He closed his eyes as he kissed Shasta, thrusting slowly as the camera moved in close to their faces.
And in his mind Judson Lane imagined that Nina Graham was the woman beneath him.
The scene did things to Judson he hadn’t expected, things the others would see if he didn’t excuse himself. He stood alone in a secluded little alcove looking out on the city lights still gleaming in the predawn. He heard someone approach, then noises indicating rummaging, like through a handbag or backpack. He remembered Nina’s briefcase sitting on the counter top and decided to let his presence be known. Maybe the two of them could talk about the shoot, maybe even how the scene had made him feel–
Carl stood completely absorbed, going through Nina’s briefcase like he was possessed. Judson stepped forward to use the perfect excuse, no, the perfect reason, to beat the shit out of this loser.
“What the hell?” Thomas stood in the door of the break room. A thunderous look shot across his face as he positioned himself in a ready-to-kill stance.
Carl nearly broke his neck to look toward Thomas’s voice and backed away from the counter, his hands behind him.
“I–I thought this was my briefcase. I see now, after taking a look, that it’s not.” Carl stammered and practically shook. He definitely understood he’d landed himself in a heap of shit.
“Did you realize that’s not your phone either?” From behind, Judson pushed Carl hard between the shoulders.
Carl stumbled forward and spun as fast as he could manage. His features twisted into a look of disgust. “Do you make a habit of sneaking up on people, Lane?”
“I don’t have to sneak up on you to beat your ass, dickhead. Especially now that I know what a little twat you are.” Judson struggled to control himself, unwilling to embarrass Nina but also unwilling to let this weasel get away with plundering her briefcase.
Carl was unable to speak, and in a twinkling Thomas lost it and spun him around like a toy top to face him.
Judson snatched Nina’s phone from Carl’s hand just as Thomas grabbed Carl by the shoulders and practically carried him to the far wall filled from ceiling to floor with dark wooden shelves.
“If I ever catch you around Nina or her things again, and this includes the studio, I will crush your skull. It’ll feel something like this,” Thomas roared as he shook Carl by the shoulders and slammed him solidly against the shelving several times. Carl fell into a heap on the floor, the scene perfectly punctuated when a transparent green-glass fern figurine tumbled from the top shelf and smashed over Carl’s head.
Judson went to the counter and took Nina’s briefcase. “You get that, dumb shit?” Judson asked as moved to stand beside Thomas.
Carl struggled up from the floor, fury and hate pouring from his face as he tried to steady himself against the shelves.
Judson’s eyes shot burning blue flames as he continued to stare Carl down. He took a step toward Carl who tried to step back but was blocked by the shelves.
Judson spun and walked toward the door. Thomas followed and when they got out of the break room Judson handed Nina’s phone and briefcase to Thomas.
After Thomas stuffed the phone in his rear jeans pocket, the two of them bumped fists and went their separate ways.
Chapter Eight
“Ooo la la la la la la la!” Sherry sang as she, Thomas, Nina, John, and Sarah watched back the footage they’d shot in record time at the arboretum that morning.
“Yeah, it’s pretty hot,” agreed Thomas. “What do you think, Nina?” he asked, keeping his eyes on the screen, working the footage with the girls sitting next to him.
“I like it.”
“I’ll say!” Sarah chirped.
“By the way, Sarah, great job on that scar.”
“Huh? What are you talking about, Nina?”
“Look. You can’t miss it. The scar you created for Judson’s chest. I don’t remember calling for that, but fabulous touch. Keep going with that special effects makeup, and there’s no telling where we could go with it.”
Sarah just stared at Nina.
“I’d like to take credit for that scar, but I didn’t create it,” she fessed up. “I can learn to,” she added, giving the scar an intent examination through squinted eyes.
“You didn’t create that? Where did it come from?” Thomas asked and stopped the footage with a clear shot of the scar.
“No, and I didn’t even know about it till Shasta ripped the shirt off. But it really is a nice touch for the scene.”
