Stardust (The Starlight Trilogy #3) (2 page)

Beth linked her hands behind his neck. “You have the real Beth. The public, our colleagues…they don’t know me like you do. Not even our friends do. So please look on the bright side of all this. In a week, the final Los Angeles scenes for
Golden Gloves
will be finished, and then we’ll be traveling to Chicago to complete the film. After that, our options are limitless. Our Oscar wins have opened new doors for us professionally. On a personal level, perhaps Nathan is right. We’ll be so popular that we might be able to announce our love to the world without Mr. Mertz’s approval, and I’ll incur zero punishment for it. Just think. We won’t have to hide anymore.”

Aidan sighed. He didn’t like Beth under Mr. Mertz’s thumb in any capacity, but she was right. The benefits could very well outweigh the cons. “I’m sorry. The last thing I want is for my pessimism to detract from your joy over your win. Your performance in
Sparkling Meadow
was phenomenal as well, and you deserve this recognition from the Academy, too.”

“You haven’t dampened my mood at all. There is no one else I’d rather share this moment with than you.” Beth smiled. Not just a happy smile, but a smile laced with seduction. It seemed his little dove had turned into quite the little vixen. “Now, just because we can’t make love today doesn’t mean you can’t kiss me, Mister Best Actor.”

“With pleasure, Miss Best Actress.” Aidan captured her in his arms and closed the gap between their lips.

Beth returned his kiss with a passion that made him reconsider his outlook on everything. For now, they owned this town, and he had to admit he really did feel like a winner—but not because The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences
said so. Awarded the privilege of caring for Beth and loving her like she deserved meant a whole lot more to him than any accolade from the entertainment industry. He felt like he had conquered the entire world, never mind Hollywood.

Beth and Aidan arranged to have dinner with their friends two days after the Academy Awards. On the way, they stopped by Beth’s house so she could change and then returned her Oscar jewelry to Harry Winston.

During their drive, Beth smiled at her reflection in the side mirror. She always lit up in Aidan’s presence, but since she’d lost her virginity to him, she beamed even brighter.

Intimacy did not refer to a woman allowing a man to touch her. Intimacy was sharing her dreams and fears with a trusted companion in the middle of the night. Intimacy was giving someone her undivided attention when hundreds of other people asked for it. Intimacy was having one person on her mind always, no matter how busy or distracted she was. The love she and Aidan shared was a true and rare gift. She was the luckiest woman in the world.

Aidan pulled up to the wrought-iron gates of Matthew McKenna’s house and announced their arrival into the intercom. The gates opened. They traveled up the driveway and parked behind Nathan Taggart’s Cadillac.

It was the first time Beth had been to Matthew’s residence. The outside looked like a cross between the White House and a Greek palace—indicative of his Hollywood status, but a contradiction to his humble personality. At least it had an inviting quality to it, unlike Nathan’s mansion, which resembled a medieval castle.

She shuddered. They had spent Christmas Day at Nathan’s house. While the mood amongst them had been warm and gay, the setting was dark, cold, and drafty. She still had no idea how he lived there comfortably, or why he’d purchased it in the first place.

Aidan opened Beth’s door. He’d eschewed a suit jacket and tie tonight in favor of a black sports shirt and dark gray dress pants, which complemented her cream satin evening gown with a black lace overlay nicely. She couldn’t stop staring at him.

“You look very handsome, Aidan.”

He helped her out of the Porsche. “And you look ravishing.”

Her face flushed. “You’ve said that already. Twice, in fact.”

“And I’ll keep saying it, baby. Forever.” Aidan drew her in for a kiss. Her heart beat so wildly she could have danced to the sound of it.

Hand in hand, they strolled up the front steps to the porch. As soon as Aidan used the brass knocker, an excited shriek erupted from inside the house. It was an Olivia Weston creation through and through.

The front door flew open, and Beth’s dear friend and roommate lunged at her, nothing but a flash of black hair and blue taffeta.

“I’m engaged! I’m engaged!” Olivia stuck out her left hand so Beth could inspect the ring. “I wanted to call to break the news but decided it was best to share in person.”

Beth smiled. “Congratulations.”

Aidan nodded. “Yeah, it’s great news.”

