Chapter 6

Chapter Six

Wisteria

I'm trying to freakin' breath through the worry and fear that claws at my stomach. Is Banner mad? He seemed mad when he came out to help me and Vel make it through the throng of people out front when we first got here. He didn't really say anything to me either, except there at the end when he asked me to leave. Instead, he just stood there staring at the director like he was disgusted with the entire situation.

Disgusted with me.

He probably thinks I did this -or had it done- and he's back to being repelled by me. My leg starts bouncing up and down with a speed that would astonish a marathon runner. It's a habit I've had my whole life. A nervous tick that I have to work hard at hiding since it usually pisses most people off. Even now, Banner's agent is giving me a weird look that clearly says I am shaking the floor with my jostling leg.

"Um, so…have they found a scene double to replace the old one yet?"

I ask both agents not really caring which one wants to answer me. His agent looks from me to my own agent and back at me again before answering me. "There isn't going to be a double any longer."

"Oh."

Son of a bitch! They're going to scrap the whole movie. He's in there right now telling the director he's not going to do the movie and they can find someone new to either take his place or just let the movie die.

My heart sinks and my leg doubles in intensity. My career is over and I'm going to have to go back home with my tail tucked between my legs. My stomach lurches and I fear I am going to toss my cookies when the door flies open causing everyone to jump. With my nerves strung so tight, I let out a squeak before I can control myself and pretend everything is just as it should be.

He looks rumpled and won't move over so we can look into the room to the director.

"You ready to do some promo stuff, Winnie?"

Winnie?

"Uh…yeah?" It comes out as a question but doesn't seem to discourage him as he reaches for my hand. I take it and he ushers me out of the building and into another waiting car. This time I'm less than comfortable.

"I'm really sorry about the… thing."

It's kind of hard to apologize for all of it in one swoop, especially when I have to really work myself up to get the words out in the first place.

His brows drop into a crease, and he turns haunting blue eyes my way. Eyes like those could turn a smart woman stupid. "The thing?"

"Um, the pictures and the rumors and everything." I wave my hand around hoping he understands, and I don't have to break it down any further.

"It happens. All the time, actually."

This time it's my brow that creases and I'm the one frowning as he looks out the window with a bored look on his face. I've not heard of him being linked to anyone in… a long time. But… maybe I'm wrong. Maybe he just knows how to shush things like this up and they never make it out to too many people. Or maybe he means the publicity thing happens. It leads me to say more.

"I, um, don't get me wrong or anything, I think you are a great person, but I don't really want to show my boobs to everybody," I start thinking about the sex scenes that have been written into the script, "if I don't have to."

This time he turns those eyes back on me, a questioning look on his face. "You're talking about what Don wanted to do, the sexy vacation?"

I nod.

"You won't have to show your ‘boobs' unless you want to. Trust me, I doubt Don is going to keep going down that road."

I try desperately to think back about the last time I read that he was with someone or having a wild fling. It has to be a couple of years and the whole thing didn't last long. I think maybe a couple of months. We stop at a sectioned-off part of the beach with people working with lights and cameras. Banner is the first one out of the car and reaches down to help me out just like he did before.

I'm rushed away from him almost as soon as I step foot out of the back, with women pulling me to a large tent and me having a bathing suit shoved in my hands. The women are doing my hair and makeup and help make sure everything is well-covered. There isn't a lot to the bathing suit so making sure everything stays put is going to be a real juggling act given the size of my boobs.

"Don't you look sexy as hell?" My head comes up and my eyes meet Vel's. "Okay, this is just going to be a light day. Fun, fun, fun. Don't overthink it. You look hot by the way, have I told you, you look hot?"

I walk out of the tent and right into Banner. I apparently plow into him so hard the air is knocked out of me on a muffled uhf. Arms come around me and stop me from falling back on my ass.

"Now, now. The couples pictures come later."

At the sound of the voice, we both turn our heads to see the photographer snap a quick shot before giving us a big, toothy grin.

"Right." Banner sits me away from him while still looking at the photographer.

I scurry after the assistant who positions me where we are supposed to start. Banner didn't exactly seem thrilled but then again who would be when a half-naked woman just slammed herself into you? It would really be great if I could stop being so damned clumsy around him all the fucking time.

"Okay, to start with I just want you to play in the water. Just play and have fun. Act naturally."

I stare at the vast water before me and start acting my ass off. It's not too hard to act like I'm having fun. The shoot is really relaxed and the photographer is low-key and undemanding. For the next few hours, I play in the sand and water and bask in the sunshine around me which doesn't seem like a bad day's work at all.