Persona (The 'Professional' series)

by Ceri Bladen

  ~~~~

  “How long are you going to be?” Daniel shouted up the spiral staircase while looking at his watch. He wasn’t too bothered about being on time, but Eric was already sitting in the car waiting.

  “I’m coming.” Ella replied from the top of the stairwell, looking down the marble steps. She bit her bottom lip in anxiety, and then stopped, she remembered the coral lipstick she had just put on.

  She glanced down at the white marble stairs, hoping that she wouldn’t fall in her high shoes. She caught sight of the back of Daniel, clad in a black dinner suit. Gosh, she felt like Scarlett O’Hara walking down the stairs to Rhett Butler! He was so handsome. Even though she knew that she looked her best tonight, she felt the uncomfortable ripple that he was far too out of her league, he would never be interested in her. She faltered slightly, hoping her didn’t notice her hesitation.

  Daniel heard Ella’s shoes on the stairs; he turned and looked up ready to give her a smile. His breath caught in his lungs. She looked stunning; he couldn’t stop staring. She had pinned her hair up on top of her head, it usually hung as a sleek bob. The peacock blue dress clung suggestively to both her hips and chest. The front dipped down to show a hint of wonderful cleavage, he swallowed. His blood was roaring through his body and his mouth was dry, but he looked outwardly calm.

  He kissed her hand when she reached the bottom of the steps, bowing the top part of his body. “You look stunning Ella.”

  He joked to lighten the electric atmosphere. “Your chariot, well Eric, awaits!”

  ~~~~

  Scarlett’s party was in full swing when they arrived. Her house was as impressive as the one they were staying in, more so perhaps, with all the decorations she had organised.

  As soon as they entered the room, Scarlett swooped over to welcome them with lots of air kisses, although Ella noticed, she didn’t give Daniel air kisses, they were real enough.

  After brief pleasantries, Scarlett whisked Daniel away on a whirl of meeting crew and cast. Eric smiled a knowing smile at Ella and passed her a pink looking drink, complete with olive, which he had taken off a passing tray. They walked over to a group in the corner.

  Eric introduced Ella to the group they had joined. One of them was one of the film’s investors, Harry Miller. He had a navy blue shirt, practically unbuttoned all the way down to his navel, showcasing his thick gold necklace. He took out his handkerchief to wipe away the sweat from his forehead. “Well, who do we have here?” The man all but leered.

  Ella smiled politely, hiding behind her professional mask, but inwardly cringing. After some polite answers to his questions, and replies to hers to help her with her assignment, she made a quick move from the group.

  Eric, held her elbow to lead her away and sniggered in her ear. “Some of his answers should make your article more interesting!”

  “Are all film investors like him?” Ella’s look was sceptical, but she had a smile on her lips.

  “No, of course not. Harry came into his money at a young age and hasn’t had to work since, so he pretty much does as he pleases. He likes investing in films, I think he likes to meet the actresses!” Eric looked over towards Harry, who was now sweet talking one of the extras on the film. “He is a good fellow though, despite his outward appearance.”

  “If you say so. His outward appearance is a bit… gangster meets 1970s porn star!”

  Eric gave a throaty laugh. “I will not ask how you know about 1970s porn stars!”

  Ella giggled, thank goodness Daniel wasn’t around, that comment was bound to have made her blush and be embarrassed. It was so easy with Eric, no attraction therefore, no complications.

  Daniel’s head turned towards Eric and Ella’s laugh. Christ, he wanted to be with his friends. He clenched his jaw, he had a job to do, so the faster he made the rounds, the faster he could join them.

  Daniel kept his eye on Ella all night from across the room. The way her dress clung to her curves made it hard to tear his eyes away. A slight irritation rippled through him when he noticed quite a few other males having the same struggle.

  He caught Ella looking at him occasionally. Sometimes she smiled back, other times discreetly looking away, hoping that he didn’t see. When he happened to move near the group that she was in, he could see the pulse in her neck flutter, he hoped that was because he was near. He liked to think he was affecting her as much as she affected him. A question from his left pulled him back into the conversation.

