Between Takes

by Morgana Bevan

  “No,” I whispered, needing to say the words but also wishing I could keep lying to myself. “I’ve never had someone make me shiver with just the brush of a hand.”

  Isla whistled. “Now I’m hot and I’ve not even got a man. Jeez, Mona, you need to do something about this.” I opened my mouth to argue, but she cut me off before I could so much as huff. “I don’t mean with him – although I still say there’s nothing wrong with following industry norms. If your lusting after him has nothing to do with him, then find someone else and scratch the itch.”

  I covered my eyes and groaned. “Finding someone else” meant having a life, and having a life meant not working for Shaun. Because one, my hours weren’t sociable, and two, even if I did manage to “find someone else”, there was no way in hell I could go out without Shaun giving me grief about it, or worse, tagging along. He seemed to have a sixth sense for my making after-work plans. And what if I was drunk and Shaun fell off the wagon? I couldn’t exactly help him course correct if I was also drunk.

  “Fastest way to get to the root of it all,” Isla said, her voice matter-of-fact, as if she knew the thoughts warring inside my head.

  Why did she have to make sleeping with Shaun seem like such a good idea? Now it would be all I could think about.

  I hung up more frustrated than when I’d answered. Actually, when I’d answered, I’d been living in blissful ignorance land. But that was no longer an option.

  Damn meddling sisters.

  Chapter Eighteen

  We had a rare late call time, and I’d intended to make the most of it – catching up on lost sleep. Thanks to Isla, it ended up being more about making up for lost hours tossing and turning, caught too deeply in thoughts about Shaun and whether this thing I felt was real.

  In a lust sense, of course.

  I had zero interest in starting something with an actor who had been off the rails not even a month ago.

  Unfortunately, a late call time did not mean the day went smoother. If anything, this well-oiled machine had frayed at the edges. The entire day had lagged behind, and now the sun was going down. Worse, the set was still ablaze, the cameras continuing to roll.

  I didn’t really understand what had gone wrong, but whatever it was had landed me in a trailer with Shaun as the sun set. It wasn’t a sight I thought I needed to see, but now that I was seeing it, it would haunt me.

  The soft orange light played through the window, caressing his face and highlighting angles I’d never noticed before… and put some particular emphasis on his lips. (But that might have just been my overstimulated imagination at work.) Either way, I could have done without noticing them.

  Shaun banged his head against the back of the sofa, growling, “Can you find out how long they’re going to be? I’m bored out of my freaking mind.” His gaze focused on the ceiling, and I was grateful to it for distracting him.

  Do you see what Isla’s done to you, Mona? Grateful to the ceiling!

  I picked up the radio and called in Shaun’s request for an update. The answer made neither of us happy.

  “What the hell are we going to do for an hour?” Shaun grumbled.

  He’d been in a mood all day. As far as I could tell, it had nothing to do with the delays. I crossed my arms and assessed him. Had he fallen off the wagon and this was him lashing out because he’d failed?

  He met my critical gaze with a quirked brow. “You alright there, Sparky?”

  “Pretty sure I should be asking you that question.”

  He studied me, and for a second, I actually thought he would share. Instead, he shook his head and averted his gaze. Frustrated, I stomped over to him, sinking into the sofa cushion next to him with my legs folded under me.

  “What is it? If you’ve had a drink, it’ll be okay. We’ll start again.”

  A small smile graced his lips. “I haven’t had a drink, but thanks for worrying about me.”

  I frowned. “You’re in a mood. If it’s not that, then why?”

  He scanned my face with an intensity that made me squirm. Then his eyes dropped to my mouth, hovering there for what felt like hours. They darkened as I bit my bottom lip.

  He leant towards me and my body responded as if pulled by a magnetic force. His fingers danced along my cheek, scattering tingles down my body. Something clenched tight and low in my stomach. A flighty thought screamed at me to pull away, that this was a mistake, but it was faint and I could barely focus on anything but the desire in his eyes.

