Fire Goddess

by Crystal Inman

  She touched Bob’s sleeve gently. “It’s fine, Bob. I don’t mind.” Kelly turned back towards the young man. “And you’re name?”

  “Steven Cross. With a ‘v’,” he added. His intent blue eyes never left her face.

  “Okay, Steven Cross with a ‘v.’” She signed with a flourish and handed the paper back. “Have a nice weekend.”

  “Thank you, Felicia.” He turned and scurried away before Bob could say anything else.

  Bob shook his head. “That boy can build sets, but he’s a dreamer. I’ve found him tracing the patterns with his hand and mumbling under his breath about fairy tales and such.”

  “You and Sloan didn’t hire him?”

  “Nope. Bryan had some part in it. He’s related to someone on the cast. I don’t even want to know who.” Bob shook his head and walked off with a chuckle.

  Kelly rubbed her eyes and shuffled off to her dressing room. Wilda and Tempest were both waiting for her. Tempest brushed out her hair while Wilda cleaned her up and slid a simple sundress over her.

  When Wilda touched Kelly’s hand to get her attention, a shock went through her. Her hand clamped down on Kelly’s.

  “Ouch!” Kelly looked up at Wilda quickly. “What happened?”

  “A spasm.” Wilda voice soothed away Kelly’s worries. “You need not worry, child.”

  Kelly stood up ten minutes later and thanked them both. “I’ll see you both Monday.” She waved wearily as she left.

  Wilda waited until she knew Kelly was out of earshot.

  “What?” Tempest’s voice was urgent, and her blue eyes were round with worry.

  “Something is going to happen.” Wilda’s emerald eyes narrowed. “Something I cannot change. And Kelly will have the chance to find out how strong she really is.”

  * * * *

  Kelly walked out the soundstage door to her truck and stopped in her tracks. Sloan was parked right beside her, leaning against his truck. He straightened up when he saw her, and she hid her smile.

  “Are you done for the day?”

  “Yes.” Kelly stopped about two feet from him. She looked up into his hazel eyes. “Can I help you with something?”

  His mouth tightened. “No.” He turned to go when Kelly grabbed his arm.

  “Wait.” She blew out a breath. “I’m sorry. It’s been a long week.” Her emerald eyes were weary.

  Sloan ran his hands through his hair. “I was wondering if you had plans this evening.”

  Kelly cocked her head to the side and studied the man in front of her. “Me and the tub.” She spoke again before she could question herself. “Care to join us?”

  * * * *

  Kelly watched Sloan in her rearview mirror as she drove up her driveway. He pulled in behind her and then turned to watch her wrought iron gates swing shut. She jumped out of the truck and opened the garage door. Sloan was behind her a second later.

  She guided him inside the house, shut the garage door, and set the alarm.

  When she turned into him, his arms tightened around her. His hazel eyes missed nothing. “You’re tired.”

  “Not that tired.” Kelly grinned and moved away from him. She held out her hand, and he took it. She led him down the hallway and into her room. When she started to take her dress off, Sloan’s hands stilled her.

  He bent down and grasped both sides of her dress in his hand and began lifting it slowly up her body. His hands brushed softly against her outer thighs as he stood slowly and lifted the dress over her head.

  Kelly sighed in contentment. “People help me in and out of clothes all day. But I’d say you’re my favorite.”

  “Good to know.” Sloan chuckled. The white lacy bra and panties accented Kelly’s every curve. He reached out and cupped her breasts in his hands while his mouth dipped to softly kiss the skin that wasn’t covered.

  She moaned and clutched his hair in her hand. “Sloan,” she murmured.

  “Shhh.” His hands were gentle as they reached around and unclasped the bra. Sloan pulled it from her shoulders and dropped it to the ground beside her. Then he bent once again and tenderly worked her panties down her legs.

  His lips brushed against bare skin as he worked his way lower and lower. Sloan held her steady as she stepped out of her panties and stood before him.

  Kelly reached out to him, but he simply shook his head and picked her up. Her arms wound round his neck, and she nuzzled closer to him.

