by Jill Sanders
But when he opened his front door, he was greeted with news on the front cover of the paper that not only broke his, but had his anger boiling so hot, he doubted he cared anymore what she thought.
Chapter 16
Amber’s phone woke her up. Turning over, she hit answer without opening her eyes.
“Hello?”
“I warned you.” The deep voice came. “Now you’ll pay.”
She sat up and glanced down at her screen. The words, unknown caller, flashed on the screen. That can’t be right, she thought. This was the latest iPhone. No one had an unknown number nowadays.
Then her phone rang again in her hands, causing her to jump.
Laura’s face popped up with her number below her.
“Hello?” she answered.
“Did you see it yet?”
“What?”
“Oh god.” Her agent took a couple deep breaths. “I’m coming back there—” she started to say.
“What? What’s going on?”
“Honey, go get your paper. Better yet, turn on your television.”
“What channel?”
“Any.”
She felt her stomach roll as she searched for the remote and flipped on the set in her room. Instantly Marcus’s face flashed on the screen and she felt her heart drop as she quickly hit the un-mute button.
“It’s rumored that Burgess’s relationship with recent one-hit wonder actress Amber Scott is the cause of the breakup. Ending an almost ten-year marriage of what was once described as the Hollywood dream team.” The image on the screen flashed to an image of her and Marcus at the downtown Denver restaurant. Her hand covering his as their eyes met. “The pair worked together on Unique Designs, where they met the day Burgess swooped up Scott from the set of Timed, a CBS show she’d been trying out for. It’s reported that Marcus has been seen leaving Miss Scott’s building at odd hours.” The image flashed to a picture of her in her sexy nightgown. If she didn’t know better, she would have thought that she’d just rolled out of bed after a night of pleasure. “They’re currently in the Mile-High City filming, Roommates, the film adapted from the book by ...”
Amber hit mute and closed her eyes. “How bad?”
“It’s bad.” Laura sighed. “Like I said, I’m coming over.”
“No,” she rubbed her forehead, not wanting her friend to fly all the way back to Colorado. “Let me shower and clear my head. I’ll call you when I’m fully awake.” She hung up before Laura could object.
Then hit the un-mute again when an image of Kim Burgess popped up on the screen.
“Wife of Marcus Burgess is seeking a twenty-million-dollar settlement with monthly allowance of ...” She turned the television off and picked up her phone and dialed Marcus’s number.
“Yeah?” he answered on the first ring.
“You saw?”
“Yeah,” he sighed. “We knew it was just a matter of time. All she needed was some lame excuse, no matter how bogus it is. Actually, I think it’s better this way. Let them think—”
“What?” She stood up. “You know; I’ve been nothing but a friend to you. Supporting you from the moment ...” She took a deep breath and thought back to the night she’d found Marcus, in a dark room with his lover. Shaking her head, her mind turned to Tom and how his life would be torn apart at the news spreading around. Instantly, she felt mad. “Did you ever stop to think what this would do to me? I’ve got someone wonderful in my life now. I don’t need all your dirty laundry bringing my one shot of happiness down.” She felt like throwing the phone, but waited as her heartbeat continued to pound in her head.
“I’m sorry, Amber. I didn’t think.” He sighed. “I’ll hold a press release.”
She sighed. “Marcus, I never meant—”
“No, I know, honey. I’m sorry things came to this.”
She nodded and sighed. “Call me later?”
“Of course.” He hung up and she headed to the bathroom, punching Tom’s number as she walked. The call went to his voice mail, so she left a message.
“Hopefully, I’ve gotten you before you’ve seen the news. Call me, we need to talk.” She hung up and jumped into the shower.
She had never spent so much time dressing for a role than she took that day. Her hair, makeup, and clothes were all painstakingly chosen with what her role would be in mind. When she stepped out of her building, she was blinded by flashes and bombarded with questions. Keeping her sunglasses on, she tucked her hair under her hat, continued out to the curb, and climbed into the back of the dark sedan she’d hired to take her to the set.
