The Morning After

by Sally Clements

  His hands molded her breasts, and with a muttered curse, he picked her up and strode inside, kicking the door shut behind him.

  By the sofa, facing the sea, he undid the zip, and pulled the dress down, leaving her standing in only her lacy panties and high heeled sandals. With harsh movements, he quickly stripped, and tumbled her onto the sofa, urgency ripping away finesse as he kissed her frantically, hands cupping her breasts.

  Cara’s heart raced. Her hands were at the nape of his neck, her fingers brushing his hair, feeling the warmth of his neck. She was shaking. So turned on, she couldn’t hold back the moans that escaped her throat.

  Ethan pulled down her panties and tossed them over the sofa. His mouth pressed against her neck, lower and lower, each kiss setting off tiny explosions within.

  They’d made love all night. And again this morning. But she wanted him with an urgency that defied reason. All that mattered was being closer. Being one. She reached between their bodies, and stroked him.

  Ethan groaned, and she felt him shudder.

  “Condom.” He eased off her, and reached for his jeans, pulling out a small foil packet and quickly sheathing himself.

  As his hand feathered across her hip, Ethan’s forehead rested on hers. His dark eyes were almost black as their gazes locked. Time stood still. Cara’s heart expanded, beating hard against her ribcage.

  “You know I love you, don’t you, Cara mia?” He dusted his lips across hers in a soft caress.

  Words dried in Cara’s throat. She swallowed. “Yes.” With her whispered word, a slow smile tilted the corners of Ethan’s lips. His hand stroked across her stomach, and her legs parted. Her eyes fluttered shut.

  “Look at me,” Ethan murmured.

  Her eyes fluttered open, surrendering to the intensity of his gaze.

  Ethan’s body claimed hers in a slow slide.

  Cara gasped.

  “Cara mia,” Ethan whispered. The intimacy of their bodies moving together was matched by the connection of their souls as his mouth met hers in a drugging kiss.

  Cara was falling, losing herself in the perfection of the moment, the knowledge that she couldn’t deny the truth to herself any longer.

  She mustn’t read more into his words than he’d meant. He’d always said he loved her. They were friends, had always been friends. He couldn’t mean he loved her the way she wanted him to, the way she loved him.

  But on cresting the wave together, staring into each other’s eyes, his soul was as naked as their bodies, and for a foolish moment, Cara let herself believe what her heart wanted, and showed him she loved him too.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Cara woke to a hand on her shoulder.

  Ethan stood by the bed, fully dressed. “It’s the last day of filming. If all the rushes are okay, this movie is wrapping tonight.” He sat down next to her and kissed her neck. “When I get home, I’m taking you out for dinner.”

  He’d be exhausted. “I could cook?”

  Ethan shook his head. “No, I’ll be hungry. Better not risk it,” he teased.

  Cara scooted up in bed. “I’m not that bad a cook you know, I’ve been practicing while you’ve been away.”

  One dark eyebrow arched.

  “Well, I’m not great either,” she admitted. “Maybe we could get a takeaway?”

  Ethan glanced at the clock. “I better run, the car is waiting. What are you going to do today? You can take the car if you like.”

  “I thought I’d read for a while.” She reached for the paperback on the bedside table. “I’ve almost finished Juliet’s book. I’m dying to see what happens.”

  Ethan ran a hand through his hair, and stood. “I got a text from Maggie last night. Apparently we’ve been invited to a party tomorrow night. At Stephen Brightman’s.”

  Excitement bubbled through Cara’s veins. Her first, and no doubt last, Hollywood party. Luckily, she’d brought the perfect dress, never really thinking she’d have the opportunity to wear it.

  “I guess this means you’ll need to go shopping?” Ethan asked.

  “No, I don’t think so.”

  Ethan kissed her quickly and squeezed her upper arm. “You’re the only woman I’ve ever known who would pass up a chance at a shopping trip.” He glanced at his watch. “See you later.” And with that, he was gone.

  Yet another example of how different she was from his usual girlfriends. She had no job, no prospect of one, and fairly scant savings, which would be taking a hit for the ticket home again.

