by Alice Raine
After the hours of teasing each other and the enjoyment of going down on him, I felt my own climax building at record speed, and as he sucked on my clit and thrust three fingers inside me I came undone, exploding into a flood of pleasure.
My body jerked and bowed off the mattress, but his firm hands kept me pinned as he continued with his onslaught, his hand now thrusting with determination and massaging my g-spot as his thumb pressed onto my clit.
‘Again. Come again for me, my gorgeous girl.’
Again? Holy crap. I was barely dealing with the aftermath of the first mind-blowing orgasm, but like the slave to him my body was, it began following his demand as his fingers continued to thrust in and out. Two more deep thrusts and I cried out as I felt a second wave sweep over me, tensing my muscles almost painfully as my channel convulsed around his skilful fingers.
Jeez. My body was so alive with sensation that I almost couldn’t deal with it and I found myself crying out his name and then collapsed into an exhausted heap on the damp sheets.
Sean growled his approval against my quivering flesh, and began to kiss his way back up my exhausted body until his smug face came into sight and he grinned at me.
Thankfully, after that explosive little number, Sean gave me a thorough kiss goodnight and pulled me into his arms to sleep.
Thirty-eight
Cait
After the initial exultant high of being unreservedly desired by a Hollywood star, things changed dramatically in the following two weeks. I hadn’t seen Jack at all. We’d arranged several dates but he’d cancelled them all, claiming he was completely snowed under with work.
I’d tried not to read too much into it at first. After all, he’d forewarned me that his schedule was going to be frantic, but he hadn’t even managed to meet me for our usual coffee breaks, and I was starting to doubt that even he could be this busy.
Nibbling my fingernail, I frowned as I re-read the most recent text from him, which had pinged to my phone ten minutes before. Yet another cancellation.
From: Jack F
I’m not going to be able to make dinner tonight, Caitlin, issues at work. Sorry for the late notice. J
I didn’t really care about the late notice, because all my focus was on two things: one, he’d called me Caitlin instead of his customary ‘sweetheart’, and two, he hadn’t added a kiss like he usually would. Had Jack decided that with my baggage, psychotic ex-boyfriends, and complete lack of experience I was actually going to be too much work?
We’d spoken on the phone a few times, but after his romantic, affectionate behaviour when we’d been together at Sean’s house, I had been shocked by the shortness of our calls, not to mention the briskness in his tone. I’d expected him to be just as desperate as me to move forward, and I’d had romantic visions of late night phone calls and snatched kisses by the coffee counter at the studio.
But none of that had happened, and I was feeling unsure and anxious.
Or perhaps I was just being paranoid and needy?
Flopping back on the sofa, I let out a dejected sigh as I heard Allie open the front door and walk down the corridor. We were both still staying at Sean’s; I’d tried to move back to our apartment at the start of the week, but this had been vetoed by both Sean – very audibly stating his dislike of the idea – and Jack, who had texted to say he didn’t want us to be alone until Greg was caught.
‘Hey, chick. What are you doing still here?’ Allie cooed cheerily, before pausing to take in my dress, make-up, and generally gloomy appearance. ‘Has he cancelled again?’ Allie asked as she walked over and sunk into the seat beside me, depositing a paper bag of what smelt like fried food on the table.
‘Yep,’ I replied, feeling a lump form in my throat. ‘I don’t get it. He told me he liked me and now he’s nowhere to be seen. He’s worried enough to get me a bodyguard, but can’t make any time to meet up. I think he’s changed his mind about me.’
Fingering the soft silk of the dress–one I’d chosen from the fashion show at our house–I shook my head. ‘He paid for this dress but hasn’t even bothered to come and see me wearing it. Maybe these fancy clothes were some sort of goodbye pay-off.’
The only vague positive I could see was that I hadn’t made the final embarrassment and told him how I felt about him. It was however, startlingly clear–I was in love with Jack Felton. My heart had fallen for a man that no longer wanted to bother with me.
Grabbing my hand, Allie clutched it between hers. ‘I don’t care how famous he is, you're way too good to be stood up like this. Someone needs to have serious words with that man.’ I took from her tone, and the way she was making a dive for my phone, that she meant she would be having serious words with him, so I quickly shook my head and reached out to grab her arm.
