Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 69621 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 348(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69621 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 348(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
“Oh shit,” Heath says as the scene changes. “My life flashed before my eyes with this one.”
Polly Anna wakes in her bed, shocked to see a shadowy figure standing over her. She makes a run for it and the chase is on yet again, the evil Count Valenti desperate for his fill.
“The director insisted on one fluid take,” Heath says. “I really thought we’d nailed it, until I screwed up at the end.”
I’m entranced, my heart racing as the Count races after Polly, the cameraman close behind.
Polly is screeching and flailing and throwing whatever she can grab at as she makes her escape into the street outside. But the Count is too quick. He grabs her and slams her up against the church door. Polly is panting hard and so am I, her tits heaving in her lowcut nightdress, the lucky bitch. What I would give for Count Valenti to chase me like that.
The camera zooms in on Polly’s pale neck and the Count shows his fangs before biting down.
Polly struggles at first, then goes limp in his arms as he sucks her blood.
“Wait for it,” Heath says.
All of a sudden, the Count is coughing – no – he’s choking, doubling over, can’t breathe.
Polly – or rather Katie, springs to life, grabs him from behind and performs the Heimlich manoeuvre. I’m gasping and nearly choking on my popcorn as Heath’s pale face turns purple.
“Dear fucking God,” I say, just as Katie gives a final thrust and something flies from Heath’s mouth.
People swarm the set. Someone – I think it’s the director – picks up whatever it was that flew from Heath’s mouth.
“Fucking hell, Heath,” he says, “you could have fucking died if it wasn’t for Katie’s quick thinking. Are you alright?”
Count Valenti is getting his breath back, leaning on Katie against the church door.
“Let’s take five and then we’ll go again,” the director says and the scene ends.
“It took another three takes before he was satisfied,” Heath says.
“What the hell happened?” I ask.
“Fake blood capsule. I’m supposed to hide it under my tongue once I’ve broken it with my teeth. But somehow it went down my throat, probably because I was breathing too hard after the chase.”
“That was scary,” I say.
“Indeed,” Heath says. “Quite ironic that Polly saved me.”
It’s mad that I feel jealous of Polly – or Katie.
“Yeah, well done, Polly,” I say.
We watch the rest of the outtakes, and I’m laughing afresh by the end, clapping my hands as Katie really fluffs up a village store scene as Polly. She doubles up, pissing herself laughing with a sorry, ARGH!
It’s a shame to see the reel ending. I could watch this stuff for days.
Heath’s smirk is back on his face when the lights come on in the room.
“So, would you still enjoy being Polly, owned by the Count now that you have seen the bloopers?” he asks me.
Fuck, Heath’s eyes bore into mine, and I am Polly, staring into his vampire beauty.
“That’s another ridiculous question from you, Count.”
“Yes, and another one where I want to hear your enthusiasm.”
I twist towards him. “I’d love to be Polly, even for just one millisecond. It would be absolutely fucking amazing. AMAZING.”
“Good to hear, since you may just get the chance,” he says, and drops an envelope in my lap.
The proposal envelope…
“Josh may have had a spoiler or two about this one,” Heath says, and winks at my boyfriend.
I look between the two of them – two conspiratorial fuck buddies, beyond irresistible in their suits. Heath’s sizing must fit Josh perfectly, because Josh definitely didn’t have that garb in his suitcase when we left London.
“Go on,” Josh says, smirking as dirtily as Heath. “Open the envelope, curva. The Count controls your destiny too, after all.”
Yes, he does.
Heath Mason controls every scrap of my destiny with this envelope in my hands.
He’s welcome to it.
CHAPTER NINE
TUESDAY
Nighttime Whispers doesn’t need to be limited to the TV screen this evening, sweet curva. The Count is in my blood now, as I’ve played the character for so long.
And the Count knows how to chase and terrify his victims.
Tonight, I will be lucky enough to have an extremely skilled assistant. Someone who can also run, chase and capture. I’m sure we’ll both be trying our very best to win the game of hide and seek.
Once we catch you, you will be at the mercy of the Count.
Finally, Ella, you will have the chance to be Polly Anna, and your ‘fate’ will belong to me.
Proposal duration – three hours.
Reward – some more competition time for Joshua tomorrow. I know you love a good squash game, darling. You’ll have earnt it.
Heath Mason playing a squash match with Josh? I have no idea how that will pan out, but if I had to hedge my bets…
Josh is one of the most competitive people I’ve ever met when it comes to any kind of sport, especially one on one. No, scrap that. He’s the most competitive person I’ve ever met.