  “I can’t hold back anymore, Mona. I can’t stop thinking about how your lips would taste after you’ve told me off,” he whispered, smirking as his eyes dared me to react.

  That was right about the moment my head started spinning. He wanted me? It was like my brain was trying to merge two contrasting realities. My smile was slow to grow, but I couldn’t stop it when all the facts aligned. All the brooding looks, the biting comments, the touching, the almost-kiss at aerial silks. I’d refused to believe my instincts. But they were right all along.

  With slow, measured movements, he tilted my face up and lowered his. Unbearable seconds ticked by as he gave me ample time to pull away. His lips hovered inches from mine. Then impatience got the better of me.

  My hands slid behind his neck and pulled his face towards mine. I claimed his lips, my movements urgent and hungry, stoking the embers of desire in us both.

  One of Shaun’s hands dropped to my side, gripping my hip, pulling me forward until I fell against his hard chest. His hands moved up my torso and around my back, pressing us together until there wasn’t an inch of separation.

  Then, his lips parted from mine. We both panted for breath, staring at each other with equal measures of yearning and surprise.

  “What do you want, Mona?”

  My brow furrowed. Why was he asking me questions? Now that I knew he felt this draw too, I didn’t want to think. I wanted this need to go away and maybe, just maybe, if we gave in, it would free me from this odd fascination.

  “You. I want you.”

  He smiled, his lips reaching for another kiss, and I leaned into him without hesitation. My tongue danced with his, tangling in a long, drugging kiss that clouded out all other thoughts.

  Shaun released my lips, pressing soft kisses along my jaw before pulling back to consider me. “I’ve wanted you since the first day.”

  I smirked. “So you tried to run me off?”

  “Yes,” he groaned. “I’m so glad it didn’t work.”

  Placing his strong hands on my hips again, he lifted me into his lap until I straddled him. Our mouths fused together again, caressing, licking, nipping. My hands slid into his hair and my nails dragged across his scalp, making him shiver. Titling my head to the side, I deepened the kiss and revelled in how good it felt to be pressed against him. Feeling the bulge in his jeans scattered the rest of my common sense.

  With me in his arms, Shaun stood without so much as a grunt of effort and lifted me onto the table. He kissed me again, as a hand brushed along my body. Another slipped into my hair, pulling my head back and deepening the kiss. I moaned against his mouth, urging him on.

  Our clothes weren’t coming off fast enough. My hands caught at his t-shirt and began to pull. I wanted it off, but Shaun seemed too focused on devouring my mouth. I tugged hard at the material – there might have been a growl when he didn’t react the way I wanted.

  Chuckling, Shaun leant back and brought the t-shirt up over his head. He dropped it on the floor then reached for me again, smirking. Neither of us wasted any time. His lips returned to mine, eager and full. My hands smoothed across his hard muscles, mapping out his hot skin.

  He tugged my thin cami top free from my skirt before his hands skimmed my torso, bunching the material there and sending goose bumps skipping across my skin. I shivered as he brought the top over my head and his feverish eyes roamed my body.

  Shaun’s restless hands palmed my breasts through my bra, while his lips reclaimed my mouth. His fingers teased my ni
pples through the lace, sending shocks to my core. He swallowed my moans as frustration got the better of him. He growled, and my bra went flying across the trailer.

  The sound shocked me out of the frenzy, and we both paused, staring at each other, breathless. He actually growled.

  I laughed. “In a bit of a rush there?”

  “I’m impatient. It’s not newsworthy.” Shaun grinned.

  He swallowed my renewed laughter, invading my mouth with his tongue. His fingers sent tingles up my thighs as he bunched up my skirt. He dragged it up to my waist, pulling me closer and closer to the edge of the table until he had to force my legs to wrap around his waist for balance.

  He trailed kisses along my jaw and down my neck. I let my head fall back and enjoyed the sweet sensations. With my eyes shut, I was entirely unprepared for his next move. His tongue flicked my nipple and I jumped. I felt Shaun grin as he kissed my skin. My hands slipped into his hair again, holding him to my breast. His tongue returned to teasing the delicate skin, circling it until all I could do was moan.

