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‘Are you alright seeing him here? I could have a word with Franco and Lucas if you’re uncomfortable?’ He’d already considered doing so more than once. In fact, every single time he’d caught her looking at Patrick, he’d considered all the ways to get rid of him. The muscles in his shoulders seemed to loosen a fraction now that he knew it was because of anxiety rather than longing.

‘Oh, God, no!’ cried Hannah with more force than either of them had expected, because she cleared her throat with a blush. ‘I mean, I don’t want to give him the satisfaction, and I wouldn’t trust him not to blast me or you on social media for it. Your account’s doing very well, by the way.’

Caleb chuckled. He’d stopped bothering to check who was following him. The flood of likes and followers had been overwhelming, and frankly, he didn’t care enough to keep track. ‘I’ve not done anything with it, except accept all the collaborations you send me.’

‘I suppose that’s enough. It’s not even the quantity of followers, although you already have over a hundred thousand, it’s the fact you have major lead actors commenting and following your posts.’

‘Your posts,’ he corrected; he wanted her to take credit for his strange success. None of it would have happened without her.

‘Fine, my posts. Have you noticed anything work wise?’ she asked with a hopeful expression.

‘A few people I’ve worked with before have been in touch saying they didn’t realise I was open to a stunt co-ordinator position,’ he said lightly. ‘But I’m still not sure if that’s something I should go into.’

‘You should,’ said Hannah decisively, having more belief in him then he deserved.

‘Maybe…’ He shrugged.

Hannah stopped walking and turned to face him, grabbing his arm and drawing him to a stop. ‘You’re good enough, and more to the point you’re better than Jackson. I saw you today. You were leading the stunts, not him, and he knows it. Why else would he bring someone like Patrick in? Emma sorted out your website, and she told me she’s got a remote admin ready to start working for you. All you need to say is yes. So, say yes!’

Caleb nodded, a little shocked by how intimidating a short blonde in scrubs and Doc Martens could be. ‘Erm… Okay.’ And then at her continued frown, he laughed and said more forcefully, ‘Yes!’

He flinched as Hannah swatted him in the arm. ‘Not to me, you big idiot! Emma! She’s the one whose waiting for you to say yes.’ She gave him a wide grin that lit up her face. ‘But I’m glad I’ve finally convinced you.’

‘I’m scared to say no,’ he grumbled, adding a little salute. ‘Yes, ma’am.’

A part of him wondered if he’d been saying yes to Hannah as well. He’d always said he didn’t do long-term relationships, but they hadn’t been anything like the weeks he’d spent with Hannah. He’d never let anyone get as close, but Hannah was woven into every aspect of his life, and he wasn’t sure what he would do without her.

But those thoughts were selfish. Hannah was building a life for herself here, and he had nothing to offer her but uncertainty.

A quick glance behind them and he realised they were slightly ahead of the rest of the cast and crew. Grabbing her hand, he ran with her off the track and into the rainforest. She gave a little squeal of excitement but followed him without question.

The bush crunched beneath their boots as they sprinted through the undergrowth, leafy foliage slapping their legs and urging him forward. The light was dim, but still bright enough to see by.

They came to a rocky area, big boulders scattered around and a huge, white fig tree in its centre. In the near distance, there was the soft sound of trickling water, suggesting a stream or creek was nearby. The fig was an unusual tree, its roots and trunks like twisting vines so that you weren’t entirely sure what was trunk or root, and if it was one tree or several, like something you might see in a mangrove forest, but stronger and more ancient.

‘What’s wrong? Why did you bring me into the bush?’ gasped Hannah, looking around nervously at the dark shadows within the tree’s roots and surrounding bush.

He cupped her face and kissed her, sinking into the feel of her, and sighing with relief as if she were a hot bath after a long day. Easing his muscles and his mind from everything that had happened. Wanting to escape with her and forget about everything else, especially Patrick.

He pulled away enough to whisper, ‘When you think of your first location shoot, I want you to remember this. Nothing else.’

Her lips curved beneath his and she opened for him, kissing him back with equal desire, changing the tone of the kiss from a gentle caress to something more eager. His fingers fumbled with the buttons of her cargo pants, and a few seconds later, he slipped his hand down beneath her underwear.

‘Caleb, not here, we can’t!’

He ignored her denial, the wet arousal between her legs urging him to keep going. Wrapping an arm around her waist, he pulled her close and began to stroke her with his fingers while he kissed her with single-minded determination. Her knees softened and she shuffled a little, spreading her legs enough to give him better access to her.

Her nails dug into his shoulders as she moaned against his lips. She began to rock against him, her body responding eagerly to his touch.

Could he set her down on one of the boulders, make love to her properly? A quick glance at the boulders gave him pause, and he decided against it.

She tilted back her head, her neck straining, and her eyes closed. ‘Oh God, Caleb!’ she cried, reaching a hard and shuddering climax.

He allowed her a few moments to gather her wits while he removed his hand and buttoned up her trousers for her. With a dreamy expression, she licked her lips and asked in a husky voice, ‘Want me to return the favour?’

Caleb winced. ‘Normally I would love that, but I think it’s probably for the best we head back to the main path.’

Hannah glanced up at the sky. ‘You’re right, it’s getting dark.’