I wiped my forehead on the towel and grabbed my bottle of water to sip, still water containing slices of lime and some ice cubes. I never had ice back home, but out here, in the Californian heat, I needed damn ice. It was way hotter than I’d expected it to be and now I was being extra physical. It had been in the contract that Logan Steele needed to give it his all and not hold back. And I was never one to skimp on an agreement, be it verbal or written. No emotional attachment, I reminded myself as I headed back to the rumpled bed and looked down at the redhead dressed in some skimpy black underwear, as she looked up at me seductively, tugging her wrists against the restraints securing her to the custom made BDSM headboard. I’d loved sourcing that, in fact I’d ordered all sorts for my bedroom back home too. I tossed my bottle to the floor and straddled her, yanked her hair to pull her neck to the side as I leaned in and bit it, before making my way around to kiss her. I wished it was Summer, ever since I’d been performing like this again, I felt guilty, thoughts of Summer constantly invading my head. Why the hell did she have to be so far away, making me miss her, making me miss sex so much with her?
‘Cut!’ yelled the Director. ‘God damn it Logan, try and at least look like you’re enjoying yourself. She’s hot. She’s bloody hot, you’re some kind of sex God. We’ve had to double security there’s that many screaming women outside trying to get in and I’m replacing your male co-stars quicker than I can count. You intimidate every bloody guy on set, cast and crew with your damn looks and muscular body. We see you with Summer and there’s sparks and heat. With Vivian I don’t see sparks, I need a bloody heater to warm me up it’s so fucking cold in here! I need bloody sparks from my leading couple. The audience want sizzling chemistry and I’m getting nothing from you. Vivian on the other hand looks ready to eat you alive. We’re not filming Praying fucking Mantis, or Dominatrix. It’s A Dominant’s Revenge. You’re supposed to be the sexual predator, you’re the dominant. Fucking act like it. Everyone, take ten and we’ll come back and start again,’ he bellowed. I marched back to my trailer and slammed the door. I hated fucking failing, but how the hell was I supposed to act like I craved my co-star when she wasn’t bloody Summer? I picked up the phone and rang her.
‘How’s it going?’ she asked.
‘Crap. I’m totally fucking crap!’
‘No you’re not, Brian wouldn’t have signed you if you were crap. You landed a major motion picture with your first audition, that’s absolutely incredible. Do you know how often that happens?’
‘It happened to you,’ I replied, as I closed my eyes and sank down into my recliner, carefully positioned under the air conditioning unit.
‘Hello? My first film role, not my first audition. You’re a miracle in the acting world, not just the miracle in mine,’ she laughed, making my heart melt, as well as the ice in my water. ‘Tell me what I can do, why do you think it’s going so wrong?’
‘I have no chemistry with Vivian. “No fucking sparks.” How do you do it? That last premiere we went to, I nearly leapt on stage and ripped Damien right out of the screen to knock him out for making you look like that at him.’
‘Simple, I just imagine that it’s you, Lucas. Pretend it’s me, but obviously don’t kiss her properly or I’ll knock you out. Just imagine it’s you and me, imagine it’s our first time in ages because we’re both in different countries and it’s the first time we’ve laid eyes, or hands on each other in weeks.’
‘Why the hell did I agree to become a damn actor?’ I muttered, frustration and longing to have my woman in my arms right now, ripping me apart. ‘I was earning a good living doing my personal training, not to mention the substantial income I’m still getting from my commission deal with Trey and my ex-clients, I could have just put the training appointments on hold while I followed you wherever your locations were set.’
‘Lucas, you’re so talented, you’re so much more than just a personal trainer. Anyone with dedication could do that, though I doubt they’d look half as sexy as you do,’ she advised, finally making me crack a proper smile. ‘It takes a unique ability to be able to make an audience believe whatever you’re portraying and you have that. Think of all those fantasies you carried out for all of those women over the years, fantasies that didn’t even turn you on. You did it because it was your job and you were good at faking it, that’s all an actor does, fakes it. You can do this, don’t make me leave set early and fly across from London to slap some sense into you.’