  Cara sighed, and pulled the duvet up to her chin. There was no way she was splurging on a dress she didn’t need. No doubt Ethan’s other girlfriends had been quite happy to let him pay for their clothes too. The mere idea irritated. There had to be some way she could use her English degree—maybe teaching a night class, or teaching foreign students English.

  Her job prospects in Donabridge were non-existent. But maybe in Dublin… She rubbed her palms over her eyes. The school would have to give her a reference. She’d been a good teacher. She couldn’t let one ridiculous incident change her life so completely. She needed to come up with a plan for her future. And quick.

  She picked up Juliet’s book. At least she could finish the book, so if Juliet was at Brightman’s party she could talk about it knowledgeably.

  ****

  In the moments between takes, Ethan’s mind returned relentlessly to the previous night. He’d asked Cara if she knew he loved her. And all she’d said was yes. She hadn’t told him she loved him too.

  She was so matter of fact this morning. So detached, as though his words of the night before had meant nothing. Or as if she didn’t want to acknowledge that her best friend had fallen in love, reneged on their agreement to have a couple of weeks of fun and not let it affect their relationship.

  Ethan stood and paced his trailer. Eleven steps, end to end. Then eleven back.

  He swiveled and kept walking.

  There was no way they could go back to being just friends. Not now. She had no job to go back to. No one waiting for her back home who needed her as much as he did. He crossed his arms and whistled tunelessly as he paced.

  When he got home, they were going to talk about it. He didn’t want her to leave. She needed to know and truly understand how much he loved her. How vital to him she was. He’d tried yesterday, but somehow it hadn’t got through. The thought that maybe she wasn’t ready, or worse still, didn’t want more than a quick fling wasn’t something he was prepared to consider.

  Whatever her reservations, he’d overcome them.

  A rap on the trailer door.

  At his shout, the door swung open. Maggie stood in the doorway. “Ethan, have you got a minute?”

  Ethan nodded.

  She sank onto the nearest chair. “You’ve been getting a lot of calls on your cell. From Aoife Fitzpatrick, I guess she still has your number.” Her mouth stretched in a grimace. “I’ve spoken to her and told her you’re unavailable, but she just keeps calling. Eight times at last count.”

  Ethan resisted the urge to punch the wall. “What does she want?”

  Maggie shrugged. Her eyebrows pulled together like acrobatic caterpillars. “She keeps saying she needs to talk to you urgently.” Her nose wrinkled, and her lip curled. “All delivered in a rather weepy voice.”

  The last thing he needed was to play therapist to Aoife. She hadn’t even had the guts to tell him face to face that she was moving out and moving in with Zane, had just done the deed while he was at work, and left him a Dear Ethan letter.

  But if he didn’t call, she’d keep ringing his cell. It wasn’t fair that Maggie should have to keep dealing with it.

  “Pass it over then.” He extended his hand, palm up.

  “I’ll be outside.” She gave a pointed look, which he interpreted as ‘and I’ll make sure no one barges in.’

  Ethan sat down, propped his Converse clad feet on the table, and crossed his ankles. He punched a couple of buttons, and reminded himself she must be hur
ting. And a gentleman never kicked a person when they were down. Especially if they were a girl.

  “Aoife? It’s Ethan.”

  “Ethan?” her high breathy voice dissolved in a flurry of feminine sobs. Not great, big, ugly gulping sobs, but pretty sounding ones.

  “You’ve been calling me,” he said.

  “I made the most awful mistake, Ethan. Zane—”

  “I heard.”

  “He cheated on me.” A tough note crept into her voice. “He’s played me for a fool. I need my friends, Ethan. I need to move out, and I need somewhere to stay…some support. I thought maybe…”

  Ethan couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Did she really for one moment think—

  “You and I had something special, Ethan. I shouldn’t have walked away.”

  “Hold up.” He couldn’t for one moment let her continue. He forced calm into his voice, and clenched his hand into a fist. “You and I are history. Ancient history. I’m sorry things haven’t worked out for you, but you can’t stay with me.”

