Leading Lady (6 page)

“Here we have your set, Ms. Joseph, and your
two costars.” Kray gestured to the slit, then to Lane. “Your
motivation for every scene would be the knowledge that in this
universe, you are admired for your lone film role and that your
fans are dying for more work. You have the love of two men who want
to see these dreams come true for you. I ask you again, would you
reconsider?”

Dina was silent, and stealthy. Kray didn’t
hear the scraping of her chair against the floor for the pounding
in his ears. He couldn’t breathe in her scent as she approached for
the catch in his throat. Even tired from an obvious lack of sleep,
she was still beautiful, more so when she stopped at his side and
regarded Lane with a radiant smile.

“It
is
real,” she whispered, awed. “Am
I dreaming?”

“
I’m
dreaming, Dina,” Kray told her.
“I’ve dreamed of this moment of years. I’ve dreamed the same thing
every man in this room has dreamed, and if you cross this threshold
with me, everything
you
have dreamed will come true.
We
promise you that.” He winked at Lane.

Dina touched his shoulder. Kray felt his cock
twitch in response.

“It’s beautiful there,” she said.

“It is,” Lane said. “It’s home. It’s your
reality.”

“Home,” Dina said.

The word fit perfectly. Kray relished her
reaction, and ached all the more. He had to get her across now, and
make love with her and Lane. If they made it past the park, he
would be showing great restraint.

“I’d consider this role,” she said finally,
looking at Kray slyly, “if a sequel were guaranteed.”

“My lady, that is definitely something we can
work out in the contract negotiations.” Kray offered her his hand
and guided Dina home to a crescendo of whistles and cheers from the
audience. Looping an arm through those of her two men, Dina walked
farther into the new world as the slit in the continuum quickly
sealed shut. Kray noticed she hadn’t looked back. Mayda Moran was
left behind, but Dina Joseph was here now, and here she would stay
and live out her new role.

The background of the crowd’s encouragement
faded into silence as the veil between the two realities sealed
shut. The trio walked to a nearby tree, Kray helped Dina to a
cross-legged sitting position against the sturdy, thick trunk.

“Here?” she questioned, looking around the
open space. In the park, people dressed similarly to Kray and Lane
strolled down gravel paths, while other couples rolled and kissed
in the grass, oblivious to prying stares. Kray watched her
reaction, and the slow smile brightening her face as she quickly
realized that nobody glared or disapproved of the public displays
of affection.

“I’m going to like it here,” she said.

“I know,” Kray agreed.

“So,” she said as each man lowered on either
side of her, “shall we begin a dress rehearsal now?”

“Dress?” Lane arched an eyebrow. “I was
hoping for the opposite.”

About the Author

Leigh Ellwood
writes spicy romances and sassy mysteries. She is
the creator of the award-winning Dareville series, and has authored
numerous shorts and novels. Readers are invited to visit her
website for more information on Leigh’s books.

See Leigh’s entire backlist
with purchase links here:
http://tinyurl.com/LeighEllwoodsBooks
.

http://www.leighellwood.com

http://leighwantsfood.blogspot.com

http://twitter.com/LeighEllwood

Also by Leigh Ellwood

In the Dareville series…

Truth or Dare

The Dares That Bind

Dare Me

Daring Young Man

Double Dare

Dare to Dream

Dare and Dare Alike

Daringly Delicious

A Winter’s Dare

By the Chimney With Dare

Handle With Dare

Where Angels Dare to Tread

Dare to Act

In the Love is Bliss series…

Sheer Bliss

Pure Bliss

Edited by Leigh

Silver Wings
(gay steampunk anthology)

Coming Together: Girl on Girl

Also available…

GPS

Muse

Jilted

Boone

Bittersweet

Surveillance

Why, Why, Zed?

M-Squared

She Loves Me

Enter Sandman

Love’s DoMINion

Midnight Passions

Undercover Passions

and many more…

Leading Lady
copyright 2008-13 by Leigh Ellwood

All rights reserved under the International
and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be
reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic
or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any
information storage and retrieval system, without permission in
writing from the publisher.

This is a work of fiction. Names, places,
characters and incidents are either the product of the author's
imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any
actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is
entirely coincidental.

Second DLP Edition – April, 2013

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Warning: the unauthorized reproduction or
distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal
copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary
gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years
in prison and a fine of $250,000.