Not when she’s everywhere. Just being her. Making me question everything with the most simple sentiments.
I know I’m not after a relationship, but that doesn’t stop me from wanting to just… spend time around Julia. Surprisingly, we get along. And there’s nothing wrong with enjoying her company while we’re both stuck here, working on a show that is nothing like we thought it would be.
She might be the only person on this set that I have anything in common with. And I can’t seem to stay away from her, so why keep fighting it?
Like she’s giving her silent agreement, we fall into a companionable silence, watching the sun rise side by side. Birds chirp in the trees, signaling the start of a new day, and the swelter of Emerald Lake’s summer expands over the horizon, heating the air.
“Beautiful,” she murmurs, dark eyes glowing as she soaks it all in. There’s something soothing about her—peaceful.
I swallow and shift on my feet. The sunrise might be even more jaw-dropping than the sunset. Or maybe it’s just the company. “Keep this time of day under wraps or Richard will drag us back up here to film another kiss take,” I joke. Trying to test the waters after last night. Make sure that she’s not… I don’t know.
That she doesn’t hate me. For some reason I can’t stand the thought of Julia Silva hating me.
“Please, he’s going to have to hire a coach for you after last night.” Then she leans toward me, bumping her shoulder against mine in a show of camaraderie. “You were awkward as fuck, Bud.”
My jaw drops in shock. “Are you joking? Kissing is an actual strength of mine. It’s on my résumé. I’m basically a professional at interacting with women.”
A grin tugs up one side of her mouth as she turns to face me, amusement dancing in her eyes. Her arms lift as she moves in jerky mechanical motions. “Why do you act like a virginal robot in front of the camera then?”
I turn to face her head-on, staring at her, agape.
And shelaughs in my face.
“A virginal robot?”
“Just calling ’em like I see ’em, Brandt.”
With that, she holds herself rigid, opens her eyes almost comically wide, and leans forward with only her neck while puckering her lips.
She’s laughing. Making an offensive mockery of my kissing abilities.
“Maybe I don’t want to kiss any of these women. And that’s why it looks so ridiculous. Ever think about that?”
She snorts, and it’s completely unladylike. “Well, you better find some motivation because this shit is just getting started.”
Running my tongue over my teeth, I regard her from below furrowed brows. “Very inspiring. Very directorial.” I turn my feet, positioning myself to face her. “Pretend you’re actually my director. Put all that fancy school to work. What would you tell me to do? Imagine everyone naked?”
“I kind of assume you already do that, to be honest. It’s your default setting.”
“Well, what am I, a pervert or a virginal robot?”
She brings me up short when she blurts, “You’re trying too hard.”
“Oh?” I step closer, the rush of a challenge flaring inside of me.
“Yeah. You need to loosen up. Act natural.” She reaches up, gripping my shoulders and maneuvering them—as though that will help.
Before I can think better of it, I crowd her and reach for her waist. She sucks in a startled breath and stares down at my palms covering her hip bones.
“Like this?” I ask, quirking my head.
Not feeling the least bit roboticorvirginal with my hands on her.
“Getting there.” Her tongue darts out to wet her lips, eyes flicking between mine in question.
But I don’t have any answers for my behavior right now.
“And this?” I lower my head slowly, the tip of my nose grazing her hair. It smells fresh, sweet and herbal all at once.
