All That Lies Within (37 page)

“I don’t know what to say.”

“Say thank you and promise me you’ll come to the wrap party.”

“I don’t know, Sam. We’ll see.”

“I assure you, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

“I’m sure it is.”

“Rebecca.” George joined them.

“Well, this is my cue to exit stage left,” Sam said. He gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Come to the party,” he whispered, and then he walked away.

“Before you disappear into the sunset or get buried under a snowdrift in the northeast,” George said, “I just want to say how impressed I am with your work. For someone with no experience in this business to walk in under these circumstances and do what you did—well, that’s mighty rare. You have my admiration and respect.”

“Thank you, George. And thank you for your kindness and patience in helping me through the learning curve. Working on this movie is an experience I’ll always treasure.”

“When do you leave for Vermont?”

“In the morning.”

“Going home in time for Christmas, eh?”

“More like going home in time to administer finals before Christmas break.”

George laughed. “In which case, I’m sure you’ll be very popular with your students.”

“Or not,” Rebecca replied. “Thank you for this opportunity, George. It’s been a great honor.”

“Who knows,” George shrugged, “maybe we’ll do it again sometime.” He patted her on the shoulder. “Anyway, I didn’t want to let you slip away without expressing my gratitude.”

“Thank you, George.”

With a wave he was gone, leaving Rebecca alone again. She glanced back hopefully in the direction of the soundstage door. Dara was nowhere to be seen, so she continued on to her trailer to pack up her things.

“Oh, my God. What’s this?” On the desk were dozens of the most gorgeous red and white roses she’d ever seen. They took up every available inch of space. Rebecca inhaled their scent and opened the envelope that came with them.

Darling,

The beauty of these roses pales in comparison to your exquisiteness. There are ninety roses here. One for every day of making magic with you.

I love you with all my heart. Now and forevermore, I am yours.

Dara

“Oh, sweetheart. I love you, Dara.”

“I’m sorry. Could you say that again, once more with feeling?”

Rebecca whipped around toward the door to see Dara standing there, framed in the last vestiges of daylight. From this angle, it appeared that she had a halo around her head.

Rebecca threw herself into Dara’s arms just as Dara managed to get the door closed. “I love you. I love you. I love you. So much more than words can say. I am yours. Now and always.”

“Now that’s what I love to hear.”

“What are you doing here? You’ve got to get to the party.”

“No party, in fact, nothing in the world, could be more important than being right here with you, right now.”

“Sweetheart, you’re expected. You’re the star. You have to show up.”

“I will. But not before I properly thank you.” Dara kissed Rebecca breathless. “Thank you for fulfilling all of my dreams, both personal and professional. Thank you for coming into my life and restoring my faith in love. Thank you for being the most amazing person I’ve ever met.”

“I am so grateful for you. You’ve made my every wish, my every whispered hope, come true. I am so blessed to have you in my life.” Rebecca buried her hands in Dara’s hair. When their mouths met again, the feeling was electric. “Wait,” Rebecca said, as Dara moved them toward the futon. Rebecca’s blouse was halfway unbuttoned. “Wait.”

Dara stilled her hands. The desire in her eyes nearly cleaved Rebecca in two.

“You really do need to go to the party. If you’re late, it will look horrible.”

“Damn you for being practical.” Dara smiled.

“I know. Also, before we get lost in each other again, a common phenomenon any time we’re alone, I want to say something.”

“Okay.” Dara sat on the edge of the futon.

“You know I had a crush on Constance long before I ever got here.”

“No secret there.”

“Let me finish.” Rebecca quickly kissed Dara and then danced out of reach. “But being here, watching Dara work, has been nothing short of life-changing. Your performance in this movie was so far off the charts I don’t even have the superlatives to describe it.”

In a rarity, Dara blushed.

“Never in my life have I met anyone with so many skills, so many talents, so many attributes, so much grace and beauty, inside and out.”

