Her lovely feminine scent filled his nostrils, and Garrett squeezed her tighter. He watched the colorful, exotic fish glide through the water and around the coral, mesmerized by their slow rhythm. He stroked Marlene’s back and she looked up into his eyes.
Garrett brushed her hair away from her face. “I wasn’t comfortable watching you kiss your costar,” he said.
Marlene smiled. “Mmm, you were jealous?”
“Very jealous.” Garrett kissed the top of her head and held her close.
Marlene turned onto her stomach and put her palm on his cheek. “You have no one to be jealous of.”
Grasping her shoulders, Garrett tossed her to the mattress. He held her arms to her sides and kissed down her neck and over her breasts. Her arousal surged, her eyes lustful. He made love to her, long and slow. She excited him as no woman had before.
Marlene was the woman for him. He knew he couldn’t have her, yet he couldn’t turn away. He was fucked. There was no way to tell her that she’d misjudged him without crushing her. It was better if she didn’t find out, as it would be the last straw.
That was the trouble with the past: Garrett was unable to change it. He wished that he could, just like he’d planned to tell Marlene everything. He wanted to overcome any barriers between them, and make her his woman. But he wasn’t sure he had any right to.
What he needed to do was catch the man who threatened her and take him out of action. Once Buckner was out of her life, then Garrett would move on. As much as he cared for her—hell, he loved her—Garrett wasn’t right for her.
Marlene’s happiness mattered most. Once Garrett ensured that she was safe, he’d let her go. But he’d always have this weekend, and the memory of her in his arms. He wouldn’t forget the feel of her against him, or the sexy sounds she made when pleasure consumed her.
*****
The fairytale weekend had come to an end. Marlene had experienced joy that she was certain would escape her. But it hadn’t. And Garrett had wanted it as much as she had. The way he held her, whispered to her, and made love without inhibition revealed the truth.
But Garrett was a soldier, and she’d already had too much grief connected with the military. And her life wouldn’t suit him anyway. Stardom was far afield of clandestine activity. Garrett preferred the shadows, not bright lights. She wouldn’t ask that of him. She couldn’t, because it wasn’t fair.
Why was she even considering that, anyway? Garrett cared for her, and she was crazy about him. Marlene loved him with all her heart, but the only outcome would be heartbreak—if she let it continue. She didn’t need to tell him that they had no future together, because he already knew.
But that didn’t mean they couldn’t steal a few hours of heaven, so they had. In Garrett’s arms, Marlene had felt that she was where she belonged. She pretended it would last, that she could wake each morning to the warmth of his touch. Yet the special weekend was over without any commitment. Garrett hadn’t asked for any, and she was grateful for that.
The magic was over, and now Marlene was back in her dressing room alone. She needed to mentally prepare for her scenes, but she was shaken by what had happened between them. Garrett had gotten too close; the wall she’d so carefully erected around her heart had tumbled down. She was vulnerable now, and didn’t like it.
Garrett had touched her deeply, and Marlene couldn’t easily put aside her emotions. It scared her, and she was more than a little confused. She trusted him, wanted him too much, but she knew it could only lead to disappointment.
Yet Marlene’s world had changed; she feared she was in over her head. Pent-up emotion had flooded forth when she’d opened her arms and her bed to Garrett. But it didn’t end there. All the torment she’d tried to put aside resurfaced, and the hurtful memories threatened to swallow her up.
Only they hadn’t quite done so. The well of repressed emotion had surged, yet she’d survived it. Marlene had been so afraid of it, just as she’d feared being in Garrett’s arms. In allowing herself to fully feel, the impact of both had hit her.
Marlene wanted to play her role in the movie with skill. She wanted to show why it all mattered, and make the losses count. She realized with some surprise that her love for Garrett had shattered her defenses, but renewed her verve for life. At last, she knew that she could play the part authentically. She could feel the emotions of her character.
