Hollywood Divorces / Hollywood Wives: The New Generation (45 page)

‘You’d better be nice to Merrill,’ Jump had warned her before he’d left for Australia. ‘Zandack’s the money guy. Don’t piss him off.’

‘How
nice
do you want me to be?’ she’d asked, teasing him.

‘Not
that
nice,’ Jump had replied, with a dirty laugh. ‘The geezer’s old enough to be your fuckin’ granddad.’

So what? In Hollywood age didn’t seem to matter. Men of sixty often married girls of twenty. The age difference only appeared to bother people in reverse. Older women were reviled for being with younger men, although it was certainly getting easier. She’d read a long piece about it in the
New York Times
. Women like Demi Moore and Madonna were setting a new trend.
Women who don’t give a crap
, Cat thought, smiling to herself.
My favourite people
.

She returned her attention to the screen. The more she watched, the more she learned.

When
Rapture
reached its conclusion, the audience rose to its feet, indulging in a hearty round of applause.

Shelby experienced a flurry of butterflies in her stomach. She had never been in such a quality film before, and it was an exhilarating feeling.

Linc put his arm around her, squeezing her waist. ‘Not bad, sweetie,’ he whispered.

Not bad, sweetie
. Well, what did she expect from Linc?

Merrill Zandack, sitting in the row behind, tapped her on the shoulder. ‘You an’ I gotta talk,’ he wheezed, recognizing a great performance when he saw one. ‘You’ll meet my new discovery, Cat. I’ll have my people messenger her latest script to your people. It’s dynamite. Could be right for you.’

Overhearing this conversation, Cat was shocked. She did not see Shelby Cheney in her movie at all. Especially as she’d been thinking along the lines of Angelina Jolie. The role called for somebody younger and tougher than Shelby Cheney. Not that Shelby wasn’t a terrific actress, she’d just proven so in
Rapture
. However, no way did that make her the perfect choice for a sexy, savvy
American
undercover cop.

How dare Merrill Zandack start offering actresses a role in
her
movie?

One thing Cat intended to keep, and that was control.

A
t the after party, Shelby found herself swept up in a sea of congratulations. The French PR woman hovered by her side. Linc immediately drifted off on his own.

For a moment Shelby felt lost, then she took a deep, life-affirming breath, and decided she’d better start embracing the compliments that were coming her way. What actress wouldn’t appreciate hearing how great she was?

Russell Savage hurried over to kiss and hug her, so did her co-star Beck Carson. The photographers jostled for position.

For once Shelby relaxed, posing with her director and co-star, allowing herself the pleasure of basking in the adulation. She’d worked hard for a reception like this. It was every actress’s dream to appear in such a fine movie.

She smiled her dazzling smile, while continuing to enjoy every satisfying minute.

Lola was creating her own circle of excitement. The French loved her. They loved her lips, they loved her legs, and they especially loved her fine ass. She was a huge star in France.

‘I wish I talked French,’ she grumbled to Matt.

‘
Bonjour
, Mademoiselle,’ he said, with a stupid smirk on his bland face.

‘Oh, great,’ she said disparagingly. ‘Is that all the French you know?’

‘Learned it at school,’ he boasted, like it was some great achievement.

She had to do something about Matt. He wasn’t up to her standards–divorce was
definitely
in their future. Thank God her lawyer had got him to sign that pre-nup, because as soon as they got back to America she planned on dumping him fast. The thrill was gone.

Elliott Finerman was standing nearby. ‘Elliott,’ she said imperiously, beckoning him over, ‘isn’t that Linc Blackwood? Don’t you think I should meet him?’

‘You’ve never met him?’

‘I don’t think so.’

‘Then how come you’re so hot to have him in our movie?’

‘I’m not
hot
to have him in my movie,’ she said, tossing back her hair. ‘He’s a huge star who’s looking to do something different, and this might be the perfect opportunity. Besides, I think the two of us have chemistry.’

‘How would you know
that
?’ Elliott asked.

‘So many actors today are just boys. Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio are sexy, but they’re not men.
I
like men. And
that
’s what I like about Linc Blackwood. Believe me, Elliott, we’ll have
plenty
of chemistry.’

You’re not looking for a co-star
, Elliott thought.
You’re looking for a convenient fuck
. ‘I’ll see what I can do,’ he said.

‘He’s right there,’ Lola said, pointing. ‘Bring him over.’

What kind of balls did this broad have? Who did she think she was dealing with? A lackey? An errand boy? He was one of the biggest producers in Hollywood and this bitch was trying to tell him what to do.

He attempted to remain calm because the smart move was to keep her happy. No happy star, no movie.