  Sloan walked into the bathroom and sat down, Kelly still on his lap. He turned the bath taps on and waited for the warm water to fill the bathtub. He stroked Kelly’s red hair gently while the bath filled.

  When it was time, Sloan gently lowered Kelly down into the warm water and stepped back for moment. She opened emerald eyes and watched him speculatively.

  He smiled and moved down to his knees beside the tub. Sloan picked up the bath cloth and soaped it up. Kelly opened her mouth to question his intentions but Sloan shook his head, and she shut it again.

  Sloan lathered up the cloth and began moving it over Kelly’s skin. He took his time with every inch of her body. And then he washed her hair.

  Kelly sat and enjoyed his ministrations with a small smile on her face. His hands worked softly against her body and scalp. She was almost sleep when he picked her up and wrapped her in a towel on his lap.

  Sloan dried her off and then carried her back into her bedroom and laid her on the bed. Kelly tried to speak, but she felt her eyelids grow heavy and soon fell asleep. The last thing she remembered was Sloan’s hand gently stroking her hair.

  * * * *

  Kelly rolled over and told herself that opening her eyes was optional. The alarm clock didn’t ring, so it was obviously the weekend. She thought about her day yesterday and then sat bolt upright in bed.

  Her cheeks warmed as she remembered her evening and the feel of Sloan’s hands on her body. He gave me a bath. Kelly bit her lip as her body tingled in remembrance. She stood quickly and found her sea foam green robe to wrap around her bare body. And where is he now?

  Kelly walked down the hallway and glanced into the living room. Sloan was sitting on her couch engrossed in a television show. She walked slowly toward him and grinned. When she came close enough to him, she bent swiftly and kissed his cheek. He didn’t even flinch.

  She put her hands on her hip. “You were supposed to jump.”

  Sloan shrugged and still didn’t turn to her. “Heard you coming.” He took a sip of his soda and put it back on the coffee table.

  Kelly looked down at him and then swiftly walked around to step between him and the television.

  “Think you’re pretty slick, don’t you?” Her hands were on her hips, and she scowled down at him.

  Sloan looked up at her blandly. “Yes.” His hands snaked out and grabbed Kelly. He settled her onto his lap and grinned at her.

  His hands began to roam into the fold of her robe, and she smacked them down. Sloan’s lips twitched. “Possession is nine-tenths of the law, you know.”

  “Bite me.” Kelly mock scowled.

  “I plan to.” Sloan’s right hand traced her leg from ankle to thigh. “But I thought I would kiss you first.”

  He brought her mouth to his and traced her lips with his tongue. Kelly sighed, and he moved deeper inside of her mouth, flicking his tongue against hers.

  Kelly shifted closer to him and tried to move her legs on either side of him. Sloan undid the tie on her robe and spread the sides of it open. She could feel the cool breeze on her bare skin when Sloan’s mouth closed over her nipple.

  Instant heat slammed through her as he licked against the hard nub. Kelly moaned and pulled him as close as she could against his skin. When he lifted his mouth, she brought it to hers again.

  She quickly undid the buttons on his shirt, and she traced his smooth muscles with her hands. They continued to kiss while exploring each other’s bodies. Kelly’s breath caught as Sloan’s hand moved down her body and between her legs.

  He stroked
her delicately, and her body tightened in pleasure. Spirals of desire shot through her, and she clutched Sloan’s shoulders as she rocked gently against him.

  Her mouth broke contact with his, and Kelly opened her eyes to find Sloan watching her. She moved her hips against his hand again, and his eyes grew darker. Kelly licked her lips slowly.

  “Sloan,” she breathed. Her green eyes dilated in pure pleasure.

  “Yes.” His voice was a low growl in the room. Sloan bent forward and nipped at her throat.

  Kelly felt indescribable pleasure build inside her and then break over her body. She quivered as the shocks ran through her over and over again.

  Their breathing was ragged in the stillness of the room. Kelly paused to find her voice. And then she looked back at Sloan.

  “Are you going to finish what you’ve started?”

  His hazel eyes widened and then narrowed. “Is that a challenge?”

