Love on Location

by September Roberts

  Lynn responded with, “You’re the boss. See you later.”

  In the past, she had cringed at being called boss, but now it seemed to fit. Everything was working out just right and she was calling the shots.

  “What are you thinking?” he asked, dragging his fingers across her back, half tickling, half caressing.

  “How great it is we still have two hours together.”

  “Thanks for inviting me to stay, your bed is so much better than the one at the hotel.”

  “Are you using me for my bed?” she asked, propping herself up on one elbow so she could scowl at him.

  “I guess you would’ve found out sooner or later,” he said, trying to keep a straight face. “Come on, I’ll make you breakfast,” he wiggled away from her, pulled his pants on, and had his hand on the doorknob before she managed to sit up. Koko came bounding in as Brian strolled down the hall.

  Koko licked Alex’s face. “He’s going to make breakfast. I’ll share,” she said rubbing Koko’s silky ears before pulling her robe on and following the clanging sounds in the kitchen.

  “You have the shittiest pans,” he said pointing to the stove where her beat up frying pan sat unevenly on the burner.

  “I don’t cook. Why would I invest in good pans?”

  “Maybe if you had good pans you’d be more inclined to cook.”

  “Whatever. I’ve had that since I lived in the dorms at college. You’re lucky I still have it.”

  “You should see my kitchen. It’s pretty awesome. The last time I went to Spain, I bought a paella pan that is truly a work of art. It produces the most delicious socarrat.” He paused and looked at her. “That sounded really pretentious, didn’t it?”

  Subduing a giggle, she mimicked his deep voice, “The last time I was in Spain, I did things common people wouldn’t dream of doing.”

  “Is that what I sound like?”

  “I’m Blaze Johnson and I have fancy stuff.” She put her arms around his waist and laughed. “Please go on, tell me more about your amazing pots and pans.”

  “You can’t make me,” he said, putting his hands on his hips and smothering another smile.

  “I bet your paella is the best ever. Am I right?”

  “It’s pretty good,” he said, kissing her and interrupting her teasing. “You’d have to taste it and let me know.”

  “I don’t have a paella pan,” she stated.

  “No, but I do.”

  “So, I should just pop over to your house for dinner one night?”

  “Yeah, if you ever find yourself in Beverly Hills my kitchen is always open to you,” he said.

  Just like that. As if it were that easy. As if he meant it. Did he really just invite her over? Instead of asking what she really wanted to know, she said, “What are you making?”

  “French toast.”

  “I may not share with you. Sorry, I’m a liar,” she said to Koko, who stood near their feet, wagging her tail.

  He laughed and went back to work slicing bread and whisking eggs. While he stood cooking, he plated her food and forced her to sit and eat it while it was hot.

  “Holy shit,” she said after the first bite. “You should open a restaurant.”

  “I could serve French toast and sign autographs.”

  “Shirtless,” she added. “That definitely adds to the ambiance. You could call it Hot and Tasty. You’re hot, the food’s tasty.”

  With another plate of food and a grin plastered on his face, he joined her at the table. “It’s nice having someone who appreciates my cooking.”

  “I’m grateful you’re cooking for me. It’s a win-win.” Regardless of her desire to keep it all for herself, she saved a tiny piece and shared with Koko. “What’s with the stuffed animal?” The plush raven was still perched on the table.

  “I thought of you when I saw him, and I promise not to throw rocks at this one.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “You better not.”

  “Did you know they can solve complex puzzles?”

  “Yes, I did know that. Looks like someone did some research.”

  “Only a little. Nate made fun of me.” A frown ruined his perfect forehead.

  “Don’t think of him. Think about what you want to do tonight.” Getting to plan their evening activities in advance was a novelty, and she would do anything to distract him from thoughts of Nate.

  “Are there any more good hikes around here?”

  She laughed. “You’re in a state park, surrounded by pristine beauty. Of course there are good hikes.”

