Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 32146 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 161(@200wpm)___ 129(@250wpm)___ 107(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32146 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 161(@200wpm)___ 129(@250wpm)___ 107(@300wpm)
"Women take roles all the time while pregnant," Max says carefully, rearranging a row of bandages on the table. "But I won't lie and say it'll be easy because it won't be. There are risks. Action roles are physically demanding. They put your body through a lot, and so does pregnancy. Trying to do both at the same time can really take a toll. Obviously, there are risks, especially if you'll be doing any sort of stunt work yourself. Accidents happen." Her gaze flits across my face. "But I think you probably know that better than anyone."
It takes me a minute to realize what she means. Kaiden. Of course. The whole world still thinks he was injured in a stunt gone wrong. They still don't know the truth. I doubt they ever will. He'll take the truth to his grave to protect his friend, and I would never do anything to undermine his decision. But I wish everyone knew the incredible, selfless man I know.
Maybe then they wouldn't see the scar across his face when they look at him or a reminder of what could have been. They'd see his heart, his courage, and maybe, just maybe, this town would be a little bit better for it. Maybe, just maybe, we'd all learn that true beauty is found within.
"Thanks, Max," I say, giving her a tiny smile.
She returns my smile and then hesitates. "It's not really my business, but how are you doing otherwise? With the pregnancy, I mean. Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I think so. I've had a little morning sickness, but that's it."
"How far along are you?"
"Just a few weeks, I think."
She nods. "It'll probably get worse before it gets better. Try ginger ale and crackers as soon as you wake up. They might help. If it gets really bad, your doctor can prescribe you something, but they try not to do that unless it's absolutely necessary."
"Mine can't see me until after the holidays."
"That's okay." She gives me a calm, reassuring smile. "It's perfectly normal to wait a few weeks before you're seen. Unless you start having problems, it'll be okay."
"Thanks," I whisper. I've been nervous about it. I know Kaiden is too. The odds of him passing on his heart condition are non-existent as it's not hereditary, but I think we'll both probably worry until we see the doctor and he reassures us that the baby is healthy and we have nothing to worry about.
"Good luck."
"Um, you too."
I have a feeling she's going to need it with whatever is going on with her and Andrew.
Chapter Eleven
Kaiden
I pace around outside the set like a caged lion, four steps in one direction, six in the other. What the fuck is taking so long? They've been filming for an hour already. How long can it possibly take for them to get this scene marked and over with?
Luca closed the set for it. I have a feeling he did it to keep me out here. The rational part of my mind is grateful to him for that. The less rational part is mad as hell. My little star is in there right now, and she's pregnant with my kid. I can't see her. I can't touch her.
I don't even fucking care about Abel or the camera crew. None of them even register. None of them even matter. All I can think about is my shining star and how goddamn badly I want to be the one putting my hands all over her right now.
A thousand versions of the scene run through my head, each dirtier than the last. In every single one, she's with me, and this isn't a movie. I have her spread across the candy counter, eating her cunt while she's coated in sugar. I drive into her, fucking her from one orgasm to the next while everyone watches. She moans for me…begs for me. Screams my name repeatedly as I drill her tight cunt harder, faster.
I pace faster, a growl rumbling in my throat.
My hands clench and unclench. Sweat drips from my brow.
"They're together," a familiar voice whispers from behind me. "Like together together."
"Wow. She could do so much better. Have you seen his scar? Dreadful."
"Seen it? I talked to him," Loraine says.
"You didn't!"
"I did. He's quite rude. I don't know what she sees in him."
"Well, it's not his looks," her friend says.
"Or his personality."
"They won't last. As soon as word leaks, she'll drop him."
Jesus Christ.
My stomach clenches in disgust, white-hot anger pulsing through me. I wheel around, having heard more than enough. I have no idea what I'm going to say, and I don't get the chance to find out. Loraine and her redheaded friend slip around the corner, their heads bent together as they whisper back and forth.
"Fuck," I snarl, scrubbing a hand down my face. The action doesn't erase their words. It doesn't erase the yawning pit in the middle of my stomach, either. The shit they just spewed is mild compared to what other people will say once word about our relationship leaks.