Serial Novel: Falling in Public, Ch. 13
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Falling in Public
Chapter 13
The lights were hot and bright as Holly smiled her way through the introduction and initial small talk on stage. Sherry Ormond, the talk show host was full of effervescent energy and combined with her high-pitched laugh and the apparently constant need to move, the woman was driving Holly insane by the third question.
"Now I was planning to ask you how you researched your sex scenes here," Sherry bubbled in a more serious tone. She peered over her tiny little glasses at Holly like a disapproving teacher, with a knowing wink toward the audience. "But I think we all know the answer to that, given the picture in the paper today, don't we? So how long have you and Eddie Pierce been...seeing each other? And how did you meet?"
The infamous photo popped up on the monitor, the black censor boxes over the relevant parts somehow making it look more lewd, rather than less. Since closing her eyes and hiding behind the chair wasn't an option, she merely lifted her chin and raised an eyebrow at the crowd. A mistake was only a mistake if you called it one, right?
"Actually, I have a confession," she said, hoping she looked appropriately contrite. "Since Mr. Pierce and I both have new offerings coming out soon, we decided to combine resources and give the fans something...memorable as a thank-you for buying our work. I think his music and my books make a great combination, especially considering the book I'm working on now. What do you think? Did you enjoy our little photo shoot?"
Applause erupted throughout the studio and she smiled again, nodding her thanks under Sherry's predatory stare. Mentally steeling herself against the onslaught of more questions, she waited patiently for the applause to die down. The audience had bought it, but she knew the hostess could still turn things around if she wasn't completely convinced.
"So this whole thing was just a publicity stunt?" Sherry laughed, her expression conveying her disbelief. "I have to say, if that's true, you two should be making millions as actors. It looks pretty real to me, don't you think?" she said, facing the camera. More applause, but Holly refused to give up. She shrugged, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.
"Oh come on, Sherry. Are you telling me you wouldn't get a little starstruck if you were in bed with a guy that good looking, even if it was just for show? Ladies? Would any of you have a hard time looking at Eddie Pierce like you want him?" She laughed, relieved when the cheers and whistles were much louder than they'd been before. Sherry sat back in her chair with a grin, conceding graciously with a nod of her head.
"Good point," Sherry said when the noise faded. "I think we'd all be rather inspired to have been in your position, and unfortunately, we're out of time for today. Thank you for joining us, and I know I'll be looking forward to your new book." She turned to the camera, gesturing at Holly. "Holly Saunders, everyone. Next up, the zookeeper has something rare and exotic to show us, after these messages."
Somehow Holly managed to shake hands and step down off the platform without falling on her face. Waving to the crowd as she walked off stage, she managed to keep her smile in place until she made it back to the dressing room. Once the door was closed and locked, she collapsed onto the couch, any energy she had left draining away into the well-worn cushions. She closed her eyes, and wondered if it would be possible to change her ticket and leave for home tomorrow. She'd planned to stay a week and turn the trip into a vacation, but now it all just seemed so overwhelming...
"Just a publicity stunt, huh?"
Holly's eyes popped open to see Eddie five feet away, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. She opened her mouth, but closed it again when she realized she had no idea what to say. He walked over to stand in front of her, his looming presence making her feel like a recalcitrant child.
"Because that's not how I remember things at all."
Enjoy this installment? Try The Biker's Wench, available now at:
Amazon US | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | All Romance eBooks
**Please
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Ch.1|Ch. 2|Ch. 3|Ch. 4|Ch. 5|Ch. 6|Ch. 7|Ch. 8|Ch. 9|Ch. 10|Ch. 11|Ch. 12
Falling in Public
Chapter 13
The lights were hot and bright as Holly smiled her way through the introduction and initial small talk on stage. Sherry Ormond, the talk show host was full of effervescent energy and combined with her high-pitched laugh and the apparently constant need to move, the woman was driving Holly insane by the third question.
"Now I was planning to ask you how you researched your sex scenes here," Sherry bubbled in a more serious tone. She peered over her tiny little glasses at Holly like a disapproving teacher, with a knowing wink toward the audience. "But I think we all know the answer to that, given the picture in the paper today, don't we? So how long have you and Eddie Pierce been...seeing each other? And how did you meet?"
The infamous photo popped up on the monitor, the black censor boxes over the relevant parts somehow making it look more lewd, rather than less. Since closing her eyes and hiding behind the chair wasn't an option, she merely lifted her chin and raised an eyebrow at the crowd. A mistake was only a mistake if you called it one, right?
"Actually, I have a confession," she said, hoping she looked appropriately contrite. "Since Mr. Pierce and I both have new offerings coming out soon, we decided to combine resources and give the fans something...memorable as a thank-you for buying our work. I think his music and my books make a great combination, especially considering the book I'm working on now. What do you think? Did you enjoy our little photo shoot?"
Applause erupted throughout the studio and she smiled again, nodding her thanks under Sherry's predatory stare. Mentally steeling herself against the onslaught of more questions, she waited patiently for the applause to die down. The audience had bought it, but she knew the hostess could still turn things around if she wasn't completely convinced.
"So this whole thing was just a publicity stunt?" Sherry laughed, her expression conveying her disbelief. "I have to say, if that's true, you two should be making millions as actors. It looks pretty real to me, don't you think?" she said, facing the camera. More applause, but Holly refused to give up. She shrugged, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.
"Oh come on, Sherry. Are you telling me you wouldn't get a little starstruck if you were in bed with a guy that good looking, even if it was just for show? Ladies? Would any of you have a hard time looking at Eddie Pierce like you want him?" She laughed, relieved when the cheers and whistles were much louder than they'd been before. Sherry sat back in her chair with a grin, conceding graciously with a nod of her head.
"Good point," Sherry said when the noise faded. "I think we'd all be rather inspired to have been in your position, and unfortunately, we're out of time for today. Thank you for joining us, and I know I'll be looking forward to your new book." She turned to the camera, gesturing at Holly. "Holly Saunders, everyone. Next up, the zookeeper has something rare and exotic to show us, after these messages."
Somehow Holly managed to shake hands and step down off the platform without falling on her face. Waving to the crowd as she walked off stage, she managed to keep her smile in place until she made it back to the dressing room. Once the door was closed and locked, she collapsed onto the couch, any energy she had left draining away into the well-worn cushions. She closed her eyes, and wondered if it would be possible to change her ticket and leave for home tomorrow. She'd planned to stay a week and turn the trip into a vacation, but now it all just seemed so overwhelming...
"Just a publicity stunt, huh?"
Holly's eyes popped open to see Eddie five feet away, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. She opened her mouth, but closed it again when she realized she had no idea what to say. He walked over to stand in front of her, his looming presence making her feel like a recalcitrant child.
"Because that's not how I remember things at all."
Enjoy this installment? Try The Biker's Wench, available now at:
Amazon US | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | All Romance eBooks
**Please
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