by Alexa Aston
Cassie waved him inside. “We’ll be starting in about fifteen minutes.”
“I know. I just wanted to come say hi to my girl before I left for the day,” Dash said.
Cassie smiled. “Sydney was just telling me how you aren’t coming to the auditions today.” She stood. “I’ll give you two a moment alone.” As she left, Cassie put a hand on Dash’s shoulder and gave him a squeeze. “I like you, Dash DeLauria. I think you’re good for Sydney.”
He came and took the seat that Cassie had vacated and leaned over to kiss Sydney. “How’s your morning so far?”
“Busy. Up since six. Working on the shooting schedule with Bernie Costello, the college intern Dad’s taken on. How about you?”
“A workout with Leo. Breakfast with Herc and Tim. They’re headed to the zoo today to see those new lion cubs that were recently born. They’re on display to the public for the first time today.”
“I’ll bet Herc was beside himself.”
Dash laughed. “He’s pretty excited. He couldn’t decide between his blue Mickey T-shirt or his green one. Tim convinced him the green one might be more like the jungle, so green it was.” He took her hand. “I wanted to come say hi and remind you that I’m not ignoring you today. I’m focusing on the job.”
“Same here. Regina may give you some input on the selection but we’re here to pick the best Rachel for Paul. That’s my objective today.”
“Okay.” He gave her a swift, hard kiss. “See you later?”
“You said to leave tonight free. I did.”
“Good. I’ve got something fun in mind.”
Sydney blew Dash a kiss as he left the room. Cassie returned almost immediately, followed by Regina and Jayla. They discussed the most important things they were looking for in Rachel to make sure everyone was on the same page. By then, it was time for Number One’s second audition.
Regina had One play the same scene from the other day. They wanted to see all three candidates read that scene again as a baseline. Then Regina moved on to a new scene, allowing Jayla to read with One. So far, One didn’t impress Sydney. The actress was one of the two she’d previously thought would make a good Rachel but already Sydney could tell One was all wrong.
Then Jayla brought Dash in. They’d decided to see the actresses without Dash in the room and then have him read with each. Regina believed chemistry was key so she made sure the camera continued rolling as Dash showed up. As before, he didn’t greet any of them because he was all Paul.
One looked a little confused but played along. They did the scene. Sydney steeled herself when the pair had to kiss but she didn’t see the sparks that should be present between them. Paul strolled out without a backward glance, his disinterest obvious.
One glanced around nervously. “Is he always like that?”
“Thank you, Number One. We’ll be in touch with your agent, either way,” Regina said brusquely.
One left, shaking her head.
Jayla escorted Number Two in.
This was the other woman Sydney had liked. Keely Kennedy. She nailed both scenes without Dash. Cassie caught Sydney’s eyes and gave her a brief nod of approval. Then Paul returned. It was obvious Keely knew exactly what Dash was doing and she responded to Paul as Rachel Sturgis. Sydney watched their scene unfold with interest. Even the kiss at the end didn’t leave her uncomfortable because it was between two characters. Paul broke the kiss and gazed at Rachel longingly before he sauntered out.
“He’s scary good,” Keely said, amazement evident in her voice.
“Yes, he is, Number Two,” Regina said. She gave her the same spiel about contacting her agent.
The last actress in the callback had left Sydney cold. Rachel was a strong woman but she had to show great vulnerability. Sydney didn’t think Number Three looked the part and though she was a very good actress, Sydney didn’t think Three could pull off the fragility needed.
Sydney was wrong.
Three was by far the most beautiful of the women auditioning. She was very blond so she’d need to dye her hair or be fitted with a decent wig. Apart from her coloring being wrong, she definitely had the most talent. She sailed through the two scenes Regina required.
Then Dash entered. Three’s entire demeanor changed. As she and Dash enacted the scene, Cassie’s dialogue came to life. Palpable sparks were evident between the pair. Three showed a strong range of emotion. When the scene ended, Three dropped her head. She raised it almost immediately and turned to her acting partner.
