by S. L. Scott
“Huge, in fact.”
“Plans.” I can tell he’s smirking just from his voice. “What time are we wrapping today?”
Air invades between us again, distance adding to my disappointment. “Six,” I reply. “If we stay on schedule.”
“I’ll see you at seven.”
Before he walks away, I ask, “Your place or mine?”
“I thought it was our place?” he asks rhetorically with a wink and a smirk.
“I like that.”
“I love that. I’ll see you later, Janie.”
Not sure how long I stand there with a goofy grin on my face, but apparently long enough to be noticed. Scalia comes over, and says, “So in addition to the crew—Gaffer, Grip, and all of Craft Services—and now the director if he has or has had his way already, you’re doing the producer? Busy girl. Where do you find the time?”
“What? Me?” I feign innocence. The rumors are already out there so why not stir the gossip pot.
“Don’t even try to lie. He’s hot, smart, and loaded. You’ve hit the jackpot, but you might want to keep that to yourself. Jessica Pyles can be quite the volatile actress from what I read.” She walks away, but turns back and nods with a thumbs up, giving me her approval.
I don’t mind her knowing about Luke and me. I actually don’t mind anyone knowing that Luke and I are together, even Jessica Pyles. Especially her. Luke and I are in too good of a place to let her taint what we’ve fought to find—love—again.
CHAPTER 20
~Luke~
JANE IS TRULY breathtaking.
I wake up to the most beautiful woman in the world. She stretches before she even opens her eyes. A smile firmly on her lips as she turns and kisses me. “Good morning,” she says, softly, her greens bright in the early morning light sneaking in between the curtains.
“Good morning, beautiful. How are you today?”
Resting her chin on my chest, she looks up. “Better than I’ve been in years.”
“Well, that’s saying something.”
“That’s saying everything.” With her ear over my heart, she says, “I could listen to the sound of your heart all day.”
Rubbing her arm gently, I keep her in place, liking her just where she is. “Let’s skip work today and play hooky.”
“You think they’ll miss us?” There’s a mischievous lilt to her question.
“Nah,” I joke, wishing I wasn’t.
Rolling onto her back, her arms go wide, her breasts exposed. “Good, because I want to spend the day in bed with you.”
“Fine, if you insist,” I reply as if kissing her breasts is a burden when it’s all I want to do all day, every day. My résumé would be simple: Professional Jane Lewis Breast Appreciator.
But then again there are other things I want to do to her. Her legs part just as her lips do for me. I almost kiss her, but don’t. Inhaling her, my body hardens as I press my erection against her. “I want you. Just like this. Open for me, giving me access to all your vulnerabilities. To all of you. Do you want me, Jane?”
“So much,” she replies, her eyes fluttering closed. “So much.”
I reach for a condom, because I want to fuck, not have a conversation about it. I’m quick with it, and back on top, the tip of my dick against her wet pussy. “Tell me how much you want me. Tell me how much you want my cock inside you, filling you over and over until you come so hard you’ll be thinking about this all day long and dreaming about it all night.” I tempt because I can. Squirming beneath me, she angles to get me inside. “Eh. Eh. Eh. Not until you tell me.”
Exasperated, she releases a hard breath. “I want you, so much.”
“You can do better.” I withdraw just enough to tease. “I want you to ache for me, the pain inside so unbearable that you beg me to fuck you.”
Frustration and lust comingle on her tongue when she says, “I want to feel your hard cock inside me, Sir.”
Fuck me! My hips jerk forward in reaction to her calling me that.
“Make me come so you’re the only one I think about and the only one I dream about. Please, Luke. Fuck me and make me yours forever.”
Fuck me. That’s hot. I thrust, her body jolting as her hands go to my shoulders, nails cutting my skin as they dig deeper. A playful, self-satisfied smile appears when she doesn’t bother quieting her tone and moans as I fuck her into oblivion.
