With each second that passed, the pleasure grew more bold and ripe until, with a moan of acceptance, she brought her hands to his face and let herself go.
The sharp ring of a bell barely registered in their minds, and the insistent barking from Argo distracted them even less. Only when a growl grew to accompany the sound did Jenny reluctantly leave his arms to open the door.
St anding on the opposite stand of the door, Daniel’ s weathered face greeted Jenny, and she had just enough time to notice how the grin of sheer delight he wore set his shocking blue eyes twinkling with naughty mirth . Stepping inside before she could react , he looked at the stunned couple. “Do ya have any idea how many palms I had to cross to find this place? It cost me a s mall fortune, that I’ll tell ya .” Reaching down, he patted Argo carefully before looking up at Erik. “Does this animal go everywhere with you?”
“Everywhere that he’s welcome, ” Erik grunted. “ That is more than I can say for you.”
Ignoring Erik’s jibe, Daniel’s long legs made short work of crossing over to where Jenny stood, surprise reflecting in her ey es. “I have to protect my -- or should I say , our -- investment.” Daniel tossed back over his shoulder before taking Jenny’s slender hands in his. “Now, I need for you to listen, lass. I ran the outtakes past the big bosses today. The big man himself , for sure, and to say that he was impressed is putting it mildly. He’s willing to extend our budget – thank the Lord that we weren’t far into production. I was able to negotiate for you a three-picture deal here with Erik. You’re going to be a star, you ng lady. A big star.”
Stunned, Jenny backed away, her face a mask of terror. “ No … I can’t … but … ” However, she knew as well as they did that Jack Warner ran this town and no one who ever wanted to work in the industry said ‘no’ to him. She’d be blackballed by every studio in town. If she backed down, her days in Hollywood were over.
She schooled her emotions, telling herself to give all the right answers. But somehow, despite her good sense, her anger took hold instead. Turning on Erik, she allowed him to see the glaring disappointment in her eyes . “That’s what this is all about, isn’t it?” She asked lowly, betrayal sharpening her words. “A little charm, a little romance . . . maybe a roll in the sack , and I’d be willing to do whatever the two of you dreamed up. Well, I won’t have it, I tell you. . . I’ll go back . . .” Pausing, she shook her head, her words ground out from gritted teeth. “I’ll leave this town before I’ll ever star in any film – but especially one with you.”
Stung by her words, Erik only paused a moment before he lashed out with icy words of his own. “And would that be so terrible? To be able to sock away what you need to finish that novel you leave sitting day after day instead of publishing it and d oing something with your dreams? Or is it just easier to hide under someone else’s name for the rest of your damned career?”
Moving between them, it was easy for Daniel to see the passion in their eyes, and hear it in their voices. It was a passion that would be dynamic on screen – that is , if he could keep them from killing each other first. “Sure now, that’s enough from the both of you. Erik, go for a walk and take that dam ned dog with you.”
Watching as his friend storm ed out, Daniel eased Jenny onto a nearby sofa. The sound of Ireland echoed in his voice while his boney hands grasped hers. “I’m afraid that it was my idea to put those rushes in front of Jack. Erik knew nothing about it. Warner was so impressed that he’s already found your replacement. I’m fearin’, darlin’ , that it’s either this film or the unemployment line.”
* * * *
It had taken quite a tussle before Michael agreed to sit while Paige
The sharp ring of a bell barely registered in their minds, and the insistent barking from Argo distracted them even less. Only when a growl grew to accompany the sound did Jenny reluctantly leave his arms to open the door.
St anding on the opposite stand of the door, Daniel’ s weathered face greeted Jenny, and she had just enough time to notice how the grin of sheer delight he wore set his shocking blue eyes twinkling with naughty mirth . Stepping inside before she could react , he looked at the stunned couple. “Do ya have any idea how many palms I had to cross to find this place? It cost me a s mall fortune, that I’ll tell ya .” Reaching down, he patted Argo carefully before looking up at Erik. “Does this animal go everywhere with you?”
“Everywhere that he’s welcome, ” Erik grunted. “ That is more than I can say for you.”
Ignoring Erik’s jibe, Daniel’s long legs made short work of crossing over to where Jenny stood, surprise reflecting in her ey es. “I have to protect my -- or should I say , our -- investment.” Daniel tossed back over his shoulder before taking Jenny’s slender hands in his. “Now, I need for you to listen, lass. I ran the outtakes past the big bosses today. The big man himself , for sure, and to say that he was impressed is putting it mildly. He’s willing to extend our budget – thank the Lord that we weren’t far into production. I was able to negotiate for you a three-picture deal here with Erik. You’re going to be a star, you ng lady. A big star.”
Stunned, Jenny backed away, her face a mask of terror. “ No … I can’t … but … ” However, she knew as well as they did that Jack Warner ran this town and no one who ever wanted to work in the industry said ‘no’ to him. She’d be blackballed by every studio in town. If she backed down, her days in Hollywood were over.
She schooled her emotions, telling herself to give all the right answers. But somehow, despite her good sense, her anger took hold instead. Turning on Erik, she allowed him to see the glaring disappointment in her eyes . “That’s what this is all about, isn’t it?” She asked lowly, betrayal sharpening her words. “A little charm, a little romance . . . maybe a roll in the sack , and I’d be willing to do whatever the two of you dreamed up. Well, I won’t have it, I tell you. . . I’ll go back . . .” Pausing, she shook her head, her words ground out from gritted teeth. “I’ll leave this town before I’ll ever star in any film – but especially one with you.”
Stung by her words, Erik only paused a moment before he lashed out with icy words of his own. “And would that be so terrible? To be able to sock away what you need to finish that novel you leave sitting day after day instead of publishing it and d oing something with your dreams? Or is it just easier to hide under someone else’s name for the rest of your damned career?”
Moving between them, it was easy for Daniel to see the passion in their eyes, and hear it in their voices. It was a passion that would be dynamic on screen – that is , if he could keep them from killing each other first. “Sure now, that’s enough from the both of you. Erik, go for a walk and take that dam ned dog with you.”
Watching as his friend storm ed out, Daniel eased Jenny onto a nearby sofa. The sound of Ireland echoed in his voice while his boney hands grasped hers. “I’m afraid that it was my idea to put those rushes in front of Jack. Erik knew nothing about it. Warner was so impressed that he’s already found your replacement. I’m fearin’, darlin’ , that it’s either this film or the unemployment line.”
* * * *
It had taken quite a tussle before Michael agreed to sit while Paige
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