Without Limits: A BWWM Collection of Passion and Desire, page 8
“It’s either stand up for my beliefs or sell my soul to the devil?”
“Talk to the company and at least get the truth.”
“I have a better idea.” Gabrielle wrapped her fingers around the apple juice container. “I’ll talk to the devil himself.”
Chapter Thirteen
Hugh stood at Gabrielle’s door an hour later with a bouquet of red roses and a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon. “My god.” His eyes glazed over. “You’re stunning.”
She groaned, holding the door. “I’m wearing sweatpants and a tank top.”
“You’d look great in anything.” He handed her the gifts and entered. “I hope you like Cabernet Sauvignon.”
“Uh…” She studied the bottle. “What the hell is this for?”
“It’s a special occasion.” He walked around the living room, sniffing. “What a charming place. It has your touch.”
She set the wine and flowers on the table. “This isn’t the occasion for wine and flowers.”
Hugh seized her, trapping her lips between his.
“Mm!” She shoved at him as he wrapped his arms around her, forcing her in place.
He tore his lips from hers, face red. “I knew you wanted me.”
“What the…?” She struggled to free herself. “Let go of me!”
“What?” He kissed her again, causing her lips to go numb. “Still playing hard to get?” He pushed her on the couch and got on top of her.
“Hugh, what are you…” She whipped her head back and forth, as he tried to kiss her. “Are you insane? Get off me.” She yanked his hair.
“Ow.” He got up. “What the hell’s the matter with you?”
“Me?” She stood, fixing her top. “I’m not the one with the problem here.” She wiped the remnants of his kisses from her mouth.
“You serious?” He fixed the collar of his shirt. “Shit, you called me over here. I thought you were giving me the green light.”
“I’m not giving you no damn green light you moron.” She rushed to the other side of the room and stood beside the entertainment system. “I called you here to confront your ass.”
“About what?”
“Don’t play dumb with me.”
He rubbed his hair in place. “What the fuck are you talking about?”
“You know what I’m talking about.” She grabbed a pillow from the two-seater and hit him with it. “You sleazy piece of shit.”
“Stop.” He ducked, covering his head. “Tell me what the hell I did.”
Gabrielle hit him as he ran across the room. “You low-life, sexist, two-faced, disgusting, arrogant, sex-crazed lunatic.”
“Give me that.” He snatched the pillow and threw it across the room. “Are you crazy?”
“You…you…” She curled her fingers in his face. “I want to scratch your eyes out I’m so mad. You manipulated me. You’re a business partner with Iris International. Admit it!”
“Yeah, so?”
“You never told me!” She hit his arm.
“I’m confused as shit right now.” He raised his arms. “Why would I have to tell you who my business partners are?”
“I’m sure you heard I’m the spokesmodel now.” She tapped her foot.
“And?”
“I’m supposed to believe you had nothing to do with it?”
“I didn’t even know Iris signed you until they announced it in the press.”
“I wouldn’t believe your ass if you said the earth was round.” She got the pillow off the floor and placed it back on the two-seater.
“That’s good because it’s not round.” He massaged his neck. “It’s flat.”
She balled fists. “I want you to admit you manipulated this situation.”
“I swear I had nothing to do with it.” He fidgeted, switching his gaze to the floor. “I wouldn’t have dared told them to hire you because I knew you’d be mad if I had something to do with it.”
“Look me in the face and say it.” She stood in front of him. “You can’t because you’re lying.” She pushed him. “You made Iris International give me a contract. Tell the truth for once in your sorry life.” She lunged at him. “Tell me.”
“All right. I might’ve suggested that they offer you a contract, but they decided.”
“All because of you.” She swung her hand at him. “They probably wouldn’t have looked my way if not for you.”
“That’s not true.”
“Jesus.” She shoved her head into her palms. “Do you realize how embarrassing this is?”
“You have nothing to be embarrassed about.” He reached for her then dropped his arms. “Gabby, if they weren’t interested then nothing in the world would’ve made them sign you.”
“Am I supposed to be grateful that you finagled this behind my back?”
“I was hoping you’d be flattered.” He rolled his eyes. “Guess I got that wrong, huh?”
“You can’t keep doing this. My life isn’t a board game you can control. You have no right to be in my business.”
“I have every right because I care about you.”
“You only want one thing.” She pointed a shaky finger at him. “I’m getting that restraining order. Get out!” She went into the kitchen.
He traipsed in behind her. “I’ve never met someone so ungrateful in my life.”
She got a cup from the cabinet and filled it with tap water. “Eat me.”
“I wish.” He stood by the island, grinning. “However it happened, you got a deal with Iris International so you owe me.”
She exhaled between sips. “I don’t owe you a damn thing but a kick in the ass.”
“I didn’t do this to get you into bed, Gabrielle.”
“Right.”
“If this doesn’t prove that I’m in love with you, what would?”
“How can you be in love with me when you don’t know me?” She spread her arms. “You’re in love with a fantasy I present, but I’m not a fantasy, Hugh. I’m a human being, and you have no right to control me.” She crossed her arms, bowing her head. “I never wanna see you again.”
