Risk Taker by Sonia Stanizzo

Chapter 18

When filming ended for the day, Holly cleaned her bench space and prepared her area for tomorrow’s shoot. It amazed her how a scene that lasts a couple of minutes on screen took all day or longer to film. It was fascinating to watch Ethan jump from different props while attached to wire in front of a green screen. Although, now knowing what went on behind the scenes, she’d never be able to enjoy a movie the same way again.

Leaving the makeup room, her gaze automatically searched for Ethan. It was only a few hours ago they were going at it on the couch but on set they’d barely spoken. Too many people hovered around him. He’d thrown her steamy glances from across the room once in a while telling her what was on his mind.

The last time she’d seen him, he was heading into his dressing room with Stan. She didn’t want to interrupt his meeting with the director, so made her way out of the studio and into the carpark. Once again, she found herself in the same predicament as last night. Not much money and nowhere to sleep. Thankfully she had time in one of her breaks to Google accommodation and found better places than the ones from last night.

The parking lot was dark, with only weak light coming from surrounding lampposts. Most of the crew had left, leaving the carpark eerily empty. She hoped she didn’t have to walk too far to the nearest bus stop.

Holly’s phone rang and she pulled it out of her bag hoping it was Ethan and looked at the caller ID. A fist sized knot twisted in her gut. Oliver. She hadn’t answered his text messages, so now he was calling.

If she ignored him, he’d probably keep calling. Taking a deep breath, she answered, “What do you want, Oliver?” No point making small talk, better to get straight to the point so she could end the call quickly.

“Holly, baby. I’ve missed you.” Once the endearment was cute and loving, now it sounded like fingernails down a chalkboard.

“You have one minute to tell me what you want, then I’m hanging up.”

“What’s the matter, baby, I thought you’d be happy to hear from me?” His voice was slightly pout-y. Not attractive on a grown man.

She pinched the bridge of her nose. “Just tell me why you’ve been contacting me.”

“Like I said, I’m in Sydney, heard you were in town too, it’s been so long since I’ve seen you. I’d love to catch up.”

“I’m not interested. When I told you I never wanted to see you again, I meant it.”

“No, you didn’t.”

She gave a mirthless laugh. “Oh yes I did.”

“Arrh, come on baby—”

“Don’t call me baby,” she snapped.

“Oh, okay. Sorry. Let’s go for coffee. I remember how much you loved cosy coffee shops. I know a great one in Circular Quay.”

“Your minute is up. Bye, Oliver. Don’t contact me again.”

“Wait—”

She hung up before he could say another word.

She blew out a long, shaky breath and put the phone back in her bag. Why would Oliver think she’d want to catch up and act like nothing had happened between them after what he’d done to her? No chance.

A car pulled up beside her and Nancy wound down the window. “What are you doing out here?”

Holly scuffed her boot on the ground. “Just deciding where I’ll spend the night.”

“You’re always welcome back at my house. I’d love to have you again.”

“Umm, well… I’m planning on staying in a hostel.”

Nancy screwed up her nose at Holly’s choice of accommodation much like Ethan had. People with money were so judgemental. Months ago, she would’ve had the same reaction.

“Be careful there are some bad ones around. My friend owns Summer’s Edge Hostel on King Street, it’s good. Ask for Lucy and tell her I sent you. She’ll set you up with a decent room. Although a hotel might be more comfortable?”

Holly misjudged Nancy, she was more down to earth than her son.

“It’s what I can afford.”

“Get in, I’ll take you to Lucy’s place,” Nancy offered.

“I’ll give her a ride. We can grab something to eat first.”

At the sound of Ethan’s deep voice, her skin broke out in goose bumps. She pulled her jacket closed. The chills had nothing to do with the crisp evening air and everything to do with Ethan Doyle.

Taking a steadying breath, she turned around. Gone was the stage makeup of soot and dirt she’d meticulously applied. He’d replaced his dirty clothes from wardrobe with well-tailored dark grey trousers and a pale blue shirt. He’d combed his damp hair back from his face and smelled of woodsy soap. Her breath caught. Would she ever get sick of looking at him? Probably not.

“Okay, give me your bags and I’ll take them to Lucy’s. Gives me an excuse to catch up with her.”

“Thank you,” Holly said. and watched Ethan put her luggage in the back of Nancy’s car”

“I’ll see you tomorrow. Good night.” Nancy waved and drove away.

Ethan’s gaze hadn’t left Holly’s face. His hot gaze flicked over her. She fiddled with the strap on her bag. She knew what she agreed to do during the next two weeks, and what they’d already done. With him looking at her like he was mentally stripping her naked, she was suddenly bashful.

