The Housewife and the Film Star (15 page)

"It's work, baby. I've got to go to L.A."

"Okay."

That was it? Just a fucking okay? He'd expected more than that. Surely what they had was worth more than a simple okay? And why the hell did that bother him so much?

Because you don't want to leave her, dumbass! And you daren't let her see that because that would give her too much power over you.

The sudden revelation winded him, and his eyes narrowed taking in the curve of her bum as she bent down to take the pizza out of the oven. The tray wobbled slightly as she put it on the counter, and he let out the breath he'd been holding. She wasn't as impervious to his leaving as she made out to be then.

"Don't you want to know why?"

She didn't answer him and made herself busy with the pizza cutter instead.

"Pet? Answer me."

He put his hand over hers, and she snatched it away and put some distance between them.

"Don't you dare pull the Dom card on me now. We're not in a scene
, and you're not my Master, so cut the bull."

Despite the situation he had to smile. That was more like it. His little firecracker was back.

"Then answer me when I ask you a question."

She rolled her eyes
, but she did respond.

"I'm assuming it's something to do with that phone call that got you all riled earlier."

"You heard that?" he asked.

"It was kinda hard not to. Your voice carries when you're that annoyed. But I didn't hear what you said." Her eyes quickly darted towards him, before she once again stared resolutely at the floor. In other circumstances he would have found that submissive pose a turn on. Now it just reeked of avoidance, especially when she wrapped those damn arms around her waist again.

"Look at me, baby."

She shook her head
, and he ground his teeth in frustration.

"I have to attend this premiere. I don't have a choice. They finally released the latest film I shot, and I need to promote the fucking thing. I've already missed too many meetings as it is."

"Because of me?"

The question hung in the air between them, and she darted another glance in his direction. The way she straightened her shoulders and her mouth tightened at his reluctant nod made his gut clench anew.

"Well, I'm sorry for taking up so much of your valuable time. I didn't ask you to stay."

He made a grab for her and tightened his hold on her shoulders. He couldn't quite suppress his annoyed grumble in answer, however, and she jumped. He let her go and nudged her chin up with his knuckles.

"You were ill. There was no fucking way I was leaving you here, knowing that. Besides it's neither here nor there. I can't stand the bloody things at the best of times. It's not the sort of film I want to make anymore, and I sure as hell am not looking forward to having to play nice with Landon."

Bile rose in his throat at the mere thought of having to see the bitch again. He still wasn't sure how he was going to stop himself from strangling the murdering cow, and he wished liked hell he could have Sylvia there. That would at least make it bearable, but he couldn't subject her to all that.

The tentative hand on his cheek brought him out of his dark thoughts.

"It can't be that bad. You look as though you want to kill someone."

He shook his head to clear the dark memories away, all too aware of Sylvia's quiet gaze resting on him.

"You have no idea, baby."

"Then tell me. Why is this so difficult for you? You've made a few films with her, haven't you? In fact, I seem to recall Ruby quoting how you were once supposed to be an item.” She blinked at his furious snort. "Is that it? You two fell out? Did you love her that much, Sven?"

The wobble was back in her voice, and, dammit she looked on the verge of tears.

"Don't be ridiculous. I don't do love, I told you. "

Fuck
, why could she not just let this go? He didn't want to waste their last afternoon together talking about the bitch.

She framed his face with her soft hands, and gave him no choice but to look at her.

The irony of that role reversal wasn't lost on him.

"Talk to me
, Sven. It does no one any good to keep things bottled up inside. What's she done that's so awful?"

He wrenched himself away from her, hating the way her eyes clouded over at his rejection. Damn her, no other woman had ever made him want to spill his guts like she did. She'd picked that blasted pizza cutter up again, and cut the last few slices and then put them on a plate.

"We should eat this before it gets cold. If you need to go soon then at least do so on a full stomach."

She wasn't looking at him, but it was the silent tears trickling down her cheek that did him in.

"Damn it, Sylvia. What is it you want from me? You want to know what the bitch did? Fine, I'll tell you. She aborted my baby. I didn't even know she was pregnant, and she just stood there and told me that she didn't want a freak like my brother, no woman would."

Her soft gasp of horror made him smile grimly. Sylvia's beautiful eyes filled up with tears
, and she flew toward him and wrapped her arms round his waist. Sven returned the hug with a fierce need of his own.

"I'm so sorry, Sven. Is that why you were so insistent I didn't do anything about what happened with us?"

Her voice was a muffled whisper against his chest, and he fought down the swell of emotion overwhelming him. He needn't have worried about it. Sylvia's period had arrived whilst she'd been ill. At least that wasn't an added complication. Instead of being glad about it, however, he'd just felt an overwhelming sense of loss at what might have been.

