We wrap up the scene we’re filming inside the castle. Max fist pumps the air, happy with the day’s shooting.
I’m thinking about a different kind of shooting.
Having Holly on set is great for my performance, but not so great for my impatient dick.
‘Good work today, Nate.’ Max proffers a knowing wink. He doesn’t give a fuck what I need to get my lines right, as long as they sound authentic. And he’s been thoroughly discreet about the entire thing.
Olivia fluffs her hair. ‘Nice work, tiger.’ She strides towards me, her high heels clicking across the castle’s hard flooring. ‘Took a while, but you warmed up nicely.’ She pats my bicep, her hand lingering longer than necessary.
Oh God, don’t tell me she’s noticed my change in demeanour and thinks I’m genuinely interested in her. She’s the epitome of everything I dislike about Hollywood women.
Holly glances over from the castle’s reception area but looks away again immediately. Is she jealous? She has no reason to be.
If only she knew the reason Max hired her. The Advent gift I gave her is nothing compared to the gift she gives me every day.
I’m using her. And not just at night.
Guilt gnaws at me because I haven’t been entirely honest, but admitting my inability to act in love with Olivia reveals a weakness I’m not prepared to expose.
Especially not to Holly.
‘So, a few of us are going to take the limo and find a wine bar later tonight, if you want to join us.’ Olivia licks her lips in an overtly flirtatious display.
Again, my gaze strays to Holly. Her eyes are firmly focused on one of the gilded paintings mounted on the castle walls, but she’s close enough to hear every word Olivia’s saying.
Olivia tosses her hair from her shoulders in a gesture which I think is supposed to be sexy. ‘There’s a place with a private lounge just over an hour away. I mean, it’s nothing like home, but we’ve got to get our kicks somewhere in this tiny excuse for a town, right?’
I’m getting plenty of kicks. Just not the way she might imagine.
It’s not just the sex which, by the way, is sublime. It’s the ease of being with Holly. The effortless banter. The way we crash on the couch, limbs entwined. We can both be ourselves without trying to impress the other, because we’re just friends who happen to have a lot of sex.
‘It might help our on-screen chemistry if we bond a bit, you know?’ Olivia is like another Celeste. The polar opposite of Holly.
‘I have plans tonight.’ The same plans as every other night since I got here. I’ve barely seen the inside of my hotel suite.
‘Maybe another night?’ Olivia pouts.
I don’t deign to give her an answer.
It’s after seven when I let myself into Holly’s house. The enticing scent of rich tomato sauce seeps through the air.
‘Something smells good.’ She’s stirring a huge steel pot on the cooker. I stride over and wrap my arms around her waist.
It’s a relief to be able to touch her after watching her strut around all day at the castle, while I pretend to everyone but Max that my acting is genuine, instead of heavily inspired by this sex kitten in front of me.
It’s amazing how different I am on set when she’s around.
Amazing and terrifying in equal measures.
The quicker I get back to what I’m good at, the better.
‘I made meatballs. You want some?’ She dips her index finger into the sauce and licks it with a smirk.
‘Sure, thanks.’ I skipped a proper dinner in lieu of reading tomorrow’s lines.
Fuck buddies eat together, right? I’ve never had one before, so I’m not entirely sure of the etiquette. The only thing I do know is that I can’t keep my hands off this woman. My mouth nuzzles her neck, and she turns her back to the cooker, tilting her face up to meet mine. Turns out fuck buddies don’t just fuck either, they make out whenever they can.
Who knew?
