Page 48 of Force of Nature

Chapter Seventeen

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Istretch my arms abovemy head, the sun shining into the camper warming me. I open my eyes, blinking around the bright room.

I don’t know what time it is, but for the first time I don’t really care. I feel perfect. Tucked in Thad’s bed, surrounded by his incredible scent. It’s not as good as waking up with him next to me, but it’s the next best thing.

Knowing I need to call my agent this morning in regards to an audition I hope she was able to schedule, I reluctantly sit up, rubbing my eyes with the back of my hands as I scoot from the bed.

Unlike the other two times I’ve stayed with Thad, this time I don’t run into anyone on my pursuit to make it to the house unnoticed.

In fact, when I enter the house it’s eerily quiet. Either my mom must be out running errands or on a ride with her horse, Charlie. They are really the only two things that pull her from the house. Well, other than gardening but considering I looked to make sure she wasn’t in the garden before slipping out of Thad’s camper, I know that’s not the case.

Climbing the stairs, I discard my jacket on the arm chair next to my closet the instant I enter my room. Making quick work of gathering up my toiletries from the top of my dresser, it’s only minutes before I’m standing under a stream of hot water, my mind not able to think of anything but last night and how Thad opened his arms to me without a moment’s hesitation.

How incredible it felt to sleep in his arms didn’t surprise me—it’s not the first time I’ve slept with him. What does surprise me is how my feelings since last night seem to have multiplied tenfold.

In fact, I can think of nothing else as I dress, blow dry my hair, and make myself a cup of coffee for breakfast. It’s like I’ve become a woman obsessed, addicted, waiting until I can get my next fix.

Thankfully, hearing my agent’s voice come across the phone half way through my second cup offers me some distraction and I’m able to refocus on what should be my priority–finding work so I can get the hell out of here.

“Laken, I was just getting ready to call you.” Wendy’s voice perking up the instant she realizes it’s me.

“With good news I hope.” I chew on my bottom lip, swirling my finger nervously around the top of my coffee mug over and over again.

“You got a call back on Blood Lust,” she announces, practically squealing through the phone. While Wendy is good at her job and usually very professional, we have established somewhat of a friendship and as such the way she approaches me has relaxed quite significantly.

“Shut up.” I lean back in my chair. “For Jocelyn?” I ask, referring to the secondary character on the new paranormal series I read for a few weeks ago.

“I’ll do you one better.” She lets a long dramatic pause extend between us. I’m seconds away from telling her to spit it out already when she almost screams into the phone, “It’s for Rose.”

“Rose?” I nearly choke on the word, not able to process that I would ever be so lucky as to receive a call back for a lead role. I didn’t even try for it because I thought I had no chance.

“Rose,” she confirms. “Harry called me this morning. He said after going over several audition tapes they narrowed it down between you and one other actress. He’d like you at the studio tomorrow to read for the part.”

“Tomorrow?” I practically jump out of my seat in excitement.

“Think you can make it work?”

“You just told me that I’m up for the lead role in Blood Lust. If I have to sell my kidney to get a plane ticket I’ll be there,” I tell her.

Thinking over what I’ve earned since being back on the ranch, I know I’ve got more than enough to buy a ticket to L.A.

“Good. Text me your flight details once you have it booked and I’ll pick you up at the airport when you land.”

“Done!” I practically squeal.

“Perfect. I’ll see you tomorrow, Laken.”

“I can’t wait.” I smile, clicking the end call button on the ancient cordless phone my parent’s keep in the kitchen.

Knowing I need to get on this now, given that it’s already almost eleven, I slide my flip flops on and quickly head outside, needing to find my mom or dad so I can borrow a car to get to town. Jogging across the gravel driveway that loops around the back of the house, I notice that my mom’s car is already gone.

Knowing my father could be anywhere, and because the property is just too expansive to go find him on foot, I immediately head for the barn.

The door is already open when I reach it and before I can even think to step inside, Thad comes strolling out with Sheldon at his side.

“Hey,” I get out breathlessly, my little jog coupled with excitement making it hard for me to catch my breath.

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