Chapter 9 – Bubba moments
25th December 2012 – 11:20 am
Amour sans fin Chalet: Kitchen
Bo and Lauren ran back, hand in hand, thankful to find the chalet empty when they returned. Bo stayed, helping Lauren prep the last part of dinner. As soon as they heard Bianca outside, both knew their time was up. Sharing one last kiss, Bo headed to her bedroom, grinning from ear to ear.
Lauren finished setting the table when Bo walked in wearing a figure-hugging black dress and high stilettos. Her jaw dropped; she looked absolutely stunning. Everyone took their place at the table, and she could hardly keep her eyes off Bo. Bo hid her smile as Lauren fumbled with carving the large turkey on the table.
"Oh, for Christ sake Lauren, can you please hurry this up." Evony noticed their glances and wanted to put a stop to their eye porn, pleased to see that, thankfully she was the only one who had noticed them. Tamsin was in deep conversation with Massimo. Lauren finished the carving and placed the plate of meat in front of her guests.
"Is there anything else you would like?" Lauren asked, careful not to look at Bo again, trying her best to remain professional.
"That's all." Evony waved her hand to dismiss her and signalled for everyone to start plating up.
Bo watched as Lauren made the walk back to the kitchen, "Are Bianca and Lauren not joining us?"
"Of course not. Both will eat theirs in the kitchen like any other night Bo." Evony tutted and plated her vegetables. Bo realised there was no point in arguing, and seeing that Bianca and Lauren had left, she plated the rest of her dinner. They all ate in silence. A few appreciative moans made by her group made Bo smile that her and Laurens hard work was being enjoyed.
After the dinner was eaten, Lauren and Bianca reappeared. Bianca re-filling everyone's glasses, and Lauren took away the now empty plates. Bo watched Lauren and understood what she'd said the night before about 'the spark' and feeling happy when that person walked in the room.
Lauren returned a few minutes later. "Would you like your dessert?" she was still unable to look directly at Bo. "I have either a traditional Christmas cake served with a brandy sauce, fruit trifle or a selection of cheese and biscuits."
The group all placed their orders; Lauren acknowledged them then walked back into the kitchen. Bo excused herself to the bathroom, stopping at the stairs. Turning to see no one was watching, she veered off toward the kitchen. Bianca was still in the dining room. Bo strolled behind Lauren snaking her arms around her slender waist, and Lauren leaned back into her embrace.
"I thought you might jump," Bo kissed Laurens' neck.
"I know when you are nearby, I feel you." Lauren turned in Bo's embrace, making sure she did not break contact and smiled. "It's the spark."
"I know what you mean. I can't help but smile when I see you." Bo kissed the end of Lauren's nose. "Babes, dinner was fantastic."
"I had an incredible sous chef helping me." Lauren wrapped her arms around Bo's neck, "My Bubba world-famous, superstar peeling carrots, next to me."
Bo laughed, "world-famous sounds good, but next to you, however, sounds perfect."
The sound of footsteps alerted them to someone coming; Bo quickly kissed Lauren again and ran back out the side door. It was Bianca questioning where the dessert was. Lauren took the plates and walked back to the dining room; Bo was sat back in her seat.
"Bianca, after dessert, we would like coffee in the main room for the present opening," Evony announced, and Bianca nodded.
Twenty minutes later, they were all huddled around the tree. Evony stood in front, thanking everyone, making the toast, and handing out the gifts under the tree. Bo looked over at Lauren and mouthed the words 'date night in ten minutes to her, pleased to get a smile back.
Evony tapped her glass and brought the attention back to her, "Also, we are all going out again tonight. I have arranged another photo op at L'Etale; the press will be there so all dress up."
Bo stood, "I thought we had a night off?"
Evony sighed, "You did; now you don't. Rainer will be there, Bo, so don't forget your overnight bag."
Bo looked over to Lauren, who had turned and was walking back to her kitchen. Bo clenched her fists; she knew she couldn't say no and would have to just go along with what Evony said.
Evony gave thirty minutes to get ready, and soon the room was empty. Bo headed straight to the kitchen; Lauren was wiping the surfaces clean, and she rushed to her side, "Lauren, I-"
Lauren silenced her with a kiss, "I understand, really, I do. And I promise to try not to be jealous."
