On the Outside (Caught Inside #3) (14 page)

Chapter 27

“Whew! Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes?” Charlie walked over to me in a pair of fairly tight board shorts. They were an obnoxious orange and baby blue colored print that stopped closer to his crotch than his mid-thigh. By the way he waddled toward me I could tell he wasn’t used to wearing such form-fitting shorts.

Okay, maybe now I don’t feel so bad after all.

Of course as soon as the thought entered my mind a cold wind blew past me, causing my nipples to harden against the thin fabric of my bikini top. Charlie glanced down at my breasts and smiled in approval.

Quickly covering my chest, I decided to turn the tables back on him. “Wow! You’re a sight amongst many. Love the pseudo-banana hammock you’re rocking.”

Charlie stopped walking and grabbed at his package with a grimace. “Yeah, these nut huggers aren’t fun at all. At least you can breathe in your get up.”

I glanced down at my bright green string bikini, which was one inch away from a nip slip. “Uh, yeah. I really don’t understand why these stylists always dress us redheads in green.”

“It’s because the color flatters your tone well,” he answered seriously.

I raised an eyebrow. “Very educated response with no hesitation. Are you a fashion major and didn’t tell me?”

He laughed. “I adore beauty in any form. I kind of have an eye for these things. You, my dear, are breathtaking in that suit.”

I didn’t even know how to respond to that. Curling my mouth up into a circle, I spun around and walked away.

“Places everybody!” Our annoying director was back at it again. I caught a glimpse of Wyatt as he made it toward his chair. Gone were his infamous hangover sunglasses, which allowed his fear inducing gaze to be set free.

I’d much rather have the sunglasses.

I shut my eyes and gulped, feeling the familiar twisting sensation in my stomach. Piper must have noticed my lack of color because she quickly ran up beside me gripping a water bottle.

“Are you okay?” She held out her prim hand to fan me. “You look like you’re ready to pass out.”

“This is my first love scene.” I gulped, eyeing the outdoor shower that Charlie and I would soon have to ‘make love’ in. “Who the hell wrote this script? Why the hell did it have to be outdoors?”

Piper’s thin eyebrows furrowed together. “First love scene? Are you being serious with me?”

I nodded nervously. “
Joy In and Joy Out
was a comedy on primetime television. The furthest I had to go with a costar was making out with him.”

I inwardly cringed, recalling that less than stellar performance I had with Coby. I still couldn’t believe I had to kiss the arrogant, pretty-faced jerk.

Piper smiled encouragingly. “Come on, it’s Charlie. He’ll make you feel comfortable.”

“Places. Now!” Wyatt yelled.

I sighed. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”

My flip-flops dragged against the sand littered asphalt, crunching with each step I took. For some reason I felt as if I were walking toward the gallows. It was odd considering many men and women would probably give their right hand for a chance to do what I was about to do with the actor
Entertainment Now Magazine
dubbed the “Sexiest Male in the Universe.”

Charlie jogged up beside me, placing his muscled arm around my shoulders. “Hey, there. Are you ready to get this show on the road?”

“I’m a bit nervous,” I admitted.

He winked. “Don’t worry; I’ll take care of everything.”

***

“Samantha…” Charlie groaned, pushing his body into mine. Despite wearing a chastity cup, I could definitely feel his cock springing to life.

He must be ‘fully equipped’ down there.

My cheeks turned red at the thought as my hips automatically moved forward to meet his as if driven by some unseen force. Soon I lost myself to the rhythm of his body, relishing the light touch of his fingers as they grazed my bare skin. If my nipples were hard before, they certainly had the ability to cut through diamonds now.

As the script dictated, Charlie reached out and turned on the shower. The water felt like ice against our skin, but honestly I hardly noticed. The way Charlie gripped my sides as if he were
hungry
for me made me feel warm along with many things that I’d be ashamed to admit out loud.

“Jasper,” I whispered, though I wasn’t entirely sure if it came out audibly.

Ignoring the gross feeling of wet sand under my feet, I leaned against the wooden pole and let my arms fall loosely to the side. The water continued to beat against my head, almost mimicking the way Charlie’s tongue thrashed against mine.

“Samantha…
sigh
…you are unbelievably…
sigh
…sexy,” Charlie gasped in between breaths.

