The Game (Wagered Hearts Series, #3)(13)

I turned to look at her and cocked my head. "Public PDA?"

"Oh, don't act all coy and innocent. You've been together for weeks now. It's time to heat things up. Where will you two be going? I'll tip the paps so they can catch you in a passionate embrace."

"This is so messed up," I said, shaking my head.

"Why are you acting so squeamish about it now? It's not your first time using the press for positive publicity," Charlotte asked.

I didn't know the answer to that myself. Somehow though, I found myself shying away from exploiting our "relationship", which was completely irrational since the whole purpose of the charade was for positive publicity.

Charlotte let out an impatient snort and threw her hands up. "I don't know what's gotten into you recently, but whatever it is, don't let it mess with a good thing. Kelsey's rumors are pretty much forgotten. Just keep doing what you're doing and it'll be a thing of the past," she said.

I clung on to that thought as Charlotte left my house. I had to remember what this was all about--the scandal, my career, and award season. Nothing else mattered in the grand scheme of things. And Rob was just a means to an end.

***

My cheeks ached from smiling so much. Troy and Kerry, hosts of Morning Talk, sat there rhapsodizing about new love, throwing in little jokes as if they were so clever.

"So tell us, Emilia, how did you and your Prince Charming meet?" Troy asked.

"He's sooo dreamy," Kerry added in that vapid, high pitched voice she used, which was completely different from what she sounded like when the cameras weren't rolling.




"It's nothing too exciting, actually. We were just introduced through some mutual friends," I said. I had to hide the smile as I thought of what their reaction would be if I told them the truth. "Actually, Rob and I aren't really together. Our whole relationship is completely fake," I thought.

"Ooh I can see there's something more to this story then you're letting on, judging from that smile on your face," Troy cooed, as if he'd caught me in a lie.

"My lips are sealed," I said playing along.

"Now, there are rumors that you two are expecting your first child together," Kerry said. "Care to address them?"

I shook my head and rolled my eyes. "People have far too much imagination," I said.

"So, is that a yes or a no?" she asked.

"What do you think?" I said, not answering the question. Before Kerry could delve further, we cut to commercial break.

"That was clever of you," Kerry said. Her voice had dropped a couple of octaves, and she sounded much more brisk and business-like once the cameras stopped rolling.

I knew she was fishing for more gossip, so I kept my mouth shut and plastered on a confused expression on my face, and smiled at her vapidly. Two could play at that game. I wasn't about to deny the rumors of being pregnant on national television. For one thing, it was great press. Every day, there was a new "Is she or isn't she?" article, wondering if I had a baby bump, with pages devoted to analyzing each piece of clothing I wore. It was ridiculous and mildly creepy, but I much preferred them talking about the baby bump and not that other scandal that started it all.

Once we came back from commercial break, Troy and Kerry spent the rest of the interview talking about my movie. It went by quickly and smoothly, and I left the studio with a nice break before my next interview later in the afternoon.





Chapter 6: Rob



L.A. was making me paranoid. Every time I turned around, there was another photographer hiding, ready to snap a shot of me. I wasn't doing anything particularly interesting either--getting a cup of coffee, filling the car with petrol, on my way to the gym. Then again, it seemed like they ate those shots up more than the staged ones at premiers and parties. I'd never considered myself especially vain, but I found myself scrutinizing my clothes and general appearance before I stepped outside.

I wasn't exactly a stranger to seeing my name in the news back home, but those tended to be things like Tattler's Little Black Book. It was nothing like seeing my name and picture on television screens, and the front pages of magazines at the supermarket. So far, the experience had been new and exciting, and a large part of that was because of Emilia. I could easily imagine how this arrangement could have become tiresome, but she was such a breath of fresh air, that I actually found myself enjoying this whole charade.

When I'd first met her out with Ryan a year ago, I found her extremely enticing, but ultimately shallow and empty-headed. That didn't stop me from pursuing her, and our little flirtation heated up nicely until she was called away for a movie shoot. At the time, I couldn't say I was upset about it. She was just another woman, and there was no shortage of them in my life.

So it was a nice surprise to discover that there was more to Emilia than just her looks. She had a wicked sense of humor, and when she wasn't watching what she was saying, there was a cleverness about her that made me wonder how I ever thought she was shallow at all.

I was looking forward to our date tonight. She had called me earlier today and informed me, very business-like, that we should "show some PDA". I had to admit, I was eagerly anticipating what that would entail.

Up until now, I'd been on my best behavior, restricting myself to just hand holding, and kisses on the back of the hand, but that was starting to get old. I was only a man, after all, and even though I'd signed the contract stating no sex, I could still hope. She was a beautiful woman--it was only natural that I was attracted to her. Maybe we could make an exception to the rules. It seemed silly to deny the both of us something that I knew would be highly pleasurable for the both of us.