I lean in the doorway to Charlotte’s room and watch her for a moment. Her head’s bent over a Moleskine notebook as her hand writes furiously across the page. She’s so absorbed that she doesn’t notice I’m here. “Hey.”

Her head snaps up and she flips the journal shut. “Hey! Sorry, I was…” She glances down and gives herself a little shake. “Writing in my journal.”

“Oh,” I say, straightening. “A diary?”

She flashes me a mischievous grin. “You wish. What’s up?”

“I’m heading out to film a commercial.” I’ve gotten in the habit over the last few weeks of telling Charlotte where I’m going—a first for me.

Charlotte perks up. “Really? Do you do a lot of ads and commercials?”

“Only when I’m interested. I actually use this cologne, so I accepted when Brad Pitt’s contract ran out.”

Charlotte’s eyes go wide. “That cologne?”

I shrug. Sometimes I forget that this is all new for Charlotte. “Anyway, want to come?”

“Really?” She scrambles to her feet. “I’d love to! But what am I going to wear? Should I go Keira Knightley chill? Or Beyoncé glamorous? Or…”

I try not to laugh as Charlotte runs over to her dresser and starts throwing open drawers. “Does this mean you’re coming? And what you’re wearing is fine.”

“You’re joking,” she deadpans.

“What? I like that shirt.”

She glances down at her baggy t-shirt that reads “Case of the Mondays?”

“And you’re the model?” she mutters. She turns, grabs a dress out of her closet, and runs into the bathroom. “Give me ten minutes!”

I glance at my watch. Yup, we’re going to be late. When a woman says ten minutes, she means twenty.

Sure enough, twenty minutes later, I’m walking Charlotte to my Jeep. It was worth the wait, though. She’s gorgeous in her bright orange sundress, heeled brown sandals, and understated makeup. I find my eyes lingering a little too long on her pale pink lips.

“Whoa.” Charlotte stops and stares in front of her.

I jerk my eyes up. “What? What’s wrong?”

“You put the doors back on.”

“Oh. Yeah. I thought since, you know…”

Charlotte’s blush only flatters her tinted cheeks. “So you saw the article, then?”

She must think I found out about her mom’s fatal car crash from the exposé that Kevin dropped off three days ago. It was a huge hit, and true to Kevin’s word, the public loved her already. Marcus had dropped off the first round of fan mail to her last night, much to Charlotte’s embarrassment.

“Yeah,” I say as we climb into the Jeep. “And I have to say, you don’t strike me as the Annie type.”

Charlotte cringes in her seat as I back out of the garage. “I have no idea how they got those pictures! It wasn’t even one of my better college performances.”

I laugh, happy to see my comment cleared the tense air. “Doesn’t matter. You were the lead and that’s what counts.”

“I guess. Though it did remind me how much I miss the stage.” She glances at me. “Have you ever thought about trying out theater?”

“Actually, yeah.” I pass through the gate and turn onto the road. “For a few months now.”

“I think you’d be great at it,” she says with a huge smile.

That means a lot coming from her. “Yeah, but it’s not going to happen.”

“What’s stopping you?”

“Me.”

“What?”

“My image. But don’t worry, you’re helping that.”

“Do you really think so?”

“Yup. At least that’s what Kevin and Marcus are telling me. Apparently, I’ve never had so many followers on Twitter.”

“Now I know you’re kidding,” she says, laughing.

I love the sound of her laugh and the way it lights up her whole face, crinkling her eyes and flushing her cheeks. If only she knew how serious I am. I’ll never admit it to Kevin, but getting me Charlotte may just be the best thing that’s ever happened to me—

My image. I mean the best thing that’s ever happened to my image…

Christ. What’s happening to me?

* * *

I put an arm around the model’s waist, draw her to my chest, and lean in. Just before my lips meet hers, I pause, look directly into the camera, and smirk.

“Cut! That’s a wrap,” the director says, getting out of his chair. “Good job, Tate. Perfect.”

I nod, thank the model for putting up with me all day, then head off in search of Charlotte. I find her behind the camera talking to my assistant. Their heads are bent over Charlotte’s phone as she swipes her finger up and down the screen. I bank right and sneak up behind them.

“…it’s so strange,” Charlotte murmurs. “I can’t believe I don’t have any—”

She gasps as I wrap her in my arms, sweep her off her feet, and spin in her in circles. “Tate!” she squeals, dissolving into giggles. “What are you doing!”

