Hatten, Catherine - Trailer Trash [Deep Ellum] (BookStrand Publishing Romance)

by Catherine Hatten

  He nodded. “True.”

  “And if we’re not at the shoot in the morning, Nina will have your ass,” Shasta whispered.

  “Even more true.” He imagined the fire shooting out of Nina’s eyes if they dared to miss that early morning shoot and put her in whatever position she was trying to avoid.

  Another smile tugged at his lips.

  What a woman…

  Chapter Seven

  Judson and Shasta were at Deannie’s side when she came out of recovery. Even in her post-anesthetic state, the patient had pawed and grabbed at Judson, saying some pretty cheeky things. He’d hoped for a short time that she had become enamored with Thomas Ellis, but that was short-lived.

  He would tolerate this behavior from Deannie until the trailers were completed and not a minute more. He didn’t want to endanger Nina’s relationship with the publisher. As for the future, LAR had already seen success with Nina, Sherry, and Thomas’s work. There would be plenty of other projects out of Deannie’s project circle for DEP.

  Now, he and Shasta approached the dark arboretum in full ripped and torn costumes, wrapped in coats against the February chill. They could just barely see someone standing at the door, and as they got closer, the glass door was opened with obvious effort.

  “Good morning! Did y’all find the place okay? No trouble parking or anything, I hope,” Sherry said, struggling to hold the heavy door open.

  “Hey, Sherry, thanks,” Shasta said, a little too chipper for so early in the morning for Judson.

  “No, no problems,” Judson answered in a gritty voice and relieved Sherry of the door.

  “Good. Come get some coffee, and we have some bran muffins if you haven’t eaten yet.”

  “I’d love it. And he needs it. He’s not much of a morning guy,” Shasta said as she followed Sherry.

  “You’re in costume already, right?” Sherry asked as she walked.

  “Right,” Shasta answered as she opened her heavy sweater coat.

  “Good deal,” Sherry said without looking.

  Judson followed in silence. He’d been thinking about what Shasta said last night, that he should check Nina out, give her a chance. It scared the shit out of him to even think of doing it. But he wanted to. He’d dreamed of her the past two nights. They had been very good dreams. Not sexual, but…If he had to describe them he would have to say they were soothing. At least that’s how he felt when he awoke from them.

  Sherry led them into a kitchen filled with the aroma of coffee. “We have medium roast here, and this one’s hazelnut.” She indicated mobile coffee dispensers.

  He took a thick paper cup, punched the lever on top of the hazelnut, and filled it to the brim. He took a casual look around for Nina. She must be on the set.

  “Judson, would you like a muffin? We can’t have your stomach growling.” Sherry held out a tray of muffins.

  “I don’t know. It might fit really well. They are supposed to be half-starved.” Nina’s voice floated into the room, and he spun around to look at her, then looked at the guy following close behind her, the muffin forgotten.

  “Everybody doing all right?” she asked and took a sip of coffee from the paper cup in her hand.

  Judson’s dislike for the guy was instant.

  “Judson, Shasta, this is Carl. He arranged for us to use the facility this morning.” Nina’s voice was flat, her face blank.

  Carl ignored Judson. “And you’re Shasta?” he asked.

  “Shasta’s what they call me,” Shasta answered and shot a look Nina’s way.

  “Well, I’m glad to finally meet y’all. Nina said things were going very well.”

  “Yeah, they are.” Judson’s eyes were fixed on Carl.

  Nina sauntered over, took a muffin, and stood by Judson.

  “Glad to see y’all made it okay. How’s Deannie?”

  Judson took his glare off Carl and looked down at Nina. “She’s good. There was a little problem, something about a previous injury to the foot she broke last night, but they were able to deal with it. She should make a full recovery.”

  Nina took a bite of muffin then a sip of coffee. “Mmmm, that’s good.”

  Sherry and Shasta exchanged another glance.

  “Isn’t this an awesome place?” Sherry asked Shasta.

  “I don’t know yet. Can we look around a little before the shoot?” Shasta asked in her dumb-blonde voice.

  “We don’t have time to waste—” Nina started.

