Page 37 of Hollywood Games
‘I don’t want you anywhere near him. What were you doing there?’
‘They’re employing me as Kirsten’s stand-in.’
Rory jerked his head up. ‘What the fuck does that mean? He’ll be practising his moves on you?’
‘No! It’s not like that at all. Kirsten doesn’t want to have to stand around waiting for a shot to be set up, so they’re paying me. Once the camera and lights are in place, she steps in to deliver her lines. It’s fine. I could do with the money, and it will give me a chance to get a load of photos we can use later for publicity.’
Rory dropped his head again. ‘It’s not right I’m not paying you for the work you’re doing. When the next lot of money comes through you’ve got to have it.’
Zoe hugged him closer. ‘I know the estate’s finances better than you and money needs to go elsewhere. We can talk about the long term when this is over. For now, they’re paying me for the cabin and to be a stand-in. It’s all good, I promise.’
‘Marry me,’ said Rory dejectedly. ‘For the love of god, just marry me.’
Zoe kissed into his hair. ‘Nope. I’m not having a proposal born of desperation.’
‘You have no idea how desperate I am.’
‘You can show me later,’ she said with a smile. He turned and kissed her, pulling her onto his lap, running his hands through her hair and groaning with need. Zoe clung to him, responding fiercely, her own desire rushing to meet his in a blaze of heat. An awkward cough broke them apart, and she saw Shauna standing in front of them, puce with embarrassment.
Rory contained his sigh. ‘Can I help you, Shauna?’
‘I’m so sorry, my lord. And you, Zoe. Brad is wondering where you are, and,’ she looked back at Rory, ‘Kirsten needs guava.’
‘Guava?’
Shauna was twisting her hands together wretchedly. ‘Yes. She needs guava. She must have guava. She can’t perform without—’
Rory held up his hand. ‘Guava. Yes, I get the message. Can’t you go and get her some?’
Shauna shook her head. ‘I can’t leave her for more than twenty minutes.’
‘What about,’ Rory paused and swallowed, as if trying to suppress bile, ‘His Holiness?’
Shauna looked shocked. ‘He only deals with spiritual matters. That would be beneath him.’
‘But not beneath the Earl of Kinloch?’ asked Rory, raising an eyebrow. Shauna blushed even harder and her eyes welled up.
‘What about Brad’s chef?’ Zoe interrupted.
‘She’s preparing for the earth meal. She told me she can’t leave the dehydrator unattended,’ she replied miserably.
Rory sighed.
Zoe got off his lap and stood up. ‘Try ringing Fi. See if she can run to Inverness?’
Rory stood. ‘I’ll see what I can do, but I expect we’ll need a Caribbean or an Indian supermarket and I don’t know if Inverness has one.’ He turned to Shauna. ‘Would tinned be okay?’
Shauna shook her head and burst into tears. ‘It has to be fresh,’ she sobbed as Zoe gave her a hug.
‘Don’t worry, sweetheart, Lord Kinloch will sort her out.’
‘Oh, I’ll sort her out all right,’ muttered Rory. He patted Shauna awkwardly on the shoulder, gave Zoe a quick kiss and walked off.
Zoe took a packet of tissues from her pocket and passed one to Shauna. ‘It’s okay, it’s all been a bit stressful and you’re probably still jetlagged.’
Shauna blew her nose. ‘Thank you for being so kind.’
‘It’s nothing. Now, come on. Let’s go and find King Brad.’
