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The Actor's Contract 12 Cold colder distance
Date = 1 April Place = San Francisco (UCSF Medical center) POV Enrique “They both have hypothermia …,” Ilkay starts to update us, but I only hear a word here and there, “bradycardia … their small size … Aria stabilized but Luke is still critical … moved to PICU … on hemodialysis machines to warm the blood … had to cut her hand from his PFD … damage tendons … brave girl … lucky to be alive …” I don’t care about all the medical gibberish, all I worry about is that she’ll be okay, so my focus is on the girl whose cold hand is laying limp and uninspired in mine. They’re using different measures to gradually raise her core temperature. Aria somehow managed to stay awake up to the end and cling to Luke with so much force that some tendons in her hand were strained. But she didn’t let him go, she kept them together. I run my free hand through my hair; sticky from the salty ocean spray and then I lay my head down on the bed and close my eyes. Maybe I drifted to sleep – maybe not. My eyes
The Actor's Contract 13 Even robots cry
Date = 4 April Place = San Francisco (Enrique’s home) POV – Aria I wave until the pickup disappears around the corner and let out a sigh of relief. Deimos and Haley, together with Alejandro and Noah, are taking the kids on a road trip to San Diego, stopping at every attraction along the way, including Disney Park and Legoland. It goes without saying that my little sister is boiling over with excitement. Since Leyla’s next chemo treatments are scheduled for next week – on her birthday, no less - I’m grateful for the break cause I need to sort out my head. Enrique has been a little … er … distracted these last few days … since I fell overboard. But tonight we’re gonna talk. I put a pot of water on the stove – it needs to boil before I add the spaghetti. My mom was famous for her bolognese and I’m using her secret recipe to prepare him the best pasta he ever tasted. “Something smells good,” I turn around to find a still glistening wet Enrique leaning against the door frame, only cov
The Actor's Contract 14 Hooking up
Date = 4 April Place = San Francisco (Enrique’s home) POV – Enrique WARNING – sex scene!!! Aria’s lips are full and soft, but with a desperate intensity as if at odds with herself. At first, I’m slightly stunned; my mind trying to convince me for a moment that this should not be happening. It’s dangerous … for me. It’s not part of the contract. But my body quickly overwrites my conscience and I bite her bottom lip. She moans softly, the small opening in response is all I need and my tongue eagerly takes the opportunity to explore the sweetness of her mouth. Another moan. The sweet appreciative noise vibrates through me - to the end of my cock. For a moment I’m lost in the sweet taste of sugar-candy fudge; my absolute favorite by the way; and it’s simply just too much for someone like me, who’s been celibate for quite a while now, and all my resistance crumbles with a horny growl. To be quite frank, I’ve been suffering from lascivious thoughts since I met her, but that’s not somet
The Actor's Contract 15 A nuclear bomb
Date = 5 April Place = San Francisco POV - Aria I blink a few times to acclimate my eyes to the bright sunlight streaming directly onto my face through the open drapes. What time is it? I grab my phone from the bedstand and look at the time; 11:34. Wow, I can’t remember when last I slept this late. But then again, we humped like bunnies right through the night … only falling asleep after daybreak somewhere. I breathe deeply, stretching myself out under the silky blanket, memories of last night cascading over my used body to settle warmly in my heart. Clothes are scattered around the room; only mine. Wrapping the blanket around my shoulders, I quietly patter to the sounds coming from somewhere in the house, most probably the kitchen. Maybe Enrique is making us a very late breakfast; he’s a super good cook and we didn’t get to eat last night. My tummy rumbles in suspense. Yeah, I’m a little famished … we burned loads of energy and it’s time to refuel. I pause; the only evidence of
The Actor's Contract 16 Hard distance
