by G S Binkley
Being browbeaten by your lover in front of fifty or so cast and crewmembers was not Gage’s idea of fun. Especially since, to her, she didn’t see the problem. Sammy was unhurt after his search and destroy mission to get to his mother. “So, you have to shoot it over.” Gage felt a great more confidence about her partner’s skills as an actor than Lacy did at the moment. “What’s the big deal?”
“It’s not.” Ryan watched the two embattled lovers in front of him. “Take five.” He yelled to the rest of the cast and crew.
The silence that brewed between the couple spiraled into a deafening tone as the others hurriedly left. Only Ryan and the other producer standing a distance from the set remained. Attempting his hand at mediating, Ryan said. “Lacy, Gage…. listen…..” The director was unable to force another word to his lips. The heated energy burning off the couple caused him to take a step back. Ryan had always considered himself a smart man and did the intelligent and safest thing to do. He existed, leaving the couple alone to sort it out.
Blue drilled into green. Gage was the first to flinch. God, it’s happening all over again… the movie. Lacy’s mad… I’m in trouble. But, this time I don’t know… Awakening from her own concerns, Gage finally noticed Lacy rub her temple again. “Lacy?” Gage tentatively reached for her, grabbing her partner’s upper arms before Lacy doubled over and fell to the floor. “Baby! What’s wrong?” The blonde’s trembling voice asked.
“I don’t feel… so…. well.” The weak woman pulled Gage closer.
Mark, who witnessed the whole thing, called the paramedics.
************************
Being married to the producer of your movie had its benefits. But, too much is too much. The very restless actor listened as Gage insisted that she take the next couple of days off. It was something she was very unwilling to do since she felt better that very night. As the lead actor on the movie, Lacy felt a great sense of obligation and responsibility to the success of the film. And, being a professional with a thoroughbred work ethic that was drilled into her by her hard-working ex-husband, Lacy reluctantly acquiesced. It was the pouting face and pleading words that came from Gage that crushed her resolve.
By the second day of rest, Lacy was chomping at the bit. “Gage, sweetheart, I’m fine… really.” She insisted.
The blonde cocked her hand on her hip and glared at her forced bed-ridden partner. “You are not getting out of that bed until the doctor gives you the okay. She’ll be here this afternoon.” Gage placed the tray of sandwiches and milk on the side table. “Here take your vitamins.”
“Only if you do.” Lacy insisted, and then mumbled. “The doctor already gave me the okay the other day.”
The patient waited until Gage grabbed one pill and swallowed it. “Happy now.”
Lacy popped in her own pill. “What about your iron pill?”
Ignoring her partner, Gage walked to the door and called the kids in before she turned back to Lacy. “We have something planned for you.”
When Gage came to Dani and asked for her to set something up to entertain their ailing mother, the young girl squealed in delight. She was in charge and it was something she loved to do. Entertain. Being the center of attention is right down my alley.
Gage flopped Sammy down next to his mother on the bed. “He wouldn’t play nice.” No matter how hard Dani, Derek or Gage tried to get Sammy to act in the little play Dani made up, he stubbornly refused. “Wanted his momma, go figure.”
Stella joined the waiting audience of two as the trio conspired together about the last details of their show. Leaning forward in her chair, the nanny asked Lacy. “Feeling better?”
“According to whom…. her?” Lacy pointed a frustrated finger at her lover. “Or, me?”
Stella’s green eyes delighted equaling her knowing smile. Over the last couple of days, Gage never stopped once except to comfort her partner. When Lacy was sleeping or resting, Gage took it upon herself to cook, clean and take care of the kids’ every need. She barely let the nanny help out at all. Somewhere in Gage’s mind the statement Lacy wielded at her about Stella being able to take care of the kids better than she could still haunted her. It was something Gage refused to share with Lacy, not wanting her partner to feel any guilt over the hurtful words. When Lacy tried to talk with Gage about it, the blonde shucked it off as if it was nothing. This further frustrated the younger woman when it came to her partner sharing her feelings.
