Beneath Your Beauty Read online

  I looked around longingly, hoping to see something that I’d deem safe to sit on, but I failed. Heaving a sigh, I folded my arms across my chest and began to pace, waiting for someone to fetch me.

  Steele

  “I fuckin’ want her, Red,” I insisted to Red Robin, my assistant and the director’s girlfriend.

  Red thumbed through the file in her hand. “Steele, I have you placed with Violet Blue.” She could barely disguise the smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

  I laughed. “Please tell me you’re shittin’ me. Violet Blue?”

  Red grinned. She’d been in the business long enough to have heard some of the craziest names the newbies came up with. Hers might have sounded unusual, too, but her real name was Robin, and with her hair as red as a blazing fire, Red Robin was a natural nickname.

  “I’m afraid I’m not.” She chuckled.

  Making my way toward makeup, I waved a dismissive hand. “Just fix it. Stick Blue with Dennis.”

  “It’s Violet Blue,” Red called out to my retreating body.

  I hollered over my shoulder, “What the fuck ever. Just fix it.”

  After spending the usual few minutes in makeup—because really, there weren’t any flaws to cover up—I went to check out the set. From what I could recall of how the scene would run, I was going to walk into the room to find Summer gazing out a window with nothing but a robe and heels on. She’d then turn to me, wish me a happy anniversary, and then let her robe fall to the floor. That was when I’d take over. Usually, there was more to the script, but I never followed it.

  I never have, and I never will.

  They’d tell me how they wanted the scene to begin, and then I’d just take off with it, always giving my grade-A performance.

  Once again, the set designers had tried their best to make everything look classy and romantic. Circling the set, cameras stood on tripods alongside the lighting equipment. A table stood in the far corner, covered with the normal array of paraphernalia—breath mints, water, lube, baby wipes, vibrators, dildos, clean sheets, towels, and makeup. Next to the table sat a couch and a coffee table. It wouldn’t be long before the table was filled with papers, cell phones, and laptops streaming the filmed video.

  While I was inspecting the set, people began filing into the room.

  “Hey, buddy. How ya doing?” Rico, owner and director of Ecstasy Pictures, slapped me on the shoulder.

  “Hey. Did Red tell you about the girl change?”

  “Yes, it’s all done.” He rolled his eyes, exasperated. “Oh, and I’m doing good. Thanks for asking.” He shook his head. “I don’t know why I bother with you.”

  “Hey, man, you fuckin’ called me,” I retorted.

  “I know, and I’ll be asking myself why until the scene starts. Then I’ll remember why I asked your grumpy ass to make this movie.” He chuckled.

  I managed a thin smile. “You’re one smart man.” Then, I walked out of the room and into my private waiting area to answer a few emails.

  Shit, I hate working for Rico.

  The guy was a straight-up prick. All the studios I’d worked with in L.A. were laid-back. Rico was an uptight bastard. In one movie, he would cut and do position changes more times than all the scenes I’d done in my ten-year career. I normally turned down any offer he threw my way. However, this time, I figured I could kill two birds with one stone—sink my cock into new pussy and then take a week’s vacation here in sunny Florida.

  It was a win-win situation.

  Kayden

  My neck and chest shimmered in the well-lit bathroom, thanks to the powder the makeup artist had covered me with. My hair had been teased to within an inch of its life. Heavy coal black and gray eye shadow gave my eyes a sultry, smoky look.

  Looking at myself in the mirror, I chanted again, “You can do this. You can do this.”

  I straightened my black silk robe and slipped into my killer heels. I was sure they would be the death of me—if I didn’t die from the scene itself first. Although, I had to admit, they were sexy shoes.

  I no longer looked like Kayden Brewer, and I was ecstatic.

  A soft knock sounded at the door.

  “Summer, you ready?” a female voice asked from behind the closed door.

  It took me a second to realize that she was talking to me.

  “You can do this. You can do this. It could be worse,” I assured myself one more time.

