“Hmm. You really do understand horses. You’re right about the Zen thing. This really is relaxing. Or maybe it’s the way you hold me.”
“I’ll make you a deal,” Julia began. “If you’ll do this, I can drive to the diner to pick up my small mixer and get dinner started early. That way we’ll have plenty of time to…”
“You’re trusting me with this?”
Julia kissed her shoulder. “I have complete faith that you’ll bond with Thunder.”
“Go. And hurry home, please. Twenty minutes without you was long enough. Take the convertible.”
“No.” Julia gulped the lemonade on her way out of the barn. She cranked up her Fiat and headed down the long dirt driveway.
* * *
Rina took her time brushing the horse. “Yes, I see you like that spot right here. You’re awfully big.”
The horse turned his head to look at her.
Rina smiled and met his eye. “Big and handsome, Thunder. While it’s just us, do you mind if I tell you a secret?” She stopped brushing. “I really don’t know what to do. I’m so afraid I’m going to screw this whole thing up. And I’m talking to you because I feel I can trust you.”
The more Rina brushed him, the more her breathing slowed. The actress relived that morning—her skin still tingling from how Julia had made love to her. She marveled at how safe and protected Julia made her feel, as though Julia was the older one in this relationship. But her mind felt clear and calm for the first time ever, divorced from the assaults that her regular life made on her sensibilities, the paparazzi, publicists, managers, agents, assistants that were all integral to maintaining her “brand.” She exhaled and continued brushing.
Rina took a deep whiff of the thin, cool, freshly washed desert air. The rain of the previous night had left the cactus alert, the sagebrush scrubbed greener than its usual gray, and the horses with newfound spunk.
Rina told Thunder and Lightning all about herself. Then she sang Roy Rogers’s “Happy Trails,” just so she could watch their ears twitch. “I like talking to you, Thunder and Lightning. I’m a very good judge of character, I’ll have you know. After all, I’m fall…”
The crunch of tires on rocky dirt interrupted her. “Is that Mommy?” Moving to peek outside the barn, she saw a Mustang headed toward the barn. “Oh no! Visitors!” She grabbed a cowboy hat that was hanging on a nearby hook and smashed it onto her head, slipped on her sunglasses, and pulled Lightning into his stall. As she positioned herself on the big horse’s far side, she heard the Mustang’s tires slow and stop.
“Julia?” a woman called out. “I saw the barn door open. It’s Nicki. Hello?”
Rina lowered the register of her voice and mustered something akin to the Southern accent she had mastered for her movie Night Shades.
“Julia ain’t here right now.”
Nicki’s voice drew closer. “I’m sorry. I didn’t see you back there.”
Rina kept her back to the visitor and brushed Lightning’s neck.
“I’m Nicki.” The woman stepped toward the opposite side of the stall and stopped a few feet away. “Are you Julia’s mom?”
Rina cringed. “Nope.”
“Her aunt?”
“Just here for the horses.”
“Oh. What’s your name?”
“Rin…” She halted her automatic response.
“Good to meet you, Reen. Do you know when Julia will be back?”
“Not really.” Rina leaned down and rubbed Lightning’s forearm and knee, hiding her face behind his shoulder. The horse neighed.
“Maybe I’ll just wait for her,” Nicki said.
Rina threw a Hail Mary pass. “She said she wouldn’t be back until later.”
“I thought you said you didn’t know when she’d be home.”
“All she said was not to wait for her.”
“Well, if you see her, would you tell her that Nicki stopped by?”
“Sure thing.”
“Thanks.”
Rina heard the car door close and the engine vroom down the driveway, but her heart was still racing.
“Whew!” She leaned back against the stall and ripped off her sunglasses and hat. “Lightning, have I told you how happy I am that you’re so big? Who’s Nicki?” She paused. “I see you’re tight-lipped about these things.”
* * *
When Julia returned, she strode into the barn without pause, swept Rina into her arms, and, before she could say a word, kissed her passionately.