“Yeah, it is,” Sherry said, looking at Nina, who was transfixed to the screen, and continued, “I’m still amazed we got both jungle scenes in one take. I mean, that just doesn’t happen. This project is going so good it’s almost scary.”
“I’ll second that,” Thomas mused.
“Yeah, and it’s a good thing we don’t need the arboretum again.” Nina’s words were monotone, which was usually a sign her thoughts had gone somewhere way out there. But the others sensed something different this time and exchanged looks.
“You think we should start lining things up for the next trailer, Nina?” Sherry broke into Nina’s thoughts.
“Wouldn’t hurt. The second and third scripts are done and approved. There’s only five scenes to shoot for each one, so no big deal.” Nina continued to stare at the screen.
Where in the hell did that scar come from? What could have happened to Judson to cause such an injury?
“Wanna grab some lunch before I start the edit? I got some really good stills this morning, too, and I’m going to start editing them and the others with the video today,” Thomas said, a bit too gently.
Nina took her gaze off the screen and twisted her neck to glare at him.
“Why are you using that coddling voice with me?” She included Sherry in the glare.
“I’m not coddling you. I’m just hungry, and I’ve been up since before the butt-crack, and I don’t want to end my day until I have this and the other scene edited. Is that all right with you?” he snapped.
Nina put her head in her hands, then rubbed her eyes. “Sorry, I’m tired, too. I know I’ve had bitch on my breath for the last several days.”
“We’re cool, we’re cool. Don’t beat yourself up, Nina. I’ve been an asshole myself…the Carl thing and all.” Thomas stood and fiddled with his glasses.
Nina picked her head up and turned to Thomas. “Yeah, when did all this go down between you and Carl? I mean, we’re so out of the arboretum now!”
“Look, he’s a creep, and when I saw him eavesdropping on you and Judson in the break room this morning, I held it together—”
“Eavesdropping? On me and Judson?” Alarm shot through Nina, and she stood up.
“That’s right, and I just gave him a hefty glare. But when I caught him going through your briefcase and checking your phone, I lost it.”
“Checking my phone?” Nina plopped back down in her chair.
Sherry went over to Nina and squeezed her shoulder. “Yes, remember you couldn’t find your phone after we left the arboretum? Thomas had it because he and Judson took it from Carl. The jerk lifted it from your briefcase.”
Nina looked up at Sherry, then back to Thomas. “Judson? What did Judson have to do with this?”
“He was in the break room after the scene, and we caught dipshit going through your briefcase. We took care of it. I don’t think you’ll have any more problems with Carl,” Thomas said, never taking his eyes off his work.
“And you and Judson beat the snot out of him?”
“No, Judson took the phone out of Carl’s hand, and I roughed him up a little. Pushed him up against a wall with shelves a few times, wrinkled his fancy pants suit, messed his hair up, maybe, and we got in his face, but I didn’t see any snot. I’m confident he won’t be around here again. We’ll find another place where you or Sherry won’t have to put up with unprofessional behavior to book. I won’t tolerate it!” Thomas’s last words came out in a firm tone.
Nina reach
ed over and gave him a big hug. “Thank you.”
“And I’ve been a pain in the ass, too,” Sherry interjected. “I mean, trying to tend to your business. Personal business. I’ve been a downright pushy bitch.”
“I think me and John have been pretty good…” Sarah said, twisting a lock of her shiny brown hair, looking at John, who nodded in agreement.
“Look, we’ve just got to get used to our newfound success. You know, learn how to handle it. Let’s just take a break, have lunch, and get back to it so we can stay ahead. What do ya say?” Sherry squeezed Nina’s shoulder again.
Nina turned to give her a look.
“Hells bells! I’m not coddling. I expect you to do my shoulders, too. After we eat,” Sherry popped off in a sassy tone.
Nina blew out a long sigh. “Let’s eat.”
