SKYLER
I’m trying my best not to squeal with excitement. He’s here. Parker’s shooting the breeze with the director of the movie, laughing at her quips and making a friend out of her instantly. I have to admit, my man is smooth. He can charm anyone. He’s definitely charmed me.
Before I can introduce him to the camera guys I’ve become close with over the past few movies in the series, Rick enters the set. He sees me and rushes over, a happy, puppy dog–type bounce to his steps. Without warning, he pulls me into his arms and lays a series of kisses against my neck, making a loud show of it as if I were one of his family members.
“Skyler Bear!” He jostles me around in a bear hug. “How’s my best girl!”
I cringe and go stiff in his arms. He eases me back an arm’s length. “What’s got you down? Your guy not make it here yet?” His eyebrows rise up in question, and I’m about to answer when I’m physically pulled out of Rick’s arms by said guy.
Parker’s chin moves into my neck, and he loops an arm around my waist, plastering my body flush against his front. Tingles of anxiety prickle against my skin as he growls into my neck. “This does not bode well for you, baby.”
Ugh. I slump into his arms. “Rick, this is my boyfriend, Parker. Parker, this is Rick, my costar.”
“Yo, man! It’s awesome to meet you! Any friend of Skyler Bear is a friend of mine.” He smiles wide and holds out his hand.
Parker eases me to his left side, farther away from Rick, and takes his hand. He must squeeze it rather hard, because Rick’s eyes go wide, and he pulls his hand away fast.
“Dude! That’s one helluva grip you got there.” Rick shakes his hand as if he’s in pain.
“Sorry.” Parker squeezes my hip. “Didn’t realize my own strength.”
Sure, you didn’t. I narrow my gaze at Parker.
“It’s cool you’re here today. We’re shooting one of the racier scenes. Would be righteous to get your feedback on how to best hold and touch her. You know, since you know her intimately and all.” Rick leans closer to Parker, and a bout of anxiety ratchets up my spine.
Please don’t get into it, I silently pray, hoping Parker’s jealousy doesn’t come out swinging.
I can feel Parker’s body grow still, a tick in his jaw flickering like mad. He’s grinding his teeth. Shit. This is not going to be good. I have to get him away from Rick somehow.
“Um, guys, maybe we shouldn’t talk about this—” I start, but am cut off by Parker.
“Oh no, we absolutely should. Tell me, Rick . . .” The inflection on the letter k is scathing coming from Parker’s mouth. “What kind of feedback were you looking to get about my girlfriend?” His tone is filled with malice, and I can see his hold on his emotions is flying away like a flock of birds heading south for the winter. Problem is, Rick doesn’t even notice it. He’s oblivious to Parker’s jealousy because he doesn’t think of me in that light.
“Honey . . . ,” I try again.
Parker lifts a hand between us. “No, I’ve got to hear this. Go on, Rick.” Again, with the k sound thick on his tongue.
“Well, dude, don’t spread this around,”—he leans in closer to us—“but Sky and me, we’re having trouble showing chemistry on the screen during our romantic scenes. The director is not happy, and I could use whatever tips you’ve got.”
God. Rick is so sweet. He genuinely wants Parker’s help, and I desperately hope Parker can hear it in Rick’s voice and be the bigger man.
Parker backs away a bit from Rick, holds up a finger toward my blissfully ignorant costar, and brings me a few feet away before dipping his head down to my ear. This move curbs my anxiety hundredfold. The farther away Parker is from Rick, the better.
“Peaches, you didn’t mention the two of you were having trouble,” he whispers.
I purse my lips. “Yes, I did. Remember, I told you we had to reshoot some scenes.”
His brows pinch together as if he’s mulling over what I’m saying.
“Honestly, I haven’t had to do a role like this with intimate scenes since I was in a committed relationship to Johan, and he didn’t care one bit about who I was kissing or whether or not I was showing full nudity and such,” I whisper conspiratorially against his chest. He cups my cheeks.
“First of all, I’m sorry if I made you nervous when you needed to do your job. I trust you. Do I trust him? Fuck no. I wouldn’t trust any man who gets to touch you in any way. That’s who I am, baby. I think you get that. We both have a bit of a green monster living inside of us. I don’t see that changing anytime soon. It doesn’t mean I’m going to interfere in your job in a way that hurts your career. I know you have to do these roles and scenes. I may not like it, but I respect it.”
I run my hand down his cheek and rub my thumb against his bottom lip. “Thank you.”
“Now what can I do to make this easier on you?”
I shrug. “Frankly, I don’t know. Rick and I are going to have to figure something out, though, because he was not lying. The director is unhappy, and I don’t need that kind of press spreading throughout the industry. It could affect my future roles.”