The anxious blonde checked one more time on her partner. “You okay?” Gage brushed her lips against Lacy’s forehead. “No fever.” She declared.
“I never did have it.”
The older woman leaned in closer. “Just wanted to kiss you again. And, you know how Dani …..”
It was Dani’s turn to cock her hand on her hip. “Gage! If you’re finished making out with our mother then do you mind joining us on stage?”
Caught, the blonde’s shoulders slumped and she winked at Lacy. “Just like you…. demanding.” Gage scooted away before Lacy’s backhand caught up with her.
Dani allowed Gage to play second fiddle to her and Derek’s performance. She sang and danced while Gage and Derek supported the young star during her solo performance. Switching gears, the dark haired girl played a superhero young girl in pursuit of saving the world with Derek getting the cool part as the villain. Gage was reduced to acting like a very dense traveler roaming around haphazardly in the night. They each had to sing out their parts. When the villain was hawking the unsuspecting traveler, Dani’s superhero came to the rescue. Dani saved Gage from Derek’s evil villain before he skulked off into the dark night never to be heard of again. A very reluctant actor rolled her green eyes at the next part. Oh, well, I did ask her to come up with this whole thing. When Gage stepped forward for her big scene of the skit, she dropped down on her knee and sang out the praises of her savior.
Lacy and Stella laughed, Sammy giggled and a loud clap drew the blonde’s attention to the doorway. Having Mark and Julie catch her in a very embarrassing situation, Gage stood up and brushed her knee, mumbling. “What I won’t do for love.”
***********************
After Stella took the kids outside for a swim, Mark asked Gage if they could talk which left Julie alone with Lacy. “I thought you were feeling better? Relapse?” Julie Grant asked as she sat on the edge of the bed.
“No. Gage.” Lacy flipped back the sheet and stood then pulled off her nightgown, revealing the top and shorts she was secretly wearing. “Come on. I gotta get out of here for a while.”
************************
Lacy and Julie slipped out of the house unseen by her vigilant and overprotective partner. They came close to getting caught when she noticed Gage absently staring out the window as they ran across the yard. They slipped quickly behind the manicured bushes. Peeking out from behind the shrubbery, Lacy sighed after Gage turned her back to the window. Dropping down, the younger woman said. “God, I love that woman but she’s driving me crazy.”
The slightly shorter woman nodded. “Mark, can be like that.”
Lacy took a few moments to closely watch her friend. “You wanna talk?”
Julie nodded then said. “Maybe. But, first, honestly… how are you doing?”
“To be honest, I needed these last couple of days of rest. The doctor ran some tests but I’m feeling a hundred percent now. She gave me some vitamins… said I needed to eat better… and, yes, get more rest.” Lacy added flippantly. Placing a reassuring hand on her friend, Lacy concluded. “Stella had the flu over the weekend and I think I may have had a touch of it. That’s all.” Changing the boring subject, Lacy asked. “So, tell me? Trouble between you and Mark?”
“I like you, Lacy. Straight to the point.” The brown-eyed woman paused briefly before sharing her concerns with Lacy. “I think Mark’s going to break up with me.”
“What!” Lacy erupted in disbelief then softened her voice. “No way.”
Shaking her head, the dark haired w
oman continued. “Something’s up… that I know. Mark had to go to New York and help out his friend.” Lacy’s raised eyebrows caused the older woman to explain further. “Mitchell Stone is also Mark’s VP there. He’s having problems with his step-son.”
“Yeah, Gage told me something about that.” Lacy remembered the brief conversation they had regarding this subject.
“Mitch needed some time off. It was right around the same time a big contract was being negotiated and…. anyway, the family problems his VP is having…..they’ve separated recently.” The VP’s troubles hit too close to home for Mark and Julie. “Mark’s afraid even more so about a commitment…..you know, we’ve talked about it.”
