Body Heat

by Mia Ford

  "Where is it?" Clint yelled out to Brian. "How far?!" They had been flying for less than five minutes, but to Clint it felt like hours. He knew that every second countered. One lost could mean the difference between life and death.

  "Around here somewhere!" He yelled back. "Keep your eyes – there! I see it!" Clint followed his pointed finger, spotting the marooned ferry a second later. "Take it in!" Brian yelled to the pilot.

  The chopper dropped its altitude, flying in over the ferry so that it hovered maybe twenty feet above it.

  Somehow the ferry had capsized. It’s entire hull stuck out of the water as bodies populated the water around it. Even in the chaotic thrashing of the storm, the bodies had managed to group themselves together for the most part. They all clung together as one, hanging in for dear life.

  Clint scanned the bodies, trying to see if he could spot Olivier. It was hard, with the waves continually crashing down on their heads, but even so, he was sure that she wasn't amongst them.

  "I'm going down!" Brian yelled. He was already in his suit as he now strapped on his oxygen mask. "There's a spare suit in the corner there. Throw it on!"

  But Clint wasn't listening. He wasn't listening because he was pretty sure that he just spotted Olivier. It had to be her. She was, for some reason, on the other side of the hull, away from the group of people. From where Clint was, it looked as if she were with someone else. And more than that, as if she were helping keep them afloat.

  As she did her best to drag the person she had with her, back towards the others, the ocean roared around her. Bits of debris hit her from all sides, creating a minefield in her path as water sprayed in her eyes. Clint didn't wait another second. He pushed Brian to the side and dove from the chopper.

  His body shot forth like an eagle flying through the sky and for a moment he was suspended in mid air. The lightning struck over his head, the waves crashed below. As he flew forward he tilted his body and speared through the water, head first.

  As his body propelled itself into the water, calm of the ocean washed over him. With his entire body submerged beneath the waves, he was isolated from the storm. There were no sounds. There were no tidal waves or screaming people. It was total silence. But then he rose to the surface, his head breaking the water.

  It was chaos. Water splashed in his eyes the moment he breached, making it impossible to see. And as he wiped that away, more hit him. From all sides. And as that happened, he found himself being picked up and tossed aside like a rag doll.

  The hull of the ship was directly in front of him, barely visible in the storm. To his right was the group of people, all hanging together. He spotted Brian drop from the chopper, directly by them. They would be fine. But it wasn't them he was worried about.

  He turned to his left and began to swim. He was an expert swimmer and even still he found it hard to move. The tide seemed to want to take him in any direction bar the one he actually had to go. He pushed himself forward, one foot at a time. The whole time an image of Olivier planted firmly in his mind.

  Just as he had thought, Olivia had her arms around an older man and she was doing all she could to keep him afloat. It looked as if he had been struck in the head and was out cold. He was dead weight and Olivier was struggling. By the look of determination on her face too, it was clear she wasn't going to let him go, even if it meant her going down too.

  "Here!" Clint yelled over the clap of thunder as he reached Olivier. As he did he wrapped his arm around the older man, pushing Olivier to the side. It took her a moment to realize what was happening. When she did she almost went under from the shock.

  "Clint! What are you -"

  "Never mind that!" Clint yelled back to her. He had the man now, freeing Olivier entirely. "We have to get around the other side of the hull. The chopper is there!"

  "Clint! I'm so sorry! I can't even explain how --"

  "Olivier!" Clint yelled back. Although he held the man around the waist, he was still able to look over his shoulder at Olivier. Tears poured down her face. Her lips shook and quivered. He had never seen anyone more beautiful. "I know. Now come on!"

  Olivier nodded her head, grabbing onto Clint's shoulder as she attempted to drag him. As she did that, Clint kicked backwards, keeping the man afloat. And together, the two of them, they managed to make their way back to the group.

  By the time they got there nearly half the survivors had been lifted up to the chopper. Brian took the old man next. Once he did that, Clint and Olivier turned their attention to the other people in the water. A few were barely holding on, and Clint and Olivier made sure to help them out first. Clint was a Navy SEAL after all and Olivier... well she was just as god.

  One by one the people were lifted into the chopper, until finally it was just Clint and Olivier left. As they waited for Brain to come back down, they held each other, saying nothing. And as Brain came up to them, Clint pushed Olivier into his arms. And then, only when she was aboard the chopper, safe, was Clint finally out at ease.

  When Clint finally climbed aboard the chopper, he felt a great physical force throw itself at him. So strong was it that it nearly knocked him back out the chopper and into the watrer. It was Olivier. She threw her arms around him, hugging him so tight that she near squeezed the air from him.

  They didn't talk. They didn't kiss. They simple held one another. As they did the chopper made its way back to land and as it did that, Clint began to think on that future that had crossed him mind earlier that day. He had forgiven Olivia sooner then he had originally intended. And he was glad that he did. Now at least the two could begin sharing the rest of their lives together. Clint knew without a shadow of a doubt that there was nothing that could get in the way of that.

  Dirty Star

  He used to be a picture on my wall…now he’s in my bed.