That was what had been missing, and the knowledge empowered Marlene. She felt strong, and knew she could give the performance of her career. Her portrayal of the character had been unfeeling, not caring enough, because she hadn’t been able to deal with the emotion.
Tears of joy filled her eyes. Those left behind are heroes too. Marlene felt it deep in her soul. She stood up and walked toward the door. She was ready. Loss was a part of life that couldn’t be avoided, but it was the triumph of the human spirit that gave her inspiration.
*****
On set later, Marlene glanced over at Garrett before the director called for action. He nodded, giving her a vote of encouragement. He didn’t know that she’d figured it out; no one else did either. Her performance would tell all.
The cameras rolled and Marlene was lost in the scene. She was her character, living and breathing. Time had no meaning, only the moment. The exhilaration of acting surged through her. She had been in too much emotional pain before to play the part realistically.
Marlene had been unable to take her character’s perspective, but now she could. She’d pushed through the fear of loss, broken through emotionally, and could let go. Immersed in the film, she lived the scene, more real than life for those brief moments.
When it ended, Marlene looked up, coming back to the present. The director’s expression was one of approval. He lifted his hands and said, “Wonderful, Marlene.” Then Anna rushed up to give her a big hug. “You were awesome.”
When Marlene gazed around at the other cast and crew, she saw tears in their eyes. They’d been moved by her performance, and her heart swelled with pride. It was the role of her career, and she’d nailed it.
There was no call to reshoot, or request for changes. Marlene had accomplished what she’d wanted. The director called for break, and she went over to Garrett. He beamed at her, and she laughed with relief. It was over. She’d done it.
*****
At the end of the day, Samuel drove them back to her home in Beverly Hills. As much as she’d like to, Marlene couldn’t hide out forever. It was time to face things again. Garrett assured her that Buckner hadn’t given up. He could make his next move at any time.
No doubt Marlene’s disappearance over the weekend had only aggravated him, and if anything fueled his vendetta against her. She still didn’t know what the guy wanted. Maybe she was making too much out of it and he was merely a stalker. She’d had many, although not as threatening.
But Buckner wasn’t a stalker. Garrett had assured her of that. His lack of acceptance into the military might have ignited a need for revenge, yet that didn’t explain Marlene’s involvement. Her part in the situation remained a mystery to her. She just didn’t see the connection, and Garrett seemed unusually quiet about the whole thing. Likely he didn’t know any more than she did.
After her recent success, Marlene didn’t want to talk about Buckner, so she didn’t bring it up. Garrett had taken every precaution to keep her safe. They waited impatiently for Stealth to do what they were good at, and find the guy. Marlene didn’t want to let it ruin her evening.
James greeted them when they arrived. He saw to his duties then took his leave. “Will there be anything else before I go?”
“No, James. I’m going to stay in this evening, and I won’t be entertaining. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Marlene didn’t consider enjoying her bodyguard’s company the same as entertaining a guest. So her butler was off duty, since she wouldn’t need him.
Laura was different, as Marlene needed her cook. She was hungrier than usual, and assumed that Garrett was too. “I’ll speak
to the cook about dinner,” she said to Garrett.
“I’ll check in with the team, get a status on everything.”
Marlene followed the fragrant aromas to the kitchen. “Mmm, Laura, what are you cooking? It smells so good.”
The cook looked up from her stirring, and wiped a hand on her apron. “It’s a dish I know you like to serve guests, my special recipe for beef tenderloin with chimichurri.”
Laura had told her that the combination was a specialty of Argentina. Marlene loved the tangy condiment with the grilled meat. It was good for entertaining, and she’d asked the cook to make heartier meals while Garrett was staying with her. “I might be able to live on soup and salad, but my bodyguard will need some real food,” she’d said.
The cook had been pleased. Since she liked to cook, it was good to have someone around with a healthy appetite. Although she did well with the healthy but light meals Marlene required. The ten-foot-high screens in the theaters made Marlene look at least ten pounds heavier, so she had to compensate.
“I’ll take the wine into the living room. When dinner is ready, just let us know.”
