Page 42 of Hollywood Games
Sam looked at her. ‘Shit, you’ve got to remove those magazines of me you stashed about the place. He’s got to think I’m a musician, not a bloody soap star.’
‘That’s the least of your problems, what are you going to tell Jamie? That he’s got to come up with a load of new songs dedicated to Brad Bauer overnight?’
Sam sunk her head. ‘Ugh. He doesn’t even like me.’
Zoe gave Sam’s shoulder a rub. ‘That’s not true, he’s just never met anyone like you before. You’re pretty intimidating.’
Sam looked up, bleakly. ‘Promise me you’ll come with me when I talk to him? There’s less chance of him saying no if you’re there.’
‘Of course, but then you’re on your own.’
Sam brightened. ‘Thanks, sweetheart, you’re the best.’ She cast her eyes around the room. ‘I need a piece of paper.’ She grabbed a call sheet and a pen from a table, and began scribbling on the back.
‘What are you doing?’
‘Writing the lyrics for The Heart of bloody Scotland. Now bugger off and leave me in peace, but keep your phone on. As soon as I’m done, you’re coming with me to Morag’s.’
Zoe grinned and walked out of the room, quietly shutting the door behind her.
By four o’clock theroad past Mrs McCreedie’s house was reopened and her house was secure, but not enough for her to return. Once she was settled with a neighbour, Rory was free to get back to the castle. He ached to hold Zoe. Every part of him burned for her. It was a sickness and the only cure was having her by his side, underneath him, on top of him, in every way he could imagine. He strode into the castle, his heart soaring as he saw her running towards him. He held her but she twisted away.
‘I’ve got to pop to Morag’s with Sam. I won’t be long,’ she said, making for the door.
He caught her wrist, spinning her back into his arms and kissing her hungrily. ‘It can wait,’ he said between kisses. ‘You’ve got to come with me now.’
Zoe pushed him away. ‘You haven’t met Sam yet.’
‘Don’t care,’ replied Rory, pulling her back into him and kissing down her neck. Through his fog of lust, Rory became aware of another female disguising a laugh as a cough, then Zoe’s voice:
‘This is Sam, she’s right here.’
He lifted his head from Zoe’s curls to see a pretty blonde woman smirking at him. He let Zoe go, straightened and stiffly held out his hand. ‘I’m Rory, pleased to meet you.’
‘Well, you’re all I’ve been told and a hell of a lot more,’ she said in open admiration. Zoe dragged Sam away, propelling her toward the door.
‘I’ll be back in a bit!’ Zoe called over her shoulder, leaving him standing forlornly in the hall.
‘When?’ he asked plaintively. But they were gone.
‘Holy shit,Zo, he’s so freaking hot for you! Jeez, I’ve never seen anyone look at you like that,’ said Sam as they walked to Morag’s.
‘Cheers,’ muttered Zoe.
‘Oh, don’t be like that, no one’s ever looked at me like that either. Bloody hell, I thought he was going to drag you off back to his cave.’
Zoe giggled. ‘It’s a cabin, not a cave.’
‘Same difference, they’re both primeval.’
They spilled through the back door of Morag’s to find Fiona there with Liam. Morag leapt to her feet. ‘How did it go? Off to Hollywood?’
‘Even better!’ said Zoe excitedly. ‘She’s taking Jamie with her!’
Two cups of tea later,the four women had planned Sam and Jamie’s entire career, including how many Grammys they were going to win and gold discs Morag was going to have for the living room wall. They were brainstorming what the band would be called when Jamie arrived back from work. He stopped inside the back door and stared.
‘What’s going on?’ Morag, Zoe and Fiona looked to Sam, who opened her mouth to speak. ‘No,’ said Jamie flatly. ‘Whatever it is, it’s a no.’ He put down his tool bag and kicked off his boots as the room erupted.
‘But you haven’t heard what she’s going to say, son!’