  “Can we meet in the parking lot after everyone else leaves?”

  “Sounds like a plan. I’ll bring sandwiches.”

  ****

  Brian strolled along the eastern rim trail as he waited for everyone to show up for the day. No one needed to know he’d stayed the night. From his vantage point, he could see a string of vans arriving, which was his cue to head to the costume trailer so he could start his day of work. The sooner it started, the sooner it would be over and he could be with Alex alone again.

  Alex stood, watching guard over the desert, totally focused on her job. When he did tricks on his horse, trying to show off, she rolled her eyes.

  “Remember what happened last time,” she called out.

  Travis laughed and Brian hit his shoulder playfully. “How could I forget?”

  She put on a good show for everyone, and he would’ve believed it if it weren’t for the way she looked at him when she thought no one else would notice. To everyone else, she was a hard-ass ranger who took her job very seriously. To him, she was everything he’d ever wanted in a woman.

  ****

  They managed to avoid each other for most of the day, and when Alex was forced to interact with him, she remembered that he was Blaze. Thankfully, though, she was used to it by now.

  Blaze by day, Brian by night.

  Blaze played a good game, making everyone believe his cocky swagger. Everyone except Alex. Brian lurked just under the surface, and it thrilled her to get to keep him all to herself.

  If only for a few more days.

  As they strolled hand-in-hand down an isolated trail back to his car later that night, he asked a question out of the blue. “Your parents really named you Alex? School must’ve sucked.”

  “No. My name is Alexis. My mom still calls me Ally, like I’m six. I hate it.”

  “Alexis,” he repeated, rolling her name around in his mouth, as if he were tasting the rise and fall of letters. “It’s beautiful.”

  Alexis never seemed to fit her, too soft for someone like her. Too feminine. But the way he said it was like magic. She wanted to be Alexis, just so he would say it again. “Thanks,” she whispered.

  As they approached his car, Alex said, “Do you want to come and watch a movie at my house tomorrow night? It’s usually just Maggie and me, but I figured if you could come, maybe Jim could too. We could all hang out. If it’s okay with Maggie. I need to ask first before we plan on anything.”

  “I’d love to if it works out. If not, I’ll just keep you all to myself.” To demonstrate what he had in mind, he pressed her against the passenger door and kissed along her jaw and then down her neck.

  “I can’t believe filming wraps up on Sunday,” she said. That fact had been eating her up since Steve told her. What would happen after? Between her and Brian?

  His mouth froze. “Oh.”

  “I wasn’t sure if you knew,” she added.

  With his face nuzzled into the crook of her neck, he wrapped his arms around her. “I don’t want to leave. This is the best vacation ever.”

  Was that all the last few days had been? A vacation from his real life? It was so much more to her but she couldn’t admit it now. She had allowed herself a little too much time in her fantasy world, the one where she and Brian would live happily ever after. But it seemed like all he wanted was to be happy for the week. Nothing more.

  ****

  The drive back to Dembi was long and lo
nely. Brian hated leaving her. Now more than ever. Filming would wrap in four days. Four more days of work and four more nights with Alex. “Why didn’t I ask her if I could stay? I’m an idiot.”

  The night went downhill when he pulled up to the hotel and found Nate waiting in the parking lot for him.

  “Look who decides to grace us with his presence,” Nate slurred.

  “You’re drunk.” Brian pushed past him.

  “So what?” Nate shoved him. “Give me the keys. They belong to me.”

  “I’m paying for the car. It’s mine as much as yours.”

  “Why do you have to be such a dick?” Nate swiped at his arm but missed.

  “Don’t touch me.”

  “I’ve been thinking about what you said.” Nate narrowed his eyes. “About me leaving my door open. They close automatically. I tried it out earlier.”

  “So?”

  “You lied to me. You broke into my room and stole my keys. I should have you arrested.”