Even with all the chaos going on, filming had to continue since the budget called for it. She needed it. Especially now. When she walked onto the set, she was guided to the makeup chair by Marcus.
“I’ve set a press release for later this afternoon.” She nodded, as her makeup artist started working on her. “Kara’s here, so we’ll be shooting her over the next few days. As always”—he glanced around and sighed deeply— “we’ll need you to stick around for those close-ups.”
She nodded again, feeling her head start to throb. “Anything else?”
He waved the makeup artist away, and then leaned in closer. “I’m sorry. I should have thought what this would do to you.”
She dipped her chin. “Tom isn’t returning my calls.” Her entire body tense and fought back the tears.
“Want me to call him and explain?”
She closed her eyes and shook her head. “No, I’ll find him and work it out.” She reached up and laid her hand on his. “Thanks.” Dropping her hand, she leaned back. “How are you dealing with all this?”
He pulled the chair next to her and shook his head. “I’ve known this day was coming for a very long time.”
She smiled. “It’s hard to fight fate.”
He nodded. “Listen, if you don’t feel up to—”
“No, I need this”—she interrupted him— “I need to work today.”
He looked at her then nodded briefly. “Okay, then I’ll let you get ready.”
She took almost an hour to get into the role. She chatted with Kara and enjoyed catching up with her stunt double. They weren’t doing stunts as dangerous as they had in Anomalous, which was due to release in six months. A whole month later due to some technical glitches they had added in a lot of the computer generated effects. She couldn’t wait to see the final product and hoped that by the time the film released, this mess would have blown over.
When filming started, she had totally engrossed herself in her role and Amber Scott had disappeared. Replaced by Megan Rush, roommate and one-time lover of the man who could never love her.
When filming wrapped up for the day, she was exhausted. Checking her phone, she had over a dozen voicemails, but none from Tom.
Listening through them as her makeup was removed and replaced with her own, softer colors, she ran through several from her brother, her sister, her parents, and even Kristen and Amy. The only really disturbing one was from Laura, who went on and on about her choices and how there was another article coming out tomorrow.
By the time the car picked her up to take her home, the snow was falling pretty heavily. She had bundled up in her thickest coat, but still, the chill found its way in. She’d left Tom several more messages, but so far, he hadn’t returned any of her calls. She didn’t even know if he was getting her messages.
“Driver, can you take me to this address?” She relayed Tom’s townhouse address through the tinted window and the car did a quick turn in direction. Leaning back, she closed her eyes and thought of what she was going to say. How she was going to convince the man she loved, once more, that she hadn’t cheated on him.
But when she got there, his place was dark. When she knocked, there was no answer. Pulling out her phone, she called her brother. “Have you heard from Tom?”
Aiden sighed. “Not since the last time you texted me that question.”
Closing her eyes, she sighed. “Do
you think he would’ve gone to the cabin?”
“Probably,” Aiden said and she could hear the baby crying in the background.
“What’s wrong with Camden?”
“The phone rang,” he said dryly. “He was sleeping.”
“Oh, sorry.”
“It’s okay, I don’t mind but Kristen was trying to get in a nap.”
“Sorry,” she said again. “I’ll let you go.”
“Amber, Tom will come around. He knows you better than the press does.”
“Yeah, so I thought.” She hung up and climbed back. “Back home.”
When she got home, there was a flock of photographers waiting outside her place. “Take me to the garage,” she instructed, hoping no one would be waiting down there. She’d been wrong.
Tom leaned against his car, his arms crossed over his chest as he waited for her to get out of the car.
“I’ve been trying to call you all day,” she started, but didn’t get much further, when he swooped in and covered his mouth with hers.
Suddenly, they were surrounded by flashing lights and sounds, but she didn’t care. Instead, she focused on everything his kiss told her.
“What do you say we take this inside?” He took her hand in his and, smiling, pulled her into the elevator. When the doors shut, he pulled her back into his arms and kissed all the questions and doubt away from her.