He forced himself to let her go, and he stepped back.

"Yes, well, don't read too much into that."

Sylvia searched his face
, and whatever she saw in his expression made her smile, and had him shift from one foot to the other. Now what did she want?

"Sven, do you want me with you at the premiere? Would it help, not just you but the whole image thing Vera keeps going on about?"

"I couldn't ask that of you. I told her I'm not with you for my image. She never should have told you."

That smile of hers deepened as she cocked her head and looked him over. His heart flipped over a few times in his suddenly hopeful chest.

"Yes, well she did, and after the way you looked after me, it's the least I can do. The girls and Timmy are on holiday, and, well, we could all do with getting a tan. So? What do you say, big boy?"

"Sylvia, you don't know what it's like over there. The press will go crazy. You think they're bad here, you haven't seen anything yet. I can't subject you and the kids to that."

Her frustrated groan shot straight to his groin, and against his better judgment he smiled. His little firecracker stared him down, hands on hips and he was just waiting for the frying pan to appear.

"Sven Larsson, stop being such a goddamn stubborn male. Would it or would it not help you to have us there? Answer me yes or no."

"Yes, but—"

"No buts, we're going then,
Sir.
"

She mock saluted him in such a bratty way his hands itched to turn her over his knee. Oh he would have to use that flogger on her soon, that's for sure. He shook his head instead.

"But, Sylvia, you hate the attention, and you never go to the movies."

The sassy smile she threw him lifted the last of the doubts.

"In case you have forgotten, Mister, you still owe me a fuck in those heels, and I can't think of a better occasion to wear them than the red carpet. Well, try to wear them. You'll have to hold onto me lest I go bum over apex, but then that'll keep the papers happy, right?"

His answering laugh was drowned out by the commotion of a returning Timmy. Maybe, just maybe, this trip would be bearable after all.

Chapter Fifteen

"Mum, George is giving us a lift down to the beach, wanna come?"

Ruby's excited voice made Sylvia tear her eyes away from the departing figure of Sven with a small sigh. He was jogging away from the house. Her youngest daughter was sticking her head round the corner of the bedroom door, clad in nothing but her bikini. Ruby bounced up and down like an overeager puppy.

"No, it's okay, Rubes. I want to be here when Sven gets back. I may just check out the swimming pool instead."

"Aw,
Mum, let droopy drawers be, and come have fun on the beach. George says it's private and completely safe. Come on, Mum, it's the beach. You love the beach, and this one is all sand, not like the one in Brighton. And Edith has even packed us lunch."

"Rubes
, I do know that, but really I'll come down another time. This is important."

"
Man
, as if him turning all grumpy since we left London isn't bad enough, now you've gotta join in, too. Grown-ups suck!"

Sylvia flinched as Rubes slammed the door and stomped away in her usual overdramatic fashion. Not that she could blame her exactly.

They'd all been so excited back in London, when she'd informed them that they were going to L.A. Ruby, most of all, it had to be said. Sven had made himself scarce with a promise to send George to collect them and take them to Heathrow. True to his word, they'd re-joined him in the first class lounge a few hours later. The overnight flight had been uneventful, and everyone had eventually settled down to sleep.  Everyone, but Sylvia that was. Her mind had gone over and over the conversation they'd had in her kitchen. Sven had looked so lost and sad and furious all rolled into one, and she'd wanted to find that Julia and scratch her eyes out. The force of her own emotions surprised her. When had Sven become so important to her? Watching him sleep, his hand in a death grip on hers, the tension she could sense in him had torn at her bruised heart.

She'd found it impossible to relax until his eyes had fluttered open and settled on her with a frown. He'd pulled her into his frame with a muttered, "Sleep,
min sköna."

The steady beat of his heart under her ear had eventually lulled her to sleep.

Dawn had been breaking when they'd landed in LAX Airport, and, if anything, Sven's mood had turned even blacker. Despite the early hour, they'd not avoided the paparazzi entirely, but George had managed admirably to get them out of there as quickly as he could. Clearly there were hidden depths to Sven's driver, if the easy way he'd shoulder-charged through the overeager photographers had been anything to go by.

Sylvia had breathed a sigh of relief when they'd all been safely installed behind the blacked out windows of the MPV, and the views along the Pacific Coast Highway had been breathtaking. Nothing could have prepared her, however, for Sven's Malibu home.

