Breaking Character

by Lee Winter

“Flatterer.” Elizabeth gave her a long look, then sat, facing her. “Want to tell me what happened?”

  “I just did. You both look the same. Seeing you lying there, it was hard to separate you. That’s never happened before. It’s silly, I know. But, for an instant, you were her. And seeing you like that, it…” She clenched her fists. “Hurt.”

  “Oh, Summer.” Elizabeth felt a rush of warmth. “I’m fine. And I don’t have crazy exes hunting me down either.”

  That earned a wan smile.

  “So that’s all it was? I looked near death?”

  “Mainly.”

  Elizabeth’s index finger teased the loose blond hairs falling into Summer’s eyes, trailing them over to one ear and tucking them behind it. “So what else was it? What were you thinking doing that scene?”

  Summer swallowed. “Don’t die. Don’t leave me. Not now.”

  The same words she’d spoken. “I’m not going anywhere, Summer.”

  “You’re leaving the show.”

  “Only the show.”

  “I know that up here.” She tapped her temple. “But it’s been ages since we’ve been alone, and we don’t talk that often, and I’m going out of my mind. I really miss you.”

  Elizabeth gave her a worried look. “I thought I’d explained how long my days were. I miss you too. Please know that. I can’t wait to get to know you far better.”

  Looking down at her hands, Summer said, “It’s been a difficult night and it’s all come boiling over. Craving you so much, all those charged, teasing scenes together, and now finally there you were in front of me, but you looked…like that. Bess, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say it. It just came out.”

  “I don’t understand. What came out?”

  “That line was for you. I lost my head for a second. I’m so embarrassed.”

  Elizabeth blinked. “You love me? Your words were real?”

  “Yes?” Summer groaned. “I’m such an idiot. Please, shoot me now.”

  Wonder washed through Elizabeth. Summer’s anguished expression could not be allowed to stand for a second longer. With a gentle smile, she said, “You think you’re an idiot?”

  Summer frowned.

  Reaching for her phone, Elizabeth scrolled to the incriminating evidence. Their photo. “Please observe: The very definition of an idiot. And I posted this for the whole world to see.” She tapped her face in the picture. “Unmasked affection.” Her smile became rueful. “Delvine felt the need to point out how revealing my expression was. Then my father, who I had no idea even knew what Twitter was, asked when I’d be introducing you to him and Mum.”

  “Really?” Summer’s eyes widened.

  “So here’s what I know. I don’t look at anyone else that way. You mean a great deal to me.” She shook her head at the image, amazed at what seemed so obvious now. “Clearly.” Meeting Summer’s eyes, she added, “I hope you know that. There’s only you.”

  “Oh.” The word came out like an exhalation.

  “So, Summer? I’d really like to kiss you now.”

  Summer stared at her in surprise.

  “And to be clear, so there’s absolutely no confusion, I really, really mean it.” Elizabeth leaned in and let her lips show Summer just how much that was true.

  Summer deepened the kiss eagerly, drawing her in.

  Elizabeth’s breath was ragged and her body tingled when they finally broke. All she wanted was more. Much, much more. She leaned in for a second kiss. Dimly, in the background, she was aware of a knock, but Summer’s lips were so soft, so sweet…

  A throat cleared.

  They jerked apart.

  “Oh thank God,” Finola said dryly. “I thought I’d have to get out my prying bar. Or a hose.”

  A chill shot through Elizabeth, realizing they hadn’t been alone.

  Summer blushed and didn’t seem to know where to look. “Uh—”

  “No, don’t worry.” Finola shook her head. “Your secret’s safe with me. Anyway, I’ve known for a while. You two. So oblivious for so long, I wanted to moosh your pretty heads together.” She tutted. “Now then, I’ve been asked to find and get you both back to set. They’ve worked out they’re keeping that take and want to move in for the singles.”

  “They’re keeping it?” Standing, Summer looked bewildered.

  “Yes, thank goodness. It was so beautiful.” Finola opened the door. “I suspect there’d be a crew mutiny if they didn’t.”

  “See? I knew it was good, even with my eyes shut.” Elizabeth followed her as she headed outside.

