14. Oliver
OLIVER
Lunch was a resounding success. The cast and crew devoured everything Quinn and her staff put out. Meat lovers and vegans alike ate like kings and queens. For a brief spell, it was the quietest the set had ever been. Everyone was too busy eating to talk.
But once they were done, the din was loud.
Davis looked pleased, nodding in satisfaction.
I sat at one of the last picnic tables that was set up, eating with some of the grips and production assistants.
I liked getting to know everyone, and I enjoyed hearing their stories.
And it was the perfect spot to Kassie-watch.
Our eyes met often across the crowd, sometimes lingering, other times her looking away quickly.
But I saw her reaction every time they did.
The soft blush. The widening of her eyes.
The way she bit her lip. The smile she tried to hide, failing most of the time.
I liked her reactions.
Once lunch was done, people drifted around, visiting and talking. Some cast members went to their trailers. I tried not to grin as Wayne swooped Shawna into his arms and headed to her trailer. I knew how they were going to fill the time before the run-through.
Everyone did.
Then her husband tripped. They both went down, her gasp of pain and shock loud.
I was on my feet, as was Davis, reaching them at the same time as a few other people.
Wayne was apologizing profusely; she was holding her head.
A gash on her left temple was bleeding, and Davis yelled for the medical staff kept on standby.
Moments later, her forehead was bandaged, and she was helped up. She swayed on her feet, and Davis shook his head. “That’s it. You’re done for the day. Take her back to the motel, Wayne. Watch over her, and if she’s sleepy, wake her every two hours. Call me with an update.”
“The run-through—” she protested.
Davis stopped her by holding up his hand. “We’ll figure it out. You’re not working if you’re concussed. Go.”
Wayne wrapped his arm around her waist, and they headed off. Davis pulled off his ball cap with a sigh. “Okay. I need a stand-in, and they need to be five foot four. We must have someone here who is that height.”
I looked over to the catering area, and I grinned. “I can help with that.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Absolutely. See you in the barn in thirty.”
“Great.”
Kassie frowned at my request, staring at the papers in my hand. Beside her, Quinn grinned like a loon, pretending not to be listening.
“You want what?”
“I have to do a run-through for a scene. To check lighting, et cetera. But Shawna is hurt and can’t. I need you to fill in.”
She was still confused. “Don’t you have other actresses or stand-ins?”
“Not here. And the other actresses are too tall. Davis is very particular. You’re the same height as Shawna.”
Her gaze swept the people behind me. “And there isn’t another person here that height?”
Quinn nudged her. “You are shorter than the average woman.”
Kassie glared at her. “I wouldn’t talk.”
“I’m not the one being asked to fill in,” Quinn snipped back, hip checking her. “Go on. Live a little and have some fun.”
“I’m not an actress.”
“All you have to do is stand on your mark and read the lines highlighted. I’m not expecting an Oscar-worthy performance. Just turn whatever direction you’re told to. I move around a lot because my character is anxious.”
She sighed.
“Please,” I added. “I need you to do this.” I grinned as I tilted my head. “I cut your grass again this morning. That must count for something.”
She huffed. Actually huffed like a little dragon. I almost expected fire to flare from her mouth, but she rolled her eyes and undid her apron. “Fine.”
“Awesome. Look over your lines and meet me, I mean us, in the barn in ten.” I hurried away before she could change her mind.
Why I wanted her to do this with me, I had no idea, but I did.
Maybe I wanted her to see me work. Maybe I wanted her to understand the process a little more.
Or maybe I just wanted the chance to get close to her again.
At the end of the scene, the two characters stood close, holding hands and gazing into each other’s eyes.
I doubted that was it, but maybe.
I ignored the laughter in my head.
In the barn, Davis was directing the lighting crew and lifted his eyebrows in surprise when I walked in with Kassie. “Perfect height,” I informed him.
I was glad when he didn’t remind me there were a few women around who would have worked just fine. Instead, he smiled. “Great.”
He spoke for a moment, explaining to Kassie what would happen. She listened intently and nodded. “Got it.”
“This might take a bit as we adjust for the right specs,” he explained.
“Okay.”
We took our places and followed his direction easily. Kassie even relaxed when she realized how simple it was. Then Davis called out, “I think we got it. Let’s try it with the dialogue in real time. Oliver, take it from ‘Why are you doing this?’”
I nodded, looking at Kassie. “Why are you doing this, Sierra? We’re perfect for each other.”
She shook her head. “There is no such thing as perfection, Colton.”
I moved to my next mark, turning and facing her. “We are.”
“I can’t keep protecting my heart. I can’t watch you leave again.”
Suddenly, it wasn’t Sierra and Colton. It was Kassie and me. I stepped closer.
“I won’t leave.”
“You promised that last time.”
“I’ve changed. I swear. I’ll never leave you again.”
“I wish I could believe that.”
I grabbed her hand. “You can.”
“I can’t risk it. I won’t survive it,” she whispered, a tear rolling down her face.
“And I won’t survive without you.”
