“I’ve never…” I start, then pause, struggling to articulate. “With you, it’s like every nerve ending is alive. Like I’m finally awake.”
She props herself up on an elbow, studying my face with that penetrating gaze. “Have you said that to anyone else?”
“No.” I grip her chin, forcing her to meet my eyes. “Look at me. Really look. You…” I trace the curve of her jaw. “You have ruined me for anyone else.”
She melts into me then, and I feel the moment she allows herself to believe it. The way she fits against me isn’t just familiar anymore, it’s necessary. As vital as breathing.
Like every meaningless encounter in my past was preparation for this, for her.
Chapter 40
Reese
November 29th
Reese Sinclair’s Career Is Over—What Happened to theHeartland HeritageStar?
December 4th
Sinclair’s Silence: Is She Hiding from the Public Eye? Or in Rehab?
December 10th
Sinclair Was Once a Hollywood Darling, Now Just Troubled
“I can’t believefilming is over,” I say as Dante and I step onto the narrow path, the one we’ve walked a hundred times over the past few months. The redwoods loom around us, branches creaking in the cool night breeze. The forest floor is squishy and soft under my boots.
In the distance, I hear the distant murmur of the crew, the last few stragglers breaking down the set and setting up the wrap party down by the lake.
Soon, they’ll be gone too.
I inhale deeply, trying to etch this place into my memory. The thick fog ghosting through the trees each morning, the way the light filters through the branches in golden ribbons, the quiet hush of the woods.
And Dante.
“Come on, admit it,” he teases, bumping his shoulder lightly against mine. “You’ll miss our crack-of-dawn training sessions the most.”
“And you’ll miss me being your most well-behaved student,” I shoot back, grinning.
My leather costume hugs my curves, my pearl necklace with his ring through it hanging exactly where it is supposed to be, while his sheriff’s outfit makes him look unfairly handsome.
We did it.
Only two weeks after the original shoot with Felix was supposed to wrap. Mari was far more efficient than Felix ever was. After New Year’s, I’m diving into postproduction with Amara. It’ll be my first time seeing the editing magic happen so up close and personal.
“And is my star student going to give any indication about where we’re going?”
“You’ve taken me on so many adventures; I thought it was only fair to finally take you on one.” I wink at him. “Just keep your expectations low. Unlike you, my world isn’t glamorous.”
He side-eyes me. “Oh, sure. All you do is star in blockbuster movies, attend premieres in rented jewelry that requires bodyguards, and have fans worshiping the ground you walk on.How dull.”
It hasn’t quite felt that way lately.
“What you meant to say is all I do is memorize lines, go from set to set, shoot a minimum of two movies a year, and in between I visit my family or hang out with Cleo. In comparison to your adventures, I’m not that exciting.” I roll my eyes, fidgeting with the sleeve of my leather Robyn Hood costume.
Dante stops walking. I glance back at him, but his gaze is fixed on me, unreadable in the dim light.
“I think you’re very exciting,” he says, and it lands deep in my chest.