“Wait a minute.” Olivia placed her hand on her hip. “Beth, why don’t you seem surprised?”

Nathan appeared in the foyer and slipped his arm around Olivia’s waist. Blond and tanned, he could’ve easily been an actor—the camera would love him, as would women all over the country—but instead, he chose to remain behind the scenes at Starlight Studios as a top executive.

“It’s all right, Beth. You can tell her.”

Olivia’s eyes widened. “You knew he was going to propose?”

“Yes. Not when, but I was aware of his intentions. He asked my permission a few weeks prior to the Academy Awards. He also showed me the ring.”

Olivia folded her arms across her chest. “I can’t believe you were able to keep it a secret.”

“Not everyone has a big mouth like you, Liv.” Constance Murphy entered the foyer, smiling, accompanied by Matthew. Dressed in a sequined evening gown that hugged her voluptuous curves, with her platinum blonde hair curled and shiny, she looked a model in
Harper’s Bazaar
. There was no question as to why she was the most popular pinup in all the movie magazines.

Matthew welcomed Beth and Aidan with a hug and handshake, respectively. As usual, the crooner was impeccably dressed in a tailored suit and groomed in the all-American way—the ideal look for a prime time television special, like the family friendly musical showcases he’d hosted many times in the past, based on the popularity of his chart topping singles.

After an employee took Beth’s fur stole and purse, they were ushered into a lavish parlor adorned with marble sculptures and colorful frescos.

“Let’s start the evening with a toast.” Matthew uncorked a bottle of champagne, and the household staff distributed flutes. The group gathered in a circle. “We have two Oscar winners in our presence now, so I’d say a big congratulations is in order, even though they abandoned us by failing to show up at the after party.”

Aidan and Beth laughed.

“Luther won’t be too happy about that,” Nathan said. “I’m just warning you, so you can be prepared when you’re back on the
Golden Gloves
set tomorrow.”

Beth’s gaiety plummeted. There was nothing more intimidating than a scolding by her boss.

Aidan shrugged. “I can handle Mertz. I’ve done it before.”

“Congratulations is also in order to Nathan and Olivia, regarding their engagement.” Matthew winked. “By the way, Nate. Thanks for upstaging me on the ring. You’re a real pal.”

Nathan chuckled. “You’re welcome.”

Matthew’s expression sobered. “And to my beautiful fiancée, Connie. There’s no me without you. I love you.”

Connie kissed his cheek. “I love you, too.”

Matthew raised his flute. “Let us toast to long-lasting friendships, true love, and happily ever afters.”

They brought their glasses together with a clink.

“Nate, Aidan, wait ’til you see what I had installed.” Matthew emptied his flute in a few gulps and set it aside.

“Oh, brother. Here we go again.” Connie rolled her eyes but smiled.

Matthew walked across the room, motioning for the men to follow him.

“What is it?” Olivia sipped her champagne.

“Matthew had a bar installed behind that Renoir painting over there, like some mafia kingpin.” Connie jutted her chin in the painting’s direction. “He got the idea from some European gangster film and likes to show it off at every opportunity.”

Matthew displaced the painting as though he were opening a door, revealing a mini bar built into the wall. He removed a bottle of what looked like scotch from a lower shelf and proudly displayed it to Aidan and Nathan.

“All right. Enough of that macho silliness.” Connie waved her hand and turned her back on the men. “It’s time to focus on more interesting matters. Olivia, tell us about Nathan’s proposal.”

Olivia beamed. “He surprised me with lunch in Malibu and then took me to our favorite spot overlooking the Pacific Ocean. He got down on one knee and, gosh. It was so romantic! I wasn’t expecting it at all, though I always hoped we’d get married one day. I love him dearly.” She sighed and admired her large square cut diamond set on a white gold band. “Isn’t my ring gorgeous? And my fiancé is gorgeous, my wedding will be gorgeous, and our future children will be—”

“Gorgeous,” Beth said, tossing Connie a smile.

“Okay, Beth. Now it’s your turn. How was Oscar night?” Olivia waggled her eyebrows. “And I don’t mean the ceremony.”

Beth blushed. She still felt uncomfortable talking about intimacy on account of her conservative upbringing, although she had made great strides since she and Aidan began their courtship. “What do you mean?”

