The Shifter's First Bite, page 5
He winced. “Sorry. Change of plans. Now that the healer worked her magic on Krissy’s rash, we’re doing the love scene… in a bathtub.”
“Oh.” Zinnia stood. “That’s awkward, isn’t it? I should probably go. Neither of you are going to want a perfect stranger watching you film that.”
His hand slipped into hers and he held on gently, stopping her from running off the set. “I still want to see you after. Can I come by the shop? Will you be there?”
She shook her head. The day had been impossibly long, and while she should go back to the store to redo the cookies she’d dropped, she’d already decided she was going to bake them at home. She needed to relax and put her feet up. Have a glass—or bottle—of wine while watching mindless television. “I’m going home. If you get done at a reasonable hour you can meet me there.”
“Done.” He had her scribble her address down on the back of a napkin. After stuffing it into his pocket, he leaned down and brushed his lips over her cheek. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
She stared up into his impossibly blue eyes and couldn’t help the small sigh that escaped her lips.
“What was that about?” he asked, his gaze searching hers.
Zinnia gave him a small smile and lightly patted his chest. “Just wondering how long it’s going to be before you break my heart again.” He opened his mouth to say something, but Zinnia pressed her fingers to his lips and said, “Shhh. We both know you’re going to leave eventually. I’m just being realistic about it. Now go work. I’ll see you later tonight.”
She left him standing there as her heart raced. Had she really said that? She glanced over her shoulder to find him still staring after her. A giggle bubbled up from the back of her throat when she realized she’d left him speechless. Finally, she’d been the one to leave him off balance instead of the other way around. Good, she thought. It was about time the tables were turned for once.
Navigating the large house wasn’t any easier as she tried to make her way back toward the front door. The crew was filming on the third floor, and when she descended the first set of stairs, she found herself in an unfamiliar, unlit hallway. This hadn’t been the way Reed had led her to the set earlier. She gritted her teeth and ran her hand along the wall, looking for a light switch. She didn’t find one, but instead of turning around and embarrassing herself in front of Reed, she headed toward the faint light at the end of the hallway.
The sound of voices was music to her ears, indicating she was either headed toward the main hallway or she could at least get directions. She sped up as the voices started to fade and rushed around the corner.
Two women were half hidden in the shadows off to the left of the grand staircase, two women she recognized. And when they bent their heads together, their lips touching in a gentle kiss, Zinnia froze.
Krissy and Holly kissed softly, then Krissy wrapped her arms around the other woman, and the kiss turned heated.
Zinnia took a step back, not wanting to get accused of spying again, but she needn’t have bothered. Krissy was so focused on Holly, she didn’t seem to notice anything else around her.
“I’m so sorry, babe,” Krissy said. “Can you forgive me?”
Holly let out a deep sigh. “It’s not about forgiveness, Kat. You know I can’t keep doing this. I don’t want to hide who I am or what we have.”
Krissy bit down on her bottom lip as she stared into Holly’s eyes. “You know I can’t just come out. The show, the publicity—”
“Your father,” Holly finished for her.
“Yes, my father,” Krissy said, heatedly. “I can’t just defy him. You don’t understand.”
“Oh, I understand perfectly, Kat,” Holly said very quietly. “His approval and bank account mean more to you than I do.”
Krissy took a step back. “That’s not fair.”
“Maybe not, but it’s the truth.” Holly stepped up close to the actress, tucked a lock of her blond hair behind her ear then strode off down the stairs with Krissy watching her as she went.
When Holly’s footsteps faded into silence, Krissy let out a sigh and turned toward the hallway where Zinnia was still standing.
Oh, shit! Zinnia stepped back into the hallway, collected herself, then strode back around the corner, acting as if she hadn’t seen or heard anything. “Krissy, hey, fancy meeting you here,” she said with a nervous smile. “I was just on my way out. I think Reed and the crew might be waiting for you.”