* * * *
The sun sat low in the sky when Nina left the studio. She’d intended to walk home but found herself standing in front of Kathleen’s shop, The Blooming Rose.
She shoved open the door, activating the wind chimes attached to it.
“Nina! Hi, so good to see you. I just got some new eucalyptus oil in,” Kathleen said and started toward the shelf holding oils.
“Hey, Kathleen, I’d love some and some patchouli, too. And…”
Kathleen turned on her heel, her long, thick auburn locks swinging as she turned and regarded Nina with concerned eyes. “Are you okay?”
“You tell me.”
“You want a massage?”
“No, not this time.”
“A reading?” Apparent shock shot across Kathleen’s pretty features. She straightened her flowing purple dress and pulled the green-and-gold shawl she wore closer around her shoulders.
“Nice outfit,” Nina skirted the question.
“Thanks, Mardi Gras season and all,” Kathleen explained, then asked again, “Do you want a reading? I mean, I’m a little surprised because you know I don’t promote that I’m a psychic. I really need to speak to Sherry about telling people until I’m ready.”
“I know, it’s not something everyone knows about you, but Sherry says you’ve told her some pretty amazing things, and she knows I’m…I think I do want a reading,” Nina admitted and took a seat at the little round table Kathleen kept in a private corner of the shop.
“Are you sure? I mean, I know you don’t go for this type of thing.”
“I don’t know what I go for anymore. I just know—”
Kathleen held her hand up. “Don’t say any more. Let’s just see what I get, if anything.”
Nina ducked her head.
They sat quietly for a few moments as the light gradually changed in the shop with the dipping sun.
“You seem down, but what I’m getting is that you’re doing really well. Something has been removed in your life that could have been a real hassle. A man, I think, something to do with work. Work seems exceptionally great.”
“That’s true.” Nina searched Kathleen’s gray eyes for more, realizing Sherry probably blabbered about work nonstop to Kathleen.
“You’re on the verge of new discoveries about yourself and how you interact with others. You’re blocking this for some reason. You should try to figure out why because you’re blocking joy when you do this.”
Nina looked down at her hands clenched together on the tabletop.
“You deserve joy, Nina. Let it happen. Let happiness into your life.”
Nina saw the sincerity in Kathleen’s face.
“Where is this joy I’m blocking? Work? Life? Where?”
“It’s in love. You’re blocking the joy that will come to you through love.”
“Love. Love from where, though? Can you be specific? My work is producing book trailers for romance novels. Could it be related to that?”
“Ummm, not getting specifics. That’s not how this works, at least not for me. I get certain information, but it doesn’t get extremely specific. I just know that you have an opportunity for good, good things in the area of love. And, yeah, it could mean through your work. Only you will recognize it when you see it. Keep your eyes open, your spiritual eyes. And your heart.” She covered Nina’s clinched hands with one of her own, warm and reassuring.
“Keep myself open to love, then. And joy? Even if it’s through work?”
“Yes, and I’m not saying you won’t have to put effort into it. There may be some obstacles to overcome. You can overcome them if you choose to. It’s a choice, of course.” Kathleen removed her hand from Nina’s.
They sat still and quiet for a few moments while Nina processed this information.
“Oh, one more thing. Let go of the past. Don’t let it influence you or your decisions.”
“Yeah, the past is trouble. I know that for a fact. Thanks, Kathleen. I really appreciate this.” She stood. “How much do I owe you for the oils and the reading?
“The oils will be ten dollars total.”
“And the reading?”
“I don’t quite know what to do about readings yet. That one’s on the house.”
* * * *
Nina couldn’t take many more sleepless nights, tossing and turning in her bed, rolling things over and over in her head with no result. And she couldn’t keep pushing this thing with Judson away. She lay back on the bed, propping her neck with her arms behind her, remembering how Judson’s eyes had been droopy, still tinged with sleep yesterday morning at the arboretum. She’d wanted to soothe them with a warm cloth when he’d rubbed them, trying to wipe away his need for more sleep.
