Stardust (The Starlight Trilogy #3)

by Alexandra Richland

  Beth smiled. “Congratulations.”

  Aidan nodded. “Yeah, it’s great news.”

  “Wait a minute.” Olivia placed her hand on her hip. “Beth, why don’t you seem surprised?”

  Nathan appeared in the foyer and slipped his arm around Olivia’s waist. Blond and tanned, he could’ve easily been an actor—the camera would love him, as would women all over the country—but instead, he chose to remain behind the scenes at Starlight Studios as a top executive.

  “It’s all right, Beth. You can tell her.”

  Olivia’s eyes widened. “You knew he was going to propose?”

  “Yes. Not when, but I was aware of his intentions. He asked my permission a few weeks prior to the Academy Awards. He also showed me the ring.”

  Olivia folded her arms across her chest. “I can’t believe you were able to keep it a secret.”

  “Not everyone has a big mouth like you, Liv.” Constance Murphy entered the foyer, smiling, accompanied by Matthew. Dressed in a sequined evening gown that hugged her voluptuous curves, with her platinum blonde hair curled and shiny, she looked a model in Harper’s Bazaar. There was no question as to why she was the most popular pinup in all the movie magazines.

  Matthew welcomed Beth and Aidan with a hug and handshake, respectively. As usual, the crooner was impeccably dressed in a tailored suit and groomed in the all-American way—the ideal look for a prime time television special, like the family friendly musical showcases he’d hosted many times in the past, based on the popularity of his chart topping singles.

  After an employee took Beth’s fur stole and purse, they were ushered into a lavish parlor adorned with marble sculptures and colorful frescos.

  “Let’s start the evening with a toast.” Matthew uncorked a bottle of champagne, and the household staff distributed flutes. The group gathered in a circle. “We have two Oscar winners in our presence now, so I’d say a big congratulations is in order, even though they abandoned us by failing to show up at the after party.”

  Aidan and Beth laughed.

  “Luther won’t be too happy about that,” Nathan said. “I’m just warning you, so you can be prepared when you’re back on the Golden Gloves set tomorrow.”

  Beth’s gaiety plummeted. There was nothing more intimidating than a scolding by her boss.

  Aidan shrugged. “I can handle Mertz. I’ve done it before.”

  “Congratulations is also in order to Nathan and Olivia, regarding their engagement.” Matthew winked. “By the way, Nate. Thanks for upstaging me on the ring. You’re a real pal.”

  Nathan chuckled. “You’re welcome.”

  Matthew’s expression sobered. “And to my beautiful fiancée, Connie. There’s no me without you. I love you.”

  Connie kissed his cheek. “I love you, too.”

  Matthew raised his flute. “Let us toast to long-lasting friendships, true love, and happily ever afters.”

  They brought their glasses together with a clink.

  “Nate, Aidan, wait ’til you see what I had installed.” Matthew emptied his flute in a few gulps and set it aside.

  “Oh, brother. Here we go again.” Connie rolled her eyes but smiled.

  Matthew walked across the room, motioning for the men to follow him.

  “What is it?” Olivia sipped her champagne.

  “Matthew had a bar installed behind that Renoir painting over there, like some mafia kingpin.” Connie jutted her chin in the painting’s direction. “He got the idea from some European gangster film and likes to show it off at every opportunity.”

  Matthew displaced the painting as though he were opening a door, revealing a mini bar built into the wall. He removed a bottle of what looked like scotch from a lower shelf and proudly displayed it to Aidan and Nathan.

  “All right. Enough of that macho silliness.” Connie waved her hand and turned her back on the men. “It’s time to focus on more interesting matters. Olivia, tell us about Nathan’s proposal.”

  Olivia beamed. “He surprised me with lunch in Malibu and then took me to our favorite spot overlooking the Pacific Ocean. He got down on one knee and, gosh. It was so romantic! I wasn’t expecting it at all, though I always hoped we’d get married one day. I love him dearly.” She sighed and admired her large square cut diamond set on a white gold band. “Isn’t my ring gorgeous? And my fiancé is gorgeous, my wedding will be gorgeous, and our future children will be—”

  “Gorgeous,” Beth said, tossing Connie a smile.