  “No, ‘good’ would be them not killing Hunt at all,” Summer grumbled, closing the door behind her. “More dead gay trope to hurt the queer fans. Not that they care.”

  As they walked back toward the set, Finola pulled out her tablet and scrolled to a news site. “Well, I think you’ll want to see this. It went up about half an hour ago. Perhaps your Hunter fans won’t be sad for too long.”

  Ooh La La! ‘Hunter’ Actresses Star in Sexy Lesbian Drama—Sizzling Trailer for Upcoming Jean-Claude Badour Film Melts Internet.

  Underneath was a red-tinged still shot, with Elizabeth and Summer in a naked clinch, covered artfully with a sheet. Summer’s expression was pure mischief, while Elizabeth’s heated gaze made her seem like a panther ready to pounce.

  Oh…my….

  Summer gasped. “Salacious much?”

  “Surprising, more like,” Finola said. “And great timing. I know how these things go. You two are about to be the hottest property in town.”

  “Well, I suppose I’ve done it all now,” Elizabeth said. “From America’s most-hated villain to melting the internet.”

  Finola cackled. “I’m going to miss you. You’ve been the least annoying lead actor I was ever assigned to assist.”

  “High praise.” Elizabeth gave her assistant a fond look.

  “Sadly, low praise. The bar’s set at rock bottom. A-list stars can be such hard work. Not you. You were a kitten everyone thought was a lion.”

  Summer laughed. “A kitten? Bess? That’s hilarious.”

  “As for you,” Finola glanced at Summer, “you’re the sweetest lion tamer that ever existed. I’ll miss you both.”

  “Both?” Summer’s step faltered. “I’m not leaving.”

  “You will.” Finola sounded so certain. “I’ve been in this business a long, long time. And after all that Hunter business, and the fuss about your new movie, you’ll be drowning in offers. Good.” She lowered her voice. “You’re both too talented for this show.”

  They reached the set and Finola gave them one final, indulgent look, muttered, “you two, honestly”, and disappeared.

  Sylvia and Jon scurried toward them, anxious to touch them up.

  “She’s right,” Elizabeth said softly. “You are too good for this.”

  “Delvine said I shouldn’t stay too long on Choosing Hope.”

  “Like I did?”

  “She didn’t say that.”

  “But it’s true. I won’t make that mistake again. Sometimes risk is worth it.” Her gaze lingered on Summer.

  Jon reached them first, took one look at Elizabeth’s strategically covered wound, and scowled. “Ms. Thornton, your application is infested with hair!” He offered a dramatic gasp. “We’ll need Special Effects to look at it.” He eyeballed her. “What on earth have you been doing? And in only ten minutes?”

  Affecting her best po-faced expression, Elizabeth shrugged. She caught Summer’s “oh fuck” look as she tried to sneak away, trailed doggedly by Sylvia waving a can of hair spray.

  Elizabeth hid a snort of laughter by only the barest of margins.

  Chapter 25

  It was over. The rest of the cast, including Summer, had wrapped up hours ago, and it was down to just Elizabeth, doing some pick-up shots of Hunt arrivin
g at the hospital. The scenes would form part of a montage of her time as chief.

  Mercifully, the fake wound was gone, so she no longer looked like she’d lost an argument with Mendez’s Lexus.

  In her break, earlier, she’d tracked down Finola, survived an unexpected, warm hug, and given her a few bottles of 16-year-old Lagavulin—the top-shelf whisky her assistant loved but would never buy herself.

  With finality, Elizabeth hung up Hunt’s coat in her trailer and studied it. So much mixed emotion for a rumpled piece of white cloth. She’d almost started liking Iris Hunt at the end. Almost.

  A knock startled her out of her daydreams. “It’s open.”

  The door swung open. A figure in a hoodie leaned against the side of the trailer, holding a bag bursting with delightful smells. “Hey sweet lady. Need some company?” Summer’s grin was wide as she tilted her hoodie back to show her face.

  “Dreadful line.” Elizabeth’s lips curled at the edges. “Have you really not remembered your trailer’s code yet? Surely an AD could help.”

  “Yeah, I remembered it without bugging anyone. I just thought you should celebrate your first hour of freedom with someone.”

