by Jillian Dodd
Getting back in bed, Knox gets on top of me. The makeup artist spritzes his back with mineral water, so he looks like he’s sweating then she works on his butt cheeks, adding body makeup so they look perfect on camera.
My makeup artist is doing the same, spritzing a little water in my cleavage, checking that the body makeup is still covering my tattoo, and adding highlights.
The whole time they’re getting us ready, Knox is talking to me and asking me if I’m okay. He’s always made me feel comfortable doing sex scenes, which are awkward at best.
“Action,” the director says.
Knox grips my hips, pulling his chest up off mine and grinding into me.
“Hang on! Wardrobe, we forgot to take off the nipple pasties.”
I roll my eyes at Knox, as he leans up so makeup can come in and fix my chest. She decides to add some shading to highlight my cleavage and then retreats.
“Action!”
Knox grips my hips and we pretend to make love. Compared to all the other sex scenes we’ve done together—although the papers are speculating their raciness—these scenes are more sensual. More loving. And we’re definitely showing more skin. After five movies—and a whole lot of sexy times—our characters have finally let their guard down. We think the enemy is gone, and we’re allowing ourselves to fall in love.
I reach up and run my hands through Knox’s hair then down his muscular arms as scripted.
“I love you, Harper,” he says to me.
“I love you too,” I whisper as he pushes his hips into my spread legs.
Then we kiss. Lots of open mouths. The lip sucking his character is known for. We pick up the pace as per the script.
“Alright, Keatyn, we’re coming in for a close-up of your face. You’re in ecstasy.”
I toss my head back, letting my breath become ragged. I’m pretty good at faking an orgasm. As Knox continues to grind against me, I’m instantly transported back to Aiden’s dorm room, to a time before we had done it, when my insides throbbed just from the friction.
“Oh, oh,” I moan, letting myself go. My insides start contracting and I moan again.
“Knox, it’s your turn now, faster. Faster,” the director whispers.
Knox goes faster causing more friction between my legs.
“Holy shit,” I say as Knox fakes an orgasm and collapses on top of me.
“Perfect, cut.”
I slide into my robe.
“Where the fuck did that come from?” Knox whispers to me. “That was the best orgasm you’ve ever done. Aiden would kill me if he heard me say this, but your moaning was making me hard. I was afraid the sock was gonna fly off.”
“I’m sorry. I just really got into it. This was supposed to be our special night, right?” I say, trying to cover up the fact that I did have an actual orgasm. What the fuck has pregnancy done to me?
“I don’t know what it will look like on camera, but it felt smoking hot. We’re gonna burn up the screen on this one.”
“That’s what people want, right?”
“It’s sad, though, don’t you think?” he says somberly. “That this is our last Trinity movie.”
“Yeah, it is. Ten years of on-screen love.” Tears start to form in my eyes. I can’t believe this is the last one. This set is like a second home and these people are like my family. “What are you doing?” the makeup artist asks. “Is there something in your eyes?”
“Um, no. I just need a minute,” I tell her, then I run to my dressing room and cry.
Knox peeks in the door. “I didn’t mean to make you cry.”
“I know, Knox. It’s just—it’s just—I really did get turned on.”
He slowly sits down, shocked by my admission. “What? Why? Are you and Aiden okay?”
He hands me some tissues.
“We’re fine, but I remembered this time before we had ever done it. We were kissing and sort of dry humping and it totally got me off. But there’s another reason.”
“What?”
“You’re going to figure it out eventually. I don’t have a weird flu thing, Knox. I’m pregnant.”
His mouth drops open for a few seconds then he grins and pulls me into a hug. “Congratulations!”
“Thanks. No one knows. We haven’t even told our families yet. But it’s doing weird things to me. I’m nauseous. Hungry. Smell everything. My boobs hurt. My emotions are everywhere. And I’m really freaking horny.”
“Aiden must love that. How far along are you?”
“Almost seven weeks.”
“Um, I think it’s best you don’t tell Aiden about this.”
“But I tell him everything. And I was thinking of him.”
“He’d probably understand, but he’d still want to kick my ass. I don’t want it to affect our friendship.”
I blow out a big breath of air. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I used to have to beat off before our sex scenes. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been nearly as professional.”
I laugh. “Well, thank you for that.”
Knox laughs too. “You ready to get back at it?”
“Yeah.”
We’re in the limo heading toward the office when Knox says, “While we’re alone, I want to talk to you about something.”
“What’s that?”
“I’ve been working on a script.”
“Really? What’s it about?”
“A guy who’s immortal. Sort of.”
“Is he a vampire?”
“No, he was hit by lightning. It plays out in the present, but it goes back into the past too. The guy always dies—getting hit by lightning—but instead of being dead, he wakes up in a different time. Every time he wakes up, he looks for her.”
“Her?”
“His true love. He’s found her in every life he’s lived. You get to see pieces of his past lives as he’s trying to find her in the present.”
“And when he does?”
“They’re speed dating.”
I laugh. “Speed dating? That’s kind of funny.”
“It’s a romantic comedy with a time traveling twist.”
