~Leah~
It was early —like why-did-I-even-bother-going-to-sleep early. When the alarm had gone off this morning, I'd seriously doubted my sanity.
Why am I going to a movie set at four in the morning? Right —because Declan asked me to.
So, the day after Thanksgiving, at the butt crack of dawn, when everyone else was waking up to go stand in ridiculously long lines for stuff they really didn't need, I was sipping coffee in the freezing cold while a bunch of crew members curiously stared at me like I was from another planet. Declan had stepped away for hair and makeup, so I was all alone for the time being.
It was supposed to look like night for the scene they were shooting. When I'd asked why they just didn't film it at night, Declan had said the meteorologists were predicting fog that morning, and the director had switched around the schedule, so they could try and take advantage of the natural beauty, rather than adding it in after. It had sounded logical, but my sleepy brain was not agreeing with logic at that very moment. I was a nurse, so I was supposed to be used to odd hours, but I was pretty sure my body —the smart bitch —knew this was not work, and therefore, it didn't count. So, I was bitch-ass tired.
The weatherman had actually been right for a change. The fog hanging heavy in the air created a very ominous sight as we stood around the historic gravestones. This movie had brought Declan and I back full circle, and we were now at the cemetery we had walked through so many months ago. This was the place where I had seen Declan in his element, and I had known he was more than just some Hollywood poser.
Pulling my thick red peacoat closer to my body, I tried to keep myself from shivering. It was teeth-chattering cold this morning. Winter was slowly winning the battle against fall, and I felt like our autumn days were numbered. Soon, snow would come, and the trees would become bare. It made me a bit sad. I loved autumn in the South. It was breathtaking. Orange, red, and brown leaves would take over the landscape, almost overnight, and the air would finally become cool and crisp after months of suffocating heat.
As I snuggled into my scarf and coat, I felt warm hands encircle my waist.
Declan whispered in my ear, "Are you cold?"
It was such an intimate thing to do, and I felt off balance for a moment, not knowing where this sudden change had come from. All I could do was nod as he pulled my body closer to his. Looking around, I noticed a few of his costars watching us. He must have noticed, too, but he didn't pull away. He stayed there with me in his arms, like he was purposely staking his claim in front of the rest of the crew.
I turned in his arms, needing to see his face, in hopes that I could understand what was going on in his head. Looking in his eyes, I saw heat and desire, but I also saw something deeper. Affection? Possession? I wasn't sure, but it gave me chills. It created possibilities in my head that I didn't want to think about. I could not allow myself to hope with Declan. Hoping led to pain, and I knew one thing. I wanted Declan more than I wanted my next breath. Hope could be my ultimate downfall. I didn't think I would survive Declan like I had with Daniel.
"They're ready for me," he said.
I took notice of his makeup and costume for the first time. He looked...good. The Confederate soldier uniform made him look regal and handsome, and the makeup they had applied gave him an aged, worn appearance that fit the time period.
"You can sit over there. Someone from the crew will give you headphones, so you can listen, okay?"
I nodded, but before I could say anything else, he lowered his lips to mine in a slow, lingering kiss that showed anything but urgency. It left me branded. As he walked away, my hand drifted up to my mouth as if I were trying to make sure I was still real. I had been kissed by Declan James too many times to count. He seemed to have quite the obsession for my mouth —among other things. But that kiss? That kiss had left me awe-struck. It was earth-shattering in its simplicity, mind-numbing in its intimacy, and completely raw in its emotional depths.
Did I miss something? What had changed? Before I could take the necessary time to think through Declan's complete turnaround, I was ushered over to a set of chairs and handed large headphones.
Lights went on, and someone yelled, "Quiet on the set!" and "Action!"
Holy shit, I was on a movie set!
The reality of where I was solidified when I saw Declan dressed in his Civil War–era uniform, wandering through the graves. His eyes found mine briefly before he carried on through the foggy graveyard. Declan had told me they were filming the scene where his character came back after the war had ended, only to discover his wife and child had died. The scene they were currently filming had Declan's character, William, visiting their graves after he just heard the terrible news.
He stumbled, looking distraught and disheveled. He looked around from grave to grave with a small candlelight lamp, searching for their graves. Stopping, his eyes found what they were searching for. Falling to his knees in front of the graves, an angry cry tore through his body as he placed a hand on top of the granite slab, and then he began to sob.
I couldn't help it. Even though I knew he was acting, I felt tears trickle down my cheeks in response to the emotions he was expressing. He hadn't even delivered a line yet, and I was completely transfixed on him, mesmerized by his performance.
"I'm so sorry, Anne. I'm so sorry I wasn't here," he said.
He continued to cry and whisper to his wife until a woman entered the scene. Her real name was Sidney Monroe, and she was an amazing actress. She was around my age with chocolate brown skin and a curvy body that most women would kill for. She was cast as the head maid to the wealthy landowner played by Declan. She would also be his love interest after his wife died. That was what made the film so interesting —a wealthy man in the Civil War era falling in love with an emancipated slave in the South. It was beautiful, and I hoped to God Declan got the credit he deserved.