“That was magic, Dash. I hope you know I’m your Rachel.”
Dash never broke character. He gave her a blank look and said, “Who the fuck is Dash?” before he left the room.
Three watched him go. Then she looked back at the panel with a confident air.
“Thanks for the callback. I wondered what Dash DeLauria was doing being cast in this production. Now, I know.”
Three’s name was Marlyn November. Sydney already hated her because she knew Marlyn would get the part.
“We’ll notify your agent, Number Three.”
“I’ll tell him to be expecting the call.” She gave them a sultry smile. “I look forward to working with you.”
Jayla led Three out the door and then asked, “Need me for anything else, Regina?”
The casting director reached over and shut off the camera. “Not now. Go do whatever Monty needs you to do.” Then Regina looked at Sydney and Cassie. “Personally, I don’t like her one bit but it’s definitely Three.”
Sydney kept quiet. She couldn’t be objective right now.
Cassie tapped her pen against the table. “I still liked Two. She’s raw. She would need a lot of direction but I think she has it in her.”
“With seasoning, she’ll be good but the part should go to Three.” Regina looked at Sydney. “What do you think?”
Sydney kept her voice neutral. “I prefer Two—but Three has that intangible that’s needed. If she looks good on film, you should go with her.”
“Then let’s review it.”
Regina zipped through One’s audition. “No sense to waste time on her.”
They watched Two and then Three. Then Two again. And Three once more.
“I still say Three,” Regina said emphatically.
“Three has the chops,” Cassie admitted. “If for any reason she’s not available, my money’s on Two.”
Sydney knew Three wouldn’t let anything get in the way of taking this role. Not even her own mother’s funeral.
“Do you want Dash’s opinion, Regina?” Sydney asked.
“Not really. I’ve already made my mind up. But let’s hear what he has to say.”
◆◆◆
Not Marlyn November. Anyone but Marlyn.
Dash strode down the hall, fully himself now, all vestiges of Paul Hannigan left behind. No Regrets would put him on the map as more than an action star. With Marlyn November as his acting partner?
Production would be a nightmare.
He found himself in the kitchen. Diamond, who was unloading the dishwasher, gave him a look that he couldn’t quite interpret. The housekeeper had been fairly nice to him after Sydney introduced Dash as her boyfriend to Diamond.
“What do you need, Mr. Dash? You look upset.”
“A hole to crawl in.” He sighed. “A bottled water will do.”
“Sit,” she ordered as she went to the refrigerator and picked out his drink. She handed it to him and took a seat at the table beside him.
“What’s troubling you, honey?” she asked, her voice kind.
“An actress I slept with is about to get the part of Rachel in my movie, Diamond. She’ll be nothing but trouble.”
“How long were you lovers?”
“Four days. Which was about three days too long.” He unscrewed the cap and downed half the bottle. “I’d just signed for my first lead role and celebrated by taking my brother camping in Colorado. I brought him home and still had a few days before wardrobe fittings started so I
went to kick up my heels in Vegas.”
“Uh-huh. Vegas. Nothin’ good happens there.” Diamond’s judgmental look didn’t lift his spirits any.
“I met Marlyn in an elevator,” he continued. “Somehow, we wound up back in my room. The next day, her luggage showed up. We didn’t leave the room for the next three days. By the end, I was calling her SVP in my head. Sensual. Volatile. Poison.”
“I see.”
“I’ve made plenty of mistakes, Diamond, but I’ve matured. I’m a thousand percent in love with Sydney. Marlyn’s like a bad penny, though. Having her around is going to cause trouble, whether it’s on the set or between Sydney and me.”
Diamond said, “First, you tell Miss Sydney up front that you slept with this tramp.”
Dash nodded, bringing a hand to his mouth to cover a smile.
“Next, if they ask, you be frank and tell them this Marlyn bitch is trouble. She could mess with the production. Mr. Monty runs a smooth set.”
“And what if Regina still wants Marlyn for the part?”