Krissy let out a noncommittal grunt and brushed past Zinnia without a word.
Zinnia glanced over her shoulder at her. Krissy’s shoulders were slumped, and she was shaking her head, clearly lost in her own thoughts, no doubt about her conversation with Holly. Zinnia felt a little sorry for Krissy. She knew it must be awful to be in love with someone and have to hide their relationship.
But what Zinnia didn’t understand was why Krissy acted so put out about Reed spending time with another woman if she was in love with Holly. Was it just their image she was worried about? Did she think the ratings would go down if the public learned they weren’t really a couple? Perhaps. She made a mental note to ask Reed about it later. In the meantime, she had cookies to bake, and she needed to prepare for an evening with the television star. A slow smile claimed her lips as she floated down the second set of stairs and out of the front door of the gorgeous Victorian.
Chapter Six
Reed lowered himself into the claw foot tub and watched as Krissy slipped out of her robe. She was wearing a nude-colored bathing suit, and her blond hair had been pinned to the top of her head. The rash was gone, leaving her skin once again lightly tanned and flawless.
His costar was gorgeous, and there was a time in his life when he’d considered dating her. It certainly would’ve made things easier if they’d been attracted to each other. But while Krissy was a giant flirt, when he flirted back that spark in her eye that drew so many of her fans to her always faded away. He didn’t know why, but when they were alone together with no cameras rolling, that chemistry between them fizzled out like a wet firecracker. It was just as well. He had no interest in her now, and if they’d ever slept together, it would’ve just been a huge mistake.
“Okay, Krissy. Sit between Reed’s legs and lean back into him, your head tilted up so you can gaze lovingly at your fiancé,” Delaney said.
“Do we have to do this tonight?” Krissy asked. “I thought the schedule had been rearranged for a fight scene.” Her fists were clenched, and her brows were pinched in what looked to be frustration.
“Your rash is gone, right?” Delaney asked in a sharp tone.
“Yes. So? I got all geared up for a fight, not a love scene.” Krissy glanced at Reed and made a face.
Reed just raised his eyebrows. Something was wrong. It wasn’t like Krissy to argue with the directors.
“Plans changed,” Delaney said coldly, clearly not in the mood to take any shit. “If you hadn’t been playing in the woods earlier today, we’d have already gotten this scene and been home by now. Get in. I’ve already had a fourteen-hour day.”
Krissy sucked in a sharp breath, and Reed could almost see her swallowing her anger.
“What wrong?” he whispered once she was in the tub and leaning against his chest.
“Nothing. Forget it.” She was tense. Every muscle was coiled as if she was ready to bound right out of the tub given half a chance.
“Hey,” he said, rubbing her shoulders lightly. “Let’s both try to relax so we can get through this and call it a night, huh?”
She tilted her head to the side, giving him better access to her neck, and said, “Yeah. Okay.”
“That’s good,” Delaney said. “The small smiles, the tenderness, this is a great opener for this scene.”
Krissy tensed again, and Reed noticed her lips thin into a grimace.
“Krissy!” Delaney admonished. “What are you doing?”
“Sorry,” she mumbled and glanced back at Reed with weary eyes. “I’m really not in the right frame of mind for this.”
He wasn’t either if he was honest. All he could think about was tearing out of there and heading off to Zinnia’s place. All he wanted to do was wrap her in his arms and kiss her again. Having Krissy in his arms seemed like a betrayal, even though he was only doing his job. But if he let his reluctance get the better of him, they’d be there filming all night, and that was the last thing he was going to let happen.
“You can do this,” he whispered into her ear. “Just imagine the person you really would rather be with. Picture him in your mind and pretend he’s the one running his hands over your soft skin.”
She let out a small huff of laughter. “Yeah, sure. If only he were here right now instead of you.”