“Giving my girl a twirl.” I grin into her flushed face as I set her back on her feet. She scowls at me, but I can see the smile poking through. “I’m all done. What did you think?”

Her frown turns into a smile. “You were great, the model too. And now I know where you get that maddening smirk.”

“Oh yeah,” I say, breaking one out for her. “I’ve had loads of practice to get this baby right.”

I turn to Marcus, ignoring her eye roll. “What’s up?”

“Hey boss, good shoot. I need pictures of you two for social media. Everyone’s dying to see you two together, but I don’t have any.”

“And neither do I,” Charlotte adds, waving her phone.

“Well, let’s change that right now.” I step forward and grab Charlotte. Marcus slips out his phone with a grin and points it at us.

Charlotte arches an eyebrow. “Are you going to twirl me again?”

“Even better.” I pull her close and start tickling her sides.

“Oh my God! You’re so dead…” Her hands dart out and find my stomach. Soon we’re both gasping for air.

Marcus starts laughing as he snaps a few photos. “Perfect!”

“He said…that’s enough!” Charlotte says through grit teeth.

“Then…stop!” I pant back.

When her eyes narrow, I know I don’t stand a chance. I swat away her hands and pull her into my arms, leaning down and planting a huge, wet kiss on her cheek.

“Yuck!” she says, twisting her face away in disgust. A few giggles escape her as she tries to push me away. My eyes drop to her full lips, and I catch my breath.

It’s not for me. It’s for the cameras.

I stifle the last of her protests with my mouth. Her eyes go wide, and then flutter close as she melts into my arms. The flash of Marcus’s camera and the production clamor falls away as we explore each other mouths. Each time I kiss Charlotte, it feels like the first. She’s do damn soft and sweet and delicious. She’s a drug that I can’t get enough of.

“That’s the one I’m using!”

Marcus’s voice brings me back. I pull away slowly, keeping my eyes closed for a few beats as I remember Charlotte’s taste. I desperately want to take her lips with mine again, but I hold back, afraid of where another kiss could lead.

I open my eyes and release her waist, forcing a few breaths into my lungs. I’ve held a model all day, but I felt empty without Charlotte in my arms.

“Thanks!” Marcus says. “I’ll get a few of these up on Facebook and Instagram over the next few days.”

I force my eyes from Charlotte’s face and nod to my assistant. “Sounds good.” I watch him leave and turn back to Charlotte. She glances at me, then reaches down for her bag.

“Um…” she bites her lip. “Meet you by the car?

“Yeah—actually, no.” I glance around the emptying set. “Up for a little fun?”

“Sure?”

I grin at her. “Meet me by those double doors in ten minutes.”

“But what—”

I hold up a finger. “All will be revealed in due course, babe.”

“I’m not your babe!” she says, a smile tugging at her lips. “Alright, ten minutes.”

I rush back to my dressing room and change into my jeans and t-shirt. I take the hallway behind the set and turn left, arriving at the double doors three minutes early. I ease it open, spotting my girlfriend on the other side. She’s only an arm’s reach away…

“AHH!” Charlotte shouts as I grab her back with my hands and yank her to me. She whirls around and glares at me. “You scared me—again!”

I stifle my laugh with my hand. “Sorry, it was too good to pass up.”

“I swear to God, Tate—”

“Yeah, yeah,” I say, grinning. I dart out my hand and grab hers, pulling her through the doors and down the hall. “Come on or we’ll miss it.”

“Miss what?”

“Whatever mischief we’re getting into.”

“Tate—”

I turn and press my finger against her lips. She stares up at me through wide eyes. “Shhh, we’re almost there.”

“Almost where?” she asks through my finger.

I glide it slowly off her lips. “Ever taken a tour of a production site?”

She perks up. “Why? Did you book us a tour?”

“Nope. Where’s the fun in that? This is the Tate Gunner tour.”

Charlotte shakes her head. “What have I signed up for?”

I lead us down some hallways until we hit another set. This one’s set up like a bar, which means there should be…

I stop and turn around. “Ever been an extra?”

Charlotte’s jaw drops. “No way. Are we allowed?”

“Sure…” I glance around and spot a baseball cap lying on top of a speaker. “If we don’t get caught.”

“But won’t people recognize you?”