Date = 5 April Place = San Francisco (Inferno) POV – Enrique WARNING – sex scene!!! I notice the moment she enters the VIP section; the moment I’ve been dreading all day. Will it be awkward between us now? Does she regret last night? But she doesn’t give me a second glance … hell, I didn’t even get a first glance; she just rushes into the staff room to get changed. She seems stressed out. Is it because we stepped over the line? Damn, I shouldn’t have let that happen. But fuck, I needed it so bad. Is that selfish of me? Ship, I’m such a prick. I feel proud of myself … not because I’m a prick, but at least sometimes I remember not to swear so much. It’s difficult but we’re all trying at least … for Leyla and my soon-to-come niece … or nephew … but I’m hoping it’s a girl. Where has she been? I’ve phoned Anton and he said she left the house hours ago. Not that I’m stalking her or anything – I just can’t seem to get her out of my mind. I never had a problem forgetting about a girl, un
The Actor's Contract 17 Bad news
Date = 5 April Place = San Francisco (Enrique’s home) POV – Aria “Ug, I despise tea,” Mel pulls up her nose as soon as I enter the room with two mugs. She puts on a severe pout, like every time someone dares to drink coffee in front of her, so I grin knowingly … and bend down to hand her one mug. “That’s why we’re not having tea,” I wink at her surprised face and I sit down, legs crossed, next to her on the sofa, turning to face her. We’re both freshly showered and in comfy tracksuits that I stole … eh … borrowed from Enrique’s closet. “Eh, you figured out a way to brew me some baby-safe coffee,” I shake my head. These Blackburn children are always a little over-hyper … except maybe for Ilkay. “Wait, I hate that caffeine-free stuff too … can merely drink only boiling water with milk; it will taste the same. It’s not that, is it?” Her suspicious look on the cup, topped with cream and chocolate crumbs. I click my tongue, “Tsk, nope. ” She takes a small sip, leaving a ring of crea
The Actor's Contract 18 Plan of action
Date = 5 April Place = San Francisco (Enrique’s home) POV – Aria Mel hasn’t moved since she started reading what’s in her hands, making me a little queasy and I feel like shaking her back to reality. But instead, I peer through the huge windows where storm clouds gather dark and looming - as if they know our secret. The sea is a somber gray; it matches the sky … and my mood - I’m dejected and drowning in uncertainty right now. The first drops splatter against the glass. I examine how it breaks and then slowly trickles down in small streams; spellbound. A heartbeat passes and then the spell breaks, drawing my eyes back to the blonde. She tosses the paper and moves her hands carefully over her tummy, her face still in a stock-still emotionless state … simply gazing ahead. I hold my breath; expecting the worst at any moment I pick up my phone, ready to dial 911. “I seriously need a VERY big glass of wine right now,” she slowly turns her head and I meet her earnest gaze. I take a co
The Actor's Contract 19 A role for a role
Date = 5 April Place = San Francisco (Enrique’s home)(Inferno) POV - Enrique Covering her with a blanket, I bend down and tenderly sweep some of those red curls away from her face, noticing the tear marks on her cheeks. Why was she crying? Is it because of me? My heart cringes … but still, she’s extraordinarily beautiful … naturally … not like all those superficial bitches that surround me all the time. Nope, she’s real … original … fresh … unique … unforgettable … Ug, Blackburn … what the hell are you doing? I scold myself. Using a lot of adjectives to describe a girl is never a good thing. But if I’m being completely honest with myself … I already know the answer, but I just can’t acknowledge it … not yet. Those words - I can’t say it; can’t even think it. So how can I even begin to explain to her how fucked-up I really am … I notice the envelope is missing from the table, together with my phone. She must have hidden it. My curiosity grows together with my anger - I recognized i
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The Actor's Contract 52 Blowing up a ship
