The Ex Factor (3 page)

“Thank you.” His voice softened, and his expression grew more pleasant. Not exactly a smile, but progress.

Genuinely touched? Which made it all the harder to add, “But hell for the crew.”

He threw his head back in a laugh, a beautiful silhouette against the fading colors of the sky. “So I’ve heard.”

The cheeriness of his tone sparked warmth through her, which spread when his shoulder bumped hers.

“You’re wondering why. Why am I such a bastard?”

No joking his way out of it. “Basically.”

“I’m there to make the best movie I possibly can. To give the investors what they paid for, to bring out the best performances in the actors. The excellence I know they’re capable of. The better the actors, the tougher I am on them.”

She dug her feet into the sand. “So you wanted to cast me in the same type of role I’ve played ad nauseam?”
Great. Thanks a lot
.

“Honestly, I made that up.” He swung toward her slowly, but aimed his grimace out over the sea.

“There’s seriously no movie?”

“Susan, tonight was supposed to be all about you and me.” A strangled breath came out. “Look, would you rather go back?” His mouth had turned into a hard line again. When he finally looked at her, he no longer resembled the gruff director capable of little more than terse instructions on set. He looked like a man. A sad, lonely man.

“No, I’d rather keep walking.” She took a few tentative steps. “And talking.”

It took him a beat to catch up. “Great.”

To her surprise, he sounded relieved. “So.” What else could they talk about, if not the movies? “Do you use the 1Night Stand service often?” Why did it bother her that he might?

“Only once.” He seemed embarrassed to admit it.

“Sorry about your luck.” She imagined him with successful businesswomen, women who could discuss politics and gourmet food and classic literature.

“What do you mean?”

Her light shrug could have won her an Oscar. “You’re stuck with me for the night.”

“Susan, I wanted you,” he blurted.

So riveted by surprise, her body followed his, and she stopped when he stopped.

More softly, he said, “I asked Madame Eve to set it up because I didn’t have the balls to ask you myself.”

Oh shit, what sort of game was he playing? “Why not?”

He threw up his hands. “Because you’re Susan Ainsley, goddess of the screen, loved by millions.”

Too easy an excuse. She knew this felt too good to be true. “Right, by millions, but I can’t keep one guy interested.”

“Susan….”

Oh, his sorrowful expression nearly killed her. Like he wanted to be anywhere but with her. “No, I don’t blame you for backing out. My life’s a media circus.”

He shook his head. “I’m not backing out.”

Hope fluttered up. Confusion killed it. “But you denied this was a date. You said—”

“I said I’m a ball-less asshole who hid behind a dating service when I’ve wanted to ask you out for a long time.”

“You’re not ball-less… I mean, I hope you’re not.”
Unless they really are thorny
. A chuckle burst out. “Sorry. This is not at all how I expected tonight to go.” An ordinary date? What was she thinking? Ordinary wasn’t in the game plan anymore. Not for her.

“You?” He half-huffed, half-laughed. “I was hoping to sweep you off your feet. By this point, we’re supposed to be drinking champagne in the hot tub.”

“But you don’t, I mean, you didn’t think I was—”

“What?”

Was he acting now? Or did he truly not understand? “Come on. An airhead. A bubblehead. A bimbo.” She hated to even put the image in his mind.

“Oh I see, you expected me to buy into the media hype? Knowing you learn your lines faster than any other actor? Knowing you listen to suggestions from a director, and then run with them, take the role to heights the director never dreamed? Anyone with half a brain can see past the two-dimensional glossy image to the bright, perceptive, intuitive, warm woman beneath.”

The unexpected gush of compliments disarmed her defenses. Her cheeks went hot. “No, not anyone. I’m glad you can, though I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed in the real me.”

“I described the real you. Don’t hide her. Don’t limit her. Free her. Let her take you where you really want to go.”

Some sensation she’d rarely felt came over her, like a magical being had sprinkled pixie dust in the air. “Oh wow.”

“Did I say something wrong?” Exasperation came through, but aimed at himself.