‘I’m missing you so much, angel,’ I sighed, her voice was so reassuring and calmed me, as well as bloody turning me on.
‘I’m missing you too, but it’s only another week before sets shut down for Christmas, one more week and we can be home together again.’
‘God I want that so much,’ I groaned, then sighed as I heard the call to return to set being made. ‘I’d better go, it’s time to go and fake it.’
‘You fake it better than anyone in the world, Logan Steele,’ she laughed. ‘Love you, speak to you later, ok?’
‘I’ll ring you when I’m back in the hotel,’ I confirmed. I smiled as I heard her blow a kiss down the phone. ‘Love you too, angel.’ I hung up and rubbed my hands over my face. The last eight months had been crazy. When we’d returned from Scotland, back to the real world after we dropped our news on them, we’d expected a backlash. Instead everyone was praising Summer for telling the truth and she’d been appointed as spokesperson for a charity offering support to teenage victims of rape and abuse. Instead of being in the papers as “The boyfriend of Summer Beresford,” I suddenly became known as “Logan Steele, master seductor” and had to take on more security, to protect me from the scores of women screaming outside my front door every damn day, so Summer had suggested I move in with her. Her agent Brian had rung me immediately, saying he wanted to represent me, but as I’d been outed as “Logan Steele” that was who I should remain, in the public eye at least. He seemed to think Logan Steele had a better ring than Lucas Steel. He begged me to give him one night to convince me that I could make it as an actor, that he could make me into a super star. So, Logan Steele, actor for the night, went to meet him. Summer encouraged me, as did my parents. It did seem to make sense, I had the face and the body that screamed leading male, especially now Daron Beck was locked up behind bars. Hollywood was desperate for the next hot superstar. I sighed and wiped myself down with a cold face cloth and strode back to set, determined that I was going to knock this out of the park.
Summer
‘Evening, Miss Beresford, Bailey,’ nodded James as we approached him.
‘Evening James, how are you?’ I smiled.
‘All the better for seeing you,’ he beamed. I gave his arm a squeeze as I got into the car, Bailey, my bodyguard, allowing James to close me in, as he went and sat in the passenger seat. ‘How did it go?’ James asked, as he headed towards the security gates on set.
‘Great thank you. It’s a total wrap, one whole week early, I’m told it doesn’t happen very often.’
‘It’s because you do such a good job.’ He smiled at me in the rear view mirror and I laughed.
‘I’ve not done that many films, James, I’m hardly an expert.’
‘Not what Mrs. Smith says,’ he replied.
‘She’s seen one of my films? Have you seen one of my films?’ I gasped, mortified.
‘Please,’ scoffed, James. ‘I’m with Bailey on this, we don’t see the attraction of all this romance stuff. Give us a good war film, or action one with guns blazing, that’s our kind of film. Mrs. Smith went to see it with her girlfriends, and she’s got tickets to the second one out next month already. She said you were incredible.’
‘Thank you,’ I blushed. I still couldn’t believe I was doing a job I loved and everyone thought I was some kind of star. It was only acting. I couldn’t understand all the hype around me, Lucas yes, I mean he had star material written all over him, but me? I was just a pretty girl from a run-down area of London who’d got a lucky break.
‘So, how are you coping without him?’
‘I miss him, like crazy,’ I sighed as I looked down and tangled my fingers together. ‘He’s hoping to be home next Saturday morning, has he asked you to pick him up?’
‘It’s all in hand, don’t you worry. You’ll be seeing him again before you know it.’
‘I really wish that were true, but every day without him drags so much. You must think I’m so pathetic.’ I wiped my eye, to catch a tear that was teetering on the edge of my lashes. I really was lost without him. I’d not sat in every night, with a tub of Ben and Jerry’s on my lap, lamenting how awful my life was, it wasn’t. Far from it. I’d had Mandy and Jayne over, been out dancing with Ellie, Brooke and Molly, I’d been to a number of fabulous celebrity events, but coming home, to find the apartment empty, to not have his warm body curled around me at night, his hot lips pressing against mine for a quick kiss as he watched his football … I just didn’t feel whole when he was away.