Lacy heaved a heavy sigh. “Julie, that doesn’t automatically mean Mark will leave you just because……”
“That’s not all.” Julie interrupted her.
************************
“Gage. Can I get a little bit of your attention?” The blonde turned away from the window, focusing completely upon her friend.
“Julie’s going to leave me.” Mark revealed seriously.
“Does that mean we have to move out?” Gage piped up, trying to break his bleak mood. At first, she didn’t think he was serious. “I’m sorry. Me and my big mouth.” The blonde moved around the desk and leaned against it. “Mark, you have to do it.”
“I know.” Mark concluded then quickly changed his mind. “I can’t.”
“Mark, let me tell you something I’ve never even told Lacy.” A distinct frown crossed her face. That’s not saying much. I’ve not told her a lot of things. Recalling the many times her partner encouraged, prompted and enticed Gage to get her to talk about her past, the blonde remained elusive regarding that part of her life. “For years, I ran….ran from love, from life.” Gage knew her next words would hurt her friend. “Just like you did after your parents and wife….. died.”
Mark turned away.
“For years, Mark…. just like me. We both threw away the chances that came our way because we suffered a great loss. Both of us, Mark….” The blonde allowed only a brief moment to entertain a former lover to enter her mind. Gage hooked his chin, forcing him to face her. “…and where did it get us? Oh, yeah, you’re a big CEO with billions. Me… I did okay through the years, I guess.” Gage pulled up a chair next to Mark. “There was this moment, Mark, with Lacy when I thought that….” She remembered a more recent event. “As a matter of fact, what I talked with you about earlier.”
Mark scrunched his eyebrows in question.
“The talk Lacy had with her agent. Remember what you told me?” Gage finally smiled. “You were right. I was crying all over the fact that Lacy would be better off if we’d never met…. a person could make a case for it regarding Lacy… but, there’s one thing for sure. I wouldn’t be. Oh, sure, I’d be making movies and writing and such but, my life now. God, Mark, if you could just feel for one moment what I do having my family around me, loving me.”
Suddenly being flushed with an overwhelming feeling of the love Julie showered on him, Mark stopped her. “I do.”
Pointing a knowing finger at her friend, she declared. “And, those are the exact two words that will get you want you want….for a lifetime.”
***********************
“Do you think that will work?” Julie quizzed her.
“Absolutely. I’d only give him till then and after that…..” She left the unspoken words hang. Grasping each other’s hand, they shook them. “It’s a plan.”
Julie jabbed a finger in the air, correcting Lacy. “Secret plan.”
Chapter Nine
Lacy was back to work on Thursday. Feeling more energetic than she had since the movie started, the grateful actor corralled her producing partner for a brief but very hot rendezvous in her trailer during the noon lunch.
“I thought Stella was going to be here with the kids.” Gage looked around the empty trailer.
“Nope…. just you and me.” Lacy quickly shed her clothes. “Get us something to drink.” She slipped behind the curtain.
While Gage pulled out a couple of cold drinks, Lacy hurriedly slipped on a red teddy. “Sweetheart…” Lacy called from behind the curtain. “Would you get the red scarf for me?”
“Sure.” Gage sat the drinks down on the table before turning her back to the curtain. She opened the small closet door, searching for the requested item. “Lacy, I can’t seem to find…..”
A very seductive. “Sweetheart.” Drifted across the room meeting Gage’s alert ears.
As Gage turned around, her sensual hazed green eyes met the beautiful vision before her. The blonde swallowed hard. “I…. I….”
Walking seductively toward her lover, Lacy purred. “I take it you like it.”
“Like it?” The shocked blonde panted. “I love it.” A slow enticing seductive smile rose on Gage’s face. “Come here.”
Lacy’s long arm reached out to her lover, guiding the blonde toward the small bedroom. Like a drought led to water, Gage drank deeply of the vision of her lover.
