Substitute Starlet

By Marie Kelly

When Tara James finds out her soon-to-be-famous movie star sister needs her, she drops everything to rush to her aid. While the twins might have very different lives, it is the fact they are identical which allows her to stand in for Susan (Sunny). However, first she has to deal with the enigmatic and handsome playboy owner of the production company, Logan Callen, who seems hell-bent on firing the starlet for her outrageous behaviour. Can Tara save her sister and her career and also survive the forceful and sexy Logan.
Logan Callen, is determined to be rid of Sunny James, her wild antics and negative media coverage an embarrassment for his production company. However, the starlet is nothing like he imagined. Beautiful, smart, funny and compassionate the thought of being rid of her quickly becomes the last thing on his mind. Her disinterest in him, however, creates a challenge on how to win over the feisty beauty, and Logan loves a challenge.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Marie Kelly
• Release date: Mar 28, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311983084

Marie Kelly

A hopeless romantic and weaver of words. While I live in Canada, Scotland will always be in my heart.

Book preview

Substitute Starlet

by

Marie Kelly

Special Smashwords Edition

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to actual events or locales is entirely coincidental.

Substitute Starlet

Special Smashwords Edition

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Copyright © 2013 Marie Kelly. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical without the express written permission of the author. The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials.

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Chapter One

Tara James fidgeted nervously on the chic designer chair, once more flicking her eyes to the clock on the wall of the opulent waiting room. The polite, but bored secretary seeing this, gave her another smile which failed to reach her overly-made-up eyes.

I am sure he will not be much longer. Her voice lacked believability as her attention was once more taken by the ringing phone.

She looked at the man beside her, he too trying not to show his nervousness. Tara leant in against him hissing quietly. This is never going to work Ross. He knows already. Why else would he have left us waiting for so long?

Ross Rosco shook his head firmly, whispering in as reassuring a voice as he could muster, It’s fine. He’s just a busy man Tara. Men like him lose track of time, that’s all. Relax. Tara noted, however, that despite his attempt to appear calm there were small beads of perspiration gathering on his brow.

She sat back once more, inwardly fuming. Losing track of time when you requested – no summoned, she corrected herself – people to be at your office, was the height of bad manners and Tara hated rudeness and lack of punctuality.

Mr Callen will see you now. The high-pitched voice of the receptionist broke through her thoughts, as frowning, she rose.

Ross coughed nervously as he moved beside her to the imposing door at the end of the corridor. OK, let me do the talking, he muttered, Tara nodding with an irritated sigh, having heard this more times than she could count on the journey there.

I know the plan, she hissed, Ross nodding, his hands lifted in apology as he moved beside her.

Moving into the large, expensively decorated office, the two stepped together to the table that dominated it. Ross broke into jovial ‘manager mode’ as he rushed forward, hand outstretched to the man sitting behind the imposing desk.

Logan! Great to see you, he enthused. The man behind the desk scowled at his informality but rose taking the manager’s hand, shaking it brusquely as Ross pulled Tara forward.

You do of course know my very talented client, Miss Sunny James. Tara on cue stepped forward, extending her hand, it enveloped in the stranger’s strong warm one, her eyes drinking in the man before her.

She had seen many pictures of Logan Callen as part of her research. She already knew how incredibly handsome he was with his black hair cut short around his well-chiseled features, but this still had not prepared her for the sheer presence of the man. Steely grey/blue eyes were fixed on her, his sensual mouth not holding a smile as he towered over both manager and client silently waiting for the other man to stop talking. Dressed in an expensive suit which fitted him to perfection, she had never seen a man who so epitomised power, wealth and sensuality, the last one causing her to frown.

As Ross finally grew silent, his eyes flicked nervously towards Tara, Logan Callen spoke. Please sit. Both obeyed him unquestioningly as the man on the other side of the desk regarded them thoughtfully.

After several uncomfortable seconds of silence, Ross once more broke into chatter, his discomfort clear as he smiled nervously. So, Mr Callen, we were obviously delighted to hear you wanted to meet with us. Wisely, Ross had chosen to be more formal, having picked up on the scowl of earlier. All good, I hope. Hope there are no problems. Not of course that we mind coming to see the top guy at Venta Productions.

Tara watched as the taller man raised a quizzical eyebrow, disbelief in his dark eyes. Do you really need me to spell this out for you Mr Rosco? His deep velvety voice silenced the manager who flicked another nervous glance towards Tara. Reaching into a drawer, Logan pulled out several tabloids throwing them over the desk as his eyes grew harder, boring into Ross. This studio is investing 200 million dollars into a blockbuster movie, and God help me, I allowed the producer to talk me into using an unknown, a fresh face for the lead role.