  The gorgeous redhead opened the door slightly and popped her head in. “You can do this, sweetie.”

  My face turned the shade of her hair. “You heard me?” I asked anxiously.

  “Yes.” She gave an encouraging smile. “I’ve heard that chant plenty of times. Follow me. My name is Red. If you have any problems, I’m your girl.”

  “Oh…okay,” I said following her pert ass out the door and down the hallway.

  I felt like I was in one of those movies where the hallway seemed to stretch farther with every step I took.

  Holy shit, this is happening.

  I heard Red’s voice, but it was becoming distant.

  “Sweetie…” she said from what sounded far away.

  My vision began to blur around the edges, and my body felt heavy and tired.

  “Breathe!” Red bellowed. Her voice no longer held a gentle tone.

  Then I took the loudest, most ungraceful lungful of air that anyone had ever taken.

  Red held me still, rubbing my arms. “Honey, you have to breathe,” she instructed around her chuckles.

  Pulling a bottle from her pocket, she made me drink the cold water.

  What is she laughing at? I almost died.

  Oh my God, I almost died! This is not a laughing matter.

  Would Marco take into consideration that I almost bit the big one? That should buy me more time.

  Who the hell am I kidding? Marco wouldn’t care.

  Drug dealers didn’t care whether or not I almost died. My sister, Mary, was proof of that.

  “Good, you’re breathing again. It’s just nerves, honey. It could be worse,” Red said.

  We started moving again.

  “It could?” I asked, unconvinced. What could be worse than what I’m about to do and why I have to do it?

  She put her hand on the doorknob and then turned to me. “You could be part of the cleaning crew,” she whispered as she crinkled her nose before signaling me through the open door.

  I couldn’t help but smile. I was starting to like Red.

  As I entered the room, my body broke out into a sweat, and my heart felt like it was trying to beat through my chest. At least a dozen people were floating around. People were on their cell phones. Two men were sitting in front of laptops, and three others were fiddling with cameras and lights. The walls were painted lavender, and a light-wooden four-poster bed stood against one wall. Matching nightstands sat on either side. Clear glass lamps with dark purple shades cast a soft lilac glow onto the white satin bed sheets. Windows draped in white and purple sheer curtains lined the wall adjacent to the bed. An upholstered silver chair sat below one window with a small table beside it. Crystal vases filled with white roses covered nearly every surface.

  A very good-looking tall guy with blond hair approached me.

  Maybe he’s my co-star? That wouldn’t be so bad.

  Blondie smiled, putting out his hand. “I’m Chris, Chris Hard.”

  Not knowing where his hand might have been, I cringed on the inside as I reached out to shake it. “Summer Crest. Are you my…” I hesitated.

  Chris seemed amused as I stood there, fiddling nervously with the tie on my robe.

  “Co-star?” he asked with raised brows. “No—well, I was until I got switched.”

  “Oh,” I managed to say while my eyes roamed the room.

  “Nice meeting you, Summer. Hope I get to see you after you’re done.” He winked at me.

  An uncomfortable shudder crept up my spine. “Um…yeah, sure.”

  “Summer?” a male’s vo
ice boomed through the room.

  Chris glanced over his shoulder. “Looks like Rico wants you,” he stated before turning and leaving.

  I walked slowly over to Rico. He was sorting through a pile of papers. Without really looking at me, he handed me a pen and what I assumed to be a consent form. I scanned the form, not really taking any of it in, and signed my name at the bottom.

  The door to the set slammed causing everyone to look that way.

  My jaw dropped, and my stomach lurched unpleasantly. All I could do was stand there and ogle the beautiful man who had sauntered through the door.

  Steele meandered in wearing only red gym shorts. His chiseled chest and six-pack abs were pleasantly on display. The intricate tattoos were breathtaking. The word Trust was scripted on the inside of his right forearm while Honesty mirrored it on the left. Tribal bands wrapped around both thick biceps, and the words Within Reach were written on the left side of his abdomen. Those tattooed words dissipated into a mist that curved into a dragon, which crawled up onto his back and up over his shoulder, ending right above his heart. It was a true work of art —just like him.

