Glittering Fortunes by Victoria Fox Page B

and drank more wine.
    ‘Usherwood,’ she mumbled.
    ‘Yeah.’ He put a hand on her leg. ‘D’you think I could get an introduction?’
    The question threw her. ‘What?’
    ‘To Cato.’ Addy cocked his head and delivered that smile again. ‘Or Susanna—either, really.’ He stretched, and with the movement came that intoxicating aroma of salt and sweat. ‘I’ve always seen myself as getting into Hollywood—hanging around movie sets, going to functions, looking sharp all the time, acting a bit... I used to get told I could model, y’know, and aren’t actors kind of just models who learn lines? So I figured that’s what I wanted to do, only I don’t know how to get into it, like, where you even begin, and now Cato’s turned up and it’s like a sign. I’m thinking, if I get to speak to him then maybe he could get me mixing with the right people?’
    ‘I don’t know...’
    ‘I’ve tried with Charlie, but he totally blanked me.’
    Olivia frowned. Addy caught her expression and tacked on, wide-eyed: ‘Hey, I wouldn’t want to put you on the spot, if it was awkward.’
    She recalled Charlie’s words: This house owes you nothing ...
    ‘Well, they are having this party,’ she began. ‘You could come if you want.’
    Addy jumped on it. ‘For real?’
    ‘I’m not sure who they’re inviting, but if I say you’re with me—’
    ‘OK.’
    ‘I mean, not like that—’
    ‘Why not like that?’
    ‘Because we’re not... I mean, we’re not... You know—’
    And then, like magic, his mouth was on hers. His lips were soft, hot, insistent, fitting to hers as neat as a glove and she reached up to touch his face, making sure it was really there, really him, and felt his tongue wrap deliciously around hers.
    ‘You’ll let me know when it is?’ He took a slug of his pint.
    ‘Sure,’ she breathed, stunned. ‘Sure I will.’
    They stayed until the pub closed, Addy treating her like a queen, hanging on to every word she said and gazing deep into her eyes. Every so often he would squeeze her hand, or claim another kiss, and the whole night felt like walking on air.
    When it was time to leave, Addy pulled her close against the chill.
    ‘Come down to the beach,’ he urged. ‘I’m horny.’ He held her hand and they ran through the darkness towards the water. At the shore he kissed her again.
    ‘Let’s go in,’ he murmured.
    ‘It’ll be freezing!’
    He was already peeling off his T-shirt. His jeans followed, and then he was bounding into the sea, splashing through the white-capped baby waves as they broke and lapped around his ankles, knees, waist, the sky above bursting with stars. Through her drunken haze Olivia thought he looked just like a painting. Boy , Sea and Sky , he’d be called.
    ‘Come on!’ he yelled. ‘What are you waiting for?’ He dived into the swell, arms churning, and surfaced seconds later with a dog-like shake of the head.
    Olivia shrugged off her dress. She had forgotten that the ocean was warmer at night, and the temperature had to be close to her own blood.
    When she caught up, he held her, his touch running down her back, skillful and deft, unclipping her bra. Her breasts sprung free, light and buoyant in the water, a strange sensation. Addy grasped them as he kissed her. She felt him grow against her stomach and she moaned. So many times she had imagined what this would be like...what sex with Addy Gold would be like.
    His fingers were fumbling a path into her knickers.
    ‘Hang on—’
    ‘What?’ He grabbed her hand, dragged it beneath the surface. The surprise of his flesh on hers made her gasp.
    ‘You like that, don’t you...?’ His mouth moved lower.
    ‘Wait...’ Her head was thrown back, the sky spinning sickeningly in her vision. This was happening too fast, way too fast. A wave heaved, washing them into shore. Olivia felt the bump of sand against her knees as they hit the shallows.
    Addy grabbed her, lifting her on top. Her throat bloated. The wine