  “It’s my word against yours. How do you think Alan would feel about me being hauled to the local jail? Imagine the look on his face. You haven’t told him, have you? You don’t have the balls.” All the rage and anger swelled to the surface as he laughed bitterly. “Where would that leave you? Unemployed. A wannabe-thug hungry for power with nowhere to go.”

  Nate pulled his hand back and let loose before Brian could step out of the way, his knuckles connecting squarely with Brian’s forehead. Luckily Nate was too drunk to do much harm, but it stung nonetheless. “You’re nothing but a washed-up drug addict.”

  “You don’t know the first thing about me,” Brian spat as he pushed away. On his way to his room, he considered calling Alan and telling on Nate, but he wasn’t sure Alan would believe him.

  In his room, he checked his eyebrow in the mirror. It wasn’t bleeding, but it would be bruised by morning. After a trip to the ice machine down the hall, he settled into his bed with a cold washcloth. When the throbbing stopped he packed his belongings into his duffle bag. Now he had to think about how to ask Alex if he could stay with her for the rest of the trip.

  That would create a new problem: he might be seen with her and she didn’t want that. He would have to convince her that being caught would be worth it.

  ****

  Brian slept with his packed bag, waking at the slightest noise. If he could get into Nate’s room, that meant Nate could return the favor. Too groggy for a run, he did a final check in his room, loaded the car, and headed into town. If he was going to make his case to Alex, he couldn’t show up empty-handed.

  With the trunk full of groceries and all his belongings, he drove to Twisted Juniper, hoping to get there before everyone else. Sure enough, the overflow parking lot sat empty. As he walked down the road toward her house, he sighed and practiced what he was going to say. When he approached he could see her standing in the kitchen eating cereal, wrapped in her robe, her hair wet.

  He rapped on the window and then pulled his hand back when he remembered the venomous spider living there. Alex’s face lit up and Koko rushed to the door and whined to greet him.

  “What are you doing here so early?” Alex asked as she opened the door and then her smile fell. “What happened to your eye?”

  “Nate.”

  She frowned. “He hit you?”

  Brian nodded. “He was drunk and angry. It was ugly.”

  “I’m sorry.” Resting her head against his chest, she hugged him, holding like that for a while, soothing his hurt and erasing his unpleasant night. “I missed you.”

  It was the perfect time to ask to stay, but the words got stuck in his throat. The proximity of her body had the usual effect on him, one he didn’t want to ignore, so he slid his hands down her back and cupped her spectacular ass.

  “It’s almost seven,” she murmured as she rubbed against his straining dick.

  “And?” He tugged the hem of her robe upward, uncovering her soft, warm flesh.

  “They’ll be here soon.” As she spoke, she unbuttoned his jeans.

  “Do you want me to stop?” he asked, waiting for her response.

  “No, I want you. Now,” she said before kissing him.

  He lifted her easily and sighed when she wrapped her legs around him. As he carried her down the hallway, she untied the belt holding her robe closed, letting it fall. The bedroom was apparently too far away, so she wiggled out of his grasp and finished undressing him in the hall, her hands frantic and impatient.

  No one had ever made him feel as desirable as she did. “That’s better,” she said before shoving him onto her bed and retrieving a condom from her bedside table. Before he had time to catch his breath, she tore the package with her teeth and straddled him. He squeezed his eyes shut while she sheathed his cock, her fingers caressing everything all at once, driving him wild. And then his dick pressed against her slippery sex.

  When she sank down on him it took his breath away and ignited his passion. They both stilled, basking in the initial moment of their union. “So good,” she mumbled and then she started moving. Every time their bodies met, she cried out, and then her face morphed as pleasure consumed her. He knew that face and what came next. And he wanted to give it to her.

  Dipping his fingers between their bodies, he rubbed her clit and slammed up into her.

  “Yes,” she screamed and her pussy fluttered around him.

  Wanting to make her come again, he fought to remain in control, but his body had a different idea. His cock swelled as he joined her in orgasmic bliss. When he tried to roll her off of him, she refused to move.

