Page 79 of Second Act
“He and I are dating, which wouldn’t be big news, except that we were engaged eight years ago and broke it off.”
Relief spread over Riya’s face. “Oh, so you know. That makes me feel better.”
“I know what?”
“About how I...about Mr. Baker being the reason...” The other vet trailed off as she sensed Jessica’s incomprehension.
But her words triggered hazy memories of a conversation in Hugh’s limousine. “Did Hugh send you here?” Jessica asked, making an effort to keep her voice even.
“I had my résumé posted on a job website, saying I was looking for part-time work in the New York area. He got in touch with me and suggested I apply here, even though there was no job opening posted.” A worried crease appeared between Riya’s eyebrows as she tried to repair whatever damage she had done. “He said many very positive things about you and your clinic, so I became convinced this was the right place for me.”
Jessica didn’t want to upset her godsend. “And I am thrilled that he did. You are going to be a great addition to the clinic.”
A relieved smile lit Riya’s face. “I am thrilled, too.”
“Hugh! Come in for a minute!” Bryan shouted from the door of the production trailer as Hugh walked by, headed for his limo.
Hugh considered claiming that he was late for an appointment of some kind, but he owed Bryan for yesterday’s rescheduling. Of course, the director was taking full advantage of that. He’d worked Hugh like a dog today, shoehorning in extra scenes to speed up the filming. All Hugh wanted to do right now was fall into bed with Jess and go to sleep...after making love to her, of course. That thought sent a shot of adrenaline right down to his cock.
However, he veered toward the trailer and plodded up the steps. “Good or bad?” he asked as Bryan waved him onto a chair in front of the large screen where the day’s footage was reviewed.
“You tell me,” the director said. “Run that last scene with Meryl again,” he ordered the assistant.
It was the foreplay scene between Julian and Sara, which started with some clever banter, moved into emotional confessions, and culminated in a hard, passionate kiss. Hugh had been surprised and relieved when Bryan had declared the second take a wrap.
As he watched, he understood why.
“I can’t believe the camera lens didn’t fog up,” Bryan said. “You two practically generated nuclear fusion. Every guy in the audience is going to thank you for what happens when he and his date get home.”
Of course, he’d been channeling his feelings for Jess into his character’s reactions to Sara. Meryl, being the talented actress she was, had used his energy to feed her own responses.
“If you do this for the actual love scene, it’s going to scorch right through the film,” Bryan chortled.
“Meryl did half the work,” Hugh pointed out.
Bryan shook his head. “That heat is radiating off you, ace, but I’ll make sure Meryl sees this, too. She needs to know what’s possible when a pro is acting at the top of his game.”
Hugh wasn’t immune to compliments from a director whom he respected. His fatigue lifted somewhat. “I appreciate that, but it takes a talented director to make it happen.”
Bryan grinned and slapped Hugh on the shoulder. “We are one helluva team. Now go get some sleep so we can make more magic tomorrow.”
Hugh groaned inwardly about the Sunday shoot, but he’d agreed to it knowing that Jess had to work anyway.
On the way to the hotel, he fell asleep in the limo, starting awake when the driver opened the door. Jess had texted him that she was already there, so he practically bolted down the hallway to the elevator, his haste prompted by the thought of how soft and warm she would feel in his arms.
He strode out of the elevator into the suite, calling her name. She rose from the plush sectional couch, tossing aside the magazine she was reading, her face alight with welcome. He let his gaze wander over the swell of her breasts under her cream-colored sweater and the swing of her deliciously rounded hips as she walked toward him. He wanted to feel every inch of her sweet, lush body against him right now.
They met halfway for a kiss that both shattered and healed him. She’d left her satiny brown hair loose around her shoulders, the scent of a citrusy shampoo drifting up from it. He buried his fingers in its waves to hold her while he drank in the slightly dazed light in her gray eyes and the temptation of her soft lips. “Jess,” he said.
“Hugh,” she answered with a smile, tracing her finger over his eyebrow, along his cheekbone, and down to the corner of his mouth, her touch sending tiny flickers of pleasure over his skin. “I’m still not used to you.”
He knew she meant how he looked, something he considered a genetic accident. He had long ago made peace with the fact that his appearance was a huge contributor to his success. When it came to Jess, though, he wanted her to lovehim, not his weirdly blue eyes. However, he made a joke of it. “Well, I intend to give you plenty of opportunity to become accustomed to me. All too soon, you’ll take my good looks entirely for granted.”
She cupped his cheek with her palm. “That will never happen.” Her smile turned to a self-mocking grin before she pushed out of his embrace. “Like the good girlfriend of a movie star, I managed to lift my little finger and order us drinks and dinner from room service. Do you still like bourbon straight up?”
Eight years ago, he thought drinking bourbon neat was both sophisticated and manly, so he’d taught himself to like it. Now that he didn’t have to worry about his image, he’d reverted to beer. But when Jess mentioned it, he had a sudden craving to taste the flavor of his aspirations. “It’s exactly what I want right now.”
“Hard day on the set?” she asked, taking his hand to lead him into the living room, where a decanter and several glasses were arranged on a tray on the coffee table. A half-empty glass of white wine stood near where she’d been reading.