‘No!’ My squawk brought her up short. ‘Thank you for trying to look after me, Allie, but I need to do this myself. I’ll talk to him, and if he’s changed his mind then I’ll...’ Be heartbroken? Curl up in a ball and cry? ‘...I’ll deal with it. He said he’s working tonight, so I’ll call him in the morning.’ This was a delaying tactic on my part, but also true. Calling him while he was at the studios wouldn’t do any good–we needed to speak in private.
Allie made a humming noise and gave in with a nod. ‘Fine. OK. But make sure you do.’ She then pointed at the bag she’d deposited on the table, pulled it closer, and grinned. ‘So, you’ve caught me cheating on my diet. I figured as Sean was working and you were going out, I’d treat myself to some junk food. You want to share?’
I nodded and opened up the bag to peer inside. Yum. A bucket of chicken with a huge pile of fries and coleslaw on the side. Comfort food was just what I needed, although I had to say, this was a hellava lot of junk food for my slim as a rake best friend. ‘Jeez, there’s a mountain of food, were you planning on eating it all?’
Laughing, Allie grabbed two plates and rejoined me on the sofa. ‘No! The delivery guy got my order mixed up, but he said I could just take it as they’d driven it all the way out here.’
It seemed like fate had known my dinner date was going to be cancelled.
‘All the better for me, then,’ I agreed, accepting the drumstick and fries that Allie had plated up for me. Biting into the warm meat, I couldn’t help but hum my appreciation. Things with Jack were up in the air, but the power of greasy, deep-fried food was truly unbelievable. I hadn’t even thought I was that hungry, but in no time I was on my third piece of chicken and feeling much better for it.
Once we’d well and truly stuffed ourselves silly, we both collapsed back, groaning and clutching our full bellies.
‘I’ll wash these plates up and grab us a bottle of wine. If we’re doing a girly night we should do it in style,’ Allie announced, before refusing my offer of help and ushering me upstairs to change out of my dress.
Looking at my gorgeous outfit I sighed, nodded, and dutifully headed to change, trying to distract my mind from thoughts of Jack.
Thirty-nine
Sean
I was on a break, drinking a strong cup of coffee and hoping we would be able to bring tonight’s exhausting shoot to an early finish, when my phone vibrated in my pocket.
I saw Allie’s name on the screen and quickly glanced around to see if my director was nearby. Phones weren’t allowed on set, but seeing as Finlay appeared to be absent, I headed over to a quiet corner to answer it.
I couldn’t help smiling at the knowledge that Allie would be at my house when I got in. I knew it was a tough time for Cait with her arsehole ex still on the loose, but from a purely selfish point of view, the girls’ new living arrangements were working out brilliantly for me. I loved sharing my space with Allie, eating together, going to bed with her, waking up to her gorgeous sleepy eyes...
By the time I had lifted the phone to my ear I was grinning like a fool. Which was exactly what I was – a lovesick fool.
‘Hey, babe.’
‘Hi, I haven’t got long, so just listen, OK?’ Allie�
�s irritable tone made my smile instantly morph to a frown as I began to conjure up all sorts of far-fetched reasons for her to sound so upset.
‘Cait’s gone to change, so I need to be quick. Do you know what the heck Jack is playing at? Since he and Cait were at your house two weeks ago he’s not seen her once, and he keeps cancelling the dates they’ve arranged.’
Wincing, I swallowed hard. I knew exactly what Jack was playing at; he was spending every spare second with Flynn working to track down Cait’s ex. The poor guy was sleep-deprived but determined to ensure Cait’s safety. He’d also made me promise that I wouldn’t breathe a word to Allie or Cait. Shit.
‘Uhhh...I don’t know. Why, what’s the matter?’
‘She thinks he’s avoiding her and wants to finish things between them,’ Allie sighed heavily. ‘Has he said anything to you?’
‘He doesn’t want to finish with her, Allie. He’s crazy about Cait,’ I stated with complete conviction.