“Turn over,” I demand, manners forgotten. I grip her hair and tighten my hold as she moves to her hands and knees before me. Her back is slick, her neck sweating. I pull her golden strands just as my tongue glides up her glistening skin until I’m positioned again. With my free hand, I rub the head of my cock against her, down the center, and farther to where I love to be most. Pushing in, my head drops back. “You’re so fucking tight for me. So fucking good.”
We fuck until every last moan is freed from our bodies.
After working up a sexual sweat, we lie in the peace of the room, only our breathing heard. Her eyes are closed, her chest rising and falling, her body splayed next to me. Sitting up, I lean over and kiss her swollen lips. When her eyes open, she smiles. I don’t. “I want you to listen to me, to hear what I’m saying because I need to be very clear about something.”
Her smile slips away, a look of worry creasing between her eyes. “Okay. I’m listening.”
I place my hand over her pounding heart. “I own this.” I run my hand down her stomach and between her legs. Burying two fingers deep inside, her eyes strain to stay open, and her body tenses for more as she arches up just enough for me to control her desire. “And owning your heart means I own this. I don’t have to fuck you to make you mine. You are mine. You always were and you always will be. Do you understand, Jane?”
Her blinks lengthen as her body reawakens from my touch. My touch. Only my touch. “I do.”
“Save that for the ceremony.” I get out of bed and walk to the bathroom. “I’m going to take a shower.”
“Wait! You can’t just walk away like that, leaving me like this.” She sits up just before I start the shower. “Luke, please.”
Chuckling, I turn the water on. “Remember that while thinking about me all day. I just bought my insurance policy. Now to that begging for more part.”
“Bastard.”
“You’re not the first woman to call me that.”
She grabs a pillow and throws it, and then flops back on the bed groaning in irritation. “Yeah, yeah, yeah, ya big player. Rub it in. Rub it in… Hey!” She sits up excitedly. “You can rub. It. In.”
I love that dirty girl. The water is finally warm though. “Come on, sunshine. We have work today.”
A smile plays on her lips. I can tell she wants to be mad, but is fighting to hang on to the emotion. I cup her face and kiss her. “What? Three orgasms weren’t enough?”
“Call me greedy.”
“I like you greedy.”
Perking up, her hands run over my chest as she bites my chin. “In that case, finish what you started, you big tease.”
She’s got a head full of suds, exhilaration in her eyes, and she’s beyond beautiful. I bring her under the water and hold her tight. As her bubbles wash over us, I readily admit, “Those feelings that are opposite of mad are getting stronger.”
When she looks up, she says, “Mine too. Is it awful that I wish we could freeze time and just live in this bliss a little longer?”
The death of me.
This woman is going to do me in once and for all with her sweetness. “If I could freeze time, I would have done it two years ago and not let you go.”
“When you say stuff like that I have a hard time calling my feelings opposite of mad.”
“Good.” I kiss her nose and then the apple of her cheeks.
* * *
WE DON’T GET to play hooky, and the rest of the morning flies by. A few weeks to finish a movie, a passion project at that, doesn’t allow for skipping work.
But I see her. Always. When she thinks I don’
t, I do. I love that she keeps tabs on me too, and that she always seems to be aware when I return to the set. I wonder if she notices when I’m gone as well.
I wonder if she notices I do the same, my eyes on her, looking for her when she’s gone and when she returns. Now that I have her back in my life, I want to keep her in it. Call me greedy this time, or even selfish, but I want her back in all ways, including when we go back to LA. I just need to keep the project on track. A few more phone calls and hopefully it will settle down so we can finish this film as planned.
If I can’t…. I won’t be the one to destroy this dream of Jane’s. I’ll do whatever it takes to make it come true, despite the threats against the project. For her, anything. I screwed up once when it came to her dreams of marriage. I had no idea she needed the reassurance of our future together, a verbal promise. I thought we just knew it would always be us. So, I’ll show her that I won’t screw up when it comes to her professional aspirations either.
