“I have a buggy. I’ll take you and I have news too.”
Right then a man came running up to Seth. “Mister Carbery—there’s been a call. Please go to the security office as soon as you can; they didn’t say why. Okay?”
Seth nodded. “Sure, I’ll do that.”
He turned to Bethany. “Let’s go then. Your news wouldn’t have anything to do with me getting called to see security, I suppose?”
They fell into step as Bethany led the way to the Jeep.
“Yes. We have the person who sent the threatening letters.”
They climbed into the jeep.
“Tell me who,” Seth asked, as Bethany started the engine.
She looked around. There was no one to hear.
“It’s Dianne. Jake caught her on video, delivering one to your trailer this evening just before dark. She’s been doing it so Tony would pay more attention to her.”
Bethany stopped talking as Seth made a sound of surprise.
“Really. I’d never have guessed at her. Since she sent them to herself too, that would have been to cover her tracks, huh?”
“Yes, it was. She spilled everything. They’re going to tell you and I think it might be up to you what happens to her.”
“Oh, no; really? Why? Why me? Aren’t there laws or something?” Seth asked, concerned.
They stopped at the wardrobe marquees.
“I’ll be two minutes,” he said.
As promised, he only took a couple of minutes and came striding out of the place in his own clothes. He jumped back in the Jeep and they set off again.
“I am a bit worried about this thing with Dianne. If it’s up to me what happens to her, I mean.”
Bethany took the buggy right up to the side of the security office trailer and parked. She looked at Seth.
“Just do what you feel is right.”
He nodded and got out of the car. Bethany followed him to the door, but was turned away by one of the security team as they went inside. They wanted to speak with Seth alone so she went back to sit in the Jeep.
* * * *
Seth came loping down the steps of the trailer about fifteen minutes later and slid into the passenger seat with a sigh.
“I told them I wasn’t interested in pressing harassment charges and felt sorry for Dianne when I heard the story. She will leave the site tomorrow morning. I think they are escorting her off. At least she gets to go home with Tony for the night—what remains of it.”
Chapter Twenty
Bethany drove them over to Seth’s trailer.
As they got out of the Jeep, he smiled. “Come in for a cup of coffee?”
She wanted to be with him. “Okay.”
As Seth opened the trailer door, Bethany took her cell phone from her pocket and called Jake. “I’m with Seth, so don’t set the night watch going. I’ll do it when I get in. Go to bed, okay? How are you feeling? Glad to hear that you feel better.”
“I really need a shower. Do you mind if I take a quick one?” Seth asked.
Bethany grinned. “I know exactly what you mean. It’s been a long day.”
Seth stripped off his T-shirt. “There might just be enough room for both of us.” He gave her a look laced with pure sexual hunger.
She felt a shimmer of desire start. It would be good to be skin to skin with Seth, under the warm water spray—even if it was only that—just being close. His look suggested something else and that would be nice too.
Seth drew close to her. His eyes were dark with desire. He held her face and kissed her. It was soft and gentle. He pressed his nose against hers with his eyes closed. He moved his hands into her hair as he traced the tip of his tongue along her lips.
Bethany responded and they deepened the kiss. Seth ran his hands over her hips and cupped her bottom. He pulled her against his body.
She felt the hard length of his erection against her lower stomach. A wash of need dampened her and made her nipples harden. She reached for his bottom to push against him.
Seth whispered against her lips, “You have to take a shower with me now. I’ve smeared what little makeup I’m wearing all over your lovely face.”
Bethany really didn’t need an excuse. “I’d be in there with you anyway.”
She unzipped his jeans and pushed them down to reveal him.
“Seth,” she said softly. She kissed him again, curling her fingers around his erection.
Seth tried to undress her and kiss her at the same time. She had to let go of him so he could pull off her T-shirt and the stretchy top she wore underneath. He immediately took a breast into his mouth and Bethany gave a little moan.
Seth started on her jeans. They let go of one another to take off the remainder of their clothes.
“I don’t think I can wait until you are clean,” Bethany whispered as he dragged her back against his body and held her close.
“Me neither,” he agreed.
He led the way and turned on the water in the shower. He kissed her as he pulled her under the water with him.
Chapter Twenty-One
Bethany writhed with need as he kissed her. His hands were in her hair, holding her head to his. He thrust against her stomach, but gently so she could feel the whole length of his cock slide along. It was exotic to have his wet skin against hers.
She ran her hands along his body with her eyes closed and her mouth open to his tongue. She realized he had taken a handful of shower gel when he began to soap her body.
He moved over her hips, down her thighs, cupped her breasts, and then raised her arms above her head. He held her hands there with one hand as he kissed her and stroked between her legs. It was gentle and teasing.
Bethany gasped in desperation.
When he released her hands, she opened her eyes and sought out the soap. He’s getting this too…this incredible feeling of nearly begging.
She smiled a little against his lips when she felt him shake under her hands as she smoothed them all over him and lingered between his legs. She cupped the weight of him and stroked his erection until his cock jumped in her palm. Seth groaned and moved her hair aside to suck at the sensitive skin along her shoulder and then her neck.
