STUDS AND STILETTOS (Romantic Mystery) (26 page)

“Next time for horse scenes,” he said, cracking his knuckles, “please run all changes by me. As per the contract.”

He scraped his chair back, picked up his notebook and stalked from the room.

*

“The bus is here,” a woman announced from the front of the background tent. “Gather all your personal belongings. For those returning tomorrow, pickup will be at five a.m.”

Emily scooped up her bag, joining Judith and the line of performers trudging toward the door. It seemed a lifetime since she’d arrived on set. She’d miss this place. In fact, she felt the same desolate feeling as at the end of 4-H camp, and the thought of walking into her stuffy apartment filled her with dread.

Maybe tomorrow she’d contact her agent. Obviously she couldn’t call the number Dan had provided, not after his statement this morning. In fact, it was going to be hard to find a production company that wasn’t influenced by Dan.

Dan.
It hurt to brood, but it was impossible to block the memories. How could someone who had touched and listened to her like that turn so hateful? She’d followed directions, every one of them. She blew out a despairing breath, too sad to be indignant.

“You have to get back here,” Judith said, her plaintive voice jarring Emily’s thoughts. “The caretaker’s cottage is too creepy to search alone.”

Emily’s arms tightened around her bag. Judith had promised to talk to Thomas Hamilton about Billy, but she knew Judith didn’t worry about his living conditions like she did. “His name is Billy,” Emily said.

“Yes.” Judith compressed her lips. “And Billy might be a murderer. What if I asked Hamilton to get you back?”

“Could he override…Dan?” Emily didn’t like how her voice wobbled over his name.

“Probably not,” Judith said. “Dan’s too powerful. If he’s blackballed you in the industry, you’re done.”

The matter-of-fact statement made Emily’s eyes prick, and she shuffled closer to the bus. “I only did what the director said,” she muttered, fighting the sting of injustice.

“Well, you obviously didn’t listen to someone. And Dan Barrett’s a stickler for safety. You really should research these people before any future jobs. Hopefully some of the smaller productions won’t hear about it…” Judith’s voice trailed off, her eyes widening. “Oh, no. He’s here. Talking to the lady with the clipboard.”

Emily peered through the gloom, her heart thumping. Dan stood only twenty feet away, his imposing figure outlined by the powerful headlights of the bus.

“Maybe he’s going to ban you from the bus,” Judith whispered. “I heard of that happening before. But don’t worry. If he does, I’ll hitchhike back with you.”

Dan abruptly turned, his gaze locking on Emily. He walked toward her with long purposeful strides.

Emily’s heart squeezed at his grim expression, but she squared her shoulders and sucked in a fortifying breath.

He stopped in front of her. “I want to apologize. I just saw the dailies.” He made no effort to lower his voice, and everyone in a fifteen-foot radius watched with avid interest. “The entire production team is impressed with the job you did today. And you need to know that before you go.”

“If she’s still on the background list,” Judith asked, “can she come back tomorrow?”

Something flickered across Dan’s face, a mix of emotions Emily couldn’t read. “She’s welcome here any time,” he said.

“So she’s allowed to ride the bus tomorrow?” Judith asked.

A middle-aged man tried to push around them, bumping Emily as he raced to get a good seat. Dan frowned. The man flushed and stepped back, suddenly electing to wait in line.

“It’s a long ride to Louisville and back,” Dan said slowly. “You’re both welcome to stay in my trailer tonight.”

Emily’s cheeks burned. It was obvious he didn’t want to risk being alone with her, and while she appreciated the apology she’d never been one to hang around when unwanted.

“That would be great,” Judith said, jabbing Emily in her sore ribs. “We appreciate your offer.”

Emily could feel Dan’s gaze but didn’t want to look at him. Didn’t want to see the reluctance in his face. “We can sleep in the apartment above the barn,” she said.

“No.” Dan shook his head. “Hamilton has asked that it not be used. Apparently the apartment was always intended to be off limits.”

“Oops.” She looked at Dan then, unable to suppress her smile. “Guess we shouldn’t have cut off that lock.”

“Guess not,” he said, his eyes glinting with a familiar mix of mischief and humor. “But I’m definitely glad we did.”

“Don’t you think that’s weird?” Judith’s voice lowered and she glanced down the hall, checking that Dan was out of earshot. “Hamilton putting the apartment off limits? There must be something there he doesn’t want us to see.”

