His Leading Lady (12 page)

His mouth watered when she mentioned the word
“brisket.” He took a slug of his lager.

Penny went through her conversation with
Keith. “They decided to change the storyline. So, they’re killing
off my character.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means, after this episode we’re shooting
next week, I’m unemployed. That happens in this business. You’re
never secure.”

“I’m sorry, honey. You can give up your place
and stay with me as long as you like, rent free.”

Her eyes watered, but she blinked back the
tears. “Thanks, Mark.” She fidgeted, twisting a paper towel in her
hands, looking down.

“Why don’t we continue this over dinner?” He
got up.

Penny busied herself serving the food.

He helped carry the platter to the table.
“I’ll do this,” he said, taking the large fork and sharp knife from
her hands. “After dad took off, Mom told me I’d be doing all the
‘man chores,’ like carving. I’m not bad.”

She doled out the other dishes while he cut
the meat.
Like a regular family.
He smiled at the thought.
They sat down to eat. Mark put a forkful of the tender beef in his
mouth. “This is amazing. You made this?” She nodded. “Wow!
Gorgeous, sexy, and cooks like a pro. You’ve got it all, babe.”

Penny dug into her food. She grinned at
him.

“So what happens now? Do you need some money
to tide you over?”

She shook her head. “I’ve got some saved up.
Been saving to go to design school. This just means it’ll happen a
little later.”

“How do you find work?”

“My agent. Keith’s been pretty good.”

“Does he hit on you?”
Has she been
sleeping with him?

“He did the first time I met him, but not
anymore. Now, we’re friends, sort of. Business friends. He gets a
piece of whatever I get, so he’s looking to find me work.”

“How long will it take?”

Penny’s eyes filled. “That’s the problem. You
never know how long it’ll take to get a new part on TV or in a
movie. It can take a week or years. I might be homeless…”

Mark reached for her hand. “You’ll never be
homeless, honey. Stay with me. Move in here.” The anguish in her
voice went straight to his heart.

“Keith said he was working on something for
me, so maybe this is premature,” she said, blinking back tears.

“I’m here. My house is your house.”

“Would you mind if I came to stay for a few
days?”

“It’d be great. I’d love it.” He grinned.
Having her here warming my bed, cooking…a dream come true.
She gave him a shy smile and turned her attention to the food on
her plate. Suddenly the single life, clubbing, drinking too much,
paled. Having Penny with him every day made him smile. He’d trade
nameless sex for nights with her in a heartbeat.

If I’m gonna have the responsibilities of
a husband, maybe I should become one.
He liked the idea of
having his own little family. She reached over and squeezed his
hand.
First, I need to make sure my job is secure.

“Thank you. You don’t know how much it means
to me to know I can crash here.”

“You have the keys. Come whenever you want.
Stay as long as you like.”

The tiny lines around her eyes smoothed out,
and her face relaxed. She beamed at him, making his heart sing.
I put that smile on her face.

“How are things with the Gamblers?” she
asked, changing the subject.

“Darvin’s a pain in the ass.”
Don’t tell
her about the threat. Not today.

“Why? I thought he was just a big-headed
idiot.”

“Worse. He knows I’m as good as he is, maybe
better…don’t mean to brag, but it’s the truth. And he wants me
gone. He’s afraid I’m going to steal his spot.”

“Could you?”

“I dunno. The owner’s coming to check out
practice. He’s going to make some cuts. Sweetwater is scared
shitless he’s gonna be cut and I’m gonna stay. I’m probably a whole
lot cheaper than Darvin.”

“Could that happen?” She put a carrot in her
mouth.

“I doubt it. Teams don’t change quarterback’s
unless someone can’t hit his man, gets injured, or arrested. Darvin
doesn’t show signs of any of those.”

“So, what’s his problem?”

“Don’t know. Don’t care. I wouldn’t mind
leaving The Gamblers. Time for me to move on.”

Her face fell.

Mark reached across the table to take her
hand. “Not leaving you behind.”

A look of relief washed across her
features.

“Harley said there’s a rumor that a scout is
coming to check out a game. Of course, it won’t matter, because
Darvin’ll be playing. I doubt the scout’ll recruit him. Darvin’s
thirty-three, he’s only got a few good years left. The scout won’t
get to see me play, so no chance of an offer. For now, I’m not
going anyplace.”