Diamond’s eyes held his. “Then you walk the straight and narrow path, Mr. Dash. You don’t give Miss Sydney any reason to think you’re unfaithful. Period. You show up. You know your lines. You do your piece. You go home. You keep Miss Sydney happy. You got that?”
“Loud and clear.”
“Hey, Dash.” Jayla stood in the doorway. “Regina wants to talk with you.”
He stood and finished the rest of the bottle and handed the empty to Diamond. “Good advice, Diamond. I’ll follow it to the letter.”
“You better.”
He entered the audition room. His eyes sought Sydney. Her face was a mask, void of emotion. That told him right away that Marlyn already had the role. He grabbed a folding chair against the wall and brought it over.
“Any preferences?” Regina asked.
“I liked the one in the middle.”
“Keely Kennedy,” Cassie supplied. “She did an excellent audition.”
“I agree,” Dash said. “She’s talented. Inexperienced. Still, Monty’s great at bringing out the best in unproven actors.”
“What about Three?” Regina asked.
“She’s got the chops. Physically, she’s nothing like what Cassie created even though makeup and wigs can remedy that. Acting-wise, she’s very talented but she’s too confident. I don’t see the unguarded, insecure side of Rachel in her. She’s a little too brittle.” He paused. “Also, I know her. She’s got a volatile personality and wouldn’t think twice about causing trouble on the set.”
Regina snorted. “That’s for Monty to deal with. He’s a master at manipulating actors without them even realizing what he’s doing. I did like Two but we’re going with Three. I want you to watch your scene together and you’ll see why.”
Regina cued up the scene. As Dash watched, he could see the electricity between their characters. Marlyn looked better on film than in person.
The casting director hit pause. “See what I mean?”
Dash nodded. “She’ll be great for the role. I know you’ll help her look like what Cassie imagined and that Monty will pull the best performance from her. Thanks for letting me give you my feedback, Regina.”
Cassie stood. “My part here is through for now. Monty insisted I be present for casting Paul and Rachel. I’ll leave the rest up to Regina. Rhett’s got six weeks before he starts shooting his next project. We’re going to enjoy our beach house rental and have some fun in the sun.” She gathered her things. “We’ll definitely do another cookout soon. But for now, I want alone time with my hot husband.”
“Talk to you soon,” Sydney said as Cassie waved goodbye.
It was the first time she’d spoken since Dash entered the room.
“Are you sitting in on anymore auditions, Sydney?” Regina asked.
“No. Dad only wanted me here for the top two. I’ve got plenty on my plate regarding the film. The rest of casting is in your hands, Regina. Good luck.”
Sydney picked up a notepad, her iPad, and a pen. She slid her purse onto her shoulder. “I’ll walk you out,” she told Dash.
He waited until they left the house before he spoke. “I need to tell you something.”
“That you slept with Marlyn November?”
He winced. “Yeah. That. It didn’t even last a week. I haven’t seen her in over three years.”
“You know she’ll go after you again. That woman is a first-class predator. A Velociraptor would be chopped liver next to her.”
Dash heard the flat tone in Sydney’s voice. He slipped his arms around her waist. “This guy is taken by this girl. If you want, I’ll have that printed on a T-shirt—along with our picture—and wear it the first day of the table read.”
Sydney giggled. “I like that idea, Dash DeLauria.”
He kissed her and let his mouth drift across her cheek and to her ear. “I’m full of good ideas. Even a few great ones.” He whispered one into her ear. Dash loved the shiver than ran through her body at his suggestion.
“I’ll pick you up at seven-thirty. Not dressy. A step above casual. I guess dressy casual. Is that a thing?”
“Does this include dinner? Or only that great little idea you just mentioned.”
“Eat dinner before—but leave room for popcorn,” he said.
Sydney kissed him. “I’ll see you then.”
Dash watched her go back into the house. He didn’t know why the stars had aligned as they had. Fate had brought this precious woman and this memorable role into his life at the same time. He felt like the luckiest guy on earth as he walked to his car and climbed in.
“Hello, Dash. What kept you?”