Embracing each other, their lips met in a feeding frenzy as they tried to devour each other. Hands roamed effortlessly across each other’s heated bodies. Backing Gage up against the bed’s edge, Lacy reached down grabbing her lover’s backside. The bolt of pleasure shot up and down the blonde’s body coming to rest at her center. With weakened knees, Gage collapsed on the bed taking her lover with her.
Lacy settled between her lover’s legs. Their lips melded together only breaking apart in order to take another quick breath before their tongues engaged again in a passionate dance. “Sweetheart….”
“Mmmmmm.”
“Take….” Lacy tugged at her lover’s clothes. “…it….off!” The overheated actor demanded before flipping both of them over.
With Gage now on top, she took full advantage of the position. Gage’s lips found refuge between Lacy’s breasts. “God, baby, I want you.” Her hand ran down Lacy’s shapely side coming to rest briefly at the dark haired woman’s hip. The blonde paused long enough to meet her lover’s eyes. “I will have you, woman!”
“I’m counting on it.” Gage resumed her sexual assault on her lover’s breast, nipping, sucking and driving her crazy. Lacy snapped her head back as Gage’s roaming hand found its way to her center. It didn’t take long for her partner’s skillful fingers to do their magic.
“Oh, God, sweetheart, God yes!”
On the brink of knocking on his star’s trailer door, Lacy’s words sailed through the air stopping him. “Guess I’ll talk with them later.” Ryan turned abruptly, mumbling. “I only have a movie to shoot, schedules to keep… and do it within a budget.” Ryan shrugged his shoulders. “Oh, well, she’s gonna be in a good mood this afternoon.” I hope that takes the edge off when she sees….. The director’s thought trailed off. Even he didn’t look forward to the two adversaries’ reunion.
*************************
As Ryan figured the afternoon went smoothly. Both Lacy and Gage set the tone for the rest of the cast and crew. Everyone was in an upbeat mood and they had finished ahead of their shooting schedule. Ryan hoped that Gage would whisk Lacy from the set before their new crewmember arrived. The director remembered his earlier conversation with Mark. “Can we wait till at least late in the day? I’m already behind schedule with Lacy getting sick and….” Scratching his full head of hair, he continued. “I’m not looking forward to this.”
“I know, Ryan.” Mark shuffled back and forth. “Neither am I. I’ll have Michael wait till late in the day. We have that production meeting after filming today and it’s inevitable.” He placed a reassuring hand on his co-producing partner. “I think we’ll be out of the line of fire. Now, I’m not sure Gage will….. and, of course, we both know who will be the real target.”
As Mark had stated, it was inevitable. Michael arrived a fraction of a second before Lacy turned to leave. He escorted the new crewmember onto the set.
And, with much ado, a
loud and clear voice sang out. “Hey, guys. I’m back.”
Lacy spun around; glaring first at the unwelcome redhead then she shot a quick glance at Ryan, Mark and finally her shocked blue eyes came to rest on her partner standing next to her. She met guilt-ridden green and knew. With pursed lips and a dangerous glint brewing in her now stormy blue eyes, Lacy commanded her partner. “You have some explaining to do.” Grasping Gage’s hand, Lacy jerked it. “Come with me.”
Mark and Ryan caught their friend’s stunned green eyes begging for them to help her before Lacy dragged her away. “I guess she’s going to miss the meeting.”
Mark agreed. “Count on it.”
************************
The next day Lacy decided to take the high road but not before she had a couple of choice words with the newest crewmember. She let the day play out so as not to upset her friend and director’s schedule.
After the long days filming, Lacy gathered her things and headed for her trailer where she hoped she would meet up with her partner. After letting Gage stew the night before and all day, Lacy felt it was time to let her partner know she was not really mad at her. The rest of the cast and crew gathered around after filming when Michael, after being prompted, suggested they meet up at the bar, Heydukes.
Several members jumped at the idea. The young assistant director approached his boss. “Ryan, you gonna go? I’m buying.”