Lara and the City of Angels (5 page)

“Then haven’t you violated her trust? You’ve had countless affairs, Sean. The woman isn’t stupid—don’t you think she wonders why you don’t want to have sex with her? She is your wife after all.”

“Occasionally, I suppose she does but…Lara is an enigma to me, Gray. I have never been able to figure her out. I do love her in my own way and I would never leave her as I’m Catholic and we aren’t supposed to get divorced but…she’s perfect. We make the best couple and I know she loves me too. It’s just a rough patch and we’ll get over it eventually. I have to stay strong and we will be fine.”

Gray sipped from his cognac. “Keep telling yourself that enough times and perhaps you’ll convince yourself but I don’t buy it and neither does Lara. We all know something is wrong and you owe it to her to be honest and forthright. If you can’t love her then let her go. She deserves happiness just as much as you do.”

Sean downed his cognac in a couple swallows and stood. His head buzzed but in a good way.

He knew his best friend was right but he could never leave Lara and he wouldn’t ever allow her to leave him. It couldn’t happen and he would do everything in his power to prevent it from happening.

“I can handle this,” he said in a flat voice.

There was a soft rustle from the sofa and before he knew it, Gray closed into his personal space. “Can you?” he whispered in Sean’s ear.

Chapter Five

N
ew Orleans was a revelation but Baton Rouge reminded Lara of the perfect little southern town surrounded by all the creature comforts of a big city.

The freedom to actually be on her own hit her as soon as she arrived at the small private housing community where most of the cast and crew stayed while on location. It was gated and fairly new.

Elin had already rented one of the smaller houses; by small, it was two thousand square feet, had three bedrooms and three bathrooms, two which were en suite. Her part was fairly small but she had rented the place out as she knew Lara would be there and they agreed to share the house.

She’d barely made it to the door and struggled with the keys when a male voice called out, “Do you need some help?”

Lara turned to face one of the most gorgeous men she’d ever seen but then again, she watched the show regularly before she’d been cast so she knew him to be Kristian Stenfeldt, a second cousin of Dominic’s who acted because he was bored not because it was a great overwhelming passion.

He played one of the lead vampires who happened to be English on the show so his naturally light blond hair was dyed brownish blond and cut close to his scalp. He could imitate an impeccable English accent and his steel blue eyes were gorgeous in the light of the fading sun.

Lara couldn’t help but notice his casual dress though his blue jeans were expensive and fit him as if they were sculpted for his lean frame and a silk black shirt which he wore coolly despite the heat. He was tall, at least 6’3” and lightly muscled yet he was sexy as hell and unfortunately for them both, he knew it.

She smiled and held up the keys. “I think I should be just fine. However, I didn’t think I would be this worn out or jet-lagged…and I certainly wasn’t prepared for the amount of humidity mixed with heat would sap all my energy. I know I sound like an idiot but I really didn’t consider much of anything except that it would be warm and thus I packed accordingly.”

Why was she rambling? It was a nervous habit that was not very attractive and the way she acted, he would certainly think she had never seen a good looking guy before and not only was she married to one but due to their swinger lifestyle she screwed other ultra-hot men on a regular basis.

Kristian didn’t seem to notice or rather he didn’t make a big deal out of her attitude. He simply held out his hand. “I’m Kristian Stenfeldt and I play Graham on
One Last Bite
. All the cast members are friendlier than I am according to one fan fiction website which has declared me the biggest egotistical yet sexy jerk on the program. I assure you I am house-trained, I won’t pee on your carpet or drink up your expensive liquor.”

Lara laughed out loud. “Lara…MacIntyre Buchanan. My husband is mega-star Sean Buchanan and I am…well, I don’t know how to define myself other than a bit part actress but most importantly, my father is a billionaire and my husband will soon be one too if he continues to make movies at the pace he currently does and keeps taking back end deals.”

“Well, now that we have gotten that out of the way, may I come in?”

A part of her brain screamed about what a bad idea that would be but Lara’s mouth opened and said, “Sure, if you can open the door for me.”

She now regretted she’d worn a pale yellow sundress which barely skimmed her lower mid-thigh and a black pair of Christian Louboutin sling-backs. She looked a bit too sexy and that hadn’t been the look she was counting on. However, what worked in L.A. obviously didn’t work in Louisiana.

Kristian took the set of keys from her and although she tried to avoid touching him, his hand brushed against her own. It was warm and sent electric shocks through her body. She didn’t want to feel sexual and like a woman. Wasn’t it enough she had gotten laid before this trip? This was all about losing herself and finding that small part of her that remained separate from Sean and her life as his wife.

He opened the door and held it for her as she walked in slowly with her single carry-on. She barely noticed as he took it from her before he closed the door behind them.

The hallway was neat and pleasant without a lot of knickknacks. She suddenly found herself interested in discovering more about the property.

“I know your house in L.A. makes this seem like a cottage but are you going to be okay here in such a small area?”

“Of course,” Lara responded in a flippant tone.

