Page 25 of The Location Shoot
“Would anyone like something to eat?”
“Not yet,” Finn replied. “Thank you.”
“Well, this isn’t what I was expecting this morning,” Michael said. “All that’s missing are the women. Where are they?” he asked, glancing around the room. It was clear he was looking for Ella, since the others never had breakfast in the dining room.
Jean ignored him and said, “Fascinating, just fascinating,” as he flipped through the manuscript. “I can’t stop thinking about it.”
“What’d I miss?” Michael asked as his espresso was delivered.
“It’s Ella’s book about sex. I was up all night with it. You wouldn’t believe some of the things she wrote. Here,” Jean said, pulling out several pages. “She has eight pages in a row about thrusting.”
Michael’s and Finn’s eyes widened, their mouths agape.
“I told you it’s provocative,” Albie said with a sly laugh as he picked up his tea and took a measured sip.
Jean continued, “She describes thirteen different ways men thrust when they have sexual intercourse, ingreatdetail, and what each method signifies about their feelings toward their partner and the type of pleasure they are trying to elicit for themselves. She calls the section ‘ThirteenThrusts.’” He looked at them and said, “I swear! That’s what she calls it!”
“Does she have like a favorite or a recommendation or anything?” Michael asked.
Finn shot him a disapproving look while Albie laughed.
“What? I’m obviously not implying I need help in that department, but I am definitely curious. You know, a woman’s perspective and all,” Michael said defensively.
“It’s not meant to be a diary or how-to guide,” Jean said. “It’s rather brilliant, actually. Her ideas are bold. Americans can be quite puritanical about sex. She just loves pushing people past their comfort zones. Of course, like all her work, it’s gorgeously written. There are some incredibly funny bits.” He stopped to chuckle. “She has the most wonderful sense of humor, especially when writing about taboo subjects.”
“It is quite tantalizing. Tell them what she wrote about blow jobs,” Albie said with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
“Yes, you simply must hear this,” Jean said, searching through the manuscript.
Just then, Ella walked in wearing a black sundress and sandals, the chains hanging around her neck tinkling like wind chimes as she moved. Everyone turned to look. She cocked her head and furrowed her brow in confusion as she approached the table of men who were all smiling broadly.
“Well, good morning,” she said. “This is unexpected.” She and Finn exchanged a covert look as Jean scooched over to make room for her. She plopped down and asked, “So, how is everyone this fine morning?”
“I was just telling them about your book,” Jean replied. “Bloody thing kept me up all night.”
“That explains why you look a fright,” she observed.
“We must discuss your description of the erect cock.”
Michael had just taken a sip of espresso, which went flying out of his mouth. He grabbed a napkin to wipe it up. Finn’s faced turned bright red.
“Gee, give a girl a minute to wake up. I haven’t even had a cup of tea,” Ella casually replied.
Jean hollered at the waiter, “Tea!” and he pointed to Ella. He continued, “I’m serious,ma chérie. I’m utterly possessed thinking of it. Your description of hardness and thrusting on page thirty-eight is haunting.”
She giggled. “I’m barely awake, Jean. Perhaps you could take it down a notch with the cock talk.”
Finn and Albie laughed.
“I don’t know how I’m going to concentrate on filming today. You’ve got my mind spinning. All I want to do is discuss blow jobs,” Jean said.
“And you wonder why Charlotte and Willow never come to breakfast,” Ella joked.
Finn cracked up.
“I’m serious,” Jean said. “It’s captivating.”
“Perhaps you shouldn’t have read the whole thing in one go. Swallowed more than you could handle, as it were. I warned you there’s adult subject matter,” she jested.