Yeah, that was definitely another adlib, as was the minor grope against my breast. To my self-disgust I really didn’t mind any of it.

Charlie briefly dropped his hands from my chest and once again wrapped his arms around my body. Tucking his head against my ear, he whispered something that I knew was only for my ears to hear. “You’re so fucking hot.”

My eyes widened, and to my surprise I spotted Wyatt waving his arms frantically in the air. “I said cut! Damn, if I knew how much you two would dive into this scene, I would have filmed it first.”

Like a kid caught with my hand in the cookie jar, I jumped back and felt my whole body redden in embarrassment. Charlie wasn’t as mortified and even had the audacity to shoot me a wink.

As Wyatt continued to ramble on about blocking for our next scene, Piper ran up to me with a look of pure shock and excitement shining from her eyes. “Oh my gosh, that was effing hot. I could have sworn I was watching soft core porn.”

“Was it really that bad?” I winced, imagining what it probably looked like to the unfortunate innocent bystanders of Pacific Beach who happened to be sneaking peeks at our set.

“Not ‘horrible’ bad, more like ‘oh my gosh I have to go and buy a vibrator after work’ bad.”

I continued to cringe, in utter disbelief that I could get carried away like that. Was I really that sexually frustrated that I’d basically pounce on the first guy who placed his lips on me? Then again, I was working, so I had that excuse working for me.

Yeah, keep telling yourself that, Harper.

“Shhh, stop talking,” Piper hissed, looking over her shoulder.

Uh oh, did I say all those things out loud?

Gulping, I looked down at her with worry. “Why?”

“Xavier is coming this way.”

Shit. I had forgotten about Xavier—okay, that was a lie. I was actually hoping that he hadn’t seen all the dry humping that had gone on. I wanted to run away and hide under a rock, but unfortunately Xavier was by my side quicker than I could find a hiding place.

“Harper.” His voice was clearly unamused.

You’re being ridiculous. You have nothing to be ashamed about.

I lifted my chin and spun around. “Xavier,” I said in an equally muted tone.

I watched as his chocolate brown eyes dilated. Without warning he placed a hand behind my head and pulled me toward him for a kiss. Piper squealed in delight.

Damn, those tabloids are right. You really are a floozy.

I stepped back in shock and caught Charlie’s look of bewilderment.

“What was that for?” I demanded, unsure of whether to be angry or extremely happy. After all we were technically still pissed off at one another; then again I still
really, really
liked him.

With a look of pride on his face, he leaned over and whispered, “Sorry for this morning and sorry for everything else.”

“Do you really think your apology can magically make things better?” I snapped, still blinking away the stars in my eyes.

“I like you and I know you have feelings for me too. I promise not to let Kacy, or anyone else for that matter—” he paused and shot Charlie an angry look before continuing, “—get in the way of what this can turn into. As for Kacy, I’ll try my best to fix that.”

“I’m still pissed off at you for leaving me this morning,” I interjected in annoyance.

Once again Piper let out a giddy sound. I shot her a look, which made her duck away in embarrassment.

Xavier nodded. “Yeah, about that. I’m really, really sorry. I promise I’ll do everything in my power to make it up to you. Like I said, I am Type A to a fault.”

“Okay, if you say so…”

Little did I know he’d more than make up for it.

Chapter 28

A few months later…

After our initial blunder, Xavier and I certainly recovered beautifully. Not only did we cement and define our relationship, but Xavier also helped me salvage what was left of my reputation. As an up and coming producer, he had a list of contacts that went on for miles. Seriously, I was quite surprised when I learned just how extensive his networking capabilities were. Taking the time to reach out to his contacts, he was able to schedule a bunch of PR related events for me.

Take that, Robert!

A few charity parties, telethons, and fundraisers later, ‘Harper the Slut’ was officially ‘Harper the Philanthropist.’ I was on my way to becoming another Martha Bennington, but without the silver fox husband.

“Are you sure you want to stay a producer?” I asked him one evening as we settled in for the night. I ran my finger through the light sprinkling of hair on his chest, which his razor obviously had missed. “You really should think of doing PR.”

Grinning, he rolled over on top of me and peered down into my eyes. “Public relations isn’t really my thing. Besides, I only do it when I know I’ll be paid in sex afterwards.”

I giggled and tugged at his boxers. “Maybe you should moonlight as a gigolo then?”