“Are you discouraged?”

“I want to play every week. I’m like a
racehorse permanently at the starting gate.”

“I get it. I hope you get your chance, babe.”
She smiled at him.

Over the next few weeks, Penny moved more and
more of her things into Mark’s apartment. He shoved his stuff into
two drawers and gave her three.

Tension on the field grew as the date the
cuts would be made grew closer. Even Harley started to get snippy.
Darvin Sweetwater ragged on Mark at every opportunity, never
letting up. Mark could barely control his temper. Harley helped his
friend keep his cool, but it wasn’t easy.

The day before the owner was coming, Darvin
cornered Mark in the shower. “Made up your mind to call in sick
tomorrow, Davis?”

“Don’t bet on it.”

“I have those pictures. Don’t think I won’t
send them.”

“I don’t give a shit what you do. You can
shove ’em, as far as I’m concerned.”

“Yeah? See how that pretty little chippie
feels when she finds out you ruined her career.”

Mark wanted to slap the smug smile off his
teammate’s face. “That’s blackmail. Blow it out your ass,
Sweetwater.”

Darvin’s brow wrinkled. Mark could see he had
him worried.
Good. Let the bastard sweat.
He pushed past him
and into the locker room. Mark threw his towel into the dirty towel
bin and slipped on his boxers.

“Yeah, you’re confident now, but just wait.
This gig is mine, and I ain’t sharin’. I need this job, Davis.
You’re not gonna take it away from me.”

“Who said I even wanted it? I just want to
play, Darvin. Get that through your thick skull.”

“Go play somewhere else. This team is
mine.”

Mark finished dressing and stalked off to the
parking lot. He was steamed. When he got home, Penny was there. He
paced, yelled, cursed, and turned red in the face. She sat calmly,
listening. Finally finished with his rant, he collapsed onto the
sofa and turned to her. “And how was your day? Anything new?”

Before she could speak, her cell rang. She
picked it up. “What? Really?”

Silence. Penny smiled and nodded. She kept
saying “uh huh,” and Mark began to wonder whether the news was good
or bad. She closed her phone and sat back against the cushions,
lost in thought.

“Well?” Mark asked.

She looked up as if she had suddenly noticed
he was there. “Oh! Yeah.”

“What happened?”

“I got a part in a movie. I’m joining the
crew on location in two days. The assistant director is emailing me
my lines.” She sat, looking dazed, as if she’d been beaned by a
softball.

“You’re leaving? In two days?”
If this is
a nightmare, wake up!

“I’m employed again. At least for this
movie.”

“Should we go out to celebrate?” Mark got two
beers from the fridge and handed one to her.

“I guess so.”

“How long will you be gone?” The question
popped out of his mouth before he could stop it.

“A couple of months. The supporting female
lead got sick and had to leave. They have to re-shoot her scenes.
So, I need to get there right away.”

His guts twisted. “Where?”

“Spain. Lucky my passport’s still good.” Her
big baby blues connected with his.

I can’t believe this is happening. My life
sucks. Penny, don’t leave.
“Where do you want to go for
dinner?”

“Let’s eat here. We’ve got some leftovers in
the fridge. I’d rather spend this time alone with you.” She turned
to face him and ran her hand down his rough cheek.

He took it and kissed her palm. “Me,
too.”

Penny inched closer to him until he picked up
on it and pulled her into his arms. She rested her head on his
chest while he stroked her hair. She climbed into his lap. Mark
snaked his long arms around her, his palm flattening against her
rump. He squeezed her then moved his hand up to cup her breast. His
thumb circled her peak.

“Maybe dinner can wait?” she asked.

“Perhaps we could have an appetizer in the
bedroom?” Mark planted kisses on her neck.

“What a good idea.” She got up, and he
followed. He closed the door and led her to the bed. Mark ripped
his T-shirt over his head and tossed it on the chair.

“Now you.” She did the same. He followed with
his pants then his boxers. “Let me,” he said, reaching for her
zipper. Once he had stripped her jeans off, he stood back to look
at her.