“Flowers?” Emily joked, wishing Judith would ease up on the subject. It was impossible to concentrate on anything with Dan so close. So far, he’d been the perfect host, acting as though he was delighted to have two women for company. But she knew better.

Judith drummed her fingers on the kitchen table. “We have to get back in there. Have a better look.”

Emily made an agreeable sound deep in her throat, her attention elsewhere. It sounded like Dan was in the spare room now, moving file boxes off the bed. He had the second room set up as an office so their presence in his trailer was surely an inconvenience. Yet he’d been nothing but solicitous since collecting them from the bus.

She ran her finger over the base of the wine glass, too drained to analyze his motives. She hoped it wasn’t guilt. But one thing she did know, she had no desire to be anywhere else.

“You need to sneak back into the apartment,” Judith said.

Emily yanked her attention back to Judith. “But it’s off limits. You heard Dan.”

“But you can pretend to visit the horses. And you have to do it quickly, before Hamilton padlocks the door.”

Emily shifted on the chair, picturing Dan’s scary look this morning. His eyes had turned so arctic cold. No wonder horses and people hopped when he raised his finger. “But we were both told the apartment was out of bounds,” she said weakly.

“So what? Rules don’t bother you. And this is an incredible opportunity.” Judith shook her head, glancing around the kitchen in disbelief. “I still can’t believe we’re drinking wine in Dan Barrett’s trailer. He’s supposed to be reclusive. He must feel guilty about almost wrecking your career.”

Guilty
. Emily’s hand shook with regret, and wine sloshed against the sides of her glass.

“This is so lucky,” Judith continued, oblivious to Emily’s distress. “Maybe we can finally figure out what happened to Tracey. I bet both Billy and Hamilton were involved. So be nice to Dan. Don’t waste an important connection. Do what you have to do—”

She flushed and quit talking when Dan appeared in the doorway.

“There’s a bed ready in the bedroom on the left,” he said. “And the kitchen table folds out.”

Judith jumped up. “I’ll take the bedroom. See you both in the morning.”

Emily crossed her legs, embarrassed by Judith’s clumsy attempt to leave her alone with Dan. “She’s really tired,” Emily said.

“Clearly.” His enigmatic gaze followed Judith as she rushed down the hall. “Let’s go outside so we don’t wake her.”

He filled Emily’s glass, snagged a beer and wordlessly guided her around the back of the trailer. A cooler and a wooden chair sat by a fire pit. A bundle of wood was stacked neatly on the side.

She glanced around in appreciation. Trees buffered the back, giving a sense of privacy, and the twinkling stars overhead created their own skylight. One never saw a sky like this in the city. “This is lovely,” she said.

“I like my space, and trailers are cramped. This keeps me sane.” He gestured at the lone chair. “Have a seat.”

She sat while he crouched and expertly lit a fire. The sound of crackling wood filled the air and despite her hurt, her tension eased. She’d missed starry nights, the smell of smoke, the timeless comfort of a burning fire.

And the very best ones always had something to roast. She and Jenna had cooked many meals over their backyard pit. Her mouth salivated just thinking of hotdogs and marshmallows.

“Hungry?” he asked.

She turned away from the flames to stare at his shadowed face. He seemed to have read her mind. Already he’d pierced two hotdogs with a long pointed stick.

“Oh, boy,” she said.

“And…” He scooped her up with one arm, sat down and replaced her on his lap. “I’ll even do the cooking if you share the seat.”

She allowed herself a brief second of savoring the feel of his body against hers before edging away. She knew men, and when the sun came down, they always turned less discriminating. But he’d said good-bye this morning, in no uncertain terms.

“I’ll find another chair,” she said.

His arm banded around her. “This is the only one.”

“Bull—”

He abruptly angled his head, cutting off her words with a passionate kiss. By the time he raised his mouth, she could only blink.

“Look, Em, I’m sorry about yelling this morning. And I don’t bring many people back to my trailer.” He pressed his forehead against hers, his voice oddly gruff. “I’m very glad you didn’t leave on that bus. But I don’t want a woman with an agent. Really I don’t.”

“My agent isn’t all that good,” she said, distracted by the proximity of his mouth.

He chuckled but it lacked humor, and in fact sounded sad. However, she stopped wiggling, and let him readjust her on his lap. He didn’t bring many people back. So why her?