‘Well, he’s not acting like it. She’s putting on a brave face, but I think she’s kinda freaking out. I thought he was a good guy, but after this I’m not so sure.’
Down the line, I heard some rustling noises and then Allie’s voice came back as a rushed whisper. ‘Cait’s coming, I gotta go. See you soon.’ And just like that, the line went dead.
Staring at my phone for a second I rubbed a hand over my face and decided to push my luck by making a call to Jack.
‘Sean, hi.’ He sounded distracted, as he had every time I’d called him recently, but when I’d pulled him up on it he’d apologised and said that he and Flynn were spending hours every day staring at CCTV footage and traffic camera feeds of the local area in the hope of catching Greg.
‘I can’t talk long because I’m due on set, but I thought you’d like to know that Allie just called me. Cait’s getting upset by your lack of contact, she thinks you’re avoiding her and want to finish things.’
‘What!? Shit, I never thought she’d think that.’ There was a pause down the line and I could picture Jack’s face crumpling with worry. ‘I’ve become so completely obsessed with finding fucking Greg that I guess I’ve neglected her. Fuck, I’m such an idiot.’ I couldn’t help but think this would all be so much easier if he just confided in her about what he was doing.
‘Where are you?’
Down the line, Jack gave a dry laugh. ‘I’m with Flynn in the surveillance van outside your house.’ That was now where Jack spent most of his time. It was the only way he felt he could be near Cait but still work with Flynn on tracking down Greg.
‘I know you didn’t want to worry her, but just tell her what you’re doing, Jack. She might worry but at least she’ll understand. You and Flynn can set up base inside my house if you want. Use the dining room. At least that way you’ll get to see her.’
‘I didn’t want to impose, but thank you. I might take you up on that.’ I heard some muffled noises and the slam of a vehicle door. ‘I’ll sort it out, thanks for letting me know, Sean.’
Forty
Cait
Ten minutes later, I returned after a shower and change of clothes, in the mood to well and truly drown my sorrows.
Trotting down the steps that led to the lounge, I was surprised to find the lights in the living room off and no sign of Allie. I peered through to the kitchen, which was also in darkness, and I caught sight of a flickering light coming from the deck out the back. Allie had obviously decided to take our night outside so we could enjoy the warm evening.
Stopping in the kitchen to pick up the bottle of wine and two glasses that were sitting on the counter, I wandered through the lounge to the patio doors. Using my hips, I pushed through the magnetic fly screen door and on to the balcony.
Unfortunately, I immediately became hopelessly tangled in the hanging fly cover over the door. Bugger. Why was I so clumsy?
I couldn’t help but laugh as I attempted to de-tangle myself from the fly screen, which had become caught round the wine bottle, but the laugh promptly died in my throat when I saw that it wasn't Allie sat waiting for me, but Jack, lounging on the sofa with his eyes shut.
Two thoughts fought for space in my brain: ‘Bloody hell’ and ‘Holy crap’. Even looking as tired as he did, Jack Felton was seriously, seriously good-looking.
‘Uh...hi?’ My throat felt so dry that I only just managed to speak. My brain had already jumped to the conclusion that he was here to finish things with me.
Jack seemed to wake as he heard my voice, and after opening his eyes and blinking sleepily he lifted his head with what looked like great effort and gave me a tired smile. ‘Hey, you.’
Jack patted the cushion next to him, indicating that I should join him, which, if he was about to dump me, wasn’t exactly where I wanted to be sitting. Seeing as the only other chairs were loungers down the far end, I put down the wine and glasses and cautiously joined him on the sofa.
It was a two-seater, and a fairly small one at that, so I found I couldn't leave much of a gap between us and I immediately felt the heat radiating from his big body. Being this close, I immediately found myself getting lost in his intoxicating smell too, clean linen and spice. Probably my favourite ever scent.
Oh man. Sitting beside him brought back to me just how attached to him I was.
He’d looked tired from across the balcony, but now I was closer I could see exactly how exhausted he was. His skin was pale and drawn, there were little purple marks under his eyes, and he had a touch of stubble gracing his jaw.
