Limelight and Longing (Movie Star Romance Book 1) Read online

  His phone gave a cheerful bleep from where he’d tossed it on the comforter, then stripped down and headed for the bathroom to take a leak and brush his teeth. There was only one person who’d send him a video chat request at one in the morning. Jenna. He grinned at his reflection and ran his fingers through his tousled hair.

  Jacob tossed back the comforter and slid between the sheets, twisting awkwardly to stack his pillows for optimal leaning before tapping the Accept button.

  “Hi, Sweetheart.” He grinned and his heart flip-flopped in his chest when Jenna grinned back, green eyes sparkling with happiness and something hot enough to set his entire body aflame. “Was just thinking about you.”

  “Well, duh.”

  Jacob laughed out loud. This woman did him good in ways he had no words to describe; knocked him off-guard in the best way.

  “What are you doing three weeks from tomorrow?” He asked, gaze fixed on Jenna’s face. Wayward tresses of her dark red hair brushed her cheeks and fell to caress the bare creamy flesh of her shoulders. His fingers itched to tangle in the fiery silk and pull her close enough to kiss. “Can you get time off work?”

  “Three weeks from tomorrow…” Her attention drifted, the little concentration line appearing between her brows as she tapped at a keyboard outside the frame of his phone’s screen. “Are you talking just the one day or…?”

  She shot him a mischievous smirk and Jacob felt hot all over, like a naughty kid caught out by his teacher. “As many as I can get.”

  “I know what you mean. See you in six months sounded doable standing in the airport with our arms around each other and you whispering sexy promises against my ear, but not so much in reality.”

  Jacob nodded; a dejected look in his warm brown eyes as he ran a hand through his hair. “You’re not alone, Sweetheart.”

  “Hmmm…” She was distracted again. “Yes, and I can do a week either side too.”

  Jacob’s heart thudded an extra beat in relieved anticipation.

  “What have you got planned?”

  “Ingrid sent the information today, but I wanted to make it official and ask in person.” He waved a dismissive hand, corner of his mouth tugging up in amusement. “Well, as in-person as a live chat window can be, anyway. Will you be my date to the LA premiere? They’re not as glamourous as the media makes them out to be, but I know how much you liked the previous films and I’ll be there, so it won’t be a total loss.”

  He was babbling, he knew, but he couldn’t seem to stop. It was why he’d delayed asking in the first place.

  “I’ve got Rick on standby to book your flight once you give me the dates.”

  “Jacob.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Yes.”

  “Yes?”

  “Yes.”

  He laughed; a light kinda-goofy sound as he fist-pumped the air, heard her laughing too.

  “What? After all these months apart you thought I’d turn down a chance to be in the same hemisphere again?”

  “Uh, yeah, sounds stupid when you put it like that.” He yawned, the release of tension combined with the margaritas and the late hour had drained him of his energy.

  “Fuck, I want to kiss you right now.” Jenna murmured as she leaned back into the plush sofa cushions and crossed her legs beneath her. He looked so goddamned sexy. It still caught her off guard that it was her he wanted.

  “Ditto, and then some.”

  The yawns came thick and fast once they’d started, and she chuckled. “You’d better rest up then.”

  “Something tells me I’m going to need all the energy I can muster.”

  “I can’t imagine what you mean, Mr Starr.” She twirled a strand of hair around a finger and fluttered her lashes for extra effect.

  “I could give you a preview if you’d like, Miss Long.” He slipped a hand beneath the comforter, exhaled slow and deep as he palmed his cock; felt it grow heavier with each twist and pull he gave it.

  He heard a soft whimper but didn’t know who’d uttered it.

  “Absolutely.” Jenna murmured; gaze mesmerized by the view filling her phone’s screen. Her free hand wriggled inside the cotton and lace of her panties, fingertips sliding in slick circles over her clit - his name falling in husky broken syllables from her softly-parted mouth.

  ♥♥♥

  The priority registered envelope arrived on the courier just as Jenna hauled two grocery bags from the back seat of her car.

