“Okay,” he said, struggling to keep himself in check.
“It was in regards to the photograph printed in Life magazine from your race—the group shot. Although it was an innocent picture, he said a car race wasn’t suitable for my image, nor were you, and he ordered me to stay away from you.”
Aidan gathered all of his residual patience and went the polite route instead of cursing Mr. Mertz like he wanted to do. “Can you elaborate, baby?”
Beth tucked her hair behind her ears. “Well, he basically said if we were ever photographed together again, especially at a social event he didn’t deem suitable for my image, he would take action against me.”
“He threatened you?” As Beth recoiled, Aidan tempered his tone. “What sort of action?”
“He didn’t mention specifics.”
Aidan took a step back so Beth wouldn’t feel the rage tightening his every muscle. His temper was clearly the reason why she didn’t tell him about the meeting in the first place. If he overreacted now, she might never confide in him again.
With his jaw on lockdown, he attempted to process all the information she had shared with him. “When was this?”
“The day we learned about our Academy Award nominations.”
Aidan didn’t realize he was clenching his fists until Beth took his hand. He interlaced his fingers with hers, ensuring they were gentle and relaxed.
“I knew something was off about you that day,” he said. “I just figured you missed your folks or something, on account of the holidays.”
“I’m so sorry for not telling you. I’ll never forgive myself.”
Aidan met her desperate gaze. “Forget it. It’s in the past.”
“Yes, but—”
“No buts. We’re all about forgiveness from now on, right? So, I forgive you.” He brushed his other hand to her cheek, petitioning her with his stare. “I just want you to know you can come to me with these things.”
“It’s not that I don’t trust you. I was just scared. I wasn’t expecting the meeting.”
Aidan bristled at the thought of Mr. Mertz cornering Beth in his office and threatening her into submission. “Saul Stern wasn’t there?”
“No. Mr. Mertz didn’t invite him.”
Aidan bit back a curse. “Man, I wish we were on an earlier flight.”
Beth’s grasp on his hand tightened. “Please don’t do anything rash when we arrive back in L.A.”
Aidan collected himself enough to manage a small smile. “I promise I won’t. Next time Mertz pulls something like this, though, I want you to tell me. He has no right to control you like that.”
“I know. Nathan said the same thing.”
Shock sparked in Aidan’s face. “Nate knew about the meeting?”
Beth gripped his bicep, looking up at him with wide eyes. “Please don’t be sore at him. He wanted to tell you, but I begged him not to.”
If it were anyone else besides Nathan, Aidan would’ve hunted him down for a verbal, and most likely, physical lashing. He would still have a talk with his friend, though, to reiterate calmly that Beth’s affairs, especially involving Mr. Mertz, were not to be kept secret from him again. It was the only way he could protect her properly.
“Please don’t be sore at Nathan,” Beth repeated. “Please.”
Aidan pulled her close and patted her hair. “You know I’d never do anything to jeopardize your career or hurt Nate. You had your reasons for not telling me, and so did he, and I’m not going to question them. But from now on, come to me first, okay?”
“I promise I will.” Beth tightened her arms around him and rested her head against his chest. Her fingernails trailed up his back over his T-shirt. “I love you so much.”
The longing in her voice and touch was unmistakable.
Aidan tried to fight the arousal that seized him, unsure if this was the right time. When one of Beth’s hands wandered over to the front of his jeans, however, all rational thoughts vanished from his mind and he was left with very little restraint. Their temporary separation, although only a few hours, made it impossible for him not to want her desperately, to reclaim her and reinforce that she was his, as he was so irrevocably hers.
“Tell me if you’d rather not do this now.” Aidan’s plea sounded husky. “Because if you don’t, I’m going to—”
“Kiss me.”
Beth’s request unleashed Aidan’s primal side. He kissed her hard and eager, and with no pretense, no dawdling, guided her over to the bed. She brought her hands to his hair and moved her body against his, proving she wanted him as desperately as he wanted her.
