'No more Tony Alvarez in your life, huh?'

'No,' she said, putting on her sunglasses.

'Tony's trouble. You're a smart girl getting rid of him.'

She nodded, pretending to agree, although she was seething inside. How come everyone thought they were free to criticize her love life? She would sleep with whomever she wanted. If they didn't approve, too bad.

Faye reached their table. Lola got up. Merrill didn't. He's such a rude son-of-a-bitch, she thought. Rude, but powerful. And powerful always wins out.

'Bye, darling,' she said, bending down to give him the Hollywood peck on both cheeks.

'See you tonight,' he said, blowing acrid smoke in her face. 'We'll talk more.'

He watched her as she walked away, big ass tightly encased in clinging white jersey. Director and co-star approval indeed. Actresses! They were all the same.

Jesus!

How quickly it went to their heads. He could remember her down on her knees sucking his cock like her life depended on it. And perhaps it did, because he'd had the power to make her a star.

Power. That's what it was all about. And how better to feel the power than to have some eager little cocksucker down on her knees servicing him.

As they moved away from the table Lola turned to Faye. 'Merrill will do anything for me,' she murmured. 'Men are so easy. Especially unattractive ones.'

Faye wasn't interested in hearing about her client's conquests. 'There are three TV crews waiting,' she said. 'I've checked the lighting and it's good.'

'What points should I hit?'

'Talk about anything except your love-life,' Faye warned.

'My love-life?' Lola said, raising an eyebrow. 'Surely you're forgetting I'm a married woman - nothing to talk about.'

'And don't you forget it,' Faye said firmly. 'If they should mention Tony Alvarez, you wish him the best, you'll always be there for him as a friend, but you haven't seen him since you got married.'

'Thank you, Faye,' Lola drawled sarcastically. 'What would I do without you?'

She'd already decided that the first person she'd call the moment she got back to America was Tony. They belonged together, and it was about time she followed her instincts instead of listening to everybody else's advice.

'You handled yourself well,' Russell said admiringly as they left the press conference. 'Didn't need my help at all.'

'Yes, I did,' Shelby answered ruefully. 'Your comments were perfect.'

'I kinda know how to handle 'em,' Russell said. 'Done it a time or two.'

She sighed. 'Are we constantly going to be compared to Monster's Ball?'

'You know what the press are like, they always need a hook.'

'It's upsetting that people think I'm hanging on to Halle Berry's coat-tails because she did an outrageous sex scene and now I have.'

'We were shooting our movie before she even won her Oscar,' Russell pointed out.

'Forget about it.'

'I can't stand these press junkets.'

He laughed drily. 'This is nothing. Wait until we get back to the States and our movie hits the screens there. You'd better prepare yourself.'

'As long as you're beside me, Russell. You've got a way of always making me feel secure.'

It was true. Filming Rapture with Russell Savage had been an extremely rewarding experience. Not only was he a fine director, he was also a caring human being, and that made all the difference. She was quite convinced she would never have been able to get through the graphic love scenes with another director in charge. Her role was too personal, plus Russell brought out a side of her that she had not known she possessed.

'Terrific answers, honey,' said Beck Carson, winking at her on his way past.

'You're quite a pro.'

Beck had been another source of strength to her. He was one of those low-key actors who never stopped working. He had world-weary eyes and a phenomenal screen presence. Twice nominated, it was quite possible he would be nominated again for his role in Rapture.

'When are you leaving?' she asked.

'Flying to New York later this afternoon,' he said. 'How about you?'

'Linc and I are off in a couple of days. We're stopping by to see my parents in London.'

'What a city!' Beck said, rolling his eyes. 'Spent quite a bit of time there last summer. English people are the best.'

'I'll take that as a compliment,' she said, smiling, 'even though I now live in Hollywood.'

'You'll always be English,' Beck said. 'You've got that English thing going. I hope Linc realizes what a lucky sonofabitch he is.'