  Since her live chat with Jacob, she’d tried to put the fact she would attend a Hollywood red carpet event on the arm of one of the movie’s stars out of her mind. It hadn’t worked but points for effort and all. It was both exciting and terrifying at the same time.

  What were the protocols?

  What would she wear?

  The last thing she wanted was to embarrass Jacob in front of the world’s press, and have the moment immortalized on every social media platform ever created.

  She thunked the bags on the polished cedar countertop, sank onto a barstool, and stared at cursive loops of the handwritten address before opening it.

  Lunar Studios

  Presents

  The World Premiere

  Of

  Dante Jones and the Crystal Lotus

  At The

  Maricot Theatre, Hollywood, CA

  8 PM

  Dress: Black Tie

  RSVP: Events Coordinator, Lunar Studios

  The purple font winked in the overhead lighting as Jenna held the thick card in her shaky hand. Jacob inviting her felt real enough, but this, this confirmed it in the world beyond internet communication.

  The accompanying letter bore the logo and contact information for The Muller Agency, and explained that all protocol and details regarding her attire for the premiere would be gone over once she arrived in Los Angeles. It concluded with the expected salutations and the elegant signature of one Ingrid Muller, Agent to the Stars.

  Jenna rummaged the nearest bag for the carton of strawberry-fudge-ripple ice cream she’d tossed into her shopping cart on impulse, and leaned to get a spoon from the drawer. Two weeks and she’d be with Jacob again.

  Chapter Nine

  “Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please.”

  Jenna opened her eyes in long slow blinks only to realize her complimentary blindfold still covered them. She stretched both arms and legs as far as the first-class sleeper permitted, yawning until her jaw creaked.

  “For those of you with a window seat, you’ll notice the City of Angels has polished her halo and put on her best sunset.”

  Jenna shoved her blindfold up into her hairline and pressed a button on the console beside her to raise the sleeper from its horizontal position to sitting. She craned her neck to see out the three small windows to her left. The announcer over the intercom was right. It was easy to understand how the city gained its Tinseltown moniker. Los Angeles was a giant circuit board of twinkling lights and silver glitter sparkling up at her from a backdrop of deep orange and cool purple bleeding into the dark navy of encroaching night.

  “Now folks if you would put your tray tables in their locked position and tidy away any supplies in preparation for landing, we’ll have you on the ground in half an hour, where it’s a balmy seventy-five degrees.”

  Jenna swigged from her bottled water and gave a happy sigh. Somewhere below, Mr Jacob Starr – famous action hero – waited for her.

  Oh God, Jacob was waiting for her!

  The blindfold pinged off her mussed hair to land on the complimentary plush blanket covering her legs. She’d been on a plane for nigh-on thirteen hours. They hadn’t seen each other in six months, but it was pretty much guaranteed Jacob would be his usual Hollywood A-List gorgeous self. Whereas Jenna would…well…she would look like she’d been on a plane for thirteen hours. Even without looking in the back-lit mirror built into the countertop in front of her, she knew the situation was bleak - her hair alone.

  She flung back the blanket and pushed
up from her seat just as the seatbelt sign pinged on. Using the bathroom to rectify the damage was out of the question. A quick rummage through her carry-on bag yielded a brush, her makeup purse, and a travel pack of refresher wipes. In a plastic bag at the bottom was the change of clothes she’d packed just in case her checked luggage took a detour to France, or Turkey, or some other inconvenient destination. With the plane’s inner wall on one side and the sliding privacy doors between her and the next passenger’s sleeper cubicle across the aisle, the odds of pulling a superhero costume change without being caught out by a curious flight attendant were reassuringly high.

  By the time they landed and were taxiing from the runway to the terminal, Jenna was dressed in an apple-green peasant top, jeans – no belt, she didn’t want to hold up the line at security – and black ballet flats. She’d tied her hair into a casual up-do and freshened her mascara and lip gloss, before cramming everything back into her bag. A final glance in the Hollywoodesque mirror had been reassuring – all things considered.

