“You know, it’s perfectly natural for your body to react that way,” I hedge a bet, “especially if it’s been a while...”
“I am not telling you when the last time I had sex is.”
“That’s exactly the kind of thing someone who hasn’t gotten laid in a while would say.”
“What does it even matter to you?” she grits out.
“Are you really going to make me spell it out?”
“Spell what out? Can you say what you mean already?”
“What I’m saying is, this is something we could probably help each other with.”
“And why would this be something you want to ‘help me with’?” She scoffs as she looks me up and down.
“Let’s be real for two seconds here, we’ve got chemistry. Don’t insult us both by trying to say otherwise.” I gesture between us. “All I’m saying is you seem a little worked up, and if there’s anyone you could fix that with, it’s your fake boyfriend.” I toss her a wink for added measure.
“You’re being ridiculous. I don’t even like you,” she says with a scowl.
Clover can tell me whatever she wants, but herbody language has been saying something else entirely. A lazy smile tugs at my lips, and I saunter over to her, closing the little space that was between us.
“You’re forgetting one key fact. You don’t have to like me to fuck me,” I whisper in her ear before pulling away and heading back into the warehouse.
I’m looking forward to the rest of filming today.
Chapter Thirty
ROMAN
It’s far too late by the time I drag myself into the condo after filming wraps. While I’m exhausted, it was a productive day. Not only did we film the first kiss between the characters, but we filmed the rest of the scene leading up to it, and everything that takes place after the kiss in the scene.
Reluctantly, I have to admit that Clover’s acting has been phenomenal. It’s surprising that she hasn’t booked anything bigger before this role. Not that I’ll tell her that.
I’m excited to see what we’re creating together. Arnold is a visionary, so having him attached to a superhero film will give it a layer that I feel most are missing in the current market. Combine that with the practical effects and stunt work we’re doing, and I think this will be a big box office success. Plus with the music scoring, I’m convinced we’re on the right track.
“Hello?” I call out. The smell of baking permeating the air tells me Jill’s recently been here. I follow the sweet smell of sugar and cinnamon to the kitchen, where I find a giant plate of cookies and a note from Jill.
Out at Kat’s show. For the love of all things that are holy, please save me at least ONE sugar cookie.
-J
I scoff as I stare down at the plate. “Thanks for the confidence...” I mutter before popping one into my mouth. Fuck, they’re good. I fight to suppress the groan that wants to leave my mouth. Damn... maybe it will be hard to save her one after all. Shaking my head, I step away from the world’s most tempting cookies.
It takes me a few seconds to realize that I’m whistling as I enter my room. There’s a little melody that’s been bouncing around in my head all afternoon, and now that I’m surrounded by silence in the peace and comfort of my home, I’m struck by the urge to take the notes from my mind and bring them to life. I toss a reluctant gaze over toward the grand piano in the corner of the room. It’s backlit by the glow of the city coming from the floor to ceiling windows that line the room.
It’s been a long time since I’ve played. The only reason it hasn’t actually collected dust is thanks to the cleaning service that comes to my place weekly. I purchased it when I bought this condo.
Overall, the building is fine, and the unit is nice, but it was nothing to write home about. I was getting ready to tell the realtor not to waste time showing me the rest of the unit when I walked past the entrance to the primary bedroom and saw how spacious it was. Twelve-foot ceilings, impressive windows, hardwood floors, and a spot that was almost too perfect for a grand piano. I didn’t even need to see the rest of the unit, I was sold.
Hesitating slightly, I approach the shining instrument,ivory keys practically glowing. The piano is calling to me, asking me to bring the music inside my head to life through her.
I flex my fingers, warming them up before placing them on the cool keys. It feels like coming home. When the first note rings out in the silence, it’s almost like the sensation of taking in that first breath after surfacing from the deep. From there it’s simple, and the music flows out of me like water. A song’s been building in my mind over the last few weeks, but today has been an inescapable earworm.
I lose myself in the music, playing the song on a loop for what might be minutes or hours until I dart out of the room to grab a pen and paper to make sure I put it down somewhere and don’t lose it. It’s been so long since I’ve played, let alone written something, that I don’t want to forget it. I scribble some notes onto the page, creating some makeshift sheet music to take what’s in my head and make it permanent.
I lose myself in the music. The melody floats through the air and wraps around me, distracting me from reality. A while later, when I get up to stretch, I look over at my phone.
I see multiple missed calls from Deacon, and my mood instantly sours. Before I have a minute to think about whether to call him back, he’s calling me again. I have no clue what this could be regarding. I’m no brain surgeon, but if he’s calling this frequently, then something is wrong.
