Secrets (15 page)

That's quite a dress.

Thank you ' She blushed. I was afraid ' I thought ' I wasn't sure '

Mel gently put an arm around her. You look fabulous, Jane. Except I miss the black wig of course. They laughed and she felt more at ease, and he introduced her to Bill, and her warmth even brought him out of his shell a bit. And the group grew more comfortable, sitting on his large white couches, all of them drinking champagne, except Bill, and then the door opened again, and there was no question at all who was the star. Sabina slinked down the stairs in a gray satin dress with her blond mane framing her face, her eyes like those of a tigress on the prowl, and Mel's new diamond bracelet on her arm.

Good evening, the voice purred and she looked slowly around the room, as Mel smiled. She was already taking the role to heart, but it wasn't even that. The role was made for her. She looked down at Zack and held out a hand as he smiled at her.

Miss Quarles' He knew just how to handle her and they had met before.

Hello, Zack. She turned to Bill. I don't believe we've met. I'm Sabina Quarles. She didn't need Mel for this, she was in full control, just as she always was, the entrance calculated, the dress perfect for the part, the eyes, the hair, the face. Jane felt like a bumpkin next to her and Gabrielle was fascinated. Sabina dismissed her with one glance, and then turned to Jane. So you are the sister I will love to hate. All five of them laughed, and Jane smiled nervously at her.

I've admired your work very much.

I'm afraid I don't know yours. She turned to Mel, dismissing Jane, and accepted a glass of champagne. Her eyes were warm, but they gave nothing away. She wasn't foolish enough to let the others know she was sleeping with him. That was too important to her, and she was onstage now, for all of them.

They went in to dinner at exactly nine o'clock and he had seated them carefully. Sabina at his right, Jane at his left, next to Bill, Gabby beside him, and then Zack on Sabina's right. And Zack played the game expertly. He was charming to his co-star, but Mel noticed that he was watching Jane for most of the night. He seemed fascinated by her, and her glances were warm. She seemed the only one able to draw Bill out, and he ignored Gabrielle almost totally, as did most of them. Only Zack was polite enough to speak to her, whenever Sabina was chatting with Mel. It was an interesting group, and he was curious to know what Sabina would have to say about all of them. All in all, despite a few tensions that arose, the evening went admirably. They wound up drinking more champagne by the pool, as Sabina stood with the city like a glittering backdrop behind her, chatting with Zack, and occasionally watching Bill. She was barely polite to Gabrielle the few times they spoke, and Mel noticed that Gabby's attempts to talk to Bill were always rebuffed. Only Jane seemed able to talk easily with all of them. Despite her nervousness, her innately motherly way warmed each of them, except Sabina, who commented cattily about her dress, causing Jane to apologize for it again. But Zack rescued her that time, artfully and deftly, while complimenting Sabina on the handsome bracelet on her arm. She seemed pleased that he had noticed it, and Mel was amused. He liked watching the interactions between each of them, and it worked, the only thing he was sorry about was that he sensed Gabrielle was not going to have an easy time. She was the ingenue, the least proven member of the team, and like vicious children, they were going to make her pay for it. He was also not upset about the friction between Sabina and Jane. Jane would learn to cope with it in time, as she gained self confidence, and it would be good for the show to carry over a little of the story line that way. And Zack was enough of a gentleman to handle both of them. He wasn't quite as sure of Bill, but the boy could act, and that wasn't negligible. And whatever was bothering him would blow over eventually. Sabina seemed to like him, and that was important, and Jane liked everyone.

It was after midnight when they left, and Sabina was the first to go. She had gotten Me's message just after dessert. He would meet her at her place after everyone was gone. And she showed no sign of it as she kissed him on the cheek, whispered something to Zack and laughed, smiled interestingly at Bill, nodded at Jane, and ignored Gabby totally. And then, with a sweep of silver fox covering the gray satin dress, she left in Mel's car, as had come. The star. It was fitting. The queen is always the first to leave. And the last to arrive. And she had done both to perfection.