He paused, eyes falling on Tara. She felt her hackles rise as his look held nothing but contempt. And your client, Miss Sunny James, seems to be singlehandedly sabotaging the production before filming can even begin.

Tara dropped her look to the papers. She recognised many of the headlines in which the Up-and-coming Starlet Sunny James had been photographed fighting and drinking in various nightclubs, along with the many rumours of her romantic entanglements with rich and powerful men.

Before I sack your client, I want to know what the hell she thinks she is playing at.

Ross spluttered as he expounded on Sunny’s many attributes and talents, watching in panic as Logan’s eyes filled with anger as he brought his hand down heavily on the table. His look darkened with barely-contained rage. Enough! His growled command had Ross closing his mouth instantly. Now Logan pointed a finger at Tara. I want to hear what SHE has to say. Tara looked helplessly at Ross as he groaned, his eyes filled with apology. I take it that you DO have a tongue?, the imposing executive bit out, Tara feeling the anger boiling deep within her at his disrespectful tone and contempt.

She sat straighter, features becoming solemn as she turned to lock eyes with him, the anger deep in her belly giving her the courage to fire back. I would very much appreciate Mr Callen if you would adjust your attitude and your tone.

The surprise on the man’s face had been genuine before he scowled at her. Really? So, you think that this kind of behaviour…, his fingers prodding the papers pointedly, Is the kind of behaviour that the public expects from their future stars?

Not fazed, she looked up at the clock on his wall. I really do not think that YOU are in a position to throw rocks at the behaviour of other people. You demanded in the most impolite manner for us… She looked briefly over at Ross for confirmation. To – how did he put it, Ross? – to ‘get our asses down here immediately’ and then kept us waiting for over an hour.

I had an important call to take..., he started, his voice still arrogantly contemptuous as she gave a small sound of irritation.

No, you didn’t. You wanted to make a point. You wanted to make sure that we knew what was coming.

This time he sat back in his chair, now regarding the woman before him with genuine surprise. Logan Callen was not a man used to being talked back to in that manner, especially from wannabe starlets. His eyes regarded her warily. When he finally spoke, his voice was calmer. Then perhaps you can explain your behaviour to me.

Tara ran her tongue nervously along suddenly dry lips, searched for something, anything, to say. Frowning she threw him words which ironically, she herself had only recently had to listen to. This time putting her own spin on them. Well, as you said you are investing a great deal of money in this movie, but the public have expectations.

A quick look at Ross, showed dread on his features, as she plowed on. I may be a nobody, an unknown face, but by the time filming starts my name WILL be known — the public love nothing more than to live vicariously through their star’s lives. You know that. I’m giving them something worth investing their time and interest in.

She raised her small chin, large blue eyes flashing brightly. In essence Mr Callen I am making sure that when we start filming, your movie will already be on the public’s radar and on everybody’s lips.

He grew silent, thoughtful. Tara watched as he ran a finger along his mouth, his brows knit together in concentration. So, you are telling me that you are doing all this to raise awareness for the movie? His voice held more than just a trace of disbelief, but not the anger that had been there only moments before.

Nodding, she looked at Ross, who thankfully joined in her explanation. With gusto, he expounded on her belief in the movie and the many ways she wanted to do her part for the production.

Logan raised his hand to silence the manager, leaning forward, eyes solely fixed on Tara. Perhaps I underestimated you, Miss James, he muttered softly. His gaze slid down her, interest piqued in the young woman before him. While what you say is true, from now on I want you to work with a PR agent. And if you have any other harebrained schemes, you will put them through her first.

Tara felt the relief wash over her as she nodded in agreement, hearing the relieved sigh from Ross by her side. Of course. Whatever you say Mr Callen, her tone now calmer like his.

Sitting back, Logan indicated the interview was over by pressing the intercom and requesting that his secretary give Ross the contact details for his top PR agent. The two stood preparing to leave, but his voice once more stilled them. Miss James. Tara turned back to him, seeing the small smile playing on his lips. It was a pleasure to meet you.

Tara found her eyes held by his hypnotic look, her body filling with the strangest tingle of what she was not sure, the sensation unexpected as it sizzled between the two. She wondered if he felt it too from the brief way his eyes flared in surprise. She felt Ross’s arm on hers, dropping her look, managing to mutter, You too Mr Callen. Her mind filled with confusion at her reaction to him, still feeling the after-effects as they moved from the office.

As the door closed, Logan Callen dropped back