  Eric Turner is a star. Well, he was before he bailed out on a couple of movies, took up drugs and started to drink as if his life depended on it.

  I idolized him to the point of obsession, then one day he walks into the bar where I work and suddenly he’s no longer just someone famous. He’s a real man. A hunk of a man hitting on me.

  He tells me he knows what I need, and boy does he. The way Eric Turner f*cks put all my fantasies to shame.

  The morning after the fuck of a lifetime, he shoves me out the door. Reality hits and it’s humiliating.

  I return to my dreams of being an actress and forget about the man who inspired me in the first place.

  Until I get a call. I’m offered an acting role. My heart explodes. Then I find out that Eric Turner is the leading man.

  I can’t turn down the job. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity, but accepting it will mean seeing Eric again.

  A mind’s telling me to control myself, but my sex is begging me for some more.

  Chapter One

  Valentina

  I can’t believe that I’ve had a reading today since I’ve been in Hollywood. I’ve had a couple for a TV commercial after just over one year of living in this town. Everyone told me that I'd be lucky to get an audition for a commercial. I got one, even if I had to stand in line for over six hours to get it. Never, ever would I get more than an audition to be an extra in a series. Today I’d been selected to read for a movie. I feel as if my move down here hasn’t been in vain.

  I feel like a star already, and I haven’t even got the role. Even if they never call me in, I don’t care because it’s given me the one thing that I’d given up on - hope. I have a spring in my step as I work to the bar. Everyone can tell that the smile on my face isn’t from working, but because of something else.

  Janice, the manager and my boss asks, “What are you so happy about tonight?”

  I can’t contain myself, “I had an audition this morning, this time not for a commercial, but for a movie! Can you believe it?”

  Janice rolls her blue eyes and says, “Well, you need to have a lot more than that to get excited.”

  I nod, “I know but i
t’s a start. So far I’ve spent more money on making videos, posting them on Youtube and other sites, taking shots, joining agencies.” I put the tray down and start thinking about the money that I've spent just trying to get this far. Trying to be an actress in Hollywood comes at a heavy price, and I need to know that one day it won't all be in vain. Otherwise, working all those extra shifts will have been for nothing.

  “If it was a second-reading then that’s something to get excited. But an audition. You need more than one reading to get excited. A lot more.”

  She puts the drinks on the tray and signals for me to serve them. Then she bends down and whispers, “Look you, know I like you Valentina. It’s not that. It’s just that this is a tough business. You know how many girls I’ve had in here that want to be stars?”

  I’ve heard this a million times, but I listen to her as if it’s the first time that she’s saying it.

  “A lot more than the drinks that you’ll be serving by the end of the night. What I’m saying is that you need to have a backup plan. Just like I did in case it didn’t work out. It’s like you pour your heart and soul into it and then you end up like one of those girls.”

  I know exactly what she’s going to say next. The girls that end up doing plastic surgery so many times that they end up selling their bodies to pay for it. So, much so that after they’ve finished, they either up in the porn industry or even worse on the streets.

  She sighs as I feel as if she’s giving me a lecture of a lifetime, “You’re competing with those girls that have been to drama college and have contacts with other famous people who went to the same drama college. The one’s that are daughters of someone famous and as beautiful as you are,” she cups my face as she draws closer. I think that she’s going to give me some ray of sunshine, but she doesn’t as she says, “You just can’t compete.”

  This time she's harsh, not cold. Just telling me the thing that I don’t want to hear. Not today. Tomorrow I can deal with it, but when I hear my mom’s voice repeating in my head every damn night telling me that I’ll fail. Mom told me, that I could never go back home once I walk out of the door. I need to make this work. I put the iTouch in the back pocket of my hot pants and get back to serving drinks.

  She grabs my hand, “Wait, there’s only one guy at table four. Are all those for him?”

  I nod my head, “Well it’s the end of my shift, and he asked me to join him. Sort of a celebration drink.”

  She frowns, “You know that you’re not supposed to do that.”

  “But I figured that I had something to celebrate. Not only is it my birthday but he’s…”

  She ignores me as she says, “Bar rules. You’re not supposed to be sitting with the clients. It just gives the place a bad image.”

  I nod my head thinking that she’s not being cold, harsh or even just ‘trying to help me out.’ Janice is jealous - I told her that I had an audition. One that could stop me from working for tips and out into the real world, not working every God damn second of the day. She’s probably thinking that I’m some country girl that doesn’t even deserve it. Maybe, she’s right, and I don’t because in her eyes I haven’t been here long enough. I’m not as pretty as she used to be and she never made it. That's what she's told me a dozen times. Either way, she doesn’t know what I’ve done to get here and only Harper my bestie knows the truth. Janice is my boss, so I’ll respect her the same way that I would with any boss.

  “In that case. I want to head on out now. You can take the drinks out of my wages. I can’t remember the last time that I’ve felt this good and nothing’s going to bring me down.”

  I hand her my iPod touch, not caring that I'm so damn brave tonight. I didn't have the chance to tell her the one guy that’s asked me out tonight is Eric Turner. The child star actor turned Oscar nominee, and I know that an opportunity like that doesn’t come along every day. Even if he’s a little tipsy and doesn’t remember my name by the end of the night. I intend to enjoy myself for the first time in my life. Especially on my twenty-second birthday.