  “Okay, Beth. Now it’s your turn. How was Oscar night?” Olivia waggled her eyebrows. “And I don’t mean the ceremony.”

  Beth blushed. She still felt uncomfortable talking about intimacy on account of her conservative upbringing, although she had made great strides since she and Aidan began their courtship. “What do you mean?”

  “Oh, don’t play coy. You and Aidan made love. It was obvious as soon as you two got here. You’re always lovely dovey with each other, but this evening, my goodness!”

  Beth caught Aidan’s gaze. A grin launched across his face, and there it was—the spark she loved so much, glistening in his eyes.

  Her heart exploded in a million fireworks. Yesterday, he’d declared his unwillingness to share her with anyone, but he wasn’t the only one occupied by the need for possession. Would it always be like this? She couldn’t imagine her attraction ever waning. He was just too good-looking, too charismatic…caring and brooding, sensitive and manly.

  Connie giggled. “There’s no use denying it, Beth.”

  She bit her lip. How could she put into words everything he made her feel? “Making love with Aidan was…it was perfect in every way.”

  Olivia hugged her. “I’m so happy for you.”

  Connie nodded. “Me, too.”

  “Thank you.” Beth placed her hand to her angel pendant and fixed her beau with a flirty look.

  Aidan’s gaze acquired elements of fire, of longing. Even from a distance, she was unable to resist him. Months earlier, she never would’ve been so brazen, but he’d awakened a more liberal side of her. The thoughts that sprung to her mind—of what she wanted him to do to her body and what she wanted to do to his—were foreign and forbidden, but territory she couldn’t wait to cross with him.

  Matthew replaced the scotch and painting and strolled back to the women with Nathan and Aidan. “Did you see the papers covering the Oscars?”

  Aidan brought his arm around Beth. Standing this close to him again made acting calm and composed a struggle. “No, we haven’t. We’ve been busy.”

  Their friends broke out into laughter. Beth’s face flamed yet again.

  “That’s not what I meant.” Aidan pitched her a grin. “Well, not entirely.”

  “Don’t worry. I have copies of the Times for everyone.” Matthew caught the attention of a member of his staff. “Randall, can you please bring in the newspapers from the kitchen—the Oscar editions?”

  He bowed. “Yes, sir.”

  Randall returned with four issues of the Los Angeles Times from the day after the Academy Awards and distributed them to Matthew’s guests.

  The front page featured a photograph of Beth and Aidan posing together on the red carpet. Beth flipped to the entertainment section, locating articles on the ceremony and additional photographs, including the picture of them with Mr. Mertz.

  She turned the page, choosing to focus on more positive aspects of the evening rather than their tense encounter with her boss. The main article contained details on their respective wins and some inaccurate gossip, such as Beth and her Sparkling Meadow costar, William Everett, had flirted with each other on the red carpet, and her Venus Rising costar, Jack Peters, glared at Will incessantly out of jealousy. The lies were harmless, but still. How did the press come up with such ridiculous stories?

  Randall collected the newspapers and put them aside so the guests could retrieve them on the way out. The group then headed into a dining hall fit for a royalty and shared pleasant conversation throughout
a dinner that lasted late into the evening.

  Before Beth departed the house with Aidan, she visited the bathroom to insert her diaphragm. Olivia was spending the night with Nathan, so there would be no interruptions. As much as she enjoyed their shower session the day before, she was no longer sore and wanted nothing more than for him to make love to her again and hold her for the remainder of the night.

  In the foyer, Aidan greeted her with a kiss. “You ready to go, baby?”

  She smiled as he assisted her with her stole. “Yes, absolutely.”

  Chapter Three

  Aidan followed Beth into her house. They barely made it in the front door before he took her in his arms. “Did you have a good time?”

  “It was a wonderful evening.” She gave a wistful smile. “Olivia was ecstatic, wasn’t she?”

  Aidan chuckled. “You’d think that diamond gave her superpowers or something.”

  “I know.” Beth giggled. “I’m thrilled for her.”

  “So you were aware that Nathan was gonna propose?”

