Ivy Series Teacher Student Romance - Boxed Set: Romance Boxed Sets for Kindle Unlimited (Ivy Series - Teacher Student Romance Book 7)

by Suzy K Quinn

  54

  The giant gates swing open, and our car moves over gravel.

  ‘Whoa.’

  Marc follows my gaze. ‘Nadia certainly knows how to find sensational locations.’

  ‘It’s beautiful.’ I press my face to the glass, noticing a limousine crawling ahead of us. There are none behind though – Tanya, Tom and Ivy must have got caught at some lights or something.

  Our car drives past a fountain, green lawns, a bright-blue infinity pool and several mini-villas. Then it pulls to a stop outside an enormous orange-and-white villa with tall pillars and sweeping mosaic steps. Stone snakes guard the entrance.

  Across the crisp lawn is a private beach, patrolled by marine security.

  Marc takes my hand. ‘May I help you out of the car, Mrs Blackwell? You look a little uncomfortable.’

  I glare at him. ‘I can’t believe you’ve done this to me.’

  ‘You mean, you can’t believe you didn’t say no.’

  ‘Something like that,’ I admit.

  Nadia leaps out of the limousine in front, hands on hips as she surveys the magnificent complex. ‘What a place, huh?’ she calls to us. ‘Built in the 1930s. Totally authentic.’

  I smile, moving my legs awkwardly as Marc and I cross the gravel.

  ‘Marc?’ Nadia drops black sunglasses on her nose. ‘What do you think?’

  ‘I’ll tell you when I’ve seen inside,’ says Marc, looking over the building.

  ‘You’ll like it,’ Nadia insists. ‘And guess what? You two have the whole top floor.’

  ‘The whole top floor?’ I say, my legs still not sure what to do with themselves.

  ‘What else for my star couple?’ says Nadia. ‘Go right on in. Take a look around. Freshen up if you want. Then come down to the swimming pool – the whole cast and crew are meeting, okay?’

  I glance at Marc, wondering exactly how I’m going to manage the staircase.

  Without saying a word, Marc lifts me into his arms.

  ‘You’re carrying your wife over the threshold, huh?’ Nadia observes. ‘How romantic.’

  ‘I never miss an opportunity to carry my wife,’ says Marc.

  ‘Thanks a lot Marc,’ I laugh, as he carries me up the stairs. ‘Now Nadia’s going to think I’m some 1950s wife, carried around by my husband.’

  ‘I couldn’t stand another moment of you shifting your legs back and forth,’ says Marc, a half smile on his face.

  ‘It’s your fault!’ I laugh.

  ‘And my correction.’

  55

  The top floor is incredible – sloped ceilings, regal antique furniture, fur rugs and a fantastic view of the whole complex and the beach in the distance.

  It’s decorated in 1930s French country style, with light, chiffon curtains and lavender-coloured bed linen.

  A housemaid unpacks our luggage, while I wash my hands and face in the ensuite under a gushing gold tap.

  Marc watches me from the bedroom area, a half smile on his face.

  ‘Are those ice cubes still giving you a hard time, Mrs Blackwell?’ he asks, as I dab my face with a towel.

  I glare at him, nodding my head towards the housemaid.

  ‘It’s okay,’ says Marc. ‘She doesn’t speak English.’

  ‘Even so …’

  ‘How are those ice cubes?’ he asks again.

  ‘If you must know,’ I snap, ‘they’ve melted.’

  ‘Shame.’ He raises an eyebrow at me. ‘I was enjoying the thought of them.’

  ‘Listen up everyone!’ Standing on concrete diving board steps by the crystal-clear, perfectly square swimming pool, Nadia shouts through a mini megaphone.

  The entire cast and crew are arranged around the still, blue water, whilst waiters hand out glasses of ice-cold orange juice.

  Benjamin leans against a fish statue, Ray-Bans on his nose.

  Leo has positioned himself on a sun lounger, flip-flopped feet dangling off the end.

  I stand between Marc and Tom.

  Tanya and Jen are investigating the villa with Ivy.

  ‘Welcome to Saint-Tropez,’ shouts Nadia. ‘There’s been a small set back – we’re still waiting for one more person to show up. The drive from Paris … there’s been some traffic issue. Sophia – I won’t need you until this afternoon. But you can stay and listen to the briefing if you want. All right?’

  ‘Pardon me, Nadia.’ Tom raises a hand. ‘I hope you don’t mind the question, but who are we waiting for?’

  Nadia looks down at her clipboard. ‘Didn’t you get memos about this?’