Marlyn November sat in the passenger’s seat.
CHAPTER 19
“Get out,” Dash ordered.
“Why should I?” Marlyn batted her eyelashes at him seductively. “Do you really want your little girlfriend to see me do that? Maybe I should—”
“I told her about you. And that there’s nothing between us.”
Marlyn gave him a Cheshire Cat smile. “You didn’t have to tell her anything, Dash. All she had to do was watch what unraveled right in front of her. Talk about sexual combustion. Fireworks wouldn’t have lit up that audition room any brighter.” She slid a tapered fingernail along his forearm.
Dash jerked his arm away. “It was acting, Marlyn. It’ll stay on the set once we start.”
Her bottom lip did that pouty thing that had given him such a rush when they’d met. This time, he felt zilch.
“So, no rehearsing on our own?”
“No,” he said firmly. “This movie will be great for both our careers. Don’t screw it up. Do everything Monty Revere says.”
“Will your play toy also be on set?”
“Sydney is first assistant director. You better show her as much respect as her dad.”
“Her father is Monty Revere? Hmm . . .”
“Get out and go home, Marlyn. You got the role. Know your lines when you show up. Do the best acting of your life. It’ll benefit both of us.”
“Can’t you give me a ride?” she pleaded.
Dash glared at her.
Marlyn leaned close to him. Her strong perfume overwhelmed him. “Can’t wait to work with you, Captain.” She pecked him on the cheek and climbed out of the car.
He watched her in his rearview mirror. She crossed the street and climbed into a sleek, white convertible, her ass twitching every step of the way. She gave him a wave and pulled away from the curb.
Dash started his car and cursed. He hated her cute little nickname for him. She’d called him “Captain” because of how his penis practically stood at attention whenever he looked at her. She’d salute him and purr the name into his ear as she stroked him.
He hated her. Hated everything she stood for. He wasn’t proud of his alley cat past. He had to make sure Marlyn didn’t come between him and Sydney.
Dash drove home, angry that Marlyn November had wormed her way back into h
is life at a critical time and that he had no control over it. He lowered the top because of the heavy fragrance that lingered in the car. The last thing he wanted was for Sydney to climb in and smell it. Dash headed straight for the shower. Marlyn’s perfume clung to his skin. Then he saw the lipstick stain she’d left on his cheek. He rubbed his knuckles against it, smearing it along his face. He turned the shower on as hot as he could stand and scrubbed every trace of Marlyn away.
The rest of the afternoon was spent in his bathrobe, locked away in his room reading Cassie’s script for No Regrets. Monty had finally sent it over this morning. Dash read the screenplay straight through, wanting to get the impact of the story beyond the storyboards he’d read. He went through it a second time more slowly, making notes in the margin about things he wanted to ask Cassie regarding Paul’s character. He’d give her a few days before texting about a meeting. He’d recognized the look in her eyes. Cassie Corrigan was hungry for her husband when she left the Revere house earlier.
Dash finally understood that kind of hunger.
It was different from all those years when he hankered for sex. It hadn’t mattered who his partner was. His gratification came from the act itself. He found a willing female. They did it. Sometimes once. Sometimes—like with Marlyn November—for a few days. Or his longest relationship—Ashley Franklin—a few weeks.
The hunger claiming Dash now was for one woman. He yearned for Sydney in ways he couldn’t describe in words. His yearning wasn’t merely his desire for a physical connection with her, though they certainly had that. His longings were as much physical as emotional. He needed not only Sydney’s willing body. He desired her mind. She completed him in a way that totally satisfied him—yet left him wanting more after each encounter.
That’s the look he’d seen in Cassie’s eyes. Her appetite for Rhett. Dash recognized it because he possessed the very same longing for Sydney.
Dash dressed and added tortoise shell framed glasses. He used spirit gum to secure a mustache above his lip. He wanted to take her out in public tonight and didn’t want to be recognized.
He opened his bedroom door and caught the smell of garlic. He’d worked through dinner. He’d have to double up on the popcorn.