'I hope so too,' she said, turning back to Russell. 'Will you be at Merrill Zandack's party tonight?'

'Yup,' Russell said, nodding. 'When Merrill throws his annual party, everyone shows up. It's a Cannes staple. At least the caviar is the best.'

'That's very Hollywood of you, Russ. Where did you say you were born?'

'Brooklyn, honey, and I don't ever forget it.'

'Really?'

'That's the trick of surviving in this business - never forget where you came from.'

Shelby nodded. Perhaps that was Linc's problem. He could never forget his abusive father and the shocking violence he'd endured as a child. It was one of the reasons she always forgave him for his out-of-control drinking and vile moods.

That's why she loved him so much - because, deep down, he wasn't the big macho movie star, he was a little boy lost and he needed her. He also needed therapy, and one of these days she was convinced that he'd give in and she'd get him to spend more time with Brenda. If only he would, it might begin to solve their problems.

Chapter Ten.

Lunch was a feast: giant pink prawns followed by succulent grilled chicken, and tomato and mozzarella pizzas. For dessert there was rich chocolate cake and coconut gelato.

'I haven't eaten this good since I got here,' Cat announced, licking her fingers with glee.

'You're a fast-food girl, then, huh?' Jonas said, leaning forward to remove a speck of chocolate from her lips.

'This isn't fast food, this is amazing.'

'You're easy to please,' he said, thinking that sometimes she actually acted her age. It was most endearing.

'Jump says I'm not.'

'He's wrong.'

She grinned. 'You know what I'd like to do now?'

'Go back to the boat?' he said hopefully. 'Because there's a lot more party details I should be taking care of...'

'Oh, no,' she said, vigorously shaking her head. 'Merrill promised I had you for the day, so now I want to go water-skiing.'

'You're not serious?'

'Perfectly serious. Why?' she said, wrinkling her nose. 'Don't you ski?'

'I tried telling you earlier -I didn't have your privileged upbringing.'

'Privileged upbringing, my ass! Warring parents who were always on the run. Jump taught me in Australia. We spent ten days exploring the Great Barrier Reef. It was way cool!'

'He sounds like quite a guy.'

'You'd like him,' she said, adding mischievously, 'and now that I know you're not gay, you two could be friends.'

'Does that mean he's homophobic?'

'No way.'

'Then why couldn't we be friends if I was gay?'

'Which you're not.'

'Not.'

'Jump gets along with everyone.'

'Is he bisexual?'

'Come on,' she protested. 'Stop teasing me.'

'Do I have to?' he said, mock-serious.

'Yes, Jonas, you have to.'

'Y'know,' he said, stretching, 'I've got to admit that this has been kind of relaxing, getting away from the big man for a day.'

'You need to do it more often,' she said, leaping up and reaching for his hand.

'Cause now I'm about to teach you how to water-ski.'

He started to protest, but she was having none of it. 'What's under your shorts?' she demanded.

'Excuse me?'

'Have you got on underwear?'

'Of course,' he said, alarmed. 'And I'm not skiing in them.'

She stifled a grin at the thought of Jonas in his underwear. Boxers or briefs?

Aware of his label fetish, she decided they had to be Calvin Klein and tight.

'Come on,' she said, pulling him up. 'I'm buying you swim-shorts to protect your modesty, then you can learn.'

'Don't want to learn,' he objected.

'Yes, you do,' she said insistently, ''cause when you're a big producer making huge meaningful movies, you'll come here and knock the pants off everyone with your cool athletic abilities. How about that?'

He liked the fact that she had confidence in him. Maybe she wasn't such a pain in the butt, after all. 'So you actually believe I'll make it?' he said.

'Anyone who has a passion is gonna make it. Hey - I'm a classic example. Dropped out of school at fifteen, was a major druggie - only don't mention that to Merrill.'

'I quit school at fifteen too.'

'You did?'

He nodded.

'How come?'

'My old man needed extra drinking money.'

'Sounds like a story I should hear.'

'Another time.'

'Promise?'