How had she never known how amazing this man was? “The opposite. Something right. Something I’ve been waiting to hear for….” She couldn’t finish, could only stare into those warm green eyes. His words thrilled her more than any physical touch. Which she now couldn’t wait to experience with him.

“Too long,” he finished for her. “You should hear it every day. Twice.”

So sincere. And too damn shy. “Twice?” She couldn’t help smiling.

“As soon as you wake up, and right before you fall asleep.”

God, I’m falling in love with him already
. She couldn’t speak.

Shoulders hunched, he stood rigid, hair dancing in the breeze. “I wish real life had a second take.”

He needs some serious loosening up. Some encouragement
. “I wouldn’t change tonight. I like this version better. But I get your point. There’s a certain aspect that’s not fulfilling expectations.”

Hope flickered in his eyes, or maybe reflected the last ray of sunshine. “It had occurred to me, but I’d love to hear your thoughts.”

Imagine that, the director needs some direction
. “The romantic aspect needs a boost.” A big one.

“Any suggestions?”

Did he seem relieved, or was she imagining it? Since he seemed comfortable talking in movie terms, she’d keep it on that level. “Well, we’re probably not positioned right.” In the growing dimness, she spied a boulder and headed toward it, tugging her hoodie tight around her. The sun’s departure stole the warmth, and the breeze had a definite bite. “Maybe if we moved over here, and I leaned against the rock, like so, my arms wide apart, one leg kind of opening and closing, like a signal light.”

He followed, one awkward step at a time. “I’m getting a clear vision of where this could lead. If I moved in front of you, like this, placed my hands on the rock—not touching you, but giving you the option of touching me. Embracing me. If you wanted.”

“You need to come in a little closer. Sends the wrong message, if I keep swinging my leg, like a signal light that’s not getting noticed.”

“Oh, I’m definitely noticing.”

“Good.” She slid her hand up his chest, neck, into his hair, which was surprisingly soft. “Very, very good.”

Their lips almost touched.

“Too much buildup,” he murmured, withdrawing. “I don’t want you to be disappointed.”

“Jared.” She liked the feel of his name on her tongue. Now she wanted more.

“Mm.”

“I’ll be disappointed if you don’t kiss me.”

He touched his lips to hers. Tentative at first, his kisses deepened. His hold transferred from the rock to her. When he nearly lost his balance, her arms and legs flew open and wrapped around him to steady him, by chance placing her crotch to his groin.

Moaning, he tightened his embrace, hands roaming inside her sweatshirt, down the back of her jeans, up inside her tee.

The crashing surf, the chill of the night air disappeared. There was only him, warm and tender and loving and…
real
.

***

Please don’t let this be a dream
. None of the many dreams in which Susan had starred beat this. Jared fought the surge of desire, the one demanding he strip her naked and have her right there.
Don’t make her hate you already
.

Beneath his hands, she trembled. “Are you cold?”

“Not when I have you to keep me warm.” She trailed kisses along his jaw.

Her hoodie slipped down her back, partly exposing her shoulder. He dove to taste her skin, lips tracing her collarbone. Her hands tangled in his hair, her legs squeezed his sides.

The urgency grew too great, and he couldn’t help himself. He wanted more. If she slapped him, he probably wouldn’t feel it anyway through his haze of need. With two smooth motions, he tugged her arms from the hoodie without removing it, and peeled her T-shirt over her head, leaving her with nothing but a bra beneath the sweatshirt. Arching her neck, she sent him a silent invitation.

Oh sweet lord
. He nuzzled lower before she changed her mind. The one time he’d gotten a view of her perfect breasts, he’d been in heaven. Directing her in a love scene, it took all he had not to zoom in and splice that section of video to take home and replay for his private pleasure. During the final cut, he couldn’t watch that part, wanting to stand in for the male lead.

Did he dare? With one quick twist, he released the hook. The bra drooped, and she shifted, back stiffening. He braced for the impact of her smack, but softness met his cheek. Before slipping her arms back inside the sleeves, she removed the bra and drew his head to her chest.

Heaven couldn’t possibly be this sweet
. With slow licks and nuzzles, he followed her cues. When she sighed, he teased the outer curve of her breast with kisses. When she moaned, he dragged his tongue over the pebbly edge of her nipple. When she drew air through her teeth, he sucked; she gripped his head, and he sucked harder.

