The Last Time

by Elodie Parkes

  Bethany sighed. This entire industry and its machinations were not easy to follow. That little scene must fit in somewhere and be cut into the movie in the editing process, or post, or whatever they called it. She turned away from the line of tape and walked back to the spot she’d occupied all morning.

  As she approached, she saw two big, black crows tossing the remains of her Danish pastry around to get it off the paper napkin. The napkin came off and they held the pastry down with their talons before eating. They were funny as they boldly looked up from eating as she got closer. It made her smile.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Bethany just reached the line of deck chairs when Jake arrived. He walked over to her, looking pale. He wore the laptop bag over his shoulder and carried two paper cups of coffee in a cardboard tray.

  “Hi. I brought coffee,” Jake said as he handed the tray to her.

  “You look very pale. I told you this was a nasty virus. On the upside, you will feel better tomorrow if it’s the one I had.”

  She took a paper cup of coffee and held the tray for Jake. He took out the laptop, sat down, rested it on the case, which he balanced on his knees, and booted it.

  “It must be the same illness. I don’t know anyone else who was sick. Listen to this. I got the inside gossip on Sara Smythe and Seth Carbery.” He took his coffee from Bethany and, after sipping it, continued, “The public reports were inconclusive about if they ever had a relationship. The split was also only rumor but apparently she dropped him like a stone the minute the first letter arrived and accused him of screwing around. As you know, those were the words. The interesting part is that Dougie, who runs the canteen, says she told her friends she was about to drop him anyway because she has a new job. She leaves the studio at the end of this month. The company is fuming but she’s within her contractual rights.”

  Bethany quickly considered this. It wasn’t feasible to her that anyone would gladly let go of Seth. Maybe Sara didn’t love him and the job offer was more to her taste. Bethany raised her eyebrows at Jake and then told him her worries.

  “I’m seriously concerned that if someone is out to hurt Seth, they will be able to. Look at us—we have no idea where he is or what he is doing. Why haven’t the producers just come out in the open with his need for a bodyguard? Then, I could be there close enough to protect him.”

  Jake sniffed, took out a Kleenex, and sneezed. Bethany held onto the laptop and he held his coffee out at arm’s length over the grass. They both laughed.

  Jake continued with his information, “I’m suspicious of the whole thing, to be honest. Not of the producers, although Brandt and I concluded on the phone this morning that they hired us because of insurance needs. They have to look after him or the insurance on the movie is void. Hiring us means they have tried.

  “I’m sure the threats are not real. I don’t know what the hell is going on, but I do have these facts. The makeup artist has no close connection to Seth at all. Gina does his make-up. Dianne’s in a relationship with the second AD and it’s long term. She’s clean—not even a parking ticket. Nothing about her connects to Seth. She joined this film obviously to be with Tony Wheeler. Why would she possibly receive death threats? She’s not high profile.”

  Bethany nodded.

  “She could be a diversion and the real target is Seth. Some psycho stalker is clouding the field with notes to others first, before they zoom in on Seth? Has he ever been involved in anything weird? His file reads like a glowing reference. Not one aberration, perfect family background, and completely dedicated to his work. Have you found out anything about him?”

  Jake sniffed again and shook his head. “I haven’t dug that deep yet—but no, he’s a bloody paragon of virtue. I find that suspicious.”

  “Why? He does seem like a really nice guy. You said so yourself.”

  Jake shrugged. “Well, it’s the lack of women in his life. You know seriously, a man in his position is usually involved with a few women. He isn’t or at least he’s kept it very secret. There might be a scorned woman somewhere. Bethany, I don’t want to put you in an awkward situation but you might be able to get this kind of information out of him.”

  She knew Jake was uncomfortable about something when he got a pained look on his face.

  “I like him. I don’t think he’s been involved with many women. He’s only our age. I mean, he’s mid-twenties, just a little older. Having been to university and working long hours, it’s not unbelievable. Look at us.”

  Jake finished his coffee. “Yes, I know.”

  Bethany drank her coffee, thinking about her brother. Did he ever wish for someone the way she had? “Do you ever feel lonely? For love I mean.”

  Jake sighed. “Yes and no. I think sometimes I don’t have time to give to someone. Then again, I think I’d like to be loved and to love someone. What about you?”

  “I’d like it, for sure.” As she said this, she was thinking of Seth. He was the one she’d like to love her.

  “Back to the job, I can’t imagine what the motive is for harming Seth. It’s got to be something hidden or nothing at all. Could a rival actor be trying to put Seth off his game and take over the part?”

  Bethany shook her head. “I doubt that. They might want him to botch this acting job so he’s not offered something they want. It’s all guesswork since there’s so little to point us toward a motive.

  “Why not leave the computer with me and go back to the trailer? Get some rest. I might be here for a very long time. I can do a little research and read the files on the case again. You’ve got the other machine down there anyway.”

  Jake considered this for a moment and then nodded. “Yeah, I will. I do feel bad.”

  Bethany took the laptop. Jake stood, placing its case on the seat he vacated.