"Mr. Hamilton, sir..." Sidney said. "Mr. Hamilton," she said a bit louder.
Declan looked up, his eyes completely red and bloodshot from the tears he had shed.
"I'm so sorry. I tried, sir. I tried everything I could, but the sickness came so quickly..." She trailed off.
"Leave. Please. Just leave me," he said harshly.
The woman nodded and fled.
The director yelled, "Cut!"
And I was pulled out of my Declan-induced trance. I looked up in time to see Declan jogging toward the director, who was huddled in discussion with the cameraman. Declan glanced my way, giving me an expression that said he'd be with me as soon as possible. I just smiled and gave him a slight nod as he joined the small group. I watched as they looked through the film, pointing at different aspects and pausing to discuss. Both the director and lead cameraman listened to Declan as he provided his opinion and suggestions for the scenes they had moving forward. He was so passionate when he spoke and so in his element as he described his vision.
"Good job, Declan. Really, it was superb. Whatever you were thinking about and focusing on in that scene, harness it. It was the best work I've seen out of you yet," the director said.
The men ended their impromptu meeting, and Declan slowly made his way over to me, giving me time to look him up and down. Even dressed in a Civil War–era uniform, he looked sexy as hell. In fact, I was starting to think we needed to take that costume back to my place and do a little role-playing. I could do my best Scarlett O'Hara impression, and he could sweep me off my delicate Southern belle feet.
Yeah, that could work.
Declan's lips turned up into a sly smile as he closed the gap between us. He was obviously aware of the effect his presence had on me.
Pressing his body close to mine, he angled his mouth against my ear. "They've given us a bit of a break on account of my fabulous acting abilities. And the only thing I can think about right now is getting you into my trailer, out of these clothes, and burying myself deep inside you."
Well, um...yeah. I was pretty sure I could go for that.
I gave him a devilish grin, "Let's go."
~Declan~
I wanted to rip the throat out of every man on the entire set. No, first, I'd do something about their eyes, and then I'd go for the throats. Then, at least, they wouldn't be able to stare at Leah while I was killing them.
F*ckers.
As soon as she had stepped foot on set, they had all looked her over and swarmed around her like vultures. She hadn't seemed to notice, but I sure as hell had. Their eyes, full of uninhibited lust, had lingered over her ass and fixated on her breasts —all the things that were mine, not theirs.
After the doctor yesterday and my overwhelming reaction to him, I'd gone back to my hotel and had a serious come-to-Jesus meeting with myself. What the hell was I doing? I had basically claimed her at that dinner table, and afterward, when I should have felt remorse or panic, I'd felt...good. As bad as I'd felt for the doctor and his shitty divorce, I hadn't wanted him looking at Leah or talking to her at all. She was mine, and I'd wanted to do anything and everything that night to make it perfectly clear. Those hadn't been the acts of a man who wanted a casual affair. They had been the thoughts and actions of a man who wanted more.
Figuring that out had made things a bit clearer for me. Coming to the set today and seeing the vultures descend had made it crystal clear. My sudden fierce possessiveness of Leah was more than a casual fling to me now. I wanted her, all of her. I didn't know how long this would last or how it would end up, but I was balls-in, and I hoped to God she was too.
I'd heard one of the crew members say, "Man, that is one hot piece of ass. How does Declan do it all the time?"
Then, I'd seen red. I didn't want Leah to be seen as another skank I'd picked up from a bar or club, so I had done the only thing I could think of. I'd walked up to her and claimed her —not with a sloppy bar kiss, no. I'd given her the type of kiss that a man gave the woman he wanted to keep. And I did. She'd looked downright stunned and stupefied ever since. I kind of liked her this way. It was kind of humorous.
We made our way to my on-set trailer, passing by several of the men who had spent the better part of the early morning staring at Leah's butt. I wrapped my arm around her waist and slid my hand down her backside to cup her firm ass. It was my way of saying both, F*ck off, and, Mine, all at the same time. The men seemed to get the hint and scattered as we continued down the path.
Unlocking the door, I ushered Leah in first, making sure to secure the lock again after we'd entered. She took her time, taking the few steps into the tight space. There wasn't much room. Only a small table, a microwave, refrigerator, a tiny bed, and bathroom toward the back occupied the trailer. It wasn't meant to be lived in, but it did provide an escape during the day when I needed space or privacy.
"What are we doing, Declan?" she asked.
"I think you know, Leah."
I knew she wasn't speaking in the literal sense, but I didn't want to go there yet. I wasn't ready for the us discussion yet. I'd never wanted an us until now.
What if she didn't feel the same way?
Stalking toward her, I hooked my hand around her neck, drew her toward me, and captured her mouth with mine.
