Fire Goddess

by Crystal Inman

  Kelly grinned and hugged Christian. “Not bad, rookie. Not bad at all.” He grinned and kissed the top of her head.

  Sloan’s gut clenched at the easy and open way she embraced all the men on the set. How many beds had she been in? He sidled a glance at Bob and stopped the thought before it even had a chance to form. No way.

  Bryan clapped his hands loudly. “Next shot. Let’s keep it going.”

  * * * *

  Kelly put her arm around the bronze boy, and they walked off the set. Christian was saying something to her when she looked up and saw Sloan’s staring at her. His eyes were hot and angry. Is he going to hold a grudge against me? She didn’t have anything to do with it. She didn’t want anything to do with it now. Kelly stiffened her back and walked past him.

  Wilda stood in the shadows and watched it all with interest. There was more to these two than even they knew about. She sent good wishes to her sisters and continued her day.

  * * * *

  Kelly finished up her day and talked to Wilda excitedly about the latest rumor circulating around the set. Somewhere along the line, she had come to trust this personal assistant. Wilda never judged with her eyes. And she always had a kind word.

  “Guess what?” Kelly was fairly bouncing off the walls. Her green eyes were sparkling, and she couldn’t wipe the grin off of her face.

  “Tell me, child. You’re about to explode.”

  “I’m nominated for Best Actress in the Sparks.” She fairly danced over to her chair and tried to sit still.

  Wilda leaned down and embraced her mortal hope. “You are talented. I’m not surprised you are to be recognized for it.” Her emerald stare took in Kelly’s excited face, and she patted Kelly’s shoulder. “Good things come to those who wait.”

  Kelly snorted in spite of herself. “Okay, Fairy Godmother. Is that the best you have?”

  “For now, child. For now. Let’s have you in your street clothes so you may go home.”

  Kelly hurriedly shucked her costume and practically skipped out to her truck. She was humming under her breath when she saw him. Sloan.

  He was backed up against his Bronco with Christy so close they were almost in the same pair of pants. He had his hands on her arms, and she was leaning closer into him. Kelly rolled her eyes and hopped in her truck. She turned the music up too loud and practically squealed tires leaving the lot. The resident slut pressed up against Sloan was the last image she needed to see.

  * * * *

  Christy watched Kelly roll out of the parking lot in her big, red truck and pouted prettily. That bitch had all the nice toys.

  She was still pressed up against Sloan and didn’t show any signs of moving. He tried to push her away again. Her arms moved back, but her body moved closer. Sloan finally maneuvered her off of him and stepped back.

  “I appreciate what you’re trying to do.” He tried to make it sound innocuous. He knew damn well she would have dropped to her knees and given him a blowjob right there in the parking lot if he asked. But he didn’t want any part of this world. And he didn’t need any part of a girl who would offer herself to anyone and everyone. “But I’m rather busy.” He brushed past her and walked quickly to the driver’s side of the Bronco. The sooner he left this madhouse, the better.

  Sloan gunned the engine and pulled off, never looking back. Christy glared at the back of the Bronco as it drove off. If she were the high and mighty Felicia Hawthorne, she would have been in the seat next to him. Soon, she thought, smiling inwardly. Soon. Christy was whistling as she walked back inside.

  * * * *

  Kelly arrived home and walked directly to the phone in the living room. She dialed her parent’s number and waited. Her mother picked up. Kelly clutched the phone closer. The last thing she wanted was to bring her professional life home to her parents. But she wasn’t left with much of a choice.

  Christine listened as Kelly breathlessly explained she would be coming home in a couple of weeks, and she would be bringing a man with her. Before Christine could work in a word edgewise, Kelly explained it would be for work, and then she started apologizing profusely.

  “Listen, honey. I don’t care if you bring the whole cast. I only want you back for a little bit to see your daddy. We don’t mind another guest. But he won’t be sleeping in the same room as you.”

  “Mom!” Kelly looked in horror at the phone. “He’s designing sets for the show. We are not involved. I can’t stand him. Good grief. If there was a way around this, I’d take it.”