“You’re a little biased, you know.”

“Not this time.” Rebecca shook her head. “Honestly, Dara, if you don’t win an Oscar for this performance…”

“Shh.” Dara rose again and pulled Rebecca into her arms. “We don’t talk about those kinds of things. It’s bad luck.”

“I didn’t peg you for superstitious.”

“I’m not, really. I’d just rather focus on us. On this. Our time together is so precious. I want to spend every moment loving you.”

“Then hurry up and go to the party, already. I’ll be waiting at home for you.” Rebecca kissed her thoroughly once more and resettled Dara’s hair. She stepped back. “Thank God for movie-grade lipstick that never moves. Thank you, Zip.”

“Okay,” Dara said, and kissed Rebecca one more time. “I’m really going now.”

Rebecca pushed her playfully toward the door. “Go. I’ll just be getting a crane to get these flowers back to the house. I’ll probably still be unloading them by the time you get home.”

Rebecca closed her eyes and inhaled the scent of the dozen fresh roses on the coffee table.
I miss you so much it’s a physical ache, babe.
She opened her eyes to evaluate the fully decorated Christmas tree in her living room one last time. She’d debated whether to keep her tradition of trimming the tree the night before Christmas. Her heart wasn’t in it this year, with Dara stuck all the way across the country. Still, tradition was tradition…

The sound of carolers outside the door drew Rebecca to the window. They approached, carrying candles to light their way. It was a uniquely beautiful Christmas Eve sight, especially with the light dusting of snow.

The carolers, well insulated from the cold with heavy parkas, face scarves, hats, and gloves, were singing
Hark the Herald Angels
, one of her favorites. Rebecca opened the front door before they rang the bell. The melodic sounds of a dozen voices raised in harmony wafted into the night air and Rebecca clapped her hands in delight.

As the last notes of the song died away, one of the group called out, “Merry Christmas, Professor.”

Rebecca tried to see if she could recognize anyone, but the many layers of clothing made it impossible. “Merry Christmas to all of you. Thank you for making my night.”

The group moved away, but one person from the middle of the pack stayed behind.

When the person said nothing, Rebecca asked, “Do you need something? A hot drink? A bathroom?”

The person stepped forward, closer to the porch light, shedding a hat and face scarf as she went. “What I need is you.”

Rebecca opened her mouth to speak, but what came out was a squeak.

“Can I come in?”

Rebecca stepped aside and mutely trailed behind Dara. As the door clicked closed, strong arms lifted her off the floor, spun her around, and set her back down.

“I love you so much. I couldn’t bear for us to be apart on Christmas.” Dara threw the hat and scarf on the floor and struggled out of her gloves and heavy jacket.

“How did you—” The rest of the question was swallowed up in a tangle of tongues, moans, and hammering hearts.

“I love you.” Tears swam in Dara’s eyes. They mirrored the moisture Rebecca felt on her own cheeks.

“I love you too.”

Hand in hand they went to stand in front of the Christmas tree.

“It’s gorgeous, and it smells good.” Dara took a deep breath in.

“Douglas fir. After all, I live in the land of Christmas trees. Do you really like it?”

“I love it.” Dara squeezed her hand. “But there’s something missing.”

“What?” Rebecca’s stomach dropped.

“Hold on a second.” Dara let go of her hand and walked out the front door. Curious, Rebecca followed. Dara was rooting around behind the bushes that bordered the porch.

“What are you looking for?”

“This.” Dara returned with a wrapped present and an overnight bag.

“How did you…? When did you…?”

“I’m sure there’s a question in there somewhere just dying to get out.” Dara laughed. “Now can we go back inside? It’s f-freezing out here.”

When they were safely back inside, Dara placed the present under the tree.

Rebecca stared at it for several moments.

“No cheating. I can see that you want to shake it. Don’t. That would be cheating.”

“But…”

“Nope.”

“Can I open it tonight?”