‘If you’re pathetic then so am I, Miss Beresford. I miss him too. I have no one giving me grief when I drive,’ James winked. I laughed, leaned forward and squeezed his shoulder.
‘You’re a really good friend to us, James.’
‘Even I’ve missed him,’ huffed Bailey, his eyes set straight ahead on the road. That made me laugh even more, Bailey was a man of few words, he was always so focussed on what was happening around us, making sure there were no threats.
‘He’s a very easy man to miss,’ I sighed. ‘So, tell me the sorts of films you’d recommend for an alpha male, I’ll download some for when he gets home, so he can put his feet up and relax.’
‘I have a feeling he’ll be far more interested in relaxing with you, Miss Beresford,’ James nodded, ‘rather than watching a film, but sure, we’ll come up with a list.’
I waved goodbye to James as he sat in his car and made a call, Bailey trying to hurry me through the crowds gathered outside the apartment, I insisted on stopping to sign some autographs, much to his chagrin, but God knows how long these people had been waiting.
‘Morning,’ I smiled as we passed Albert and Jake in reception. They both smiled back, Albert giving me his customary salute. Bailey came up with me to the front door and checked the top right hand corner as I patiently waited with my back against the wall, away from the door, as was protocol. He always put some clear tabs up there when we left, to see if they were broken when we returned.
‘We’re good,’ he nodded to me as he headed in and deactivated the alarm, which monitored all movement in the apartment. ‘Thanks Bailey, have a great weekend.’
‘I’ll see you on Monday,’ he nodded. I smiled and closed the door behind me, letting out a sigh. I’d tried to make plans with my friends, but they were all busy, Mum and Dad had plans too, even Lucas’s parents were busy. I kicked off my heels and picked them up, padding barefoot through to my bedroom. I opened the door and dropped my heels on the floor with a shocked gasp. Sitting in the middle of my bed, was a large white box, secured with electric blue ribbon, with a typed note propped up against it.
‘Lucas?’ I called, my heart suddenly racing with excitement. I ran into the en-suite, then through the whole apartment, checking every room, sighing when I realised he wasn’t here. I walked back to the bedroom and picked up the note and turned it over, but there wasn’t anything on the back. How had a box been put in my bedroom when the door seal had been intact and the alarm was still set? I wondered if it was James, he and Bailey had a key and knew the code, maybe Lucas had asked him to arrange a surprise and James would know to put some tabs back on the door so as not to freak out Bailey. I undid the blue ribbon, which Lucas always chose for me and lifted the lid of the box. There was another note, in Lucas’s handwriting sitting on top of some tissue paper.
‘What have you done,’ I smiled, as I kissed his name on the note, then clutched it to my chest for a moment as I closed my eyes to think about him. I carefully peeled back the tissue paper and gasped to see a beautiful blue pair of lace French knickers. There was another layer of tissue paper, covering a vivid blue dress. I lifted it up with a frown, I knew this dress, I hadn’t worn it in nearly three years, it was the one shoulder dress I wore for my booking with him, when I paid him to take my virginity. I put it up against my face, it smelled so fresh, it had been removed from my dressing room and specially dry cleaned. Under that were my blue shoes and the silver lips clutch bag he’d got me for that night as well. ‘Do not cry, Summer,’ I warned myself, as I was hit with a wave of nostalgia. I jumped in the shower and quickly freshened up, ten minutes later, all thanks to some expert training, my makeup was done and perfume was applied. I quickly dried my hair, leaving it in cascading waves down my back, then got dressed and noticed another item in the box. A jewellery box. I opened it up and found the most stunning vintage pair of diamond chandelier earrings, which I put in place, then packed my phone, my purse with some cash and my lip gloss in my bag. It would really have helped if he’d told me what he’d planned for me. I made my way to the front door and opened it, to find James sitting reading the paper on the seat opposite the lift. He jumped up and smiled.