The problem is, when I see Jessica talking to Jane, I start to sweat. Jessica cannot be trusted. After her theatrics, I don’t want her saying things that aren’t true, let alone telling Jane that we once hooked up.
Tugging at my collar, I keep the phone to my ear in a bad attempt to listen to Robert, one of the investors, but my eyes stay on the two women. “Yeah, I’m here. I’m managing,” I speak into the phone when asked about my contributions. “The hotel is paid for. I’ve got five of the rooms covered. We still have funds to cover the other four and the crew is doubled up.”
Robert asks, “How far are you willing to go, Luke?”
“Whatever it takes.”
“The movie is good, but is it worth going bankrupt over?”
“The movie and script are solid. I know we can sell this. I’m thinking Sundance, TIFF, and South by Southwest. The acting is solid and the cinematographer is nailing the visuals. It’s looking good in playbacks.”
He sighs. “Look, I’ll give you the extra fifty thousand, but that’s it. I’m tapped for this project. Can you finish it?”
“I’ll find the rest and make it work. I promise. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. This is a risk, but I’m willing to take it based on your endorsement. Screw me on this and we’re done.”
“I know. I appreciate the faith.”
“I don’t give money based on faith. I give it on results. You’ve never failed me. Don’t start. I’ve got another call to take. Make it happen, Luke.”
“I will.”
Jane and Jessica are laughing. Thank fuck. I hang up the phone and start in their direction. Jessica’s eyes are instantly on me. Jane steals a glance but then looks down at the script. She’s not a good liar, and her acting skills could use some polishing. I like that she can’t hide her feelings from me. She’s damn cute.
Jessica jumps at the opportunity. “Hey there, handsome. How’s your day going?”
I catch a glimpse of Jane when I’m called handsome. “Hey,” I reply flatly. Moving around her, I tap Jane on the hand. “Do you have a minute?”
She seems surprised. Her eyes go wide before her expression settles into restrained joy. “Sure.” Looking to Jessica, she says, “Excuse me.”
We walk in silence toward the table set up for craft services. “What are you guys talking about?”
Her head tilts. “The script. Why?”
“I was just surprised after what happened the other night.” I move closer and lower my voice. “You know she can’t be trusted.”
Relaxing in her stance, she smiles. “Don’t worry. I’ve got her number when it comes to you, but I also have to work with her so I’m trying to keep the two separate.”
“I’m surprised you’re overlooking her actions.”
Popping an imaginary collar, she says, “I’m not in competition with her, so I don’t have to play any games. I’m secure in our relationship.”
I step closer, and whisper, “I want us to together, Jane. I don’t want any confusion to how I feel about you.”
“I wish…” She looks around. “I wish I could kiss you right now. I feel so much for you too. I’m glad this movie happened. It’s like destiny bringing us back together.”
“Yes, destiny.” I step away from her. Now is not the time to tell her I had sex with Jessica. She’ll hate me. I’ll tell her. I’d just prefer to do it when we’re not filming and keep the peace on set. “I need to go. Duty calls. Are you going out with everyone tonight or do you want to stay in?”
“I always love staying in with you, but Scalia made me promise I’d go to Continental Club tonight. Everyone’s going. Will you?”
“I might try to get some work in. I’m still on West Coast time, which gives me two extra hours.”
“Come. For me.”
“I’ll try. As for Jessica, it’s best if you keep your distance from her.”
“I’ll be fine. Don’t worry about me.” Everyone is called for the next scene when Ian returns to the set. “Gotta go. Later, handsome.” I prefer the name from her mouth. Her grin is sassy, a lot like her. I’m glad she’s unburdened. This feels right.
When my phone rings, and I see it’s the call I’ve anxiously waited for all morning, I head outside, not wanting to risk Jane hearing.
Forty-five minutes later, the deal is done. The finances are secure. I lean against the wall near the door, staying out of the way as progress is made. Ian comes over to stand next to me, crossing his arms, and watching the crew in action, preparing for the next setup. “Update?”
“Fifty K from Robert.”
