Healing hollywood hearts, p.24
Healing Hollywood Hearts, page 24
‘‘I knew you’d fold!’’ I whispered to Jackson, right before we both fell asleep, still fully clothed and locked in each other’s embrace.
Twenty-Two
It was early morning when I felt Jackson try to pull away from me. I clung to him like a barnacle and felt him chuckle against my neck as he kissed it.
‘‘Sweetheart, I have to go!’’
‘‘Nooo!’’ I moaned, half asleep.
‘‘I’m sorry, I gotta.’’ He gently unfurled himself from my hold and kissed me lightly on the lips. ‘‘Go back to sleep.’’
I rolled over snuggling down into the warm patch of the bed he had just vacated and did as I was told.
Sometime later, I woke with a start and realised I was alone, Jackson hadn’t returned. I spent a few minutes allowing my conscious mind to cognize before swinging my legs out of bed and going into the sitting room. I was surprised to see Mitchel sitting at the breakfast bar with a coffee, texting on his mobile. I pulled out the stool beside him and perched on it stealing his drink.
‘‘Finally,’’ he said putting his phone down and looking at me. ‘‘I thought you’d slipped into a coma!’’
‘‘Ha ha.’’ I fake laughed; I wasn’t a morning person. I took a sip of coffee so the caffeine could help kick start my metabolism. ‘‘Where’s Jack?’’
‘‘He left about half five.’’ He stole his coffee back taking a gulp.
‘‘To go where?’’ I eased the mug back out of his hand, trying to look doe eyed and apologetic.
‘‘He’s gone back to the Phoenix. Said he would call you. Would you like a coffee?’’
‘‘No I’ve got one, but thanks,’’ I smiled sweetly raising his mug as if to prove a point. ‘‘Is he coming back to take me to work?’’
Mitchel looked stunned, ‘‘I didn’t think you were going?’’
‘‘Why on earth not? I’ve still got a mortgage and bills to pay.’’
‘‘What time do you start?’’ Mitchel looked at his watch.
‘‘Nine.’’
‘‘At night?’’
I laughed and pushed him playfully. ‘‘Why what time is it?’’
‘‘Quarter to ten!’’
‘‘Fucckk! The alarm it couldn’t have gone off,’’ I screamed as I leapt of the stool, I ran to find my mobile, it was lifeless. ‘‘Last night, you switched it off, I’m going to be fired!’’
I switched my phone on and ran into the kitchenette, plugging it in to the charger I’d left there the day before. As I tried to hurtle past him Mitchel spun in his seat, grabbed my wrist and pulled me in front of him.
‘‘Calm down woman. You’re already late what’s a few more minutes.’’
‘‘You don’t understand,’’ I said hopping from foot to foot anxious to be getting ready. ‘‘I can’t lose my job right now, I just can’t, my supervisor...’’
Mitchel pressed my lips together with his fingers to silence me.
‘‘…will be fine.’’ He finished. ‘‘If he’s not, we’ll set Jack on him! Okay?’’
The thought of my supervisor, Jeremy, squaring up to a man like Jackson made me smile. Jeremy would never have the nerve to take on someone as imposing as Jackson who would probably be able to take him down with little more than one of his icy stares. I nodded and Mitchel released my mouth, just as my phone jerked into life and at least half a dozen message alerts started coming through.
‘‘I can’t look!’’ I buried my face in Mitchel’s shoulder much to his amusement.
‘‘Do you want me to?’’
‘‘No.’’ I wailed.
‘‘Here’s the plan,’’ Mitchel peeled me off of his shoulder so he could look me in the face. ‘‘I’m going to jump in the shower now while you check your messages, then you can jump in the shower, do whatever it is that takes you girls so long to get ready in the mornings and I’ll take you to work. Unless of course, you’re that desperate to get there you want to save time by jumping in the shower with me, which I’m completely open to by the way.’’
He walked me over to my mobile and picked it up, pressing it into my hand. He kissed me on the temple and left me standing there looking after him as if he’d just given me a grenade and pulled the pin before walking away.
I unlocked the screen to find I had three voicemails and fourteen texts. I listened to the voice messages first, all three were from Jeremy, enquiring as to my whereabouts, his tone getting harsher which each one. Two of the text messages were from him as well. The others were from friends and family, too anxious about my employment situation I didn’t open them but went and sourced some clothes to throw on after my shower.