  ‘Never got one,’ says Benjamin.

  ‘Huh.’ Nadia flips pages. ‘Oh wait, they’re still here. Hey – sorry gang. I can’t believe this didn’t get passed on. We got ourselves another big name, last minute. Cassandra Kilburn.’

  Cassandra Kilburn.

  Something in my stomach turns over.

  Marc was in a movie with her. Years ago. When he was a teenager.

  I turn to him, and notice his expression is stormy.

  Tom leans over and whispers, ‘Just when I thought the cast couldn’t get any more famous.’

  ‘I’ve only ever seen one of her movies,’ I whisper back. ‘The one Marc was in.’

  ‘Oh yes, I remember,’ Tom nods. ‘She was a Mrs Robinson, wasn’t she?’

  Beside me, Marc clears his throat. ‘Nadia?’ he calls out. ‘Cassandra Kilburn wasn’t part of the original line up. Why the change?’

  Nadia shields her eyes. ‘Meredith pulled out. So we got Cassandra. Thank god. I couldn’t believe she was free. You worked with her before, right?’

  Marc’s frowning. ‘A long time ago.’

  ‘What’s the problem?’ says Nadia. ‘Is she a bitch or something?’

  Murmurs of laughter float around the group.

  ‘I wouldn’t know.’ Marc turns to the ocean. ‘I haven’t seen her in years.’

  Nadia holds up her hand. ‘Wait guys, I hear the gates. This could be her.’ She checks her watch. ‘Great. Let’s give her a warm welcome, okay? She’s good news for this movie.’

  At the end of the gravel path, the villa gates swing open and a black Cadillac rolls into the complex, pulling to a stop by the main house.

  The passenger door opens, and red shoes step onto the gravel.

  A tall, slender woman steps out. She wears a fitted grey dress, and long black hair tumbles down her back.

  Nadia motions to her assistant. ‘Go up to the house. Tell Cassandra to get down here – we’re already running behind.’

  56

  The meeting continues, but I get the sense that most of us aren’t really listening to Nadia. We’re all waiting for our mysterious new co-star.

  Eventually, Cassandra saunters along the white, stone path towards us. She’s in no particular hurry, as her heels click along. Thick, black lashes line her eyes, matching her hair.

  ‘Bonjour.’ Cassandra walks right up to Nadia and kisses her on both cheeks. ‘Good to see you chica.’ Then she scans the group, her eyes holding when they reach Marc. ‘Marc Blackwell. Of all the movies in all the world.’

  ‘Who’d have thought?’ Marc says humourlessly, sliding hands into his pockets.

  Cassandra’s red lips stretch into a smile. ‘My, haven’t you grown?’

  ‘In lots of ways,’ Marc replies.

  ‘Not a boy anymore,’ Cassandra coos.

  ‘Not young and stupid.’

  Cassandra raises a black eyebrow. ‘I wouldn’t say stupid.’

  ‘I would,’ Marc fires back.

  The hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

  Cassandra glances at me. Then her dark eyes find Marc again. ‘So you got married.’

  ‘Best thing I ever did,’ says Marc.

  ‘Listen guys,’ Nadia lifts the megaphone. ‘Catch up some other time – we have work to do. Cassandra, I need you and Benjamin.’

  ‘Shame. I was hoping for Marc first.’ Cassandra grins, but Marc looks away.

  I swa
llow tightly.

  ‘Um … Nadia?’ I call out.

  ‘Yes honey?’

  ‘You don’t need me right now, do you?’

  ‘Not until this afternoon.’

  ‘Would it be okay … I just think I should check on Ivy,’ I say.

  ‘Sure. No problem,’ Nadia replies.

  I turn to go.

  Marc frowns. ‘Sophia?’

  ‘I need to be alone for a minute.’ I whisper.

  I expect Marc to ask me more. But he doesn’t.

  ‘Sophia, are you okay my love?’ Tom asks, as I hurry past him.

  ‘Fine,’ I murmur.

  But I’m not.

  57

  I find Tanya reading Jane Eyre on our comfy velvet sofa, while Ivy sleeps in the travel cot.

  Our floor is lit by bright sunlight, and smells of lavender and lemons.

  ‘You all right Soph?’ Tanya asks. ‘What’s up?’

  I slump onto the wooden bed, falling back to stare at the ceiling. ‘I’m not sure. But something.’

  Tanya closes her book. ‘Tell Aunty Tanya all about it.’