  “Something you want to tell me?” The words vibrated against my sensitised skin.

  Did I tell him I hadn’t had sex in more than a year? I didn’t know if that was important information. I wasn’t the girl who had casual sex; yet there was always a first.

  My fingers tightened in his hair. He straightened up and pressed his forehead to mine. I couldn’t escape the concern in his eyes. “Mona?”

  “It’s been a while.”

  His face relaxed, and what I thought might be relief slithered across his face. “Define ‘a while’.”

  “A year at least.”

  He nodded. “Okay.” He lowered his head and sucked my nipple into his mouth, rolling it with his tongue.

  I groaned but stiffened at the same time. Why was this so damn confusing? “That’s it?”

  He released my flesh and leaned back again, sighing. “What were you expecting?”

  “I don’t know.” It came out a little high and squeaky. I cleared my throat and tried again. “But more than a nonchalant ‘okay’. You don’t think it’s weird?”

  Shaun stood up, his one hand slipped into my hair to massage my scalp, and the other smoothed along my jaw. There was an open and honest quality to him – not that he hadn’t been honest before, but it just felt raw, unedited.

  “I don’t really want to think about another man touching you, so I’m pretty happy with your year-long dry spell.”

  His eyes widened as his own words sank in. They bothered him for some reason. He stepped back, his cheeks turning red.

  “That sounded bad.”

  A huge smile overtook my face. “All I heard was ‘I want you all to myself’. Which is good, ’cause the feeling’s mutual.”

  Right now. It is mutual right now. Damn it, Mona, think before you speak.

  He studied me with narrowed eyes. “You’re sure?”

  “Might need you to elaborate.”

  “You still want this.”

  I nodded.

  “Need words here.”

  “Yes. I still want you to fuck me.”

  It was like a spark catching dry wood. He slammed his lips back to mine, kissing me frantically while our hands explored each other. His fingers returned to my leg, lightly easing up my inner thigh, heating up every nerve ending. They toyed with the edge of my underwear, teasing me with their lack of action.

  He pushed the material aside and slid a finger into the moisture pooling there. I jolted at that first contact, his touch electric.

  “Easy there.” Shaun’s arm wrapped around my waist, holding me still on the table.

  He grinned down at me while he continued to tease me. He worked me higher and higher until my head fell back, lost in the sensations created by his clever fingers. When the pressure broke, I collapsed back onto the table, uncaring of my office supplies or the fact I felt boneless from one orgasm.

  Shaun chuckled as he leaned over me. “You still alive there?”

  “Yes,” I grunted.

  His fingers grazed the skin at my hips, hooking into my underwear. “Do you want to keep going?”

  I nodded. I was probably wearing a dopey smile, but I didn’t care.

  Shaun dragged my underwear down my legs and I sat up quickly, shuffling back to the edge of the table. Shaun’s smirk stayed firmly in place. That self-satisfied gleam shone in his eyes and I let him keep it. He deserved it.

  I hooked a finger into his belt and pulled him back between my legs. Both his belt and jeans were decorating the floor in no time. I was wearing my skirt like a belt, but taking it off seemed more effort than it was worth. I was too busy watching as Shaun searched for a condom. I’d known he was toned and in great shape, but there was something decidedly hot about being able to touch all that delicious muscle.

  He caught me checking him out but made no comment as he returned to me with a knowing grin. He kissed me as he pushed my thighs further apart and positioned himself between them. I felt the teasing glide of his cock against my opening and groaned into his mouth. It was just a flutter, but oh boy.

  His grin grew as he nipped my lips and pressed into me. He slid in a couple of inches with ease, but it had been a long time since my body had experienced this and he wasn’t your average man. I stiffened against my will and he stilled.

  “Are you okay?” Shaun whispered, his fingers caressed the skin of my hips, trying to soothe away the discomfort.

  “I will be in a second.”