  Ella discretely looked for Daniel, Scarlett was stuck to his side, as usual. Crumbs, that woman was like a clam! Ella silently screamed to herself as she saw Scarlett run her hand up and down his arm, her hand then giving him a squeeze on his rear. He didn’t even flinch, for goodness sake! Perhaps he was so used to her touch…Ella shook her head to get the image out of her mind.

  As the night wore on and he became tired, he struggled with some of the conversations; he was more interested in Ella than making small talk with virtual strangers. She seemed to be enjoying herself though.

  A surge of jealousy pumped through him when he noticed one of the males in her group kept touching her. Where was Eric? He felt safer when his friend was by her side. He looked around and noticed Eric talking to a blonde headed lady by the refreshments. He looked at the man again. Daniel started getting agitated. Perhaps he would have to intervene himself. The sudden urge to be with her, hit him with the force of a punch. That was enough. He made polite excuses to his group, disentangled himself from Scarlett, and made his way over to Ella.

  Ella knew he was making his way over as she had been aware of him watching her all evening and liked the feeling. She noticed a lot of other females watching his movement too, he seemed to be a magnet to most of them.

  When she looked towards him to make eye contact, Ella noticed that he had left Scarlett, who was scowling at his retreating back. She observed Scarlett briefly, watching her body language. It was obvious that she had a thing for Daniel. The reoccurring thought ran through her mind that Daniel was going to be spending a lot of time with Scarlett while filming. Ella’s stomach clenched, she was jealous. She knew that he had something going with Scarlett in the past, Scarlett had all but spelt it out for her the first time they met. But was he going to rekindle that link? Did he want to? Ella shook her head, even if he wanted to, she did not even factor in the equation. She could never compete with someone as gorgeous as Scarlett.

  Ella was brought back into the conversation by a touch on her arm, by the man on her side. Was his name Bob? She couldn’t remember. His conversation had bored her and she wasn’t too keen that he had been invading her personal space all night. She hadn’t wanted to make a scene, so she had done her best to ignore his persistence touching.

  When Daniel entered the group, Ella fought to hide her smile. He effectively made the irritating man move further away from her. He had placed himself between them. Daniel put a hand on her back, successfully backing off any further thoughts the man might have towards her. Instead of feeling upset at, what was effectively, a branding hand, Ella felt protected. It was also surprising how the conversation of the group lightened up, with Daniel adding his wit.

  The rest of the night went smoothly. Ella was enjoying herself and Daniel never left her side. She felt the warmth of his hand on her back and hoped he didn’t notice the shivers that were coursing through her body.

  “Well, well Daniel, trust you to be next to one of the most beautiful women in the room.” Ella noticed that Harry was still patting the sweat off his brow. “And unattached at that! Not for long, eh Daniel?” He nudged his elbow towards him, nearly knocking the drink out of Daniel’s hand.

  Daniel raised his eyebrow at Ella, a questioning smile raising the corners of his mouth slightly.

  Ella felt warm all of a sudden. “I’m just going to freshen up. Please excuse me.” Ella started to back out of the group. She needed fresh air.