Safely ensconced behind high gates and set in several acres of private grounds, including the beach Rubes was so excited about, the place was a haven of tranquility and utmost privacy. The main house with its wrap-around verandas offered stunning views of the ocean below, and the grounds held a tennis court, swimming pool and stables.
Stables for pity's sake
, even if she hadn't been able to spot any horses. Her stomach had sunk staring at the glaringly obvious. His lifestyle was so far removed from hers, it was a joke really. What had she been thinking?

"How the other half live and all that."
Alicia had murmured the words under her breath, and Sylvia had simply nodded.  Ruby and Timmy, of course, had been less discreet in their reactions. They'd bounced around the inside of the car with choruses of, "Wow," "Awesome," "Sick," and, "Look at that."

Sven had raised an eyebrow as though amused. He'd been on the phone to his agent when they'd arrived, but he'd watched Sylvia's reaction through hooded eyes, and then had left them all with the elderly housekeeper. If Edith had been surprised by the sudden invasion of her domain she'd hidden it well. Sven had greeted her with a warm hug, introduced Sylvia and the kids and then had dropped a kiss on Sylvia's nose, and disappeared to his office. Urgent phone calls, he'd claimed.

Sylvia had had to force herself to not march after him, but the tight set of his shoulders as he'd walked away had stopped her. Instead she'd made herself smile at the silver-haired old lady who'd been showing them to their respective bedrooms. Ruby, Timmy, and Alicia had been given bedrooms at the far side of the house, and Edith had showed Sylvia to a room at the opposite end, which took up the entire side of the upstairs. Furnished in mute, masculine colors, it was dominated by the hugest bed Sylvia had ever seen, an equally massive flat screen TV on one side, walk in wardrobes and his and hers en-suite bathrooms. All afforded panoramic views of the gardens and the ocean below, completing the impression of understated wealth.

"This is Sven's bedroom." Edith had said. "He asked for you to be put in here. I did suggest that you would perhaps be more comfortable in one of the guest rooms closer to the children, but he was quite adamant."

"Right, urm, no, this is lovely."

Sylvia knew she'd been blushing under the silent scrutiny of those wise old eyes
, and she'd breathed a sigh of relief when Edith had left her to get settled in.

"Come and find me in the kitchen, when you've unpacked. I'll have drinks and snacks ready for all of you. I'm sure the children will want to explore."

"Thank you, Edith, that's very kind of you, especially with the short notice you must have had."

"Not at all, my dear. It's lovely to have this place occupied with laughter. It can get a bit too quiet up here."

Sylvia wondered about those words now, seeing Timmy and the girls pile into George's car to get to the beach. Sven had not reappeared, though he'd clearly changed somewhere to go for his jog.

Having changed into a bikini and sarong herself, Sylvia found Edith in the state-of-the-art kitchen.

"Ah there you are. I've just made some coffee. You look as though you could do with some. You've just missed him. He's gone for a jog."

Sylvia accepted the steaming mug with a grateful smile, and she perched herself on one the stools at the breakfast bar.

"Thanks, I saw him from upstairs, actually. Did he say anything to you?"

"Just that he would be back soon and to make sure to let you know that you were to make yourself at home."

"Right, it's just … ah, well, never mind."

"Don't you mind his moods, dear. He's always been the same when something's bothering him, and it's not surprising, considering the premiere tonight. But having you here will make this all much easier for him." Edith smiled at her warmly. "I was a little surprised to hear that you were coming, if I'm honest. And no offence, you're not at all what I was expecting."

Sylvia couldn't help but laugh at the quietly uttered words.

"Oh none taken. In fact, I'm sure that's a compliment really. I dread to think who he normally brings back here."

"No, you misunderstand me, dear. Sven doesn't do much entertaining when he's here, and he certainly doesn't bring any women here."

"He doesn't?" Sylvia parroted, unable to believe what she was hearing.

"No, and when I say women, well, there certainly haven't been as many as the papers claim. He is a good boy at heart."

That statement had her almost spit her coffee out. Sven, a good boy?
Seriously
?

"I've known him ever since he was a mere whippersnapper back in London, going to drama school, and I tell you that boy has a heart of gold once you get to know him, he really has. Did back then, too. Always a kind word, and a smile for his landlady. When my husband died he found me, and he wouldn't take no for an answer. Said he needed a good housekeeper and installed me in here. I told him I'm too old for all this, but he insisted. Said he wouldn't trust anybody else to look after the place for him, and he was getting married and buying this place, so of course I had to come over. Oh, deary me, are you quite all right, my dear?" Edith stopped her narrative to slap Sylvia on the back. That last sip of coffee had gone down the wrong way entirely.

"Yes, sorry I'm fine. Did you say he was getting
married
?"

She must have misheard her, surely. That rabbit seemed to have taken up residence in her chest again, and Sylvia was glad she was sitting down.