  “Ah. Come in.”

  Summer did, toeing the door shut behind her. She put the bag on the table and peeled off her hoodie to reveal a tight, white T-shirt.

  “I thought you’d gone home hours ago like everyone else.” Elizabeth glanced at the wall clock. Well past ten.

  “I did. I had some dinner and came back.” Summer pointed at her bags. “I bring offerings. The sort that women starring in a hit TV show couldn’t possibly eat. But you’re not bound by the laws of calorie-deprived TV actresses right now.” She opened the bag and it smelled blissful. “Unless you’re too tired?”

  Too tired for Summer and delicious-smelling food? Was she mad? Before Elizabeth could answer, Summer continued in a nervous rush as she began plating up the food.

  “Been dreaming of this for weeks. Finally able to catch up properly. Hope I’m not overstepping by imposing myself or carbs on you before you’ve even caught your breath.” She waved at her delivery. “It’s a Blastoff Burger from that retro diner. You seemed to really enjoy it.”

  “Lovely. Will you have some too?”

  “I’m full. I’ll just keep you company.”

  “I’d like that.” Elizabeth seated herself and tried the burger, which was as delicious as it had been several months ago. Chewing slowly, she realized she had an admiring audience. Elizabeth exaggerated her appreciation, adding a soft mmm, observing Summer’s reaction.

  She gulped, looked away, then down at her hands, and finally changed the subject. “So, fess up: What’d you swipe?”

  Dabbing her lips with a paper napkin, Elizabeth protested, “I have no idea what—”

  “Sure you do. It’s tradition: Actors always take a memento from set on their last day.”

  Tilting her head to indicate behind Summer, Elizabeth said, “In the bag.”

  Summer rummaged through it then drew out a clean, starched Hunt jacket, complete with name tag. “Oooh! You didn’t!”

  “I believe I did.”

  “What a coincidence—me telling you how hot you looked in this, and you keeping one.”

  “Mmm, yes, such a coincidence.” Elizabeth’s eyes warmed. Summer’s appreciation was as good as she’d hoped.

  “Starting to think you might be soft on me.”

  “Just a little,” she smiled faintly. “But don’t tell anyone. I have a reputation.” She took another delicate bite, as Summer’s darkening gaze devoured her.

  Watching Elizabeth eat a hamburger was a divine experience, Summer decided. She chewed carefully, juices dripping onto her fingers before she reached quickly for a napkin. Summer was mesmerized.

  After eating half, Elizabeth set it aside. “Thank you,” she murmured. “I thought I was more tired than hungry, but it turns out you’ve given me a second wind.” Her tongue darted out to lick her lips.

  “Ungh.” Summer’s stomach tightened.

  “Am I distracting you?” Elizabeth asked, her tone a few registers lower.

  “N-no.”

  Laughing, Elizabeth bundled up the wrappers, tossing them in the trash. Bending over the tiny sink, she washed her hands, her black Dr. Hunt pants straining across her ass.

  Holy Jesus.

  “Like a drink?” Elizabeth gestured at her fridge. “There’s Diet Coke.”

  Summer grinned.

  “Okay, what’s that look for?”

  “You know why.” Summer grinned wider. “You keep my drink. For me.”

  “Maybe I’m keeping it for any random stranger who likes the taste of sink cleaner?”

  “You keep it for me.”

  “Do I?” Elizabeth sounded amused as she leaned back against the counter. “Thanks again for dinner, Summer. I appreciated the thought. And the company.”

  “You’re welcome.” Summer couldn’t resist staring at her lips. So perfectly shaped and the palest pink.

  “What’s your schedule like tomorrow? Are you at work early, or…?” Elizabeth lifted her eyebrows.

  Summer suddenly realized exactly why this was a very important question. “Late call tomorrow.” She barely croaked out the words. “Starting at eleven.”

  Their gazes met and for a moment neither spoke.

  “I’ve never done anything like this before,” Elizabeth said quietly, all traces of humor gone. “Until you, I’d never even kissed a co-star off-screen.”

  “We don’t have to do anything tonight. I just wanted to spend time with you,” Summer said honestly. “It’s been so long.”