“Oh, don’t play coy. You and Aidan made love. It was obvious as soon as you two got here. You’re always lovely dovey with each other, but this evening, my goodness!”

Beth caught Aidan’s gaze. A grin launched across his face, and there it was—the spark she loved so much, glistening in his eyes.

Her heart exploded in a million fireworks. Yesterday, he’d declared his unwillingness to share her with anyone, but he wasn’t the only one occupied by the need for possession. Would it always be like this? She couldn’t imagine her attraction ever waning. He was just too good-looking, too charismatic…caring and brooding, sensitive and manly.

Connie giggled. “There’s no use denying it, Beth.”

She bit her lip. How could she put into words everything he made her feel? “Making love with Aidan was…it was perfect in every way.”

Olivia hugged her. “I’m so happy for you.”

Connie nodded. “Me, too.”

“Thank you.” Beth placed her hand to her angel pendant and fixed her beau with a flirty look.

Aidan’s gaze acquired elements of fire, of longing. Even from a distance, she was unable to resist him. Months earlier, she never would’ve been so brazen, but he’d awakened a more liberal side of her. The thoughts that sprung to her mind—of what she wanted him to do to her body and what she wanted to do to his—were foreign and forbidden, but territory she couldn’t wait to cross with him.

Matthew replaced the scotch and painting and strolled back to the women with Nathan and Aidan. “Did you see the papers covering the Oscars?”

Aidan brought his arm around Beth. Standing this close to him again made acting calm and composed a struggle. “No, we haven’t. We’ve been busy.”

Their friends broke out into laughter. Beth’s face flamed yet again.

“That’s not what I meant.” Aidan pitched her a grin. “Well, not entirely.”

“Don’t worry. I have copies of the
Times
for everyone.” Matthew caught the attention of a member of his staff. “Randall, can you please bring in the newspapers from the kitchen—the Oscar editions?”

He bowed. “Yes, sir.”

Randall returned with four issues of the
Los Angeles Times
from the day after the Academy Awards and distributed them to Matthew’s guests.

The front page featured a photograph of Beth and Aidan posing together on the red carpet. Beth flipped to the entertainment section, locating articles on the ceremony and additional photographs, including the picture of them with Mr. Mertz.

She turned the page, choosing to focus on more positive aspects of the evening rather than their tense encounter with her boss. The main article contained details on their respective wins and some inaccurate gossip, such as Beth and her
Sparkling Meadow
costar, William Everett, had flirted with each other on the red carpet, and her
Venus Rising
costar, Jack Peters, glared at Will incessantly out of jealousy. The lies were harmless, but still. How did the press come up with such ridiculous stories?

Randall collected the newspapers and put them aside so the guests could retrieve them on the way out. The group then headed into a dining hall fit for a royalty and shared pleasant conversation throughout a dinner that lasted late into the evening.

Before Beth departed the house with Aidan, she visited the bathroom to insert her diaphragm. Olivia was spending the night with Nathan, so there would be no interruptions. As much as she enjoyed their shower session the day before, she was no longer sore and wanted nothing more than for him to make love to her again and hold her for the remainder of the night.

In the foyer, Aidan greeted her with a kiss. “You ready to go, baby?”

She smiled as he assisted her with her stole. “Yes, absolutely.”

Aidan followed Beth into her house. They barely made it in the front door before he took her in his arms. “Did you have a good time?”

“It was a wonderful evening.” She gave a wistful smile. “Olivia was ecstatic, wasn’t she?”

Aidan chuckled. “You’d think that diamond gave her superpowers or something.”

“I know.” Beth giggled. “I’m thrilled for her.”

“So you were aware that Nathan was gonna propose?”

She nodded. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. It’s just that Nathan—”

“Hey, don’t worry. There’s no need to apologize.” Aidan set their copies of the
Los Angeles Times
on the foyer table. His gaze landed on the stack of mail next to it. “Is that you?” He pointed to a photograph lying on top of the pile.

Beth removed her stole. “Yes, that’s me at age six. My parents sent it to me. I opened it on the morning of the Academy Awards, but it was such a hectic day, I forgot to put it away. They thought I’d get a good laugh out of it.”