  I roll over onto my elbows. ‘I think I just met another of Marc’s ex-girlfriends.’

  ‘Really?’

  I nod. ‘Cassandra Kilburn.’

  ‘Cassandra Kilburn?’ Tanya closes her book and places it on the sofa arm. ‘Since when was she in this movie?’

  ‘Since now. A last minute addition.’

  ‘You think she and Marc had something?’ Tanya asks.

  I nod. ‘I think so.’

  ‘But she’s like … forty.’

  I sit up on the bed, crossing my legs. ‘Did you ever just know something?’

  ‘Is it such a big deal?’ Tanya comes to sit beside me. ‘You knew he had sex before.’

  ‘Yes but … something about this feels different,’ I say. ‘I mean, he hasn’t even told me anything happened. But I just … know.’ I look down at Ivy, her eyes lightly closed, her breath soft.

  ‘Oh shit.’

  ‘I’ll look after Ivy this morning,’ I tell Tanya. ‘Why don’t you enjoy the villa. Or explore Saint-Tropez?’

  ‘Aren’t you supposed to be working?’ Tanya asks.

  ‘They don’t need me until this afternoon. And I could do with some baby time.’

  Tanya gets to her feet. ‘Okay. I’ll be back by lunchtime. That’ll give you and Marc a chance to eat together.’

  I frown. ‘I don’t want to go to lunch with Marc. Not right now.’

  ‘You know, Soph.’ Tanya’s hand lingers on the side of the travel cot. ‘Some stones are best left unturned. Keep the past in the past. It’s the best place for it.’

  ‘I can’t ignore this.’ I go to the window. The cast have dispersed now, and cameramen are setting up around the swimming pool.

  ‘Why not?’

  ‘He didn’t come after me,’ I murmur. ‘That’s not like him. What if he’s still in love with her, Tanya?’

  ‘Don’t be daft.’ She grins. ‘That man is smitten with you. And now little Ivy has come along, he can barely take his eyes off the pair of you. Honestly Soph, you have nothing to worry about.’

  But I’m not so sure.

  58

  Half an hour later, there’s a knock at the door.

  It’s not Marc. I know his knock.

  Ivy is still sleeping, but she stirs at the noise. I resettle the blanket over her, and creak the door open.

  ‘Oh!’ I take a step back. ‘Benjamin.’

  Benjamin Van Rosen leans against the doorframe. ‘We’re filming in half an hour,’ he tells me. ‘By the pool. Did you know?’

  I shake my head, heading back into the bedroom. ‘Did they change the schedule?’

  Benjamin follows me inside. ‘Yup. Nadia sent me to tell you. Well, sort of. I offered.’

  ‘Why didn’t Marc offer to come?’ The words come out hard.

  Benjamin shrugs. ‘He wasn’t there.’

  I lean down to smooth the blanket over Ivy again. ‘Where did he go?’

  ‘I’m not sure,’ Benjamin replies. ‘He just left. What’s up?’

  ‘Nothing.’

  ‘Uh oh.’ Benjamin sits on the velvet sofa. ‘Marc and Cassandra were in a movie together once, right?’

  ‘So?’

  He looks at me with light-blue eyes. ‘Sometimes people hook up in movies, right?’

  I turn in circles, looking for my phone. ‘I should call Tanya.’

  Benjamin smiles. ‘Are you trying to get rid of me?’

  ‘No, I just …’ I shake my head. ‘I don’t know what I’m doing.’

  ‘You might not believe this.’ He leans back on the sofa, arms spread along the back. ‘But I’m a good listener.’

  ‘Thanks, but honestly – there’s nothing to say.’

  ‘She’s got a reputation, you know.’ He crosses his ankles. ‘Cassandra. Is that what you’re worried about?’

  The churning in my stomach whips into a frenzy.

  I know I shouldn’t ask. It’ll just make everything worse. But I can’t help it.

  I sit on the sofa arm. ‘What do you mean by that, Benjamin?’

  ‘I can tell you haven’t hung out in Hollywood much.’

  ‘I haven’t hung out in Hollywood at all,’ I tell him.

  ‘Lucky you.’ He pats the seat beside him. ‘Come sit here. With me.’

  ‘I’m fine here,’ I say. ‘And I know all about Marc. I know he has … a past.’

  Benjamin drums his fingers on the sofa back. ‘So you know about Cassandra?’

  ‘No,’ I admit.

  He meets my eye. ‘Do you want to know?’

  ‘Okay.’ I nod. ‘Tell me. What is it?’

  ‘You’re sure?’