  Steele

  The fear in Summer’s eyes made her look like a mouse that had been cornered by a lion. She was to a point. With those legs, that full, round ass, and her succulent lips, I couldn’t wait to eat her up.

  “Did you sign the consent form?” I asked her. I pulled the papers out of Rico’s outstretched hand and scribbled my signature.

  Summer jerked her head, blinking at me. “Yes, I did.” She sounded timid.

  Rico’s consent forms hadn’t changed, and neither had his protocol. He made his stars go over all the arrangements, sign the forms, and return them days before the shoot. On the day of filming, the stars had to sign another approval form with the day’s date. It took far too long.

  Once done, I seized Summer’s hand. A sense of calm flowed through my body when her fingers laced with mine. I couldn’t be too sure, but when I squeezed her hand, I thought her body relaxed.

  “Meet and greet,” I threw over my shoulder, letting Rico know where I was going with Summer.

  Throughout the entire ten years that I’d been in the porn industry, I always conducted a meet and greet with the woman I would be filming with. It was a tradition of sorts.

  Rico barked, “We’re in a time crunch, Steele!”

  “Not my problem,” I rumbled.

  He knew my MO.

  Does the asshole actually think I’m going to change my rules because he’s running behind? Fuck no.

  My body jerked back when Summer came to a halt in the hallway once the door closed behind us. She used my hand to steady herself, bent and slipped off her shoes. I held my other hand out, motioning for them. Her stunned eyes held mine as she placed the heels in my hand.

  With raised brows and a slight grin, I questioned, “Didn’t think I could be a gentleman?”

  “No…” She shook her head and then tried to correct herself, “I mean, yes, but…”

  I smirked as I pulled her along behind me, and we finished our walk to my private room. She entered first, and I let her hand go. Once the door shut, I let the heels slip from my hand. The loud thud of the shoes colliding with the hardwood floor caused Summer to spin around.

  I snatched her around the waist, pulling her tight against my body. Her hands came up and rested on my chest, filling me with a heat I’d not sensed before. Her breath hitched while her wide eyes penetrated mine. Never taking my eyes from hers, I slowly descended toward those tantalizing lips. She blinked once, and a small shudder rolled across her warm body. She fit perfectly against me, and something in me didn’t want to let her go.

  Actually, it scared the shit out of me.

  I briefly touched my lips to hers before making my way to her ear. A slight moan fell from that pretty mouth.

  I whispered in her ear, “First, I’m going to taste every inch of you.”

  Her body trembled in my embrace.

  I grinned and continued, “Then, I’m going to fuck you so hard that you won’t be able to walk straight for a week.”

  Kayden

  A forceful hum all over my body was off the charts as I anticipated Steele tasting every inch of me. No one had ever talked dirty to me. His solid frame surrounded me, invading my space, as he took control. The buzzing running through me was a sensation I had never felt before. From the way my body was responding to it, I liked it…I liked it a little too much.

  I’d never been one to hand over control, but something inside me definitely wanted to hand it over to Steele on a silver platter. At first, he scared me. When he walked into a room, his presence would take over with his air of confidence that would have any man within the vicinity to sink into their own skin, letting Steele take center stage. The hard tone of his voice would demand that it was his way and his way only.

  I always stayed away from these traits, and played it safe when it came to men. Maybe it had to do with the way I’d watched my sister’s life spiral out of control.

  In my past, I’d dated simple guys. The sex hadn’t been great, but it had been modest. Out of the three guys I’d slept with, the second one, John, was the only one who could give me an orgasm. It would take a while though, and it wouldn’t happen every time. Never one to be selfish, I’d just wait until after the guy had left, and then I’d do the deed and take care of myself.

  All Steele had to do was get close enough, start talking dirty, let his dominating male essence show through, and my girlie parts were ready to burst.