“You take my breath away, Julia.”
Leading her by the hand to the clean stall full of hay, Julia gently pushed her back into the pile. She stared down at Rina.
“There’s that fire in your eyes,” said Rina.
“Now. I have to have you right now.” Julia got down on her knees and kissed the woman deep and slow. Then deeper and slower, sensuously nibbling Rina’s lip. Grasping a fistful of hair, she kissed her way along Rina’s neck and followed her moans downward into her lover’s cleavage and the outer edges of her warm voluptuous breasts. Julia’s fingertips traced the hardened nipples and womanly curves with gentle adoration, then gripped her hips with strong, sculptor’s hands.
With labored breath, Rina reached down and unzipped Julia’s jeans, tugging desperately at them until Julia stripped them of their clothes and tossed them into a pile. Drenched in expectation, Rina wrapped her legs around her lover.
Drawn in by the shimmering beam from the luminescent eyes and savoring her intoxicating scent, Julia seduced her again, peeling away the layers of fame beneath which lived the tender girl she had fallen for—hard. Teasing, tasting, she delivered Rina into every pleasure she ached for, meeting her at every turn in a place she had only ever imagined.
Their eyes locked when Julia hovered over her, slowly lowering herself as Rina hungrily received her.
Power oscillated between them; pleasure forsaken for ecstasy and mediocrity crushed by a once-in-a-lifetime love. Over weeks, not years, they’d filled the voids that life had deposited in each of them.
“Oh God, I can’t get enough of you,” said Rina. She rolled over, pushed Julia down into the hay, and laid on top of her. She caressed Julia’s face, her breasts, one hand coming to rest on Julia’s slim naked hip. “I need you, Julia. I want you—all of you.”
“Be careful, Rina. I’m the kind of girl who will believe you.”
Rina moaned and pulled Julia hard against her. “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known,” Rina whispered into her ear.
Speechless, Julia pulled back to gaze into into her eyes.
Rina rolled onto her back.
Julia’s hands and lips pledged devotion to Rina’s every desire, raising the stakes and heightening the hunger with every stroke of her tongue and hands. She slid her body along Rina’s. “You’re exquisite.”
“Take me now, Julia. Take me everywhere there is to go.”
Julia reached deep. “We’re already there.”
This time Julia looked down into eyes that were now emerald green as she received Rina’s breathless surrender. She made her lover teeter on the edge until she was certain she had taken everything but her need for more. Julia once again owned that precious moment when all Katarina would feel was her.
Wrapped in their naked truth, Julia noted how time had succumbed to the desert stillness in what was now a subtle shade of dusk. Like the relinquishing of day to night, Julia and Rina fused in a moment of twilight: neither day nor night but instead the inevitable melding of the two.
“I feel so safe with you,” Rina said when she finally could speak.
Julia held her tighter.
“I know the world is still out there, Julia. But here, behind the gate of the Y2, I know that nothing can harm us. No paparazzi. No tabloids.”
“You are safe with me, no matter what happens down the road.”
“I’ve never made love in a barn before,” said Rina.
Julia pushed herself up on her elbow and teased he
r lover. “You’re telling me I created a first for the worldly Katarina Verralta?” She flicked a piece of straw from Rina’s hair.
Rina slapped her arm. “This hasn’t been my first first with you.”
“Really? What else?”
“I’ll tell you another time.”
“Why not now?” Julia stared at the woman, waiting for an answer. “Oh my God.”
“What?”
Julia laughed. “You’re blushing. Just like on the night we met—in the casita when I complimented you.”
Rina turned to look away, but Julia wouldn’t let her. “Okay. Yes, I can feel I’m flushed.”
“Why, baby?”
Rina’s now golden eyes filled. “I feel like I’m about to bungee jump off the Golden Gate Bridge—and there’s not even a camera rolling to catch it.”
Julia chuckled. “What does that mean?”
Rina’s eyes first danced away from Julia’s. Caught in the spellbinding gaze that returned to her, Julia fell in love again.
