KASSIE
Oliver was out quickly. I knew the combination of the hot tub, the pain meds, and simply the shock of his body dealing with the fall had worn him out.
Not to mention how I’d ridden him in the tub.
I should have told him off and climbed out, leaving him alone, but I couldn’t say no to him.
And as I promised, I did all the work. Watching him fall apart under me, his head back, his low grunts of pleasure, the way his hands gripped my hips, was incredibly addictive.
I felt powerful. I loved hearing him groan out my name as he climaxed, then felt his complete adoration as he held me close after, his hand splayed across my back, not letting me move away.
I had to admit, that was one of my favorite things.
I bent lower and brushed a long strand of hair off his forehead, smiling sadly as he followed my fingers, liking my touch, even in his sleep.
We were both becoming attached again, and it was dangerous.
Yet neither of us seemed to be able to stop it.
I should have known better. My heart had always been his, and even with the years apart, it still was.
When I’d thought he was hurt badly earlier, my chest had been so filled with pain, I realized how deeply I had fallen again.
I straightened, knowing there was nothing I could do.
I’d agreed to this relationship, to the rules.
Oliver had been honest with me. He would be able to return to his life once this was over far easier than I was going to be able to pick up the pieces.
His world when he left was overflowing with celebrities and exciting places.
More great movies to make. More fame. A life filled with people with no association with me.
I wasn’t present in that world—there would be no daily reminders of me.
But I knew when he walked away, this house would feel empty.
My bed would be cold. I would see him everywhere, no longer the ghost of a memory but a fresh new heartache I would have to live with.
People I saw daily would remind me of him, because he was now woven into their memories too.
I bent and kissed his cheek then headed to my office, knowing one simple truth.
Pain and heartache once again waited for me when he left. And I could never allow him to see that.
I had made my choice, and I had to live with it.
Oliver
I woke up, groggy and disoriented. The sun was high in the early evening light, and I was in Kassie’s bed. A glance at the clock showed me it was just after six.
Why was I in bed at six in the evening?
I sat up, flinging off the blanket, and stood. Immediately, the reason hit me.
Jesus, the pain.
I let out a gasp and heard rushed footsteps. Kassie came in. “Oliver? What’s wrong?”
I grabbed her arm. “Did anyone get the name of that truck that hit me?”
She bit her lip. “Not a truck. You fell off a horse.”
I blinked, and it all came back. “Fuck,” I muttered. “That hurt.”
“You need some more pain meds.”
“I need a new hip. Maybe two.” I looked at her quizzically. “Can they do new butts?”
She began to laugh, and I glared at her. “It’s not funny. I’m in agony.”
“I imagine you are,” she agreed. “I think you’ll be a more cooperative patient now than you were earlier. Docile, perhaps.”
“I was a model patient.”
“Hardly. You pulled me into the tub and had your way with me.” She came closer, tilting her head. “Shall I push you down on the bed and show you again?”
I whimpered at the thought. My hips wouldn’t survive. My ass protested at the thought. Even my dick was in agreement. “Have mercy.”
“As I thought. Now, hobble to the bathroom and take some meds. Supper just came, so that should make you feel better.”
“Can I eat it standing up?”
She laughed over her shoulder. “I got you something to help.”
I shuffled toward the en suite, where I knew the pills were. I decided I hated horses and this stupid movie.
And the thought of having to pretend tomorrow that I was fine was going to take every skill I had in my arsenal.
The pillows Kassie piled up were a godsend to my aching ass.
The food spread out on the coffee table was a feast. I piled my plate high with the steaming noodles, ginger beef, General Tso’s chicken, garlic green beans, and the dumplings.
One bite and I was transported back to my teen years.
This was always our favorite takeout, and it hit home like a bullet.
“Good God, it’s still incredible,” I mumbled around a mouthful of the spring roll I’d grabbed in addition to everything else.
“I know,” she agreed, adding some chili sauce to the beef and snow peas she was eating. “It never disappoints.” She reached for a dumpling. “I have to decide which ones are my favorites when I order since it’s only me. Even two dishes feeds me for three days.”
I indicated the full table. “Won’t be a problem tonight.”