He firms his chin, leans down, and kisses me softly. “I may have an idea.”
I grin, loop my arms around his neck, and pop up onto my toes to touch his nose with my own. “I like your ideas.”
He grins. “You might like this one, you might not. I’m going to have a chat with the director if you trust me.”
I lick my lips, inhale fully, and let it out. I run my hand through his overly long hair, plucking at one of his curls on top. I love when his hair is overgrown and his curls pop out. It makes him seem younger, more vulnerable. “Parker, I’ve entrusted you with my heart. Which is far more important than anything you can do to my career.”
He smiles wide, and I love seeing his happiness. I want to see it more. I want to be the one who puts those beatific smiles on his handsome face.
“Be right back.” He goes over to the director, taps her on the shoulder, and she turns around toward him, giving him her full attention. My guy has that effect on all women. Their eyes always stray to him.
He really is gorgeous. Tall, tan, with light, crystal-blue eyes. A dashing bright-white smile. His chiseled jaw and high cheekbones give him a GQ effect that hits me straight through to the heart, and lower. I squirm, watching my man make gestures to the bedroom and bathroom set across the way. I leave him be, wanting him to do what he feels he has to do.
Tracey comes up behind me. “What is he doing?” She lifts her chin toward Parker.
I cross my arms over my chest and rub at my biceps. “He’s got some idea for the director on how Rick and I can work on our chemistry . . . romantically.” I purse my lips and glance at my best friend.
“I’m sorry, Birdie, I don’t think I heard you. Your boyfriend is talking to the director on how to best get you and your insanely handsome model costar to have more romantic chemistry on the screen?”
“Yep,” I state with absolute pride.
Tracey frowns deeply. “Am I the only one who thinks this is really freakin’ weird?”
I shake my head. “Nope.”
It is weird. And charming. My man hears I have a problem and sets about helping me fix it, even if it’s something that would make any man uncomfortable. Because he cares more for me than the subject matter at hand. He wants me to succeed even at the price of making him uncomfortable.
He’s amazing. Wonderful. Sexy. Strong. Intelligent.
And I’m falling for him.
I watch the animated conversation from afar while Rick comes up to my little huddle with Tracey. “Your guy is a little intimidating,” Rick admits.
I chuckle. “Yes, he is. And hot as fuck.” I smile and take in all of my man while both Tracey and Rick roar with laughter.
Parker comes back, his swagger in full swing. He’s wearing a pair of jeans that form to his well-toned thighs to absolute perfection. He’s paired them with a tailored, long-sleeved black sweater. The black shows off his strong neck and brings out his sparkling blue eyes. As he walks, his sandy-brown hair is glinting a coppery color off the set lights, making my fingers itch to run through it, preferably while riding on top of him.
“All set!”
“What is?” I go straight into his arms as the director shouts for the actors to get in hair, makeup, and wardrobe. “What in the world did you do?”
“You’ll see . . .” He smirks and smacks me on the ass. “Go get ready, I’ve got to chat with Rick.”
I blink a few times and shake my head. “Fine. Like I said, I trust you.”
There wasn’t much to be done for my hair since I’d already styled it this morning. Though I was surprised to be put back into the bra-and-panty set for the beginning of the love scene. It starts in the bathroom while my character is getting ready.
Breathe, Skyler. It’s going to be okay. Parker understands.
I take a few yoga breaths as the cameraman gets into position.
“Skyler, you’re at the fluffing-your-hair position,” the director calls out, and I raise my arms and stand on my mark, watching myself in the mirror.
“Ready . . . set . . . action,” she calls out, and the cameras float toward me as I work my hair and assess myself in the mirror. My breasts are pushed up high in the pink lacy bra, the matching bikini bottom edged in the same fine detail.
“Angel . . .” I hear my character called from behind me, but not by Rick, by Parker.
I turn around, my body and my gaze heating instantly at the sight of his bare chest, muscles on full display. He’s got his jeans on with one button undone, showing off a bigger slice of his happy trail I adore. The bit of hair leading down to his cock makes my mouth water and has my temperature rising.
I blank out for a mere second, realizing I’m supposed to play along. “Phoenix, you shouldn’t be here. They may find you.” I whisper the lines, using the hero’s name, Rick’s character, as Parker moves closer.
Parker reaches me and runs a hand from my shoulder down over my breast, which has me mewling with need and excitement. “Nothing’s going to happen to you when we’re together. We’re magic, Angel. Don’t you know that by now?” He mimics my costar’s lines.
“Phoenix . . . ,” I gasp as Parker’s head falls to my neck and he runs a line of kisses from the crook of my shoulder to up behind my ear. He lets his lips drag across my ear.
