The Accidental Movie Star Read Online Free PDF Page B

left as she assessed him. If he took his shirt off, she could really see.
    Caz repeated, “The package?”
    Ashley tossed him the drugstore bag, face on fire, and darted for the door. “It’s from the studio,” she lied.
    Moving fast, Caz caught her arm in a tight grip. He held Ashley in place and upended the bag. The contents fell free.
    Thump.
    The square, plastic-wrapped box landed face up, centered on the coffee table. The label screamed, Deluxe Condoms .

Chapter 4
    Ashley swallowed and rubbed her free hand across her warm face. Caz, wearing a struck expression, lifted the box of condoms. The plastic wrapping crinkled against his fingers and he gazed from the box to her. Clearly, she’d surprised him, and if he said anything about the size or type, she’d die. Ashley pulled against his grip, but he held her in place.
    Staring at the gift in consideration, he said, “You fancy me?”
    She tried to wriggle out of his hold. “What?”
    “Are these an invitation?”
    Ashley didn’t think it was possible to blush any harder, but the heat in her face almost burned. Clearly, he didn’t buy her story about the studio being behind the purchase.
    Her voice rushed out. “No. I heard someone say something about sabotaging them. Yours. And I didn’t think that was fair, so those are sealed. Use those when you…um…when you, you know.”
    “Because I’m an actor, I’m off sleeping with everyone?”
    Ashley shrugged. “Probably. You movie stars aren’t exactly known for your restraint.”
    Caz frowned. “What exactly did you hear?”
    She couldn’t tell if he didn’t believe her or just wanted to know the whole story, but she wasn’t gossiping with an actor. Squirming against his hold, she said, “I may have gotten the story wrong, so I’m not repeating it.”
    “I want to know what you heard,” his clipped British voice commanded.
    “Contrary to what you think, you can’t always get what you want.” Ashley jerked free.
    “You’re quoting song lyrics?”
    “British ones,” she offered.
    A smile edged the corner of his mouth and his grip loosened. “Tell me.” His voice took on a charming, persuasive tone.
    Ashley wavered. The tone had the power to make her capitulate far more than his commands. Feeling herself weaken, she turned and escaped.
    ***
    Ashley felt Caz’s eyes on her, but she avoided him. She didn’t want round two of yesterday’s embarrassing scene, so she wasn’t going near him today. Staying busy kept her away for the first hour.
    As soon as Caz realized she was avoiding him, he took matters into his own hands. “PA.”
    Despite having such short legs, Olive could move quickly. She beat all the other assistants to him. Winning the race didn’t score her the prize, though, because Caz waved her off with one word. “Ashley.”
    Ashley couldn’t avoid a direct request; it was her job, so she joined them. “Yeah?”
    “I need some assistance.”
    “With?”
    He raised his eyes as if thinking. “Olive, what do you usually assist with?”
    Olive gave a little hop. “Anything you need, Mr. Thaymore. I can arrange for food, a change of clothes, cushions for your chair, foot massages.”
    “PA,” the AD called.
    Olive looked torn, her eyes darting from the assistant director to Caz, then back, as if trying to judge who was more important. Ashley took a step toward the director and Olive made a hissing sound and pushed past, leaving her with Caz.
    Caz chuckled and rose from his chair. He actually had a chair with Thaymore embroidered on the back above a shiny gold star. Petra had one too. The rest of the crew took their breaks leaning against the wall or sitting on a crate of equipment, feeling lucky if they were able to grab a crate before they were all occupied.
    Caz stretched his arms over his head and leaned side to side. The hem of his shirt rose, showing an inch of his skin. “I probably could use a massage later.”
    Ashley rolled her eyes. “I have to roll some cable.