He didn’t miss the sarcasm in her voice but chose to ignore it as he ran his thumb from the base of her skull down her neck. “Imagine him kissing you here,” he whispered as he leaned in and lightly brushed his lips over her pulse. He knew then that she really had no interest in him. Her skin was cool, and her pulse was a steady beat. Having his hands and lips on her hadn’t caused one physical response. He couldn’t help but wonder what the scene at the hot springs was about. Why had she followed him there and acted jealous?
“That’s it,” Delaney said. “Good work, Reed. Krissy, reach back and place your hand on his cheek.”
Krissy did what she was told.
Then Delaney made them run through the scene again three more times before she told Krissy to turn and wrap her arms and legs around Reed.
Once she was in position, they were both stiff and awkward. Reed reached up, intending to smooth her hair back, but he missed and awkwardly poked her in the eye.
“Ouch!” She jerked back, covering the side of her face with her hand. “What was that for?”
“Sorry,” he said sheepishly. “I’m just… I can’t relax.”
“That didn’t help.” She removed her hand and blinked a few times. Her eye was watery and red.
“Hold on.” The makeup artist ran in and administered some eye drops then touched up Krissy’s makeup.
Delaney yelled, “Action!”
Reed stared down at her intently, trying to think of all the things he was supposed to want to do with her. Instead a chill washed over him, and his skin felt tight, like he needed a hot shower to wash away the uncomfortable feeling of having Krissy wrapped around him. She didn’t look any more comfortable than he did. They both awkwardly moved through the scene five times before Delaney yelled, “Cut!”
The assistant director stalked over to them and leaned down. Her voice was low but full of disdain. “I don’t know what’s going on between you two, but you’d better snap out of it. If you don’t, I’m going to put a goddamned porno movie on and make you watch it until you’re ready to ride each other like fucking rock stars. Got it?”
Krissy rolled her eyes. “You wouldn’t do that.”
“Won’t I? I have a date tonight, and if you two make me late, heads will roll. Now figure out how to get hot for each other, or I’ll figure it out for you.”
Reed watched her go as a production assistant arrived and added more bubbles to the water. Once he retreated, Reed closed his eyes and imagined Zinnia as she’d been in the hot spring earlier that day. His body instantly heated. Every part of him was hard and ready for her, and his fingers ached to touch her, to tease every inch of her soft body as he explored all of her secret places.
He heard Delaney’s faint voice across the room and knew they’d started to film again, but he was too busy picturing himself tasting Zinnia’s nipple.
“Now, Reed. Show her how much you want her,” Delaney whispered from behind him.
He opened his eyes and knew that Krissy was still wrapped around him, but his mind had gone to a completely new place as he reached for her. He didn’t see the gorgeous blond actress. All he saw in his mind was Zinnia’s flushed face after he’d all but devoured her in the spring earlier that day.
He brought his hand up, caressed her cheek and then pulled her in tight, his lips possessing hers. He felt her go pliant in his arms, surrendering herself to him, and then suddenly a loud voice yelled, “Cut!”
Krissy quickly pulled back, pressing the back of her hand to her mouth. “What the fuck was that?”
“That was onscreen magic, darling,” Delaney said, beaming at them. “Nice job, Reed. You even had me believing you couldn’t wait to nail her.” She turned and looked at the filming crew. “It’s a wrap, people. Go home. Get some rest and sleep in tomorrow, but we’ll be filming in the afternoon. The rest of you, make sure you’re here with enough time for makeup and wardrobe.”
Krissy scrambled out of the tub and quickly wrapped herself in the robe one of the production assistants was holding out for her. Reed watched her run off the set and wondered what he’d done to cross the line.
But deep down he knew. He’d tapped into too much emotion. Emotions that had nothing to do with her or the characters they were playing. Emotions she’d know damned well were for someone else. And no matter how much they told themselves it was their job to act, no one ever wanted to feel like they were a stand-in for someone else. And that’s exactly what she’d just become.
Reed hauled himself out of the tub, feeling like the world’s largest ass, and followed her.