  “Give me a minute.” Pinning him to the bed, she melted against his chest, her heart hammering. Eventually, her pulse and breathing slowed.

  “I need to clean up,” he said and she relented, letting him go to the bathroom. When he finished, he joined her in bed. “I’m sorry that didn’t last—”

  She put her finger against his lips. “Don’t ever apologize for anything that spectacular. Besides, we didn’t have time for marathon sex.”

  “I’ll make it up to you later,” he promised.

  “I’m sure you will. You always deliver.”

  The clock read 7:20. “Have you talked to Maggie about tonight?”

  “No, all the lights were off last night after I got home, so I thought I’d play it safe and wait until today.”

  “When you talk to her, ask her and Jim if they want to join us for dinner.”

  Alex pushed up to look at him. “Are you planning on cooking again?”

  “I’d like to.”

  “When did you have time to shop?”

  He shrugged. “This morning.”

  “You really want to cook dinner for all of us?”

  “Yes,” he said emphatically. “I like your friends. They’re nice.”

  “You’re nice.”

  “Shh, don’t tell anyone,” he said. “I need to get the stuff out of the car so the produce doesn’t wilt.” Dressing proved trickier than he thought since his clothes were strewn all over the place. Alex laughed from the bed, which didn’t help. As he made his way through the parking lot with the bags of groceries, the first van arrived for the day, so he picked up his pace and ran back to Alex’s house.

  Alex stood in the front room buttoning the shirt of her brown uniform, which made him sad since he had hoped for a few more minutes in bed with her.

  “The first van just got here.” Koko wove through his legs as he made his way to the kitchen to unload the groceries. When he gave her a pumpkin treat, she wiggled to say thanks.

  Alex came up behind him and wrapped her arms around him. “Are you feeding the whole cast?”

  Brian laughed. It wasn’t all for dinner, but he couldn’t tell her that. And he had to admit that three days of groceries looked like a lot set out on her tiny counter. Now he had to work up the nerve to ask if he could stay. “If they can’t make it tonight, I’ll cook for just us. It’s not a big deal. Don’t pressure them, okay?”
<
br />   “I won’t.”

  The clock on the wall ticked, reminding him he needed to leave sooner rather than later.

  As if she could read his mind, she sighed and said, “We should both go.”

  He nodded and they walked to the front door together.

  “If you follow the wash between my house and Neal’s, you can get to the eastern trail. He lives on the other side of me,” she added, pointing away from Maggie’s house. “Just don’t let him see you.”

  Brian nodded and pulled his hood over his head. “See you later.”

  “Thanks for this morning.” She grinned and kissed him before he darted away.

  The morning air cooled his cheeks as he ran along the trail. As he approached the costume trailer, he found Nate waiting outside.

  “Did you enjoy your drive alone, princess?” Nate asked.

  “As a matter of fact, I did.” Brian straightened his back and touched his bruised eyebrow. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to see makeup about covering this up.”

  Nate looked away.

  Brian turned toward the makeup trailer but stopped mid-step. “By the way,” he said, getting Nate’s attention. “If you ever touch me again, I’ll break your fucking arm.”

  Nate didn’t respond.

  Chapter Sixteen

  When Alex went home for lunch, she stopped at Maggie’s and tapped lightly on the door.

  Maggie stepped outside and whispered, “He’s asleep.”

  “Great. How are you holding up? Is Jim at work again?”

  “Yeah, he’s been going in for a few hours here and there. It’s fine, mostly. Every day is a little easier. One of these weeks I might even feel up to going to town with him.”

  “Speaking of being social,” Alex started, “How do you feel about hanging out tonight…with Brian?”

  “Who’s Brian?”

  Alex shook her head. “Sorry, Blaze. His real name is Brian. Anyway, I miss you, but I also want to be with him, so I thought maybe we could have a movie night for all of us.”