Parallel to the headboard, they fell onto the bed. Aidan eased down on top of her, his knee between her legs and one hand at the base of her neck. Her hips rose to meet his, his name escaping her lips on a soft moan. He made quick work of her pants, unfastening the button, lowering the zipper, and sliding them down her legs to the floor. When he looked between her thighs, he groaned. She wore black lace panties that showed off way more flesh than fabric.
“Lift your hips for me.”
Beth did as he requested. He tugged her panties down her legs, throwing them to where her pants were on the floor. Her hands found the sheets on either side of her body and her hips lifted off the bed.
“Touch me, Aidan. Please.”
Aidan’s gaze drifted between her legs. “Oh, you can count on that, baby.” He shifted his eyes up along her body. “I want to try something new with you.” He watched her face for her reaction. “I want to put my fingers inside you. Is that okay?”
“Please, I need you.” Beth’s hips undulated against the mattress again.
Aidan kneeled on the edge of the bed between her parted legs. He kissed her gently before pulling back to look into her eyes.
“Are you ready, my beautiful girl?”
Beth bit her lip and nodded.
As Aidan touched her exactly where she wanted him, she let out a gasp. Carefully, he slipped one finger inside of her. He closed his eyes, moaning at the warmth and wetness that greeted him. His need for her was all consuming. From the look on Beth’s face and the sensual sounds she made as he began his thrusts, she was completely on board with his faster pace.
With each movement of his finger, the sounds that escaped her became more high-pitched and desperate, encouraging him to find new and more erotic ways to pleasure her. Under his coaxing, she sat up on the bed and hooked one arm around his neck, pressing her face against his right shoulder.
Aidan placed his free hand to her back, supporting her new position, his finger never losing its rhythm. She hung onto him, her hips moving against his hand, mimicking his motion. His lips found hers and he added another finger, his thumb circling her on the outside. She gasped against his lips.
Aidan stopped immediately. “Is that too much?”
Her eyes remained closed as she shook her head.
Aidan took that as a green light and resumed his thrusts. Beth let out a pleasurable cry, her body welcoming him without resistance. He couldn’t help but entertain the thought of his erection penetrating her the same way, which spurned him to go faster. As her grip on his neck tightened, and she whimpered and trembled so much she could no longer kiss him, he knew she was close.
Aidan closed his eyes, listening to the sounds she made when he hit the spot inside of her that drove her to her release. As her fingernails dug into his back, he let out a groan, his face contorted with the pleasure he got from making her feel so good.
“Yeah, that’s it, baby. Feel me inside you… moving deep inside you.”
“Oh, Aidan!” She clenched around his fingers.
Her body jerked as her orgasm took hold. Aidan pressed his hand to her back, pushing her closer to him so he could get deeper.
Beth moaned against his lips and he opened his mouth, anxious to capture the sound. He kept moving his fingers and thumb until he felt it was time to withdraw.
Finally, her grip around his neck loosened. Aidan slipped one han
d behind her head and lowered her back down on the bed carefully. She looked up at him coyly. The worry he felt that their frenzied pace had been too much, too raw, too desperate, vanished with the appearance of her lazy smile.
“That was fantastic,” she said, closing her eyes again.
Aidan lay down on the mattress and folded the comforter over her so she was no longer exposed. He curled up beside her as she rolled onto her side, pressing against him. She placed a soft kiss on his lips.
“Would you like me to…?” She looked down at his arousal.
Aidan was going to say no, but there was something in her eyes, burning away the exhaustion he saw there earlier, that indicated her willingness to please him.
“Yes.” His voice adopted a husky tone again. “If you’re sure you’re okay with it.”
The satisfaction that brightened Beth’s face made his acquiescence completely worthwhile, never mind the orgasm part of it, or the opportunity to connect them beyond what they had explored already.
Aidan moved onto his back and laced his hands behind his head, allowing her to take control so she could work at her own pace. She rose from the bed, revealing her naked lower half. Desire unfurled deep within him at the sight of her.