  “Maybe.”

  “I see.” His voice was contemplative.

  Kelly watched Sloan roll up his sleeves to his unbuttoned shirt and then study her. He glanced to the left, and Kelly glanced there, too. And that’s when he pounced.

  * * * *

  Kelly woke Sunday in the living room with her body sprawled on top of Sloan’s. They were haphazardly covered with the comforter she sometimes kept on the back of the couch.

  The morning sun filtered through her back doors and lit on Sloan’s face. She studied him in the silence. He was utterly beautiful. Her hands traced every feature and then moved down his body. She was as far as his belly when his hand shot out to stop her.

  “You’re killing me.” His voice was amused.

  “But what a way to go.” Kelly beamed up at him.

  Sloan cupped her face in his hands. “Why don’t you cook us some breakfast? We’ll eat like civilized people. Clean up. And then jump each other’s bones again.”

  Kelly scrambled around. Sloan groaned and then his arms tightened around her. The evidence of his arousal was pressed against her.

  “Maybe that was a little premature.”

  “Nope.” She stood quickly and stretched.

  Sloan’s hazel stare followed her every move. She grinned down at him. “I’ll make food. You make yourself useful.” She motioned around her living room, which looked as if wild monkeys had invaded.

  Kelly walked around the side of the couch, plucked her robe off of it, and then stepped into the kitchen. She opened the refrigerator and began pulling out food for breakfast. When she shut the door, she glanced into the living room.

  Sloan walked around nude, picking up pieces of clothing and blankets. Kelly watched him for several minutes before he glanced up.

  “May I help you?”

  “I love your hands.”

  He chuckled. “Thanks.”

  She walked back into the living room and touched a horseshoe-shaped scar on his back. “I hadn’t noticed this before. What happened?”

  Sloan bent to put on a pair of shorts and then turned to look at Kelly. “A poor decision.”

  She arched an eyebrow. “Rather vague, set designer.”

  He shook his head. “Long story short. My girlfriend was in bed with a coworker. When I walked in on them, she explained that they hadn’t finished, and I could take over.”

  Kelly’s mouth dropped into an O.

  “Exactly.” Sloan’s expression was grim. “I told her no, using several other words, and she threw her high heel at me.” He reached behind him to touch the scar. “And that’s what I have to show for it.”

  She placed her lips gently against the scar. “I wear flats.” Kelly snickered as she walked off.

  Sloan shook his finger at her. “Laugh now. The son of a bitch bled forever.” He bent to pick up the rest of the clothes when the phone rang.

  Kelly listened as her agent left a message about a movie deal. She shook her head and began whisking her eggs. When she turned to ask Sloan how hungry he was, she noticed an odd expression on his face.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Does that happen a lot?”

  “What?”

  Sloan motioned toward the phone. “Movie deals. Premieres. Things like that.”

  Kelly sighed. “It’s part of my job, Sloan. You have your buildings. I have Felicia.”

  “I don’t mind people entering my buildings,” he said archly.

  She threw back her head and laughed. As soon as she sobered up, she looked at Sloan. “And what are you saying?”

  “I want you to be mine.” His hazel eyes looked deeply into her emerald ones. “Only mine.”

  Kelly stepped back for a minute. “Do you know what you’re asking?”

  “That I want you to be my girlfriend?” he said hopefully.

  The familiar panic struck deep within her, and she pushed it down with an effort. “I can give that a shot.” Her tone was light and teasing even though her pulse raced.

  “C’mere.” Sloan crooked his finger. “We need to rehearse.”

  She went into his arms willingly.

  Chapter 16

  Kelly’s days settled into a schedule that she began to look forward to. Each morning she woke early and arrived on set. Wilda and Tempest would talk to her while she readied herself for the scenes of the day. When shooting was finished, she would drive home and wait for Sloan to call.

  On the nights he worked on the set, they would talk on his break. And on the nights Sloan was free, he would meet Kelly at her house for dinner.

  After the third week, Matt stopped Kelly in the doorway of her dressing room.

  “You really are stupid.”