  ♥♥♥

  Jacob saw her before she saw him, and damn if she wasn’t the most gorgeous woman he’d ever seen. He grinned. She travelled light; an overnight bag and a wheeled case. But she was flustered, the little concentration line prominent between her brows, as she made her way through the smattering of people waiting.

  Sparks of excitement and heat surged through him, thrilled him like he’d been sleepwalking his way through half a year, only to come full awake and himself at the sight of her. The urge to go to her, to meet her half way and sweep her off her feet into his arms, was countered by the desire to watch her from afar. To drink her in and catalogue every beautiful breath-taking detail of her; from the tantalizing jiggle of her breasts with each of her long strides, to the way her jeans rode low on the sweet curve of her hips and caressed toned thighs in a way that made him jealous of the privilege. Green eyes searched for him, dismissing those who weren’t the man she wanted.

  Until…

  He knew the moment she found him; felt the warmth of her gaze settle on him and he shivered with pleasure. She’d stopped in her tracks and he strode forward as if being found, being claimed, allowed him to claim her in return.

  “Jacob.” His name, a gasp of joyful relief from her soft lips, made his heart roll over in his chest. He reached for her, large hands cupping her face to bring her across the final space between them.

  “Yeah, babe, it’s me.” Jacob lunged for her mouth just as Jenna pushed up on her toes to accept his kiss, ravenous and eager, needy and giving all at once.

  When they came up for air it was to an awareness of both being in each other’s arms, and having an audience. Jenna squinted in the direction of a camera flash before glancing up at Jacob; uncertain how she should react. There’d been plenty of flashes going off at both Wellington and Melbourne, but she hadn’t been kissing Mr Jacob Starr – Hollywood heartthrob extraordinaire – at either LunarCon event.

  “Probably not the best place to continue this reunion, Miss Long.”

  “I’m inclined to agree with you, Mr Starr.” Jenna tucked a wayward strand of hair behind her ear and ducked her head, but Jacob still noticed the bloom of color on her cheeks. It gave him an innate sense of satisfaction to know his kisses affected her as much as being able to kiss her aroused him.

  “Let’s get out of here.” He reached for the handle of her case and took her hand in his, entwining their fingers together.

  “What, before everyone recognizes you under the ball cap and trendsetter shades, and start asking for selfies and autographs?” Jenna teased; falling into step beside him.

  Jacob laughed a hearty full-body laugh that fizzed and zinged along every one of his nerve endings, leaving him exhilarated from head to toe with the knowledge that this time, they were leaving an airport together.

  “Are you in a rush to be anywhere?” Jenna asked from the passenger seat of Jacob’s macho black truck. It felt weird to be seated on the right and not be behind the steering wheel, like she would’ve been back home.

  He spared her a quick glance, one expressive brow quirked in curiosity, as he focused on the crowded lanes of airport traffic ahead of them. “What did you have in mind?”

  “Somewhere out in the open where we can see the sky and the city lights.” She smiled at him and Jacob shifted lanes, making a break for the next turn before the traffic signal changed. “I’ve been stuck in a flying metal tube for the past thirteen hours. I could do with some fresh air.”

  “You can stick your head out the window if you want.” Jenna gave his thigh a playful slap and he laughed, taking her hand prisoner and entwining their fingers together. “I know the perfect place.”

  Keeping their hands joined across the distance of the cab between them caused her arm to ache. Jacob must’ve realized because he moved their hands to rest between them on the leather bench seat. The considerate gesture combined with the gentle stroke along the side of her thumb made her heart thud an extra beat. They’d spent one weekend together six months ago and yet being here with Jacob now felt as though the torture of separation was all an illusion. Jenna sighed and stroked his thumb in return. There was no better place in the world than beside the gorgeous man whose laugh made her feel special just to have heard it, and whose body was hard and hot and felt perfect against her own.

  Jacob drove up into the hills, the truck’s engine made easy work of the climb and it wasn’t long before Jacob reversed them into what appeared to be a lookout carpark. Wooden bollards jutted from the sandy verge to prevent vehicles going over the edge. The view out the windshield held no interest. Just a wastepaper bin strapped to a wooden post next to a picnic table which glowed white beyond the arc of the truck’s headlights.