Date = 14 JulyPlace = San Francisco (on the road)POV - Enrique“So, and correct me if I’m wrong here … you dropped River and her parents with Damion … Lee is back here with you … but where’s Skye then?” I look at the man riding shotgun. Axel interrupted his Olympic practice to go help Jackson - not much of a surprise there - and they found the little stowaway hiding in his truck after I let them know about her disappearance. That’s one super strange kid.I shift my gaze to my twin. Together they rescued the innocent, picked up River’s parents in Portland and stuffed them safely with Damion’s group … wherever that may be. But, and I asked Mel about this, there’s no trace of this Skye chick …So I’m trying the impossible - to figure out what Jackson’s done with the girl. His usual brainwave regime is like herding cats to begin with … so a smitten Jackson might act even more illogically ridiculous. Jackson with feelings - that’s a whole new concept. Right about now, I’m even considerin
The Actor's Contract 51 Payback
Date = 9 JulyPlace = San Francisco (Damion’s house)POV - AriaWARNING – sex scene!!!“Do you want me, Fairy girl?”I feel his need pressing against my hip and resist the urge to let out a whole hysterical laugh. “Sport … "“Yes,” he feathers kisses down my neck. My brain shuts down.“I … eh … " Oh hell I’m stuttering. I let out a low laugh and try to push him away. “I want you. I do. But I still want to hurt you too. Because you always hurt me … but that’s just who you are … and I know that … you’re a player and actually it’s not your fault … you never led me on … but still I need you to feel the same pain … it’s pitiful but …”He cups my face and kisses me … most likely to shut me up … and frickin hell it’s working - here hauled up against the very sexy, very warm, very hard body of the man I love I’m totally speechless.There’s a million and one reasons why this is a bad idea … my heart getting broken all over again the main one. I should run. Now is the time to push him away, rej
The Actor's Contract 50 Undone
Date = 8 JulyPlace = San Francisco (Damion’s house)POV - Enrique“Sooo, you’re Jackson. Well, I see what Skye means … you ARE the hot one.” I roll my eyes. We’re fucking identical. Well, except for the tats … and his crazy eyes. And it’s that glower that examines the girl sitting on the kitchen counter with a critical squint. River, however, does not seem to be rattled, not even in the slightest, by his seemingly chained up intensity. Her face scrunches up, wrinkling that cute upturned button-nose, as she gives a big, toothy smile (missing a few).“But you’re a hot mess, dude. I’ve seen better dog turds.” She seems genuinely sincere and I clench my lips to suppress my laugh. He cracks his knuckles. Right now he won’t see the humorous side of anything. Jackson is on the edge. Right on the very tip of it. I know this from years of experience living under the same roof. The slightest chuckle might push him right over. And getting into a one-on-one with my brother when he’s like this is
The Actor's Contract 49 Lost sister
Date = 8 July Place = San Francisco (Damion’s house) POV - Aria “Just stick your finger up his nose and then kick him on his sexy ass!” My laugh sounds sectionable, like I’ve been chicken-flipping cocaine. Mel lowers her voice, “But really bitch, talk to my stupid brother and make him open his frickin eyes.” Yeah, right. That would be nice, except I’m the blind one, seeing things that ain’t real. For him we are nothing more than an expired contract. Signatures on a piece of paper. But I can’t tell her that. “Come on Aria, hurry up.” From the passenger seat, the tiny voice, giddy with anticipation, interrupts my phone call with my best friend. I miss her. “Mel, wish you were here.” “Soon.” Really though? I’m not so sure this whole revenge ‘thing’ those people got going is ending soon. In a world teeming with intrigue and uncertainty, there are those who find themselves marked for danger. Like these San Francisco boys. A spectre of stalking looms over their existence, an eminent th
The Actor's Contract 48 Gone
Date = 7 JulyPlace = San Francisco (Inferno)POV - EnriqueAlone.That’s how I feel. Sole-slayingly alone.Everybody appears to be gone. My mood sucks. And I’m feeling as though I’ve been abandoned in hell.It’s been more than a week since we rescued Aria … more than seven days since my twin raced off somewhere with our uncle. And over 200 hours since Logan and Alejandro disappeared.Axel is on a training spree, getting ready for the Olympics. Damion is still hiding my sister while Ilkay is somewhere on the black continent treating mosquito bites. And here I am, spending my nights at the club, and my days trailing Aria like some twisted stalker in the shadows, holding my breath that nothing bad happens to her again. Although we’ve taken all the necessary precautions we could under these circumstances … equipping everyone with tracking bracelets (complementary of Blackburn Inc.), handing out stunt guns small enough to fit in one’s pocket, and exploiting a shitload of guards secretly a