He threw his head back and laughed. “Only if it means I can ravish you all night long.”

I bit my lip in anticipation. “What are you waiting for?”

They say some things are worth the wait, and sexy time with Xavier was definitely one of them. After our failed third date and another month of waiting for him to ‘make the move’ in the bedroom, Xavier more than made up for any of my sexual frustration.

He trailed a finger softly against the curve of waist. “So what would you like to do tonight? Do we play it nice and easy or do you want a safe word?”

I snorted, unable to hold in my laughter. “When have we ever needed a safe word?”

His answering smile almost made me grab for another pair of underwear. “Eh, it would be fun to try something new, don’t you think?”

“We’ve only been having sex for a month. Everything with you is new.” What I didn’t tell him was how each time felt like the first. Xavier had a way of making me feel brand new.

I reached out and wrapped my fingers around his neck, sighing softly as I pulled his head closer to mine. “We could do anything you want, baby.”

“Is that right?”

I nodded seductively.

“Then where are the whips and handcuffs?” he cried out, snapping his head from side to side.

I smirked. “Anything but that.”

He leaned forward once more and planted a soft kiss on my lips. “Why don’t we start off slow and see where it takes us?”

I ran my tongue against his bottom lip, relishing in the sweet taste of his skin. “Sounds good to me.”

And slow is how we began. Xavier
slowly
peeled off my top and
slowly
pulled down my pajama bottoms. He then painstakingly unclasped my bra, taking his time with each separate hook.

I let my head fall back and groaned. “Oh my gosh, I didn’t mean this slow.”

Xavier burst into laughter. “Okay, let’s quicken this up, shall we?”

“Well, maybe not
too
quick. Don’t want a one minute man.”

“Ha, ha. Maybe you shouldn’t be an actress. You’re really good at stand up.”

“I was in a comedy before getting killed off,” I replied with a wink.

Ignoring my jab, Xavier proceeded to place kisses down the length of my torso, giving special attention to my breasts. I moaned as he nipped at my soft skin, sucking each bud in his mouth.

“That feels so good,” I whimpered.

“I know.”

If I wasn’t rendered incoherent by his tongue I would have teased him for being cocky. Deciding that I’d show
him
what was good, I reached out and gripped the waistband of his pants.

In one quick movement I pulled his sweats and underwear
down to his ankles. Xavier pushed himself off of me and let out a yelp of surprise. “Wow, that was rather talented.”

I refrained from reminding him I had a lot more experience in the bedroom than I was proud of and merely shrugged my shoulders, maneuvering myself so that I was now straddling him.

“Do you want to take it fast?” I placed quick pecks against his chest. “Or slow?”

I stuck out my tongue and licked a pathway to his bellybutton—
slowly—
and moved on to the V that trailed to his dick.

He licked his lips hungrily. “I would say slowly, but right now I don’t know how much more of this tease I could take.”

Before I had a chance to say something smug, he somehow rolled me over onto my back and quickly plunged into me.

So glad I remembered to take the pill on time this morning.

Xavier pushed himself into my delicate folds and my body easily conformed to his shape, welcoming him with an intense hunger. He pulled out,
slowly
taking the time to make sure we both felt the friction before plunging back in quickly. He repeated the move again and again until we both got into the rhythm. The bed shook as the mattress squeaked from our weight. I was going crazy and felt a need to grab onto something—anything to keep me from flying off the handle. Without thinking twice, I gripped into his back and dragged my fingernails lightly against his taut muscles.

“Fuck, Harper. Yes!” Xavier growled.

If that wasn’t music to my ears. Hearing him succumb to pleasure like that only catapulted me further.

Faster. Faster. Faster.

I was on the verge of crying out, feeling my walls convulse and screaming for release when suddenly an obnoxious ringing interrupted me. Seriously, it sounded like a submarine’s Code Red alarm or something.

Gently pushing against his shoulder, I frowned and turned my head, eyeing the glowing light that emanated from his dresser. “What is that?”

“What’s what?” Playing stupid, he continued his thrusts, but unsurprisingly I was not anywhere near an orgasm anymore.

Groaning, I pushed him off of me and reached toward his phone.

“Don’t get it!” His dick visibly lost arousal.

I rolled my eyes. “I wasn’t going to answer it. I was just going to grab it so
you
could answer it. Seriously, it’s kind of ruining my vibe right now.”