“You’re gorgeous.” He unhooked her pink bra,
and she let it fall. Then, he pushed her matching, lacy panties
down to the floor. “There. Now, we’re even.”

She eyed him then looked up. “Except you’re
erect, and I’m not there yet.”

“Allow me to assist you with that, Ms.
Thatcher,” he said.

****

Penny’s emotions were bouncing up and down
like a gymnast on a trampoline. She wanted to do the movie, earn
good money, but the thought of being away from Mark for so long
brought pain.
I’m in love with him. He’s too young, and by the
time I get back, he’ll be gone.

She cursed herself for letting Mark get under
her skin and settle into her heart. She had no business being in
love, looking for commitment. She needed to plow ahead with her
career and save her money so she could finally do what she really
wanted. Penny was determined, no matter how long it took, to leave
the business that was so much about her appearance and do something
she truly loved, creating and designing.

On a salary of sixty thousand dollars a year,
she’d managed to save ten thousand each year for three years. After
taxes, she hadn’t had much, and it hadn’t been easy to save. Now,
she wouldn’t have to live on her savings right away. Having work
was a relief. But leaving Mark behind raised questions.
How long
can I expect him to wait for me? Will he go without sex for me? I
can’t fly back for weekends from Spain. We’d better make the most
of our time together.

Penny studied Mark’s form. The heat of his
stare warmed her skin. She stepped closer, running her hands up his
pecs. The feel of his skin and the hair on his chest thrilled her.
She shivered as his big hands slid down her sides and closed over
her hips. When she tilted her chin up, he brought his mouth down on
hers.

He was hungry and demanding in a new way.
Crushing her breasts into his chest, he held her, almost too tight,
as his tongue demanded hers. Her nipples hardened. He moved his
hands up, raking his thumbs across the peaks. She moaned, lifting a
leg and hooking it around his waist. He closed his fingers around
her thigh and moved them up into her warmth. She gave out a slight
gasp. He released her mouth, kissing across her jaw and down her
neck to her chest. His fingers stroked her with increasing
speed.

“Oh, Mark.” Her head fell limp against him as
desire flooded her veins. He lifted her, walking the few steps to
the bed before easing her down. He loomed over her, all six foot
four inches of him covering her. “Love me, Mark. Love me.”

“My pleasure,” he muttered, nuzzling her
neck.

Penny smoothed her hands down his back and
rested them on his butt. Mark got to his knees. She closed her
fingers around his rock-hard erection. Knowing how much she turned
him on excited her. His fingertips glided along her slick wetness.
He massaged her with the heel of his hand as he slipped a finger
inside her. She groaned and lifted her hips off the bed. The fire
in her raged out of control. She squirmed under his caresses,
wanting him, needing him inside her.

“Take me, take me, Mark. Make love to me.”
Her voice was raspy, desperate.

He covered himself quickly and plunged into
her. “Oh, God, honey,” he moaned. She gripped his shoulders hard,
her eyes closed. Mark lifted her leg, resting it against his chest,
and thrust in all the way, burying himself deep inside her. She
groaned again and opened her eyes to find him staring at her. Lust
and love mixed in his clear blues.

She pulled his head down for a kiss as he
pumped into her. Penny closed her eyes again, letting her senses
carry her away on the magic carpet ride that was loving Mark Davis.
Heat intensified, muscles tensed, coiled and ready to spring.

“I love you,” he muttered, sweat forming a
fine sheen on his back, his breath coming in quick pants. She
clamped her lips down on his shoulder. She tasted Mark mixed with
sweat. Penny released her tight hold on her emotions. The tension
reached the breaking point and pleasure erupted inside her, fanning
out to her fingertips. She cried out his name as release poured
through her.

A soft chuckle greeted her ears. She arched
into Mark, her fingers combing his hair back from his forehead.
Their eyes connected moments before his closed as an orgasm took
him over. He groaned loudly and whispered her name before he
slumped against her. He rained soft, gentle kisses on her neck and
chest while she raked her nails down his back.

He shivered. “I love when you do that,” he
said.

She grinned. The warmth and closeness
swirling around her when she and Mark made love filled her heart.
He was like no other man. She reached new heights of sexual
satisfaction and love with Mark.
I can’t let him go.