  Oh no, what a way for Daniel to find out about her single status. She was goi
ng to tell him after they got back, or perhaps not at all, she wasn’t sure. She placed her wine glass down on the marble side table and made her way to the bathroom.

  ~~~~

  Ella nearly jumped out of her skin. She was busy shutting her clutch bag when she left the bathroom. The figure had surprised her as she was not expecting anyone to be standing outside the bathroom.

  Daniel was leaning against the opposite wall, with a lazy smile on his lips. “Boo” he said quietly.

  “Very funny, you scared me!” The butterflies started playing havoc in her stomach.

  He looked at her, his blue eyes narrowed slightly. “Come with me, I need to have a little talk with you.” He grabbed her firmly by the arm and made his way towards one of the many doors. He opened one, closed it, then proceeded to the next, all along dragging Ella with him.

  Once inside a room, he turned, locked the door and then revolved around to find Ella looking slightly pale with her bag clutched tightly in front of her.

  “So?” The question hung in the air.

  “So what?” Ella countered, trying to sound calm, even though her insides were in knots. She knew what he was asking, she was just delaying, so she could work out what she was going to say to him.

  He slowly moved towards her, she moved back, effectively backing herself into the bed post. Ella was very aware that she was hemmed in, Daniel one side and a bed the other. Her blood hummed through her veins.

  “So…when exactly were you going to tell me that you are no longer with Jeff?” There was no longer any anger threaded in his voice. He noticed Ella gulp, he was close enough to twirl some of her hair, that had come loose from her coil, between his fingers. He looked down onto her, not moving, incapable of moving away from her.

  He bent his head slowly towards her. He wanted to kiss her. He couldn’t resist her lips any longer. There were now no barriers to stop him.

  Even though the touch on her lips was light, it was as though a lightning bolt had shot to her toes. Oh Daniel she wanted to sigh his name, but the thought was caught with more exploring kisses. She felt as though her skin was scorched when he cupped her neck to deepen the kiss. The feeling in the pit of her stomach was delicious. She moved into him, pulling his head down, she needed him closer.

  Daniel silently cursed, he coursed out of control quickly. He fought to control himself, before he ripped her excuse of a dress of there and then. She had his emotions in so much turmoil, he knew he was in trouble. His blood was roaring in his ears, desire taking over much of his thoughts. She tasted wonderful, sweet with a hint of wine, he wanted to taste all of her. He would enjoy doing that later, when they were alone, the party long forgotten.

  He removed his mouth from hers, trying to gain some thoughts back into his foggy mind. He wanted to know why she hadn’t told him about Jeff. That piece of information she had kept quiet made a whole world of difference to him. He groaned when he saw her looking up at him through heavy eyelids, her lips swollen from his kisses. He couldn’t resist, he kissed her again. The time for questions was later.

  Ella felt one of his hands run up and down her spine. The tingles were intense. While Daniel kissed her, long and lingeringly, which made her blood sing, his caresses found the fullness of her breast. She swallowed her muted cry of ecstasy. He moved his hand gently past her waist, making her skin shiver, then moved his large hand over her bottom. He grabbed one of her cheeks and started kneading it. Ella froze. Oh no, not my bum! It’s huge compared to Scarletts!

  He whispered, while trailing kisses down her neck. “You don’t know how long I have wanted to touch you and do this. Your wonderful curves torment my dreams.” He felt Ella stiffen so he raised his head to look into her eyes. “What’s wrong, my darling?”

  “Um…nothing!” Ella all but whispered, trying to lower her eyes from his probing ones. Why did she feel so insecure about her body? She could tell that Daniel was obviously affected by her, why should her own insecurities ruin this moment?

  He placed his finger under her chin to lift it up. He kissed her on her nose. “Now, let’s get this straight now, before it becomes an issue. I love your body, I love your curves. You are beautiful. You do something to my mind and body that no other woman does, or has ever done. I never want you to think that I would prefer a bag of bones to your wonderful, soft body.”

  He wiped the tear that fell from her eye. “Now, I hope those are for joy.”

  Her heart picked up a giddy beat as she gave him a shaky smile. “Yes, they are.” The way he was looking at her lips was turning her legs into jelly. “Now kiss me Daniel.”

  “You don’t know how good those words sound to my ears.” He whispered into her lips before claiming them once again.

  Ella pressed herself up to his hard body, while his hand rose to release her hair from the confining pins. “Ella, I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want you. Do you believe me?” He nibbled her soft neck as she sighed, moving her head, giving him better access.

