think I’ll be okay,” he told me earnestly, and I stepped away, trying to stifle the urge to push him back down on the mattress. Being in his bedroom for any prolonged length of time probably wasn’t a good idea. I’d have to remember that in future.
“Good. I always want you to be okay, Damon,” I whispered in response.
***
“Hey!” Julian complained when I swiped the remote from his lap.
He was lounging on the couch, browsing Facebook on his tablet, and not paying a lick of attention to the television. I sat down beside him and flicked through the channels.
“Damon and Alicia are being interviewed in a few minutes,” I said, and he perked up. I snickered. “Oh, now he’s interested.”
Julian let out a beleaguered sigh. “The starlet has been evading me of late.”
“And there was me believing you when you said it was only a matter of time,” I teased.
“Don’t be cruel. I’ve got an itch that only a five-foot-nine redhead with double-D-cup breasts and a sassy attitude can scratch. Where else am I going to find such a rare treasure?”
“This is London. I’m sure you’ll manage.”
The show came on, and the host was just thanking the previous guests before he started to introduce Damon and Alicia. I gripped the remote, practically holding my breath as they walked out and shook the host’s hand before taking a seat on the couch. Alicia wore a silver sequined dress and matching heels. Her hair was lavishly curled and her makeup done to perfection.
Damon, of course, wore the outfit I’d chosen for him, and something affectionate clutched at my heart to know I’d picked it out. But my God, the camera really did love him. Even though I could tell from his expression and posture that he wasn’t at all comfortable, he still looked so handsome it was practically unfair.
He had the most perfect, flawless skin, with just a hint of a few lines around his eyes that pointed more to maturity than age. His carelessly tousled hair was effortlessly sexy, and the shape of his mouth had my mind tripping back to earlier, when he said he’d prefer to be giving me head than appearing on TV. Shivers overtook me at the visuals that flooded my mind.
“Well, Damon looks like he’d rather be having a flexi-cystoscopy right now,” Julian commented dryly, his thoughts eerily mirroring my own.
I frowned at him. “Do I even want to know what that is?”
“It’s when they stick a lens down your jap’s eye to — ”
Immediately I clamped my hands over my ears. “Oh, my God, shut up. Shut UP.” That was way too much information. Typical Julian.
“Anyway, it’s unpleasant, that’s all you need to know.” He seemed oddly pleased that he’d shocked me. We returned our attentions to the screen, where the host was currently talking.
“Damon Atwood, I’m delighted to have you on the show, as I’m sure our viewers are as well. It’s been almost a decade since we’ve seen you on our screens, and now you’ve decided to take a stab at the West End. What made you choose the stage instead of film this time around?”
There was a pause as the camera panned to Damon. He swallowed, like his mouth was too dry, and all the while my heart was in my throat as I urged him, Speak, Damon, speak. Pretend you’re playing a role. Finally, he answered, and I exhaled with relief.
“Well, I…um, it was all a matter of timing. My grandmother had always wanted me to act again, and it was shortly after she passed away that I was contacted by our director, Jacob Anthony, to audition for the part of Christian.”
“I’m very sorry to hear about your grandmother,” said the host. “But I am surprised that you had to audition. I thought winning an Oscar was the acting equivalent of getting tenure. You can have whatever role you want for life.”
The audience laughed and Damon tugged on his shirt collar, eyes flicking from the host to the studio floor and then back to the host. Alicia let out a sweet chuckle.
“Oh, believe me, honey, no matter how long you’ve been in this business, sometimes you still have to audition. I had to do it for my last movie, Saving Caroline. The director wasn’t convinced I could play a cop.”
“Very true,” said the host. “But in all fairness, you haven’t got an Academy Award under your belt just yet, Miss Davidson.” His tone was teasing, and again there was laughter from