‘You look as stunning and radiant as ever.’
‘You’re so sweet, James. What’s going on though? Where am I going? And if Bailey’s gone, where’s Wayne? Lucas would be furious if I went out without him.’
‘It’s all under control. Have you ever known Mr. Steel not plan anything to perfection?’
‘No,’ I giggled, as I set the alarm and shut the door, James reaching into his pocket for the clear tabs to mark the door again. ‘So, Bailey was in on it too?’
‘My lips are sealed. It’s more than my life is worth,’ James chuckled as he guided me into the lift and pressed for the basement parking level.
‘Please, you could drop Lucas in an instant.’
‘That’s very kind of you to say, once upon a time maybe, but he’s worked hard on his combat training, I pity anyone who tries to even look at you the wrong way when he’s on duty.’
‘Who says I need him to protect me?’ I uttered, indignantly. ‘I’m proficient in Kick Boxing and Krav Maga now, maybe I’m the one protecting him.’
‘Maybe we should set up a sparring competition. You, Lucas, Bailey, Wayne and myself, see who wins.’
‘O you’re so on,’ I nodded with a grin, making him chuckle. He indicated for me to stay in the lift as he quickly checked the basement level and the car, then called me out. I slid into the back of the Merc and looked up at him surprised as he handed me an eye mask.
‘All part of the plan,’ he nodded.
‘I’m so going to kick your arse if I don’t like this plan,’ I laughed, as I took it off him and carefully pulled it on. He made sure it was snuggly in place before closing the door. I took a deep breath, what the hell had Lucas planned for me. I suddenly smiled. That was why everyone said they were busy tonight. He must have arranged a night out with them all for me, to keep me distracted from how much I was missing him. I felt the car shudder, then heard the door shut and the engine start. I quickly slipped off one of my shoes, holding it in one hand as I leaned forward and wrapped my arm around the headrest, right across the drivers throat and heard a surprised gulp. ‘If you don’t confirm in the next five seconds that you’re who I think you are, I’ll cut off your oxygen supply,’ I hissed, putting as much threat and intimidation in my tone as possible. ‘I also have a lethal weapon positioned at the back of your neck. Don’t underestimate me just because I’m woman.’
‘It’s me, it’s James, Miss Beresford, but I’m very impressed.’
‘How do I know that you’re not an imposter with some fancy voice modulator like they have in the films?’ I demanded.
‘The day I picked you up from Mr. Steel’s house, the first time you stayed, I threatened to break the door down and to tell me he was ok, he said “Sorry, I was doing the housework.” You were very upset and cried all the way back to the hotel, where I helped you with your bags
. Oxygen is starting to become an issue Miss Beresford, please don’t make me have to break your wrist to remove your hold, or Mr. Steel would be most displeased.’
‘Sorry, James,’ I smiled, as I released my choke hold on him and sat back, feeling for my seat belt. ‘Maybe next time we do this, you set off before asking me to wear the blindfold.’
‘I’ll certainly consider that,’ he coughed as I felt the car starting to move. ‘I really am very impressed.’
‘Thank you. Would you really have broken my wrist?’ I enquired.
‘Of course not,’ he shot back, horror in his voice. ‘You’re a lady and we weren’t in a dangerous situation, but I totally could have if I’d wanted to.’
‘I don’t doubt it, James,’ I laughed.
‘May I enquire what lethal weapon you had, or were you bluffing? If so you were very convincing.’
‘The heel of my shoe,’ I replied, as I crossed my legs and slipped it back on. ‘And you know how lethal those can be.’
‘I certainly do, I’ve had to catch Mrs. Smith a number of times when she’s been wearing them after one too many vodka tonics.’
‘A vodka girl, now I know what to get her for Christmas.’
‘Really not necessary, Miss Beresford.’
‘I know, but she’s so patient given you keep such unsociable hours looking after Lucas for so many years, and now me too.’
For the Night - Complete Box Set Page 62
