OLIVER #3
“What the hell is she wearing?” I muttered, staring at the fluttering lingerie Sheri was clad in.
“She’s ready for the scene we have this afternoon,” Carl muttered. “First time she’s been ready the whole film.”
Davis shot him a look then his eyebrows shot up as Sheri hurried forward and flung her arms around my neck. “I was so worried when I heard,” she exclaimed. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
I was in such shock, I froze. Everyone around us stepped back, also surprised by her actions. I carefully wrapped my hands around her forearms and pulled them away. “I’m fine. A little sore, so I would appreciate some space,” I said, keeping my voice calm.
“Of course. I’m so sorry.” She cupped my face. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
This time, I stepped back. I didn’t want her touch or her closeness. Davis noticed how uncomfortable I was and took her arm. “You’re going to get chilled,” he pointed out. “You should have your robe on.”
Sheri looked down, then gasped, covering her mouth. “I heard what happened, and I was so worried, I forgot.” She giggled as if she was embarrassed, yet looked anything but. “I’ll go back to my trailer now. See you on set.”
She turned and flounced away, her driver waiting patiently. They drove toward the main set, her waving as if she were royalty and had blessed us with her presence.
“What the fuck?” I muttered. “Did that just happen, or did I hit my head?”
Davis stroked his chin. “Whatever that was—you were on and off her radar fast.”
“Thank God,” I replied, thinking that for whatever reason she’d shown up, it wasn’t concern over me. No doubt, she wanted the attention and went with it. Good acting on her part, though.
Davis clapped his hands. “Everyone, back to the set.”
People began to disperse, and the handler came over, a strange look on his face.
“Rusty okay?” I asked, concerned.
“He’ll be fine.” He held out his hand. “These were under the saddle blanket. They would have been irritating him and, when you dug your heels in, set him off.”
I took the burrs out of his hand. “No wonder Rusty was restless and agitated. That would have hurt him.” Burrs could easily have been picked up if the blanket had fallen to the ground.
Or brushed against a bush and the blanket not checked thoroughly.
They were everywhere this time of year. I was a little surprised no one had noticed them, but it happened.
I had been thrown when I was much younger because of the same issue.
I looked over to where I’d fallen and the ground not ten feet from there. The thought of how injured I could have been made me shudder.
Davis interrupted my thoughts. “Go home, Oliver. We’ll finish tomorrow if you’re up to it. See how you’re feeling. I’ll get someone to drive you.”
I decided not to argue. I could feel the aches starting, and I knew I’d be taking Kassie up on her offer of the hot tub.
I decided I needed to stop by the drugstore and get some sort of pain rub too. I had a feeling I was going to need it.
One of the PAs drove me home, stopping long enough so I could go into the drugstore and buy some Extra Strength Tylenol, a few ice packs, and a heating pad.
The pharmacist recommended a good liniment to rub into the sore areas, so I added that to the bag, then headed back to the waiting vehicle.
I paused at the door, the feeling of being watched hitting me, but when I looked around, I saw nothing.
No one was staring, nothing was out of place, and everyone around me was minding their own business, carrying on with their day.
I shook my head at my own paranoia. I was still used to being scrutinized, I told myself as I headed to the passenger side.
I directed Kevin where to go and had him drop me off at the driveway.
I slowly headed up to the house, planning on hitting a hot shower, swallowing some pills, and rubbing the cream into my sore muscles that were beginning to scream.
I was surprised when Kassie’s door wrenched open and she rushed toward me.
I stopped walking, and she skidded to a halt in front of me.
“Are you all right?” she asked.
“Um, sure.”
“How much pain are you in?” she demanded.
I narrowed my eyes. “How do you know?”
“Davis called and told me.”
“Davis called?” I repeated. “Why is Davis still calling you?” I asked, annoyed.
“Oh, put away the caveman act, Oliver.”
I crossed my arms, frowning and silently refusing to move.
Kassie shook her head in vexation. “He was concerned and thought I should know. He was right.”
I huffed out a long breath. “My ass hurts.”
“You’re lucky it’s not your head. You could have been seriously hurt.”
“I am hurt. My ass is hurt. So is my pride.”
She smiled and cupped my cheek. “Poor baby.”
“I need to lie down.”
“Come on, then. You can soak in the hot tub, and I’ll check your injuries.”
I wrapped my arm around her shoulders, leaning into her. “You gonna kiss my boo-boos better?”
She snorted. “I doubt it. I might rub in some pain cream, but my mouth isn’t getting involved.”
I pursed my lips as we arrived at her door. “I kinda hurt my face too.”
“You hurt your face?”
“I might have smacked my head a little.”
With a sigh, she turned to me and cupped my face, pulling me down to her level. She pressed a kiss to my forehead. “Better?”
“Hmm.” I touched my cheek. “I might have grazed this.”
Her lips were warm on my skin as she brushed her mouth over my face.
“Oh, that helps,” I said, stepping closer to her. I tapped my mouth. “Owie.”
She rolled her eyes but kissed me. Gently. Sweetly. I loved how her mouth felt on mine.
I wrapped my arm around her waist, pulling her tight and kissing her back. For a moment, there was only her and me. Together. Wrapped in each other.
Then she swatted my arm. “Faker.”
I smiled. “But I feel so much better already.”
She pushed open the door. “Get inside.”
I groaned as the heat of the water in the hot tub surrounded me. I leaned my head back, feeling my back beginning to loosen as the jets pounded at the tightly corded muscles.
Kassie had checked me over, clucking at the colors blooming on my buttocks. “You’ve got a rainbow happening, Olly,” she informed me. “You are gonna be walking funny the next few days.”
I checked myself in her full-length mirror, shaking my head and agreeing with her. I was bruising from my hips down to the backs of my knees. “Good thing my sex scenes are done,” I muttered. “That would take a hell of a makeup job to cover.”
She got a funny look on her face, but she didn’t reply. I knew she disliked watching the intimate scenes even though I had explained how technical they were, not filled with passion the way they made it look on-screen, so I let the subject drop.
I was beyond grateful she had this tub. I could have gone to the Y and soaked there, but the privacy factor wouldn’t be as good. Her yard was enclosed and secluded. Cedar hedges lined the two sides, and the tall fence she had around her personal area worked well to protect her and, right now, me.
The pain meds were beginning to kick in, and I sighed as relief replaced ache.
The patio door slid open, and Kassie came out.
I opened one eye, watching as she slid a tray onto her small table and turned my way.
She looked summery today, dressed in shorts and a flowery T-shirt.
Her hair was swept up away from her face.
“Were you still baking?” I asked.
“Earlier. I was working on some tax documents for a client when Davis called.”
I wasn’t sure if I should be annoyed at Davis or not. I still didn’t like the fact that he had her number, although I was grateful for her care.
“He try anything?” I growled before I could stop myself.
She laughed as she sat next to the tub, handing me a tall glass of iced coffee.
I took it eagerly, having learned she made awesome iced coffees.
“He has called me twice. Once, to order some extra pies, and then calling me today to tell me you’d been hurt.
He hasn’t tried a thing or been anything but friendly and professional. So relax, caveman.”
“Good,” I grumped into the glass as I took a long, appreciative sip.
“Unless you mean when he asked me to dinner.”
I choked. “What?”
She grinned. “Actually, he asked if we would like to have dinner with him. Together.”
“Brat,” I muttered.