Laura smiled and resumed her work. The wine had been opened so it could breathe, and Marlene carried the bottle out to the other room. She poured a glass, but since Garrett wasn’t around, she decided to change. In her walk-in closet, she set the glass on the center island.
She shed the clothes she’d worn all day, and looked for something more casual. She chose a knit top and pants, then slipped her bare feet into a pair of ballet slippers. They were comfortable, plus she’d noticed that Garrett seemed to like them.
In the corner, her gardening clothes were neatly folded. It made her smile to remember her date with Garrett, a day at the movies incognito. She’d have to ask him to do it again sometime. But then, she shouldn’t look too far ahead. He could be gone anytime.
Garrett’s bodyguard duties would end when the threat was resolved. That was unfortunate, as she’d really miss him. It seemed unfair that returning her life to normal meant that Garrett wouldn’t be a part of it. She was unsure of the nature of the relationship anyway.
The weekend seemed like another world. And neither of them had spoken of it, so Marlene wasn’t sure what to think. She picked up her wine glass and went into the other room to find Garrett. He was sipping Coke and starring into the fireplace.
Garrett had changed clothes too, and wore a simple T-shirt with jeans. Yet he looked desirable in whatever he wore. The denim hugged his thighs, making her itch to touch. And the cotton shirt fit over his muscles just barely. It hadn’t been that long, and Marlene remembered how he felt pressed close to her.
“Is everything okay?” she said, then sat in a chair next to Garrett.
“As far as I can tell. The guys will let me know if they notice anything suspicious.” Garrett swigged his drink.
Marlene enjoyed being at home, and it had been a comfortable respite from the world. Now she wondered if she’d ever feel truly safe there again. The unpredictability of the situation was hard to take. While she sat and sipped her wine, a madman was plotting her death.
And Garrett didn’t say that she was safe. He had to know that she was worried, but there were no guarantees. He was doing all he could, and that meant a lot. But it was better that he didn’t give her unsubstantiated assurances. Instead, he picked a different topic to discuss. “You were great out there today,” he said. “I mean it.”
“I want you to know how much you helped me,” Marlene said.
Garrett balanced his Coke on his thigh. “You were up there alone, as far as I could tell.”
“Yes, but over the weekend you said something that made all the difference.” Marlene wanted him to know that she viewed things more clearly now. “That morning when we sat by the pool, and talked…”
Garrett nodded. “Yes, we talked about a lot of things.”
Marlene remembered it clearly. One thing about Garrett was that he viewed life in straightforward terms. For him, issues were reduced to simplicity. It was refreshing.
“I was on stage today, and I balked, just for a moment. Then I remembered what you’d said: ‘We protect those we love.’ And it all came together for me.” Marlene didn’t say more, but she knew Garrett understood. “So, thank you.”
The look in Garrett’s eyes was that of a fierce protector, leaving no doubt that he’d do all he could to ensure no harm came to her. It was immensely reassuring. “I’m glad you’re here with me,” she said. “I wouldn’t want to be alone, especially now.”
Their gazes locked, and Marlene wondered if he’d open his arms to her. But he shouldn’t; it wasn’t right. She’d indulged her fantasy, and had a few stolen days alone with him. She shouldn’t be greedy.
Then Laura entered, and the mood shifted. “Whenever you’d like to eat, I’m ready to serve.” They followed her out and sat in the dining room.
The food was delicious, and during the meal, they talked about whatever came to mind. But Marlene didn’t broach the subject of their relationship, and Garrett didn’t bring it up either. She was disappointed, even though she had no right to be. Yet she knew it was better that way.
*****
By the end of the week, the filming was nearly complete. Nicholas was pleased, and invited the cast to a private party at his home. Garrett was relieved to hear that there would be no photographers allowed. There were wild rumors within entertainment circles that he might star in her next movie. Photos of him by Marlene’s side had gone viral. Her publicity agent had officially referred to him as her bodyguard. But it seemed the public preferred a juicier tale, and refused to be dissuaded.