“Tough because it’s gonna be hard not to see the guy whose movie you’re starring in.”
“What?”
“I meant what I said in my office. We belong together. I’ll do whatever it takes to have you.”
She did her best not to jump across that island and strangle him. “Meaning?”
“You signed a contract with Iris International.” His mouth formed a conniving grin. “That means you signed one with me.”
She raced from behind the island. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“Did you read your contract?” He touched her hair. “Or were you so anxious to sign you skipped that step? See, Iris and I are a packaged deal. When you signed the contract, you agreed to do the movie.”
“You’re crazy.” She shuddered. “You can’t make me be in your movie.”
“Oh, yes I can.” He nodded. “A contract’s a contract.”
“You son of a—”
“Who’s the desperate one now?” He placed his hand on her back. “It seems shady but you’re gonna thank me in the long run.”
“Get out.” She slapped him. “Get out of my house and out of my life.”
“Ain’t happening, sweetie.”
“I’m not doing your film and you can kiss the crack of my black ass.”
He patted her cheek. “You wanna be sued for millions bringing you even more embarrassment? I think not. I can’t wait to work with you.” He cackled. “I hope we put in a lot of long hours.”
“Go to hell.” She shoved him out the kitchen. “No one makes me do what I don’t want. I’ll be the spokesmodel for Iris International, but I won’t be in your film. I’m getting my lawyers on this.”
“Fine.” He sauntered across the living room, toward the front door. “We’ll set up a meeting if you want but it’ll be a waste of time.”
“You’re a waste of a human being.”
“Ouch.” He touched his chest, flinching as if she’d stabbed him in the heart. “You won’t win this battle, Gabrielle.” He opened the door, backing into the hallway. “Might as well surrender and realize the blessings you’ve been offered.” He blew a kiss.
“Get out!” She raced toward him, swinging fists.
He left.
She punched the door. “Asshole.”
Chapter Fourteen
That night, Dash’s ranch hand Beckett greeted Sierra at the entrance gate of Dash’s ranch.
In her white stiletto sandals, Sierra struggled to keep up with Beckett who navigated the curvy walkway with ease despite his clunky, cowboy boots.
Beckett turned back, pointing to the mansion ahead. “I apologize, Miss Sierra. I could’ve driven you if the walk is too much.”
“No.” She twisted in behind him as a breeze of fresh grass and sweet hay cuddled her. “I’m enjoying the walk.”
They passed the large field equipped with state-of-the art stables.
“Seeing you is a lovely surprise,” Beckett said. “You brighten this place up.”
“I do?”
“I deal with horses all day and every day. It’s a treat to see a pretty blonde once in a while.”
“That’s sweet.” She held her dress as a breeze swept by.
The more they walked the less attention she paid to Beckett and more to the fabulous property.
“Damn.” He looked toward the purplish-black sky. “Weather’s coming in, huh?”
“I saw on my weather app it might rain.” She scratched her arm. “It’s been a while so we need it.”
He chuckled, straightening his cowboy hat. “Rain makes my job harder.”
They got closer to the twinkling lights of the ivory-colored, Mediterranean-style mansion, surrounded by eucalyptus trees.
“Now we gotta deal with mud and everything,” Beckett said. “And you know the horses go crazy when it rains.”
Sierra giggled. “I remember.”
“How long has it been since you were here?”
“About a year.” She trekked, her stilettos reminding her she should’ve changed shoes. “Haven’t been since Dash and I stopped hanging out. I’m sure it was a surprise when I stopped coming.”
“He hasn’t been the same since you and he stopped being friends.”
She exhaled, weighed by guilt. “Is that right?”
“He doesn’t have that spark anymore. Doesn’t seem to like anything but coming to this ranch. It was always an escape for him but now more than ever.”
“Finally.” Sierra grinned as they made it to the gigantic front area of the mansion covered in Spanish step stones. “I’m not in as good of shape as I thought.”
“Oh, you look like you’re in terrific shape.” He blushed, gripping the edge of his cowboy hat. “That walk seems to get longer when you haven’t been in a while.”
“Isn’t that the truth?” She put on a front, but he’d always been a man to stare at a woman longer than he should. “Where’s Dash again?”
“He’s in the den watching TV. He’s thinking of moving to the ranch.” Beckett nodded. “Yep, been talking about it for a while.”
She touched the back of her dress. “I didn’t know.”
“Anyway.” He clamped his callused hand over her wrist. “He’s gonna be happy you’re here.”
“Um…” She loosened her hand from his grip. “Check you later, Beckett.”
“Hey.” He grabbed her again when she tried to go up the entrance steps.
“What is it?” She shivered.
“I wanted to say I’m sorry.” His opaque eyes possessed a haunting glow. “For what you’re going through. It’s a shame. You’re a wonderful actress. I love all your movies.”
“I appreciate that.”
“You have any projects lined up?”
