Wilda shook her head. “You knew the risks.” She turned back to Kelly. “Did you and Sloan manage not to harm each other?”
Kelly lifted her chin. “Yes. Though it was a struggle.”
Wilda narrowed her eyes and looked into Kelly’s. She smiled slightly. “Good.” When she turned to Tempest, she sent her sister what she had picked up from Kelly.
Tempest’s smiled widely. Her blue eyes danced. She grabbed Kelly by the arm and propelled her toward the couch. “Let’s hear all about it.”
Kelly laughed as the women flanked her. “Not so fast.” She looked at one and then the other. “What happened on the set? Anything new and exciting?”
“Same old thing.” Tempest tucked Kelly into the couch and then leaned forward. “About the trip…” she began.
Wilda scowled. “Tempest.” Her sharp tone immediately gained Tempest’s attention.
Kelly looked from one to the other and grinned. “I recognize that tone.” She looked at Wilda. “You’re the older sister, correct?”
“Yes. But we have two more. Eden is the oldest, and Kendra is the youngest.”
“Wow. I’m an only child.” Kelly leaned closer to Tempest. “Was it hard living with her?” She jerked her head toward Wilda.
Tempest’s laughter pealed throughout the room. She dabbed at her eyes with a silver handkerchief. “Oh, child. You have no idea what she’s capable of.”
Wilda’s lips twitched. “That’s nothing compared to what I’m capable of now, sister dear.”
Kelly laughed. And then she looked at the pair and snapped her fingers. “I almost forgot. I brought you two back something from home.” She jumped up hurriedly and hustled down the hall.
Wilda watched fondly as Kelly left. She turned to Tempest when she lost sight of Kelly.
“Tempest! You are to let that woman tell us herself. You are not to pry. Do you understand?”
Tempest sighed. “I know!” She glanced toward the hallway. “But it’s so hard.” She lowered her voice further. “Sloan’s the key, isn’t he?”
“I think so.” Wilda nodded. “But we can’t push. Mortals become obstinate when that happens.”
“Tell me about it.” Tempest’s blue eyes were calculating. “When are you going to give her the second gift?”
Wilda closed her eyes briefly. “It’s not time yet. I’ll know when. But for now, I’m still to guide her.”
Kelly walked back into the living room with a bag in each hand. She gave one to Wilda and the other to Tempest.
“Here you go, ladies.”
She watched as each woman looked inside the bag. Wilda smiled as she took out the homemade bath salts. Tempest held hers up.
“Thank you, Kelly! These are beautiful.”
Kelly grinned. “There’s a woman who makes bath gifts in the area. I thought you two would like them.”
“They’re lovely.” Wilda smiled and hugged Kelly. She put her bath salts up and guided Kelly toward the couch. “Now tell us about your trip.”
“It was nice.” Kelly’s tone was as vague as possible.
“Nice?” Tempest echoed. She arched an eyebrow. “Is that all you have to say?”
“Hush!” Wilda glared at her younger sister.
Kelly shook her head. “It was nice to be back home on the farm.”
“And how did the sketches go?” Wilda studied Kelly’s face.
“Very well, apparently.” Kelly smiled. “Sloan seemed to get what he came for.”
“Indeed.” Tempest snorted.
Kelly looked from one sister to the other.
“Is there something, anything, perhaps you two aren’t telling me?”
Wilda sighed. “We like Sloan. And we think he would be a nice sort of fellow for you to know.”
Kelly didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She simply sat there shaking her head. “I have the feeling this is what it’s like in a family full of siblings.” She put one hand on Wilda’s and the other on Tempest’s.
“I am perfectly capable of finding a nice sort of fellow. Believe me. Though I do appreciate both of your help. Really.” She patted them one last time and stood up. “Would either of you care for something to drink?”
“Water for both of us, please.” Wilda smiled.
“Okay.”
When Kelly turned around, Wilda leaned forward to Tempest. “I swear that if you push any harder, I’ll come and visit your mortal. How would you like that?”
Tempest sighed and pouted. “I’m only trying to help.”