  “Carl, would you show us around?” Sherry asked.

  “Oh, well, sure,” he said, looking at Nina. “I’ll be right back.”

  Nina and Judson watched the three exit the kitchen door, then looked at one another for a few quiet seconds.

  Nina took another sip of coffee then cleared her throat.

  “Look, Judson, I’m sorry about the way I sounded last night on the phone. It’s just that I’m anxious to get this shoot done, with the arboretum policy and all. You know, they don’t allow this kind of thing, and we don’t have time to find another place, so…Well, I hope you’ll accept my apology for last night.”

  “You don’t owe me an apology. Who’s that guy?”

  “Carl? He’s the PR guy here.”

  “And you know him? Is that how we got the place?”

  “He’s…An old friend of mine knew him a long time ago.”

  She clearly didn’t want to talk about this guy. Judson involuntarily bristled.

  “Well, it looks like a great place, glad we have it,” he said and left it at that.

  “It really is perfect for this shoot, especially being inside with such a chill in the air outside, and I think we can get this done fast,” she reassured him again.

  His smile was slow and easy. “I have no doubt.”

  Nina’s face blanked out again.

  “So, Nina, are we on schedule?” Carl reentered the kitchen, still bright eyed and bushy tailed, gray suit impeccable, every hair in place.

  “Yes, we are,” Nina said in a forced pleasant tone.

  “My butt’s on the line here, Nina. I have to make sure everything goes all right,” Carl answered with just a hint of a threat in his voice. He turned to Judson. “Your name again?”

  Judson stiffened. This guy was a dick.

  “Judson Lane.” The words were curt.

  “And you’re one of the actors?”

  “That’s right, Carl. Judson plays our hero,” Nina offered, looking like she wanted to bolt.

  Carl looked Judson up and down. Judson gave Carl a hard stare.

  “Look, we’ve gotta start now. The set is ready. Come on, Judson, let’s get started,” Nina said and headed out of the kitchen. Carl followed close on her heels.

  Nina jerked around. “Carl, I explained that this is a closed set. It’s company standard on these projects. I can’t afford to have the publisher find out you were present on set.”

  “Well, I—”

  “Should we just pack up and leave now?”

  Judson fell in beside Nina. “I know of another place. So if we need to leave, arrangements can be made pretty quickly.” He glowered down at Carl with a black look.

  “Carl? Your answer,” Nina snapped.

  “I would never interfere with your business, Nina,” he answered, sugary sweet, sending a nasty look Judson’s way.

  “Good.” Nina and Judson continued on to the set.

  “Sorry. He’s just one of those rude people who doesn’t know when to shut up or go away,” Nina explained in a fierce whisper. “Thanks for your help, Judson.” These words were tinged with sincere thanks.

  “He said his butt’s on the line. What did he mean?”

  “The arboretum doesn’t exactly smile on this type of thing. You know, lending their place out for romance book trailers, and he made some sort of arrangement for us to do this without a fee, which I had budgeted and wouldn’t have minded paying. Actually, I don’t know what all he did, but we have to be out of here without a trace by seven-thirty.”


  “Oh, I see,” Judson said and wondered again what was going on with Nina and this Carl. She was uncomfortable where this guy was concerned. He’d kill the fucker if he’d hurt Nina in any way.

  “Fort Worth has a really nice botanical garden. I mean, just in case this doesn’t work out for us. I know someone there that would help us out. A friend of my mom’s.”

  “Yeah, I love that place, and I tried them, believe me. It just wouldn’t come together. I grew up going there on school field trips, and I loved it.”

  “Me, too. Where did you go to school in Fort Worth?” he asked and immediately regretted it.

  “Several places. So, your mom’s friend works at the botanic gardens in Fort Worth?” she asked, changing the subject.

  “Yeah, they’ve been friends forever. All I’d have to do is pick up the phone.” Judson stopped, dead serious. Nina stopped, too.

  “It’s nice your mother is there for you if you need her,” she said, her voice wistful.

  “I’ve got the best mom on the planet. We have each other’s backs.” His eyes mirrored his smile.

