Free Beyond Famous (Famous #3) by Kahlen Aymes Page B

me a bloody headache."
    "Waiting for a message from Brook?" Denise asked, knowingly.
    I nodded. "She must be in the shower or something or she would have responded by now.  I have to turn the phone off soon and then I won't be able to contact her for eight hours." When I said the words, I realized how pathetic I must have sounded and sighed. 
    Yes. Okay? I miss the fucking shit out of her and I've barely left her. 
    I swallowed hard at the thought of the coming madness at Cannes and then the brief time we had left together in Italy. Denise squeezed my arm where her hand rested.
    "Jeanne and I are trying to work with the studios to get some of your schedule rearranged.  As it stands, you two only have one weekend off together around the Fourth of July. Did you know that?" Her voice took on an edge whenever she was angry.
    "Yeah.  I've been trying to keep it from Brook and hoping to hell that something can be done about it before then.  Damn them. I guess there's more than one way to keep us apart." 
    My phone pinged in my hand and I had the message open before the tone was even done playing.
     
    I miss you every second you're not with me, but try to have fun... just not TOO MUCH!  LOL
     
    I smiled when I read the message.  "Hmmph!"
    Denise smiled when she saw the look on my face.  "She's handling it better than you, huh?"
    "Something like that, yeah.  She's amazing."
     
    OK, my love. You, too, but don't be kissing any frogs while I'm gone.
     
    I knew she'd be laughing when she got the message. 
     

     
    AFTER WE LANDED, we attended a party on someone's yacht, and I didn't even remember who it belonged to or what the party was even for. It was an endless stream of introductions, women fawning and asking me questions about my films and too much alcohol, but what the hell? My full glass had been the most comforting part of the evening.
     In the back of my mind, I was sure there would be paparazzi telling the wrong story, pushing photos and trying to make it seem like I was out and completely single.  To the world I was, but in my heart, I couldn't have been less available.
    It was eight hours earlier in Los Angeles, so I called Brook when I got back to my hotel suite.  I was over-tired, slightly drunk, and I missed her.
    "Hey."  Her voice was low and sexy, at least to my alcohol infused brain.  "How's Cannes?"
    "Lonely. I miss you, Brook."
    "Um... you sound a little...”
    "Inebriated? Yeah, I am," I laughed.
    "I saw some pictures online of you tonight. You looked hot, babe."
    " You're hot.  I wish you were here with me," I sighed into the phone and pictured her lying in her bed, all warm and soft.  Mmmm...
    She laughed softly into the phone and the sound did strange things to my body.  "Maybe I'll have to get you drunk more often, you're awfully cute."
    "What did you do today?"
    "Well, it's been raining, so Martin had us do some retakes on the office set… " Her words dropped off as I pictured her working with Noah. "And, um... I had to tell Martin I lost Julia’s ring.  Props had a back-up, so it was fine."
    "Did Noah behave himself?" I was aware he was trying to spend more time with her off set while I was away and my guard was up.
    She sighed.  "Yes.  He’s been sweet."
    "That's not what I asked."  I rubbed my hand over my eyes.  I was lying on the bed with my head hanging off of the foot of it and my neck was starting to hurt.
    "Hey, you're the one getting mobbed with legions of women.  I'd relax about Noah if I were you."
    "I know. I just miss you, love.  And I'm a little jealous that he gets to be near you when I don't." I moved up off of the bed and over to my laptop and turned it on.
    "It's only a couple more days. At least, that's what I keep telling myself.  And he doesn't get to be near me.  Not like you are." Her voice dropped and I heard the rustling of the blankets that must be wrapped around her body. "I miss your body, your hands, your mouth... ugh...”
    "Oh God, Brook." My