He walked over to Linc, who was busy knocking back a hefty glass of Scotch while flirting with an attractive Frenchwoman. Naturally.

‘Hello, Linc,’ Elliott said, falsely jovial.

Linc didn’t take a beat. ‘Had a hunch you and I weren’t talking,’ he said offhandedly.

‘That was then, this is now,’ Elliott said. ‘Time passes, so I…uh…figured it was time to forgive and forget.’

‘Can’t say I blame you,’ Linc replied, with an easy grin. ‘After all, you
were
married to her, so maybe there
should
be an apology.’

‘I agree,’ Elliott said, relieved that Linc was ready to move on. ‘I think there should.’

‘Okay, Elliott,’ Linc said magnanimously. ‘Then I accept your apology.’

Elliott was outraged. Once a jerk always a jerk. The asshole was supposed to be apologizing to
him
.

He cleared his throat and glanced over at Lola, who was waiting impatiently for him to bring her the arrogant prick.

‘Uh, listen, Linc–there’s someone who wants to meet you,’ he said, in a strangled voice.

Linc didn’t like Elliott Finerman, never had. ‘And who might that be?’

‘Lola Sanchez.’

‘Yeah?’ Linc said, his interest perking. Everyone knew who Lola Sanchez was. The hot Latina actress with the body to die for.

‘She’s over by the bar.’

Linc’s eyes swivelled, checking her out. ‘See you later, sweetheart,’ he said to the woman he’d been talking to, and accompanied Elliott to the bar.

‘Lola, Linc Blackwood,’ Elliott said, making the requested introduction.

‘This is a real pleasure,’ Linc said, taking her hand and bringing it to his lips.

‘Uh…me too,’ she murmured, waiting for him to recognize her.

‘I’m a big fan,’ he continued, eyes roaming all over her spectacular body.

‘You are?’

‘Yup,’ he said, his eyes coming to rest on her partially exposed breasts. ‘I’ve been following your career.’

‘
You
’ve been following
my
career?’ she said, utterly dumbfounded. Was it possible that Linc didn’t remember her? That he was actually under the impression they were meeting for the first time? Unless, of course, he was playing it cool because her husband was standing right next to her.

‘Sure have,’ Linc said, easy grin in place.

No, she decided, he wasn’t being cool, the bastard simply did not remember her. Unbelievable! Not to mention insulting. She was the same girl, wasn’t she? Certainly more polished, but the same girl. Her hair was shorter, her nose a touch thinner–thanks to an excellent plastic surgeon, who’d also given her more pronounced cheekbones. Her figure was still luscious, although she was fifteen pounds lighter. How
could
he forget her? How could he
not
remember the girl he’d taken to bed, made love to all night long, then dumped in the morning?

Matt decided it was time to jump in. ‘Hi,’ he said, proffering his hand. ‘I’m Matt Seel, Lola’s husband.’

‘Lucky man,’ Linc said, not taking his eyes off her.

This was the final insult. The sonofabitch obviously had no memory of their long, steamy night of passion.

She decided to put him to the test. ‘I’ve a feeling we
have
met before,’ she said, toying with the stem of her martini glass.

‘Do you honestly imagine I’d forget someone who
looks like
you
?’ Linc replied, turning up the charm. ‘You’re more beautiful in the flesh than on the screen.’

She swallowed hard, licking her suddenly dry lips. This man was responsible for her being barren. And HE DID NOT REMEMBER HER! How she hated him.

Sensing that the famous movie star was coming on too strong, Matt once again joined in. ‘How long are you in Cannes for?’ he asked, inserting himself between them.

‘Not long,’ Linc replied, completely uninterested in anything Matt might have to say.

‘We’re leaving soon,’ Matt announced, placing a possessive arm around Lola, who did not appreciate his show of affection. ‘We can’t wait to get back to our house in Bel Air.’

‘That makes us almost neighbours,’ Linc remarked.

‘Where do you live?’

‘Beverly Hills.’

‘You should come over some time with your wife,’ Matt said. ‘Play some tennis. We’ll make up a foursome.’

Linc continued staring straight at Lola. ‘Do you play?’

She returned his gaze, edging away from Matt, who was continuing to irritate her. ‘I certainly do,’ she purred. ‘And I’m
very
good.’

Linc smiled. ‘I
bet
you are.’

Merrill Zandack did not stay long at parties. Once he’d circled the room and spoken to everyone he deemed worthy of his attention, he was out of there.

Jonas was waiting outside.

‘Did you find my diamond?’ Cat asked, pouncing on him.

‘Yes, I did.’