“So, when she meets him in the present, is it instant? She falls in love with him?”
“Well, that wouldn’t be any fun. She hates him, of course. She’s jaded. She’s had some bad relationships and doesn’t want a man. Her friend dragged her to speed dating. On the surface, it’s a funny love story but, at its core, there’s this epic romance that transcends time.”
“Can I read it?”
“Yes. And, if you like it, I want us to do it together. It’s so different from anything either one of us have done. And if Captive will take it on as a project, we could set our own schedule. Work around your life and Daddy’s Angel.”
“My mom is the queen of romantic comedies. I haven’t really done anything like that.”
“Your action films are all commercial successes, just like your mom’s romantic comedies, but as you get older, don’t you find yourself wanting a different kind of success?”
“Like an Academy Award?”
He nods. “This is the kind of project I think they would like.”
“Now, you’ve got me excited.”
He laughs. “Oh no, not again!”
I swat him on the shoulder as we pull into the Captive Films lot to pick up Dawson.
“I bet you can’t wait to see the girls,” I say to Dawson when he joins us. “How was your day?”
“It was good. I made a lot of calls, caught up with people who think I fell off the face of the earth. They’re all interested in this project, so I asked the marketing team to pull together a few vendor-specific presentations.”
“That’s great. Everything else going well?” I want to ask about Vanessa, but I don’t.
“Yep. How about you two? Good day on set?”
“I humped Keatyn all day and made her orgasm,” Knox says.
“Knox!”
“I’m just joking,” he says, giving m
e an evil grin.
“Better not say something like that in front of Aiden,” Dawson warns.
“I might. Just to get him going.”
“Please don’t. My grandparents are in town. They fast forward our sex scenes.”
“They do?”
“Yes! Thank God!”
Dawson and Knox both start laughing. And they tease me the whole way there.
Regional Airport - Sonoma
DAWSON
My girls barrel down the steps and into my arms, crushing me with their hugs.
“Daddy! Daddy!” they say and start talking at once.
“We had popcorn and soda on the plane, and we got to watch two whole movies!”
“And Grandma didn’t make us go to school today. We made pancakes and took Mango for a walk. And I got an A on my spelling test this week!”
“That’s amazing. Let’s get your bags and then we’ll—”
“Keatyn!” the girls scream as soon as they see her. My youngest, Harlow, is seven and obsessed with the princess movie that Keatyn did the voice for. “We watched The Princess on the way here! I told the lady on the plane that we knew you! A real life princess!”
“And everyone at school,” my oldest, Ava, says, rolling her eyes. At ten, she’s at the age where everything her little sister says and does is uncool.
“I’m not really a princess,” Keatyn says, giving them both hugs. “I just got to be her voice.”
“Same thing!” Harlow says.
“I’m a movie star too,” Knox tells them. “Knox Daniels.”
Harlow looks up at him. “I’ve never heard of you.”
“Pint sized critic. I’m crushed,” Knox says, holding his heart.
“I’ve seen you on magazines at my friend’s house,” Ava says, knowingly. “Her mom says you’re on her list.”
“What list is that?” I ask.
“Her freebie list,” she says. Keatyn glances at me with wide eyes. “You know, like she would go see all his movies even if they were free.”
We both sigh with relief, but Knox grins. “We should take a picture so you can show your friend’s mommy.”
“Really!?” She quickly pulls out her phone and holds it up. Knox gives her his best grin, the one that shows off his dimples. “If my daddy would let me watch your movies, you’d be on my freebie list too,” she says, causing me to cringe.
Keatyn covers her face to hide her laughter, while Ava posts the photo. Then she looks up at Keatyn with her puppy dog eyes.
“Do you want to take one with me too?” Keatyn asks her.
She nods happily then holds up her camera and takes a picture. She snaps it and then studies it. “My hair was blowing in my eyes. Can we try another?”
“Sure.”
They pose again. Snap.
“Now, I just look stupid,” she huffs.
Snap.
“What do you think?”
Keatyn says, “Hmmm, let’s change the coloring a little, like this. What do you think?”
“You look beautiful,” she says.
“No, you look beautiful. Look how green your eyes are.”
“Alright,” I say. “Let’s get going!”
Keatyn picks up Harlow and puts her on her hip. “My grandma and grandpa are at the farm and Grandpa wants you to go horseback riding with him tomorrow!”
“Yay!!” Harlow screams.
Keatyn & Aiden’s home - Asher Vineyards, Sonoma County
KEATYN
The driver winds up the long road leading to our home. The second I’m on our land, I completely relax. There’s something so comforting about the rows of grapes, the rolling hills, and the big stone house.
I give Dawson and the girls a quick tour then send them and Knox down the hill to find Dallas and his kids.
I find Aiden in our party barn. The sleeves of his plaid flannel shirt are rolled up, showing off muscular forearms. His ass is highlighted by a pair of Wranglers. His dark blonde hair is windblown and his cowboy boots are dusty.
“There’s my gorgeous girl,” he says, jumping off a ladder and swinging me into his arms, kissing me. “I have something to show you. Close your eyes and don’t peek.”