He knocked once and said, “Krissy? Are you all right?”
The door swung open, and she just stood there, staring at his chest. Then she raised her gaze and in a breezy voice said, “Sure. Why wouldn’t I be?”
He glanced back toward the set. “What happened back there… I’m sorry if I took it too far.”
She shrugged. “Delaney’s happy.”
“I know, but—”
“Forget it, Reed,” she said softly. “It’s just a scene. You did your job and I did mine. Now go find that girl and get her out of your system. You won’t be satisfied until you do.”
He knew Zinnia would never be out of his system. It’d been thirteen years, and he wanted her just as much as he had then—more now that they’d shared the day in the hot spring. But instead of contradicting her, he just nodded and went to find the one girl he’d never been able to forget.
Reed knocked on the door of the ivy-covered cottage and smiled. The place had gingerbread trim along the front porch and fit Zinnia perfectly. He could just imagine her bustling around in her kitchen with the scent of warm chocolate fudge cookies in the air. The image stirred a longing inside of him he hadn’t felt in thirteen years.
The door was flung open, and there she was. Her flushed cheeks and plump red lips pulled a barely audible groan from him as he stepped into her, wrapping one arm around her waist.
“Well, hello to you, too,” she said, smiling up at him.
“Please tell me you’re not right in the middle of something important that can’t wait a few minutes.”
“Why?” she asked, giving him an amused look of suspicion.
“Because I’ve been waiting all night to do this.” He took her by the hand, pulled her out onto the porch, and then bent his head and brushed his lips over hers. She instantly melted into him, and it was all he could do to stop himself from walking her backward into her house, slamming the door, and taking her right there.
Back when they’d known each other as teens, they’d never held hands, never kissed, never done more than share a slow dance at a high school homecoming. But he’d remembered the curve of her body in his arms then, and she was even better now. All soft and pliant and female. He couldn’t remember when he’d felt so out of control around a woman.
Her hand curled around a swath of his cotton shirt and he opened his mouth, his tongue finding hers and tasting her again. Chocolate and sugar and spice. She reminded him of Christmas and was a package he couldn’t wait to unwrap. Without a word, he lifted her up and set her on the porch railing, shifting to move between her legs. Then he dipped his head again, covering her mouth and kissing her deeply, claiming her as his.
Something stirred deep inside of him. Something primal and raw and sacred. His skin tingled and heated just as it always did at the beginning of his shift, but that pull in his gut that would force him into a werewolf was missing. He wasn’t going to turn—not now at least—but his wolf was there right beneath the surface, letting Reed know this was the one.
His hold on her tightened, but he broke the kiss and just stared down at her sweet face, shock rolling through him in waves. Reed had known for years that he’d wanted her, that he’d had an insane crush on her and deeply regretted never asking her out. But what he hadn’t known is that his inner wolf had craved her. That was obvious now, and for the first time in his life, he could feel his wolf starting to take over.
The urge to bite her, to bind her to him forever, was right there at the surface.
He pulled back but couldn’t bring himself to let her go as he sucked in a deep breath, trying to steady himself. It didn’t take long for his wolf to settle, much to his relief. Knowing he could control himself meant he could stay. If he couldn’t, he’d have had to leave. There was one thing he’d never do—bite a woman without her consent. Wolves who claimed their mates without explicit consent were complete trash in his opinion. He wanted a partner, not someone magically bound to him who didn’t want to be there.
“Reed?” she asked softly, searching his face.
“Yes?” He trailed his fingers up and down her spine, unable to stop touching her.
“My cookies are going to burn.”
He dipped his head again and pressed soft, lingering kisses on her neck. “Do you care?”
She tilted her head to the side as she breathed, “No, I guess not.”
He smiled against her skin and dropped his other hand down to cup her round ass.
“Oh, god,” she said, her breath warm against his ear.
The wind picked up, and then a loud rumble of thunder came out of nowhere, making the house shake.