He took her hands away from his body and held them up under the shower of warm water, bathing them both in need as he sucked at her breasts again.
Bethany pressed against him and freed her hands. She brought her arms down to hold him around the neck, crushing against him. She kissed him so hard she thought it would bruise her lips.
Seth put his fingers into her and let her ride them for a few seconds before he stopped. He tempted her with a kiss, but then turned off the water, reached around the shower screen for a towel, and wrapped her in it against his body.
He kissed her again and watched her open her eyes to his. He turned her in his arms and toweled the front of her body.
Bethany swallowed down the need to thrust back against him, to reach around and bring his cock into her from behind. She turned, took the towel from him, and patted the water from his hips. She knelt and licked the water from his flat, hard stomach. She couldn’t resist just one lick of his erection. Her tongue lapped at the water on the velvet head. His breath quickened, moving his hips with little thrusts of need the way she had done. She kissed his chest, his throat, and his lips.
Seth looked into her eyes. His own were full of desire.
To Bethany’s complete amazement, he brought her out of the shower. Holding her around the waist with one arm, he fished around in the mirrored cabinet above the little hand basin and brought out a plastic pack of toothbrushes.
Bethany leaned against him. Her legs felt like jelly. She pulsed with need between her legs, her nipples grew hard, and her breasts were heavy with a craving to feel Seth’s mouth on them.
He held the pack out to her and she took a toothbrush in a daze of sexual need.
“Seth,” her voice was husky and he let go of her.
“I’m going to bed,” he whispered
against her ear, “and I always clean my teeth before I go to bed.”
He is teasing me. Bethany could barely stand the intense sensations of his breath against her ear.
He cleaned his teeth and handed her the toothpaste. Bethany took some and started to brush her teeth. He finished first.
He stood by her side and wrapped his arms around her as she leaned to rinse the toothpaste from her mouth. His erection pressed against her hip and he slid his hand down her bottom and under between her legs to find her wet as she throbbed toward his fingers.
Bethany shuddered against him. She wanted him to thrust into her so badly. When he moved to stand behind her, she bent so he could take her from behind, but he didn’t. He pulled her up gently but firmly. He turned her around to kiss her and she gasped as he cupped her breasts.
She couldn’t stand it and pressed her palms against his chest, moving him so she had room to kneel and take his cock into her mouth. She grabbed hold of his thighs.
He thrust to her. “Bethany, Bethany,” he moaned her name as he took hold of her hair and guided her head back up to his.
She was tingling with need. Every nerve in her body felt as if it would explode.
“Fucking hell, Seth. I can’t take any more,” she said against his mouth. She bit his bottom lip.
He laughed softly.
“Bethany,” he sounded amused by her swearing.
He kissed her with lips soft, gentle, and loving against hers. He took her hand and led her to his bed. He put her down gently on it. He lifted her legs to wrap them around his waist and then thrust into her so hard and quick, they both had trouble breathing. He rolled over onto his back to have her ride him.
Her orgasms came one after the other and made her moan softly. They were strong, overtaking her with sensation that rippled through her every part. She took her orgasms from him, her hips slowly thrusting. She stopped and leaned against him to reach his mouth.
He rolled her over to pound into her before his orgasm completely took his breath away. Seth rested on his forearms and kissed her.
He tried to catch his breath and talk. “That was the best thing I have ever felt in my life. I felt drunk with need. I wanted to thrust into you all night, pound into you, slide into you, make you come until you fell against me and slept across my body exhausted.”
She held his face with her fingertips, teasing the side of his mouth. She traced a finger over his lips and reached to kiss him.
That one action overwhelmed Seth. He closed his eyes and kissed her for a long time until his cock jerked inside her.
He knew she felt it too because she stopped kissing him but left her lips against his as she moved her hips in response.
Seth sighed and slowly pulled out of her.
Bethany made a little sound of protest, but stilled as he moved to hold her to He slowly stroked her body.
“Tell me about yourself. Tell me where you live and what you do besides work.” He traced her hipbones with his fingertips.
Bethany sighed with pleasure.
“I live in Bath. My father designed and built the house but Jake and I turned into three apartments after we inherited the place. Dad died of cancer four years ago and Mom went home to Copenhagen to live. The bulk of her family lives over there and she needed them around her. We were grown up and so it seemed perfectly reasonable. She and Dad had a house out there too and naturally, that’s what she inherited. I think they talked about it all long before he died. It wasn’t quick; he fought for two years.”
Seth stopped stroking her and held her gently, intent on what she was saying.
“I’m sorry. Did my question stir up pain?”
“No. It’s okay, really.”
She kissed him and they lingered over the kiss until he traced around her nipples with his fingertips. Bethany held his face to kiss his cheeks, the side of his mouth, the tip of his nose, and then his lips.
Seth moved his hand to hold her low on her bottom where he kneaded gently.
Bethany spoke again, “What I do besides work was your other question. Well, not a great deal. I work a lot. I read sometimes. I watch movies sometimes. Mostly I work. The Black agency is really busy.”