“Tell me you didn’t believe—” she started, but he only kissed her again until her knees weakened.
When she opened her door, he pushed her up against the back of it and kissed her some more.
“I don’t give a damn what anyone says. You’re mine,” he said between kisses as he started peeling off her clothes.
“Yes,” she responded, yanking his clothes off his shoulders. They could talk later, she thought as her fingers rushed over him.
It had taken him all day to come to his senses. He’d been tired of having her name smeared all over the media. He’d actually been pissed at the stupidity of the story more than anything. He’d read the article over and over, and each time he did, he saw more and more of the lies. Facts began to be so obvious. Time frames didn’t add up. When they claimed she was away with Marcus, she’d actually been with him up in the mountains.
But he’d been so busy with putting out fires at his Aurora store, that he hadn’t had time to call her back. By the time he’d seen her messages, he’d done the only thing he could think of—he ran down to the nearest jewelry store and purchased the most expensive item he could find. Then he’d gone home, showered and dressed, then headed straight over to her building.
When he’d seen her getting out of the car, she’d looked worried and heartbroken.
Instead of giving her a chance to question him, he’d decided to show her how he felt. Taking her into his arms had been the best thing he had ever done.
She’d fit like a glove, wrapped around him, making him complete. Home. He’d thought quickly before all the cameras had caught up with them.
Not wanting to fight the paparazzi, he’d dragged her inside and continued to show her how he felt.
He hadn’t intended on lying on her floor, just inside her doorway with their clothes strewed all over the place. But he couldn’t stop the smile from coming to his lips as he looked down at her. Her hair was fanned out on the entryway rug and she was smiling back up at him.
“Hi,” he said, chuckling.
“Hi right back at ya.” She ran her fingers up and down his shoulders.
“Is there something you wanted to talk to me about?” he asked.
She stilled her fingers and dipped her smile slightly. Then she shook her head. “No. You?”
He tilted his head and met her eyes. “A few things, but they can wait.”
“Until?” she asked, her fingers once again moving over his skin.
“After we shower.” He hoisted her up easily into his arms and carried her into the bathroom.
“Tom,” she started while he turned on the water. “Why didn’t you answer my calls?”
He glanced over at her. “Forgot my phone at home,” he said, shrugging. “I left in a hurry. There was a break-in at the Aurora store.” He leaned back. “The manager I fired had broken in and was caught trying to steal a truckload of furniture.” He shook his head and sighed.
“I was worried that—” She stopped talking when he stepped into the warm shower with her still in his arms. “Put me down. We’re going to kill ourselves.” She wiggled free and he let her body slide down his, slowly.
“Hmm”—he dipped his head and took her mouth with his— “let’s talk later.” He grabbed the soap and ran his hands over her entire body. “Now, we need to enjoy this shower.”
“You’re making this very hard,” she started.
Taking her hand, he wrapped it around his length. “And you’re making this very hard.” He smiled when he heard her breath hitch. Pushing her up against the wall, he turned her until her sexy bottom was facing him. “I think I missed a spot back here.” His hand ran over her soft seat and he watched as her back arched up. Using his knee, he spread her legs wider, giving himself full access to her. “Yes, definitely several spots back here.”
She rolled her head back and moaned as he ran his fingers over her skin, slowly, until he dipped first one, then two fingers into her.
“Tom,” she cried out.
“Hmm?” he asked, coming closer to her. “Say it again.” He moved until he was poised just outside her. When she said his name, he jerked his hips and had her screaming his name within moments.
Chapter 17
There was no way she was going to be able to move. The cold tile was pushing against her skin and she didn’t care. She vaguely heard her door buzzer going off, but still, didn’t blink an eye.
“Damn, someone’s persistent.” He stood back and sighed. “I’ll go find out who it is.” He smiled when she turned around and plopped down onto the shower seat. “Don’t move a muscle.”
“I don’t have any left after that.” She chuckled and closed her eyes as the warm water ran over her.
