Chapter 9

Chapter Nine

Banner

I let Wisteria go for the time being. Let her run back to her clothes, her agent, her own little bubble. But that won't be how it is forever. One day… I won't let her run anymore. One day… the only way she will be leaving will be with me.

I"m not certain when I decided I was going to keep the little starlet - maybe it was when she was laying across me half naked and totally vulnerable, or perhaps when I kissed her and found out she was as innocent and sweet as I first thought her to be. Should I leave her alone? Probably. Will I? Probably not!

Does this complicate this fucking movie since it calls for at least two love scenes and one of them has my little starlet going topless? You're god damned right it does! In fact, it takes me half the night and several phone calls to George to make me feel better about it.

The next morning, we are called into the director's office again. I send another car for her and meet her in the hallway this time, instead of outside. The security is better today, so I am alright with it. She doesn't meet my eyes when she comes in and notices me standing against the wall. We make our way to the door only to hear the director yelling at the top of his lungs.

"I can't believe this little upstart! I cannot fucking believe her! Who does she think she is, anyway? She signed the movie contract. That should have been good enough! End of story - do what you are told and shut up!"

Her eyes grow big, and she steps closer to her agent, "Is he talking about me?"

I find myself getting irritated at the fact she stepped closer to the woman and not to me. Will she do that with me one day? Will she turn to me to find solace, to help alleviate her anxiety one day?

If I have my way, all those answers to the questions will be a resounding yes. For now, I focus on what I need to do for her presently. When we all crowd into his office I take her by the elbow and walk her to the seat next to the one I plan to sit in. "Why don't you sit by me, Winnie?"

The director gives her a dirty look but before he can say anything a small woman bustles through the door. She smiles at everyone in the room and dumps all the stuff in her arms on the desk of the director. She turns around, still smiling.

"Hello everyone. My name is Mary Jo Summers, and I am an intimacy coordinator. Before we even start let me tell you a little about what it is I do exactly. I am called in to make sure all of the actors in a typical love scene are comfortable and safe and like they are seen and heard during the filming. If a problem arises with the scene I try to come in and find a way for everyone involved to feel as good about it as I can."

The director huffs and crosses his arms. "I'm still not sure why we even need this woman if our princess would've known how to…"

The woman turns to the director and most of the sweetness that seemed to surround her is gone, "Oh, she didn't hire me…" she points to me, "he did."

The director looks at me with narrowed eyes, "You did this?"

"Yes, I did. Now, sit down and shut up. Let Miss. Mary Jo tell us what we all need to do."

The smile and sweetness are back on Mary Jo's face as she turns to me. "Okay. Let me start by saying that I love when actors call me in to make everyone as comfortable as possible. I realize I use that word a lot, but it is such an important feeling, especially when you do scenes like these. There are so many things that we can do for the two leads to make sure nothing touches, brushes, or falls out when it isn't supposed to."

She starts showing all the types of panties that can be worn and the ‘cock bag' that is supposed to keep me hidden and well away from Winnie's pretty little pussy.

She starts showing Winnie little pasties in various colors to hide her nipples and then stops and takes a long look at her. During the entire time Mary Jo has been talking, I have been watching Winnie's face, watching her take everything in.

"Of course, you are a little bigger than I'm used to working with, but I think…hm, how big are your areolas sweetie?"

Winnie's eyes widen and everyone in the room's attention zeroes in on her. "I…um…"

"Well, I'm sure we can figure it out, dear. No need to worry." She gives Wisteria a big, warm smile before continuing, "I'm also assuming from what I've been told there will be no full frontal and no vaginal shots, although we have things to get around that as well for future reference."

"No nipples," I answer for Wisteria.

"What the hell? We signed a contract for at least tit shots. God damn it man! There are a thousand other actresses that will gladly show their tits, no problem. No questions asked. None of this bullshit we have to put up with because of the princess. And I'm not even getting nipples. What the actual hell? This is utter bullshit and I hope you know missy… you'll never work in this town again if I don't see some nipples."

I thump a fist down on the table loud enough to make everyone jump, even Wisteria beside me. I place a hand on her arm to try to calm her before I turn my gaze back to the shithead having a meltdown. My frown should warn him but just in case he's as stupid as I think he is I put it into words.

"This is how it is going to be. If you don't like it, leave."

He gives me a narrow-eyed look but doesn't say another word.

"Now, I think they have called for two sex scenes. One, the longer, more intense of the two, with Banner, and then I think there is a flashback thing and also maybe a couple of shots with the actor who dies…where is he? He should really be here?"

I stay quiet and stay focused on Wisteria. She slides her eyes over to her agent who is busily typing on a laptop instead of paying attention to her client. They don't know it yet, but I plan to do all those scenes the other actor is supposed to do with her as well as the ones we have to do together.

Mary Jo looks like she wants to halt the meeting until we can track down that actor, leaving me no choice but to speak up.

"You don't have to worry about the other actor, Miss. Mary Jo."

She gives me a cocked eyebrow. "Well, I might not, but I think just to make everything alright with Wisteria, we should at least discuss the scene and that means he has to be a part of this first meeting."

"I'm doing those scenes with Wisteria."

A hush falls over the entire room. The first person to actually speak up is my good buddy, the director, which I have already had to threaten and shake over the damned naked vacation thing yesterday.

"You… you can't do his parts."

"Really? And who says I can't do his parts?"

"Me. It's not in the contract. We all signed the damned contract and in it, it states that Aaron Vasquez is to do the part with her."

"Not anymore."

"I don't understand what game you"re playing, Arden, but you're pushing me dangerously close to quitting."

"Then by all means. Walk your happy ass right off this project because you've already pissed me the fuck off."