  “I…I…think.” She could feel the tension of his need, but did that mean he wanted her or that he loved her? He mind was swimming so much, she realised that it didn’t really matter.

  He stopped briefly and looked into her heavy lidded eyes. “Ella, believe me. I don’t want to hurt you.” His last thread of control snapped as an invisible thread brought him closer towards her.

  Her muscles melted closer to his solid body. Her breath was coming in uneven spurts, reeling under the assault of his lips and hands.

  Her taste filled him, drove him wild. He felt fresh waves of desire ripple through him. Never before had a woman made him feel like this. She had got over his defences into his inner core. It wasn’t going to be easy anymore, but he didn’t want it to be. He loved her, loved her more than he had loved any other.

  He gently pressed her back towards the bed, moving the coats from their path, never releasing her lips. Daniel half lay over her, trailing sweet kisses over her face and neck. He looked at her next to him, all pliant and smiling, desire humming through her body and he knew. He knew he loved her, he wanted to show her how much.

  He rolled on top of her, taking his weight on his elbows, fusing his mouth back onto her sweet, swollen ones. He made his way down towards the mound of her breast, moving the strap of her dress that hindered his progress. Ella’s spine arched upwards in response, as her hands grabbed his hair. His name tumbled from her lips.

  A sharp knock on the door broke them apart. Ella grabbed a coat to put over her nakedness. A blush tainted her cheeks.

  “Hey, could you unlock the door? My coats are in there.”

  Daniel looked down on Ella, she had that cute o on her lips again. He really didn’t want to respond to the person knocking the door, but he knew Ella wouldn’t feel relaxed anymore. “Sure thing, give me a minute please.” He shouted over his shoulder towards the unwanted trespasser.

  He exhaled and sat up, carefully helping Ella up too, who was busy trying to put her clothes back on. He kept his arms firmly locked around her waist and kissed her lips softly. “Let them wait a minute. Go and sort yourself out in the en suite while I get rid of them.”

  He knew that Ella would not want anyone to know that she was in a locked bedroom with him. He also had an urge to protect her too, so he helped her zip her dress back up. He couldn’t resist sneaking in a kiss on her naked shoulder before covering it up.

  “Quick, get into that bathroom, before I forget that there is someone standing on the other side of that door.” Daniel joked, giving her a little tap on her bottom as she turned.

  The little giggle she gave in response made his stomach clench. Christ, he loved this woman. He opened the door to a young male and saw his eyes widen in awe.

  “Oh, I’m sorry to disturb you Mr Spittle. I didn’t know it was you.”

  Daniel smiled at the man who looked flustered, he rocked back on his heels as he gestured for him to go and retrieve his coat.

  “No problem. I just wanted some time away from the
noise.”

  The man rummaged through the coats strewn over the bed. “Yes, I know what you mean. It’s a good party, albeit a little on the loud side, and I like loud. However, my wife doesn’t, so that means it’s time to go.” He shook his head and picked up two coats. As he made his way back out, he hesitated for Daniel to leave, but Daniel shook his head.

  “No, I’m staying here a little longer.” Daniel noticed the young man take a sneaky glance around the room, no doubt trying to get some gossip on who was in the bedroom with Daniel Spittle. Daniel was glad Ella was safely in the bathroom.

  “Very well. Goodnight, I’ll see you in a couple of months then Mr Spittle. My name is Gareth, Gareth Pritchett. I am in the ‘lighting’ crew.” He gave a brisk handshake.

  “Yes, no doubt we will be bumping into one another. Goodnight.” Daniel closed the door behind him and locked it as he didn’t want the man walking back in unannounced.

  Ella listened to the conversation from behind the bathroom door, which was slightly ajar. How sweet of Daniel not to mention he was there with anyone. Ella was embarrassed enough, nearly getting caught in a compromising position, it made it somewhat better that Daniel seemed to be protecting her.

  Her heart thumped into her chest. Goodness, she did love him and even if he didn’t love her, she knew he had some feelings for her. That was enough for now, even if that was all she got from him, she was willing to risk the future hurt for some time with him.

  She breathed in deeply and walked back into the bedroom, her breath getting lodged somewhere. Gosh, he was so handsome standing there with that gorgeous smile, all for her. He did literally, take her breath away.

  He noticed her hesitate, the emotions flicking so fast across her face, he couldn’t make out what she was thinking. He silently cursed, he hoped she wasn’t regretting what just happened, he certainly wasn’t, so he rushed over to her and gently grabbed her still hands.

  “Shall we get out of here? I want to be alone with you, somewhere where we will not be disturbed. If that is what you want too?” He held his breath waiting for her answer.