I banged on the bathroom door, ‘‘you done? My supervisor is pissed, I really need to get a move on.’’
Mitchel opened the door, I was relieved to see he had wrapped himself in a towel. ‘‘All yours,’’ he grabbed my arm as I pushed past him, ‘‘Jaime, I promise it’ll be fine!’’
I wished I could believe him.
I showered and got ready in record time. Throwing on skirt and blouse, tugging a brush through my hair before applying minimal make-up. Mitchel waited patiently sitting on a stool leaning back with his elbows resting on the breakfast bar behind him, watching in amusement as I flapped around. He had a blue suit on, looked amazing and every inch the movie star he actually was. I was so busy concentrating on getting myself organised I didn’t actually notice until I was finally ready to leave and paused to take a breath.
‘‘Wow!’’ I suddenly blurted out, ‘‘You look totally hot, where are you going?’’
‘‘To work,’’ he said simply.
‘‘I thought your shoot was your last gig?’’ I asked him surprised.
‘‘Last minute job came in, more of an audition.’’ He told me nonchalantly.
‘‘Hope it pays well!’’
‘‘Not right now, maybe in the long term, ready?’’
‘‘As I’ll ever be. What’s the time?’’ I asked anxiously.
‘‘Five past eleven.’’
I sighed and looked at the floor.
Mitchel came and put his finger under my chin gently raising my head so I was looking into his gorgeous brown eyes. ‘‘Hey, I’ve got your back,’ he said, ‘let’s do this!’’
He held out his hand and I took it.
When we got outside, Mitchel slipped on a pair of sunglasses and we walked a couple of streets to a waiting car. He opened the door and I climbed in, sliding along the seat so he could slip in beside me. He looked at me grinning, ‘‘Stop jiggling.’’
I was wringing my hands and my knee was bouncing, ‘‘Why aren’t we moving?’’
‘‘You need to tell Grant where we are going,’’ he laughed.
‘‘Oh,’’ I leant forward and gave the driver the address.
‘‘What is it you do anyway?’’ Mitchel grabbed my hand presumably to stop me drumming my fingers on the seat between us.
‘‘I work for an Insurance company, help people who want to make a claim.’’
Mitchel smiled, ‘‘I’ve never done that before!’’
‘‘You surprise me!’’
It took us about twenty minutes before we pulled up outside the building I worked from in Canary Wharf. I still held Mitchel’s hand in a vice like grip. I thanked the driver and smiled weakly at Mitchel as he opened the door next to him and got out. I slid across the seat and exited after him so I didn’t have to negotiate the traffic hurtling past the door my side. I tried to release my hold on him but Mitchel gripped me. We were starting to attract attention from passers-by.
‘‘You’d better go,’’ I warned him, ‘‘I’ll be fine, thanks for bringing me.’’ A black SUV pulled up and the two bodyguards from the restaurant the night before climbed out. One circled round us so we were covered on both sides.
‘‘Lead the way, I’ll walk you in.’’
I’m not sure who he was talking to because he had already set off pulling me along behind him.
‘‘This one?’’ He pointed to the closest building and I nodded.
Mitchel pushed through the glass door. Hannah and Marie sat at the reception desk. I waved to them as their jaws dropped, they watched open mouthed as Mitchel flashed them a smile and walked straight past them to the elevators, he pressed the call button and the door opened instantly. He climbed in, pulled me in beside him and waited for his security to join us.
‘‘Which floor?’’
‘‘Ten.’’
The door opened onto my office floor. The two guards got out and did a quick recon of the space, there were two ways in, the way we had arrived and the stairs which also served as a fire escape in the event of an emergency. Each took a vantage point so both areas were covered. The room had ten little cubicles, heads started bobbing up, eyes widened and mouths fell open as they saw Mitchel. There was a glass room at the end of the floor where the supervisor sat. I saw Jeremy inside staring at his laptop, he was frowning and didn’t look in a good mood. Mitchel looked at me and pointed to Jeremy, I nodded and he strolled over taking me with him. He rapped hard on the glass of the open office door. Jeremy hadn’t seen us approach and jumped about a foot, he looked up, saw me first, opened his mouth to speak but no words filtered through as his brain registered the commanding but alluring guy that was holding my hand. The anger I had registered when he first saw me had quickly morphed into amazement.