They stared silently into the flames, but it was a comfortable silence. His heart pounded in tandem with hers, his heat forming a familiar cocoon. She couldn’t recall a nicer fire.

He leaned forward and adjusted the coals for the hotdog stick, keeping her firmly wrapped in his left arm. “What are your plans for tomorrow?” he asked, settling back in the chair.

“I’m not sure.” She paused, remembering Judith’s insistence about visiting the apartment again. “Maybe visit the horses in the stud barn,” she said. “Check with the set too. The director mentioned he might have more background work.”

Dan traced his finger over the inside of her wrist. “About that university movie in Louisville, I called Tony this afternoon. He’s agreed to give you an audition.”

“You called him? This afternoon?” She tilted her head, struggling to understand, trying to ignore how his casual touch made her shiver with pleasure. “But that was when you didn’t want me working again.”

“I was just worried,” he said gruffly. “Besides, you’ll be safer in a union. I’m sure Tony will give you some lines.”

A glow warmed her chest. Even when Dan believed she hadn’t followed his directions, he’d still tried to help. He’d even called his friend. She understood he didn’t want anything long term but he must care a little. And for the first time since he’d tugged her onto his lap, she completely relaxed. “Thank you,” she said.

“Acting is a tough way to make a living.” He cupped her face, his expression suddenly intense. “But that’s what you want, right?”

“Yes, of course.”

He lowered his hand and yanked the sizzling hotdogs further from the fire. “That’s what I thought,” he said.

*

Dan drained his beer, rose and tossed the can into the bin beneath the kitchen sink. The shower had stopped running. She’d be out soon. Four hotdogs, six beers and the most enjoyable campfire he’d ever shared with a woman, and he still didn’t know what to do.

He hadn’t made up the pullout bed in the kitchen. Not yet.

Two hours earlier, he’d resolved not to touch her. They had their night, and he didn’t regret it. But he would never ask anyone to sacrifice her dreams. Forget the mind-blowing sex, the quicker he stopped this thing, the better.

Even if by some miracle she were willing to swap her stilettos for a Stetson, it wouldn’t last. She’d turn bitter, wondering what might have been. Hell, she’d probably make a helluva actress. But he wouldn’t be around to see it.

He sighed, trying not to picture her sleek body only fifteen feet away. One thin door, likely unlocked. Worse, he could hear every sound from the bathroom—the pad of her bare feet, the rustle of a towel…an agonized whimper.

He bolted down the hall.

“What happened, Em? Are you okay?”

The bathroom door cracked open, releasing a feminine burst of vanilla and lavender. She peered out, water still clinging to her eyelashes. “I’m fine,” she whispered, “but could you come in and help me pull off some tape?”

“Sure,” he said, immediately hardening in a mixture of memory and anticipation. He shoved aside his good intentions. One more night wouldn’t hurt. He liked this girl, she liked him, and right now lust licked inside him like a hungry flame. His gaze lowered. She was practically naked. Her shoulders glistened invitingly, a tiny towel was wrapped like a sarong, and her beautiful breasts—

“Dammit, what have you done?” He pushed back the door and charged in, his eyes widening.

“I had to tape them. The director wanted big breasts. It was the only way to get the part.”

His hands fisted. The line of skin beneath her breasts was raw and reddened. Blood trickled from beneath curled gray tape. Worse, the bottom of the tape seemed imbedded in her flesh.

“I’m a bit of a wimp about pulling it off,” she went on. “But if you could find the end and yank fast... I think it’s at the back.” She glanced over her shoulder as though puzzled by his stillness. “The duct tape is really strong,” she added. “It might need to be cut.”

He automatically reached for the knife in his pocket, fighting the sick feeling in his gut. “How long did you have this on?”

“Since this morning. I forgot about it actually.”

He gulped. She was no wimp. It must have hurt like hell although he shouldn’t be surprised. She was resourceful, smart and courageous…and clearly would go to great lengths to break into the business. “I thought you looked a little different,” he said.

“I didn’t think you noticed.”

“Oh, I noticed.” So had every male with a pulse. And she was right. Anthony wouldn’t have picked her for the part if she hadn’t displayed such attractive breasts. He tucked the tip of the knife beneath the tape, forcing his hand to steady. “Don’t you have a bra that does this sort of thing?” he asked.