I didn’t know what to say, so I sat there silently praying he would get it over with quickly so I could slink off and cry. Instead of speaking though, Jack lifted his right arm, wrapped it around my shoulders, and pulled me in close so I was practically lying on his chest. Then he rested his cheek on my hair as he snuggled me closer.
Right. Now I was confused. This wasn't the behaviour I had been expecting. He was being all cuddly, and at complete odds to the man that had barely bothered with me for the past two weeks. What on earth was going on?
‘It’s so good to see you,’ Jack mumbled into my hair, before placing several light kisses there that sent my skin tingling in all sorts of directions and my brain spiralling out of control.
‘I'm sorry I've had to cancel on you so many times, Caitlin. I...’ Jack paused then sighed. ‘Work has been crazily busy. I...I had some unexpected night shoots to do.’
Hmm. As glad as I was that he wasn’t finishing with me, something didn’t add up. Sitting up so I could see his face, I drew in a short breath at his handsomeness. Even with his tiredness he appealed to me on a primal level that made my heart constrict like a tight fist in my chest.
‘There weren’t any night shoots on the props roster,’ I murmured, and even as I said it, I knew it sounded like I had been checking up on him–which was exactly what I had been doing.
Jack lifted an eyebrow and smiled down at me before drawing in another huge breath. ‘No, there weren’t, you’re quite right.’ Licking his lips, Jack raised a hand and stroked my cheek before letting out a heavy sigh. ‘OK, that was a lie. Truthfully, I haven’t been at work quite as much as I’ve been making out.’
My stomach plummeted. If he hadn’t been at work, then where had he been? My panicking brain could only come to one conclusion: another woman.
Jerking myself away, I frowned, and found myself crossing my arms defensively. ‘Where have you been then?’ I snapped, surprising myself with the sharpness of my tone.
‘I didn’t want you to worry, so I didn’t tell you.’ Pausing, he ran a hand though his hair and scrubbed at his stubble before dropping his hand into his lap. ‘I...I’ve been trying to track down Greg.’
Greg?
He was looking for Greg?
‘What...how...but...’ I stuttered, unable to form a coherent sentence. Remembering the blade Greg had held against my skin, I shuddered, a chill flooding my veins. ‘You shouldn’t be endangering yourself chasing him down, the police are looking for him.’
Practically leaping from the sofa, Jack lost his usual demeanour and started pacing back and forth. ‘Yeah, and a great job they’ve been doing. How long has it been? Three years? And he’s still out there? Fuck, Caitlin, I’m not having you in danger one more day if I can help it.’
Jack strode to my side and dropped to his knees, immediately pulling my hands into the warmth of his grip. ‘I’m sorry I shouted...I’m just tired.’
‘He’s seriously unstable, Jack, please let the police do their jobs,’ I pleaded, gripping his hands so tightly that my knuckles turned white.
‘I can’t do that, Caitlin. You mean too much for me to leave it in the hands of someone else.’
I felt tears building behind my lids, and to my embarrassment, my lower lip began to tremble.
‘Oh God, sweetheart, please don’t cry. Come here.’ Still on his knees, Jack shuffled himself closer and gently pulled me into his arms, his lips seeking mine and pressing small pecks across my face until my trembling subsided. Resting his forehead against mine, he looked into my eyes.
‘Flynn is trained in tracking and surveillance. All we’ve been doing is looking for Greg, mostly by monitoring CCTV feeds to see if he’s made an appearance near your house or the studios. It killed me being apart from you, so I stayed as close as I could.’ Grinning, Jack chuckled. ‘You know the black van on Sean’s driveway?’ I nodded, but still sat in muted silence. ‘I’ve been inside that for most of the week, staring at a TV screen.’
‘Really?’ I hated how tiny and needy my voice sounded.
‘Really.’
Blinking several times to erase the tears, I stared into his gorgeous brown eyes and felt myself begin to relax.
‘I’ve been so focused on finding him that I’ve completely neglected you. I’m so sorry, Caitlin, please forgive me.’
His behaviour had been upsetting, but now he had explained, I couldn’t hold it against him. He’d been doing it for me. To protect me. ‘You don’t need to apologise, Jack.’