I slap the baseball cap on my head and wave my arms in front of me. “What? With this disguise?”

Charlotte chuckles. “Totally changes your look.”

“The key is to act like you belong here,” I say, leading us onto the set. I spot the extras milling around the refreshments and head that way. I grab two water bottles and hand one to Charlotte. I can tell she’s nervous by the way her eyes are darting around the set. I grab her hand and lean in close.

“Just act natural,” I whisper into her ear, my chin sweeping her cheek as I pull away. Damn, she smells good. I swear it’s that strawberry shampoo.

“Alright everyone!” says a guy who I’m guessing is the stage manager. “Positions!”

I let the crowd guide us on set. A few mingle around while others take seats at the bar.

“Now,” he continues, “when the lights go down and the music starts, everyone needs to have a good time. Guys? Pick a girl and start dancing or order drinks at the bar.”

I pull Charlotte to my chest. “Be my girl?” I murmur. She meets my eyes and gives a little nod.

The lights drop and the music cues up, and I know exactly where I want to take her. I snake an arm around her waist and lead into the heart of the dance floor. Charlotte tenses up as she watches the other couples grinding and fake-flirting around us, so I decide to initiate a little stage directing.

I tighten my hold around her waist and bring her to my chest. My other arm glides up her back to the base of her neck. I cup her head in my hand and turn her face up toward mine.

“Relax,” I mouth as I begin to move us to the beat of the DJ Khaled track. She holds back for a moment before relaxing, swaying her hips with mine. She snakes her arms around my neck and smiles up at me. My heart beats faster with every sweet breath she takes.

I move my hand to her hip and grip, bringing those curves closer to my groin. I can feel my cock hardening with each deep thrust of her hips, but I don’t care. I want more of her. I want all of her.

I slide my other hand out from under her head to her cheek, sweeping away a tendril of strawberry blonde hair and tucking it behind her ear. She gazes up at me…eyes on fire, lips parted…and I lean forward—

“Hey, you!”

I snap my head up as the music stops and the lights come on.

“No hats in this scene!” the stage manager shouts.

I release Charlotte and whip it off, tucking it in my back pocket. “My bad!”

The stage manger grumbles for a second before falling silent. “Wait, aren’t you…”

I don’t like the way he’s staring at me.

“…Tate Gunner?” My name spreads like wildfire throughout the crowd of extras.

I grab Charlotte’s elbow. “It’s time to go!”

I push us forward right as the first camera click goes off. Soon, dozens of phones are out and snapping pictures of Charlotte and me running for the doors.

“Sorry! Wrong set!” I call over my shoulder. A laugh ripples through the crowd, and I give a parting wave as we sprint around the corner. Charlotte and I run down the hall, tripping over our own feet as we gasp with laughter. We push through the double doors and end up outside in a side parking lot.

Charlotte stops and leans against the brick wall, giggling as she tries to catch her breath. “Oh my God,” she pants, clutching her side, “that was hilarious!”

I plant my hands on my knees and grin over at her. “That was pretty awesome.”

Charlotte steps toward me and throws her arms around my waist. “Thank you! That was the first time I’ve ever been in front of the camera.”

I straighten up and face her, holding her body close as I nuzzle my chin into the soft fibers of her hair. “You’re going to be famous, Char.”

She leans back, straining against my arms, and gives me a funny look. “Char?”

“Yeah…that okay?”

Charlotte’s lips break out into a smile. “As long as it’s not baby cakes or darlin’ or sweet cheeks, then it’s golden.”

We lock eyes for a moment, and I realize that I’m still holding her. There are no cameras or paparazzi or colleagues to impress out here. This is just us—Charlotte and me.

Charlotte looks away. I release her and step back. “Um, maybe that’s enough excitement for one day.”

“Yeah,” Charlotte answers, frowning a little.

We walk to the car side by side, but it feels like we’re miles away. I’d come close to kissing her back there—twice. I could blame the first time on the bar scene, I was just in character, but a just now?

I have no idea.

I give myself a hard shake and remind myself to keep things G-rated. Charlotte’s only just warming up to me, and we’re finally on friendly terms. It would be stupid to jeopardize that by getting physical.

I sneak a glance to my right, tracing the silhouette of Charlotte’s toned body as the sunlight streams through the thin fabric of her sundress.

Yeah. Easier said than done.