Her Perfect Gift: A Christmas Romance Read online

  When I spoke to my father, his words sounded right, but now chatting to Ivy, she sounds wise. I should spend time with Seth instead of worrying about the rest of the world. Me and him have a bubble and when we are inside it, life feels wonderful. I adore every single second of it. Me and him can get to that place, can’t we?

  We have worked hard to make this happen; I shouldn’t give up at the first hurdle. Sure, it isn’t easy but the best things in life aren’t, are they? That’s what makes them so special. I haven’t pined after Seth for six years just to lose him. I will always regret it if I don’t give him a chance. If I don’t allow us to see where this could go.

  “I should do something, shouldn’t I?” I reply to Ivy. “Like organize a nice date or something.”

  “Exactly, that’s it. Put any effort that you would in the Internet, in to him instead. Look, you know for sure that I would love you to come back home because I miss you like crazy, but you needed this. To spread your wings and fly, to find happiness, to have this romantic love story. Don’t ruin it for nothing.”

  I nod, determined, and smile to myself. “Right, well I am going to get planning, see what I can sort…”

  “Don’t go too over the top,” she reminds me. “He doesn’t need that and nor do you. You don’t need to be out on some big romantic excursion where the rest of the world can get involved. Just cook something nice for him and wear your sexiest underwear. Maybe even buy something new and lacy as a treat.”

  Even the idea of this has my pulse racing. Ivy is so right; Seth thinks that I am the sexiest woman alive. He has managed to bring my confidence up. Why should I let anyone else ruin that? I don’t even know these people; their opinions shouldn’t bother me one bit. He is the one that matters.

  “Thank you, Ivy, for your amazing advice. I really appreciate it. I know that you are being honest with me because this isn’t what you want me to do.” I try to laugh but the sound is strangled. “It means a lot.”

  “I know,” she jumps in with a giggle. “I want you back home with me because I need my best friend… but I also want you to live your best life. Plus, I’m really enjoying all the jealousy inducing pictures that you keep sending me. I can live vicariously through you, pretend that I am in Hollywood rather than on the couch…”

  Funny how the grass always seems greener on the other side. Ivy is jealous of my life just as I am hers. But in reality, neither of us have it perfect we are just doing what we need to, to survive. I simply need to refocus, that’s all. Remember what’s important to me and what is simply outside noise. If I can do that, then me and Seth can get our incredible, once in a life time love story, back on track and I can finally find my place in the world, because if there is one thing that I am certain of, it’s by his side. Wherever Seth Bishop may be, that is where I am as well.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Seth

  January 10th

  “No, no, no.” The director’s shrill voice runs right through me. “This isn’t right. Why aren’t you getting it right? I can’t stand watching the two of you throw so much potential down the drain for no reason.”

  Me and Winter share a look but neither of us say anything to stand up for ourselves. There isn’t any point, we have tried before and it doesn’t get us anywhere. If he isn’t happy, there isn’t anything we can say. We have to sit back and take it, let him get it out of his system then we can carry on. It’s frustrating, but what can we do?

  “We need to take a break. We need… this isn’t going well. I need a time out, and, so do you?”

  As he stalks away, I watch Winter do the same thing. I guess that means I don’t have any choice either but to go and hang out for a moment. I’m just glad that Sierra isn’t here today to see this shit storm.

  The first place I go to is my cell phone of course, to break away from this world and get to the real part of my life. I look for messages from Sierra because I’m sure that she will have called me, but instead I see a million messages from Darcy instead. She wants to know where I am and when I am coming home. I can’t message her back because I have no idea, so I call her instead. Hearing Darcy’s voice always makes my day better, so I have no doubt that she will cheer me up here as well. Something has to work.

  “Hello!” Immediately I am struck by how bright Darcy sounds. Happier than usual. “You okay, Seth?”

  “Er, yeah…” I don’t want to put her down because I am in a bad mood now. I can push my feelings to one side to celebrate with her today. Particularly if something good has happened. “Busy, but okay.”

  “I’m sorry for messaging you a lot, I just thought that we could use a date night, so I have a nice dinner ready to cook. I was wondering what time you might be back so I can get it ready on time.”

  “Oh… wow… that’s nice.” I’m a bit shocked. But I love the sound of it. We could definitely use that after the shitty couple of weeks we have had. “Erm, I just don’t know what time we will finish to be honest. It’s getting a bit crazy around here. The director is pissed off. We can’t seem to get this right.”

  “Oh, right.” Immediately, the happiness is zapped away from her tone, I have done exactly what I didn’t want to. “I see, well you could just let me know when you do… if that’s possible. Any estimated time will help.”

  “Of course…” There is a hesitation to my tone. I want to make promises, but nothing fake. “As soon as I know. I will be in touch. Erm… but I better get back to it. Call soon.”

  I hang up the phone immediately and sigh loudly to myself. That wasn’t nice, I feel like shit after that conversation. I don’t like the idea that I am letting Darcy down, as well as everyone else. She needs me to be home right now for this date, but everyone here needs me to be at my best. God, I thought that this was going to be so easy, I went into this so confident that everything was going to be okay, and now I’m not so sure. I never struggled this much when acting within my comfort zone. I can now see why Sierra was so nervous about me moving on to something new. She understood things that I didn’t then… but I am starting to now.