She laughed. “Does anything curb your appetite?”
I shook my head. “Very little. And right now, the ointment is working, I’m starving, and the night is young. Remember when we used to finish any leftovers around midnight? Sitting around the table, chopsticks and sticky fingers, polishing off everything cold?”
She smiled in remembrance. “I do. Those were good times.”
I chewed some ginger beef, the tang of the sauce exploding in my mouth. I swallowed and wiped my lips. I stared at her for a moment. “All my good memories contain you, Kassie.”
She stopped eating and leaned over, patting my leg. “Mine too.”
“I’m sorry they stopped.”
She shrugged. “Life happened, Olly. You can’t keep apologizing for the past. It’s done. We’re here now, we’re friends again. When you leave, we can stay in touch this time.”
I wasn’t sure how to tell her I wanted more than to stay in touch. She seemed to be at peace with our situation, and I was afraid to rock the boat. To tell her I wanted to have more.
To tell her I never wanted to miss her again.
I forced a smile. “Maybe you can visit me. Fill a bag with Wong and come see LA.”
She laughed. “I don’t think that’s legal.”
I sighed. “Then I’ll have to fly back for Wong nights.”
She nodded as she picked up her spring roll. “I’ll look forward to it.”
The next morning, I arrived on set, ready to work. I was stiff and sore, but I was able to cover it well. Kassie had rubbed my entire backside and legs with the ointment and I smelled like a medicine bomb, but it took the pain away. I’d complained the whole time she did it.
“I hate this,” I muttered as she massaged the cream into my aching body.
“I know. I’m sorry it hurts.”
“Not that,” I griped.
“What?”
“Your hands are on me, and I have no desire to rail you. Well, my head wants it, but the rest of me is screaming no.”
She laughed. “You are such a horndog.”
“Whatever. Sexiest woman alive is all over me, and I can’t do anything about it.”
She snorted. “Whatever.”
I looked over my shoulder. “You are, you know.”
“I am what?” she asked, stepping back and putting the lid on the jar. “All done.”
I stood and faced her. “The sexiest woman alive to me.”
She blushed. “Stop it.”
I cupped her face and kissed her softly. “You are,” I insisted against her mouth. “You’re the whole package. Beautiful inside and out. You amaze me.”
She blinked. “You really see me that way? All the women in—”
I cut her off. “There are lots of beautiful women everywhere. But none of them are you.” I brushed my lips over hers once again. “And they never will be.”
I mulled over the last couple of days in my head as I headed to my trailer.
Kassie had dropped me off then went to have breakfast with Quinn.
I loved spending time with her. Every moment felt like a revelation.
Every shared memory erased one of the bad ones.
Yet I felt the days begin to dwindle, and I knew my time here was ending soon.
I hated the way the thought of it being over made me feel.
My phone rang as I stepped into my trailer, and I glanced at the screen, seeing it was Annie.
Jesus, it was barely eight here, so it was five in LA. She was going at it early.
“Annie,” I greeted her cautiously.
She cut right to it. “Oliver. I heard there was a mishap. Are you all right?”
“Bruised and sore but fine.”
“I want you checked out. So does the insurance company.”
“Not necessary. Nothing is broken. My head is fine. I’m a little stiff but nothing major.”
“There could be complications down the line. I insist.”
I sighed. “Really, Annie? I’m fine.”
Her tone softened. “Davis said it was lucky you fell the way you did.”
I sat down gingerly. The sofa here wasn’t as plush as the one at Kassie’s. “He’s right, but I did, and aside from a sore ass and my pride, I’m fine.”
She became terse again. “I hear you’re having some costar trouble.”
“Nothing I can’t handle.”
She paused, and I knew the vape was going. I waited patiently. “Davis says you’re taking the high road.”
“I told you I would behave.”
“See to it you continue. And you have an appointment at four in Toronto. Davis knows. I’ll send you the details.”
And she hung up.
I shook my head in amusement. That was Annie. Brisk, no-nonsense, to the point.
I glanced at the call sheet, grateful for the unexpected overcast skies. It gave me another day before I had to climb up on the horse again.
Thank God for small mercies.