WHILE SHOWERING, I THINK ABOUT about what the day holds. He’ll be in my store, all day. Every day. For six fucking weeks. There is no way I can avoid him. Sometimes I wish I was the girl who could just put her guard down and have fun. I wish I could let myself have a fling with a hot celebrity. I wish…
That freedom was taken away from me long ago. The best and safest way for me to live is to keep my head down and my mouth shut. I just never thought Hollywood would find me again.
After dressing and eating breakfast, I wrap myself in my winter coat and start the short walk to the store. Already, the film crew is setting up out front and Main Street is being transformed into an idyllic movie setting. It really is a perfect town. Exactly what Main Street in New England should look like.
I realize I’m looking for Antonio and then shake my head. Ignore him, I tell myself. He’s not worth it. Who am I kidding? He’s probably totally worth it.
Arriving at the store, I unlock the door and slip inside. As I walk to the back, I go through my usual routine, coffee, email, actual mail. I hear the door jingle and wait for Melissa to come back. When I hear several voices, I pause. Who’s here already?
“She’s back here,” I hear Melissa say.
I look up to see five people enter my office. I stand up to greet them.
“Hello. How can I help you?”
“We’re from lighting. I’m Charles,” a man whose skin is pink from the cold addresses me. “We wanted to get started setting up the store. The first scene is being filmed today at ten.”
“Oh, okay. Uh, sure, do what you need to do. Do you need anything from us?”
“Just to know where the electric panel is in case we need it.”
“It’s in the storage room.”
“I can show you when you need it,” Melissa offers.
“Great. Thanks. We’ll be in and out for a few hours. The director will be here at about nine if you have any questions.”
“Thank you.”
The group leaves, and Melissa sits down in front of my desk. “So it begins.”
“Yep.”
“Are you nervous about it?”
“Why would I be nervous?”
“I know how you like to control your environment.”
“Well, yeah, I do, but…” I shrug. “What choice do I have? I signed the damn form.”
“You were bullied.”
“Definitely. I just don’t want to see what we have here ruined by tourism. Sure, a little uptick in visitors would be nice, but the last thing any of us should want is to be overtaken.”
“True story.” Melissa grins and leans on my desk. “So, I saw Antonio follow you out of the bar last night. What was that about?”
“Oh nothing. He thought I looked pale and was checking on me. He’s used to big cities where women shouldn’t walk alone. I assured him I was fine and that was it.”
“That’s sweet of him. Do you think he’s into you?”
“I think he was just being nice.” Actually, I think he was trying to seduce me, but we’ll go with nice.
“Hmm. Well, if he is interested in you, I hope you do something about it. How thrilling would a hook up with a celebrity be? Especially that celebrity.”
“I don’t want anything to do with that.”
“Why not? What is with you, Gio?”
“Nothing. I don’t want to be some random fling. Is that so odd?”
“No, it isn’t. You’re right. I guess I’m letting myself get caught up in it all.”
“That’s easy to do, but we have to keep our senses about us. Yes, he’s hot. Any normal person, even me, would think so. That doesn’t mean I’m going to lower my standards to hook up.”
“That’s smart. For the record though, I would totally lower my standards for him.”
We both laugh. “You’re crazy, Mel.”
“I know.”
The bell on the front door jingles several times. “I guess we should go deal with the crew.”
We walk up front together and stop when we see about ten people gathered in my tiny store. There are women rearranging my stacks and shelves, other people setting up lighting in various places, and two men working on camera equipment. I’m very familiar with all of it. More than I want to be. I walk to the cashier station to remove any store specific information.
“Good morning, Beautiful.”
I turn around to face Antonio. He looks exceptional today. His jet black hair is perfectly styled and he has his coat and scarf on. He looks like the movie star that he is.
“Good morning.”
“I see you made it home in one piece.”
“I always do.” I busy myself gathering paperwork, trying to ignore his presence.
“I’m glad you didn’t come across any danger on your way.”
“Only you.”
He leans on the counter in front of me, grinning. “There’s nothing dangerous about me. I’m as safe as a puppy.”
“I seriously doubt that.”
“You don’t trust me?”
I turn back to him. “Not at all. Why should I? I don’t know anything about you except what the tabloids say.”
“You shouldn’t believe the tabloids. It’s nothing but lies.”
I tilt my head. “So you’re not a womanizing man whore?”
Antonio chuckles. “Perhaps some of it is true.”
“As I thought.”
“You’ve been doing some late night reading about me?”
“No. I don’t read that crap.”
“Yesterday you didn’t even know who I was, but now you seem to be all caught up.”
I sigh. “Melissa told me, okay. She follows your antics. Not me.”
“Ah. So now, you’re listening to hearsay.” He leans closer, causing me to take a step back. His manly scent tickles my nose, making me wish I could bury my face in the crevice of his neck.
“Whatever.” I can’t think of a better response.
“What would the tabloids tell me about you?” he questions.