“I know, love.” Wilda nodded. “But this is a delicate situation. And you’re rather a bull in a China shop.”
Instead of being offended, Tempest threw back her head and laughed. “That I am.”
Kelly returned, grinning and holding two glasses of water. “And what do you two find so amusing?”
Wilda took a sip of water and smiled. “Subtleties and my sister’s absolute lack of having them.” She glanced at the clock on the wall. “I hate to leave so soon, but I have plans this evening.”
Tempest looked puzzled as she stared at her sister. Wilda narrowed her emerald eyes, and Tempest nodded. “Sorry, Kelly. But we look forward to having you back tomorrow.”
“What?” Kelly asked. “No gossip? No tantrums? I don’t get any information about what happened while I was gone?”
Wilda stood quickly. “Sorry, Kelly. But we’ll catch up tomorrow.” She whisked Tempest up and out of the house before Kelly could scarcely blink.
When the sisters left, Kelly walked back into the house and reset the alarm. Odd behavior from the pair of them. Made her wonder what exactly went on while she was gone. She cleaned up the living room and went back to her bedroom. Maybe a little nap would help.
Kelly woke up later and looked over at the package on her dresser. Bryan sent over the week’s script, and it had been waiting for her when she arrived home. She walked over and snatched it up. Tearing the top, she removed it and began to read. Her smile broadened as she read page after page. It was going to be one hell of a storyline.
* * * *
Kelly’s alarm woke her bright and early Monday morning. She stretched and rolled over. The alarm clock mocked her. She flipped it off and then laughed. Mornings rather sucked.
At least she had the forethought of picking out the clothes she was wearing today. The peach yoga pants and tank would be comfortable enough to lounge in between takes. And she had an overwhelming feeling that today would be one long-ass day.
Kelly cleaned up quickly, grabbed her soda, and hit her truck at a dash. She cranked the radio and sipped her soda on the way to the lot. The guard waved her in, and she grinned and waved back.
She parked and hopped out quickly. Her tote was swung around her arm, and she tried to balance everything. When she turned around, she ran right into someone.
“Well. Isn’t that nice?” The voice was snide. “The queen returns.”
Chapter 15
Matt stood there with his arms crossed. “Nice of you to join us, Kelly. How was your trip?”
Kelly glanced at the paper under Matt’s arm and inwardly sighed. The stupid ass was obviously in a knot because her picture was in the paper and none of it involved him.
“Go away, Matt.” She waved her hand at him. “I’m busy. And you’re irritating.” Kelly sidestepped him and walked briskly for the stage door.
“Hey! Wait up!” Matt trotted up beside her.
She rolled her eyes and kept walking. He roughly grabbed her arm right before she ducked into her dressing room. Kelly turned on him with fire in her eyes.
“Touch me again,” she warned, “and you’ll regret it.” Her green eyes flashed in her face.
Matt’s eyes narrowed. “Listen, Miss High-and-Mighty, I just wanted to warn you.” He shook the paper in her face, and she snatched it. “No one likes actresses who sleep with the help.” He turned on his heel and strode away.
Kelly shut the dressing room door behind her and opened the paper up. She g
roaned in frustration. Great. Just damn great. She threw the paper on her vanity. Interfering bastards.
She was brooding by the time Wilda and Tempest joined her.
Wilda took one look at her and then the paper, which was still open to the picture in front of her. She picked it up and studied it.
“They didn’t capture Sloan’s best side.”
Kelly looked at her and broke into laughter. She was holding her sides when Tempest walked in.
“You are too much!” Kelly shook her head. She shook the paper out again and studied herself and Sloan.
Wilda winked at Tempest over Kelly’s head.
They quickly dressed Kelly for her scene and fixed her hair. As soon as she was ready, they led her out onto the sets and waited for her comments.
Kelly stopped in her tracks and her breath whooshed out of her. The set crew had taken off the canvas covering the sets. She walked over to the wall closest to her and touched it delicately. The ivory and blue design moved gracefully up and across each wall. Small streaks of silver raced between the paint and swirled playfully along.
