CLOVER
Asick thrill runs through me as I realize I have the power to let Roman Everett fall on his ass right here and now. All falling on said ass would do is wound his pride at worst—we’re standing on a soft mat after all—but the power of knowing Icoulddrop him is going to my head. It’s making me feel giddy in a way I haven’t in years.
Like he has eyes in the back of his head, Roman calls out, “Wipe the smirk off your face and don’t you dare think about it.”
“I would never…” I have the audacity to say, even though I very well might when he leans back in a few seconds. But as soon as his body is in motion, and I can see that he’s actually letting himself fall backwards for me to catch, I know I can’t let him get hurt. Whether it be his pride, or even a bruise on the ass, it turns out I don’t actually want to watch Roman Everett fail.
As his body falls toward mine, I position one leg in front of the other, bracing to hold his weight as soon as he lands in my arms. It proves to be enough, but damn, the guy is heavier than I was expecting. I shouldn’t be surprised, he’s muscle ontop of muscle right now. Huffing out a big breath as he lands in my arms, I struggle to push him back up to his feet. I won’t admit it out loud, but having him in my arms like this lets me get a brief chance to appreciate how muscular and strong his body feels when it’s pressed up against mine. My brain wanders in a dirty direction for all of a few milliseconds before I shove Roman up and out of my arms with one final push.
“There,” I announce and rub my hands together, trying to do something with them after they feel all tingly due to being pressed up against one of Hollywood’s hottest leading men. “You better return the favor and not drop me,” I warn as I turn around and give my back to Roman.
After assuming the position, I mentally count myself down from five, but when I get to “one”, I have a hard time getting my body to follow my mind’s directive to fall backwards. It’s quiet in the warehouse, and the silence is only more awkward when there’s no sound of Roman catching me. There’s no sound because I simply am not moving.
Tanya clears her throat.
“You good?” Roman asks behind me.
“Yeah.”
“Then now would be a great time to actually move,” he says in a low voice so that only I can hear it.
Gritting my teeth, I shake my head and try to will my body to fall backwards. I try to give myself another countdown, but again when it comes time to launch my body backwards toward Roman, I freeze up.
“Any time,” he mutters.
“Clover, lean back and he’ll catch you,” Tanya calls to me. I give her a nod and a shaky smile, trying to assure her I’m not an idiot and I can indeed follow basic instructions. But it’s like my body has a mind of its own today, and it doesn’t know if it’s safe to fall into Roman’s arms.
After what may take the cake for the world’s longest minute, I try again, and while I finally convince myupper body to move back toward him, my legs step back to catch me before I truly allow myself to fall.Fuck.
“Clover, keep your legs planted,” Tanya instructs.
Fuck, fuck, fuckity fuck. This isn’t even a stunt. This is part of the warm-up, for God’s sake. How am I already screwing up this badly? My thoughts spiral, going immediately to the comment section on theCelebrity Scenearticle. What if they were all right?
Maybe I’m not cut out for this role.
What was I thinking, taking this on?
They should’ve gone with Vivian Treadway.
Why am I even here?
What if they cast the wrong actress?
What do I–
A warm hand wrapping around my upper arm pulls me out of my thoughts. Before I can turn, Roman has pressed his broad muscular chest up against my back. The heat seeping off of him instantly makes me feel calmer, combined with the feeling of his chest rising and falling with his breaths against my back.
“Clover,” he whispers into my ear. A thrill races down my spine hearing him say my name. “Are you okay?”
I nod and clear my throat. “Sorry, I don’t know what’s gotten into me. I can do this.”
“I know you can do this. That’s not what I asked. I asked if you’re okay.”
I nod again.
“I know we’ve gotten off to a rough start, but you didn’t drop me, so I promise I’m not going to drop you, okay?” he reassures with a seriousness that I’ve yet to hear from him.
I give a jerky little head nod, feeling better after what he said. It’s true, it would be an absolute dick move for him to drop me now. Although I wouldn’t put it entirely past him,the odds of him doing it, especially with Tanya right here watching, are slim to none.
