Crashing Into Love (21 page)

“Fi, I’m gonna…”

Her teeth were clenched, eyes closed, lost in her own release. The sight did him in. Two powerful thrusts sent him over the edge, teeth gritted, grunting with every magnificent pulse of his orgasm.

He folded her into his arms and nuzzled against her neck, unable to quiet his thoughts no matter how vulnerable they made him.

“Don’t leave me again, Fi. Please.”

He felt her melt beneath him.

“Never,” she whispered.

He closed his eyes, still buried inside her, and for the first time in as long as he could remember, he thanked the heavens above. He’d lost faith for so long that he’d worried he might never believe or trust again.

He had been so wrong.

So very wrong.

THE NEXT WEEK passed with the comfort and thrill of getting acquainted with new sides of a favorite lover. Finn had finally called Fiona. She was beginning to worry about why he hadn’t, despite his reaching out to Shea. He’d told her that he didn’t want to get in the way of what she was doing. He’d known that she was still in love with Jake forever, but he’d always been careful not to tell her what to do about it. He’d said he was happy for her, and of course, he’d said that if she ever needed him, he would drop everything to be there for her. And she knew he would.

Fiona had spent every night at Jake’s house since the previous weekend. They’d spent hour upon hour in each other’s arms, making love, then dozing, and making love again, before getting up each morning to face the day together. They’d fallen into an easy pattern of going on early-morning runs, and in that sense it was just like old times. They teased each other, egged each other on to push themselves harder, and knocked teeth when they tried to kiss as they ran.

Jake enjoyed running the hilly trails, but Fiona’s favorite run was along the beach. The crisp morning air and the salty breeze filled her with a feeling of newness and hope, while the hilly runs reminded her of home. After their run, while Jake worked out in his home gym, Fiona caught up on emails from her real job. They showered together—being sure to leave extra time for lovemaking and teasing beneath the warm spray. They had coffee, pretending they weren’t ogling each other, before finally driving in to work together.

Some days Jake had meetings that took him off set and Fiona was on a dead run keeping up with Trish.

Fiona became closer to Patch and Trace, and Zane had taken to teasing her about Jake.
Where’s loverboy? Where’s Casanova?
It was all in fun, and she no longer felt uncomfortable around Zane or the other A-list actors. She’d even seen Megan Flexx crossing one of the sets, and Megan had lifted her hand in a tentative wave that Fiona had read as a peace offering.

Friday afternoon Jake surprised Fiona with a romantic picnic in the park. Well, not really a park, because they didn’t have time to go off set, but he’d arranged to use the park setting of another movie. They’d finished their sandwiches and were stretched out on a blanket beneath a tree, holding hands while lying on their backs.

“Heard back from my doc.” Jake pushed up onto his elbow with a serious look in his eyes.

Fiona’s pulse raced. “And?”

His grin told her the results were negative. He lowered his lips to hers, and his tongue worked its magic, stealing her thoughts and making her body heat with desire. Jake’s kisses held promises of gratifying sex and so much more. She wanted to climb inside them and bed down for the night. His big, strong hands moved slowly up her torso and gripped her ribs. When he tore his lips away, she moaned and tried to pull him back for more.

He brushed his thumb over her nipple, looking at her like he could devour her right there and then.

“You sure you want to get ready for the cast dinner at Trish’s tonight and not with me?”

No. I want to go to your trailer and fuck your brains out.

 “I…” She swallowed, trying to regain control and think rationally. His question took her by surprise. The cast dinner was the last thing on her mind. It took her a minute to remember that they were lying on an open movie set where anyone could see them. She had work to do, and so did he. Spending an hour devouring each other wasn’t a viable option. She forced the thoughts from her mind and focused on his question.
Dinner. Getting ready with Trish
.

“If you don’t mind. Shea sent over dresses and has a makeup artist and hairstylist coming to help us get ready.”

“But Shea’s not sending this over.” He pressed his rigid length against her thigh.

“So unfair,” she whispered and pulled him down for another delicious kiss.

“God, Jake.” She tried to right her breathing and refocus
again
. She’d missed his virility and potency in the way he kissed her, the way he touched her. The way he freaking breathed. She was a goner. Gone. Gone. Gone.

 “It’ll be fun. You can pick me up at her place like a real date.”