A round beam of light lit up the middle of the room from above. Kelly looked up and smiled. A high-watt bulb illuminated the floor where the skylight in her castle had been.
“It’s perfect.” She sighed.
Bryan came up behind her and hugged her. “Sloan did a fantastic job with the sketches.”
“Where is he?” Kelly’s green eyes darted around the set.
“The crew worked all night, Kelly. And they’ll be hard at it the rest of this week. He’s probably home sleeping right now.”
“Ah.” She bit down sharply on the disappointment. Her hand traced the paint pattern again, and she smiled. When she turned to Bryan, her green eyes were bright. “Let’s make magic.”
* * * *
Kelly threw herself into her part and embraced her character. For once, Felicia was not the one in control, and Kelly made sure every viewer saw that. Christian gave the performance of a lifetime as a love-struck man who would do anything to free the woman he loved from her life of wealth and greed.
The first day they simply established the connection between the two. Christian would wink at her between takes as he tied her up in her “castle” and professed his desire for her. Felicia struggled against her bonds and made it abundantly clear she would have him drawn and quartered when she was released.
At the end of the day, Kelly’s wrists were a little sore, but she was utterly satisfied with her performance. She and Christian were so caught up in acting that they didn’t hear Bryan yell, “Cut!” at first. And when they finally did, the whole soundstage broke out in applause. Christian scooped Kelly up, and they both bowed low.
When they stood, Kelly grinned at her coworkers. And then she saw Matt and Christy huddled on the far side by the outside door. Neither was smiling, and Christy had a look on her face that could have cut glass.
Bryan rushed over and hugged Kelly. “Beautiful, Kelly. Absolutely beautiful!” He grinned. “I’ll get that over to the Sparks as soon as possible.”
Kelly thanked him and then hugged Christian. “Not bad, boy toy.” They watched as Bryan hurried off to print the tape.
Christian snickered. “You better remember who has whom tied up, woman.” The smug look slid off his face. His blue eyes widened a bit.
“Yes?” Kelly looked up and waited patiently.
“Summer needed the car today.”
Kelly blinked twice and waited for him to say more.
“I need a ride please.” Christian’s tone was soft and pleading.
“Ah, I see.” Kelly put her hands on her hip. “You’ve just had me tied up all day, laughed maniacally while tying me up, and I’m supposed to give you a ride home?”
“Kelly, please.” He sighed. “If I’m late, she’s going to kill me.”
“And my problem would be?” she asked.
“Okay! Okay!” He threw his hands up. “I won’t tease you at all tomorrow.”
Her green eyes studied his blue ones. “Promise?”
“Yes.” He sighed heavily.
“Good. Let’s go change, and I’ll give you a lift.”
* * * *
Kelly met Christian fifteen minutes later outside her dressing room door. His hand was raised to knock when she opened the door.
Christian slung his arm around her and took her bag. “Ready to go?”
“More than.” Kelly grinned up at him and then felt her skin prickle. She glanced around and saw Sloan walking toward them. He was wearing his work clothes, and Kelly’s mouth went dry. Her hands itched to touch his skin, and she hurriedly stuck them in her pockets.
Sloan stopped right in front of the pair and looked from Kelly to the man beside her.
“The sets are beautiful.” Kelly’s voice was soft as she looked up into Sloan’s hazel eyes.
“Thanks.” The word was clipped.
Kelly stiffened immediately, and Christian looked from one to the other. He opened his mouth to speak and then snapped it shut. Then he bent down and whispered in Kelly’s ear.
She glanced up at him with a look of disbelief on her face. “What?” she asked. And then she realized what Christian was doing as she watched Sloan clench his fists.
Kelly glared at Christian and then Sloan. “Men!” She stomped off and left the pair there.
Christian looked at Sloan and shook his head. “Quit mistaking the two of them. Kelly has a heart of gold. Felicia doesn’t have a heart, or at least one she’s aware of yet. Her motivator is money.” He started to walk off when Sloan grabbed his arm.