Rina sighed hard. “It means I’m taking the leap. I’m falling in love. Crazy, wild, once-in-a-lifetime love…with you, Julia Dearling.”
Julia froze. “Y-you said it. I don’t want you to feel obligated to say it just because I did.”
“No, sweetheart. You’re not the only one who’s never felt this way before.”
“I can’t even believe this is happening. Tell me it’s real, Rina.”
Rina nodded. “More real than I’ve ever thought possible for me.”
“Oh great, now I guess I have to make you dinner.” She kissed Rina’s lips, aware of her every breath and intoxicated by the scent of Rina doused in Dior—of Rina doused in her. “So much for an early dinner, huh?”
“I wish you would make dinner. I’ve worked up quite an appetite today.”
“And you’ll need your strength for later on.”
“Are you trying to kill me?” asked Rina.
“No. Just making up for lost time.”
“What lost time?”
“All that time you’ve complained about having to wait for me to grow up. Are you ready to go back to the house?”
“In a minute. I don’t think I can stand up yet. My legs are limp.”
“Good. So, did you bond with Thunder in my absence?”
“Thunder, Lightning, and I had a good talk.” Rina sat up and pulled on her jeans.
“I’d like to hear all about it once I float back to earth.” Julia dressed and pulled on her boots.
Rina put on her shirt and pulled Julia into one last kiss before they ambled back toward the house, Julia’s arm tight around Rina’s waist, Rina’s head resting on Julia’s shoulder.
“In all that passion, I forgot to tell you. You had a visitor.”
“A visitor?”
“Who’s Nicki?”
Julia halted. “Did she recognize you?”
“No. Luckily I was able to hide behind Lightning in his stall. So? Who is she?”
“Nobody.”
“Tell your face, Julia.”
“Fine.” Julia shifted her weight to one foot and sighed.
“Well?”
“Moments before I left the diner on the night we met, the girl I was seeing dumped me. Anyway, that’s her.”
“I wish I’d known!” said Rina.
“Why?”
“I’d have thanked her. She did me the biggest favor of my life.”
“I left here in such a hurry to get back to you I forgot to lock the gate. What did she want?”
They strolled a few more steps.
“Perhaps she came to tell you she wants you back.”
“Is that your way of asking if I’m interested?”
“Maybe.”
Julia stopped walking when Rina did.
“Julia, she asked if I was your mother!”
“I’m sorry, honey. Forget about her.”
“Have you?”
“Forgotten about her? What did I say before I left? You. Only you. Always you. Got it, Rina?”
Rina smiled and started walking again. “I think I’m beginning to.”
“Someday, Ms. Verralta, you’re going to wonder how you could have ever doubted yourself.”
“Don’t you mean I’m going to wonder how I ever doubted you?”
“No. No, I don’t.”
Chapter Nineteen
After dinner, Rina cleared the table. “I feel like I’m floating on a cloud. Between all this torrid sex and great food, I could just curl up with you—forever.” She sighed and placed the dishes in the sink.
“Go relax by the fire. How about if we watch a movie?”
Rina lit up. “Great. What did you have in mind?”
Julia shrugged. “Whatever you want. I have some DVDs in the living room, or we can stream something off of Filmnet.com.”
“I’ll go see what you have.”
Julia finished up and brought Rina a decaf cappuccino. Cuddled up on the sofa, Rina smiled up at her. “What is it? You look like you want to say something.”
Julia placed the cup on the coffee table. “You know, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you look more beautiful than you do right now.”
“What? With no makeup and my hair a mess?”
“More beautiful than when you’re on the red carpet.”
“You’re saying that to feed my fragile ego. But…go on.”
Julia laughed. “Ego? You?” She sat next to Rina and handed her the demitasse.
“How did you know I wanted this?”
“I saw you glance at the espresso machine.”
Rina took a sip. “Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone as attentive as you. You’ve already spoiled me.”