“Would you rather open the present tonight or open me tonight?” Dara’s voice was a seductive purr.

“Um. Uh.” Heat suffused Rebecca’s cheeks and radiated downward throughout her body. “Can I have both?”

“Oh. Greedy, greedy, greedy. But if you open this tonight, what will you open tomorrow morning?”

“I’ll worry about that tomorrow.”

“Very well.” Dara retrieved the large box from under the tree and handed it to Rebecca. For the first time, she seemed to notice the fire crackling in the fireplace. “How about in front of that?”

“Sure. Hang on.” Rebecca put the present down and retrieved a couple of couch cushions and a blanket. She laid them out on the floor and patted one of the cushions for Dara to sit on.

When they were fully situated, Rebecca examined the package, looking at it from all sides.

“Have any guesses?”

“Not a clue.” The box was light, but big.

“Don’t you dare shake it. That would be cheating. Just open it.”

“Okay.” Rebecca teased the tape from the corners and eased it off without ripping the paper.

Dara impatiently drummed her fingers on the floor. “I should’ve known you’d be one of those.”

“One of what?”

“A careful opener.”

“I’m just savoring the experience.”

“Of course you are.”

Rebecca continued to worry at the tape until the paper fell away. Inside was a large plain shipping box. She got up and retrieved a pocketknife with which to slit open the packing tape. When she looked inside the box, there was another wrapped box.

“Oh, my God. You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“The way you’re going about this, it’ll take all night. If you ever want to unwrap this present,” Dara indicated herself, “you’d better speed it up.”

The admonition was sufficient incentive for Rebecca to slice through the next round of wrapping paper to reveal yet another box, and then another.

“There is a real present in here, right?”

“Patience is a virtue. I promise you’ll be rewarded.”

Three boxes later, Rebecca finally held something in her hand that didn’t feel like a box. She hefted it experimentally.

“Open it carefully.”

“Okay.” Rebecca slit the tape and gently smoothed the paper away. “Oh, my. Is this…?” She looked at Dara for confirmation and Dara nodded, her eyes gleaming.

Reverently, Rebecca turned it over in her hands and ran her fingertips over the surface of the raised letters. The book jacket read:
Love Above All Else
, a novel by Pulitzer Prize-winner Constance Darrow.

“This is only a review copy. The actual finished retail version won’t be out until—”

“February 14
^th
. I know.” Rebecca caressed the cover. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Open it.” Dara scooted closer until their shoulders and hips were touching. She eased the hardcover open and skipped past the first few pages. When she let go, Rebecca could see that the book was open to the dedication page. “Read it.”

Rebecca read the writing centered in the middle of the page.

To the world’s preeminent Constance Darrow scholar, Professor Rebecca Minton. Thanks for challenging me always to be my very best. Your loyal fan, Constance Darrow

“Oh.” Rebecca put trembling fingers to her mouth and tears sprang to her eyes. She tried to focus on the words as she reread them. She sought Dara’s eyes, which glittered in the reflected light of the fire.

“Do you like it, darling?”

“L-like it? I’m speechless. Did you really…” She read the words again. “I can’t… I don’t…”

“I love you, Rebecca.” Dara lifted the book from Rebecca’s limp fingers, closed it, and set it aside. “Now, if you don’t mind too terribly much, I’d like to unwrap my gift.” Slowly, with painstaking care, she unbuttoned Rebecca’s shirt and peeled it off, followed seconds later by her bra, shoes, and socks. Finally, Dara unzipped Rebecca’s pants and removed them, along with the lace panties.

When Rebecca was completely naked, Dara raked her eyes over her body. “Now that’s what I call the perfect Christmas present.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

“Open it.” Dara vibrated with excitement. She nudged the small wrapped box toward Rebecca.

“Now?” Rebecca asked. She sat in front of the large makeup mirror and put the finishing touches on her makeup. “I’ve never been to a big movie premiere. I don’t want to be late.”