As though he knew what she was thinking and knew she wasn’t quite ready for more just yet, he said, “I’m starved, let’s go eat.”

She sighed with relief. Why was she so nervous? This sexy man had already done wicked and wonderful things to her and promised to do them again. She should forego dinner and go straight to the nearest bedroom. Dinner sounded good. Not that she thought she could eat with her stomach tied in knots, but the time together may calm her jittery nerves. Because if what happened in his dressing room was only a warmup, could she handle the main event?

He flicked out his wrist to check the time on his watch. “It’s not too late for Spiral’s.”

“Hey, aren’t you supposed to be in a lover’s tiff with Victoria? It wouldn’t look good if you’re seen out so soon with another woman.” Not a lie. The excuse would work in her favour. It was humiliating to always have to remind everyone how broke she was. The restaurant was also filled with Sydney’s elite and it wasn’t her scene anymore. Not when it reminded her of her life in Melbourne. One she’d have to go back to soon. She wanted to keep things simple before she had to be a part of that lifestyle again.

“I’ll call and have them prepare a private room. There’s a back entrance we can use.”

“That’s too much trouble. I know a place where the food is great and we’ll have privacy too.”

Doubt flickered across his face. “Another pie shop?”

She took his hand and led him to his car. “Didn’t you like it?”

“I did, but I like my food served to me on a plate with a glass of wine in a restaurant.”

“You’re so high maintenance,” she joked. He didn’t push further just let her pull him along.

When they reached his car, it was his turn to pull at her arm bringing them chest to chest. “I’ve been wanting to do this all afternoon.” He crushed his lips against hers. She wrapped her arms around his waist and clung to his body returning the deep kiss, all the nerve endings in her body switching on. A sense of belonging engulfed her. Like being in his arms was a natural place to be. I could totally be in love with this guy. The thought snapped her out of the kiss. No, she couldn’t let that happen. A tiny voice in her head said, “Yeah right.”

* * *

“Toasted sandwiches?” Ethan looked at the faded street sign above a small shop window. “I offered you fine dining and this is what you’d rather eat?” It was like he was a kid again and the only thing in the kitchen was stale bread and a few slices of ham and cheese. He’d thought he’d never be able to stomach another one again.

“You turned your nose up at the pies and they surprised you. I promise you’ll love this too. Stay in the car and I’ll order for you. There’s a bottle shop next door and I’ll buy wine. I just can’t serve your meal on fancy plates or in crystal flutes—sorry.”

He went to take his wallet out to give her money, but she said, “My shout.” She bounded out of the car, crossed the street and disappeared in the shop.

Old memories came rushing to the surface. Years of poverty had taught him things he never wanted to experience anything like it again, even if it was only a toasted sandwich.

While he waited, and to get his mind off his struggling years, he flicked through emails on his phone. There was one from Ralph he hadn’t replied to yet. If he had when he first opened it, he would have sent him a I’m dropping you as my agent email. After a few hours, he’d calmed down a little and decided that would’ve been a little harsh. Maybe he hadn’t been clear enough about exactly what he wanted.

Holly came back with a hand full of bags and Ethan got out to open the door.

Once in the car, he said, “Where to?”

Holly glanced out the window and assessed the area. “It’s pretty busy around here, you’ll probably get recognised. Do you want to go somewhere secluded?”

Absolutely, then he could do all the things he’d been imagining doing to her. “Secluded sounds good.”

“Take the next right and I’ll lead you from there.”

After a few right and left turns, Ethan pulled up to a dark and deserted car park. Where the hell had she taken him?

“Don’t look so horrified,” she giggled. “I know a place you’ll love.”

“Will we get murdered on the way?” he joked, but he was seriously concerned.

“If we get attacked, you can use all those macho moves you were doing on set.”

“I’m not exactly a black belt in anything. Those moves are all choreographed.”

She rolled her eyes and laughed, “Come on wimp, I’ll protect you.” With that, she gathered her goodies and got out of the car. He’d be the biggest wimp if he stayed in his BMW. Or an even bigger target for any thieves after a luxury vehicle. The beeping sound of the alarm setting didn’t reassure its safety or whether he’d find it in once piece when he got back. He gave the area a quick scan, and followed Holly through the car park, taking the bags out of her hands.

He’d lived his whole life in Sydney, apart from travelling for work, this city was his home. Yet, he had no idea where they were going.

Long grass and bush met the end of the concrete area and he could just make out a trail through the shrubs. With no more light reaching from the road’s lamp posts, Holly pulled out her phone from her pocket and put on the torch.

