chapter 20
Trista
A fter a week and a half after of our arrival in Greece, the main cast s of the movie our actor friends were being interviewed. I couldn’t be any more excited about it. The other side of the island was transformed into a nice setting for the Behind-The-Scenes interview. Lindsey, Taylor and I were standing behind one of the screens that showed Emma, Bass and Dimitris with a beautiful lady named Jill, who was the interviewer. We all had headphones on as we watched the whole thing with a front row pass.
Jill started with the bright star of the film, of course. “Bass Cole, how are you doing today? I’m thinking the Greek sun is agreeing with you, huh? I’m pretty sure America will think so, too.” She was grinning like a lapdog at Bass, eyeing him like he was the most delicious treat in the world.
My eyes glanced at Emma, but she was calm and looked like she was enjoying herself. Was she really?
Bass merely shrugged at that comment before he gave a little laugh. “I’m doing well, Jill. I concur, the Greek sun has been more than agreeable. It’s been fantastic, I love it here.”
Jill’s face lit-up as she looked at him through her lashes, a flirty look in her eyes. “Blasphemous is gaining a lot of publicity due to its content. What made you sign up for a movie that’s so different from your usual endeavors? I heard this movie’s very steamy and graphically raw. Is there any truth to that?”
Bass gave her a winning smile. “Graphically raw, I like that. Yeah, the movie is definitely raw and steamy. I’ve always wanted to make a movie with Martin and, after reading the script, I knew this film was something I wanted to be in and that’s mainly because it is different from all the other ones I’ve made. It’s more dramatic, allowing me the opportunity to show a wide range of emotion that you don’t see in my other films. You could just say that I gave my heart and soul to it, I suppose.”
“The way you described it makes me want to see the movie all the more. Do you two agree with what Bass said?” Jill directed her attention to Dimitris and Emma.
Dimitris chose to respond first. “The movie does need a lot of emotion, be it anger, passion, hate or love. I think this movie as a whole is about passion. I don’t think Martin could’ve done a better job than selecting Emma as the lead. This woman lights up on screen.” He directed his smiling face at Emma.
Emma was biting her lip, blushing and laughing. “It’s not that hard to light up.” She laughed again. “These men are great actors. I’m new to this, but both have been very generous to help out if I needed to make a certain scene better.”
Jill was laughing with her. “I can just imagine. You’ve these terribly good-looking men to share scenes with. Women all over the world would die to be in your spot. How did it feel kissing Bass and Dimitris for the first time? Was it awkward at all?”
Emma looked comfortable on screen. The question barely fazed her. “It was in the beginning, but after the first scene you’re like, ‘okay, here goes.’ Dimitris and I make fun of each other. He’d say something like, ‘I brushed my teeth twice, I’m ready.’”
Jill was now more than eager to pull out more juicy details. “Who kisses better? Bass or Dimitris? You have to give us an answer. We’re all dying to know.”
Emma bit her lip and took a sneak peek at the two men on both of her sides. “Dimitris is an amazing kisser. He’s very in control and sets the pace. Bass kisses like he’s consuming you whole. Both men are different. It’s hard to scale it that way.”
My left headphone was suddenly moved aside as Taylor leaned close. “Do I kiss like I’m consuming you whole?”
I cocked my head a little so I could do a little consuming of my own with my eyes taking in that gorgeous face. “Why ask if you know the answer, pretty boy?”
His eyes danced as he gave me a few quick kisses. “Just making sure, a guy needs a little assurance once in a while.” Taylor winked at me before he placed my headphones back. I happily sighed when he pulled me against his chest and wrapped his arms around me. Lindsey caught us and simply stuck out her tongue, smiling.
Jill gave a little blushing laugh after Bass said something I missed. “Bass your fans sent a lot of questions, but we could only choose a few. The first question is from Sheila M. from Seattle. ‘Are you still dating Lydia Cornwell?’”
Bass cleared his throat before answering the question. His blue eyes looked very pronounced on the screen. “No, Lydia and I parted ways a couple of months back.”
“I heard both men are actually single, but not the leading lady. Miss Emma, we did a little digging of our own and we found out that you’re dating a soccer player, Carter Mason from LA Galaxy. Carter’s Facebook was packed with pictures of you both from when you guys started dating. Here, the team made a little video.” All of them were watching the television that was on the left of Jill. Emma was uncomfortable. Bass looked rigid and Dimitris was frowning.
The screen before us was now filled with Carter’s Facebook page. It was like a timeline of them together from the first night they kissed, them dancing, more kissing, Emma being carried in his arms, Emma writing I love you on his chest with her lipstick, pictures of Emma’s sleeping face, another one of her smiling at Carter and the last one, was of her wearing his jersey from LA Galaxy while blowing him a kiss.