By this time his dick was more than limp. Scowling, he grabbed the phone from my hand and threw it aside.

“That’s mature.”

“Like stopping sex to grab my phone was?” he snapped.

There certainly wouldn’t be any more sexy time now, that’s for sure. I rolled onto my side and grabbed a blanket to cover my body.

“Really, Harper?” he asked half-heartedly.

“What?” I pressed my cheek into my pillow and bit my lip. “I’m not as stupid as you think I am.”

“When have I ever thought you were stupid?” he snapped in exasperation.

Ignoring him, I let the floodgates open. “I know that your sister’s been calling and texting, trying to make sure you’re staying away from me.”

I looked over my shoulder and noticed Xavier’s face folding in guilt.

“I’m right, aren’t I?”

He paused for a beat. “How are you so sure that was her?”

“Who else would it be?” I quickly hid my face, afraid I’d burst into tears of anger once again. “She calls you every night at this time to make sure you aren’t out with me. Don’t think I haven’t caught on. It has been three months! I thought you said you were going to fix things with her.”

A loud sigh escaped him. My back was still turned toward him so I could only hear him jump off the bed and pull his boxers on. “You have to understand where I’m coming from—”

“Fear of your baby sister?” I snorted. “Or fear of what I could do to your career?”

“Harper.”

“Okay, fine. Go on.” I pulled the soft blanket higher toward my chin and closed my eyes. Though things have gotten a lot better for me in the past few months, I couldn’t help but still feel like a pariah. Though he thought I didn’t notice, I could tell that Xavier was often scared to go out in public with me for fear that the paparazzi would photograph us together.

“Just give me some time to tell Kacy.” It was the same thing he’d say each time we argued about it, and the sucky part? Each time I’d take his word for it and drop the subject. Well, it wasn’t going to happen anymore.

I sighed and bit back a whimper. “I’m just really sick of feeling like I have to go into hiding with you. When are you going to fess up already?”

“I know this isn’t the most optimal situation—”

“You can say that again,” I blurted out.

“You have to understand where I’m coming from. Kacy is…something else. If I tell her now you can be sure she’ll do everything in her power to mess things up between us and I don’t need it right now. Especially since we’re so close to wrapping the movie.”

That was right. We only had a week left of shooting and we’d be done. I didn’t even want to think about it, especially since I wasn’t entirely sure if I’d be staying in California after it wrapped.

“So what you’re saying is you don’t want her to talk you into breaking up with me before we wrap the movie. That’s nice.”

“Harper, that’s not what I mean,” he shot back in irritation.

“What do you mean?”

“I’m happy, okay?”

I turned around and watched as he shut his eyes and slumped over. He looked so vulnerable and I wanted nothing more than to reach out and to hold him. But I was still pissed off so that wasn’t going to happen.

“Kacy has a way of pushing buttons. She’s as stubborn and pigheaded as they come. She’ll do everything in her power to mess things up for us because
she
thinks it’s the right thing to do. She’s always felt as if she were my shadow in every facet of her life except her
love
life, so of course that automatically makes her some love guru or something.”

“Well, she is married, isn’t she?”

He nodded. “Yeah, but that doesn’t give her the right to boss me around when it comes to my love life, does it?”

I shrugged. “I guess not.”

“No, it doesn’t,” he insisted.

“Okay then.” I shifted uncomfortably.

He sighed. “I know it’s karma for all the times I bossed her around about getting a better job and stuff, but still it sucks to be on the receiving end of it.”

“I bet…”

He opened his eyes and peered into mine sincerely. “Harper, just give me one week, okay? I can’t afford to be distracted on set and I know you can’t either. If we tell her now, she’ll screw with our minds, which will undoubtedly screw our careers.”

“I guess I can see where you’re coming from,” I admitted begrudgingly.

“One week to wrap and then I’ll come clean.”

The left corner of my lip curled up into a slight smile. “You promise?”

“I promise. Now let’s get back to what we were doing before, shall we?”

As much as I would have loved to, my mind certainly wasn’t in it. I guess that only proved Xavier’s theory correct.

I shook my head and smiled. “Maybe tomorrow.”

Sighing, Xavier jumped back into bed and wiggled in so his body was pressed up against mine. “Just one more week on the set and everything will work out fine.”

“I sure hope so.”