  Kelly turned around and set her jaw. “If you talk to me like that again, you better have a doctor on speed dial. Because I’m sick of your mouth.”

  “Do you know what the rumors are on the set?”

  “I could give a shit less, Matt. Now get out of my face.” She pushed him aside and tried to shut the door.

  He brushed past her and then shut the door behind him. When he turned, his eyes were flashing in his face. “I gave you every opportunity to be with me. The publicity would have been off the chart. And now you’re screwing the set guy.”

  Kelly shook with anger. She stepped closer to Matt and put her finger in his chest. “Get the hell out of my dressing room right now. And if you continue to harass me, I’ll notify Bryan. Got that?”

  Matt moved quickly and pulled Kelly to him. He smashed her mouth into his, grinding his teeth against her. She struggled against him and kneed him in the crotch as her door opened.

  He doubled over in pain. “You bitch.”

  Kelly watched Sloan storm into the room, and she then moved backwards. There was murder in his eyes. He grabbed Matt by the hair and slammed him against the wall. Moving quickly, he snatched his knife out of his boot and brought it up to Matt’s face.

  “If you touch her again, I’ll make sure that not even the make-up lady can fix your face. Understand?”

  Matt’s gaze shifted to Kelly’s and were bright with hate.

  “Yeah,” he snarled.

  Sloan let go of him and pushed him out of the room. “And you are no longer allowed in this room.” He slammed the door shut.

  Kelly watched the back of Sloan for a minute, waiting for him to turn around. After a minute, she touched his back softly.

  She watched him turn around slowly. His jaw was set, and his pure fire was reflected in his eyes. He reached up and touched her swollen lips with his fingers.

  “Stay away from him.”

  Kelly shook her head. “I was. The asshole followed me in here.” She sat in her chair and sighed.

  “I’ll talk to Bryan.”

  “No!” She came out of her seat. “If he continues to show his ass, I’ll talk to Bryan. But I think after the whole knife incident, he’ll think twice.” Kelly watched Sloan. “Where did you learn to palm a knife like that?”

  A grin split his face. “A bored boy with too much time on his hands.”

/>   “Handy,” she murmured.

  Sloan moved closer and placed his lips gently against hers.

  The door flew open, startling them both. Christy stood in the doorway, wearing the tightest clothes known to man. The tank top barely covered her breasts while the shorts came inches above the curve of her ass.

  Kelly watched the girl’s eyes narrow and then a small smile spread across her face. “Small change of plans, Kelly. Bryan wants Christian and you to rehearse a new scene.” She threw a script on the vanity. “Here are the new lines.”

  “Thanks. And knocking would be nice.” Kelly picked up the papers and waited for Christy to leave. When the girl didn’t move, she waved the script around. “Anything else?”

  “Not a thing.” Christy’s smile was painted on as she left.

  Sloan sighed. “You have to go to work, and I need a nap. Your precious sets are kicking my ass.”

  “How’s your Stanton Building?”

  He smiled at her. “Wonderful. Thanks for asking.” He kissed her forehead. “I’ll see you later.”

  Kelly watched him leave and then picked up the new lines. Wilda walked in five minutes later with Tempest in tow. She walked over to Kelly and touched her mouth.

  “What happened?”

  “Walked into a door.” Kelly shook the script out and began reading the lines as Wilda picked out her clothes and Tempest fixed her hair.

  Wilda walked back over and sat down beside her. “There’s talk you’re a shoo-in for the Sparks.” She looked at Kelly with a knowing smile. “This new storyline has the fans lighting up the message boards for the show.”

  Tempest laughed. “She doesn’t seem interested, Wilda.”

  Kelly shook her head. “I’m cautiously optimistic.” She watched Tempset apply make-up to her that resembled dirt. Being held hostage by the love of her life was hell on her looks. Felicia was being held captive in a homemade castle by Christian’s character. He was attempting to break through to her and prove his love.

  She turned her head one way and then the other. “I hope Felicia realizes how much she loves him soon.” Kelly showed both women her lines. “Because it looks as though you’ll be applying dirt and ripped clothes for awhile.”