Free Thrill! by Jackie Collins Page B

wishing that his role in the movie was bigger. He was capable of anything and ready to fly, nothing was going to hold him back - not after where he'd been.
    "Do I get to keep the clothes?"
    he asked.
     
    "That's up to the producer,"
    Trinee replied.
    "It's not usual unless you're the star."
     
    "One of these days I'll be the star,"
    Joey said confidently.
    "You can bet on that."
     
    "Well . . . you're sure handsome enough,"
    she agreed with a light laugh.
    "Y'know, I'm surprised they hired you."
     
    "How come?"
     
    63 "Kyle Carson's gonna shit when he sees you're better looking than him."
     
    He smoothed back his dark hair, still gazing at his reflection.
    "You think I am?"
     
    Now that they were both safely engaged she indulged in a little light flirtation.
    "Oh, c'mon, man, you know you are."
     
    "The director liked me,"
    he mused.
    "So did the producer what's her name?"
     
    "Barbara Westerberg."
     
    "She liked me a lot."
     
    "I'm totally in shock you slipped by Kyle."
     
    "What does that mean?"
     
    "I worked on his last movie,"
    she said with a knowing nod.
    "Oh boy! Every actor had to be older and less handsome than him."
    She lowered her voice to a confidential whisper.
    "He's losing his hair, you know."
     
    "That's gotta make him real insecure."
     
    "Not really,"
    she replied.
    "He still tries to jump everything that moves."
     
    "Yeah?"
     
    "Only females, though,"
    Trinee said with a giggle.
    "'You're safe."
     
    "Gee, thanks,"
    he said drily.
     
    "When do you work?"
     
    "Tomorrow. The bar scene."
     
    Tm sure you'll be great,"
    she said.
    "You'd better take the clothes off now. Those pants have to be pressed."
     
    H
    ft ft ft
    Lara hit the set surrounded by her all-female entourage. There was Roxy, dressed up for the first day's action in a lime green micromini and ankle-clinging white go-go boots, her red hair a blaze of glory. There was Yoko, her make-up girl - Japanese and pretty, with flat black cropped hair and a wide face. There was Angie, her standin - a poor man's version of Lara, with a tired look about her, due to the fact that she was married to a stuntman who continually gave her a hard time. And then there was Cassie, trailing 64
    behind, cellular phone in hand, plus yellow legal pad and poised pen ready to make notes.
     
    Lara recognized several of the crew she'd worked with before. She greeted them by name, adding a warm handshake and sincere enquiries about their families. They all loved her for remembering.
     
    Kyle was already on the set lounging in his canvas director's chair, long legs stretched out before him. He got up as Lara approached.
    "Morning, beautiful,"
    he said in a deep rich voice.
    "You get a good night's sleep?"
     
    "I certainly did,"
    she replied.
     
    Miles came over.
    "You look particularly gorgeous,"
    he said, kissing her on both cheeks.
    "That hair thing really works."
     
    Instinctively her hand reached up, touching her newly streaked hair.
    "Thanks,"
    she said modestly.
    "It's all due to Roxyhere."
     
    Miles didn't acknowledge the hairdresser, she wasn't important to him.
    "Let's do an immediate walk-through,"
    he said, ready to set the scene.
     
    Roxy pulled a face behind his back.
     
    Cassie handed Lara her script.
     
    "How come,"
    Lara said to Miles,
    "that the first scene on the first day is always a kissing scene?"
     
    He laughed.
    "Can you come up with a better way to get the two of you hot for each other? Raw sex, honey, it works every time."
     
    She ignored his crassness and quietly stated her case.
    "Surely you understand that if you arranged it for later in the schedule, the actors performing the scene would have more chemistry together."
     
    "Don't worry, hon,"
    Miles said, in a patronizing tone.
    "You and Kyle are set to burn up the screen."
    He winked at Kyle, who winked back. All boys together.
     
    Lara remained silent. She'd learned that as a successful woman
    111 the movie industry it wasn't worth getting into an argument over small