Ripples of pleasure soar through my body as Parker cups my chin and throat, commanding, unrelenting, putting me where he wants me. His lips come down to mine, and I sink into his kiss. He ravishes me with his mouth, deep plunges of his tongue swirling with mine. I wrap my arms around his neck while his hands fly to my ass. He grinds his denim-clad crotch against my flimsy lace, and I moan, sighing into his kiss and movements. He lifts me up and plants me on the vanity.
I forget where I am, who’s watching, and what we’re doing. He makes me forget everything else but him.
His lips.
His minty taste.
His thick erection pressing against me.
His warm skin all around me.
His breath between each plunge of his tongue.
I’m losing my mind. He’s stealing my heart. I’ve got nothing left, I’ve already given him my body.
“Parker . . . ,” I whisper when his mouth drags down my neck to the tops of my breasts.
“Cut!” I hear screamed through the bullhorn.
I grip my man, digging my nails into his shoulder blades. “Fuck,” I whisper, and Parker’s body starts to shake against mine. He runs his hands up my back and cups my cheeks.
He’s laughing, his entire body moving with each guffaw. “Baby, you forgot where you were. I get my mouth on you, and you light up. Fuckin’ love it.” He kisses me once, hard.
“Duuuuude! That. Was. The. Shit!” Rick claps. “Skyler Bear, we have to do exactly that for the cameras!”
I slide off the vanity and hide most of my body against Parker’s front until my stage assistant hands me my fluffy robe. Parker pulls it around my back, covering me up first so I can shimmy my arms into each hole and keep a modicum of my privacy.
“It’s not easy, Rick,” I mumble, my cheeks heating with the embarrassment of losing myself on set.
“Why the heck not! You’re an amazing actress!” he gushes.
“Yeah, why not, Peaches?” Parker kisses the top of my forehead.
“Because you’re not my man!” I want to stomp my foot and cross my arms like a child who isn’t getting her way.
Before anyone can respond, the director approaches. “Mr. Ellis, that was exactly what I want to see on screen! If you ever decide to enter the acting business, let me know. I’d film you in a second. You look good on camera.”
Parker chuckles. “That’s kind of you, but this was a one-time cameo. Now, Rick, did you see how I approached Skyler with confidence? Baby, will you humor me and stand right here like he’s going to approach you in the scene?”
I do what he asks.
Rick immediately steps to Parker’s side, pulls off his own T-shirt, showing his muscular body and getting into character. It’s not as good as Parker’s chest, but then again, I’ve tasted and touched Parker’s intimately. It’s mine and I love it.
“Use your swagger, and when you approach her, don’t be timid. You have to show through each finger impression on her skin, every kiss you bestow, that you are into her.”
Rick licks his lips and bites the bottom one as if he’s really focusing. Poor thing. This is his first big role and romantic scene with an A-list actress. I’m not tooting my own horn, just stating a fact. I remember back when I was in his very position. It’s not an easy battle to overcome.
“Now, approach her, and grip her body as though she’s your woman and you can’t wait to get her under you.”
I wait while Rick approaches. “Phoenix . . . ,” I whisper, stating my line so he can get into character. “You shouldn’t be here. They may find you.”
Rick hooks his arm around my waist, and his eyes pierce mine with an aggressive grit he didn’t have before. He says his line while running his hands up and down my arms before cupping my jaw and throat the same way Parker did. He kisses me, and I’m happy to taste mint. The same minty taste my guy chews between meals. I close my eyes and try to imagine I’m kissing my man, getting into it the same way I did with Parker.
The director calls out, “Cut!” We both pull away from one another. Rick is grinning like a loon.
“Exactly what I was looking for,” the director calls out. “Sky, lose the robe. Makeup, freshen her up. Everyone get into position, we’re shooting this right now while it’s smokin’ hot! And Parker, you’re with me behind the camera. Want your thoughts on the scene and the ones following. And, I owe you a bottle of your favorite liquor for making it happen.” She points to Rick and me.
Yes, my man is quite the charmer. And a genius.
“I love your boyfriend, Skyler. He’s the shit!” Rick gushes, looking at Parker as though the sun rose and set on him.
I think I’m falling in love with him too.
“He absolutely is,” I say, instead of admitting my deepest, wildest thoughts.
Parker follows the director but glances over his shoulder back my way.
“Have I told you today how much I like you,” I call out, and bite into my bottom lip, cocking an eyebrow for his benefit.
“You don’t have to tell me. I felt it in your kiss.” He tosses his sweater over his shoulder like he walks through a movie set half-naked all the time and continues chatting with the director.
I shake my head and let makeup tend to me while I think about Parker.
The man really can do anything.
How will I ever measure up?
The end . . . for now.