Tinseltown (18 page)

“Action!”

Preston flipped channels, frustrated. After a moment he tossed the remote on the bed and fell backward, rubbing his face.

“Get it together,” he mumbled with a huff and rose again to walk over to the table and grab a magazine. He sat on the chair and flipped through the pages quickly then tossed it back down. He heard the door creak open and looked over at the sound. Amanda stood there, nervously twiddling the knot on her robe.

“I thought you could use a little distraction after the day we had.” She stared him in the eye, working at the knot. After a moment, she let out a frustrated sigh and looked at Fernbank. “Sorry, I tied it too tight.”

“Places!” he called and they went back to the beginning.

When they got to the same place in the script, Deb flubbed her lines. After four takes, they never got more than a few lines further than they had initially. Zach could tell this would get a lot worse if he didn’t step in, especially when Fernbank eyed them curiously. He walked over to Deb and took her hand.

“Just a minute, sir,” he called to Fernbank and took her off set into a room to their left.

“Deb,” he started when she looked at him expectantly. Seeing her standing there with those big blue eyes and gorgeous hair spilling about her shoulders made him rock hard. “I know this is difficult for you, but do something for me.”

“I’ll try.”

“Look at me.”

She obliged.

“What do you see?”

“Zach.”

“Remember when this moment happened for us a few weeks ago? When we were both so unsure of where we were heading and unsure of our feelings?”

She nodded.

“Pretend we’re in the moment again. This is Amanda’s big seductress scene. Sure she’s insecure, you’ve got that part nailed.” He shot her a grin. “If nothing else, remember how empowering it was when you drove me crazy with your perfume. And remember through this whole thing, Deb, this is
me
. I’m not some stranger you have to make out with. We love each other. We’re
married
. Let’s let our fans see this is real.”

Deb nodded. “I’m sorry. This always happens when I do a love scene. It takes me a while to warm up.” She reached up and touched his face softly. “I’ve missed you these last few days.”

He let his breath out in a whoosh. “Oh, honey, you have no idea how much I’ve missed you. I need you tonight, Deb.”

She grinned saucily. “Let’s get this wrapped up so we can have some alone time.”

He groaned as her finger trailed down his chest. “I want to kiss you so bad.”

“Let’s save it for the cameras. Let them see how bad Amanda and Preston need each other. I think we should try something different for the scene before I come out.” She explained what she had in mind, and after they got Fernbank’s approval, they took their places.

“Action!”

Preston flipped the channels. He told himself to get a grip. He walked over to the magazine, picked it up and sat down again, flipping through it as the door creaked open. He continued to pretend to read.

After a few moments, he felt Amanda’s fingers slip around his shoulders and begin kneading. He groaned and let the magazine fall onto the table, leaning back so his head rested against her ribs.

“I thought you could use a little distraction after the day you’ve had,” she said softly. Her voice held a slight tremor, and whether real or fake, it was convincing.

“I’ll say,” he said and closed his eyes, allowing her to massage him. He’d have to remember to ask her to do this when they weren’t filming. It felt amazing.

Her hands slowed their manipulations and slid down to his button-up shirt, undoing the first button. He opened his eyes and looked at her fingers, confused. Those fingernails were so delicate but could bring so much pleasure when they dug into his back as her legs were wrapped around his waist.

Preston enjoyed feeling those hands slip into his open shirt and slide provocatively down and thread themselves into his chest hair and over his tensed muscles. He felt her move behind him, then her sweet breath fanned his ear.

“Preston,” she whispered.

He could picture her closing her eyes, feigning Amanda’s insecurity.

His hand came up and hooked around hers. He stood and twisted, so he faced her. Preston’s eyes widened when he looked at her, standing before him without the troublesome black robe. She was dressed in almost nothing. Black garter belt with those little hook thingies holding up her stockings. A black corset thrust her breasts up invitingly. Zach
and
Preston ogled her and couldn’t wait to get his hands on her. He allowed Preston and his own feelings to show — the lust, the need, the love. The camera didn’t lie. He looked at her face. She watched him expectantly. He swallowed, almost forgetting his lines.