"Wait here," Bo sped to her room and returned with a perfectly wrapped present. "This is for you."
Lauren clapped her hands together. Ducked under the counter to the bottom cabinet, pulling her neatly wrapped parcel out, "And this is for you."
They opened them together and laughed, seeing that each other had given the other the jacket and cardigan from last night. In unison, saying, "You looked great last night."
"It won't always be like this." Bo wrapped her arms loosely around Lauren, "I am staying with Rainer tonight, and he'll sleep where he always does, on the couch. Please trust me."
"Hang on; does that mean that Google is wrong about you getting back together?" Lauren kissed the side of Bo's neck, "What a shock, next, you'll tell me that Wikipedia is written by the public?"
Bo laughed, "I told you not to believe what you read, especially when you have access to all areas to the real Bo."
"Access all areas?" Lauren's hands wandered over Bo's body, "I like that."
Bo involuntary moaned under Laurens' touch. "Lauren, I – I – I."
"Ssshhhh Bubba," Lauren pulled Bo's mouth closer to hers and kissed her.
Bo pulled away, "Lauren, can we talk?"
Lauren went to speak when she heard more footsteps approaching, quickly stepping back. "No problem, Bo, back to hot water with lemon and cayenne pepper in the morning."
Bo looked surprised until she saw Bianca walk in, realising then what Lauren was saying. Bianca tutted at them, picked up her jacket then left by the side door.
"That was close," Lauren whispered.
"No," Bo pulled Lauren close and whispered in her ear. "This is close."
Bo's hands trailed up Lauren's body to cup her face, thumbs tracing feather strokes over her cheekbone. Crashing lips together, taking Lauren by surprise that it took her a few seconds to react. But once she did, she drove Bo's mouth open with her tongue and kissed her back, deeply.
Kissing each other up until the final moments when Bo's name was being called, realising that they had run out of time. Panting for breath, they reluctantly let each other go. Bo checked her reflection. Her hair and make-up still looked good. Bo rushed to the waiting van, and when she was sat down, she realised that they did not finish their conversation, and she did not get to ask Lauren her question. She smiled, remembering the reason why and those amazing kisses.
Lauren did not come outside when they were leaving. Bo wished it to be different, that she could stay and kiss Lauren all night. The look on Evony's face told her not to ask. Instead, she sat back in her seat, and the door closed. Bo wrapped Laurens' gift tighter around her body, loving her new leather jacket as it smelled of Lauren. Inhaling her scent, it comforted her to know that part of Lauren would be with her tonight.
26th December 2012 – 12:00 pm
Filming Set - Lyon Mountain
Bo had just shot a steamy sex scene with her on-screen lover, played by her not-real-life boyfriend Kyle Rainer, and it had been fiery hot. Lauren had watched from the sidelines and got fired up so much that she needed to take a walk. Payton was indeed a temptress in the bedroom. Bo played the part beautifully and realistically that even Lauren had to remind herself that it was only a part. That her sweet Bo was nothing like the character she played.
Lauren could not talk to Bo this morning, but they managed to steal a few kisses in passing. Lauren had again been asked to come to the set today with their lunches prepared, as it was the last day filming with Rainer, and they did not have the time to return to the chalet.
Lauren found a place to sit on a broken wall up the mountain, overlooking the set. She replayed the scene but with her playing the part of Rainer.
Lauren had been sitting quietly for a few minutes, deep in thought. She was conflicted between Bo and her job. Both she loved, but she knew to keep both would be impossible. She was brought out her thoughts by a familiar voice. "Hey." Bo sat beside her on the wall and offered Lauren a newly brewed cup of tea.
Lauren looked down at her cup and beamed, "How did you know?"
Bo loved how she had made Lauren happy, "You English drink more tea than the people of China."
They both giggled. Bo joined Lauren sitting on the wall, "So how's the tea?"
"Perfect," Lauren replied, "Not Yorkshire Tea perfect, but you made it lovely."
"Yorkshire Tea?" Bo nudged Lauren gently.
"It's my favourite brand, but I love all tea." Lauren grinned, "there's this café I visit off Millbank London that stocks over eight thousand varieties."
"Eight thousand?" Bo squealed, "How many teas are there?"