Branches brushed up against him as they made their way along the trail and sounds of insects filled the air. He could be in the country not in the middle of a capital city.

After a few minutes, Holly stopped and said, “We’re here.”

Stepping on a rocky ledge, he stood beside her. “Wow.”

“You don’t get a view like this at Spiral’s,” Holly said.

No, definitely not. Sprawled out before him was Sydney Harbour with a glimpse of the bridge in the distance. Mansions along the water’s edge had white jetties jutting out from their backyards with tethered boats bobbing in the water beside them. Hundreds of colourful lights twinkled from the houses and buildings around the shoreline.

“This is incredible,” he said.

Holly sat cross legged on a patch of spongy grass. He did the same and handed her the bags of food.

“I never knew this place existed. How’d you find it?”

The lights of the harbour where enough for them to see what they were doing and Holly put her phone away.

“I was with Declan. He planned on meeting someone at the car park. I asked him if he was doing something illegal and we had a huge fight. I got out of the car and he left.”

“The fuckwit left you?”

She nodded and pulled a foil wrapped parcel from the bag. “After he drove away, a car pulled up with a couple of creepy looking guys, so I hid in the bushes before they saw me. I noticed the trail and well…” She swung out an arm. “Found this gem.”

Ethan scrubbed his hands over his face. “Firstly, I want to rip Declan a part for leaving you and secondly, why the fuck did you go back to him?”

She blew out a breath and shrugged. “He was usually really sweet. I didn’t know anyone else in Sydney. Where else could I go?”

“Anywhere would have been better than with him.” Was her family so fucked up that when she needed them the most, she couldn’t turn to them for help? Obviously, they were if she lived with such a dickhead.

She sat for a moment staring at the view and sighed like she was releasing built up tension. “I see that now. I won’t make that mistake again.” She snapped her attention to the bags like she was done talking about it, and pulled out two plastic cups and handed him one. “The next best thing to crystal glasses.” She giggled.

He loved the sound. She had the sexiest laugh. Sexiest smile. Sexiest self.

“You should’ve let me choose the vino,” he said as she poured wine into their cups. “This smells like it could strip paint.” He screwed up his nose.

“Are you always such a snob?”

“I’m not a snob. I just have good taste. For a woman who grew up in the Ainsworth family, surely you appreciate the finer things in life.”

This time she screwed up her nose like she’d smelled something bad. “Money and material things don’t make people happy.”

“It sure helps.” He swirled the dark liquid in the cup.

“It does,” she agreed. “I wasn’t happy when I was nearly homeless. The thought of going back home made me more miserable. Once again, I’d be wrapped in Gucci and Prada. I’d suffocate. Give me toasted sandwiches and cheap wine over country clubs and oysters any day.”

She unwrapped her sandwich and took a bite. Her eyes rolled in the back of her head and she groaned. Very similarly to when she orgasmed in his trailer. A spike of lust hit him hard between the legs.

“It’s gone cold though it’s still delicious.” She took another bite repeating the sounds and facial expressions. She had no idea what she was doing to him.

Distracting himself, he unwrapped his and took a bite. The delicious flavours burst in his mouth. Thick bread, smoked bacon, melted provolone cheese and some kind of amazing sauce.

“Told you it was good,” she said around a mouthful of food.

After finishing their meals and washing it down with wine that was surprisingly good, they gathered their rubbish and put it in the bags.

Leaning back on his elbows, he stared out at the view. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d enjoyed something so simple. As a kid, he’d been determined to pull his family out of poverty, he forgot to stop and enjoy what was around him.

“Why does slumming it scare you so much?” she asked.

It was like she was reading his thoughts. “I just appreciate—”

“The finer things. Yeah, you said. Even though I’ve only known you a few days, judging by the designer trousers and shirts you always wear, you don’t seem to be a jeans and t-shirts kinda guy. And every time I’ve suggested dinner without a five-star rating, you look like I’ve killed your cat.”

He smiled at her joke but an ache squeezed his chest. “I guess it comes back to what happened when I was younger.”

“What was that?” she asked when he didn’t say anything else.

“My dad. He died when I was twelve.”

Holly placed a hand on his arm. “I’m so sorry.”

“Yeah. He was on a fishing trip with mates. The boat capsized, he wasn’t wearing a life jacket and he drowned.”

“That’s horrible. You must have been devastated.”