“I’ve never seen your hair down,” he said softly as he lifted it then let it fall. Then he blinked and turned his chin up. “I’ve never looked at anything more beautiful than you, Amanda.”

She smiled a little, blinking slowly. She did that in real life too. “I’m yours, Preston. If you want me.”

He let out a half-hearted laugh. “
If
I want you?” He moved in closer, fitting their bodies together. “Do you have any idea how much I want you?” He pushed her hair off her tanned shoulder and trailed a finger down to the curve of her breast. “I’ve wanted you since I first laid eyes on you.”

She cocked an eyebrow, gaining confidence in small measures. “Even when I wore thick glasses and braces in high school?”

He sucked in air through his clenched teeth and appeared thoughtful. “Honestly? I could have done without the braces.”

She laughed then turned serious, as did he.

“Are you sure about this?” His hands touched her cheek, reverently caressing her soft skin.

“Yes,” she said with a defiant lift to her chin. “I want you to make love to me.”

“But what happens in the morning, when we have to go back to the real world?”

She looked at his chest as she brought her hand up to touch his bare skin. “Let’s not worry about tomorrow. Let’s only think about right now.”

He gave her a crooked grin and then settled his gaze on her mouth. “Deal,” he whispered just before his lips touched hers.

Then Zach was home. Those familiar lips worked underneath his and he had to tamp down his libido. Preston might be over-eager too, but Amanda was still uncertain and he had to feed her confidence. He groaned and stooped to her level so he could get all of her against him. He wrapped his arms around her, feeling her slender waist, and her perfect body pressed against him. He couldn’t help it, his kiss deepened. His hands did everything to her he knew she liked. When he touched her, she moaned.

They stumbled backward until he felt Deb against the bed. His lips tore from hers and trailed down her neck. He moved so the camera couldn’t film her naked body and unhooked her lingerie. Her body pushed against him and he captured her mouth again, as his thumbs caressed her cheeks. They fell together on the bed, clawing and straining against each other. He never lost sight of the fact they were supposed to still be acting. But during the silence, filled only by their kisses and lustful sounds, there was no Preston or Amanda.

It was simply Zach and Deb.

Chapter 15

“Zach, we were
amazing
.” Deb’s heart was still racing from the heat of it all.

“Yeah,” he agreed as they entered her trailer and closed the door. Night surrounded them, and he turned on her desk lamp for a little light. “Kind of like shooting our very own porno, huh?”

She punched his shoulder and he grunted playfully, holding his arm and stumbling dramatically. Grabbing a couple of bottled waters from her mini-fridge, she handed him one. “No, honey, a porno would be more like what we’re about to do on the bed. After today, I need to get laid in a bad way.”

He scoffed then frowned, turning away from her. “I feel so used.”

Throwing her head back, she laughed. “If you don’t need some sex after today, I’m going to be worried.”

His smile was feral as he put his water down and took her in his arms. “I don’t need sex, Deb. I need you. You’re all I’m ever going to need. These last few days were torturous.”

Turning serious, she touched his cheek. “I love you, Zach,” she whispered.

“I love you, too, Deb.”

They stared at each other for a long time then Zach grinned. “Can I get laid now?”

They both laughed and Deb kissed him, allowing the unknown to fall away so she could just enjoy right now before it was gone.

Afterward, as they lay together, Zach twirled a piece of her hair, aimlessly staring at the ceiling.

“Whatcha thinking about?” she asked him, moving her fingertip in a circle on his chest. She loved the smell of his skin after lovemaking, a combination of his exotic cologne and man.

“How awesome you are at your job. There are a lot of great actresses out there, but you’re the easiest to work with and the best at what you do.”

“You’re biased,” she said with wink.

“I mean it. I’ve never worked with anyone who makes things so easy they just fall into place.”

“You weren’t saying that before Christmas.”

“Maybe not.” He chuckled. “But even then you were amazing. I was the one who was making things difficult. I forgot I had gone through puberty, I guess. I was acting like a kid.”

“We all have our moments, even when we’re taken advantage of like I was.”

He groaned and fell against his pillow. “Let it go, woman!”

Laughing, she kissed him and nipped his shoulder. “Can I tell you a secret?” she whispered.