  “That’s fine, Kel. Let us know when you’ll be in. I’ll bake a pie.”

  They said their good-byes and hung up.

  In her bed. As if. She didn’t want the good-looking set designer anywhere near her. He was obnoxious. And she didn’t trust him. One day she’s playing in the sheets with Matt on the set, and the next day there’s an article about it. Go figure. She would go over the rules with Bryan. And then she would deal with Sloan.

  * * * *

  Sloan finished up his paperwork and sat back at his desk. His beer was half-empty, and everything was caught up. He laced his fingers behind his head and thought about his newest job. These people were out of his league. They were brassy, showy, and obnoxious. And he was supposed to be spending quality time with the Queen Bitch of them all. Felicia Hawthorne.

  The casting people must have creamed their jeans when she walked in. Kelly Marshall was perfect for the part. Bitchy and beautiful. That described most of the women in his past love life. And it was the type of woman he avoided now. Denise had cured him of all that.

  There was nothing like coming home and finding his girlfriend in bed with one of his employees. The anger came surging back, and he tamped down on it. He should have known better, but he was thinking with the wrong head at the time.

  Denise was beautiful. A six-foot stunner with deep blue eyes and legs that went up to her neck. She was slender with long black hair that fell to her waist. And the sight of her naked body over his foreman’s was something he would never forget.

  Sloan checked his anger at the door because he knew he wouldn’t stop at beating the man. He cleared his throat, and Denise had looked up and seen him then. Her eyes widened, but then she had smiled. She motioned him over, but he held his ground. His foreman, Rich, was struggling to throw Denise off and find his clothes.

  “You’re home early,” she commented. She pulled a sheet off the bed and wrapped it around herself, sarong style.

  “Obviously.”

  Rich pulled his clothes on and started to walk out the door when Sloan stopped him. “You’re done. Get your shit off my property. You step foot at one of my sites again, and I’ll shoot you.” Rich scurried away.

  Denise looked over at Sloan and pouted. “I wasn’t done. Care to finish what he started?” She unhooked the sheet and let it fall to the ground. Sloan kept his eyes focused on hers. “I don’t deal in used goods. Sorry.”

  She had screamed at him then. He wasn’t man enough for her. She was used to a better life than this. He didn’t know how to deal with a real woman.

  Sloan had enough. He walked back into the bedroom and watched her stuff her bag full of her clothes. “If you’re a real woman, I don’t want any part of it.” When he turned to walk back out the door, she threw a shoe then and nailed him in the shoulder with the heel. The son of a bitch bled for thirty minutes. Even now, he had the heel print scar. It was one hell of a reminder.

  And now he had the privilege of spending time with another bed-hopping bitch. He took a long draw off the beer. One he couldn’t seem to get off his mind.

  * * * *

  Kelly had her list of demands in her hand when she approached Bryan the next morning. There were certain items that were off-limits. And the sooner everyone was aware of them, the better. She marched up to him and shoved the paper into his hand.

  “I’m willing to let your boy wonder go to my parents’ house on these conditions. I suggest you go over these with him so he understands them.” Sh
e turned on her heel and walked away.

  Bob walked over to Bryan and held out his hand. Bryan dropped the paper into it and shook his head. “She’s pissed.”

  “Yeah.” Bob watched her angry stride for a minute. “Do you blame her?”

  “Not really. But it has to be done. All part of the technique. She’ll give a better performance if she has some input. Wait and see.”

  Bob took the paper and walked off. “If they don’t kill each other first,” he muttered.

  * * * *

  Sloan arrived at nine o’clock and made sure to park as far away from Kelly as possible. He grabbed his sketchbooks out and started for the stage door. As soon as he opened it, Mike stuck his head out.

  “Name.”

  “Oh shit. You’ve got to be kidding.”

  “Afraid not,” the guard said cheerfully. He tapped his clipboard. “I need the name, associate, and identification. I assume you have those?”

  Sloan glared at the security guy. “Yeah. I have them. Same as last time. Sloan Davenport. Bob Davis. Here’s my license.”

