OLIVER
Iwoke up hard, my cock aching. And what it wanted wasn’t close. Kassie was across town, no doubt still asleep in her bed. Dreaming, hopefully, of me.
It was still dark, my alarm a good hour away, and I was wide awake.
With a groan, I stood and hit the shower, the warm water pouring down my back.
I wrapped my hand around my cock, thinking of last night.
Of how beautiful my Kassie was in her need.
How gorgeous she looked as she came, her hair spread out around her, her mouth open as she gasped and called my name.
The intense orgasm that hit me watching her.
I stroked myself, getting harder simply recalling it.
Remembering the orgasm that had hit me while watching her.
Another slammed into me now, and I let my release spray the wall, groaning her name into my arm as I shuddered through my orgasm.
I allowed my head to hang down for a few moments, then washed myself, rinsing the soap from my hair and stepping from the cubicle.
I was grateful for the trailer. It was small but comfortable, and I liked having the shower.
I tended to smell like a horse or manure some days if we were doing barn scenes, and I preferred to shower here rather than drag the smell into Kassie’s place.
The tiny kitchen was only used to keep water cold and hide any snacks I didn’t want to share.
But the sofa came in handy, although I couldn’t be bothered to pull it out to a bed.
I grew up often sleeping on the sofa when my parents were fighting in their room, and on occasion, still fell asleep on mine back at home too.
I pulled on my jeans and shirt, then added the boots I would be wearing for the shoot today.
The jeans would stay on, but I would have different shirts and hats, depending which scenes we were shooting.
It was going to be another long day, but then tomorrow, the weather was going to get better so we could go back to the outdoor scenes. I preferred those.
Today was one of the pinnacle scenes between all four of us. It was intense and emotional, and I was on edge enough even though I knew my performance would be rock solid. I only hoped the rest of the cast was on cue so I could get out of here and see Kassie.
But right now, I was starving. I needed a good breakfast, and then I’d be set for a few hours.
I laughed to myself as I headed to catering.
I must have depleted myself with my late-night shenanigans with Kassie.
The thought of her made me smile. She was a breath of fresh air in my stale life.
Unexpected and, although familiar, totally different.
She had changed and matured, growing more confident in herself.
Yet the shy, sweet side of her was still there.
Although I was certain only a few people saw that side of her.
I enjoyed being one of them.
I attacked my breakfast with gusto, going back for a second plate of eggs and bacon.
Sheri, the leading lady and costar to Carl, sidled up to me, eyeing my plate. “Careful, Oliver. No one likes a pudgy actor. Keep eating like that, and you won’t even be able to get supporting roles.”
“Not an issue for me,” I responded, trying to be polite.
I wasn’t fond of Sheri, nor did I appreciate her little dig about only being a supporting role.
I’d quickly discovered that she was one of those actresses who was on all the time if she thought someone was watching—probably because her real personality wasn’t overly pleasing.
I had witnessed the real Sheri, and she wasn’t nice.
She liked to tear people down to build herself up.
Talk about them behind their backs and help spread rumors.
I distanced myself on purpose, was always civil, and made sure to watch my back around her.
She had burned many people. I had been surprised when Davis had told me she was who he’d cast as Carl’s love interest, but I had to admit, she played the part well on-screen.
Still, I avoided her when I could.
I returned to my seat, holding in a groan as she sat across from me. She sipped a black coffee and nibbled an egg white omelet with nothing but broccoli inside. And her toast was whole wheat and dry.
No wonder she was cranky all the time.
“Do you eat like that all the time?” she asked snidely. “Ever hear of a vegetable?”
I shook my head. “I eat fine. I’m hungry and I missed dinner.” I looked at her pointedly. “Someone kept missing their mark last night.”
She glared at me, and I wondered how much work she’d had done. She was made up and undeniably beautiful, but there was something artificial about her. I couldn’t place it, but something about the way her face never moved weirded me out a little. Her eyes narrowed slightly, but nothing else shifted.
“I was tired. I had worked all day.”
I frowned as I chewed a mouthful. “We all had, Sheri.”