  He gave Bethany a little wave and left.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Bethany read the files again, looking for any pointers they might have missed. At the end of twenty minutes, she researched everyone who received a letter. An hour later, she decided that the whole thing was bizarre. The usual hunches she would get to follow were missing. Her instincts about the case were the same as Jake’s and she thought it was somebody messing around. It was a nuisance prank, but the question was—why?

  Bethany looked up from the report she was making for the agency when she heard people approaching. She saw it was Seth and another actor dressed head-to-foot in black.

  Seth flopped into the chair next to Bethany. The other man walked past, raising his hand slightly to Bethany as a greeting.

  She put the laptop on the other vacant seat with its case and turned to Seth.

  “How are you feeling? I saw you leap into the river twice. Is that safe? Aren’t you worried about catching a waterborne disease?”

  Seth grinned. “I’ve been inoculated against every disease known to man and that part of the river isn’t quite what it seems. It’s been cleared of reeds and stones, generally sifted, and tested. I’m safe enough. Thank you for caring.” He gave her a look charged with sexuality.

  Bethany felt a stir of desire and returned the look.

  Seth smiled after a few seconds. “I think the sleep I got last night helped me. The director hasn’t made me redo any scenes so far.”

  Bethany stared at his mouth. She wanted to kiss him.

  Seth’s eyes drifted down over her body.

  Bethany wore a white T-shirt under her jacket. As he looked at her breasts, her nipples hardened in response. Her breasts ached for his mouth on them.

  “Seth,” she said softly and he raised his eyes to hers. “Will I spoil your make-up if I kiss you?”

  He grinned. “It will be reapplied. Anyway, there’s not much done for these scenes because lots of effects will be added in post-production.”

  Bethany looked around to check if they were being watched. The area was clear of people and they were alone. There was no one to be seen in any direction and she took a deep breath, willing to risk it.<
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  Bethany put her hands around his face and kissed him.

  They kissed each other gently until she let go of his face. Then, she pulled her T-shirt, and the top she wore under it, up to free her breasts. She still had her lips to Seth’s and he had a hand in her hair, holding her head to his. She took his hand and brought it to her breast.

  “I need your mouth on my breasts,” she whispered.

  He left his face against hers for just a moment as a shock of desire spiked through her. She felt the start of his erection. He kneaded her breast softly, then moved to take as much into his mouth as he could and swirl his tongue around her nipple.

  Bethany gasped and began to undo his pants. She was desperate to hold him and feel the shape of his erection as it grew in her hands. She couldn’t get them open, so she unzipped her jeans. She pushed them apart and down so Seth could the see the junction of her thighs. He moved his hand and trailed his fingers from one of her hipbones—across her stomach to the other, just missing the chance to dip his fingers into the triangle.

  He drew back from her just a little.

  “We are out in the open here. If you want to, we can make it to the trees over there.”

  He smiled apologetically and Bethany kissed him.

  She looked over her shoulder to the little copse of trees about twenty yards away. She was damp with need and her breasts ached for his touch.

  “Let’s go,” she said and pulled her clothing over her breasts, picked up the laptop from the seat beside her, and held out her hand to Seth. All she could think about was his hard cock pushing into her.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Seth looked around him as he walked with her to the trees. Remarkably few cast members had left the set for their given break and he raised his eyebrows, thankful for it.

  Hidden and cooler in the circle of trees, Bethany took off her jacket and put the laptop on it. In one move, she stripped off her T-shirt and the camisole top she wore underneath.

  Seth watched her and moved to hold her. He wrapped his hands around her waist. Her jeans were still unzipped and he pulled them down over her hips to mid-thigh. He could look down along her body, open to his touch, now.

  Bethany tried to take Seth’s jacket top off him, but couldn’t find a zip or opening. He leaned over her to kiss her lips and whispered, “No zips; only Velcro.” He moved from her and took it off, throwing it down on the laptop and Bethany’s jacket.

  Bethany smiled as he kissed her.

  He wanted her desperately now and she was finally unzipping his pants. She pushed his black pants and shorts down to his knees. She kissed and licked his thighs as she stood. She turned and pressed her bottom against his erection, then leaned her hands on the tree trunk.

  Seth swallowed and ran his hands down the curves of her bottom. He put his fingers into her from behind. She pressed back on them, wet with need.

  Seth guided his erection into her, gasping when he heard her sigh and press back onto him. He thrust into her, holding her hips and letting the sensation drive everything else from his mind. He would come fast so he slowed his thrusts to lean over and kiss her backbone and neck.

  He said in a voice husky with desire, “I can’t hold on.”

  She moved her head to kiss him and they missed each other’s lips, but she pressed back onto him.

  “It’s okay—just let me have your fingers inside me after. Let go Seth; it feels really good.”

  Her whispered words impacted his cock and he thrust into her, groaning as his orgasm drained him of the ability to stand.

  He leaned over her again and kissed her shoulder.

  He took his time to move out of her and turn her around. He crushed her to his chest and felt her breasts soft against his skin. His hands were in her hair that had fallen completely from the hair combs she was using that day. He kissed her hard. He sensed her need and reached down with one hand to push his fingers into her.