  Chapter Two

  Eric

  I watched as she went to the bar. Her tight ass in those hot pants was a welcome distraction from all the crazy shit that’s flowing in my mind. I can’t remember the last time that I had any pussy, especially from a fan. That used to happen all the time when I walked around with a bodyguard or two to keep them at bay. Now, I’d be lucky if I’m recognized, but she did the moment she saw me, and with her piercing blue eyes and breasts that could fit in the palms of my hands. I knew that I had to make her mine tonight.

  I decided that I’ll ask her for a drink, loosen her up a bit and then afterward, she’ll be coming to my place. I’ll do things to her that she’d only read about in those sexy romance book that she’s probably got in her room. I’ll make her nice and wet, especially when I get her down and dirty in between the sheets.

  She strutted her tight ass back to my table, “Your boss is mad that you’re drinking with me?”

  The frown was written all over her face. Fuck her lips are so fucking sexy that I can imagine them sucking my cock right now. Fuck the drink. I just want her sweet lips on my cock.

  “No. She’s just mad at something. I know a place that we can go. If you still want to go out?” she shrugs, and I know enough about women, to know where this conversation’s leading to. The dark-haired blue-eyed beauty in front of me. Who's undone a couple more of her buttons to show off her cleavage thinks that I want a drink. She’s the one that I want to make wet. Having her come so many times that she’ll even forget about the drink, that she thinks that I so desperately crave.

  Fuck!

  For the last couple of weeks, all I’ve done is drink alone. She said that she was a fan and it just happened to be her birthday. I couldn’t think of a better gift to give her than spending time with me. This time last year I was the one that was picking the roles. No one asked me to read. Let alone tell me that they'll get back to me. They would sit Florence, my agent down and sell the script to her and then she would pass it on to me. It would depend on who was starring in it, who was directing it and what was big at the time. Was this movie going to be the next blockbuster? That was the only question that was always on my mind, and my leading lady would be not only pretending to be in my bed onscreen but offscreen too.

  Fuck!

  Those were the good old days, the type I crave so fucking much. The waitress heads back to me, and for some reason, I focus on her alluring lips, just like when she said my name and recognized me. It’s amazing the way that one minute everyone knows your name. Another star comes along, and everyone’s fucking forgotten. It’s as if I never existed in the first place.

  As she headed back to me and her breasts jiggled up and down as if they were chanting my name. Ready to be squeezed by my hands. I could do that all night long while she rocked on top of me, which is what I’m about to suggest.

  Forget the drinks.

  I have something dirtier in mind, something that she’ll appreciate so much more.

  “Yeah, let’s get out of here. Maybe somewhere better…”

  She’s looking at me as if as if she’s trying to read my mind.

  “My place!”

  She’s starting to protest by shaking her head and acting as if she’s Little Boo Peep and treating me as if she wants to do something else, like go out for a drink.

  I pull her up close to me, “Don’t tell me that you're only interested in getting drunk with me?”

  She shakes her head and doesn’t try to pull back.

  “You know what you’re coming to do at my place?”

  “Fuck?”

  Shit, I love it when a girl talks dirty. Then I hear a voice grab my arm and I know that it’s the start of trouble.

  “Tony, what are you doing?”

  She asks the tall dark-haired guy holding on to my arm.

  “Valentina, you’re supposed to be working, and he’s acting like a creep,” Tony yells loud enough for me t
o hear as if I’m fucking deaf.

  She shakes her head, “No. It’s fine. We’re getting out of here besides it's Eric Turner.”

  I shift my arm away from his grip, and it’s clear that Tony’s not happy about her choice of words.

  “What do you mean?”

  He doesn’t look happy, but this just makes me smile, and I don’t even know the guy.

  “I’m going out with him.”

  I chuckle as she loops her arm in mine and says, “Tony she’s coming back to mine. And I’m going to be giving her a nightcap all night long.”

  He’s lost for words as I walk past him. He has something that I have, and I’m not giving it back to him. Well, not tonight anyway.

  Chapter Three

  Valentina

  I can’t believe that the child-star that I used to fantasize about as a kid is taking me back to his place. He’s not going to show me his awards. No, he wants to fuck me, and he didn’t even tell me. I told him.

  What’s got into me?

  I’ve only been here for over a year, and I’m acting as if I’m that type of girl. The idea of being with the one star that I’ve dreamed about being with for so many years is in front of me. I grew wet at the idea of spending the night with him. I can’t think of anyone that I’ll rather give my virginity too especially on my birthday night.

  The audition felt like the only good thing that has happened to me since being here. Ever since I left home, my mom hasn’t called me. Not once. The idea that I could be alive or dead doesn’t seem to bother her. I’m an adult, and I shouldn’t worry about such things, but today’s my birthday. I thought that it would mean something to her, but then I knew that I had the chance with this reading. And then he walked into the bar. The guy that I’ve had a crush on ever since I saw him playing the lead role in Alone.