The party was informal, so Marlene wore a simple cocktail dress and pearl earrings. She convinced Garrett to wear a blazer and slacks. He looked handsome and sophisticated. She rather liked having him by her side. Attending events with hired escorts just wasn’t the same at all.
Nicholas lived with his wife Althea in a stunning penthouse, suited to such a celebrity. Some of the walls, as well as the floors and bookcases, were rich, dark wood, contrasting with the lush, cream-colored area rugs. The décor was grand and a bit eccentric. A few priceless pieces of Andy Warhol art hung in special recesses, and the kitchen was done in a 1950s style.
The event was catered, and he’d hired a band to play out on the terrace. Nicholas greeted them upon arrival. “I’m so glad you could make it. The bar is over there. Please enjoy.”
Garrett had a club soda and Marlene accepted a glass of champagne. Then they circulated. The cast knew her bodyguard, since he’d been around the set so much, so conversation flowed. Garrett seemed mostly at ease, although she noticed he remained aware of their surroundings. Marlene, on the other hand, threw caution to the wind and just had a good time.
Anna spotted them early and raced over to say hello. She grinned at Marlene, then gave her a big hug. “Isn’t this just so much fun? This house is amazing.”
“It really is,” Marlene said. “Nicholas has good taste. Did you meet his wife? She’s a lovely woman. She used to be in theater in New York.”
“I chatted with her for a while. She’s led an interesting life.” Anna looked up at Garrett and beamed. “Good to see you here. Great party, isn’t it?”
“It’s very gracious of Nicholas to invite everyone.”
“Oh, he loves it. I’ve heard he’s had some unforgettable parties. I hope to be invited again.” Anna smiled. “That is, if I behave myself.”
Garrett smiled. “Looks like I have two women to look out for tonight.”
Anna giggled. “Well, I have to tell you, Garrett…you are good for Marlene—even though she won’t admit it. She’s different since you’ve been around.”
“Don’t listen to her,” Marlene said, feeling a little awkward. “We aren’t dating, you know. He’s my bodyguard.”
Anna winked at Garrett. “Of course.” Then she looked around at all the guests. “You’ll have to excuse me. I need to circulate. Maybe I’ll meet a
gorgeous guy like you.” She directed that last comment to Garrett, but he seemed to get a kick out of her.
“I hope you do, Anna. He’d be a lucky guy.”
Before they could catch their breath, some of the other cast came over to chat. Everyone was in good spirits, and Marlene was having a good time. Then her costar, Michael Jamison, strode up and gave her a big hug. He was a handsome man, trim but not muscular like Garrett. It seemed that lately Marlene compared other men to her bodyguard.
“Marlene, it’s so good to see you.” Michael looked up at Garrett. “And Garrett, I’m happy you’re here to make sure Marlene doesn’t get into any trouble.”
Marlene chatted with the man for a few minutes. He was an excellent actor, and it had been a pleasure working with him. Garrett kept his eyes on Michael, as if he thought the guy might grab her for a kiss. It was difficult to watch a woman you cared about kiss on screen; Marlene had heard that from other couples, anyway.
Maybe Garrett cared about her more than she thought. Or maybe it was a macho thing: he felt challenged by her relationship with another man. But acting was strictly professional; Garrett knew that. It struck Marlene that might not mean much. After all, wasn’t her relationship with Garrett professional, not personal?
Marlene was on her third glass of champagne by the time they found a quiet corner, where they could sit and talk. The party was in full swing, with guests clustered in groups to talk, while others danced outdoors on the expansive terrace.
Garrett had refilled his club soda, and he sat by the fireplace facing toward the room. No one was going to get by him, that was for sure. Marlene wished it was a real date. She wanted to sit closer, even kiss in the dark when no one was looking. Her imagination was running away with her. She’d seen too many movies, or rather, starred in them.
“It occurs to me that I know hardly anything about you,” Marlene said, “even though you know a lot about me.”
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