Sydney came to him. “I know something’s off. I’m not asking what. You two know what you need to do to patch it up. I just told Keely that I want to film the entire scene straight through, then I’ll watch and see what I got. If we need to go back. What I might need additional footage of. Try your best not to consider the cameras rolling and concentrate on what Thorne’s doing here. He may be a psychopath. He may only be manipulating Ashley. Then again, he may actually have feelings for her. You can’t let the first show. The audience only needs to see the depth of Thorne’s emotions. He needs to look at her like you do Keely in real life and sell the fact that you’re crazy in love with this woman.”
“Got it.”
Mac took his mark. Keely’s gaze met his and she nodded.
“We can do this,” he said quietly.
Her eyes flashed with determination. “We will rock this,” she corrected.
“Action!”
◆◆◆
Keely had been up half the night, dreading what would happen today. Sydney’s lengthy rehearsal this morning grounded her, though, and she was as much in Ashley’s head as she could be. She might be playing Ashley Conner on the outside but the inside would be all Keely Kennedy—because she wanted to feel every emotion.
This would be the last time Mac ever touched her. Kissed her. Cradled her. Though her head told her he was an asshole who didn’t deserve someone like her, her heart still cried out for him and wanted to forgive him, no matter how egregious his transgression. The scene would allow her, if only for a few minutes, to feel loved by him. To love him. To give everything of herself to him.
Then she would shut her heart off and walk away, cold turkey.
Keely appreciated that Sydney wouldn’t cut the first time. That they could play out the entire seven minutes in real time. She would lose herself in the moment. In Mac’s dark brown eyes. It would only be him and her. The world around them would cease to exist.
She heard “action” called and sank into Ashley.
The lines came easily to her. She and Mac played off one another well, dialogue-wise, and always had. She remembered her positions but from the beginning, she and Mac began improvising a little bit. Keely only hoped the cameramen were getting what they needed and then she let go, abandoning herself to Thorne. Each kiss seemed new, yet familiar, as they continued to speak with words and actions. Mac seductively peeled off her jacket. Her blouse. His lips caressed her shoulder as he inched away the bra strap. Skin touched skin, bare and hot, growing more heated by the moment. The kisses, between words, grew longer. Deeper. It was as if Keely turned into Ashley and sailed headfirst down the rabbit hole, a free fall full of passion and desire and lust and love, all mingled into one.
He broke the kiss, his lips hovering above hers. “I love you. I always have. I always will. Never forget that.”
It wasn’t the exact line—but it was the right one in this moment.
She pulled him back to her, her lips devouring his, clinging to him with need and want. His hands slid along her body, causing it to go up in flames. They kissed until she heard Sydney say, “Cut.” Reluctantly, Keely pulled away.
“Outstanding!” Sydney proclaimed. “Give me a few minutes to watch the playback.”
Jayla appeared with a plush, white robe. Keely slipped from the bed and into it, wrapping it snuggly around her. Mac came around from his side of the bed, also wearing a belted robe. Wordlessly, he sat next to her.
And took her hand.
She didn’t protest. She savored it. They sat quietly side-by-side, no words needed. The few crew members also remained silent, respectful of the work that had been done.
Sydney returned. Keely didn’t know how much time had passed. Mac still held her hand, as would have been expected after what they had just gone through together.
“It’s perfect. I got everything I need.” Sydney smiled wryly. “Even with the few improvised moves and words.” When Mac started to speak, she waved him away. “No excuses. No apologies. You two were great. Thank you. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
As they stood, Mac continued to hold her hand, even as they left the soundstage and walked to their trailers.
They paused in front of hers and she said, “You were terrific, Mac. This movie is going to make you a big star.”
“I won’t be acting anymore.”
“Why?”
He remained silent a moment and then said, “I have one thing to tell you. I wanted to yesterday.”
“What?” The word caught in her throat.
Mac released her hand and took a step away, trying to put distance between them. Keely stopped herself from reaching out to him.
“The . . . the pictures I showed you.”
A wave of disgust ripped through her. She fought the bile that threatened to come up.
“They’ll be public soon. I don’t know where. In some tabloid. Or on TV. I’m not sure.”
Confusion enveloped Keely. “I don’t understand.”
He shook his head, misery written across his face. “I wouldn’t pay to keep them away from you. Blackmailers always keep coming at you. Since I wouldn’t, he said he’d sell them. I . . . I just thought you should know. I owed you that much after cheating on you.”
Keely reached out, grabbing Mac’s arms. “Wait.” Her mind whirled. “You told me you didn’t know the woman’s name.”
“I don’t.”
“I thought . . . I thought she was somebody you picked up in a bar.”
“No. I didn’t go to a bar. I don’t think I did.” Mac blew out a long breath full of frustration. “I don’t remember any of it.”
Clarity struck Keely as hard as lightning. “You were set up.”
“What? No. I mean . . . I was with her. You saw the pictures. I found a condom wrapper on the floor.”
“But no used condom?” she pressed.
“No.” He sounded puzzled.
“You said you don’t remember that night. Tell me everything you do recall, Mac.”
He frowned. “I woke up. I still thought I was in Vancouver. I don’t even remember us flying back to LA. I felt awful. I got a text with the pictures. It was like looking at a stranger. I don’t remember meeting the woman. Sleeping with her. I never thought I was the kind of man who would cheat on the woman he loved, especially after what Ellen did to me. I did, though. And I know how much it hurts, being on the receiving end before.”
His eyes filled with tears. “I didn’t mean to hurt you, Keely. I don’t know why I did it but you deserve to be with a man who respects you and your relationship. Apparently, I’m not that man.”
She shook him. “Don’t you get it, Mac? Someone set you up. You didn’t have sex with a stranger. Someone gave you something, Rohypnol or GHB. Maybe even Ketamine. You would have blacked out or been paralyzed. Unable to move. Those drugs can cause memory gaps. Amnesia. Someone staged those pictures so you’d pay to keep them from being seen.”
Keely’s fingers tightened on him. “You didn’t betray me, Mac. Someone you know did that to you. We’ve got to find out who did—and kick their ass to infinity and beyond.”
“Wait. What?”
“This wasn’t your fault,” she insisted. “Yes, someone tried to blackmail you. But you were railroaded. You didn’t do anything wrong.”