“As long as you don’t have to kill me afterward.”

“I was in love with you long before I admitted it.” They threaded their fingers together and Deb studied them. His hands were so perfect, so large compared to hers. They were the hands that had protected her against Brad, and they were the hands that had given her an unimaginable amount of pleasure.

“So riddle me this, hotshot. Is it so bad loving me? Did we really have to go through all the drama?”

Smiling, Deb kissed his fingertips. “I guess I did something right since we’re here, didn’t I?”

Zach studied her a minute. “Yeah, I guess you did. But can we just skip the drama next time?” A twinkle settled in his eyes and she knew the night wasn’t over yet.

“I suppose. But only if you won’t take advantage of me again.”

“Oh, I can’t make those kinds of promises, babe.” And with a smug grin, Zach promised her many things without uttering a single word.

* * * *

After wrapping their takes the next day, they walked hand in hand back to Deb’s trailer in the hours just before dark. The sunset above them was a brilliant display of pink and purple.

“Ahhh.” Zach sighed. “Let’s go out to dinner tonight. Somewhere casual where we can have fun.”

“Mmm, sounds good. Fernbank has been working us to death. I need some relaxation.” Deb smiled up at him and brought her hand around to touch his arm as her head came down against his shoulder. The contentment he felt went beyond anything he’d ever known.

“I love you,” he whispered against her hair as his lips grazed her temple.

When they arrived at the pool hall, the music blared and laughter filled their ears. The paparazzi had followed them in, but they ignored them and enjoyed the evening. Zach ordered them both a beer and they sat.

“Let’s dance,” Deb said, excitement in her eyes.

“I don’t think so.” He sat his drink down and shook his head.

“Oh, come on. I know you dance, remember that little scene in
Hopscotch Baby
? I know very well you can dance, so don’t play games, Zach. Get your tail up and let’s shake a leg.”

A slow song came on a few moments after they stepped onto the dance floor and Zach reeled her into his arms.

“Now this is more like it.” She sighed.

He simply couldn’t speak. His life had never been more full or perfect. “I never want to let you go.” He placed his forehead against hers.

“Has it ever occurred to you we’re probably the mushiest couple on Earth?” She laughed. Her fingers toyed with the hair at his nape.

He feigned insult. “Is that a bad thing?”

“No.” She giggled. “What’s your favorite color?”

Zach rolled his eyes. “We’re married and we’ve slept together, Deb. Don’t you think we’re past this kind of thing?”

Shrugging, she said, “Maybe, but I still want to know.”

Did he even have a favorite color? He’d never really thought about it. He looked down at her and smiled. “Blue. The color of your eyes.”

It was Deb’s turn to roll her eyes. “C’mon.”

“I’m serious.” He chuckled, pulling her close. “What’s yours?”

“Pink.”

He looked at her in confusion. “That’s the last color I would have expected you to say.”

“Yeah, I’m a closet pink lover. I don’t own much of it, but I love looking at it.”

“Mmm,” he said and went back to dancing.

Around them, flashes from the cameras continued to illuminate the room. Zach could ignore paparazzi, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t still annoyed he and Deb couldn’t have a normal date. What he wouldn’t give for an evening stroll on the beach or a walk through a park without being followed.

“What’s your favorite type of food?” she asked next.

“Italian. Hands down. You?”

“Mexican.”

“Dogs or cats?” Deb asked.

“Neither, you?”

“We agree on something.” She grinned. “Pepsi or Coke?”

“Sweet tea.” He didn’t hesitate.

“Blondes or brunettes?” she asked.

He eyed her blonde hair deliberately. “Redheads.”

“Hey!” she scoffed and punched his arm. He snickered. They both enjoyed a moment of laughter then Deb sobered, cocking an eyebrow at him and lowering her voice conspiratorially. “Top or bottom?”

Zach threw his head back and laughed once more. She was full of surprises. “That, my dear, is my kind of question.”

She watched him but he didn’t answer at first.

He whispered, “Bottom, but only if you’re the one on top of me.”

Deb stood on her tiptoes and pressed her mouth to his, making unspoken promises. “That can be arranged, Mr. Hollywood, if you play your cards right.”