"Yes, of course, it all fell through. I'll never forget the day he brought her here. He was so excited, and she just turned her nose up at everything. They had a huge row, and, well, they split up soon after. Heartbroken he was. I expected him to sell the place, but he didn't. I think the isolation here was good for him. Close enough to get to L.A. and no way those vultures could get in to take pictures. Are you sure you're all right, my dear? You look ever so pale."

"Yes, I'm fine. Just didn't sleep very well on the flight over here."

"Ah, you poor dear, those long flights are a killer. Go and have a lie down in the shade by the pool. I'll make you some nice lemonade and I'll send him over with it when he comes back from his jog. He always jumps in the pool after, and I'm sure he'll be glad to see you."

"I'm not so sure about that, Edith. I sort of forced his hand in bringing us here."

"Oh, poppycock, no one gets that boy to do anything he doesn't want to do, and besides, I've seen the way he looks at you. You, that bikini … well, I'll make sure I'm out of the way."

And before Sylvia could add anything else, Edith propelled her through the French doors with a wink and a pat on the arm.

The pool did look wonderful. Once out of the air conditioned house, the full force of the California sun hit her, and Sylvia did a dive head first into the cool waters, her heart heavy from everything she'd just learned. She had no doubt that Edith had been talking about Julia. He'd been engaged to the bitch who didn't want his baby. No wonder Sven was so agitated about the premiere tonight. And he said he didn't do love. More like he'd been so badly hurt in the past, he didn't allow himself to trust anyone. How could this Julia not like this place? Not to mention what she'd actually said and done. Sylvia increased her pace. Eyes full of tears for Sven's hurt and betrayal by the woman he'd clearly loved very much. He had to have loved her to distraction to do all this for her. No wonder he wouldn't admit their past relationship to Sylvia. Damn Julia's sorry hide. She would have to show him that not all women were like that.

He might not do love, but he certainly needed to
be
loved, and she knew just the woman to do that.

****

Sven watched Sylvia cut effortlessly though the pool. Her string bikini gave tantalizing views of long limbs, full breasts, and her cute ass as she expertly flipped over at the far end to start another length. She hadn't spotted him yet, too focused on her exercise. He placed the jug of fresh lemonade Edith had thrust at him on one of the poolside tables.

His housekeeper had fixed him with one of her stares when he'd returned after his jog.

"Take this and go and see your girl. Honestly, boy, you drag her all the way over here and then do a disappearing act on her. What's the poor girl to think? I've put her straight on a few things anyway and sent her to the pool. Look after her. She looks a bit peaky to me. I'll be in my cottage if you need me."

"What do you mean you've put her straight on a few things?" But as usual, Edith had just shaken her head at him, making him feel about five and had just given him a shove out of the door.

She certainly didn't look peaky to him, far from it. She looked damn hot, and his body responded in typical fashion as all his blood shot south. Shifting from one foot to the other, he willed her to stop and notice him, though the thought of jumping in the pool and surprising her held a certain appeal. If only he could be sure of the reception he'd get.

He'd seen the disappointment mixed with shimmering anger in her eyes, when he'd left her like that in the entrance hall, but he'd had to get away. She'd been too damned quiet in the car over here, and whilst the kids had been voicing their positive opinions loudly, she'd just sat and looked around, her usually expressive face hard to read. He hadn't realized how badly he wanted her to like the place until then, and he hadn't relished the feeling. When she hadn't reacted at all, his gut had churned with painful memories
, and it had taken all of his willpower to not punch something. So he'd done the only thing he could do and had taken himself off for a run, having changed into his running gear in the gym room. As usual, the exercise helped to chase the demons away, and by the time he'd reached the top of the beach road and had seen George and the kids, frolicking around down below, he'd felt calm again. He'd watched them for a while, smiling to himself at Hard Head's antics. He'd filled a bucket with water and poured it all over his sunbathing sisters. Their screeches and George's laughter had carried up to the bluff, and he'd chuckled to himself, when the girls had grabbed their brother and thrown him head first into the sea. They would be safe enough with his old friend watching over them, and his heart lighter he'd jogged back to the main house to find Sylvia and make amends.

A splash and a soft feminine gasp alerted him to the fact that she'd spotted him watching her. Sylvia clung onto the far side of the pool. A slow blush stole across her face, when he took his top off in a deliberately slow move. Sven never took his eyes off her. Sylvia ran a heated gaze down his abs
, and she licked her lips when she reached his crotch. Even though she hastily brought her eyes back up to his face it left him in little doubt that she was aroused as he was, just from looking at each other. His cock jerked upwards in anticipation.