Beth unfastened the button on his jeans and pulled down the zipper before sliding them to his ankles and tossing them to the floor. Nervousness crept into her face as she regarded the bulge under his briefs.
Aidan took her hand reassuringly.
Beth inched up the bed and bent over him, bringing their lips together. He cupped her cheeks in his hands as he kissed her slower than before, more tenderly.
Beth pulled his briefs down. He was ready for her, his arousal hard, long, and thick as it lay across his stomach. She eyed him hungrily and licked her lips, leaving them glistening and plump. Aidan closed his eyes as she took him in her hand, waiting for the contact he craved right now above all else. At her first stroke, his hips rose toward the ceiling.
The moan that escaped his throat as she finally, tentatively, took him in her mouth was more animalistic than human. Immediately, he was aware of the distinction between this, right here, right now, and all of his previous experiences. This was loving, intimate—and although he wasn’t a spiritual man—there was also something holy present. Or perhaps it had more to do with the angel performing the act, caring for him like she’d cared for no other man previously.
Aidan expelled a deep groan as she stroked him in sync with her mouth.
“Damn it, Beth.” He rocked against her. “That feels amazing.”
When she removed him from between her lips, he opened his eyes.
She peered at him shyly. “Are you sure I’m doing it right?”
It was a while before Aidan could answer her with anything more than heavy breathing. “Beth, baby—” He tensed again and closed his eyes as she resumed her strokes. “I’m going to remember this for the rest of my life.”
Beth brought him into her mouth again until he reached the back of her throat. Aidan hissed. His muscles tightened as her hand and lips worked him simultaneously, her tongue swirling and teasing. The moans she emitted blasted tremors up his shaft to his stomach, his heart, and out his fingers and toes.
“Beth… I’m not gonna last much longer.” He clamped his teeth together to prevent from cursing over how good she worked him.
He felt his release building… building…
“If you don’t want me to finish in your mouth, then you gotta stop now.”
Beth picked up her pace and sucked him harder. That was all it took. A loud groan tore up his throat as his muscles tensed and his pleasure crested. His fluid shot into her mouth with every jerk of his erection hugged by her wet lips. The feelings were so extraordinary that he lost his bearings. The only thing registering was the touch of his girl as she helped him ride out the sensation, draining him of all energy and coherency, and filling him with love.
Aidan opened his eyes. Beth stared at him inquisitively, as though she expected an evaluation. His sated expression, accompanied by the reverence that shone in his gaze, seemed to tell her everything she needed to know. Her face relaxed, revealing a spectacular smile.
He sat up and brought his hand to her cheek, wondering how to ask what was on his mind appropriately. “Do you need to, uh, go to the bathroom to get rid of… you know…?”
A flush stole across her face. “I swallowed it.”
Aidan suppressed a groan. “Come here, baby.”
He took her in his arms and they lay down on the mattress.
“I love you so much,” he whispered.
“I love you, too.” Beth smiled up at him, her beautiful brown eyes sparkling.
He brushed the hair from her face as she stifled a yawn.
“Close your eyes and rest, little dove.” He placed a kiss to her temple.
Beth nestled into his side and he rubbed her back until her breaths evened out. As he reveled in how perfect she felt in his arms, he wished she’d slept like this with him last night. However, he refused to dwell on it. 1954 was a new beginning for them. His goal was to focus on their future together as a couple rather than their pasts.
Now that Aidan had time to really think about Beth’s meeting with Mr. Mertz, he hoped even more that whatever motion picture the studio boss lined up for her next would be filmed on the studio lot like Golden Gloves, so he’d have an excuse to see her more often.
Aidan would stay true to his promise to her not to retaliate against Mr. Mertz for the meeting, but if her boss continued to try to control her private life, he’d have no choice but to intervene. After spending last night apart, and being fortunate enough to have mended the rift between them, he was adamant not to allow anyone or anything to separate them again.