"Said to be around twenty thousand varieties worldwide," Lauren replied, sipping at her brew.
"Wow, well, you must take me there when I visit on February fourteenth; remember I told you I was attending the BAFTAS?"
Lauren felt even more conflicted. Would Bo understand what she was doing? Would they get over it and still be together in February. Looking over and seeing Bo's brow frowned, "Sorry, sure."
"It's a date," Bo beamed. "If you play your cards right, you can be my valentine date. I don't need to be back in Canada till March, so if that goes well, I'll let you take me out and show me your city sights." Bo let her mind wander too far and already imagined them together in London.
"You were great just then, really great. Are you finished with that scene?" Lauren decided to change the subject. Bo had turned her upside down, and she needed a minute to think.
"Nearly but more important, after today, I don't have any more scenes with Rainer, so he will be leaving tonight."
"Ah, that's good, so fancy trying again with our date night tonight?" Lauren asked.
Bo gave a huge grin, "yes, yes, I do. But before we do, I still need to ask you something. And I want you to know that I'm fine with your answer. As before we were only friends, you thought I with Rainer, and you were single and well—"
"This sounds ominous already," Lauren raised her eyebrows.
Bo sighed, her palms already sweaty, "Okay, I'll get to the point. Have you or are you sleeping with Evony?"
"What—". Lauren paused, noticing Bo's pained expression, "No, never."
"Really," Bo looked up. As soon as their eyes met, Bo knew that Lauren was telling the truth.
"Bubba, I'm not, and never have been, interested in Evony." Wrapping her arm around Bo and softly pecked a kiss to the top of her head. "But she did turn up last week, naked on my doorstep. After the initial shock, I rejected her, and she then told me that I needed to act professionally. Telling me that you're working things out with Rainer, and I need to give you space."
"She has some nerve." Bo kissed Laurens' hand. "Is that why you ghosted me all last week?"
"Sorry, I won't listen to her again." Lauren kissed Bo's hand in return.
"Please don't. Evony loves to control and thinks she knows best."
"But why do you allow it? She is your management team. You pay her to support you, not control you." Lauren argued, "Surely you can take your personal life back?"
"It's not that easy." Bo explained, "She's not just my management. She is the power force to the brand I am building, the career I am launching. She has the connections and persuasion to make my dreams a reality."
"I understand that." Lauren squeezed Bo closer, "But your career and brand won't be affected by having relationships. And if it mattered so much, then keep them a secret. But having a fake one is false and must be exhausting."
Bo leaned back. "Lauren, if you can't handle this, then I understand. I come with rules, contracts and a lot of scrutinies. If I announce my sexuality in London, it will be back-to-back radio and TV interviews. I will become a circus. I get it if this is too much to ask before we even have a first date. But I need you to know what my life is about."
"Bo, I don't know about all that." Lauren replied honestly, "But I know that when I am with you, you are all I care about."
Bo inhaled deeply, afraid that she would cry or burst with love for Lauren. "Well, with Evony, it will be okay. She gets it always rights, and I believe in her when it comes to my career."
"I never realised Evony was that important to you," Lauren swallowed. "Do you have much more to do?"
"The set is hot. We're waiting for the lighting crew to do their thing, and then back on to just reshoot the same scene but from a few different angles," Bo explained to Lauren.
"The set's definitely hot when you're on it." Lauren winked, causing her to choke on some coffee. "I mean, half the snow melted during that bit when you were on top."
Laurens' declaration made Bo laugh, "I better head back. Are you coming to watch?" Bo jumped off the wall and stood in front of Lauren. Lauren instinctively opened her legs, and Bo stepped forward between them.
Lauren pulled Bo closer to her and stole another kiss. "I will be there to watch you in a few minutes, just need to calm my racing heart before I see your sexy, toned, sex-soaked, full naked body again."
Bo bit the bottom of her lip and picked up the rest of her coffee, "I'm only partially nude, with a few well-placed flesh skin-toned pieces."
"It had me fooled." Lauren said, "You have an amazing body."
"No, I have an amazing VFX team. It's mainly lights and rose water. But thank you for the compliment, Lo."
Bo stole another quick kiss. She was already late but was worth it as she tasted Lauren on her lips.