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Chapter Eleven
The doctor visit went fine. Allison was more amazed and interested in the switch that had flipped in Birch than the doctor saying she had some tearing in her deltoid muscle and would be sore for a while. He put her in a sling for a couple of days just to minimize more damage and prevent her from forgetting she was injured and moving sharply and hurting herself.
As they got home they settled into the couch with takeout they had called in to a Thai restaurant Rachel had recommended. Allison really appreciated how patient and kind Birch was being with her and she enjoyed simply being around him, but she found her nerves amping up. He was going to tell her about his history with actresses. He’d obviously had something bad happen and it sounded like his mom was a piece of work and an actress as well. She still couldn’t think of any well-known, older actresses with the last name of Merrill, but many used stage names.
Birch didn’t waste any time. As soon as they’d finished eating the delicious food, he cleaned up the leftovers and garbage. She tried to help, a little awkward with one hand. He grinned. “You look pretty cute in that sling.”
“Do I?” She batted her eyelashes and flipped her long hair.
His dark eyes grew serious and he walked slowly toward her. Almost reverently, he brushed the hair back from her face, his fingers lingering on the sensitive skin of her neck and making her tingle. “Yeah, you do,” he whispered in a low rumble.
Allison smiled up at him. Careful not to jostle her left arm he cupped her face, bent down, and tenderly kissed her. She hadn’t planned on a kiss from this tough, military man being so soft and tantalizing. She’d loved his strong, in-charge of the world kisses earlier and she loved this one just as much. He drew back and studied her intently for a second and then kissed her again. The kiss grew in passion and she wanted him closer, wanted to share kisses and his past and anything he would share with her.
He ran his hands down her neck and over her shoulders, tingles erupted everywhere his hands touched. Had a man’s touch ever felt this good? She couldn’t remember if it had. Focusing fully on Birch, she loved when he slowed down the kisses and took his time exploring her mouth and rubbing his strong hands over her upper back.
Suddenly he froze. Pulling back he said, “Kissing you clouds my brain too much and I’m going to forget you’re injured.”
“I know what you mean.” Allison winked.
“I can’t allow myself to hurt you,” Birch said too soberly.
Allison tilted her head and her hair splayed across his hand that was still on her shoulder. He rubbed the hair with his fingers. “So silky, so beautiful,” he murmured.
“Maybe we just need to find a position to kiss in which my shoulder isn’t in the way,” she suggested.
Birch glanced at her in surprise and then he chuckled. “Okay, that sounds like a fun challenge. Right now?”
Allison returned his smile. “I would love to, but first I think some tough guy promised me he was going to spill his guts tonight.” She’d rather just kiss the night away but knew they had to get to the bottom of this.
His face tightened but he didn’t retreat. He simply nodded, took her right hand in his, and walked with her to the couch. They settled in side by side. Allison turned and tucked one leg under her. Birch also turned toward her, reclining into the couch and holding on to her hand.
“Where to start without boring you?” he asked.
“You couldn’t bore me. I want to know all about you.”
Birch raised his eyebrows and blew out a breath. “I’m not holding you to those words.” Before she could protest he started talking, “My mother is a very beautiful, very famous actress.” He watched her carefully as he said, “Apple Autumn.”
Allison’s jaw dropped and her eyes widened. Apple Autumn was exquisite, successful, a Hollywood icon. Her status and success as a gifted female actress were what Allison had dreamt of achieving some day. “No way!”
He nodded. “And Divine Destiny is my sister.”
Allison could not believe this. “I know Divine.” She was friends with Allison’s close friend Bermuda. She’d always seemed cold and distant to Allison and she looked nothing like Birch, a tanned redhead not the deep, dark beauty he possessed.
“Yeah, I guess you would.” He released her hand and clasped his together, studying them.
“Sorry to second guess you,” she said, “but Apple Autumn is Spanish descent and Divine Destiny has beautiful olive-toned skin but it’s claimed she’s a natural redhead.”
He blinked at her. “I promise you I wouldn’t claim them if I didn’t have to.”
That made her sit back slightly.
“I understand why you’re confused. My mother is Spanish-Italian. My father is black.” He studied his hands again. “My mother cheated on my father many times, and my sister is proof of one time. Her father is a blond movie producer. I won’t name any names but the man is a producer my mother still works with frequently.” The disgust in his voice was thick.
“Oh,” was all she could think to say. She knew who he was referring to. William Potter. She’d only met the man once but he was a handsome, blond man who reminded her of Sean Connery. He was very smooth and charming but she’d been uncomfortable around him when he suggested he could find a role for her in return for certain “favors”, then laughed and said he was teasing when he’d obviously read the disgust on her face. He was not only older than her father, she had promised the good Lord as a teenager that if she could succeed as an actress she’d never be immoral and especially not exchange favors for movie roles.
“I don’t want to give you the whole family saga because it’s sordid and long,” he said. “Basically my mother and sister have no morals and would lie, cheat, steal, or sleep with anyone for any hint of a promotion to their acting career. My father, for some insane reason, is a saint or maybe just glutton for punishment. He puts up with all of my mother’s drama and theatrics as well as the lies and adultery. As of yet, he has not grown the … fortitude to leave. Maybe my mother has some form of blackmail over him or maybe he truly loves her enough to deal with her. I don’t know.”
He paused and then said, “Before I met you on the beach last week I hadn’t been home in over four years and only made an appearance because Isaac Jewel forced me to take leave and I felt an odd sting of guilt, which was quickly gone as soon as I spent half a day around my family.”