  “You okay?” I practically jump as Winter grabs my focus. “You look seriously stressed.” Her eyes dart towards my cell phone. “Ah, I see. You are trying to talk to someone who doesn’t fully understand the business.”

  “Yes!” I didn’t realize it until she just hit the nail on the head now, but that is the problem. Or part of it. It’s hard to get Darcy to fully understand this lifestyle. She tries, but she can’t fully get it. “It’s hard, isn’t it?”

  “I know, tell me about it.” She rolls her eyes. “I can’t get other people to understand either. People who used to be in my life aren’t anymore because they don’t get it. My friends are now within the industry and I know that I would only date within the industry as well. I can’t imagine trying to explain it to anyone else.”

  I take in a deep shaky breath, understanding exactly what she means. It isn’t the easiest. “I know. I am having a few issues with that. The scheduling is just crazy, isn’t it? It can be a bit too much.”

  “Exactly.” She folds her arms tightly across her chest. “Well, we have a moment right now with the director not here so, shall we go outside and get some air? Chill out and have a moment away from all of this.”

  “Yeah, that sounds good actually.” I nod slowly. “I could use a minute.”

  I glance around and see that everyone is busy, lost in their own thoughts about the day, so I take Winter’s hand and we sneak the hell away from the mess that we have created without a glance backwards. We just about get to the outside area, when a deep shiver runs through Winter’s body. Without even thinking about it, I whip my hoodie over my head, or my character’s hoodie anyway, and I pass it to her to cover herself up.

  “Oh, thank you.” She tosses it over her head. “That’s awesome. I always forget how cold it is outside. They keep it so warm in there. I need to remember to bring more clothing with me.”

  As I chuckle, I take a little lo
ok upwards to see the stars. Yep, it’s getting crazy late now. I don’t think that any date with Darcy will be happening, which is a shame. We could use some alone time to keep our bond going. Although I don’t know how good company I would be today anyway. I’m just so tired.

  “What do you think that we are doing so wrong?” I ask Winter with a groan. “Why can’t we seem to get it right? I don’t understand. If the director would just tell us, then we could work on it.”

  “I think that it’s the kiss,” Winer replies bluntly. “Or not the actual kiss. I think that we are doing that right. It’s the build up. The minute where we finally start coming together after everything that has come before, needs to be right. The audience has watched us overcome everything to get to this moment. We need to satisfy them. Because we’re so stressed out, it isn’t coming across well.”

  “You think?” I never saw it like that, but I suppose there isn’t any frame of reference that I have to work with.

  “Oh yeah for sure. It would be good if he told us, I agree with you, but I think that’s the problem.”

  “Right, okay.” I let this soak in. “So, how do you suggest that we change it then?”

  All of a sudden, she transforms like a professional. She is no longer Winter, she is Cherry. Her character. It’s almost shocking. As she starts to come to life, I feel myself transform into my character as well, automatically.

  “Hey,” she whispers almost breathlessly. “It’s good to see you again.”

  She circles around me a little like a snake and I can’t keep my eyes off of her. She is intoxicating, addictive, I find myself totally drawn in by her. I can’t stop myself. My character is falling for her. This is it, this is the moment, isn’t it? Winter is right, this chemistry and anticipation wasn’t here when we were inside the room. We need to capture this all over again. As she gets in closer, I can feel something building within me. A genuine excitement that she has captured, that I love, and makes me flutter. There is a real vibe here.

  “So, handsome.” Yep, there is even electricity as she puts her arm around me and pulls me to her for a hug. “What do you say? Are you ready for everything that Cherry has to offer you?”

  She moves her lips, I can feel them coming towards me, everything that wasn’t there before but it is now. I lean downwards, pausing for just a second to look at her, to see if I am ready for Cherry. If Richard can handle this. I know that he wants it, but it is going to create upheaval in every aspect of his life…

  “See what I mean?” Winter pulls back and grins, becoming herself all over again. All the chemistry that was there just a moment ago is long gone. “That was much better, wasn’t it? We nailed it there.”

  “I feel like we can go back in there now, can’t we? And sort it out.”

  “The director will be pleased. Come on, let’s go out there and do this.”

  We run back inside to find the director ranting about me and Winter being missing, so we race on to set, taking a second to switch the hoodie back on to me, and we calm him down by telling him that we are ready. He doesn’t look convinced, but it’s okay because I know that we are going to nail this. I’m confident. I share a smile with Winter, and I can see that she feels the same way. We both know that we can do.

  * * *

  “Thank fuck for that.” Winter pats me on the back and laughs. “We sorted it out!”

  I blow out a breath of relief. “I know, right?” I roll my eyes. “That break was just what we needed.”

  “We need to remember that in future, don’t we? That a break will sort us out. No more stress.”

  I pull her in for a grateful hug and we laugh together. Again, I am reminded that this is a real friendship building here. It’s nice to have someone in the industry who I can speak to about these things. While this has been so hard for me, Winter is someone that I would love to work alongside again. We get on well and we know how to work well together. This is something that can work for us no matter what character we are playing.