My God, she's fabulous, Jane whispered to Mel after she left. It's like watching royalty. He laughed. Sabina played her part well, poor Jane, she needed a lot of self-confidence.

That's the whole idea. Don't worry. The viewers will be just as taken with you. There's something for everyone in this show. He smiled at all of them, and Gabrielle looked like a dark-haired angel standing near the pool. He wondered that Bill wasn't more taken with her. Had he been Warwick's age, but ' to each his own, he thought to himself.

Zack was the next to leave, having offered both ladies a ride, but Mel had provided a limousine for each, so they were fine. They left on their own shortly after that, and Bill followed them, after shaking Mel's hand twice and thanking him for the opportunity to be on the show.

Just relax and enjoy it, Bill. Is everything all right? He was worried about him, but Bill insisted that he was fine. And he slid into the Porsche he had bought with his first check from the show, and heaved a sigh of relief. It had been an interminable evening for him. All he had been able to think about was Sandy and how she had looked that night. And that damn girl on the show ' she looked so much like her ' it could have been Sandy in her place, going to New York with him, if she had been clean. Just thinking about what she'd done to herself depressed him again. They could have had everything.

Jane leaned her head back on the seat of the limousine on the way home, thinking of all of them ' Sabina ' Zack ' Gabby ' Bill ' they were all such strong, interesting people, she wondered how she'd ever fit in with them. Her breast throbbed where Jack had torn her flesh, and she found herself thinking of Mel, and those kind eyes of his. He looked as though he had seen a lot of life, and she felt as though they could be friends. She wanted to be friends with all of them. She liked Gabby a lot, Bill ' and Zack was fabulous, but he'd probably fall madly in love with Sabina. God, she was incredible, that figure ' those eyes ' she closed her eyes as she thought of them, and when they reached Pasadena, and the driver opened the door for her, she was sound asleep in the back of the limousine.

Well, what do you think of them? Mel sat back against her white couch, and looked pleased. It was one o'clock, he had paid the caterers and locked up when they left, and then he had driven himself to Linden Drive, where Sabina lived.

They're quite a group. Sabina was stretched out on the couch in the gray satin dress, still looking as she had at his house, only a little more relaxed. Her eyes danced as she reviewed the cast, and Mel laughed as she told him what she thought.

Poor Jane is a mouse. She laughed. And she'd better watch out, or I'll eat her alive ' grrrmmpphh ' She gently gobbled his neck and he laughed.

Be nice to her. She's scared to death of you. He wagged a fatherly finger at her and Sabina laughed evilly.

I know. My God, she's got some figure. How old is she?

Thirty-nine.

I wonder how much she paid for it. All that can't be real. What's she done up to now, anyway?

Daytime soaps. She was on Our Secret Sorrows for ten years.

Oh my God. Not one of those. She dismissed her with one hand. Bill Warwick is interesting. Wounded about something. A broken heart, I suspect. He's one of those brooding, passionate types, and probably very good in bed. Mel looked less than pleased and she tweaked his cheek as she laughed at him. Don't worry, little boys aren't my style. He's too young for me, but that little ingenue looks like she has the hots for him. She's hiding something. She said it with an instinct straight from her gut, but Mel shook his head. He was sure she was wrong. I doubt that very much.

Take my word for it. She is. I can tell. Maybe she's been sleeping with someone she shouldn't have. She glanced up at Mel and frowned. It better not be you, my friend.

This time he laughed. I'm not into the nursery school set either, my dear.

Good. And Zack Taylor is queer. Mel almost fell off the couch as he stared at her.

You mean as in homosexual?

Yes. She looked smug.

Now there you're all wet.

The hell I am.

He's the hottest male lead in Hollywood, and I have never heard any rumors about him.