Jake nodded, but his eyes grew serious. “Okay, but you have no idea what these things are like. You might want to work off some nervous energy first.” He ground his hips against her again.

Fiona closed her eyes, fighting the urge to rip his clothes off or give in and get ready for dinner at his place so they could have an hour to devour each other first. She’d promised Trish they’d get ready together, and she was so nervous, she needed Trish to assure her she’d be okay. She couldn’t back out. She tried to make light of it to ease her own nerves and bring her head back into rational territory instead of the land of Jake Braden’s manhood.

“How bad can it be? It’s dinner at a restaurant.” She’d asked Trace what to expect, and Trace had told her that it would be kind of crazy. That the stars who were in demand—Jake, Zane, and a number of others, as well as Trish as the up-and-comer—would be the center of attention. Fiona had expected that, and she felt secure enough to handle it.

“Everyone’s there. The press, directors, producers, every cast member. It’s going to be loud, and half the people will be hyping the movie, while the other half will talk about what happens if it bombs.” Worry lines streaked his forehead.

“That doesn’t sound so bad.”

He looked away, and Fiona’s stomach sank. She wondered if he was trying to prepare her for another Megan Flexx encounter. He’d received a few sexy texts from women over the past few days, and he’d been honest about who they were. He’d even texted them back explaining that he was off the market. It had seemed a strange way to reference himself. Then again, social circles that revolved around single men and women were often linked to the term
meat market
.

And Jake was damn meaty.

“And…” Jake smiled as he sat up. “You’ll be there looking hotter than hell and men will be ogling you.”

Fiona climbed into his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck, relieved that jealousy was his issue and not something more ominous. She didn’t even want to imagine what else it could have been.

“I have noticed, and it’s not like you have anything to worry about.”

Jake’s phone vibrated, and she felt his body tense beneath her.

She slid off his lap. “Go ahead and get it. I need to head back in a sec anyway.”

“It’s okay.” He reached for her again.

“Jake, we’ve made it through several sexy texts from women already. I think we’ll be fine.”

He shook his head and rubbed his eyes with his thumb and forefinger. “I really hate who I was, Fi.”

“I don’t. Well, I kind of do, but who you were helped you become who you are. Besides, out of all the beautiful women out there, you chose me. I feel special.” His phone vibrated again. “So answer your phone.”

He sighed and pulled his cell from his pocket. She saw relief in his eyes. “Hey, Em.” He mouthed
Emily
to Fiona.

“Really? When are they coming?” Jake pulled Fiona closer as he listened to Emily. “We’ll still be filming, but we could Skype with you.”

Fiona loved hearing him say
we
.

“Me and Fiona.” He held the phone away from his head.

Fiona heard Emily squeal. Jake cringed; Fiona laughed. She heard Emily talking a mile a minute.

Jake handed her the phone. “Chick stuff.”

She pressed the phone to her ear. “Hi, Emily. It’s Fiona. Your brother relinquished the phone. How are you?”

“Oh my God. Fiona. You guys are really together!” She spoke so fast that Fiona couldn’t help but laugh. “I knew he wasn’t over you. I knew you were meant for each other. I knew it. I’m so happy.”

“So are we, Emily. Thank you.”

Jake lay back on the blanket and rested his forearm over his eyes, keeping one hand on Fiona’s thigh.

“I called to tell Jake our cousins Shannon and Sam are coming into town. We were hoping he could come home to see them. We haven’t seen them in years. But he said he’s still going to be filming, but you could Skype with us.”

“Sure. Just let us know when and we’ll make sure we’re around.” Speaking of themselves as a couple felt really good
.
As if he was thinking the same thing, Jake squeezed her leg.

“Okay. Hey, I have to run. Dae and I are meeting Ross and Elisabeth at the movies.” Emily gasped. “Oh my gosh! I just realized that when Jake does visit again, maybe you’ll be with him and we can double date.”

Fiona loved that idea so much she couldn’t stop grinning after they ended the call.

Jake slid his arm away from his eyes and smiled up at her. “You realize all of Trusty will know about us in about seven minutes, right?”

“The Trusty grapevine is pretty rabid.” Not that she minded at all.

Jake grinned. “The Trusty grapevine has nothing on Emily.”