  “This crap the papers have been spouting about you and Cara can’t be true, Ethan?” She laughed—a tight, brittle sound. “I know you two are friends, but Cara…”

  “I’m sorry not to be able to help, Aoife.” Ethan’s voice sounded coldly dismissive, even to his own ears. “But I’m sure you’ll find someone.”

  He hung up, pushed open the trailer door, and handed his cell to Maggie. “She won’t be back.”

  ****

  After a morning finishing Juliet’s book, Cara decided to flex her literary muscles by writing a detailed summary of it for Ethan. He didn’t read as fast as she did, and had so little free time that she knew he’d find it helpful. He was due to go for a screen-test the following week, and Manny had said he was expecting the script any day now.

  Knowing as much as possible about Juliet’s book prior to the party could only work in his favor.

  As the printer churned out the pages of the summary, Cara gazed at the cirrus clouds streaking the sky, as her mind flashed back to the events of the previous night. Ethan had told her he loved her while they were making love. It would be so easy to just accept him at his words, but something held her back, made her scared to believe it.

  Shifting their friendship into romance was easy. But the prospect of really loving him, without any guard on her fragile heart, was terrifyingly difficult. Ethan lived in a different world, with a satisfying job, a beautiful house, and a life. Hers had been turned upside down, and although it would be easy to merely be—girlfriend, or companion—it wasn’t enough. She needed to steady her feet on solid ground again. Needed to be in control of her life rather than just washing back and forward like flotsam floating on the tide.

  She’d spoken to her family before she left. Had told them that she was going for a short holiday with Ethan. If she didn’t return to Donabridge, all the rumors that she had once again fallen recklessly into the arms of a bad-boy would be confirmed. And no doubt her brothers would be out to America on the next plane, to question Ethan about his intentions.

  She hissed out a breath.

  There was nothing for it. She would have to stick to the original plan. Spend two weeks here, and then return to Donabridge and determine exactly what path the rest of her life would take.

  Before she weakened she logged on to the internet, booked a ticket a week hence, and started the clock ticking to her departure. That done, the day stretched out before her, long hours of freedom and solitude. Being out and about with Ethan over the weekend had been such fun, but there was still so much to do and see that the prospect of another day on the beach held little appeal. The car had a sat-nav, why not just head out, make a day of it?

  She’d picked up a guidebook in a little shop near Malibu pier, and now flicked through it. The Getty Villa was nearby, a wonderful collection of antiquities showcased in a replica Neapolitan Villa, with herb gardens laid out just as they would have been in Roman times.

  Scooping her bag from the table, she picked up Ethan’s car keys, and headed for the front door.

  ****

  The house was in darkness as Ethan’s driver pulled up outside. Despite his best intentions, the last day of filming had overshot. He’d had to call Cara and cancel their dinner plans. She’d sounded bright on the phone.

  “Do you want me to leave something for you?” she’d asked. “Because I made some dinner…”

  He should have called earlier. But somehow he’d been hoping things would magically improve and he’d be back before nightfall. “I’ll eat here.” The talk would have to wait too. “Sorry, honey.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” she said. “I’m pretty exhausted, I went out today.”

  Ethan tensed. “You didn’t have any problems?”

  “I didn’t even catch a glimpse of anyone with a camera. We must be old news. Your agent was right, it seems that the press have moved on.”

  Ethan propped his feet up on the table in his trailer, and wished she was with him. Talking on the phone was a poor substitute. “Where did you go?”

  “Ancient Naples.”

  She sounded as though she was smiling.

  “The Getty Villa?”

  She laughed. “It’s amazing, isn’t it? Then after I found a little outdoor farmers market and bought some yummy stuff for the fridge.”

  “Don’t wait up.”

  Apparently, she hadn’t. Ethan climbed out of the Mercedes and handed an envelope to the driver. “Thanks for ferrying me around, Mike.”

  The driver’s eyebrows rose. “It’s all taken care of, Mr. Quinn, you don’t have to…”

  Ethan nodded. “I know.” He grinned. “Thanks, Mike.