She looked unimpressed. Then he's discreet. Believe me, I can tell. There's no chemistry there. No vibes. Nothing. He is polite, charming, and gay.

Sabina, you are full of hot air.

She laughed at him and shrugged. Maybe I am, but I'd lay you odds I'm not. He's just very careful about who knows.

There's no such thing in this town. If he were, everyone would know.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think I am. Not that she cared. She was happy with Mel. Happier than she'd been in years.

I hope you're right about Bill. I was worried about him tonight. He looked like a volcano about to erupt, and I don't want problems on the set.

Gabrielle will keep him in line. Either that or drive him nuts. Who is she anyway? She seems to have done an awful lot for a kid. She'd overheard her talking about trips, Europe, archaeology, Palm Beach '

She's probably just showing off, or maybe you're right. Maybe she's been traveling with someone. He was amused at Sabina's analysis of everyone.

Can she act?

Would I have hired her if she couldn't act?

No, my darling. She kissed him generously on the lips and they both forgot Gabrielle. Now what about me? she asked. How do I fit in all this?

You're the star. They were all dazzled by you tonight. She loved hearing it and he didn't mind telling her. He was used to stars and the reassurance they needed constantly. Sabina needed less than most, but still' I thought they were all going to drop when you walked in.

She threw back her head and laughed. I thought that poor woman was going to pee in her pants. She meant Jane, and Mel understood.

Sabina, he chided her gently, be nice to her ' she won't do you any harm. You can afford to be generous with her.

I don't have the patience for people like that.

She could be any of us. She's unsure of herself, and shy, and desperate to please.

Sabina tossed her golden mane. I can't even imagine it. I told you, she's a mouse. I eat mice. She kissed him again. Among other things.

You're a bad girl. But he liked her just the way she was, tantalizing him with her lips, and her body, and her eyes.

She set down her glass and unbuttoned his evening shirt. I missed you tonight.

What do you mean?

I felt silly playing games, pretending I barely know you' . But they both knew it was for the best, as her tongue darted across his bare chest and he closed his eyes, swept up by desire for her. He easily unbuttoned the gray satin dress. It buttoned on her shoulders, and with the release of four buttons, he slid the evening gown down to her thighs, as he opened his eyes to look at her.

My God, you're beautiful' . He spoke in hushed tones, wondering if he'd ever get used to her, or if he'd ever have the chance. He was hungry for her all the time, and as she stood up and the dress fell to the floor, he saw that she had been wearing nothing underneath. The very thought of how she had been sitting next to him all night suddenly made him feel weak, all that exquisite naked flesh so close to him, and now as she spread her legs to tantalize him, he leaned forward and expertly enchanted her with his tongue. She pressed his face between her legs, and moved rhythmically as she moaned, and he gently caressed her buttocks as he excited her more and more, darting his tongue in and out, making her beg for him, and then as she screamed, he undressed hurriedly, and lay down next to her on the thick fur rug in her living room. They lay there side by side as he excited her again, with his fingers, with his tongue, and then entered her, driving her to new heights until he met her there, and together they sailed into space as she screamed again, seemingly endlessly this time, until finally she lay spent in his arms, and he looked down at her, pleased, running his hands through her long blond hair.

Her voice was even deeper than usual when she spoke to him tod looked up at him with a limp smile. They're going to ask me to move out, if we don't stop doing this. He smiled.

You can always move in with me, if they do. He was hoarse with pleasure, and they lay together on the rug for a long time. They were a good match, physically as well in other ways. He wanted nothing from her, and she wanted very little from him. She already had what she wanted, the starring role in the show, and she would have had it anyway. But they enjoyed what they gave each other, and neither of them wanted anything more. No promises, no dreams, nothing to last an eternity. Just right now.

Will you come to Paris with me, Mel? She rolled over on her side to look at him, and she looked amazingly young.

I'll try. I can't stay there with you for the whole three weeks though, but I'll do what I can.