Page 12 of Playboy Billionaire

Griffin was acutely aware of Penelope’s leg touching his in the close quarters.

“Thanks for the drink,” Griffin said.

“Least I could do. It’s your birthday. I overheard your friend say it’s the big thirty.”

“That’s right.”

Griffin turned toward Penelope and was caught off guard by the hostility in her emerald green eyes. His brow furrowed, “Did you get out on the wrong side of the bed this morning?”

“Excuse me?”

“I said…”

“I heard what you said,” she said, curtly.

“Well?”

“Well what?”

“Is it the bed or are you always this ill-natured?”

“You’re being a little presumptuous, aren’t you?”

“Are there different rules for you then?”

She sputtered, “Who do you think you are?”

“I could say the same.”

Her eyes practically spit at him. “Of all the brazen…arrogant…”

Stewart interrupted, “Penelope…”

Griffin watched the anger dance across her face before she turned her back to him. Stewart shrugged his shoulders and gave him an embarrassed grin.

“Listen, the reason I called you over…and trust me, I know I’m coming out of left field here, but I’ve got something I’d like you to consider.”

Griffin’s brow furrowed, “What’s that?”

“We have an emergency that’s come up. One of our actors had to drop out of the film today due to a family emergency. I’m sitting over here watching you and I’m suddenly hit with this crazy idea.”

“You can’t be suggesting what I think you are.”

“Seriously, you’d be perfect. I’d like you to do a test screening. Read for the part. I know it sounds insane, but I’ve got a hunch. You’ve got something that sets you apart. A star quality if you will. I’ve been in this business long enough to know it when I see it.”

Griffin shook his head, “Not interested…not even remotely. What the hell, I’ve never acted a day in my life.”

Penelope, overhearing the exchange, turned back to them and said, “Are you kidding right now, Stew? It’s bad enough I have to put up with you know who! No way! If he’s in, I’m out.”

“Penelope, calm down. Look at him. He’d be perfect.”

She looked him up and down with disdain. “No.”

Griffin felt his blood boil, so he returned the favor and slowly raked his eyes over her…from her face…to her chest…allowing his gaze to linger insolently there, before returning to stare mockingly into her narrowed eyes.

Stewart held up his hand toward Penelope, “You don’t have the final say. I do. Now as I was saying, I figured it’d be a hard sell, but it’s just a test screening. If you do well, we’ll have you do a read through with the other actors. See what the chemistry is like.”

Despite himself, Griffin was intrigued. It certainly would be an antidote for the boredom he’d been feeling lately.

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