She walked down the hallway and it lead off to a neat kitchen filled with the necessary state-of-the-art appliances including a stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, coffee pot and an electric kettle. As she opened various drawers and cabinets, she was pleasantly surprised to find silverware and plates, glasses and a few items which would make her feel more at home should the need to bake or make a home cooked meal seize her at an unexpected opportunity.

The house, although modest, did feature hardwood flooring throughout and several faux-Persian rugs placed strategically throughout.

The living room was a pleasant affair with pale ivory furniture, a chrome magazine table and French doors with pale ivory sheer curtains. There was a small back yard with a garden and seating for two around an outdoor matching table.

Lara continued to wander throughout the house until she walked up the stairs and surveyed both en suite bedrooms. She took the smaller of the two for intimacy reasons. She had a huge bedroom at home and preferred less space since she was on her own.

“I take it you like it or are at least satisfied enough this won’t be such a hardship for you during the months you’re here?”

She turned toward Kristian and smiled. “No, I don’t think that will be an issue at all. It’s really strange to be here on my own without my family and Elin isn’t arriving for a couple of months so…can I interest you in a glass of wine? I spotted some downstairs in the cabinet.”

Kristian smiled. “I can do you one better. I noticed you are lacking food and as it is nearing the dinner hour, how about I take you to get a bite to eat? My treat.”

Lara couldn’t help but smile back with bright green eyes. “That would be wonderful.

***

K
ristian drove her to Main Street in his rented Chevy Tahoe and he decided to take her to a local French restaurant which served excellent food and had a great wine selection.

She didn’t expect to bond with any cast members, especially on the first day. She thought many would think someone else would have been more qualified for her role but Kristian was a complete sweetheart and she couldn’t help but allow the icy exterior she maintained to protect herself from the world to fade.

“So, are you going to tell me anything about why you chose to take this role? It seems a bit out of character for someone like you,” Kristian finally said after they’d ordered a fine bottle Pinot Grigio while they studied their respective menus.

“Out of character? I’m not sure what you mean,” Lara responded before she took a sip of water. Her throat felt like the Sahara desert and being within the space next to a man so unfamiliar wasn’t helping matters much.

He stared at her with those intense steel blue eyes of his. “I mean you are quite well respected in your own right. You’re an heiress, married to a mega-star and you don’t have to work. Why did you choose a bit role on a shitty cable show?”

“It’s not that shitty. It’s quite popular with viewers…like me for instance. I wouldn’t have accepted the role if I didn’t like the show. And yes, I suppose you can say I am overqualified for the role but I needed to get away and this is a great way to mix business and pleasure.”

The waiter interrupted with their bottle of Pinot Grigio. Kristian had to go through the motions of tasting and approving before the waiter poured them each half-glasses and left them to decide on what they wanted to order for dinner.

“Besides,” Lara began as soon as the waiter left, “the show isn’t shitty. I enjoy it and I know a lot of people who consider it a guilty pleasure like too much chocolate or a quart of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. Yes, the novels are horrid and the writer of said novels is inept at best but
One Last Bite
rocks and I know I am not the only one who feels this way.”

Kristian sat back and smiled. “Tell me, of the men on the show, who do you like the most? Me or the very handsome yet unattainable Claude? My nemesis—though even I admit the French twat who plays him is quite talented especially when he swinging his blond hair around.”

Lara laughed and it seemed to light up the restaurant. “Well, my husband is fair haired so I am going to say I prefer you. I just love your dark brooding personality on the show. You’re so full of angst and there is so much depth to your character. I enjoy watching you act.”

She hoped that sounded like a compliment and not sexual innuendo.

“Mmm, well, if we continue like this then I see no problem with our characters and our subsequent bedroom scenes.”

Lara swigged from her Pinot Grigio in a completely lady-like fashion. “I’m sorry, what did you say?”

“We’re to be lovers on the show.”

Her jaw would have hit the floor yet she refused to speak until she could form a coherent sentence. “I assumed my character was more of a filler…in and out so to speak. There wasn’t any mention of me becoming involved sexually with any of the regular cast members.”

Kristian seemed to mentally chastise himself before he said, “Listen, I wasn’t supposed to tell you anything but Ben Allen wants to make your casting a permanent gig if he can swing it. There is a certain cast member who is going to be killed off but she has a serious coke problem in real life and she can’t stay clean. The insurance company is giving Ben a hard time because they are refusing to cover her. If you know anything about this business, that is really not a great idea as she does a lot of stunts and if she breaks her leg or anything happens to her, she isn’t insured and Ben would be wholly responsible for her care and rehabilitation.”

“Which one? Is it Maddie Crawford?” Lara inquired out loud.

Kristian looked surprised. “How did you know?”

“Well her blonde hair doesn’t look healthy anymore, her pallor is ashy-white and she’s lost at least fifteen pounds between the last two seasons. She couldn’t really afford to lose weight off her frame and I just assumed she had a bit of a problem with drugs. She looks the type, even with all the makeup they use.”

“Duh, you would most certainly know with your husband being in the film industry.” Kristian finished his wine and poured himself another glass. “We have been phasing her out slowly but surely. The whole plot where Claude is driving her insane works wonders. That way when she kills herself, it isn’t so much of a surprise. A lot of people in the fandom want her to go anyway.”