Shit, Carter didn’t play for the LA team until a few months back. What was going on here? Lindsey and I shared a look of horror as we both turned our attention back to Emma and Bass. They looked the same as earlier, but if you looked closely, there was tension between Bass and Emma.
“Wow, you’re boyfriend’s definitely gorgeous. I can tell you two are so in love. I like a guy who’s not afraid to tell the world that you’re his girl.” Jill meant the words as she grinned at Emma.
“Yeah, that’s Carter. He’s very persistent,” Emma murmured.
After Jill asked Emma more questions in regards to the movie, she shifted the questioning to Bass and Dimitris. It went on for another hour before it finally ended. Jill was going to visit them again tomorrow during filming, so she could get a glimpse of what it was like behind the scenes. Since there wasn’t much space on the island, Jill and her crew had to fly back to Athens instead of staying closer to the cast and crew.
Taylor and I were making out on the outdoor couch when he heard someone slide the door open. It was Bass heading towards us. They all were supposed to eat at the villa tonight, so I was surprised to find him here. “Would it be okay if I could speak to Trista alone?” He directed his gaze to Taylor. Who simply nodded, stood up and patted Bass’s shoulder.
“What’s up B?” I asked when Taylor disappeared inside the cottage.
“I have questions, and I think you’re the only person that can truly answer them for me.” Bass sat on the other end of the couch and stared at the sea, deep in thought. “What are the chances Emma will go back to him, Trista? Please be honest. I know you love her, but I don’t think I could stand it if she left again. I’d rather be prepared if there’s a chance she would, so I can separate myself away from her sooner.”
Oh, f*ck. I was really getting punished. What the heck do I tell him? “Bass…maybe you should ask her that, not me. She’s the one you should be talking to.”
“I did. She brushed me off like it was not a big deal, but it is. To me it is. Those pictures brought everything back. Emma looked happy and it was plain to see how much love was shared between the two. So, please, just answer me truthfully. Where does Carter stand with her?”
The man really was hurting. “Back in February, something major happened, like a deal breaker, I guess. Around that time she caught him with five girls. Since then, he’s been begging for forgiveness. She’s crazy about you now, Bass. Don’t let old pictures from her past ruin what you two have.” Bass just shook his head and didn’t utter a damn word. “You do love her don’t you?”
Bass made a sad laugh, running both of his hands through his hair. “I don’t know if even should.” He then stood up and looked at me. “Thank you, I know there’s more to the story, but I know you won’t tell me, anyway. I also know that you’re protecting her, but you have to understand that I cannot go through this the second time with Emma. I’m going away for the night. I need to think away from her. Tell her I’ll be back tomorrow morning before the shoot, so she doesn’t worry.” He left by way of the beach, looking torn and sad all together.
“He doesn’t look good,” Taylor said behind me.
My heart ached for Bass. He really was crazy about Emma and my friend was crazy about him, too, but she still felt something for Carter. I think that’s what Bass realized today and deep down, I think he knew that. “Yeah, I hope they sort that out. They’re great together.”
“They are, but for him to come out here and talk to you means that he’s had his doubts for a while. One thing is for sure, he would have a hard time dealing with it if he did walk away.” Taylor took my feet and placed them on his thighs while he gently massaged them. His hands applied enough pressure to subdue my mind and body.
Man, this dude was awesome.
“Gosh, I wonder what other skills you have up your sleeve. You keep surprising me, Taylor.” I sagged against the couch, my body floating away from me as I lavished in the heavenly feeling.
“So foot massages get me praises? I should’ve known you’re a sucker to being serviced.” He pulled at my toe, teasing me.
I simply giggled at his touch. It tickled the hell out of my foot. My soles were quite sensitive and he seemed to be enjoying it. “Tell me one person in this world who doesn’t love being serviced, pretty boy? I bet the pope even has his own personal fetch-me person.”
“You and your nicknames, does it ever end?”
I lounged back, comfortable and satisfied with my ongoing present relationship with Taylor. “Nah. It’s fun and quirky when you make your own catch-phrases. That’s just the way I am. Don’t count on it ever changing.”
“I never said I wanted you to change, Tris. You’re unique, quirks and all, and I like that about you,” Taylor said before planting a kiss on both of my big toes.
“That’s the sweetest compliment anyone has ever given me.” I was way more than touched. My heart soared for a bit.
“Anymore services you wish, Lady Princess?”
This guy was utterly killing me. I sat up and moved to straddle him. Intertwining my arms around his neck, my lips touched the tip of his nose. “I want to do the dirty underneath the stars.”
“I think I can easily make that happen,” Taylor murmured as his lips hovered around the side of mine.