“What’s the point of being in love if you don’t spoil your lover?” Julia reached for the small stack of DVDs that Rina had left there.
“You say it so easily.”
“What?” asked Julia, flipping through the films.
“You know.”
Julia looked up. “Being in love? You lovely, lovely, lovely woman! There, take that.” She paused. “I can’t believe you’re blushing again.”
“Sometimes the age difference strikes me—hard.”
“And?”
“Then I remind myself that you’re the grown-up in this relationship.”
“All right. I’ll change the subject—because you can’t stay that red forever. Did you find something you’d like to watch?”
“Did you do it on purpose?”
“Did I do what on purpose?”
“You have every film I’ve ever made on that shelf.”
Julia stroked back the hair from Rina’s cheek. “I love those films, mostly because you’re in them. I’ve seen them so many times, I can recite dialogue.”
“Answer me truthfully, Julia?”
“Always.”
“Is there even the slightest chance that what you’re feeling for me is infatuation?”
“Yep. A big fat chance. The film star?” Julia held up her hands. “Handcuff me now. Guilty of lock-me-up, first-degree infatuation.” She let her hands fall. “But I also happen to be in love with you. When you’re with me, in me, and asleep next to me—your lips against mine? Hardcore in love with every breath. See the difference? As for the films, I’ve loved those movies since I was merely infatuated with you.”
“Did Clay tell you to say that?”
“Who’s Clay?”
Rina set down the cup and took Julia’s hand. “Honey, it’s time you met my crew.”
“What crew?”
“The crew that handles my life and occupies it with a vengeance.”
“Like Gigi? The woman who wouldn’t give you my messages?”
“Yes, but that was before she knew to tell me.”
“No. It wasn’t.”
“Well, she knows now,” said Rina. “My daily life includes any or all of the following: a publicist, an assistant, lawyers, a personal manager, an agent, personal trainer, and friends. The
n there are the stylists, directors, writers—well, just a lot of people. Think you can handle that?”
“That depends. Are you in it with me, Rina?”
The actress’s eyes flared. “Deep in it.”
“Okay, then whatever it is, whoever these folks are—I’m ready.”
“Terrific. They’re going to love you.”
“But will I like them?”
Rina sat up and slung her arms around Julia’s neck. “Do you like me?”
Julia smiled. “You know I do.”
“Then you might like them too. I’ll throw a small dinner party so that you can meet everyone at once—unless that’s too overwhelming.”
“If this was a movie, we’re in the scene where the guitars start out with a soft romantic hook…and violins become louder and surround the guitars, then a piano joins in with some cheeky melody. And we’re supposed to kiss.”
Rina laughed so hard her eyes teared up. “Aren’t you being a tad melodramatic here?”
“No. This is a ‘falling in love with you harder’ scene. There are always violins in the ‘falling in love with you harder’ scene.”
“Wow! You’re right.”
“I am? I made it up,” said Julia.
“I’m starting to hear the cheeky melody. Yes, I’m definitely falling in love with you harder.”
“So it’s a done deal? We’re getting my debut over with?”
“Yeah…great. Uh…good.” Rina flopped back on the sofa pillows.
Julia chuckled. “Are you sure?”
“Can you make it up to LA for a couple of nights?”
“I think so. I’ll talk to Cass to see if she can cover for me at the diner, and I’ll get someone to feed the horses.”
“Who’s Cass?”
“My best friend since Desert Canyon Junior High and my manager at the diner.”
“Have you told her about us?”
“No. But she knows something is up. I can barely contain myself and keep a straight face. She keeps hinting at changes in me. I’ve only told my sister.”
“You haven’t really told me much about your family.”
“You never talk about your family either,” said Julia. “You go first.”
“There’s not much to tell really. I left home when I was pretty young to come to the US alone, and I started modeling soon after I got to Los Angeles. My mother and my brother and his family still live in Italy. I speak with them often, but my mother is not the easiest person for me to be around so I don’t visit much. And you?”
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