  ‘No.’ I slide down into the seat beside him. ‘But tell me anyway.’

  ‘You’ve heard of Jessica Goldberg, right?’ says Benjamin.

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Jessica. Cassandra. They used to have fun together, if you know what I mean. At least, that’s what the Hollywood rumour mill says. And sometimes they’d invite guys to join in.’

  I think I get where he’s going with this … and I want to be sick.

  ‘Hey.’ Benjamin slides his arm around my shoulder. ‘I don’t know if Marc got involved. Seriously. I didn’t want to hurt you.’

  I nod, so numb I barely know where I am.

  Benjamin squeezes my shoulder, pulling me against his body. ‘You’ve got nothing to worry about from Cassandra. She’s fucking forty something.’

  I give a humourless laugh.

  ‘You’re a zillion times better.’ Benjamin kisses my nose.

  I swipe at tears.

  ‘A trillion, zillion times better.’ He kisses my lips. It feels friendly. But …

  Blinking away tears, I suddenly notice Tanya in the doorway, her mouth open.

  59

  I pull back from Benjamin.

  ‘Um … Soph?’ Tanya calls. ‘They’re saying they need you for filming. Want me to take Ivy?’

  I feel myself nodding, as Benjamin drops his arm from my shoulder.

  He gets to his feet. ‘I’ll see you down there, okay?’ Benjamin heads for the stairs.

  ‘What was all that about?’ Tanya whispers, glancing back at the doorway. ‘Watch out for him. He has a reputation.’

  ‘He was just being nice.’ I lean back against the sofa, my mind whirling.

  ‘Very nice,’ Tanya remarks, coming into the room.

  ‘Do you know what?’ I say. ‘Right now, I couldn’t care less. Marc is hiding something from me.’

  ‘Is there something you want to talk about?’ Tanya sits beside me.

  I shake my head. ‘No. They want me down there right now?’

  ‘But Soph, are you sure you’re okay to—’

  ‘I’ll be fine.’ I get to my feet. ‘I’m an actress. We spend our lives pretending things aren’t true.’

  I walk back to the swimming pool, still feeling sick to my stomach.
/>
  Nadia is chattering about lighting and angles. She says something to me, but I don’t take in a word of it.

  I watch Cassandra.

  She’s sitting on a sun bed wearing 1940s-style loose shorts and polka dot blouse, having her makeup done.

  ‘Where is everyone?’ I hear myself ask.

  And where’s Marc?

  ‘Resting. Rehearsing.’ Nadia signals a runner and grabs papers. ‘I only need you and Cassandra right now.’

  I swallow. ‘I thought Benjamin and I—’

  Nadia cuts me off with a shake of her head. ‘Change of plan.’

  ‘Have you seen Marc?’ I blurt out.

  ‘I think he went for a walk.’ Nadia flips through papers.

  Did he indeed …

  ‘You okay, honey?’ Nadia asks distractedly.

  I swallow again. ‘Actually Nadia, I’m not feeling so good.’

  ‘You look fine to me.’ Nadia lowers her sunglasses, brown eyes full of concern. ‘Is Ivy okay?’

  ‘Yes. God yes. She’s fine.’

  ‘Then it’s nothing.’ Nadia gives my waist a playful squeeze. ‘Run over there and get dressed for me, okay?’

  A wardrobe assistant appears with a black and white polka dot bikini, thrusting it into my hands.

  ‘Perfect!’ Nadia shouts. ‘Sophia. Put that on, okay? Then we’ll get you in makeup.’

  I’m shown into a makeshift changing room of canvas and tent poles, and the world becomes a blur of mirrors, makeup and hairspray.

  Before I know what’s happening, I’m being led out to the pool.

  From a sun lounger, Cassandra watches me.

  ‘I need you here,’ says Nadia, steering me beside Cassandra. ‘Hey – you two haven’t been introduced yet, right?’ She waves at a crew member in the distance. ‘Not there. Oh Christ.’

  Nadia marches around the pool to berate a cameraman.

  I stand awkwardly by Cassandra, not quite knowing what to say.

  ‘I’m Sophia,’ I manage. ‘Um … hi.’

  ‘I know who you are.’ Cassandra’s gaze turns to the calm, blue swimming pool. ‘You’re the wife. Did Marc ever tell you? What he and I had?’

  A lizard runs along the white stone rim of the pool, right by Cassandra’s sun lounger.

  ‘Marc is my husband,’ I say. ‘If you and he had a past, I don’t want to know about it.’