By the time she had enough energy to get out of the shower, she heard Tom talking to someone out front. Grabbing a robe, she walked out and stopped dead in her tracks.
Tom had thrown on his jeans and nothing else. He stood just inside her front door, barefoot and sexy as hell. Her eyes traveled to Marcus, who stood in her doorway, looking a little weathered and worn out. “It’s done,” he said when he saw her.
She wrapped her robe a little more tightly around herself then rushed forward to hug her friend.
“What is?” Tom asked, looking confused as to why the woman he had just spent an hour pleasing was now hugging another man.
“Come in, sit.” She took Marcus’s hand then nodded to the kitchen as she looked at Tom. “Maybe you can make some coffee?”
Tom rolled his eyes, but then disappeared into the kitchen.
Well, she thought, that was a step in the right direction since he didn’t question if there was anything between them this time. She pushed Marcus onto the sofa.
“Can I?” he asked, reaching over and taking her remote.
“Yes, if you want.” He turned on the television and flipped through the channels until he saw his own face.
They listened as the newscaster set up the conference, then replayed his speech.
“I’ve been keeping a secret that has eaten me up inside and out for far too long. Now, it seems that my secret has hurt an innocent woman, and I can no longer hold it in. For almost ten years, I’ve been having an affair.” He paused as a few reporters shouted out questions or names, including her own. “No, not with Amber Scott. Amber has only ever been a good friend. My secret is—my marriage to Kim has been a front. Kim has known all along that I’ve been having an affair with my lover of almost ten years, who is a man.” More shouts interrupted him as questions spewed and totally overpowered anything more Marcus was saying.
Amber reached
over and flipped off the television. Then turned and looked up at Tom, who was looking down at her. Then a slow smile of pride crossed his lips. “I’ll leave you two alone and go change.” He set the coffee cups down.
“Thank you,” Marcus said, looking up at Tom. “I’m sorry,” he started, but Tom shook his head.
“No, I should be the one apologizing. To both of you. I should’ve trusted Amber.” His eyes met hers. “Above all things, I should have trusted her.” He turned and left.
“You’d better hang onto that one,” Marcus said, squeezing her hand.
“I intend to,” she said softly. “You kept his name.” She smiled.
“I can’t hurt him. I’ll do everything in my power to make sure they don’t know who it is. At least until he’s ready to tell everyone himself.” He smiled. “But, this part I could do for you. Besides, like I said, it’s way past due.”
When Marcus finally left, after a cup of coffee and a shot of bourbon, she walked into her bedroom to find Tom curled up on the bed, with the sheet riding low over his hips. She pulled off her robe and crawled into bed with him.
“Want to talk about it?” he said, putting an arm around her.
She sighed and settled her head against his bare chest. “Marcus and I were just friends when we first started working on Unique Designs together. Then there was a Christmas party for the cast members, one of the first of many parties we had. I’d just moved to Hollywood and felt like a complete outsider from everyone else. So, you know me, I naturally ended up in the kitchen instead of out with the actors, producers, and everyone else.” She settled closer to him, loving the way his sexy scent was surrounding her. Her fingers ran little circles across his chest.
“Anyway, so I snuck into the kitchen, feeling totally out of place, and bumped into my friend Barbara. Well, that’s when I met her—now she’s my friend.” She heard him chuckle softly, but continued anyway. “So, I was hanging out with Barbara and a bunch of her gang—Dennis, Holly, and a few other kitchen staff.” Her tired mind wandered to all the wonderful food she’d had at the party. “Gosh, they had the most amazing food.” She sighed and remembered how the knish with potato and caramelized onion had warmed her. The Italian chestnut soup with juniper cream had been one of her favorites. Not to mention the roasted root vegetables with thyme-honey glaze. She felt her stomach growl. Closing her eyes, she dreamed about the miniature pumpkin, cream cheese whoopie pies that used to melt in her mouth. Her stomach growled a little louder this time.