“It was rough. He was a great father.” A ghost of a smile curved his lips. “He didn’t have life insurance and Mum was left with a huge mortgage and debt. Apparently, he wasn’t great with finances. Anyway, Mum worked two jobs and worked damn hard to keep a roof over our heads. As soon as Aiden and I were old enough, we got jobs after school to help out. Kids at school teased us for being poor and fatherless and I promised myself I’d never see my mother struggle again. Or be reminded of that time in my life.”

“Not without any emotional scars,” Holly said intuitively. “My choices of food had you nearly running for the hills. Why?”

“For a long time, sandwiches were all we could afford to eat.” Pouring more wine in their cups, he took a long swallow. “Since getting paid as an actor, I’ve never looked back nor do I want to. These toasties are an exception.”

Even though Holly smiled, he could see the concern in her eyes. “Have you always wanted to be an actor?”

He made a scoffing sound. “It never crossed my mind. I got a role in my high school play because the girl I had a crush on had a part. I was hoping for a kissing scene.” He winked.

Holly laughed.

“One of the kid’s parents was a talent scout and approached me after the show. Apparently, my good looks.” He wiggled his eyebrows and she rolled her eyes. “She could get me a lot of work. She set me up with an agent and I landed a bunch of commercials. I thought I’d hit the jackpot. Then I scored a part in a TV show over in the U.S and my commercials looked like small change. I began auditioning for films and fell in love with the whole process. By then, I’d well and truly been bitten by the acting bug and couldn’t stop if I tried. And I was making enough money, my family would never have to eat another stale sandwich again.”

“Sorry.” Holly gestured to the sandwich bags. “If I’d known I would have chosen different places.”

He held onto her hand and linked their fingers together. “You were right, though. I’ve become a snob. I’ve been so caught up in having money and what it can buy, I’ve forgotten how to enjoy the simpler things. I’m still trying to prove to people who really shouldn’t matter that I’m not the poor fatherless kid anymore.”

Sliding closer to him, Holly placed her head on his shoulder. He drew comfort in this small gesture. It wasn’t easy talking about his old life. Holly made him feel he could open up to her about anything—well, almost anything. They both sat in silence and stared over the dark water, listening to the small waves hitting the rocky ledge. He’d only known Holly for a couple of days, and he’d talked about his childhood. It was the blackest times in his life he couldn’t voice—not even to Holly. The years of depression he hadn’t told anyone about. The days when life got so hard it was like waking up and walking through quicksand. The more he tried, the deeper he sank. Some days he could still be brought back to that place. The strength of Holly’s body pressed against his lessened the feelings of despair.

* * *

Holly’s heart ached for the young boy who felt he needed to support his family. And for the man who was still stuck in those memories.

Now she understood the expensive clothes, fancy restaurants and fast cars. It was because he didn’t want to be reminded of a time when he had nothing.

Holly had never lacked for things growing up, she had way more than she ever needed. It was only in the past five months that she’d learned what it was like to wonder how far her money could stretch and to be careful where she spent it. And it was difficult. She couldn’t imagine how a child dealt with such a burden. Obviously, not very well if Ethan couldn’t stand the sight of a sandwich.

Holly’s phone buzzed intruding on their quiet sanctuary, and she pulled it out of her pocket.

“Unbelievable,” she spat. Another text from Oliver. Holly had made herself perfectly clear during their phone conversation that she never wanted to hear from him again.

“What is it?” Ethan asked, sitting up.

“Oliver’s been texting and calling.” Ethan’s body stiffened against her.

She didn’t open the message and put the phone back in her pocket.

“You’re still in contact with him?” Surprise underlined his tone.

“No, I haven’t spoken to him since we broke up. He says he’s in town and wants to meet.”

“Are you going to?”

Holly turned to face Ethan. “No, when I told him I never wanted to see him again, I meant it.”

He let out a rough exhale. “Good, he doesn’t deserve you back in his life.”

Leaning forward, he claimed her lips. Maybe he wanted to kiss her for pure enjoyment or maybe to get Oliver out of her mind. Whatever the reason, when their mouths fused together and his tongue entered her mouth, no other man consumed her thoughts. There was only Ethan and being kissed by him was her new happy place.

She shuffled on her butt to get as close to Ethan as possible and pressed her chest against his. Was it her heart pounding hard or his? The erratic rhythm was probably a combination of both.

One of his hands slid on her hip, while the other trailed a gentle path along her arm, over her shoulder and cupped the back of her neck. Ethan’s fingers tangled in her hair at the base of her head as he deepened the kiss. The gesture had all her sensitive parts heating up like an inferno and made her want to strip out of her clothes.

Behind them bushes rustled.

“What the hell are you doing here?” An angry voice yelled from the dark shadows of the night.

They broke apart and jumped to their feet.