He was obviously not a morning person and neither was she, but she felt more awake, more alive than she was comfortable with when they were together. And she hated that she found his sleepy look so sexy. No, she hated that she wanted to see that same look with him waking up with her. In her bed.
But she did, by God, she did want him. She found everything about him sexy. His face, his body…even that grotesque scar. Maybe she should just stop hating and admit that she actually loved everything about him.
You’re blocking the joy that will come to you through love.
She also had to admit her appetite had returned out of nowhere. And that was a good thing. She might have even gained a few pounds. Was that because of that warm, happy feeling she had when she was around Judson? Is that what love did?
Keep your eyes and heart open.
But love equaled danger. Danger of loss and pain and never being okay again afterward.
It’s your choice.
She slung herself out of bed and went to the bathroom, stood in front of the mirror, and seriously examined the face looking back at her.
The gentleness she saw in Judson made her guts shake. When he talked about his mother she could see the love. Womanizers didn’t usually care much about their mothers, much less women in general. He even put up with Deannie’s pawing and fawning, though that could be to keep his gig. Was that why he treated Nina with respect and worked hard to follow her directions exactly? Or did he and Shasta have something going on? Was that why the two of them were so believable? Because they were in love? Or in heat?
“Stop it!” she screamed at the woman in the mirror.
He’d let her off the hook about Carl. That was another thing she liked about him. He knew when to leave things alone. She was sure he’d picked up on her rush to finish and get the hell out of the arboretum. He’d seen the crude way Carl looked at her, the way he found reasons to lean against her, reach across her, get into her face. Just the sound of Judson’s voice that morning had been almost more reassuring than she could handle after being in the same space as the repulsive Carl.
The way his face lit up when she’d shared with Judson about growing up in Fort Worth, going to the Fort Worth Botanic Garden as a kid. Damn. He must’ve had a wonderful childhood. That’s the main reason they wouldn’t work together. How could he possibly ever relate to or understand the screwed-up-ness of hers?
The thing was, she wanted to open up to him, to let
him in. To let him into every part of her. The knot in her throat felt like a fist.
“What am I going to do?”
An urgent growl erupted from her stomach. She smiled.
“I’ll go to Cookie’s.”
Chapter Nine
Judson exited his building into the foggy mist veiling the earth. He loved that the early February weather in Texas afforded him the luxury of wearing only a light jacket and that Deep Ellum afforded him the luxury of walking to just about any place he needed to go. The skies were still dark at this very early hour, the sidewalks empty of the colorful people usually treading it during the day, night, and wee hours after partying.
He for sure wouldn’t miss the bitter cold and need for the complicated, sometimes dangerous, mass transit of New York. He looked up to the dark, rainy clouds. So much better than snow and ice.
Nina had been right when she said Deep Ellum was on its way up again. Like her, he wanted to be part of that, would be part of that. He’d loved the neighborhood since back in the late nineties when he’d worked as a musician with The Logos and played at Trees and other Deep Ellum clubs for a good while. Those were good times for him, some of the best so far.
Light rain began to fall just as he neared the coffee shop. He sprinted through huge drops and burst through the door, grinning, loving the rain.
“Hey, man, you just made it!” shouted Shoop-Shoop from behind the counter. Shoop-Shoop’s tall, thin frame was a fixture here. He had been married to Cookie for thirty-odd years and had also performed as a backup singer and drummer for some of the musical legends that passed through Deep Ellum through the years, refusing offers to tour because he wouldn’t leave his Cookie.
“No kiddin’! Did you order this stuff?” Judson called to Shoop-Shoop and went to his usual table near one of the large windows in front of the shop. In the month since he’d moved back he frequented Cookie’s the most of any place and had grown very familiar and comfortable here.
Trailer Trash [Deep Ellum] (BookStrand Publishing Romance) Page 7