  She nodded. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. It’s just that Nathan—”

  “Hey, don’t worry. There’s no need to apologize.” Aidan set their copies of the Los Angeles Times on the foyer table. His gaze landed on the stack of mail next to it. “Is that you?” He pointed to a photograph lying on top of the pile.

  Beth removed her stole. “Yes, that’s me at age six. My parents sent it to me. I opened it on the morning of the Academy Awards, but it was such a hectic day, I forgot to put it away. They thought I’d get a good laugh out of it.”

  Aidan grinned. “I think your missing front teeth lend you a lot of character. It’s nice to find out more about you, even if it’s just a glimpse from a photograph.”

  “I’ll ask my parents to send some more pictures with their next letter, then.” Beth hung her stole in the closet and picked up the mail. “I’d be happy to show you more of my childhood.”

  They made their way to the kitchen. Beth turned on the light and placed the mail on the counter. They embraced again by the icebox.

  “I bet you looked adorable when you were a boy.” Beth brushed his hair back, admiring him with a devoted twinkle.

  Aidan shook his head. ”I was a short, chubby kid with a bowl haircut and buck teeth. Then, when I had a growth spurt in my early teenage years, I was extremely lanky. It was my most awkward phase.”

  “Well, you certainly grew out of that.” She traced her fingers along his jaw. “I would love to see some of your childhood photographs.”

  Aidan frowned. “I don’t have any in my possession. My pop has them all, unless he got rid of them after I left.”

  “Oh, Aidan. I’m sorry.” Beth’s gaze softened. “I know you don’t speak to your father, but perhaps you could write him a letter, requesting a few photographs. I’m sure he’d send them to you.”

  Aidan’s eyebrows furrowed. “To tell you the truth, there’s not much about my childhood I want to remember. It’s best if those memories stay buried.”

  “What about photographs of your mother? Surely you’d like some of those.”

  Aidan shrugged and looked away.

  Beth patted his cheek and smiled. “I’ve been thinking about buying a scrapbook so we can save our photographs and articles. Like the Los Angeles Times article and the Life magazine article from your Santa Barbara race. Our Central Park photograph…”

  Aidan’s grin returned. “A scrapbook. I like that idea.”

  Beth linked her hands behind his neck. “Aidan, do you think when we return to New York for the Heavyweight Boxing Championship in June, we can stroll through Central Park again? I loved it there.”

  Aidan brushed his lips to her ear. “Anything you want, baby.”

  “Anything? Well, what if I want to spend tonight in your arms…naked?” She trailed her hand down his chest.

  Aidan groaned. “I’d love that.”

  Beth led him out of the kitchen. Once they reached her bedroom, their clothes were stripped off in record time, every item discarded on the floor. Their lips met in a frenzy and their hands roamed, petted, and squeezed. Aidan was careful—he’d always been careful with her—but there was no denying it. This was primal, needy, and desperate from both sides.

  Beth pried her lips from his. “Aidan, will you please make love to me? I’m not sore anymore.”

  “Baby, you never have to ask.” He collected all of his strength and pulled away from her. “I’ll wait here while you put in your diaphragm.”

  She batted her eyelashes. “I already did. In the bathroom at Matthew’s house.”

  Aidan couldn’t help the curse that escaped him. “Damn it, Beth. What are you trying to do to me?”

  Within seconds, he had her spread out on the bed. She’d planned this, wanted him all evening. And he was more than willing to deliver.

  Beth gasped as he showered her breasts with kisses and tugged at her nipples. Then her hand found his arousal and pumped him hard, and the need to take her instantly overcame him. He settled between her legs. Her warm, wet flesh caressed him, providing a sample of what could be his if he took her up on her offer. But he couldn’t. Not like this.

  He rolled onto the mattress and lay beside her. “Baby, the only way we can do this right now is if you’re on top, so you can be in control. You just started feeling better. I don’t want to do anything to hurt you.”

  Beth pouted. “But we’ve never done it that way. What if I fail to please you?”

  Aidan took her hand and kissed it. “That’s impossible.”

  “All right. But maybe we can switch positions later on.”

  Aidan nodded. “Only if you’re not in pain.”

