Chapter 31
Hester | London, present day
‘OK, guys, that’s a wrap. Well done, everyone!’ Jordy calls from the mezzanine, where he’s been critiquing our last dress rehearsal performance. ‘Get an early night and see you tomorrow morning at ten sharp!’
Everyone breathes a sigh of relief, and Will and I feign exhaustion along with the rest of the cast. We’ve been rehearsing all day, so it would look weird if we didn’t look somewhat tired.
I lean against the faux marble pillar meant to evoke Orsino’s palace, puff out my cheeks, and pretend to wipe my forehead.
There’s a smattering of self-gratulatory applause from the cast members, and then everyone starts filing out of the theatre.
I’m about to join them when Will says, ‘Do you mind staying behind for a bit, Hester? I want to go over our last scene again. It won’t take long. ’
In private, Will is managing to keep his snake under control through sheer determination, but I know he wants more practise—so he doesn’t change in front of 1,500 people when we kiss on stage.
That would make for some interesting reviews.
I push off from the pillar and adjust my sleeves.
Disguised as Cesario, my costume is a laced-up doublet and hose, which is fine with me.
I like sauntering around pretending to be an upstart.
Yes, it’s true, and I can still hardly believe it, but I’ve gotten over my stage fright.
Somehow, with Will’s love and unswerving belief in my ability, as well as the enthusiastic encouragement of Jordy and the cast (along with a sneaky hypnosis session from Damian), I’ve let go of my fear.
Now every time I step onstage I’m a little nervous but nothing like I was before.
I feel like a bat that’s escaped from its cobwebby cave and I’m flying up and away, soaring through the clear night sky.
Abigail swishes offstage in her low-cut gown, and I overhear her whisper to a few of the women, ‘Extra kissing time with Will, lucky Hester.’ They look at me enviously, and I stifle the urge to laugh. If they only knew why we need to practise!
They’ve all been asking me what it’s like to kiss Will. I usually say something vague like ‘Nice. But his lips are a little cold.’
Once the last of them disappears, Will gives me a mischievous grin.
I narrow my eyes. What are you up to?
Just wanted some one-on-one time with my leading lady. Now let’s try that with a bit more vampiric energy.
Before I can protest, he dips me with a flourish and kisses me thoroughly. With tongue. Then his fingers trail lightly over my breasts. Will! I peer around his shoulder at the empty theatre. What if you change...?
I’m fine. His icy lips graze my cheek, and I shudder as arousal spikes through me.
Besides, he adds, the staff have gone home, and the cast and crew are heading to the pub to get sloshed. That’s what I picked up on anyway.
Hmm, they shouldn’t be. Jordy told everyone to get an early night.
Luckily, that doesn’t apply to us. Will brushes one of my hard nipples with his thumb, and I groan softly.
To be honest, I’ve been wanting to jump him all night. He’s very distracting when he’s dressed as Orsino: puffy-sleeved black doublet with gold stitching and tight red hose.
The silk of his costume rustles as he runs the tips of his fangs along my collarbone. There’s a sharp edge of desire beneath his teasing, a hunger for my blood that he’s barely keeping leashed.
Someone needs a post-rehearsal snack, I joke.
He growls. No, just you. Only you.
His fingers slide slyly into my hose, and I whimper as he gently strokes me.
Will’s eyes gleam, watching me squirm. Hmm, my lady doth feel rather wet. Could it be she has been fantasising about me fucking her hard onstage?
I groan inwardly. This is what happens when your boyfriend can read your mind. I was thinking about that during the rehearsal, and he’s picked up on it.
What do you say to a little rumpy pumpy...?
His hand leaves my hose, and he rubs his hips against mine. His hard length contained in his woollen hose strokes against my thigh.
Will ... I’m half-amused, half-tempted.
Imagine it. A full house. Every eye on us as we get down to business. He thrusts once, twice. They’re all watching as Viola is thoroughly appreciated by her duke. He thrusts some more. ’Tis a merry bout of frolicsome folly.
Oh god. Will talking olde worlde is really hot. It’s transporting me back to another time and place. A time when I lay entwined with him in a queen’s chamber before it all went horribly wrong. But by some miracle, he’s here with me now, loving me and wanting to fulfil my fantasies ...
I can’t believe we’re doing this. It’s so naughty. If anyone catches us ...
Will smirks. Live life on the edge. That’s what I say. He undoes the fastenings at the front of our hose and lifts my legs up around his waist. When he enters me, I almost cry out as pleasure blooms from my core.
Tugging open the laces on my doublet, Will watches my bare breasts bouncing as he pounds me against the faux marble pillar.
Will: Oh yeah, this is the spicy scene they all secretly want.
Me: Mmm, as long as no one chucks oranges. Only orgasms allowed.
Will: That could ... be ... happening ... really soon.
With a soft moan, he thrusts his hips harder and the angle sends waves of pleasure through me, building my arousal with each motion.
‘Fuck,’ Will groans, tipping his head back. Knowing he’s about to come pushes me over the edge, and my body shudders as he releases inside me. Euphoria courses through my veins, hitting every nerve in my body.
Will sinks his fangs into my neck and sucks gently, feeding from me and prolonging the aftermath. It feels so good, and his cock is still so deliciously hard and buried deep within me that I come again, and again.
When we’re finally satiated, Will lowers me to the ground and kisses the tip of my nose. I’m glad we got that out of the way. Otherwise, I would’ve been really distracted tomorrow night.
I laugh, my legs still shaking. You are such a bad vampire.
Yup, I am. And you, my darling, love me for it.
I take his gorgeous face in my hands and plant kisses all over it. God, help me, I do. I really, really do!
Will grins wickedly. Then let us make haste to my apartment, dear lady. For the night is young and methinks I want to frolic with you all over again.
***
Suffice to say, Will and I did not get an early night as Jordy suggested. Waiting for my cue, I peek out from the wings to see the audience enraptured by the antics of Sir Toby Belch.
It’s the twelfth of January, opening night, and the entire theatre is packed, even the open-air groundling area, despite a light misty rain falling. Everyone is wearing brightly coloured plastic ponchos and waterproof jackets.
Dragging my eyes from the faux marble pillar, which is reminding me of last night’s tryst, I scan the crowd and spot my coven in the front row of the right-hand upper balcony. Sadie waggles her fingers when she sees me looking. She nudges Floss, who blows me a kiss. You’re amazing!
I give them a little wave. Thanks. Catch up with you guys at the after-party?
Sadie: Will there be dancing and special cocktails?
I grin. Dancing, for sure. Though we might have to go to The Pale Heart for our refreshments.
Will appears beside me, looking resplendent as act 1, scene 3 draws to a close. He gives my lips a kiss and my butt a quick squeeze. We’re up, sweet cheeks.
Oops, that’s my cue, guys. Gotta go.
I step out onto the stage, ready for our scene, the one where Viola secretly loves Orsino. I’m not going to have to act that much. Every single human and vampire in this audience is going to see my love for Will written all over my face.