other day - she’s gifted in that area too. Her long blonde hair is pulled up on top of her head, with just a few loose pieces framing her soft features.

Tall, slender… Lithe is the word I’d use for it. Her legs go on for fucking miles and I can just imagine what they’d feel like wrapped around my waist…

She snaps out of her shock eventually and plasters the fakest smile on her face. Ear to ear, like the good little actor that she is. I can’t help but wonder if she’ll be faking her moans when I finally sink my teeth into her.

No. That never happens with me. When I make her come it’s going to be all too real.

“It says here you’re reading for the lead?” Miranda, the director has a go.

Cara nods stiffly, her shoulders heaving with the size of the inhale she takes. Holds it for a count, then slowly releases it.

“Take your time,” Miranda helps her along, obviously used to the onslaught of audition nerves we have to navigate through.

“I’m fine,” it comes out a little strangled and Cara clears her throat and tries again. “I think I- think I had a bad bagel for breakfast, that’s all.”

The others chuckle, playing right into her plan to defuse the situation. But I’d rather not.

“As long as it isn’t nerves. So many auditions fail because would-be actors can’t get a hold of their anxiety. So many good ones who slip between the cracks.” Cara’s look of alarm is all the satisfaction I need.

For now.

“Don’t listen to him,” Miranda chides, giving me a threatening sideways glance. “I’ve been in this business long enough to see through the nervousness. Just… give it your best try.”

Cara stares down at her pages, her lips moving along silently to what she’s reading. Those lips. Full and luscious with a hint of pink that has nothing to do with make-up - she doesn’t have a smudge on her, in fact - but more a natural coloring.

It makes me want to bite them. Bite down and then run my tongue along that same spot. Feel her breathy moan that’ll undoubtedly float into my open mouth. The way her body will tense up beneath me.

She takes another deep breath, looks up and opens her mouth to begin.

“Whenever you’re ready,” I announce loudly.

Everyone, including Cara, glares at me. I cover my mouth with my hand so they don’t see my smirk, signaling with the other for her to continue as if I didn’t just ruin her start.

She steadies herself, and goes again. This time, I let her get through the first sentence before I trip her up.

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