  Mike flipped through the papers on his clipboard and made a notation. He studied the license up close and handed it back. “Thank you, sir.”

  “My pleasure.” Sloan slung the bag over his shoulder and stepped into the interior. People were milling around, and he knew they must be on break. He caught sight of Kelly and her personal assistant, Wilda. Personal assistant. The title made him want to grind his teeth. She needed a damn spanking. He pushed the images of that out of his head with a great deal of effort.

  Sloan walked into Bob’s office and saw Bob hunched over his desk again with pencil in hand. He was sketching rapidly, and Sloan didn’t want to disturb him. As soon as Bob looked up, he smiled and motioned for Sloan to sit down.

  “It seems you’ll be accompanying Kelly to her folks’ house in a couple of weeks. Bryan is extremely pleased. He believes it will add realism to Kelly’s scenes.”

  “I don’t think any amount of wood will do that.”

  Bob shook his head. “Why do you dislike her so much?”

  “Several reasons,” Sloan said vaguely. “What are you working on?”

  “Um,” Bob pulled a piece of paper out of his drawer and slid it across the top. “There are a few things that need to be noted before your trip.”

  “Noted?”

  “Yes. Read these please.”

  Sloan slowly picked up the paper and started reading. His demeanor changed within minutes. He slammed the paper back down on the desk, and his voice was barely restrained. “Would she like a horse-drawn carriage, too?”

  “Sloan. Please.” Bob held up his hands. “She’s cautious. Respect that.”

  There were a lot of words he associated with Kelly Marshall. None had anything remotely to do with respect.

  “I can’t take a camera. I can’t take a recorder. No laptop. No picture phone.” He glanced up from the paper. “I suppose the wire is out then. I’ll have to let the tabloids know.”

  Bob chuckled. “Make nice with her. She’s a decent person, Sloan. She works hard. She’s good at what she does. Enjoy the vacation away from here.”

  “Yeah. Enjoy.” Sloan shook his head and folded the paper. He slid it into his pocket and looked up at Bob. “Tell Dot she’ll be keeping me in pies until I’m toothless. Then I’ll gum them.”

  * * * *

  Sloan waited until most of the day’s filming wrapped up before he went to look for Kelly. There was no way he was simply going to take her rules and follow them without a few rules of his own. That seemed only fair.

  He started to tap on her dressing room door when he heard laughter inside. He leaned closer and listened intently. Apparently there was a small party going on in there. Sloan lifted his hand to knock when the door opened. He looked down and lost his train of thought.

  From his vantage point, he could see straight down the black, lacey top that Kelly was wearing. It fit her form to perfection. Sleeveless and provocative. Her breasts pushed against the fabric, and he told himself he’d seen breasts before. He wasn’t a sixteen year-old virgin. But parts of him were responding like they were. She finished the outfit with black pants and heels. Her auburn hair tumbled down her shoulders and flirted with the neckline of her shirt.

  “Yes?” Kelly looked up at Sloan and read the desire in his eyes. And it threw her. She was still pissed-off she had to take him with her, so she used it. She stepped closer and licked her lips provocatively.

  “Something for me?” She reached out and traced a line from his collar to his belt buckle. “Something you need to give me?” Kelly tilted her head and looked into his eyes.

  Sloan saw the laughter there, and it angered him. She was making fun of his reaction to her, and it fired him into action.

  He leaned down and brushed his lips across her ear. “Anything I have to give will be to a woman who will appreciate it.” He stood back up. “Not a woman who has all her intimate moments scripted out for her.” He nodded and walked off.

  Kelly’s heart was beating rapidly, and she braced herself in the doorway. She could still feel his breath on her ear and shivered in spite of herself. Sloan was an arrogant one.

  Wilda watched the scene between the two of them and smiled to herself. And then her mouth dropped open in surprise when a woman showed up in the doorway.

  “Tempest!” She threw herself at her sister and hugged her tightly. “What are you doing here?”