‘‘Mr Ford?’’ Mitchel spoke with purpose whipping off his sunglasses as he did so, picking the name up from the little gold badge Jeremy was wearing. He held out his hand, Jeremy stood and leaned across his desk to shake it. Mitchel shook it so hard I saw Jeremy’s eyes start to water. ‘‘Mitchel Dalton. I just wanted to stop by and thank you personally.’’
Jeremy sank back into his leather chair and looked to me as if I could help him understand what was happening.
‘‘Is this your family?’’ Mitchel picked a picture frame up off the desk his voice was softer.
Jeremy nodded.
‘‘They look lovely.’’ Mitchel gave an award-winning smile.
Jeremy’s chest puffed out proudly, ‘‘My daughter’s a huge fan.’’
‘‘Really.’’ Mitchel drew the word out modestly. ‘‘Well, when our business is concluded perhaps I could give her a call, thank her for her support.’’
There was that smile again. Mitchel sat down in one of the two chairs across from my supervisor and when I didn’t automatically follow suit, commanded, ‘‘SIT!’’ Wordlessly I dropped into the vacant seat, it was only then Mitchel finally released my hand.
‘‘R… really, she would be… if you would… do you think we could do a selfie? So she knows it’s really you.’’
Jeremy picked up his phone and stood, Mitchel waved him back down into his seat.
‘‘I was thinking more of a video chat, but,’’ Mitchel paused for effect, ‘‘we must conclude our business first.’’
‘‘Business?’’ Jeremy looked to me again, I tried to look less like ventriloquists dummy and more like a regular human being.
‘‘I want to thank you for lending us Miss Scott this morning and if I’m honest most of yesterday. She wasn’t feeling well first thing and had to postpone our original meeting, as we started so late and couldn’t conclude our business yesterday, we had to pick up this morning.’’
‘‘Meeting?’’ Jeremy was staring at Mitchel blankly.
‘‘Yes, you probably saw the papers, how we met,’’ Mitchel cast a sly sideways glance in my direction, ‘‘it generated quite a bit of publicity, I wouldn’t be surprised, if you had to have a meeting about it. Anyhow, we got talking and when I found out what she did and how it fitted so well into the research for my next movie, one of my colleagues and I we had to… how shall I put it,’’ he steepled his fingers in front of himself and paused as if searching for the correct phrase, ‘‘kidnap her!’’
‘‘I’m sorry, I don’t quite follow.’’ Jeremy scratched his head.
‘‘Well firstly I need your assurance that because of me she isn’t in any trouble for being so late in this morning?’’ Mitchel started swinging the sunglasses he was holding between his fingers.
‘‘Well…’’ Jeremy frowned.
‘‘What was your daughter’s name again?’’ Mitchel admired the picture of Jeremy’s family again.
‘‘Jenny.’’ Jeremy was watching the expensive pair of sunglasses as Mitchel toyed with them.
‘‘Ah, I look forward to speaking to her, apologies you were saying?’’ Mitchel leaned in as if after being distracted by the lovely Jenny he was now listening intently.
Jeremy shifted in his seat; I watched him imagine his daughter’s reaction at getting a video call from the actor sitting opposite him. He wouldn’t just be father of the year; he would be parent of the millennium. ‘‘Well, I was just going to say, now you’ve explained the situation…’’
Mitchel cut him off. ‘‘Good, I was so concerned. Miss Scott said you were a reasonable man, I’ll be able to tell the studio how accommodating you’ve been. I’m sure they would like to speak with your superior to thank them.’’
Jeremy smiled and puffed out his chest again.
‘‘What’s your line manager’s name?’’ Mitchel waved his hand dismissively, ‘‘No, don’t worry Jaime can fill me in on the details this afternoon.’’
‘‘This afternoon?’’ Jeremys’ blank expression was back.
‘‘Yes, I’m shadowing Miss Scott for the day, did my assistant not call you?’’
Jeremy shook his head numbly.
‘‘Yes,’’ sighed Mitchel, ‘‘I’ll be hanging around for the rest of the day, watching her closely. It won’t be an issue, will it?’’
‘‘Um…’’ Jeremy was avoiding Mitchel’s gaze focusing on the expensive sunglasses being waved provocatively in his direction.
‘‘Nice, aren’t they? Would you like them… for helping us out?’’ He held them out offering them.