  “Thank you.” Mike stuffed the envelope into his jacket and smiled back. Then, with a salute, turned the car outside the house, and left.

  The engine faded into silence as Ethan walked to the front door and let himself in. Even though Cara must be sleeping in the bedroom, the house felt empty. He flicked on a light and glanced around. Night after night, he’d come back to an empty house without for one moment missing the presence of another. Day after day, he got up, showered, and went to work. Filming was over. Tomorrow, there would be no car to take him away.

  Tomorrow, it would just be him and Cara.

  He locked the door, and went to find her.

  Chapter Sixteen

  “Might Harrison Ford be there?”

  Cara’d pinned her hair back with a couple of jeweled clips she’d found somewhere. The different hairstyle emphasized her cheekbones. Her eyes sparkled, and her eyelashes looked longer somehow. A faint sheen of pink shone on her lips. Ethan peered closer. “Have you put makeup on for Ford?” he growled.

  Cara’s dimple made an appearance. “Or Mr. Jackman, I reckon if he’s there…”

  Ethan frowned, and advanced on her like a lion pouncing on a gazelle. “All these men better damn well understand—” he snaked his arms around her and tugged her close—”you’re my woman.”

  Cara squirmed. Her body shook with laughter. “I see a remake of Tarzan in your future,” she teased. “You’ve got him off to a tee.”

  “Me Tarzan,” Ethan muttered in her ear, breathing in her musky perfume.

  She sighed, and tilted her head back as he nibbled his way down her neck. “Oh wow. Me Jane.” Her back arched, pushing her breasts against his chest.

  Ethan’s body reacted—raw, primitive desire making him wish he had time to rip off her shimmering party dress and drag her back to bed.

  He pressed his mouth against the spot where her neck became her shoulder. Loosened his grip, and regretfully, pulled away. “We’ll have to delay this until later.”

  Her eyes were dark with desire. She pouted. “Huh. Later you’ll be thinking about the new movie.”

  He kissed her carefully, so as not to muss her lipstick. “I’ll be thinking of you.” His gaze traveled the length of her, perfectly showcased in the black dress that clung to every curve. “I’m always thin
king of you.”

  Pink swept Cara’s cheeks. She glanced away.

  What was it? Was he coming on too strong?

  “Cara?”

  Her gaze returned to his. “I have to go back.” Her lips pressed together. “My family will be worried if I stay here for longer than I’d said.”

  “We can talk about it later.” Getting into a discussion about their future when they should be in the car heading to a party was a very bad idea. Especially if she was going to insist she went home soon. He needed to persuade her, tell her he wasn’t going to let her go so easily. And he needed all his powers of persuasion to do it. Which involved getting her naked.

  “I’ve booked a ticket.” The words hung in the air between them. “I know you want me to stay longer…”

  Stay longer? He’d been thinking about her staying forever. But obviously she hadn’t.

  Ethan’s hands dropped to his sides.

  “Look—” Distress flared in her azure eyes. She could read his body language as easily as he could read hers, apparently. The legacy of years of friendship. “Ethan, my life is upside down, I need to sort things out, need to find myself. We both knew this was just a temporary thing between us…”

  Cold steel squeezed around Ethan’s heart. He took a step back. “Fine.” He turned away, not willing to give her even the chance of reading his feelings if she didn’t return them.

  Her hand grasped his arm. “I was planning on coming back.” Her voice was low and quiet.

  “How do you think your family will take that?” For years, she’d lived her life living up to her parents’ and brothers’ expectations. She’d dated Michael because her father thought he was suitable. Trained as a teacher, because it was a respectable profession for a woman to have in Donabridge. And had been devastated when scandal had struck and irrevocably shattered her life.

  Now, instead of embracing all that her life could be, she was running back to try to put the pieces of a proper life back together. Her family had never approved of Ethan, not really. They’d tolerated his friendship with Cara because she’d been adamantly determined not to give him up. But the prospect of adding a bad-boy to the family ranks wasn’t one that they’d accept easily. And unfortunately Cara didn’t seem to have the courage to take a chance.