I do as he asks. I can hear him closing the barn door then he comes up from behind me, kisses my neck, and whispers, “Open.”
“Oh, Aiden! It’s beautiful,” I say, my smile probably beaming as bright as the strands of lights he’s strung across the barn’s ceiling joists. “It will be perfect for our reception!” I stare up at the lights for a few moments and am overcome with emotion. I turn around to face him. “You’ve always made my life more beautiful.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
“I missed you.” I notice dirt on his face and try to wipe it off. “You’re all dirty.”
“You like it when I’m dirty,” he replies, his voice deep and sexy.
“Maybe I should help you get cleaned up for dinner.”
He kisses my neck again. “Where is everyone?”
“I sent them to find Dallas and the kids. Where are they?”
“Helping your grandpa feed the horses. That means we have just enough time.”
“Just enough time for what?”
“This!” he says, sweeping me off my feet, carrying me in the house, and tossing me on our bed.
He unbuttons his shirt, his green eyes holding mine, then strips off his boots and jeans. When he’s naked, he strips off my clothes. Sometimes, he likes to slowly undress me and kiss every part. This is not one of those times.
He stays standing and pulls me down to the end of the bed. I wrap my legs around him as he pushes inside of me.
“Oh, Boots, I think you missed me.”
“Oh, god. Yes, I did,” I say raggedly, pleasure rushing through me. “Do it harder, but don’t come yet.”
“That’s easier said than done, Boots. It’s been three days, and you keep grabbing my ass.”
I immediately put my hands up in the air.
He pins them down above my head and pumps harder.
“Oh, that’s it. That’s oh. Oh . . .” I moan, my insides contracting and pulsing.
He slows down and leans in to kiss me.
“You’re not done? Are you?”
He chuckles against my lips. “Just taking a little break.”
He slowly pulls out of me, then slowly glides back in.
“You’re so freaking hard.”
I push my arms up, because I want—no, I need—him to go faster, but he holds firm, still toying with me.
Finally, he has me exactly where he wants me, begging.
“Aiden, please.”
He slams into me, lifting my body up off the bed with every thrust, faster and faster, until I’m wrapped in the throes of ecstasy and he’s collapsed on top of me.
He kisses my nose. “I missed you too, in case you couldn’t tell.”
I give him another kiss. “We should probably go check on our guests.”
“I suppose you’re right, although I bet they could fend for themselves.”
Aiden pops in the shower and I get in with him.
He starts soaping up my body.
“Can I have a rain check on that?” I ask. “I’ve got to get some food. I’m starting to feel sick.”
I quickly dry off, put my clothes back on, and run into the kitchen and grab an apple off the counter. Then I run back to the bathroom because I have to pee.
When I wipe, it’s pink.
“Ohmigawd! Aiden! I’m bleeding!” I say, instantly panicked.
He jumps out of the shower and I show him the toilet paper.
“Aiden, did we do it too hard? Am I having a miscarriage? What are we going to do?”
He stands naked, dripping in front of me. “Is that it?”
“Is what it?”
“Like, that’s barely pink. It doesn’t really look like blood.”
I stay sitting on the toilet and start crying.
Aiden bends down next to me. “B
aby, it’s okay. Whatever happens is okay. We talked about that, right?”
I shake my head. “No, I lied. It’s not okay!”
“Keatyn, you need to calm down. Why don’t you wipe again and see if it’s gotten better or worse. I read that a miscarriage is like getting your period. There’s a lot of cramping and blood. Are you cramping?”
“Maybe! I don’t know!”
He grabs my chin. “Look at me. Do you have cramps?”
I take a deep breath. “No.”
“Wipe, please.”
“I’m scared to.”
He hands me a wad of toilet paper. I close my eyes and wipe.
“I can’t look.”
“It’s not pink, baby. You’re not bleeding.”
I open my eyes, not believing him and expecting to see a river of blood. But the paper is white.
I cover my eyes with my hands.
Aiden wraps a towel around his waist, types in his phone, and then he reads from it.
“It says that spotting after sex is normal during your first trimester. It says that your cervix—that’s what the baby comes out of, right?—is sensitive. It says up to thirty percent of women have some bleeding in early pregnancy and half of them don’t have miscarriages.”
“So, if I’m in the thirty percent, my odds are fifty-fifty?”
“I don’t think that would really qualify as bleeding. It’s going to be fine, I promise.”
I stand up, zip my pants, and flush.
“Aiden?”
“What, baby?” he says, sliding his hand across my face.
“It just got real.”
“What do you mean?”
“I was excited to be pregnant, but other than some vague flu-like symptoms and the ability to smell a cheeseburger from two miles away, it didn’t feel real. It does now, and I realize just how much I want to have our baby.”
“And you will, don’t worry. Speaking of that, we need to start thinking up names. I actually have an idea.”
“You do?”
“Yeah. I think we should name the baby Monroe.”
Tears fill my eyes again.
“My fake last name? If it weren’t for me almost being kidnapped by the stalker, I never would have went to boarding school.”