The Game (Wagered Hearts Series, #3)(15)

"Maddie! I didn't expect you here tonight," Emilia said, brushing her cheek against the woman's cheek.

"I couldn't miss the premier of the season, darling. People are saying this is going to break all the box office records! And besides, I wouldn't pass up the chance to meet your new beau," she added slyly.

"Oh, where are my manners? Maddie meet Rob, my boyfriend. Maddie was the producer of one of my first films," Emilia said turning to me.

"A pleasure to meet you," I said, taking her outstretched hand and lifting it to my lips. She seemed to derive an inordinate amount of pleasure from that and giggled like a school girl.

"Aren't you charming," she said, swatting my shoulder playfully. "Tell me, do you have a brother?"

"I'm sorry to say I don't."

"Oh well, that's too bad. If this one gives you any trouble, you just give me a call," she said giving me a wink.

"Maddie! I'm standing right here!" Emilia protested.

"Sorry hon, but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do," she said unapologetically. "I see Rose Hansen over there. I must say hello. It was nice seeing you again, darling." She gave Emilia another buss on the cheek. "And you, my dear, are too charming by half," she said to me before flittering away again.

Once she had gone, Emilia turned to me and blew out a breath. "Sorry about that," she said.

"Why are you apologizing?" I asked.

She looked at me a moment before breaking out into a giggle. "I don't know," she said. "It just seemed like the right thing to do."

Her laugh was infectious and I found myself laughing right along with her. I saw a few more flashes go off in the corner of my eye, but ignored it. If they needed evidence that Emilia and I were in love, then we were giving them plenty of material to work with.

We were soon ushered to our seats and sat through the movie in a companionable silence. I'd never seen one of Emilia's movies before, and was pleasantly surprised by how good it was. Her performance was phenomenal as a young woman who travels back in time to stop the death of her grandfather. I could see why she was getting such rave reviews.

Once the movie was over, Emilia suggested we head to the after party at the Armand Hammer Museum. "You can push me up against the wall and kiss me passionately," she said, jokingly. I laughed along with her, but the mental image her words brought up were anything but funny. In fact, it was hard for me to think of anything else the whole ride there.

"Is it strange that I'm kind of nervous about this kiss?" I asked as we pulled up to the museum.

She turned to look at me in surprise. "I'm kind of nervous too," she confessed. "It's not like we haven't kissed before though, which is what makes it even crazier."

"I know. But that feels like a lifetime ago," I said.

"Tell me about it."





Chapter 7: Emilia



We exited the car amid a flurry of flashes. I was sure we'd be all over the gossip sites again in the morning. Charlotte would appreciate that. I slipped my hand in his, a gesture I found comforting and surprisingly satisfying. I didn't even need to think about it. I found that with Rob, I didn't have to force a lot of things. Everything felt right and seemed completely natural.

The after party was packed with people when we arrived. Those that didn't make the premiere were already here. Several heads turned in our direction when we stepped into the courtyard.

After the past few weeks together, we had worked out a nice little routine for these types of events. We'd circulate around the room, chatting and networking with other actors, directors and producers. It was good that Rob was successful in his own right, and wasn't just some handsome guy I found who was living off my fame and money. He seemed to garner respect and admiration wherever we went.

"Oh look. There's Warren Peters," Rob said. We walked toward the man Rob had pointed out. He was standing by the bar alone with his back turned toward us. "What the hell are you doing here," Rob said in greeting once we reached him.

Warren Peters smiled as he shook Rob's hand and quirked an eyebrow. "What does it look like?" he drawled.

He was a little shorter than Rob, but still over 6 feet. His dark brown hair was graying at the sides, and made him look distinguished, but his mischievous smile made him seem younger. He wasn't conventionally handsome, but there was something about him--he had presence.

"It looks like you're up to something," Rob said, narrowing his eyes at him. "This isn't really your scene."

Warren Peters lifted one side of his lips in a lazy grin. "It isn't exactly yours either," he said before sliding his gaze to me. "You must forgive my friend Rob. He seems to have forgotten his manners in his paranoia. I'm Warren," the man said in introduction.

I looked up at Rob, who was still staring at Warren suspiciously. It was obvious that there was some history between the two men. Warren was holding out his hand to me and rather than be rude, I took it.

"Emilia," I said. He lifted my hand and brought it to his lips, much like Rob had done, and kissed the back of my hand. Somehow the gesture felt all wrong coming from him.

"Charming," he said.

Before I could reply, we were interrupted by Darla Lovitz. She breezed into our group and hooked her arm under Warren's possessively. "Here you are," she said, ignoring Rob and me. "I thought I lost you in this crowd."