  “Umm…” Jenna glanced at Jacob, puzzlement tugging up one fine-plucked brow.

  Jacob grinned; popped his seatbelt catch with one hand and opened his door with the other, tossing his cap into the footwell before jumping out. “View’s out back, you coming?”

  Her feet slid on the gravel as she jumped down from the cab, using the door frame to steady herself, before shoving it closed with the right amount of oomph.

  “This do?” Jacob had the tailgate down and offered his hand to haul her up.

  “Absolutely.” Jenna turned to look up at him but her gaze was drawn back to the colorful patchwork of lights and shadows laid out from the hem of the hills to the horizon. “Even with a first class ticket it’s hard not to feel claustrophobic.”

  She inhaled deep, held it, and exhaled on a satisfied sigh.

  He chuckled and wrapped an arm across her shoulders before pressing a quick kiss to her temple. “When you’re in the thick of it with a crazy schedule, it’s easy to forget the city looks like this.”

  She hmm’d and leaned into the hard line of his body. His arm tightened around her, his warmth seeping through the thin fabrics of their shirts.

  “Cold?”

  “A little.”

  Her mouth opened to protest when he moved away, the truck rocking on its shock absorbers as he strode to the lockbox riveted to the back of the cab. A snap-clink of the fasteners and he had the lid open, and was pulling out a couple of blankets and two cushions.

  “I’m guessing you were a Boy Scout. Or is this where you bring all your women?” Jacob’s head jerked up, distracted from the nest he’d made them by the less-than-playful edge in her voice. “Come stargazing with Jacob Starr.”

  The amused glint in Jenna’s eyes reassured him she was teasing and the tight feeling in his chest eased as fast as it’d formed.

  “Good one, I’ll tell Rick. See if he can set up a fan contest or something.” He grinned as she gasped, loving how easy she rose to the bait. “I’m kidding, Jenna. C’mere, you can’t imagine how my arms ache to hold you.”

  Her eagerness had him bracing against the lockbox to support them as she threw herself into his lap. Legs either side of his hips and fingers in his hair, tugging him where she wanted him,
her mouth hungry and sweet against his own.

  He couldn’t help the growl of want which escaped, only to be consumed and drowned out by her answering moan. She ground against him, luscious breasts crushed into his chest. He dropped his hands to her ass, squeezed tight and smiled to himself when she wriggled for more.

  Jenna broke their kiss, head flung back as she gasped for much-needed air and exposed the pale line of her throat to Jacob’s gaze and willing mouth.

  “Missed you.” She murmured, back arching into the slide of his hand up her spine to tangle in her hair. “Missed you so much.”

  Jacob leaned in to taste the warm patch of sensitive skin behind her ear, suckled and laved his tongue over and again until she uttered the little sounds of pleasure he remembered from Melbourne; sounds that made him harder than memories ever could. He anchored her hip, kept her grinding against his length; her grip in his hair egged him on.

  “Jacob, please.” Damn the sound of his name, all breathless and pleasure-soaked, on her lips had him breaking off for fear he’d peak too soon.

  He eased her hands from his hair but didn’t let go, his chest blowing like he’d run a hundred miles. “You keep begging like that and this’ll be over before either of us is satisfied.”

  The corner of her kiss-swollen mouth pulled into a smirk, matched only by the devilment in her beautiful green eyes. Jacob’s dick throbbed. The sensation echoed the surge of want tightening his gut. He swallowed hard as she lifted the hem of her shirt; a glimpse of smooth pale waist followed by lean flanks and the tease of white lace.

  “We’re doing this here?” The want inside him cooled a little at the thought of being busted by some passerby with a phone and the need to make a few bucks. It was just the kind of thing social media salivated over.

  She must’ve sensed his unease because she stopped mid-tug, the last before she’d be astride him in bra and jeans; moonlight illuminating every curve and dip of her body. He could picture her laid back on the picnic blanket naked and open for his eyes only. But the wary flutter wouldn’t be quelled so easily.