Jeremy hesitated before accepting them with glee, I wasn’t sure if it was the actual sunglasses or the fact they had been worn by Mitchel which was the draw.
‘‘Good, thank you so much.’’ Mitchel held out his hand and Jeremy shook it weakly.
Mitchel stood and helped me out of my seat.
‘‘One more thing, after today, Jaime will need to spend some time with me reviewing what I’ve learnt and coaching me before I return to Los Angeles,’’ Mitchel tapped his chin thoughtfully, ‘‘I wonder if I could get you a mention in the credits to the movie.’’
Jeremy goggled him.
‘‘Anyhow, she’ll be needing the rest of the week off.’’ Mitchel cast Jeremy a look reinforcing the fact that it wasn’t a request.
‘‘I’m sure…’’
‘‘Perfect! Now what times lunch?’’ Mitchel looked at his watch.
‘‘Since she was late in, I thought she might like to… work through?’’ Jeremy ventured cautiously.
‘‘Yes, she did suggest that, but it’s not possible I’m afraid.’’ Mitchel feigned disappointment. ‘‘I wanted to get started right away too but my personal trainer has me on a strict regime at the moment, I have to be able to kick a lot of ass… In my next movie of course.’’ Mitchel amended, forcing out a laugh to try and persuade Jeremy he was only talking about his upcoming role. Jeremy shrivelled in his chair and didn’t look convinced as Mitchel put his hands on his hips and glared at him. As he puffed out his chest and drew himself to his full height, Mitchel looked quite frightening. In that moment, my imagination was transported back to the pair of thirteen-year-olds facing off at each other at school, Mitchel hadn’t been lying when he had said he and Jackson had been evenly matched. Suddenly and without warning, Mitchel kicked the chair behind him to the corner of the room and shoved me gently back out of the way, he lifted one of his knees and turned the supporting foot and body in a semi-circular motion, extending his leg in the perfect roundhouse kick that floated across Jeremy’s desk and mere inches away from his nose. He landed effortlessly and watched as Jeremy blanched.
‘‘Holy…’’ I clasped my hands over my mouth to stop the words escaping.
‘‘Probably best we eat now and start fresh this afternoon. That ok with you?’’ I wasn’t sure who Mitchel was addressing as he didn’t wait for a response. ‘‘Lead on Miss Scott, oh and I’ll be back to collect your daughter’s number by the end of the day Mr Ford.’’
Mitchel grabbed my hand again and swept me back down the office and into the elevator, my colleagues looking on as though they were trying to wake from a dream. Mitchel hit the button for the ground floor and the doors shut before his security could join us. As they slid closed, I saw both men leaping towards the stairs in pursuit.
When we were alone, I let go of his hand and started to slow clap, ‘‘And the award for best actor in the story of my life goes to…’’
Mitchel did an elaborate little bow and we both fell about laughing.
‘‘That kick, where did that come from?’’ I wiped the tears from my eyes.
‘‘Kochi Knight,’’ Mitchel rattled off the name of one of his movies, ‘‘I think I got a bit caught up in the moment. I may have split my pants!’’
‘‘You think!’’ I raised my eyebrows. ‘‘Let me look.’’
We started laughing again.
He turned round and lifted the back of his jacket so I could check the seam of his trousers.
‘‘No, you’re good.’’ We were both still laughing uncontrollably.
‘‘I think I might have strained my groin could you check that?’’
I gave him a jovial punch in the arm. We looked at each other, and in that moment, time stopped, the fear and apprehension at losing my job dissipated, relief flooded my body and my heart swelled with affection for the hero that had saved me. Mitchel was leaning against the wall of the lift, bent over from where he was laughing, it made it easy for me to lunge forward, put my hand behind his head and crash his lips onto mine in a smacker of a kiss. ‘‘Thankyou.’’ I squealed in gratitude.
I felt his body tense, his laughter stopped, I drew back and knew I was in a hell of a lot of trouble. His eyes went dark, he stood towering over me like a grizzly bear reared up ready to lunge. His hands landed on my waist, I stopped laughing and swallowed as the elevator binged and the doors opened. I slowly reached across and hit the button for the top floor. Mitchel smiled, I waited until the last possible second before slipping out of his grip and sliding between the two closing doors. Mitchel tried to shoulder them apart to follow me but was a fraction too slow missing his opportunity.