On the elevator ride up to Mr. Mertz’s office, Beth clutched the telegram she received following her acting class. She didn’t have a film to work on presently, but her boss did not allow her to stay home. She was still on the payroll and had to earn her keep, so he commenced all of her lessons immediately following New Year’s Day.
In the telegram, Mr. Mertz requested her presence at a meeting right away, in a manner eerily similar to the invitation she received before Christmas. Nathan never mentioned the meeting over breakfast at the commissary. Mr. Stern was unreachable, as was Aidan, who trained with Rocky Marcello somewhere on the studio lot. She had no choice but to face Mr. Mertz alone again.
Beth assumed someone had told Mr. Mertz about her public association with Aidan in Las Vegas. She should’ve known it was only a matter of time before he found out about them. He seemed to be aware of everything that went on with his employees. A suspension or fine would be bad enough, but at the very worst she feared termination of her contract.
Upon exiting the elevator, she nodded a greeting at Ethel, who told her to go right into the office.
Beth tucked the telegram in her purse and opened the double mahogany doors. Her terror promptly shifted to confusion when she saw who waited for her on the other side. Mr. Stern and Elia Kazan sat across from Mr. Mertz, with an empty chair between them. They smiled and stood from their seats as she entered. Mr. Mertz did neither.
“Good morning, Elizabeth.” Mr. Stern glanced at his wristwatch. “Or I should say good afternoon, since it is now just after twelve.”
She nodded. “Good afternoon, gentlemen.”
Mr. Mertz’s jaw clenched. “Yes, to some it would be.”
Beth gave him a perplexed look but said nothing.
“Please have a seat, Miss Sutton.” Kazan gestured to the empty chair.
Beth sat down and placed her purse in her lap, ensuring her posture was impeccable.
“Miss Sutton.” Mr. Mertz folded his hands on the desktop and regarded her with granite eyes. “You are here today to receive your next film assignment.”
Beth’s gaze skipped to Kazan.
“The motion picture is Golden Gloves.” Displeasure grappled Mr. Mertz’s voice. “It will be filmed in
Technicolor. Elia Kazan is directing.” His upper lip curled away from his teeth. “And it stars Aidan Evans, among other notables.”
Beth summoned all of her acting talent to suppress a smile.
“For the record, I am not pleased with this decision.” Mr. Mertz’s eyes flitted to Kazan. “I prefer you not to associate with Mr. Evans whatsoever, but the film requires an endearing female lead to contrast his tough character. I planned to cast one of my more sensual leading ladies and have her dress down for the role, but for some reason, Elia only wants you. I’m done arguing. Filming starts Tuesday, and I refuse to lose a penny on the project.”
Kazan’s warm grin captured Beth’s attention. “I want you to play Mary Oliver, the wife of Aidan’s character, Joe Oliver, based on your tremendous performance in Sparkling Meadow. Congratulations on your Academy Award nomination, by the way. That’s very impressive for your first feature film.”
Beth smiled. “Thank you, Mr. Kazan.”
“Now, I assume you know nothing about Golden Gloves, correct?”
Feeling Mr. Mertz’s beady eyes on her, Beth delivered her lie calmly. “Correct.”
“The film is set in Chicago. It’s about a young man who was the top middleweight fighter in America when he accidently killed his opponent in the ring at the age of eighteen,” Kazan explained, as though he didn’t know Aidan had spoken with her about the project already. “Joe’s guilt forced him to quit boxing, though he still harbored love for the sport. Five years later, his former trainer, along with his wife—that’s you—convince him he should return to the ring and make a comeback. The rest of the film is about Joe coming to terms with what happened in his past as well as triumphing over his fear and guilt and becoming number one again.”
“It sounds like a wonderful story.” Beth’s tone remained diplomatic, in concert with her collected exterior. Inside, her heart thudded as she came to terms with the reality that she was playing Aidan’s wife and would work with him every day for the next several months. Also, after filming Venus Rising, she longed for a part with substance like her role in Sparkling Meadow. Golden Gloves seemed like the perfect project.
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