“Is that why you brought me into the conversation? I see. First you alert the paparazzi; now you alert Emily, Trusty’s equivalent of the paparazzi. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were trying to send some kind of message.”

He swept her beneath him. “I am. Loud and clear. Fiona Steele is now off the market.”

Boy, do I like the sound of that.

 LATER THAT EVENING, Fiona stood in Trish’s hotel room in a designer black strapless cocktail dress, astounded at her reflection in the mirror, while the makeup artist Shea had arranged for them added the finishing touches to Trish’s makeup.

“You’re hot, Fi,” Trish said. “Isn’t she hot, Javier?”

Javier, the makeup artist, turned with an eyeliner pencil in his hand, pursed his thin lips, which matched his pencil-thin, skinny-jeans-clad body, and ran scrutinizing eyes over Fiona. Her stomach quivered under his assessing gaze.

“Honey, Jake Braden isn’t going to know what hit him. With those smoky eyes and crimson lips that look like they were made for kissing? Mm-mm-mm. The man will be in heaven.” Javier turned his attention back to Trish. “And you’re going to have all those other men lining up for your attention, sugar.”

“Thanks, Javier, but I’m not on the hunt for a man. I just want to make it through this production without anyone hating me.” Trish waved Fiona over to her. “Can you FaceTime Shea? I promised she’d get to see us.”

“Yeah, of course. I forgot she flew back to New York last night. I’ll use your laptop because it has a bigger screen.” Fiona connected FaceTime on the laptop and called Shea. The side of Shea’s head filled the screen.

“Hold on.” Shea must have set the phone down, because her camera was pointing at the ceiling. “I’m just finishing up a draft contract. Hold on one sec.” A minute later Shea picked up the phone. Her eyes widened as Fiona twirled in her dress. “Fi! Oh my God! Look at you! You look like you belong on the red carpet.”

“I don’t know about that, but Javier worked wonders, didn’t he?”

Shea smiled. “You really do look amazing. You’ll be the prettiest one there tonight.”

“Ahem,” Trish said loudly.

“Oh, let me turn the laptop. You have to see Trish. She’s wearing an emerald-green dress that she had to paint on, and Javier did something awesome to her eyes that really brings out the green.”

“I love your technical terms.” Javier finished with Trish’s makeup and touched his spiky black hair. “Awesomeness abounds, Shea. How are you, love?”

“I’m excited for them,” Shea answered. “Thank you for everything, Javier. Is Mikaela still there?” Mikaela was the hairdresser Shea had sent over.

“Mikaela had to leave,” Fiona answered. “But she was also amazing. Look what she did to my hair. It’s never been this shiny or this full.” Fiona turned slowly so Shea could see the fullness and curl at the ends of her long dark hair.

“Gorgeous. Listen, Fi, I know I’m not your PR person, but I want to give you some advice.” Shea’s tone was so serious that Fiona’s smile faltered.

“Okay.”

“I know you’re not used to any of this, but you need to act like you are, at least in front of the cameras. For Jake’s sake, and for yours. Smile, keep your head up high, and no matter what happens, don’t let anything but a smile show on your face.”

“No pressure or anything, right?” Fiona couldn’t imagine that she wouldn’t be smiling all night, even if she was nervous.

“What I mean is, there will be people all over and eyes on you every second of the night. So, you know, if you scratch your nose, that’s the moment they’ll snap the pictures, so just be aware.”

Fiona sighed. “That’s a lot of pressure.”

“You’ll be fine. Just keep these in mind.” Shea turned her phone toward her computer screen, where she had the photos from the paparazzi ambush of Jake and Fiona as her screensaver.

“Aw, Fi. I love the way he’s looking at you. I’ll never get enough of those pictures. We should print them and blow them up really big.” Trish touched her shoulder.

“That man, he has it bad,” Javier said as he gathered his things. “I’d give anything for Jake Braden to look at
me
like that.” He winked, and they laughed. “Okay, ladies. Remember, no touching your hair or faces. No wiping your eyes, so no crying tears of joy, either.” He leaned in between Trish and Fiona and whispered, “And only air kisses until you’re far away from photographers.”

They thanked Javier and listened to a litany of directions from Shea about holding their shoulders back, sucking in their nonexistent stomachs—
because the camera adds ten pounds
—and other things that made Fiona ten times more nervous than she had been before talking to her.