Page 38 of Seeking Stars
"But isn't it suppressing you as an artist? Your films are unscripted for a reason."
"Sure… but I don't have enough of a name to do as I please."
He finished putting sunblock on his legs and moved to his arms. "I used to feel the same way when I started with Coulton. He said I needed to sign with three movies, I did. He said I needed to go on a long promo tour, I did. And I guess it's what brought me here, so he was right… you could say I have the name now, but I still don't get to say no often. Hell, we're here because I couldn't say no."
"Is this how it is?" She lifted her legs and rested her arms on her knees. "Having an agent?"
"I don't know, to be honest. I've only worked with Coulton, but sometimes I wonder..."
He left the sentence hanging, thoughts disappearing into a corner of his mind. His hands stilled, falling to his lap.
Her eyes were gentle as he looked into them, as if he could find the damn answers there.
"I think," he said after a while, "that I'm afraid that if Coulton's guidance built me up, I owe him. I know I do. And I don't know how… or if…"
"Yeah? How much you can push back without being ungrateful?"
A small click marked a piece of him getting into place. A curl pulled at the corner of his lips. "That's… ridiculous, isn't it?"
She smiled. "I don't think so. I think it means you recognize you didn't build your level of fame alone."
A tingle appeared close to his heart at her words and he let them be, uninspected. He grinned at her, distracting them both from the moment. "Or I'm too proud to owe anyone anything."
She chuckled. "Yeah, I don't think that's it."
He shrugged and continued applying sunscreen. "Anyway, that's part of it, for sure. I know I need a change but how to ask for it and truly make it happen is a bit of a mystery."
"I'm sure you'll figure it out."
"I'd say maybe think of how much you let Diana control rather than manage and," he gave her an impish grin, "if you figure it out, let me know."
She laughed. "Deal. Good luck to us."
"Good luck to you editing this bit without vilifying our agents. But I wanted to ask you something. Are we ready to move on? Go to the next place?"
He glanced at her, catching the way her eyes roamed his chest. He looked away and hid a smile, ignoring the echo of attraction he felt in response. For now. Until he knew how far to take it.
Liam left the bottle on the table and took the spray to apply sunscreen on his back. He considered asking her for help, but that would push his luck even more than flirting.
Ana took the bottle he'd been using and applied sunblock to her legs. "Oh. Well, I love it here but… sure, of course."
Her legs tempted his eyes, calling him to study the soft flesh and the smatter of cute dimples on them. Her skin had gotten several shades darker during their time in the cabin.
He kept his eyes on her face. "C'mon. I'm asking you because I want to know what you think. I don't need you to just say yes to everything."
"That's sweet," she said, giving him a glorious smile. "But I'm honestly okay with whatever you prefer. This trip is your pseudo-vacation. Letting you choose is something I can do for you."
"This is another thing that's probably gonna mess up your editing, right? You'll have to keep it chronological."
"Your beard isn't helping either but you don't see me complaining."
Fuck it. He liked flirting with her.
He grinned. "That's probably because I look good with a beard. Don't you agree? Tell me the truth."
She laughed, the sound warming him up from the inside. "You're such a flirt. And so cocky. Guess you have to be that way to make it in your industry."
"The mistake you're making is thinking I flirt with everyone."