  “Deal.” Beth crawled over him. A blush tinted her cheeks. “Can you help me?”

  “Of course.” He grasped himself and prepared for her descent.

  Beth spread her legs wider and lowered onto him slowly. A grimace tensed her features and she halted abruptly.

  Aidan throbbed for her, even though they had just gotten started; he’d missed this connection between them far too much. But he couldn’t feel pleasure from it, not when she didn’t feel it as well. “We should stop.”

  “No, please.” She opened her eyes. “It doesn’t hurt. I promise. It just feels a bit tight.”

  Slowly, slowly, she sank, clenching his arousal like she could barely accommodate him. Aidan clamped his jaw shut. Tight. Man, she wasn’t kidding.

  Beth lowered herself completely and let out an erotic gasp. Aidan’s eyes rolled back as he finally allowed himself to succumb to her warmth, her wetness.

  “Yes, yes, yes.” Beth moved her hips, working his erection like she craved it.

  As difficult as it was, Aidan didn’t meet her thrusts.

  Her lips dipped into a frown. “Does it not feel good?”

  His eyes widened. “You feel incredible. I just don’t wanna hurt you.”

  “I swear it doesn’t hurt. Now, come on. Please.” She lifted her hips and dropped back down so he was inside her fully again.

  Aidan shut his eyes and grabbed at the sheets next to him, struggling not to lose control.

  “Take me, Aidan. Whatever you want from me is yours.” Again and again, Beth rocked into him, taunting him until his resolve disintegrated.

  Releasing a growl, he flipped her onto her back.

  “That’s it, Aidan. More…please.” Beth arched her back, urging him on.

  “More is not something you want to say to me right now.”‎ Aidan grunted as she raised her hips, pushing him deeper inside her. “Trust me, baby. More is dangerous territory.”

  “Let go, Aidan. Show me what you want from me, what I inspire in you. And don’t hold back.” Her eyes locked on his. They harbored no hesitancy. No regret.

  Aidan tried to convince himself it wasn’t right. He shouldn’t. But then…

  “Ah, fuck it.” He planted his hand on her hip and thrust forward, hard, his body and mind set to one purpose: her pleas
ure.

  Beth whimpered and closed her eyes. Worry halted him before he attempted his next thrust. But her face still wore no fear, no pain, no disgust. Just pure desire.

  Aidan tested her readiness again, thrusting with the same strength. The smile that drifted across her lips held a femme fatale twist. Dangerous territory, indeed. But damned if it didn’t feel amazing to claim her this way.

  Again, he thrust. Her body tensed and she released his name on a moan. A green light.

  More.

  And more he gave. More thrusts, more caresses, more words of endearment, of lust, of ownership, of submission. More of his love, more of the honor she cultivated in him, more of the darkness stirring within him, the darkness he tried to repress whenever he was around her.

  He liberated everything, plunging inside her over and over, hurling himself deeper, filling her with his good, his bad, his vile, his beautiful. And she took it all greedily. Needed it. Gasped in protest whenever he pulled out—that instant before he drove into her again, sheathing her completely, seeking that special spot inside her, which he wanted to own right now above all else.

  “Aidan…oh, Aidan…”

  He pumped harder, faster.

  “You’re so beautiful.” He sucked gently on her neck, worshipping her with his lips, his tongue, his erection, wishing he could touch every inch of her inside and out and all at once. “My beautiful little dove.”

  Beth’s head flew back into the pillow and a wild cry escaped her throat. “Oh, yes!”

  Her breasts bounced against his chest as her thighs gripped his hips and she clamped down on his arousal, rocking into him, pulsating, gasping, riding out her climax like she was possessed by him and all he made her feel.

  Aidan screwed his eyes shut and pumped into her one last time. “Oh, fuck…Beth.”

  His orgasm seized him. He jerked and emptied inside her, holding on to her like the precious gift she was.

  When they were finished, Aidan collapsed onto the bed, panting as if there wasn’t enough oxygen to sustain him. Even the most rigorous boxing training didn’t compete with this lovemaking session.

  “My goodness!” Beth shrieked with laughter and gave her legs a little kick. “That was magnificent!”