Eyeing me cynically, his mouth drops open enough for me to know he’s not impressed. “That’s not going to wrap this film. I already cut my pay by twenty K to help get it done. What are you going to do, Anders?”
What have I done? I’ve wagered my house on this project, but this douche doesn’t get to know that.
“You knew this was a risky project when you were brought on, but it’s even riskier when you pose threats in the form of loaded questions. I’ve taken care of it. I’ve played my part. Now play yours and make a fan-fucking-tastic movie.”
He pats me and nods before walking away. My house and future rely on his shoulders. I hope he can pull this off.
* * *
10 P.M.
Rubbing my eyes with the palms of my hands, I need to wake up. I’m exhausted. Three intense calls and a shitload of emails later, I want to be done with work and see my girl. I close my laptop and change clothes, pulling on a T-shirt and jeans. With my wallet and the room key in hand, I head across South Congress and inside the iconic Continental Club.
The bar is smaller than I imagined, which makes it easy to find our group. They would be the noisy ones taking up residence along the bar. I laugh because they’re louder than the live band on stage.
As I cruise over, I say hi to everyone, secretly scanning a few barstools ahead for the one I most want to see. I’m grabbed and spun around, a big smile taking over until I come face to face with Jessica, which instantly eliminates it.
Her finger goes to my lips. “Looking for someone?”
I move away from her hand, not liking her touching me where I last touched Jane. “I’m not in the mood for this.” I turn to go, but she clings to my arm.
“Don’t make me look bad.”
“I don’t have to. That’s something you’re quite good doing all by yourself.”
“Screw you, Luke.”
I shake my head and walk away, like I should have done when we were first introduced. Other words come to mind thinking about her, but I settle on unpredictable to be courteous. The problem though, is that her hot and cold impulsive side is about to cross a line with me that I won’t be able to sit idly by and ignore. How can a single mistake with her last year become a nuisance in veiled threats?
Before I have time to track down Jane, Scalia calls me, “Luke? Come over here. You look like you could use a drink.”
I take the shot she’s offering, and smell it. “Teq
uila?”
“Of course.”
We clink our drinks together and both polish off the clear liquid. Afterward, we slam our glasses on the bar top. “Have you seen Jane?” I ask, trying not to seem too anxious.
She laughs, making me wonder if she knows more than Jane and I have revealed. Leaning closer to me, I follow the direction of her gaze and see the one I’m looking for, just as Scalia points her out standing on the edge of the dance floor. My instinct tells me to go to her. My mind tells me to stay. Professionally, she’d want me to stay. Not taking any chances, I do because I know if I go over there, I’m gonna need to kiss those ruby-red lips right here in front of everyone. Choosing instead to stand here watching her smile, laugh, and watch Ian touch her arm like they’re familiar and he has rights to do such.
They aren’t alone, but the conversation looks intimate. I’ve had a shitty night and this makes it worse. Turning to Scalia, I say, “I’m going to call it a night.”
“You just got here. Stay.”
I glance back to Jane. She’s not seen me. If she does, she’ll come over and I’ll be taking my bad mood out on her, so I make the tough decision. “Maybe another night.”
“I’ll let Jane know you stopped by.”
My eyes meet Scalia’s all-knowing ones. I nod, an understanding exchanged before I leave.
Out on the sidewalk, I hear my name uttered from the only lips I ever care to hear it from again. When I turn around, Jane is rushing toward me. She practically collides into my chest, but I catch her, as she anxiously asks, “Where are you going?”
“I’m tired. I’m gonna get some sleep.”
“I want you to stay.” She grabs my arms, hanging on to me. “Please.”
“I’m not in a good mood. I’ve had a rough night. I need sleep, but I’ll leave the door open for you.”
Her body moves fluidly as she shifts, a telltale sign she’s tipsy, or maybe drunk. “We’re having so much fun. I want you to stay. Please.”
“Another night.”
“Why do you seem mad?”
“I’m fine.” I can hear the edge to my tone, so I know she can.