  Kelly looked from one beautiful woman to the other. They were obviously sisters, though their coloring was exactly the opposite. Tempest had long black hair and sky blue eyes. She was wearing jeans and a long-sleeve blue shirt. Kelly looked down and noted the cowboy boots on her feet. But it was their faces that were so similar. They both had the striking beauty that some women are fortunate to have in their gene pool.

  “I happened to be looking for some work, and I was directed here. Apparently there are a lot of things that still need to be done.”

  “I’m working on it.” Wilda smiled and kept her arm around her sister. “Kelly, this is my sister, Tempest.”

  “Pleased to meet you.” Kelly shook Tempest’s hand and smiled.

  Tempest looked behind her and watched the attractive mortal man stomp off. “I hope I didn’t catch you at a bad time?”

  “Not at all.” Kelly gritted her teeth. “I was about to go take care of something. If you’ll excuse me.” She nodded to both women and took off at a sprint down the hall after Sloan.

  Wilda shook her head. “I never expected to see you here.”

  “We’re in this together. And besides,” Tempest’s eyes twinkled, “I’m supposed to know how to do make-up.” They both looked at each other and burst out laughing.

  Chapter 7

  Kelly cursed Sloan under her breath as she raced to catch up with him before he sequestered himself back in Bob’s office. That egotistical ass who informed her all of her personal moments had to be scripted for her. It burned her. And she was about to let him know what she thought of his words. And then some.

  She scowled as she watched him walk into Bob’s office and shut the door. But that wasn’t going to stop her. Hell no. Kelly opened the door and slammed it against the side of the wall.

  Bob and Sloan both looked up from the desk, and Bob stood up quickly. “I need some coffee. You two discuss whatever business you need to.” He grabbed his coffee cup and practically ran out of the office.

  “Bob doesn’t like conflict,” Sloan stated the obvious.

  “But you do, don’t you, Mr. Davenport?” Kelly shut the door and braced herself for a verbal war. “You think you’re so high and mighty or something. Did you stop by my dressing room just to put me down, or is there something else you needed to say?”

  Sloan shoved the piece of paper clenched in his hand at her. He had forgotten the whole purpose of his trip when she opened her mouth and set him off. “This is ridiculous.”

  “Ah.” Kelly snatched the paper from hi
s hand and waved it in front of her. “And what’s so ridiculous? You’re coming with me. To my home. I have a right to lay down whatever rules I find necessary.” She smiled. “And I find these necessary.”

  “You would.” He sneered down at her. “You’re not quite the hot shit you think you are. And I’m tired of your holier-than-thou attitude.”

  The fury built in Kelly so quick she didn’t have the chance to think or stop herself. “Why you son of a bitch!”

  She came at him over the desk, and he put up his hands to stop her. Sloan grabbed her by the arms and tried to dodge her kicking feet. She was calling him everything but a man when she went limp. He let go for a minute, and she aimed a foot squarely at his crotch.

  The pain doubled him over, and he looked up at her satisfied face with a groan. “You bitch.”

  Kelly looked at him blandly. “Read the rules. Obey the rules. And we won’t need to have this conversation again.” She looked back at him once and shut the door loudly behind her.

  Sloan let the breath whistle in and out while he tried to regain composure. He was going to fucking kill her. He was going to take her by her red head and choke the life out of her. Sloan was contemplating other forms of murder when Bob came back in.

  One look at Sloan and Bob put his coffee cup down and went to help him.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Okay?” Sloan touched himself gingerly. “That little witch kicked me in the nuts. Do you think I’m okay?”

  “What?” Bob’s voice held disbelief. “What did you do?”

  “What did I do?” Sloan echoed the question. “What in the hell did I do? Oh shit.” The question was so funny, he found himself bent over laughing.

  Bob watched him worriedly. He probably shouldn’t have left, but he despised fights.

  “I tell you what, Bob. I’ll work on this set. I’ll go visit that bitch’s parents. I’ll do whatever you want as far as this job is concerned. But don’t you ever leave me alone with her again. Because I’m not making any promises.”