  “It has. That’s the thing. I can’t deny how you make me feel. This isn’t something frivolous, is it?”

  “No.” Summer gazed up at her, willing her to see. “This really counts.”

  “It does.” Elizabeth hesitated, then walked to the trailer door and locked it. The sound of the lock snapping reverberated throughout the silent room. She glanced back at Summer, desire clear in her eyes.

  Oh God.

  Returning, Elizabeth tugged Summer to her feet and slid her fingers behind her head.

  The teasing of her soft lips took Summer by surprise. Arousal snaked through her like quicksilver, and she responded hungrily. Elizabeth’s tongue, seeking admission, was like brushing a flame. Heated, dangerous. They kissed for long, tantalizing minutes until Elizabeth pulled away, earning a disappointed whimper from Summer.

  “Patience.” Elizabeth smiled and teased open the top button of her Hunt shirt. The garment was sharp, pristine, professional. Another button fell prey to her fingers. Then another. Slowly revealed was a nude satin bra.

  Mercy. Summer’s fingers itched to be the ones peeling aside the material.

  “Do you remember the first time you were ever in here?” Elizabeth murmured. “I started to undo my shirt without thinking.”

  Oh, Summer remembered that very well.

  “I stopped of course, when I realized. But I was most surprised by the way you blushed.” A smile tugged at her lips. “Admittedly, I didn’t think too much about it. You were baffling enough already. But now, Summer, I have to wonder. What were you thinking?”

  Summer felt sheepish. “I think you fried my brain. But, yeah, I really wanted to touch you.”

  “Is that so? Where?” Elizabeth eyed her coolly. “My neck?” Her fingertips trailed to her throat. “Collar bone?” Fingers traced the bones in question.

  “Y-yes.”

  “Anywhere else? Perhaps, a little…lower?” Her fingers slid against the hard knots forming beneath the silky bra.

  “You like the idea I wanted you,” Summer said, suddenly curious. “What would you have done if I had touched you?”

  Elizabeth’s eyebrows knitted. “I’d have flung you out of my tra
iler and tossed your tea after you. But that was then.” Her fingers lifted to trace Summer’s cheek. “I gave you permission once before to touch. On set.” Her expression became intense. “But this time, you can have all of me.” Elizabeth slid off her shirt, then undid her bra, slowly dropping it to the floor.

  Her breasts were as spectacular as ever, but there was something overwhelming about being offered them, in the most erotic way imaginable. “I want,” Summer rasped, “all of you.”

  “Then by all means…” Elizabeth pulled Summer over to the bed and pressed her to the mattress. Her lips curved. “But Summer? Take me slowly.”

  Having Summer Hayes make love to you was like being dipped in slick, erotic massage oil. Elizabeth’s nerve endings lit up in response to those smoldering eyes. Oh, she’d been wanted before. But never like this. Summer’s hands worshipped the shape of her, the weight of her, memorizing her body. Her fingers and eyes mapped Elizabeth with the devotion of a cartographer.

  With fingertips feather-light, Summer traced Elizabeth’s tightening nipples. “You’re exquisite.” Her voice was worshipful.

  Elizabeth shivered. Summer had touched her before—for the cameras. She’d tasted her skin, her lips, even her nipples. But this felt so very different. They were alone, for one, and the look in Summer’s eyes was nothing Elizabeth had ever seen. It was hungry. Possessive. Fire and arousal. But more than that. There was love.

  All for me.

  Under the effect of those searing eyes, arousal rippled through her.

  Lips teased Elizabeth from her collar bone down to her nipples, where Summer stayed, indulging herself languidly.

  Wetness from the trails of her tongue glistened in the low light. Summer paused, reviewed her work, and with a small, satisfied smile, continued lower.

  Her hands came to rest on the waist of Elizabeth’s dark pants. She hesitated at the waistband, setting off another round of shivers.

  Swallowing, Elizabeth said, “Please.” Her desperate voice sounded like grit and honey.

  Slowly Summer divested Elizabeth of her tailored black pants, before raking her gaze over Elizabeth’s bikini briefs. Her fingers traced the lacy trim of one leg, curling under it, teasing the softer skin beneath.