Movie Lovers

by Joachim Jean

  Staying in the house together. No interruptions. Jake closed his fingers over hers as the silver bird lifted off the ground. Happiness soared through her. . Still can’t believe he doesn’t hate me for Gunther. Afraid to make her wishes more concrete by thinking about them, imagining a future with Jake, she pushed those thoughts out of her mind. Focus on the weekend. A weekend with Jake. Be happy with that. Make it be enough.

  Snuggling down into her seat, she squeezed his hand. He turned to face her. “Scared?”

  “Love flying.”

  “Me, too.”

  She studied his face, the night’s growth of beard, the fullness of his lower lip, the brown hair falling onto his forehead. Warmth spread from her middle to her lower region as she shifted her gaze to his long and agile fingers.

  She remembered the feel of them closed around her breast and her breath began to quicken at the thought of them caressing other parts of her body. Even imagining them unbuttoning a blouse or unzipping her jeans made her chest heave a bit. She chewed on her lower lip in an attempt to cool herself down but was unsuccessful.

  “We’ll be alone at your house?”

  “Cara’s house? Yes.”

  “Good.” A steamy glance from him made her skin prickle in anticipation of his touch.

  She returned his smoldering smile, causing him to lean in and kiss her. The soft, lingering pressure of his lips on hers added fuel to the fire simmering inside her. She cupped his cheek, running her thumb down his face.

  “Sorry. I didn’t shave this morning. Giving my skin a break.”

  “Love this. You wear scruffy well.”

  The plane leveled off and the cabin attendants came around offering champagne. They asked Jake for some autographs, and he was happy to oblige. “Autographs. Never thought that would happen.” He laughed and gave his head a shake. “My sisters would make sure my head didn’t swell over this.”

  “I can do the same if you like,” Grace offered.

  “No thanks. Like you just the way you are.”

  Do you? Could kiss you for that. I feel the same about you.

  When the bubbly wine arrived, they toasted to each other and sipped.

  “I hope this premiere goes better than the first.”

  “I hope you’re happy with your performance in this one.”

  “God, if I messed up, Movie Maven will probably be there to announce it to the world.”

  No, she won’t. Grace squeezed his hand. “Don’t worry about her. You’ll be fine. We’ll have fun at the party, and go swimming. Our pool is heated.”

  “A heated pool? Didn’t bring my suit.”

  “Maybe you don’t need one,” she shot him a sexy grin that lit up his eyes.

  He lifted his eyebrows. “Really?”

  “You can always swim in your boxers…after all, it’s just us.”

  “Oh. Thought you had something else in mind.” His crestfallen expression made her laugh. “Were you teasing me?”

  “You’ll have to wait to find out.”

  He sat up straighter in his seat. “If I’m in my boxers, what’ll you wear?”

  “I told you…wait and see.”

  “Filet Mignon or Shrimp Scampi?” The stewardess interrupted their charged conversation to take their request for lunch. After eating, Jake pulled a manuscript out from his carry-on bag under the seat.

  “More scripts to read?” Grace asked.

  “Yours.” Her eyes widened. “Perfect to read now.” He opened to the first page. Grace buried her nose in a book, afraid to watch his reaction, but sleepiness caused her to slip a bookmark in, rest her head on Jake’s shoulder, and close her eyes. When she awoke, the plane was descending. She peeked out the window to see the sprawl of L.A. below. Jake stretched and closed the screenplay. “Almost there,” he muttered.

  “What do you think?” He shot her a quizzical glance. “About the screenplay, of course!”

  “Oh! Yeah. I love it.”

  “You do?” She couldn’t keep a note of desperation out of her voice.

  “It’s fresh. Original. You have an amazing ear for dialogue.”

  Pleasure brought heat to her face and a smile to her lips. “Thank you. That means a lot.”

  “I mean it. You know me well enough to know that my brain doesn’t always filter my words. If I didn’t like it, I couldn’t hide it from you.”

  “Nice, juicy part for the right, hot leading man.”

  “Quinn would be great. Think he’d do it?”

  “I was referring to you!”

