A Legacy of Secrets(33)

‘Action,’ Rafaele called, and Ella watched as again Taylor broke down. Vince was being filmed too, from the rear first, watching her from a distance, then walking across the docklands towards her. It was at the end of this scene their grief and passion would ignite.

‘First her face—’ Santo was incensed ‘—then the beach, then back to her face, and now Vince.’

Santo was right. Vince was just bombarding the scene. Ella could see what was needed, could actually see it before her eyes. Taylor was acting beautifully. It was an Italian shot that was needed—an extreme close-up of her eyes with the ocean reflected in them and then turning as Vince joined her side.

God, she could see it.

‘It’s going to be like watching tennis,’ Santo moaned.

Still Ella said nothing, just watched as a very tense Taylor flounced off. Finally Rafaele told everyone to break for lunch.

‘What do you think?’

An ironic smile twisted her lips, that he had the audacity to ask her.

‘Come on, Ella, say what you’re thinking.’

‘That I need your signature to transfer some funds for the extras....’

‘I meant about this scene.’

‘I’m your PA,’ Ella said. ‘You declined directing advice from me.’

He looked over, his expression somewhat incredulous. ‘Are you still sulking about that?’

‘I’m not sulking.’

‘Absolutely you are.’

‘Do you know what?’ Ella muttered. ‘Not everything goes back to you, Santo.’

‘Of course it does.’ It was the first smile she’d seen on him today, but it faded when he turned and saw her expression. ‘That was a joke,’ he said. ‘So what’s wrong?’

‘It doesn’t matter.’

‘It does to me.’

Sometimes he could be so nice, just so damned nice, which was why he charmed so many, why he was so brilliant with women, Ella reminded herself.

‘Are you having second thoughts about working for Luigi?’ he asked as he added his signature to the paper she had brought for him to sign.

‘No.’ Which was an outright lie, since Ella had accepted the job she’d had five emails from her soon-to-be-boss, each one a touch more familiar. ‘We need to sort out a time for your interviews with my replacement.’

‘And when you no longer work for me, can we celebrate in bed?’ He watched her eyes close for a second. ‘Get used to it, Ella. If you think I’m a lech, you wait till you start your new job.’

‘I never said you were a lech.’

‘What then?’

‘Let’s just concentrate on work for now. Paulo can’t come till next Sunday.’

‘It will be the final day of filming.’

‘If I can rearrange the ship.’

‘You have to,’ Santo said. ‘We’re getting nowhere.’

‘Okay.’ Ella sighed. ‘I’m doing my best. I’ll arrange for Paulo to come about four. You can do a brief interview in your trailer and then I’ll take him out to dinner, while you lot all party.’ She gave a tight smile, because the parties Santo threw at the end of filming were legendary, though the way this movie was going it might end up being more of a wake.

‘What about the other one?’

‘Marianna seems to think she should be discussing things directly with you.’

Santo merely shrugged. ‘I’m a bit busy with other things to be sorting out interview times, Ella.’

‘I know that. I was just letting you know. Okay, if there’s nothing more you need me for here I’ll head back to the hotel.’

‘Stay,’ Santo suggested. ‘Rafaele is going to give the crying scene a rest, thank God, and work on the final kiss.’

That, she did not want to see, because she remembered them acting it out. But more than that, she wanted to give in to him, to just give in to herself and say yes.

‘I have a ship to sort out.’

‘Ella...’ He could not stand this. He had never wanted someone so badly. He was turned on and pissed off and he did not understand why she was so reluctant to be with him, why she didn’t even seem to want to talk to him.

Santo blew out a breath called frustration. He had been nothing but nice. The sex had been great and he had kept his distance. He didn’t know what he was doing wrong. Finally there was a woman his user guide manual couldn’t work out and he didn’t like it a bit. ‘I want to talk to you,’ Santo said. ‘Away from here. I am going to finish at seven tonight and then I am taking you out for dinner. No work—’ he made it very clear ‘—there is no need to bring my diary. We are going out for dinner.’