His question causes a feeling of panic to rise within me, and I glance at the floor briefly to fight it back. Looking up, I offer my best neutral smile. “Nothing. The paparazzi would get bored and stop following me.”
“There is nothing boring about you.”
“You might be wrong.”
“I’d like to find out for myself.”
“Well, I’d like world peace, but we can’t always get what we want.”
“I can.” He grins, making my knees weak. “Have dinner with me?”
“No.”
“Please?”
“Still no.”
“You’re scared to be alone with me.”
“No, I’m not interested in being alone with you.”
“You’re nervous that I’ll win you over, and you won’t be able to resist me anymore.”
“You are so full of yourself.”
“I’d rather you be full of me.”
“Oh Lord.” I roll my eyes.
“I want you, Giovanna.”
“I know, Antonio.”
“Give in. It will be the best time of your life.”
“How are you so sure?”
“Because I won’t stop pleasing you until it is.”
Flustered, I feel my cheeks burning. “I have work to do.” I push past him and stomp back to my office. He’s right. I don’t trust myself alone with him.
A few minutes later, I look up to see him standing in my doorway.
“Why did you follow me? Don’t you have a movie to film or something?”
He closes the door and walks closer to me. My heart is beating so hard in my chest, I can barely breathe.
“Come here.”
“No.”
He walks closer, and I scoot back against the wall. When he reaches me, he puts his hand softly on my cheek and the other around my waist, pulling our bodies together.
“Stop,” I whisper.
“I can’t.” Antonio brushes his lips against my cheek. “I’m obsessed with you.”
“How? You just met me.”
He gazes into my eyes and smiles. “First off, you’re fucking gorgeous. Seriously one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen.”
I try to look away, but he grips my chin, holding my gaze.
“Second, you’re feisty and strong and that is a turn on.”
“Let me go,” I whisper again.
“Finally, you don’t give a shit about my celebrity or money or anything else. You hold your own. Do you know how fucking hot that is?”
“Antonio, please.” My voice is so quiet now, it’s barely audible, and I have to wonder how much I actually mean what I am saying.
“Kiss me.”
“No.” I shake my head, wishing he would let me go, but hoping he doesn’t.
“I’ll let you go if you kiss me. Just once, Giovanna.”
I look up into his eyes, the color of the Mediterranean Sea. His skin is so flawless and perfect. He’s the most exceptional man I’ve ever seen and he wants to kiss me. He demands to kiss me. I shouldn’t let him. I push weakly against him in another attempt to free myself from his embrace.
He chuckles and gently pins me against the wall in response. “No more games, Giovanna. Just give in. Kiss me. Now.”
Stunned, I just stare at him, not blinking, just breathing. He moves in, and I don’t stop him. I feel his breath on my lips as he moves closer, slowly, giving me one last opportunity to say no. I don’t. I can’t. As soon as his lips touch mine all fight dissolves from my body, and I melt into his arms.
My lips part to invite him in and he enters, pulling me close in a sensual embrace. Instinctively, my arms wrap around his neck and move into his hair. It’s silky to the touch, exactly how it looks. His hand moves down my back and rests just above my ass. As we kiss, I can feel him pressing into my hips and Jesus, help me, I want what he has there.
A sudden knock on my door quickly separates us. I’m breathing hard as I try to compose myself.
“Who is it?” I call out.
“Dan Zolon. The director. Can I see you for a moment?”
I look at Antonio. “Should I let him in?”
“Not yet. Can you put him off for a minute?”
“I’ll come up front,” I call out. “Can you give me a few minutes?”
“Of course,” Dan says.
I walk to the door and peek out to see that he’s gone. “He left.”
“I did that for you, you know.”
“The kiss?”
“No, not letting Dan see me in here. Normally, I wouldn’t care. In fact, I would parade you all over the country on my arm if you would let me. I know you don’t want that. I can tell you value your privacy, and I get that.”
“Thank you.”
“No, Giovanna, thank you. That kiss was amazing, and it will get me through my entire day.”
“You flatter me.”
“You deserve it.”
I run my fingers through my hair. “You should go now. I need to get up front.”
“Did you feel what I felt?”
I sigh. “It was a nice kiss, okay. I’m sure you already know that.”
“Why are you so defensive?”
“Why are you so persistent?”
“Because persistence is how we get the things, or people, we want in life.”
“Well, you got what you wanted. Happy now?”
Antonio pulls my arm until I’m pressed against him. “I haven’t gotten what I want. Not until you’re in my bed, wrapped around me, and I’ve made love to you all night. Only then will I be happy. Only then will I rest.”
“You are unbelievable.”
“So are you, Beautiful.”
“I don’t think we mean that in the same way.” I pull my arm away. “Go.”
“Going.” He grins and kisses me softly. “Until next time.”
“There won’t be a next time.”
He strides to the door and opens it. “Want a bet?” He turns and leaves, and I’m left drowning in desire.