Don't Call Me Cat!

Chapter 13: Jared

Short break over and back to reality! It was nice while it lasted though. Today's update is a two-chapter affair, only because I thought it would make more sense - you'll see and understand (I hope). First up it's Jared's turn, and later today, Cassie will get her say on the audition. I know a few of you were curious about what happened behind closed doors. So ... read on and I hope you enjoy xoxoxox

Jared closed the door to Catherine's office and exhaled slowly. He'd been aware of her reputation and she sure as hell didn't disappoint. His hands gripped the phone tightly inside his pocket. It wasn't quite mission accomplished but at least Cassie had his number. Impatiently, he pulled out his cell to check for a message. Nothing. But he could wait. In fact, waiting was all part of the game.

He walked slowly down the stairs and out onto the busy boulevard, unable to keep the beginnings of a smile from curling the corners of his lips. 

****

*JARED'S FLASHBACK*

"We've one more to see and then you're finished for the day. Can you call Jared please?"

I remembered David Grayson shouting those words at his trashy blonde assistant, the one with heaps of attitude. 

He'd spoken to me earlier that day, asking for a favor, wanting me to stand in as reader for his final casting. It was the last fucking thing on earth I'd wanted to do but I realized it wasn't a battle worth fighting. Deadlines were looming and studio bosses were hovering over us like vultures. We needed to get this part of the process out of the way as quickly as possible, so I sucked it up like a pro.

As a result, the reading was a necessary evil but I didn't plan on going out of my way to be overly friendly. 

"Hi, I'm Jared." I tilted my head for the girl to follow me. She looked nervous as hell but that wasn't my problem. I held open the door and she followed me into the tiny studio.

"Sit down please." I gestured at one of the two seats in the room. " What's your name?"

"Cassie."

I noticed the little things. Her habit of rubbing the shirt cuff between her thumb and forefinger; the way her tongue rubbed nervously against her bottom lip. I gave her a minute to look over the script and compose herself. It also gave me time to get a measure of the girl in front of me.

"OK, Cassie. When you're ready."

I could see how nervous she was but let her continue, hoping she'd find her rhythm as we read the script together. I watched and listened for the next few minutes, adding my lines where needed. 

She was stumbling over the most simple of words; her breathing was all over the place; she looked panicked and flustered. Then she dropped a page and I watched as she froze, unsure of what to do.

Bending down, I picked up the sheet of paper but held on to it for a moment, watching her hands shaking as she reached out for it. Her slender fingers and smooth skin were impossible to ignore. 

I tried not to let my frustration show. 

"Cassie, stop there." I kept my voice soft but she looked horrified as I moved to close the space between us. "Relax. I'm here to help you. Take a deep breath." 

I watched her inhale. "Close your eyes for a moment. Just hold that breath and then exhale slowly." I spoke in a slow monotone, hoping to calm her nerves.

With her eyes shut tight, I couldn't help looking at her dark shoulder-length hair, olive skin and slender shoulders. There was no denying her beauty but there was something else; something deep down that was pulling me in. 

"Good girl. Now open your eyes and look at me."

I made sure she was fully relaxed before we started again.

There was something there; it was like a newly mined diamond needing to have the rough edges knocked off and then be polished to perfection.

That short break brought about a chameleon-like change. She suddenly inhabited her character and became lost in the reading. It was almost as if I wasn't there. Sure, there were stumbles and a few stray nerves, but she pulled it off.

In fact, we probably read more of the script than was needed. I wanted to hear her voice and watch her every move. 

After another five minutes, I checked my phone for the time.

"Thanks, Cassie. Stop there." She looked so unsure of herself at that moment. So vulnerable. I stood up and gestured for her to follow me. Instead of heading back the way we came, I took her to another door leading to a disused office.

"Sit down." I positioned myself in a chair opposite her, elbows resting on my thighs, chin cupped in my hands. "Don't look at the wall, please. Look at me!" I needed to get her attention. "You have that certain something, whatever you want to call it. You just need that inner confidence to take you to the next level."

I don't think she dared take her green eyes off of me after I raised my voice. Her fingers were laced tightly together and I could almost feel the tension in those shoulders.

"Cassie listen. Before we go back out I need you to do one more thing for me." This was stepping outside the boundaries but I needed to see how she'd react.

"Stand up and close your eyes." 

I said the words slowly, not wanting to spook her in any way. I loved how she did as she was told, placing her trust in me. "You're safe, don't worry. I want you to relax those shoulders for me, Cassie." 

I moved behind her. She could feel my presence. 

"Bend your chin to your chest and breathe deeply for me." I watched the rise and fall of her shoulders as she inhaled and then exhaled. "Good girl. Now lift your head and open your eyes."

I moved to face her, locking eyes for a beat before she looked away. "Believe in yourself, Cassie. Go home and relax, as I've shown you."

Using all my self-control, I turned and she followed, heading back out to the reception area where Catherine was waiting. The door closed behind her and I was left alone with my thoughts.

****

Later that night, Jared lay in bed, thinking of Cassie.

The evening's heat seemed to make sleep an impossible goal. After an hour of tossing and turning, he threw back the sheets and breathed deeply. 

He moved his palm across his chest, feeling his nipples swell as he grazed the skin. His fingers then trailed across his body, touching every muscled contour.

After a few long minutes, his hand came to rest between his legs, feeling the warmth and gradual movement. He swallowed hard, arching his head back into the pillow.

He struggled to breathe as the night closed in, wrapping him in its sultry heat.

Sexual tension and anticipation were building.

His head rocked back and he closed his eyes, blood pulsing and then surging through his veins.

Slowly his fingers untangled from the sheets and he breathed again.

I hope you enjoyed! Feel free to vote or let me know your thoughts on Jared and Cassie. You'll hear from Cassie later today. Love to everyone xoxoxo