Bethany ran her hands along his chest and shoulders. Then she stopped to kiss his nipples—licking them, nibbling and smiling as he made little “uh” sounds.
“That feels good. I don’t think anyone has ever done that to me.” He trailed his fingers up and down her thighs. “Are you staying all night?”
Bethany moved her legs apart so he could reach her inner thighs and then he stopped with his fingertips against her, where she was already wet for him.
She nodded slightly. “I shouldn’t, but I will. It’s so late and I’m so comfortable here with you. I feel sleepy.”
Seth kissed down her body from her breasts to her stomach. Bethany waited as he kissed her inner thighs, and nibbled at them. He found her bud and circled it with his tongue as he pushed a finger into her. Bethany writhed and gasped. He moved his finger and replaced it with his tongue.
Dawn lighted the sky when they finally fell asleep in each other’s arms.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Dianne was allowed to go home with Tony at three in the morning. She spent an hour weeping and asking him to forgive her and then an hour packing.
Tony did forgive her and he was gentle as he held her close. “I can’t think why you believed I had someone else. It’s just work. I’m flat out all the time. This is the first time you’ve actually worked on a movie with me. Call me as soon as you are home in the apartment. We’ll work something out. I love you; please believe that. There’s no one else for me. You’re the only one for me.”
He kissed her lovingly.
Dianne watched him fall asleep and then slid back out of the bed. She wanted to apologize to Seth. It felt like the most important thing in the world right then. After all, he did let her off. She could have been in a police cell that night. She dressed in her jeans and sweater, pushed her cell phone and keys to the trailer into her pockets, and quietly left the place.
The bottoms of her jeans got wet with the early morning dew. She hunched her shoulders slightly, feeling a little cold. She wished she had grabbed a jacket.
She walked down the little pebbled path that wound past the row and reached the back of Seth’s trailer. Dianne knew where the bedrooms were. All the trailers had the same layout. She looked in, telling herself it was to make sure he was still in his trailer. He was in bed and wrapped around his naked form was that detective, Bethany Snow. Dianne stared.
Seth is completely gorgeous, she thought vaguely and then she felt a stab of annoyance. Is that okay? Surely it’s a conflict of interest to screw the detective.
Her stare must have penetrated Seth’s dreams because he stirred and cuddled Bethany closer. Dianne took off down the path.
She didn’t follow it around to the front door. Instead, she ran along the grass and down to meet the path again as it led to the canteen marquee. She shivered. There was a lovely smell of coffee coming from the marquee and she walked quickly in. She just had time to say goodbye to the other makeup people she had befriended. She knew they would have coffee before they dashed off to the first job. She got coffee quickly at the counter and went to sit with them.
They heard about what she had done and were visibly uncomfortable as she sat with them. Dianne realized the welcome was a little cool.
“I just wanted to say good-bye. I never meant any harm. Anyway, Seth Carbery is no angel. I just saw him in bed with the woman who arrested me.” She knew she used the word ‘arrested’ loosely but didn’t know how else to describe what happened to her.
A stir of interest went around the group. Dianne, in her misery at knowing she had half an hour before being escorted off the site, added, “So, that letter about him being a womanizer really wasn’t far from the truth.”
Fear rippled through her when one of her colleague’s eyes widened.
She
stood up. “I have to go now. It was good working with you.” She took her coffee with her.
Outside the marquee, she stood and took a drink of it. It was hot and gave her a little strength back. She went back to the trailer she shared with Tony, knowing the security people would be around very soon to take her formally off the site with her warning.
When Dianne left, the other makeup artists whispered to each other, half-afraid that they knew some secret about Seth Carbery and half-afraid it was another of Dianne’s concoctions like her hate mail.
At the next table Niall Fogarty, one of the stunt people on the movie, heard everything. A seed of jealousy embedded in his heart. He watched and worshipped Seth for months.
He followed Seth from one movie location to another, begging for this job. He took a lower payment in order to gain the contract—just to watch Seth. He honestly thought Seth might be gay too, until that debacle with Sara Smythe. Even then, he harbored a small hope that Seth would one day notice him and suddenly realize it was Niall he loved.
This new information cut him and he got up, leaving his breakfast. He just had time to snoop past the actor’s trailer before he went off to the half-castle set, where he knew he was needed that morning. Niall decided he would make sure Seth and this detective were together and then, damn it, he’d warn her off if necessary. She should be gone soon anyway, now that poor Dianne confessed to her pathetic activities.
He bolted up the grass bank and along the path knowing that if Dianne had really seen Seth that morning then it had to be through his bedroom window. Maybe they were still there.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Seth wouldn’t be called until the afternoon. When he woke, feeling Bethany pressed against him, he smiled and kissed her forehead. Her head rested on his shoulder and her hair was spread out over his arm and chest. He traced the contour of her waist and hip with his free hand, lingering at the top of her thigh.
Bethany moved against him, snuggling closer, and kissing his neck gently. Seth kissed her again. She moved over him to cover his body with hers as she kissed him back.
The Last Time Page 7