‘Where is it?’

‘Why? Are you planning on sticking it back in your navel
now?
’

‘What are you two talking about?’ Merrill asked, lighting up his usual strong-smelling Cuban cigar.

‘Nothing important,’ Jonas said. ‘How was the movie?’

‘Shelby Cheney’s got a great rack,’ Merrill remarked, exhaling smoke. ‘Told her she’d be right for
Caught
. Messenger her people a script.’

‘I’d like to speak to you about that, Mr Zandack,’ Cat said quickly.

‘How many times I gotta tell you? Call me Merrill. Mr Zandack makes me sound like I’m a hundred years old.’

‘Okay,
Merrill
,’ she said, fuming. ‘We have to discuss it.’

‘Sure, Kitten. We’re on our way to the Carlton Terrace for a drink, we’ll talk about it there.’

‘I asked you not to call me “Kitten”,’ she muttered.

He didn’t hear her: he was already heading for the waiting car.

Cat turned to his dark-haired date who was lingering. She felt sorry for the woman tagging along behind the fat man. ‘Do you have a name?’ she asked.

‘She doesn’t speak English,’ Jonas said.

‘What nationality is she? Perhaps I can talk to her in her own language.’

‘Russian,’ Jonas said, giving Cat a superior look. ‘Do you
speak
Russian?’

‘No,’ Cat retorted, returning his look with one of her own. ‘Does your boss?’

‘They communicate in other ways,’ Jonas said, ushering them both into the car.

‘Let’s go,’ Merrill said, filling the back seat with cigar fumes. ‘It’s champagne time.’

The crowd was thinning out. Shelby looked around for her husband. He was easy to spot, muscular, tanned and rugged. Linc was an extremely masculine-looking man, and every woman picked up on his macho scent. Fact of life. If he wasn’t a movie star, they’d still be all over him.

She hoped he was sober. She needed him tonight. She had an urge to cuddle up in bed and have
him
look after
her
. Compliments from her husband would make such a welcome change. On the other hand, she knew how painful intimacy was for Linc. He’d had such a tough childhood full of beatings and rejection. Giving unconditional love was so difficult for him.

‘No more interviews tonight,’ she said to the PR woman. ‘I’d like to go back to the hotel now.’

‘Very well,’ the woman said. ‘I’ll make sure your car is waiting.’

‘Please tell my husband I’m ready to leave.’

‘Certainly.’

She watched as the woman crossed the room towards Linc. What kind of life was it for someone like that? Looking after celebrities; putting up with their outrageous demands; dealing with the press. It must be so unfulfilling.

I want a baby
. The thought popped into her head out of nowhere.
I want Linc’s baby
.

Maybe tonight was the night. The South of France. Her movie triumph. A luxurious hotel suite overlooking the Mediterranean. She’d waited long enough. Why not?

Here came why not. Linc. Her husband. Smirking like an idiot. Unsteady on his feet.

Damn! He was loaded.

‘Hi, baby,’ he drawled, pawing her arm. ‘You havin’ a good time?’

‘Actually I’m quite tired,’ she said quickly. ‘Can we go back to the hotel?’

‘No way!’ he said in a loud voice. ‘The evening’s just
beginning, there’s parties all over town. We gotta celebrate, sweetheart. We gotta celebrate
you
takin’ it all off.’

‘Linc, it’s late,’ she said, trying not to lose it. ‘You’ve had a lot to drink. I think—’

‘C’mon, sweetie, relax,’ he cajoled. ‘We’re on vacation.’

‘This is
not
a vacation,’ she reminded him. ‘It’s work.’

‘Some work, sitting on your ass watching a movie,’ he said, his lip curling. ‘Although,’ he added, ‘I gotta admit–it’s a cute ass.’

‘Not
a
movie,
my
movie,’ she corrected. ‘And I’ve done a ton of interviews today, with more tomorrow. Plus I’m jet-lagged, and don’t forget that we’re still on L.A. time.’

‘
You
’re on L.A. time,’ he said pointedly. ‘
I
’m ready to party.’

She had a choice: she could go back to the hotel and get some well-needed rest, or she could accompany her husband on his prowl around town.

There was no choice–she couldn’t leave Linc to his own devices. He was drunk and on his way to being out of control. She had to stay by his side to protect him.

It was too bad. He’d promised her faithfully that he wasn’t going to drink on this trip, and now look at him. Linc was fast turning into the king of empty promises.

‘Okay.’ She sighed. ‘One party and then bed. Is that a deal?’

‘Deal,’ he said, grabbing her and twirling her round. ‘I got me the best little wife in the world.’