The Actor's Contract 47 Good or bad
Date = 27 JunePlace = San Francisco (UCSF Medical center)POV - AriaI watch them walk away. They seem happy. The previous anxious aura now gone. His father looks just like him - dark hair, dark eyes. So does his sister. I’ve seen them in here before. The little girl with the ice cream. In total contrast, his brother inherited their mom’s blonde hair.“I’m going in. Talk to you just after.” I end my conversation with Mel. She told me everything Enrique left out earlier … the part about what’s gonna happen with Lee, one way or the other. I also learned that Amanda died in an unthinkable horrible way. On the bright side … she sent me a photo and her tummy suddenly popped … looks like she swallowed a basketball.“You can go in now,” a nurse announces to me. I’ve patiently waited for his family to leave. I didn’t want to intrude. Or rather … I didn’t want to answer their, what would be, awkward questions. They seem so friendly; loving; normal. So where did Brian fall off the bus? Why did
The Actor's Contract 46 A war is coming
Date = 27 JunePlace = San Francisco (Inferno)POV - EnriqueWARNING – sex scene!!!“Are you hungry?” I ask, trying desperately to cut through the uncomfortable edge hanging in the air. Why this girl has the ability to make me suffering from a chronic tummy ache, for one, I’m not sure … but I have an idea. I’m in … I’ve fallen for her. And I want her in my life. Forever.First, I need to fix my mistakes. Even though I did it to keep her safe, I know I hurt her. And, after everything, she was still put in harms way. Maybe if I haven’t pushed her away, I would have been there to protect her … like I’m supposed to.I walk to the small kitchen, where the bacon and mushroom omelets are sitting cold on the room service trolley. I had it delivered earlier, but Aria was still asleep from the sedative the medic gave her on the scene. She was having a full on panic attack when she woke up at the warehouse.The whole pregnancy issue, the way I put her down, the fact that I wasn’t around when she
The Actor's Contract 45 Where's Lee
Date = 27 JunePlace = San Francisco (Inferno)POV - Aria“Ow,” I murmur as pain pierces my head, little knifes stabbing into my brain while images flash through my mind like a low-budget horror movie. The dirty mattress. Lee’s angry eyes! Amanda’s scared mascara-smudged face! Eerie screaming, similar to seagulls fighting over food. Blood. Wicked laughter. I take a deep breath. I swear I can smell the ocean. And fried bacon. My eyes jolt open. I blink a few times to adjust them to the bright sunlight shining through the large open sliding door. I’m in a strangely familiar-ish room. Fear paralyzes me. First they took Amanda away … then Lee … now it must be my turn.I try to move but seem to be weighed down. I gasp, bracing myself for an impending panic attack. They tied me to the bed. They’re gonna kill me. Or worse, rape me. Or the ultimate worst - both. In a fit of panic I gasp a few fast breaths, before gently turning my head to see what’s pinning me down …Just to find Enrique’s an
The Actor's Contract 44 The warehouse
stronzo = Italian for ‘asshole’ Figlio di puttana = Italian for ‘Son of a bitch’ Cazzone = Italian for ‘Idiot’ Date = 27 June Place = San Francisco (Grimms) POV - Enrique Warning – graphic content! “Anything?” Jackson leans over Jesse’s shoulder to stare at the screen, asking the same question for probably the millionth time. I’ve never seen my twin this on edge. I get that he feels responsible for his roommate. I just don’t understand why he feels responsible THIS much. He’s behaving just as crazy as he did when Mel was abducted … maybe even more so. Typically, nothing rattles him much. So this frantic behavior is completely novel. In this situation, I should be the one to go crazy here, but instead I feel entirely depleted; drained of every inch of energy. I stare at the intricate pattern on the thick carpet under my feet. The blue color matching my brother’s wild eyes. I know something is amiss with him … known it for a while … but right now I don’t give a fig … all I care a