She tossed her hair, looking defiant. “My part is far more complicated than yours. You ride a horse and kiss the girl. My character is torn. At a crossroads. Its emotional depth exhausts me.”
I took a sip of coffee, trying not to laugh.
Her character, Camilla, was torn between lust for the man she was interviewing and the love of her on-camera career she hated the thought of having to give up to stay with him.
The entire film was about choices. Love over career.
Lifestyle over living. Family over outsiders.
The conflict between Sierra and Colton was down-to-earth.
I was a cowboy and destined to be one. I’d left her once, roaming from ranch to ranch trying to find myself, and ended up reuniting with her here and knowing what I had been searching for was right in front of me.
She was afraid to trust me again, and I was ready to be in love.
To commit. Ryder and Camilla’s conflict was the same yet different.
He ran the ranch and lived a simple life.
She was a world-renowned reporter who loved the power and success.
She didn’t want to give it up and be a rancher’s wife.
He couldn’t live in the city. Someone had to give, or they had to say goodbye.
I was a friend to both, trying to help them figure it out, while desperately trying to keep the woman I loved from leaving me this time.
There was lots of passion, heat, and chemistry on the screen, and the backdrop here made it even better.
None of us were the entire film. But Sheri felt that way. She made no secret of it, reminding us constantly that she was the main star. It was her name that would draw the ticket buyers. She loved being the center of attention. Demanded it in her own way, daily.
Of course, she usually did it when Davis wasn’t around.
I had noticed, however, he was losing patience with her constant diva demands.
Always late to set. Often flubbing lines and blaming other people for it.
The lights were too bright. Someone was talking and distracting her.
She was always the victim. She cried wolf so often, everyone started ignoring her.
I was grateful I only had to work with her for a short while.
I could only imagine the drama Davis was going through.
“We should have dinner one night,” she said suddenly.
I almost choked on the mouthful of eggs I was chewing.
“Sorry?” I asked, certain I hadn’t heard her right.
“Dinner. Away from here.” She sighed deeply. “I doubt there are any decent restaurants in this god-awful little town. I’d rather you took me into Toronto.”
“And why would I do that exactly?”
She looked displeased. “We’re adults. Single. We should hang out. Maybe have a little fun. You’re available, so that works.”
I picked up my coffee and sipped it to buy myself some time.
I had heard she liked on-set flings. Love them, use them, and walk away.
Many in our business did the same thing.
It was inevitable at times. You were thrown together constantly for weeks on end, and often a spark flared—especially between those playing an on-screen couple.
It was very rare for me, and I’d never given in to the temptation.
I had seen far too many couples break up, causing all sorts of unnecessary drama for everyone and disturbing the entire shoot, to be interested in taking that risk.
Plus, I had zero interest in her, and I tried not to be insulted the only reason she was asking was because I was the only one available.
I chose my words carefully. “I appreciate the offer, but no.”
“Why? It would help relieve some of the never-ending monotony.”
I had no desire to explain my reasons. We had different values and, frankly, she didn’t hold any appeal for me. So I took the easy route out.
“I’m seeing someone.”
She shrugged. “They’re not here. They wouldn’t have to know.” She slid her hand over mine, drifting her fingers over my skin. “I’d make it worth your while.”
I jerked my hand away, not wanting her touch. Not even wanting to sit in her vicinity.
“I would know,” I replied. “And I’m not that sort of guy.” I stood. “I’ll see you later on set.”
I didn’t have to look over my shoulder to know she was furious. I had just trod all over her ego.
But I hadn’t lied. I was with Kassie, and I wasn’t a cheater. Sheri simply didn’t know who I was seeing, and I didn’t plan on her knowing. I wouldn’t subject Kassie to Sheri’s little head games.
I had a feeling I was in line to be one of her victims now, though. I headed to makeup, wondering what she would do to make my life miserable.
Only time would tell.
Sheri acted as though I didn’t exist the rest of the day, which was fine by me. She was extra diva-ish, demanding constant attention in her passive-aggressive ways. Davis sat down beside me as she walked away, insisting she needed five minutes of “downtime” to find her deepest emotions.
“Jesus help me,” he muttered.