"You taste so damn good. Like peaches and cream, you're sweet and creamy and so f*cking addictive," I said against her now swollen lips.
"I want you, Declan. Now," she moaned, nearly causing me to blow it right there.
God, her voice. It was the perfect combination of sexy porn star and the sweet girl next door.
Closing the small gap between us, I wrapped my arms around her waist and lifted her off the ground, pulling her body against mine. Her legs circled my torso, and I growled as her core pressed hard against my dick. Not wasting any time, my mouth devoured hers as we made our way to the bed in the back of the trailer. Even though our movements and kisses were frantic, I laid her gently on the bed, cradling her head like a priceless treasure.
Leaning back, I slid my hands under the hem of her sweater and lifted it over her head, exposing her red satin bra.
"Nice. Is this my early Christmas present?" I asked, grinning.
"I don't know. Have you been good?"
"No, I've been very, very bad. Let me show you."
Letting my hands ghost down her waist, I unsnapped her jeans and slid them down her lush, long legs. My gaze traveled upward, and I found a pair of matching satin panties, making my grin even wider.
"I don't think I've ever seen a more beautiful sight than you sprawled out on a bed, ready and eager for me." I removed my battered uniform coat and lifted my shirt up and over my head.
"You know, I was starting to think directors were crazy for never giving you shirtless scenes. But now, I'm kind of relieved."
"Oh?" I asked, suddenly confused.
"I don't want to share you with all the females of the world," she whispered.
If I hadn't been so hard from the mere sight of her, I wouldn't have thought it would be possible to become more so. But hearing those possessive words made me hornier than a teenager in heat, and I attacked her. Fusing our lips together, I wrapped an arm underneath her body, pulling her up, so that her legs straddled me. I loved this position with her. My hands felt like they were everywhere at once, running up her back and then down to grab her ass, as she ground herself against me.
Realizing I'd mauled her with half my clothes still on, I lifted her, so she was straddled around my torso, high enough that I could slip off my shoes and pants without breaking our kiss. Now fully nude, I settled us back onto the bed. I removed Leah's bra and panties, so she was left completely bare, like an offering from the gods. I was so hard that it was nearly painful. All I wanted to do was plunge into her soft heat and never leave. But I needed to taste her first.
"Spread those beautiful legs for me, baby," I commanded.
A sly smile crossed her face as she leaned back on her elbows and slowly pulled her legs apart, like the parting of a curtain. And f*ck, wasn't it a sight to behold.
"Goddamn, just when I thought you couldn't get any more beautiful, you do that."
Sliding my palm up her leg and around to the inside of her trembling thigh, I spread her folds and gently rubbed her *, eliciting a low moan from the back of her throat. Wanting to hear more, I slid two fingers into her slick channel, loving how wet she was for me. She jerked her hips forward, pushing my fingers in deeper and harder.
"I can't wait any longer. I need my mouth on you." I retracted my drenched fingers and slipped them into my mouth, sucking every bit of her off of me.
She watched in fascination, her blue eyes crackling with heat. "Good?" she asked, her voice low and husky and so sexy.
"Best damn thing I've ever had. I think I'll be moving on to the main event now," I answered with a grin.
I dropped my head between her lush thighs and plunged my tongue into her center. She cried out as I taunted and teased her with my mouth, bringing her almost to the edge and then backing off again. By the third time, she was panting and writhing with need.
"Declan, I need..."
"Tell me, Leah. What do you need?"
"Make me come. Oh God...I need to come," she moaned frantically.
"Beg for it. Tell me how much you need me."
"Declan, please. I need you, please."
Her silky tone, full of need, nearly sent me over the edge with its husky resonance. Sliding up her body, my mouth, still slick from her wet p-ssy, found hers and devoured it, letting her lick the taste of her own desire off my lips.
"I love it when you beg," I said against her lips.
My rock-hard erection found her dripping wet core and I entered her in one hard thrust. Leah's nails raked down my back as she gasped for air.
"Again. Don't stop," she begged.
I lost it and drove into her with reckless abandonment, feeling like I needed to leave my permanent mark on her body forever. Stroke after stroke, she held on, her hands slipping down to grip my ass as I thrust into her like a wild man. When I felt her walls begin to tighten, I knew she was close. Her channel gripped me like a vise, and I thought I might die from the feel of it. I knew the moment she was about to fall. Her body began to shake as that sweet p-ssy of hers clamped down, and she started to scream my name. I quickly bent down and caught her screams with my mouth as I kissed her through her orgasm. She writhed and moaned against my mouth as I picked up speed again, needing to find my own release.
Pulling back from our kiss, Leah smirked, snaked a hand between our joined bodies, and gripped my balls as I f*cked her.
"Oh shit," I groaned.
The addition of her hand stroking me was enough, and I came hard, losing myself in Leah's beautiful body.
It was then that I realized we hadn't used a condom.