  “Right, well I am going home,” I declare with a laugh. “It has been a long ass day and I am sure that we’re needed back here tomorrow. For another day of fun.” I roll my eyes. See you then.”

  As I wave goodbye to Winter, I think back to Darcy and the night that she wanted to plan for us. It’s ruined now of course, she will probably be asleep right now, but it’s something that we need to bring forward with us. Date night is an awesome plan. Something that I want to incorporate all the time. That way, no matter how busy we are, we will always have a space in our lives for one another. That is something we definitely need.

  It feels like me and Darcy are on the way up now, that she’s settling in here, and that life will be perfect from now on. If she has finally found her place, then we can only go upwards, can’t we? I’m looking forward to getting back now, to seeing her, even if she will be too tired to see me too.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Darcy

  January 11th

  I prop myself back up on the couch, trying not to drift off to sleep while I wait for Seth to come home. Sure, the dinner plans have totally fallen apart, and midnight swam passed ages ago, but I’m still waiting. I don’t want to sleep when I have this sexy new underwear on, I want to salvage something of this evening.

  It isn’t like I blame Seth anyway. I understand that this is his career, I don’t have to go on to a film set to know that sometimes things run over, and time is an issue. Especially for a smaller budget movie that needs to be filmed much quicker than a normal project, or so Seth has told me, so I can’t be mad about it.

  If I feel anything, then I suppose it’s just sadness that he isn’t here when I want him to be and we can’t have our alone time. I want to go with the advice that Ivy gave me and to concentrate on what’s important, I want to put everything that I have into me and Seth, but how can I do that when he isn’t here?

  “It will be fine,” I whisper to myself. “It will. This night isn’t the defining point of everything.”

  All of a sudden, I hear a slight banging noise which makes me jump. I flick the television off quickly because I wasn’t even watching it, and I listen more intently. There is something about sounds in the darkness that are much more scary than in the light. I can’t explain it, but it has my heart racing. I rise to my feet carefully and tip toe through the hallway, wondering what the hell I will do if I come across someone bad. A robber, a mugger, a murderer… something like that. I won’t exactly be able to defend myself, I’m no good at fighting…

  “Oh my God.” I clutch my hand to my chest and gasp loudly. “Fucking hell, Seth, it’s you.”

  His eyes run up and down my body which reminds me that I have been waiting for him in just underwear. At some point during the night, I thought that I would be a good idea to surprise him like this, but now I just feel silly. I want to cover myself up because this has all gone wrong. It’s a mess.

  “Who were you expecting?” Seth asks in a slightly bewildered voice. “Because that look is something else…”

  I clap my hand to my forehead. “Oh God, obviously you, but you freaked me out.”

  He wraps me up in his arms and allows some heart to race through my body. “Sorry for waking you up.”

  “I wasn’t really asleep,” I murmur into his chest. “You sounded stressed, so I wanted to wait up.”

  “Well, I was actually about to hop in the shower because I’m all sweaty.”

  “I can come with you.” I pull back and smile at him. “If you want. Could be fun, right?”

  I don’t know what it is, but I have the strange feeling that if me and him don’t have some form of date night right now, then things will fall apart for us. It’s probably just the sleep still running through me, but I go with it.

  When Seth chuckles and nods with me, I take his hand and run towards the shower with him not far behind me. I lean in to flick the shower on while cheekily poking my ass out towards him. I even shoot him a wink over my shoulder to see how m
uch this is turning him on, and he is glazed over with desire. He loves it.

  “Get over here now,” he growls. “That lingerie is sexy as fuck, but I need it off instantly.”

  How can I resist an offer like that? I don’t stand a chance, especially since he’s in the process of peeling his own clothing off, letting me see that sweaty body of his. God, the world might own a piece of Seth because he does put himself out there, but I get the best bits of him. He leaves a lot of him just for me and I love it.

  “You are a fucking goddess,” he groans as he runs his fingers delicately over the lacy bra barely covering me. “My God, Darcy. What a sight to come back to after a shitty day at work. This is why I love you.”

  I smile and mouth how I love him too as he reaches behind my back and he unhooks said bra. As it pops free, I feel myself breathing a little easier. Seth’s eyes remain on mine as he takes my nipples between his fingers. I can hardly handle it anymore, so I take the initiative and melt off my own panties. I take a step backwards and feel the water to check that the temperature is okay, which it is. Then without breaking eye contact I take a step back in to it. I let it wash over me. Sure, the under wear was nice, but this is sexy as well. Naked and under the cascading water with him running his gaze all over me. I absolutely love it.

  “Are you coming in?” I rasp at him. “My body is aching for you, right now.”

  I wiggle my finger at him in a flirty way, the desire gripping my throat. He brings that beautiful body of his under the water with me and I gasp with joy. Sometimes I am struck with the idea that for some reason the very famous Seth Bishop who could have anyone, who is wanted by everyone, is with me. I am the one here touching him, feeling him, tasting his kisses with my own lips… but today, I don’t just want to taste his lips. I want to taste more of him. I want this date night to be more exciting than usual…