  “Okay, we’re almost there,” she said, changing the subject again, remaining quiet until they reached the set.

  “Everybody, let’s get going,” Nina said to Thomas, Sherry, Shasta, and John as she and Judson stepped into profuse, lush greenery lit to perfection.

  “Wow…” Judson commented as he took the beauty of the set in.

  “I know! Isn’t it awesome?” Shasta went to Judson and put her hand on his arm.

  “Yeah, it is,” he answered and turned to Nina. “I see why you wanted this place. Good job!” he congratulated and sent an approving nod. Please let her see I’m on her side.

  “It is perfect.” She glowed, in her element and happy once away from that dipshit, Carl. Judson loved it.

  “Sarah, where are we with makeup?”

  “Shasta’s done, and it won’t take but a few moments with Judson,” Sarah said, on the fast track.

  Judson followed Sarah to the little makeup table she had set up just off set, still troubled by the exchange between Nina and Carl.

  When he returned streaked and dirty, Sherry took the actors to their places while Nina, Thomas, and John checked and adjusted the lighting and audio one last time.

  “Let’s remember where we are. The two of you have broken away from the people hunting you down. You’ve managed to make it to the Mayan Temples in Mexico. They want to kill you because you know too much about their operation. Shasta, because you have reason to believe Judson is actually with the renegades who have set out to destroy anything good left on the planet by somehow controlling these mutated creatures covering the earth, you’ve escaped him and have run away into the jungle. When Judson finds you, you turn on him with a saber and show him your teeth. You’re a wild, cornered animal. Pins and needles, pins and needles. Hold the saber like this.” Nina took the saber, held it above her head and made a bold step forward. She gave the saber back to Shasta.

  “Judson, nothing’s going to stop you from showing her your true self, the love for her that keeps you alive, that you’re on her side and no one else’s. You would kill anything threatening her. Let’s have big time fear, passion, longing. Places, everyone.” Nina waited for them to get in their places, then said, “Action!”

  Shasta leaned up against a large rock, the saber crossing her chest. She jerked to attention, like she heard someone approaching, and she crouched behind the rock. Judson appeared from behind her, fierce, unyielding, and she swirled around, gripped the saber in both hands, and stood ready to lunge, her teeth bared, hair falling in her face.

  Judson stood momentarily, looked at her with love in his eyes. Shasta backed away, then poised herself to flee. He rushed forward and grabbed her hand, then shook the saber free.

  “Now, take her in your arms, pull her to you like you’re never going to let her go. Shasta, quickly look down toward where the saber fell then look back up into his eyes, still wild. Put your hands against his chest, push hard, show us your teeth again, work to keep him away,” Nina directed.

  It was almost as though this was the hundredth take. Judson and Shasta were in perfect character, starving, fiercely attracted, passionate.

  “Lines, here. Tell her to trust you, let you help her, that you love her and need her,” Nina said just so they could hear.

  “Dear God, woman, I need you to trust me, let me help you! Can’t you see I need you? I can’t survive without you?” Judson asked in the English accent as he put his hand in Shasta’s hair and pulled her head back.

  “I can’t trust you. I saw you with those men!” Shasta cried out, fear plastered on her face.

  Judson stepped back, hands still gripping her arms, his eyes begging for trust. “I’ll show you why, if you’ll let me.”

  Shasta’s face went blank, as though she were in a trance. She looked down at his hands on her arms then back into his eyes.

  “I swear before God in heaven, I’ll find a way to kill you if you can’t prove yourself,” Shasta threatened, ragged, raw.

  Judson loosed his grip on her arms. “Stay put. Don’t make me chase you down,” he warned.

  She barely moved her head to indicate that she would, licking her lips then grinding her teeth. He let go, slowly backing away, keeping his eyes on her. He disappeared from the shot, Shasta looked around, about to bolt when he returned carrying a backpack.

  “Stay…” Judson said as though to a pet, eyes intense. Shasta remained planted where she stood.

  “Remove the hand with conviction,” Nina coached.