What came over me, I wasn’t sure. I was supposed to grasp her other hand and hold them against my chest. Gaze longingly at her as the scene faded, our emotional conversation unresolved.
Instead, I dragged her into my arms and kissed her. I cupped the back of her head, using her gasp of shock to slide my tongue in and kiss her with all that I had.
Everything faded away. The camera. The crew. The set. It was only her and me, our tongues twisting and sliding against each other. Her body melding into mine, her low sounds of approval. Her breaths little puffs of life-giving air, making me heady with pleasure. Needy for more.
Until Davis yelled, “Cut!”
We broke apart, our breathing heavy. We stared at each other then she narrowed her eyes. “You kissed me.”
“I kissed your character. Sierra. Well, Colton did.”
“It says nothing about kissing here!” she accused me, holding up the small script I had given her.
“It’s called improvisation.”
She stepped close. “It’s called inappropriate.”
I lowered my head, my lips beside her ear. “That’s not what your little moans were saying a moment ago, lovely girl.”
She stepped back and punched me in the stomach. A surprisingly solid punch, considering how much larger I was than her. I stumbled back a little, trying not to show my amusement or surprise.
Davis spoke again. “Well, I think we have what we need.”
I shook my head, grinning widely. “I think we need another take. Or even two.”
Kassie glared at me. “Then do it with someone else.” And she stormed from the barn.
Davis glanced at me with a wry grin. “I think I have a shot now.”
I pushed past him. “Not a chance.”
I rushed after Kassie, catching sight of her turning the corner of another stable. I caught up to her, stopping her furious footsteps and grabbing her arm. “Wait.”
She spun around, eyes flashing, color high. “What was that back there?” she demanded. “You set all that up just for what? A laugh? To prove something?”
“No,” I replied. “I have no idea what came over me, except suddenly you weren’t Sierra, and I wasn’t Colton. It was us. It was our story, and I did the only thing I could think of to stop you leaving me.”
Her eyes widened. I reached over and tucked a loose curl behind her ear. “And I’d do it again.”
She launched herself at me, wrapping her arms around my neck.
I caught her against me, our mouths fused together.
I stepped into the dimness of the stable, pressing her against the wall.
She wrapped her legs around my hips, and I ground myself against her.
I could feel her heat through the thin fabric of her pretty skirt.
Feel the way her breasts pressed into my chest, her nipples stiff and rubbing against me.
I kissed her deeply. Pouring all my emotions into that kiss.
The years I missed her, the longing that never really went away.
The sensation of coming alive again under her touch. It was all there.
It was all her.
Until the clearing of a throat behind us broke us apart.
Kassie buried her head in my chest as I glanced behind me. Sadie was there, dressed for riding, looking amused and knowing. “The boys are on their way back from chores,” she said with a small smirk. “You might want to, ah, take that somewhere more private, unless, of course, you want an audience.”
It was my turn to clear my throat. “Right. Good idea. Thanks, Sadie.”
“Uh-huh.”
She turned and led her horse out of the stable, leaving us alone. I slipped my fingers under Kassie’s chin, lifting her face up. “Busted,” I murmured.
She met my eyes. I wasn’t sure what I expected. More anger. Demands to put her down. But instead, she grinned, then started to giggle. “Oh God.”
“Kinda glad that wasn’t Brent. Not sure he would have been so polite.”
She began to laugh, and I had to join her. Carefully, I set her down on her feet, keeping an arm around her waist. I cupped her face and kissed her softly. “I’m sorry, lovely girl. I got carried away.”
She sighed and opened her mouth to speak, but a sudden grimace crossed her face and she inhaled sharply. I felt the spasm in her lower back, and I held her close. “Jesus, did I hurt you?”
“No,” she murmured, her voice filled with pain as she gripped my arm. “It happens.”
“How often?”
“On occasion. Don’t worry about it, Oliver.”
“I damn well will worry. How did you get hurt?” I asked, my voice tight.
She shook her head.
“How did you get hurt, Kassie?” I repeated through tight lips. “It wasn’t an accident, was it?”
“Um…”
“Someone did this to you?” I demanded, rage building in my chest at the thought of someone hurting her.
“Not here,” she pleaded.
“Then I’m taking you home, and we’re going to talk. I want the truth. And I want to hear it from you.”
“Don’t you have to stay? I mean work?”
“No. I know Davis was letting us off early today, because for the next two days, the schedule is brutal. Rain is coming, and he wants an enormous number of scenes filmed and in the can before that happens. And with Shawna being hurt, that could change the plans yet again. My presence isn’t needed the rest of the afternoon. ”
“Ah.”
“Can you walk?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll take you to my trailer, check in with Davis, and drive you home.”
“I can—”
I cut her off. “I’m taking you home. And you’re going to tell me your story. You know mine.”
Our eyes met, mine determined and steady. Hers nervous and anxious.
I cupped her face between my palms.
“You need to tell me.” I drew in a deep breath. “I need to hear it.”
“Okay,” she agreed softly.
I pressed my mouth to hers. “Okay.”