  “Oh!” He laughed as an attractive blush stained his cheeks. She slipped her hand in his, holding tight until the seatbelt sign was turned off. A car awaited them and before long they were wending their way up Benedict Canyon Drive. The lights on the house were lit by a timer to help keep thieves away. Grace fumbled with her key in the lock, nervous yet excited at the prospect of Jake sleeping in the house with her. He carried their luggage inside.

  “This is your room,” she said, turning on the light in the guest bedroom. “I’m down here.”

  Jake dropped his bag first then carried hers to her room. “This is a beautiful house. My first mansion.” He looked around at the white walls, colorful tile floors, some in turquoise and green, and others in tones of orange and brown.

  “Don’t know if I’d call it a mansion. There are many here much larger than ours.”

  Opening the sliding glass door to the terrace, Grace took Jake’s hand and led him outside. Chaise lounges were stacked three and four deep. The glass top table sported a closed umbrella and four white wrought iron chairs.

  “Wow,” he said. “What an ideal place to skinny-dip.” A musical sound alerted them. Jake checked his phone then his watch. “Car will be here for us in an hour.”

  “An hour? Oh my God!”

  Forty-five minutes later, Grace stood with her back to Jake, holding her dress closed. “Please zip…then I’ll tie your tie.”

  “You know how to do that?” He asked, while he found the zipper on her shimmery sky-blue jersey, floor-length dress.

  “I’m an expert. Ask Grant.” Gracie took several deep breaths to calm herself as the tingle from his fingers on her bare back traveled through her. God, I want him. Her eyes closed as she focused on the feeling he created inside her. He kissed her shoulder gently.

  “Not like I wouldn’t like to keep…better finish,” he mumbled, pulling the zip up all the way. Gracie adjusted her breasts into the cups sewn in the dress before turning to him. “Wow! You look even better with the dress closed up.” His gaze slid down her body like the caress of a warm hand.

  “You say the sweetest things.”

  “Words…not my strong suit. Actions…ah, there I shine.” His eyes glittered with lust.

  He looked so sexy with his hair falling over his forehead and his tie hanging loose, waiting for her to work her magic. This is what he’ll look like when he’s getting undressed. When we get home tonight. A small shiver raced up her spine. “Closer,” she motioned.

  “Don’t have to ask me twice.” He stepped up until his chest was only an inch from hers. She swallowed before reaching up and grasping both ends of his bowtie. A few seconds later, it was tied. “Always wear a tux. It suits you.”

  “Oh? Should I wear it to bed? Making love? Swimming?”

  She burst out laughing. “Tuxedo pajamas!”

  Now it was his turn to chuckle. He leaned down to kiss her. “Thank you,” he said, feeling the tie.

  A honk from the driveway diverted their attention. Grace grabbed a gauzy shawl and followed Jake to the door. He opened it with a flourish and, sweeping his arm through the air before her, said, “Your chariot awaits, m’lady.”

  “Not good with words. I get it,” she snickered.

  “Thanks a lot!”

  “But looking forward to those actions you promised.” She smiled at him.

  “Makes two of us,” he snickered as he closed the door behind them.

  * * * *
r />   As the car drew near the theater, Grace laced her fingers with Jake’s. He turned to her.

  “Don’t worry. Gunther won’t be here. Good thing, too. I might have to deck him for what he did to you.” Anger flashed in his eyes.

  “Let’s forget him for tonight. Your fans are waiting. Slap on your sexy smile.”

  He pulled his lips back, showing his teeth. “How’s this?” She laughed and he joined her, so that when the door was opened, he wore a genuine smile and merriment twinkled in his eyes. He offered her his hand, and they marched up the red carpet together. Fans went wild when they saw him and he grinned and waved in return.

  Suddenly, Grace realized she was lucky to be with him. Jake the movie star? Jake my friend and maybe lover. His fame was growing, and before long, he might snag a movie series like Quinn or be lucky enough to get some great scripts, like Cara, and be blasted into the public eye twenty-four/seven. Is that a good thing? For him, probably. For me? Doubtful.