  He opened the backpack and yanked a severed hand, a deformed finger bearing the ring of the leader of the men in control of the horrific creatures now roaming the planet.

  “Y–you cut his hand off?” Shasta asked, astonished.

  “Hell, yes, and if I’d had time, his head would be off, too.” No more sincere words were ever spoken.

  Shasta collapsed on the ground and put her head in her hands. Judson moved toward her, dropped the bag and the hand to the ground, kneeling in front of her on one knee.

  “Cut!” Nina called out and continued, “Good, good, good! So good, in fact, let’s just move forward to the love scene. Thomas, Sherry, do you agree?”

  “Hell yeah,” Thomas said.

  “Oh, yeah,” Sherry agreed.

  Nina turned to look at the actors and crew. “Anybody need a break?”

  “I’ll take one, if we have time,” Shasta said.

  “Me, too,” Thomas chimed in.

  “Sure we have time. And a break is well deserved after that scene!” Nina answered, clearly very pleased.

  Sherry followed Shasta off set. Thomas and John spoke for a second, then left.

  Judson enjoyed seeing Nina so happy. It was the relief he saw in her face that bothered him. She wanted out of this place. He followed her off set to take the bottle of water Nina held out for him.

  “Thanks.” Damn she was pretty in the half-light.

  “You’re welcome. I should thank you.”

  “Thank me? For what?”

  “For being really good at your job so I can do mine and get out of here ahead of schedule.” She smiled up at him, and it wasn’t the professional smile he’d seen so often. He loved the sight of her lovely green eyes, so soft, worry evaporated.

  “Well, see, I think I’m able to do this because of your direction. As you know, this is my first trailer. I wasn’t sure I would be able to cut it,” he finished.

  Nina held her bottle of water up to him for a toast. They touched their bottles together.

  “To us making a great trailer with more to come,” she said and took a drink.

  All he could do was look at her.

  “You’re not going to drink to our toast?” she asked.

  “You bet I am,” he said and emptied his bottle.

  Everyone returned to the set and took their places.

  “Okay, this is going to be the most intense
scene yet. Judson, when you lower Shasta to the ground, you’re burning for her, you want to feel her, be inside her. Shasta, same for you. You can’t go another second without having him inside you. The passion y’all feel for one another is bigger than anything happening around you, the men, the creatures, the hunger, the fear. All that exists is the two of you. Judson, when you take her clothes off do it slowly, gently, before you take her to the ground. I want sexual tension from both of you while the clothes are coming off. When you get there, no holds barred…” Nina’s eyes flashed. She became flushed, animated, her own passion for the project reflecting what she wanted from the cast and crew.

  “And…action!”

  Judson took Shasta in his arms, gave her a tender kiss then stepped back, his hands deep in her hair. He looked every bit the part of a man with a hunger for this woman that could be sated only by filling her, taking her and himself to places unknown. He lowered his hands to her shirt, slowly pulling it upward over the length of her torso then letting it fall to the ground. The camera followed the movement, exposing only her bare shoulders but not her breasts, though the shot and the actors made clear the hero could see them.

  Judson’s hands dropped to the waist of her pants and unbuttoned them. Again, the camera followed his hands as they slid Shasta’s faded pants toward her slender ankles, focusing on her shapely thighs and long, tanned legs.

  “Tear his shirt off, Shasta. Do it now.”

  Shasta tore the tattered shirt away from his chest, uncovering Judson’s rock-hard, broad upper torso, revealing a scar crossing from his collarbone to his shoulder, a scar so ragged and deep it seemed no one could have survived the injury that caused it.

  Judson lowered himself on top of Shasta. She pulled him to her with desperation, and their kiss was one of unadulterated lust, a kiss that commanded fulfillment.

  “Judson thrust against her. You’re deep inside her, thrusting, thrusting…”

  He followed Nina’s direction to a tee and without hesitation though it was completely improv. They were both still dressed in bathing suits, but the camera gave no hint of that with perfect framing of the shot.

  “Now, the gentleness returns, slowly thrust, tenderly place kisses all over her face, then let’s see a sweet, sweet kiss, let us see the true love.”