“Oh Jared,” she murmured, lifting his head, her mouth covering his.

The surge of lust washing over pinned him against her. Reaching to cup her ass, his hand smashed against the rock. “Ah, fuck!”

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”
Keep kissing her
.

“No, you hurt yourself.” She ran her fingers across the scrape and lightly kissed it.

His lips followed the delicate outline of her cheekbone. “I’m fine.”

“No, it’s this rock. This won’t work.”

Despair dragged him down like quicksand. “It will, trust me.” He’d make it work.

Her soft laugh sounded like music, soothing to his frayed nerves.

She dropped her feet to the beach. “No, one or both of us will end up cut and bruised. Come here.” She sat, tugging him along with her.

She’s not sending me packing
. He fell to his knees.

Linking her arms around his neck, she dragged him the rest of the way down. “Now where were we?”

“Right about here.” He leaned over, hand freely caressing the arc of her ass, and headed south, where heat radiated.
Oh yes, much better
. Except for the cold ground. Where had she tossed that T-shirt? He couldn’t see much in the darkness.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“Nothing, I’m looking for your shirt.”

“What? Why?”

“To spread beneath you. Your hair’s going to get all gritty.” Stars always worried about their appearance, didn’t they? He groped but came up empty.

“Don’t you want me?” She sounded incredulous, bordering on desperate.

Exactly like him. “Of course.”

“Then stop worrying and come here.” She lay back.

Damn, he wished he could see more than the outline of her figure. Not that it wasn’t an outstanding outline.
Hurry up, before you lose her for good.

He settled his elbow beside her and wanted to say something romantic. Something that would win her heart forever.
I’m so bad at this
.

Her foot crept over his waist. With one nudge, she flipped him atop her. Cupping his face, she kissed him so sweetly, he thought he’d died. Until she reached down to squeeze his ass, and he roared back to life. He moaned into her mouth and felt her smile beneath his lips. Fingers delving between them, he raised a hip to accommodate her when she loosened his belt buckle. His heart nearly exploded with the surge of blood that traveled south as she unzipped him.

He unsnapped her pants, thankful she hadn’t worn a belt, making it easy to unzip. The unbelievably soft skin beneath invited his touch. Impossible with the jeans in the way. He knelt over her, one hand on either side, and dragged them down her legs. She did the same to him, and they both kicked away their clothes.

Shit, he wished he could see her face. Did she want to go through with this?

A swift yank of his briefs gave him the answer. One hand caressing beneath his length, the other teased the top, circling the rim of the head. Leg muscles tense, she raised her hips invitingly.

Silky fabric halted his fingers. Delving beneath them, he tugged slowly, and she lowered her legs until they were free of her panties.

“Wait,” she whispered. “Do you have protection?”

It took a moment for his brain to register. “A condom?” Shit. “I think so.” He’d never expected tonight to go so well. Had he remembered to put it in his back pocket?

One push up, and he scrambled in the dark until his fingers found denim. His? The clang of the belt buckle meant they were.
Please please please
. One pocket yielded only lint. Another, his wallet. And—
yes!
—a square packet he’d have traded his beach house for. “Got it.” Now to put the thing on. Christ, he hadn’t used one in too long.

“Need any help?”

He was about to say no when she slid the packet from his grasp. The crumple of foil never sounded so tantalizing. Another tease along his length restored what nervousness had wilted. She unrolled the condom from tip to base then tickled his balls.

“So glad your nickname’s not true.” Her teasing laugh in the dark boosted his confidence. So impossibly sexy.

“Not as glad as me.”

His hands followed her calves to her thighs as he lowered, his cock perfectly positioned. She guided him inside, hips rocking against his thrusts.

This never happened like this, not for him. It was all so perfect, so amazing. She clung to him like he was life itself, moved with him like she knew exactly what he wanted. Her little sighs and moans growing faster, urging him on, he gripped her ass to keep her from sinking into the sand.
Cold freaking sand
. She had to be freezing.

He forced himself to slow down.