  He pushed me back onto the table until I lay flat on my back. He followed me down, catching my nipple in his mouth, teasing me until I squirmed beneath him. The pressure eased and he took advantage, slowly nudging deeper until he bottomed out.

  We were both shaking and moaning, but he didn’t move. I wrapped my legs around him and lifted my hips, trying to urge him on.

  He leaned back and met my impatient gaze. Amusement played on his face, but his eyes seemed concerned. “Is the pain gone?”

  “Why don’t you move and find out?”

  He frowned. “I’m not a fan of that plan.”

  “Shaun,” I groaned, letting my head fall back against the table.

  I was expecting him to keep resisting. Thankfully, he surprised me, retreating until just the tip remained. My eyes just about crossed with that friction, but then he slid back in and my back bowed.

  “I’ll take that to mean you’re good?”

  I bit my lip as he pulled out again. “Oh yeah, I’m good.”

  Shaun stood up straight then lifted my legs and pulled my lower half off the table, shifting me forward until I was completely in his control. In and out, he pumped, picking up speed as the pleasure grew, ratcheting the tension up until I couldn’t do much else but moan his name. It was a good thing he’d taken over. I’m not sure I could have kept up.

  The sounds of my moans and his grunts, the slap of flesh against flesh, filled the trailer. The walls weren’t that thick, and I threw my hand over my mouth, trying and failing to muffle my sounds.

  My back bowed again as I came, and again I cried out. Shaun collapsed on top of me as his release hit. He buried his face in my neck and pressed himself deeper.

  When the sweat began to cool on our skin, Shaun lifted his head and met my sleepy eyes. “I did not expect you to be a screamer.”

  I stiffened beneath him. “I’m not.”

  “Oh, so the ringing in my ears is just me?”

  I slapped his arm lightly. “That’s not funny.”

  I’d never been loud during sex, but I’d never had great sex before. My body still shook with sparks; I wasn’t surprised I couldn’t keep my mouth shut.

  He chuckled. “Alright, it wasn’t that loud.” He kissed me again, and his hand slipped beneath my head to help me hold it up. All of my energy had slipped away with that orgasm. He dragged his mouth along my jaw, pressing soft kisses to my skin. “I think making you scream my name is going to be my new favourite activity.”

  My f
ace fell as his words sunk in, and he pulled back, stepping away from me with a frown. He disposed of the condom, returning to find me chewing on my lip.

  We should have talked first, but how the hell was I meant to predict he’d want more than one night? My eyes widened. How was I meant to know I would?

  Fuck, fuck, fuck.

  This was not what I’d had in mind when I’d just let go. We were meant to put an end to it, scratch an itch and move on. In my head, at least.

  “We’re not doing that again, Shaun.”

  We couldn’t. Isla may claim it was the industry norm, but that didn’t mean I wanted to join them. I could not sleep with my boss. Again.

  “Like hell we’re not.” Determination hardened his features. “That was just the start.”

  “I’m your assistant. Think about how it would look if someone found out?”

  He ground his teeth. “Then we’ll make sure no one finds out.”

  “We just had sex in your trailer where anyone could have heard or walked in. Someone will find out.”

  He ran his hands through his hair. In any other moment, I’d find the sight of him naked distracting, but this wasn’t that moment. Why couldn’t he understand how much of a bad idea it was?

  “We’ll be careful.”

  “For what?” I snapped, pushing off the table. “So we can have sex and part ways after six months?”

  “I don’t know,” he snapped, pulling at his hair. “I haven’t thought that far ahead.”

  Wearing a bittersweet smile, I approached him, removed his hands from his head, and tried to convince him that there was no way this could work. He stared down at me, his face darkening as my resolve hardened.

  “We’re not reinventing a wheel here, Mona. It’s been done before.”

  “I’m not willing to risk my future in this industry. If the press found out, it would blow up on us. If someone on site found out…” I shook my head. “They’d never look at me the same again. All I’ve achieved, all the respect I’ve earned, they’d think the only reason you bent to me was because you were into me. Getting you back on track would be meaningless.”