“So there’s not…”
Christian smiled. “My girlfriend would kick my ass.” He nodded to the soundstage. “Nice sets, man.” Then he took off at a trot for the exit.
Kelly was drumming her hands on the steering wheel when Christian climbed into the truck. She turned on him with a furious expression.
“You are an utter jackass.” She shook her head. “I ought to make you walk home. So much for your damn promise.”
“C’mon, Kel. I was just jerking your man around. We straightened it out. And besides, I promised for tomorrow. I didn’t say anything about today.”
Kelly’s head swiveled back toward Christian. “Straightened it out?” Her voice was deadly calm. “What in the hell does that mean exactly?” She started the truck and pulled out of the lot. “You two need to straighten out your own business before you step into mine.”
“He likes you.” Christian’s voice became teasing. “He wanted to kick my ass.”
“God,” Kelly muttered. “I don’t need this kind of complication.”
Christian tried one more time to start a conversation, but Kelly cranked the radio up louder and refused to look at him. They pulled up in front of Christian’s house fifteen minutes later.
Summer was gardening in the front yard in a bikini and a pair of flip-flops. The young blonde waved at Kelly and walked over.
“Thanks, Kelly.” She shot a glance to Christian. “Did he behave today?”
Kelly glared at him. “Not hardly.”
Christian smiled weakly and hurried out of the cab of the truck. He banged his knee on the door and cursed loudly.
Kelly snickered and winked at Summer. “See if you can straighten him out.”
“It’s a thankless job, but I’ll do my best.” Summer sighed.
Both women watched as Christian walked up the sidewalk, heavily favoring his sore knee.
“Cut it out!” Summer yelled. “I know when you’re acting.”
They watched as the limping ceased, and Christian’s shoulders slumped dejectedly. Summer grinned at Kelly. “Have a good night.”
Kelly pulled away with her mind racing. The emotional intensity of the day was wearing her down. The sets were absolutely amazing, and she could transport herself away to a different world in them. Sloan’s work was top-notch.
But the mere thought of Sloan brought back desires she couldn’t ta
mp down so easily. Her body tightened in arousal and broke out in goosebumps. She had wanted more than anything to wrap herself around him and not let go. The mere thought shook her more than she would ever admit.
History told her to leave it alone, but her mind and body wished for more. Kelly vowed to confront Sloan tomorrow and finally bring everything out in the open.
* * * *
The rest of Kelly’s week was a blur of costume changes, set changes, and ibuprofen. She would show up early to work and wait patiently while Wilda and Tempest fixed her hair and costume for the day.
Her wardrobe became more ragged as the days passed. They had to make sure she looked exactly like she had at the end of the previous day’s shooting. It was tedious, but Kelly knew the result would be outstanding.
Kelly waited Tuesday evening until five o’clock, but Sloan didn’t show up. Bob walked over and explained that Sloan had plans that evening but he would be back Wednesday. She thanked him and went home. And then she made sure the following days she was gone by the time Sloan arrived. She simply wasn’t equipped to deal with all the emotional intensity at the time.
Twice during the week, Christy cornered Kelly and acted as though they were great friends. Kelly could see right through the façade but didn’t understand why Christy would even put forth the effort.
Friday afternoon when Bryan dismissed the cast, Kelly slid her feet into some slippers and walked slowly over to the table piled high with snacks and food. She bit into a bagel and chewed thoughtfully.
“Excuse me, Miss?”
Kelly turned and looked into the baby blue eyes of a young man who was nervously holding out a piece of paper and a pen. His blonde hair flipped carelessly over his forehead and was a bit shaggy all around. He had a muscular build and was obviously on set to work on the designs for her castle. His clothes were spattered with paint, and he had a hammer tucked into his toolbelt.
“Would you please sign this?” His gaze darted nervously around.
“Sure.” Kelly smiled tiredly and took the pen. She opened her mouth again when Bob came around the corner with a scowl.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m sorry.” The young man motioned to Kelly. “I only wanted an autograph.”
Fire Goddess Page 17