  He leaned over to her, “Looks like more fans at this one than the last one. Guess Movie Maven didn’t hurt my career.” She let out a breath and squeezed his fingers. Thank God!

  They settled into their seats. Jake laced his fingers with hers and rested their joined hands on his thigh, like he did the last time. Grace relaxed and snuggled closer to him, scooting down to get comfortable. The lights dimmed, and the title came up on the screen, Driving Force. She whispered, “Break a leg.” He raised her hand to his lips.

  At the end of the movie, the applause was deafening. Grace breathed a sigh of relief. He was good, really good. She turned to him, a look of relief evident on his face. “You were amazing.”

  “Really?”

  “Really,” she said.

  They stood up as the director and one of the executive producers approached. They slapped him on the shoulder as murmurs of “fine job,” “well done,” and “excellent” were bandied about. Jake beamed under their praise. A sense of pride in him welled up inside of Grace, confusing her. Why am I proud of him? He’s not mine. Just a friend or maybe a brief affair…right?

  The limo whisked them away to a huge party at Limoges West on Rodeo Drive. Jake helped Grace out of the car and tucked her arm through his.

  “Are you going to desert me for the first available female that comes along?”

  “Did I.?”

  “You certainly did!”

  Jake’s face flushed. “I’m sorry. Seems like I keep saying that to you.”

  “What?”

  “Apologizing.”

  “We agreed to forget that night, right?” Grace cozied up to him, gripping his lapels.

  “Yeah. That’s right.”

  She tilted her head up and kissed him. “That ought to send a message to the women here.”

  Jake grinned. “Want a Cosmo?” He spotted the bar and led her over. Grace glanced around the room, seeking a table of food, but found none.

  “Take it easy with those,” she warned him as he took a gulp.

  A waiter balancing a tray of hors d’oeuvres stopped by. Grace plucked two cheese puffs off the tray, stuffing one in Jake’s mouth and one in her own. Then she snatched two mini quiches before the server moved on. “Eat,” she said. “Or you’ll get loaded…and do something stupid.”

  Starlets, producers, and cast members stopped by to congratulate Jake. Although she tried to hold on to him, they got separated. Grace consoled herself with a second Cosmo and food from a buffet she found hiding in another room. She made a plate for Jake, but he seemed to have disappeared.

  She wandered out on the back deck just in time to see him easing out of the embrace of some young woman she didn’t recognize. She stopped to watch as he grasped the woman’s upper arms and moved her back, away from him. Grace let out the breath she didn’t even realize she was holding when she noticed his uneasy smile and the look of disappointment on the young woman’s face. Is he saving himself for me? Do I have his heart?

  Grace marched up to Jake and kissed his cheek before speaking, addressing her words to him but looking directly at the young woman. “Darling, here you are. I’ve been looking all over for you.” She thrust the food at him.

  “Grace, this is…I didn’t catch your name?” Jake said, taking a cold shrimp.

  “Never mind,” the woman said, waving her hand and moving away.

  Laughter bubbled up inside Gracie, and she couldn’t contain it. “Did I save you?”

  “Sure did. Thanks. What an octopus!” Jake straightened his tie and collar.

  “How many Cosmos have you had?”

  “Dunno. They sure are good.” He munched on a green bean.

  “Maybe we should go. Before something bad happens.”

  “Like what?”

  “Like you make a pass at someone.”

  Jake put down the plate, took her in his arms and kissed her. “You’re the only one I want to make a pass at.”

  “Are we going to have another scene in the limo like last time?” She pushed away from him.

  “I hope not.”

  “Meaning?”

  “Meaning you might not say ‘no’?” he whispered in her ear.

  She laughed. “If you paw me in the backseat, you’ll get the same treatment.”

  “I’d never do that. I mean at home.” He leaned down to kiss her neck.

  “Oh, that’s another story. You’ll have to wait and see.” Jake managed to down one more Cosmo before he agreed to bid his colleagues farewell and head home. He was pretty high, but not drunk like the last time. Maybe his confidence is up after this movie. Or maybe because you’re not being mean to him. Hey, I’m not responsible for him getting drunk. Glad he’s not drunk now.

