Stormy Vows - Iris Johansen [51]
Brenna let out a little bubble of laughter. Dominic cocked his head, a pleased smile on his face, “I do like that laugh of yours. Most women giggle or tinkle. You sort of gurgle like running water. You should do it more often.”
“Working under you isn't a matter for laughter, Jake Dominic,” Brenna said severely. “You almost killed me.”
“You held up better than most actresses would.” He shrugged. “You have stamina.”
It was a compliment to be treasured from Jake Dominic, and Brenna began to feel as if the heartbreaking, exhausting work may have been worth it after all.
“I saw the final rushes last night,” Jake said slowly. “They were good.” He took a sip of his champagne. “You were damn good.”
Brenna's eyes flew to his face.
He looked at her steadily, taking his time. “You were so good, that everyone in the audience is going to wonder why Dirk jilted you for Nora.” He frowned teasingly. “You've endangered the credibility of my masterpiece.”
“Jake, do you mean…” Brenna trailed off breathlessly, afraid to continue.
“I mean that you were great,” he said simply. “I mean that Donovan has not only got himself a wife, he's got himself a new star.”
“Jake!” Brenna exclaimed exuberantly, launching herself into his arms. Careless of their champagne glasses, and the glances of the amused guests, she hugged him ecstatically.
They were both laughing hilariously, Jake holding her around the waist with one arm, while he rescued the champagne glasses with the other, when Brenna felt a hand on her shoulder.
Donovan plucked her neatly from Jake's embrace, to rest possessively in the curve of his arm. “Mine, I believe,” he said coolly to Jake. Then his eyes went to Brenna, and her smile faded as she met the dangerous glint in his. “I'm happy to see you're enjoying yourself, my dear,” he said silkily. “It's the most animation I've seen you display today.”
“Take it easy, Michael,” Jake advised softly. “She was just happy. I told her about the rushes.”
Donovan's tension relaxed fractionally, but his tone was still less than cordial when he said, “I've had enough of this charade, Brenna. It's time we left.”
Dominic raised his eyebrow and gave Brenna an I-told-youso glance. “I would slip away quietly if you want to avoid the usual embarrassing remarks and foolishness. My car is parked in front of the residence hall.” He handed Donovan the keys. “I wouldn't suggest you use your Mercedes. I heard some of the stunt boys plotting to rig up yours à la James Bond.”
A reluctant smile creased Donovan's face, as he shook his head ruefully. “My God! What will they be up to next? Thanks, Jake.”
With Dominic urbanely covering their retreat, Donovan and Brenna quietly exited through the kitchen door, and made their way quickly up the path in the direction of the residence hall.
“I've arranged to have Randy and Doris Charles moved from their quarters to my home tomorrow,” Donovan said abruptly. “I thought under the circumstances that we would dispense with the usual honeymoon nonsense and just go directly there tonight.”
Brenna was aware that Donovan had his own home a short distance away from the main complex of Twin Pines, so this decision came as no surprise to her. Donovan's workload for the next few months would be staggering with both the post-production for Forgotten Moment and the start of the filming of Wild Heritage on the agenda. Brenna was surprised at the curiously defensive note in Donovan's usually urbane manner. Had he really thought that she would expect the usual romantic trappings despite the conditions of her marriage?
“Yes, of course,” she said serenely. “It would be a foolish gesture when you have such a full schedule.”
For some reason the sweet reasonableness of this statement seemed to only increase Donovan's irritation and a black scowl clouded his face. “How very sensible of you,” he said caustically. “And how lucky I am to have such a pragmatic bride.”
Pragmatic? That was hardly the correct word to describe her mood at this moment, she thought.