  His voice was deep and low in my ear as he said, “I’m going to kiss you now.”

  I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. His strong blue eyes penetrated mine. He moved the last centimeter, and his tongue gently stroked the seam of my lips. They parted on their own accord, and a whimper escaped. Steele ran his tongue slowly along the underside of my upper lip. Another moan erupted from deep within me, and a profound groan rumbled through his chest. I opened my mouth wider, letting him in fully.

  His rigid, thick erection pulsated against my body as his mouth crashed over mine, and our tongues began to stroke one another.

  I was lost.

  His lips were soft, and his tongue was demanding as it searched every inch of my mouth, tasting and sucking every crevice. My core pulsed in time with my rapid heartbeat. Wrapping my arms tightly around his neck, I let my fingers tease the hair at his nape. He grunted into my mouth, and then he abruptly pulled away, ending the kiss.

  Did I do something wrong?

  My body was on fire. I was ready. The evidence of wetness between my legs said I was more than ready. The impressive tent in his shorts said he was ready, too.

  Let’s get this show on the road. Bring in the cameras, lighting, and all the others. Hell, bring Sam, the doorman, in.

  I didn’t care. I was lost in Steele, and I didn’t want to be found.

  Oh God, oh God, oh God, I like him. I like Steele Waters.

  Should I feel this chemistry with my co-star?

  Get your head on straight and focus, Kayden.

  Steele leaned against the arm of the couch. Apparently unaffected by what had just happened, he stated, “Let’s get down to business.”

  That was exactly what this was—business. It was the reason that kiss hadn’t affected him the way it had me.

  Letting the wall behind me hold up my wanting body, I nodded, trying to pull myself together.

  “Do you suck cock?” he casually questioned.

  My face heated with embarrassment. “Um…” Stumbling over my words, I said, “I-I guess so.”

  He returned, “You guess so?”

  “Yeah.”

  Clearly annoyed, he said, “You either do, or you don’t. There’s no guessing to it, Summer.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “I need to know this stuff—what you like, what you don’t like.” He huffed and ran his hand through his hair. “What turns you on?”

  Uncomfortably, I quietly answered his last
question, “That kiss did.”

  His lips curled into a sexy grin.

  “And that, too,” I blurted out before I could stop my traitorous mouth.

  He raised a brow and smiled again. I rolled my eyes. He knew that he had me, and I hated that.

  “Okay, let’s make this a little easier for you.” He motioned to the couch. “Sit.”

  My wobbly legs took me to the couch, and I sat. Thoughts of all the possible things that had happened on this couch flashed through my mind, but I didn’t care at that moment. I was about to have sex on a strange bed with a strange man—okay, a hot-as-fuck strange man.

  Once seated, Steele turned to face me. “I’m going to ask you questions. I need your honest answers, so just blurt it out, no thinking about it. It’s kind of like that game where I’ll say something, and you’ll say the first thing that comes to your mind. Can you do that?” His gentle voice put me at ease.

  “I can try.” I sat up straighter and put my hands on my lap, showing I was ready. “Shoot,” I told him.

  “How many guys have you slept with?”

  “Three.”

  His eyes took on a lazy glare as he asked, “How many cocks have you sucked?”

  “One.” Heat was starting to creep through my body.

  Steele inclined his head. “Did you like it?”

  I answered honestly, “It was okay.”

  He sighed and shook his head. “Do you like your pussy to be eaten?”

  My core clenched as an inferno made my body its bitch. I tried to keep it together. “I guess,” I replied hesitantly. I was too mortified to say, Of course.

  “You guess?” He chuckled slightly.

  I shifted nervously and nodded.

  Steele slid into the seat next to me. He put an arm on the back of the couch. “Summer, turn toward me.”

  I did, but I didn’t look at him. Instead, I stared at the pale blue wall behind him. Our bent knees touched, and he swiftly glanced down at their contact.

  “Game change. Cover your face with your hands, and I’m going to ask you simple questions. All you have to do is nod for yes or shake for no, okay?”