“I’ll be talking to my agent soon.” She rushed to the door. “Hopefully she’ll have some good news for me.”
“I hope so.” His eyes got glossy. “Nice seeing you again.”
She dashed into the house and let out a huge breath. “Creep.”
She exchanged greetings with the housekeeper, zipped through the halls of orange and red flooring and reached the den.
Under the cathedral ceiling and chandelier, Dash relaxed on the floral Santiago sofa.
Batman vs. Superman blasted from the 84-inch LG TV.
Sierra snickered at the irony of him watching a movie where he’d rejected the starring role. “Hey.”
He jerked, liquor spilling from his glass onto his pants. “Sierra.”
“I’m sorry.” She laughed, covering her mouth. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
He wiped the drink off his thigh and stood. “I’ll get rid of this.”
“It’s okay.” She gestured for him to sit. “I can handle being in the same room with alcohol.”
“You sure?” He sat. “What are you doing here?”
She walked down the concrete, entrance steps. “You invited me earlier, remember?”
He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “As I recall, you rejected the offer.”
“I changed my mind.” She stood on the red abstract rug. “You mind that I came?”
He had a coy smile. “You know I don’t.”
“Beckett still gives me the creeps. He’s always staring.”
“You’re a beautiful woman. How can a man not pay you attention? He’s a huge fan of yours. Seen all your movies.”
“I don’t know whether to be flattered or frightened.”
“Come on. Lay off Beckett.” His gaze trailed her body. “Why did you come here?”
Chapter Fifteen
Sierra smiled. “You’re not going to make this easy on me, huh?”
“No way.” Dash propped his arm on the back of the sofa.
“I wanted to see you.”
He ran his tongue across his bottom lip. “Why?”
“I wanted to say I was sorry for what I said in Hugh’s office.” She sat on the arm of the sofa. “I shouldn’t have cursed at you like that. I got mad.”
“Yeah, but I like it when you’re mad. It’s sexy.” He scooted closer to her. “I’m sorry too for what I said. I didn’t mean it. No one admires your acting more than me.”
“I’m supposed to see Madeline in a few days.” She tapped the face of her watch. “I shouldn’t be nervous to talk to my agent, but these days it’s like going to the doctor for test results. I’m a wreck.”
“It’ll work out.” He reached up, putting his arm around her waist. “Madeline’s one of the best agents in the industry. She’s gonna make something happen for you.”
“It’s hard not to worry because she hasn’t been as communicative as usual. Kinda feels like she’s avoiding me.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” He let her go.
“I shouldn’t be talking to you about this.” She moved to the spot beside him. “I should be talking to Hugh.”
“Why aren’t you?”
“He’s not around.” She leaned forward, resting her chin in her palm. “As usual.”
“You coming here had nothing to do with Hugh not being around. You wanted to see me, and you couldn’t help yourself.”
“Remember what you said about missing our friendship? I miss it too. You were the one I could always share my deepest thoughts with, and you always knew the right things to say.”
He smiled.
“I’ve been so depressed and stressed out. Maybe I should give acting up for good.”
“You can’t.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “It’s who you are.”
“But if no one gives me a chance then what’s the point?”
“Stop it.” He shook her. “Stop beating yourself up. The media’s done enough of that. It’s a rough patch right now but it’ll get better.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because I believe in you.” He stroked her hair. “I always will.”
“What is it you see in me that no one else does?”
“It’s what you let me see.” He glanced at her neck as if he wanted to kiss it. “You said Hugh wasn’t around. Where is he?”
“I don’t know.”
“Hm.” He sucked his lip. “Isn’t it strange to not know where your boyfriend is?”
“Is that your business?”
“What’s weird is you don’t even seem bothered that he isn’t around. Sierra, what kind of relationship is this? He runs off half the time and you don’t seem to care.”
“People get into relationships for different reasons, Dash.”
“Loneliness is not a reason to be with someone you don’t love. Look at me.” He laid his foot against the table. “I’m lonely as hell, yet I don’t settle for just anyone.”
“You can afford not to settle. You’re lonely by choice not because people want nothing to do with you. If I didn’t have Hugh, I’d have no one.”
“You’ll always have me.”
“No.” Her breasts heaved as she exhaled. “I keep telling you we’re not going back.”
“Why the hell not?” he shouted. “Why is it better to be with someone you don’t love than with me?”
“Because I don’t love him.” She stood. “That’s the point. I don’t love Hugh the way I loved you. He could never hurt me the way you could.”
“I’m not planning to hurt you.” He got up, huffing. “Damn it, can’t we get past this?”
“Yet, you continue to refuse to do the one thing that could bring us back together. Stop telling me you love me, Dash.”
He walked away, touching his forehead.
“Be a man and do something about it. That’s the difference between you and Hugh. He fights for what he wants. He doesn’t care what anyone else thinks.”
“I’m not Hugh.”
“You got that right.” She nodded fast. “I don’t need any reminders.”
“Is that why you’re with him? Or is it to make me jealous?”
“Both,” she spat. “Is it working?”
