Page 46 of Keep It

I can’t stop the warmth that spreads through my body at her lustful gaze — there’s no denying that I’ve caused a physical reaction in her. Thousands of women have reacted to me, I’d have to be blind to have not noticed them. But Anya’s attention feels like the sun is beaming on me after years of rain.

As I come closer, I’m tempted to not stop until I have her pushed against the wall. On my approach, she shakes her head and forces a bland smile. “Ready?”

Irritation races through me. Why is she doing this? Why is she acting like we’re complete strangers, when after the night we shared we are anything but?

My jaw clenches as I bite out, “Yep.”

I turn and storm away, heading to the waiting car. I open the door with more force than necessary and instead of sliding across so she can jump in behind me, I sit. It’s all I can do to not cross my arms across my chest like a child as I watch her slide in from the opposite side.

The car is silent apart from my huffing breaths. Anya doesn’t notice, her head buried in that bloody phone.

“Here are your sides,” she says, handing them without looking at me. I mumble a thanks, all too aware of what I’ll say if I open my mouth much more.

My phone buzzes in my pocket. I’ll have to hand it over to Anya before the scene starts shooting.

Pip: Are you on set today?

Me: Why?

Pip: Where is your base?

Me:BoisdeBologne

Pip: When are you on break? I’m in the mood for a set visit

“How long is the break between scenes?” I ask Anya without looking up.

“About two hours before the makeup chair but two and a half before turning,” she says. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see her watching me. “Why?” I can tell her curiosity has gotten the better of her. I could be honest and say Pip might come and irritate me…or I could test her stubborn resolve a little.

After sending a text to Pip telling her to come, I power my phone off.

Glancing at her, I say vaguely, “I’ll take my lunch in my trailer.” I hand the phone to her, “Make it for two.”

Her bottom lip falls as she takes my phone, her lips forming the perfect ‘o’ shape, reminding me of the last time I saw her mouth like that.

She seems to remember herself. “Why?” Her confusion mixing deliciously with what I have a strong feeling is jealousy. “For two?” She repeats dumbly.

“I’ll have a visitor.”

“A visitor?”

“I’ve already cleared it with Brian. It won’t be a problem will it?”

Before Anya has a chance to reply, we pull up outside my trailer.

I bite back my burgeoning smirk as I climb out of the car, leaving Anya gaping in the back seat.

Chapter 20

ANYA

The door closes behind him so quietly he might as well have slammed it.

I sit there, gaping like a fish for a few seconds before I scurry out the car after him. Who is he having lunch with? For a second, I thought he meant he wanted lunch for me too, so that we could eat together. Of course, that was stupid. He probably wants nothing to do with me. I need to stay away from him from now on. It’s for the best. It’s what I wanted to happen.

So why did my stomach ache at the thought?

I hurry behind him as he makes his way to set, clutching his dead phone in my hand. He never usually switches it off, usually trusting me to not be weird and look through it unless necessary. He doesn’t want me to look at it at all. Is he already seeing someone else?

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