  Bethany went limp with need. She had her tongue in Seth’s mouth and she moved back, her lips still against his. “I have to kneel,” she said softly.

  Seth barely heard her words. He took them both to their knees and held her head to his to kiss her softly, as she thrust on his fingers and moaned out her orgasm onto his lips.

  They stayed against each other for a few moments and then Bethany took his fingers from her. She reached for the camisole top she had been wearing to wipe his seed and her wetness from his hand.

  “Since you are completely dressed in black, Seth,” she said in explanation.

  Seth watched and then held her face.

  “Bethany,” he said softly and kissed her until they clung to each other.

  She opened her eyes and moved from his face. “That was just so good. I feel like sucking you to make you hard again and doing the whole thing over.”

  Seth laughed. “I think incorrigible is the word for you. You’re right, it felt great. I hate to say this, but we should dress and get back to the real world.”

  They dressed, Seth more quickly than Bethany. He watched as she fastened her jeans and took the camisole top—even though it had a wet patch on one side—and slid it over her head. She pulled it down. Seth watched as she put a hand into the top and raised one breast to support it with the stretchy fabric. She did it with the other breast and then Seth stepped closer to her.

  “I didn’t realize you weren’t wearing a bra.” He grazed her lips with his.

  Bethany closed her eyes, but answered, “This does the job. I’m not that big. Sometimes I can’t be bothered with a bra.”

  Seth thought about the way she dipped her hand into the camisole.

  “Can I do it?” he asked, adding, “Next time.”

  Bethany took a second to realize what he meant and then smiled.

  “I usually do it twice.”

  Seth recognized the invitation and turned her to dip his own hand into the camisole and lift her breasts into the stretchy fabric. He nuzzled her neck.

  “You’re a lovely size—just right for my mouth. I think you’re beautiful.”

  Bethany’s nipples hardened at his touch and his words. She leaned back against him and sighed.

  Seth reluctantly let her go and handed her the T-shirt to put on.

  Bethany pulled her T-shirt on. Seth held the laptop as she put her jacket on, wound her hair up, and secured it again with the combs.

  She took the laptop from Seth and looked him up and down.

  “You look a bit rumpled and I think there’s a tiny little white spot on that black outfit just there.” She touched him lightly, low on the stomach.

  Seth smiled. “It’ll be okay. Don’t make me want you again or I’ll be in trouble.” He softened his words with a kiss as he took her hand from him and then kissed her fingers.

  She grinned at him. “Do you wear black for the whole movie?” she asked, as they walked side-by-side out of the small wood and into the late afternoon sun. It felt good on their shoulders.

  Seth had a hard time not holding her hand as he felt a contentment fall softly over his soul.

  “I do, because my character is part of the elite group of warriors,” he answered her and broke into a big grin. “I fight the evil with my special mental powers and my trusty, black swords.”

  Bethany caught his jokey mood and laughed. “So, even the swords are black.”

  They reached the row of deck chairs where they sat down, side-by-side.

  “Yes, special sparkles and dazzles are added in post-production,” Seth told her.

  Bethany turned and looked at him. Seth saw the affection in her gaze and was glad of it.

  “Before you go, I need the absolute truth. Can you think of anyone at all who might want to hurt you—even just a little? Another actor who might have wanted the part you have—anyone?”

  He took a deep breath. “Truthfully, I get on well with everyone. I don’t think I have rivals as such. There’s camaraderie between the actors in my year and in my circle. I’ve even had one call
me up to say they were knocking back a part and to tell my agent to check it out for me. I have no girls in my past that I have loved and left. Not like that; not so they would wish me actual harm. It’s been innocent. There’s just Sara. She dislikes me now but I seriously doubt she would wish me harm.”

  Bethany’s eyes glittered with deep emotion. He noticed but wasn’t sure what it was.

  “I don’t know the makeup artist who also gets the letters either,” he finished just to clarify things.

  Bethany looked around and then kissed him.

  “I believe you. Take care. I’ll wait here for you.”

  Seth looked concerned. “Until about one or two in the morning—that’s a little harsh. I’ll try to get you nearer. Let me talk to someone.”

  He stood, brushed his lips against her forehead, and then strode off toward The Village set.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Bethany watched Seth and felt an overwhelming affection for him. She examined it and realized she had fallen in love with him. It probably happened in the night when she was asleep next to him, when she was vulnerable and off-guard.

  She opened the laptop, typed in the password, and finished the report she had been writing.

  Bethany researched for the next two hours and discovered the movie company frequently gave health and drug use checks to all their actors and crew. It was evident this company had some of the toughest contract requirements known in the industry.

  She considered the health stuff and resolved to ask Seth about it. She wondered if some disgruntled employee was trying to pay back the company for a contractual agreement by terrorizing their staff and their stars like Seth. It was weird how Sara Smythe’s contract was not so tight that she could leave mid-movie. Bethany thought she would ask her about it as soon as possible. She couldn’t question Dianne because she was undercover, but she resolved to talk with her at length to get the measure of her. Bethany felt sure Dianne was somehow connected. Maybe she could feign interest in new makeup, or something, and ask her advice.