  In the car, Jake pulled Grace into his shoulder and they snuggled for the entire ride home. Once in the house, she toed off her shoes immediately, leaving them by the front door.

  “Geez, you got short.”

  “Those shoes were killing me,” she said, rubbing her foot.

  “Can you swim at night?” Jake asked, pulling his tie until the bow came undone.

  “Sure. Come on.” Grace padded out onto the deck and switched on the light on the bottom of the pool then soft lights on the deck.

  “That’s so cool,” Jake said, his gaze on the water shimmering in the light. “They change the color of the water.” Grace pulled a chaise close to the edge. “It’s romantic,” he chuckled.

  “Would you mind? Without heels, this dress is way too long. Besides, I want to get comfortable.” Grace backed up to him.

  “Unzip?”

  She nodded. His long fingers took their time unzipping her. She clamped her arms to her sides to keep the strapless dress from falling. When he was done, he cupped his hands over her shoulders and kissed her neck. She shivered. “It’s cold out here.” She tried to cover up her response to him.

  Jake took off his shoes and socks and dipped his toes in the water. “But the water is warm.”

  “I turned the heater up before we left. Figured you might want to swim in February.”

  She padded over to the chaise and turned, poised, staring at him. He stopped and returned her stare. Suddenly, she let go of her gown, which pooled at her feet, revealing her naked body. Jake swallowed. Sweat appeared on his forehead as his gaze raked her form. Grace took two steps to the side of the pool and dove in. When she surfaced, she motioned to Jake, who was already ripping his clothing off as fast as he could.

  Standing on the edge, he dropped his boxers and dove in. He swam to her side, but she ducked underwater, swimming away. She led him on a merry chase. At one point, he was doing a speed-crawl when she came up behind him and smacked his bare behind. He stopped immediately. “This means war!” he hollered.

  Grace’s eyebrows shot up, and she tried to get away, but Jake was too fast for her this time. He lunged at her, his palm connecting with her head as he dunked her under water. She came up sputtering and laughing.

  She was trapped in the corner of the shallow end while trying t
o swim backward as Jake zoomed across the pool, closing the distance between them in a matter of seconds. He reached his long arms out to prevent her escape. Slowly he moved closer, his gaze feasting on her nakedness, desire glittering in his eyes. “Does this mean ‘yes’?”

  She nodded, looking up at him. He lowered his head, his lips claiming hers in a hard, demanding kiss. He pulled her up against his wet chest with one hand while the other closed around her bare bottom. When he lifted her, she wound her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck.

  “I want you,” he whispered, his hand on her breast, massaging. “I want you bad.”

  She gasped for breath when his mouth lifted off hers. “Me, too.” Never wanted anyone like I want him. God, oh God. He’s so beautiful. Grace slid her palm down over the light brown hair on his firm chest. Her hands seemed to have a mind of their own as they wandered over his body, touching, caressing, feeling his hair, skin, and muscles. He’s all man. Gorgeous. She peeked at his abs, nicely defined but not too much.

  His stare burned a trail down her skin. He raised one foot to rest on a stair and seated her on his thigh. With his hands freed-up, he explored her body, starting with her chest then moving downward. With his face in her neck, he started to moan her name.

  Grace leaned back and Jake immediately put his arm behind her to keep her from falling. He kissed his way from her neck to her chest, closing his mouth on her peak. Now it was Gracie’s turn to moan. Her fingers gripped his shoulders, squeezing into his muscles as heat grew in her core.

  Jake raised his head. “You’re incredibly beautiful.” Something tickled her, and she realized it was his erection. A giggle escaped her throat. “What?” He asked, his golden eyes rimmed with fire for her.

  “You’re ready…”

  He chuckled. “Figured that out, eh?”

  “I can feel it.”

  He laughed. “Then let’s go. Need to get you up to speed.” He picked her up as if she was a feather and carried her out of the pool, lowering her slowly onto the chaise. They both began to shiver in the sixty-degree chill and wrapped themselves in bath sheets they found stacked on a small table.