Page 37 of The Actor: Harrison

“Soon you’ll be able to afford to live in a place like this too.” I study her out of the corner of my eye.

She frowns, like she’s surprised by my statement. Sometimes I can’t understand how pessimistic she is. She’s a great director, I know she can go far in Hollywood, make money, make a name for herself, but I suppose that after ten years barely surviving at your job, you don’t dare to hope anymore.

“You don’t believe that?” I ask when she remains silent.

She shrugs. “It’s difficult to believe something like that when for years you struggle to make ends meet. I know this movie is great, but I don’t know how great because I’ve never had something like this in my hands. It’s like, in a few years maybe I’ll look back at this moment and realize it’s one of those life-changing turning points, but right now I don’t recognize it.”

I nod. “I know what you mean.”

She turns toward me. “Have you had one of those moment too?”

“When I won the Oscar. Only in that moment I realized I delivered a performance that completely changed my life. Before that, like you said, I was just a pretty face. I didn’t know I had something more than my physical appearance.” I smile at her.

“You know I only said that to Leery back there because I was following your lead, right? I don’t think you’re just a pretty boy, now.”

She’s cute when she’s worried and I can’t stop from smiling.Since when do I think a woman is cute?

“Oh, I know what you thought about me. You were really vocal about it the first time we met,” I tease.

She groans. “Can we not talk about that? I was really out of line that night and I still feel embarrassed for how I treated you.”

I put a hand on her cheek and gently guide her to look me in the eye. She tilts her head up and her eyes widen a bit. We’re so close if I take a step forward my chest would touch hers.

“I know you don’t think that anymore. Don’t beat yourself up for a mistake I already forgave.” My voice comes out raspy and deep. I almost don’t recognize myself.

Her skin is so soft against my hand I can’t resist brushing my thumb over her chin, just a breath away from her lower lip. She quivers under my touch and her eyelids drop slightly, showing me a glimpse of the lust she’s trying to hide. The sight is so appealing my breath catches in my throat and my heart awakens in my chest.

“Okay,” she whispers and her lips stay parted after the word rolled out of her tongue.

I lower my gaze on that luscious pout andthatis my mistake. I can’t resist the temptation to taste her, to finally savor the woman that makes my blood boil for a thousand different reasons. I close the distance, slipping my fingers into her hair, fisting it, my other hand on her waist pulling her to me. I crush my lips on hers and heaven falls down to earth, making my heart hammer in my chest.

She’s perfect in every sense, and she molds between my arms like lava flowing between rocks, burning her way under my skin. She fists my shirt and stands on her tiptoes as though wanting to climb me, craving me closer. I tighten my grip around her body and mold her curves to my chest. Heaven and Hell, this is how she feels.

I swipe my tongue over her lower lip and she opens for me, granting me access to her sweet taste, intoxicating me. I can’t get enough of her. I can’t stop from groaning when she presses her hips against my raging erection. She is the fiercest woman I have ever met and every stroke of her tongue is a reminder that I may have initiated this kiss, but she is guiding it, dictating the rhythm, guiding me in a sensual dance I can’t stop. Her fingers slip from my shirt to my hair, gripping it tight, making me shiver in pleasure.

She moans in disapproval when I pull back to take a breath and lightly bites my lower lip, sending a jolt down my spine. I’m so gone I would fuck her here in the open, forgetting the people just a few steps from us. My hand slips down from her waist to her butt and I squeeze firmly and press her against my body. She whimpers in response like she can’t get enough of me in the same way I can’t get enough of her. I need her. I need to explore with my tongue every single inch of her perfect body.

When I look down into her eyes, I try to figure out what she’s thinking. I find only lust and surprise, like she didn’t expect this move from me. But what crosses her mind, the real thoughts that swim in her brilliant brain, is a mystery to me. Everything about this woman is intriguing and mysterious. And it scares the hell out of me.

I release my grip on her body, slipping my hand up to the more appropriate place that is her back.

“Well, this time you didn’t run away or kick me in the balls. I call that a victory,” I murmur against her lips and then peck them.

She giggles. A feminine sweet sound, rare coming from her. “I still have time for that.”

I smile and stare into her dark eyes. I have no idea how to move from here, but I don’t regret taking this step. I just hope it won’t lead to burning and the world crashing down on the precarious relationship we have built.

I yawn for the hundredth time this morning and rub my eyes. I didn’t have the courage last night to tell Harrison that I needed to be on set on a Saturday morning to film some scenes he’s not in. They weren’t planned, but we needed more shots and we decided to come here over the weekend instead of delaying the regular shooting.

The point is that I was looking forward to going out with him again. After we had dinner together at the taco place, I realized he’s fun outside the set. And that kiss. I was dying to finally have those perfect lips on mine. And he delivered. Damn! He delivered big time. If I swipe my tongue over my lips, I can still feel the lingering tingle on my skin.

“You look like someone punched you in the face. The circles around your eyes are so dark you look bruised.” Ellen smiles sympathetically at me.

I yawn again and straighten in my chair. “I went to a party last night and I haven’t slept much.”

And I haven’t slept much because I was thinking about that kiss. I tossed and turned trying to find an explanation for that scorching moment, but the truth is, there is none. I’m attracted to him in more than a physical way and I gave in, taking what I want. There’s no doubt he’s equally drawn to me, so it was almost predictable what happened. That erection doesn’t lie and my drenched panties don’t either.

She looks at me with wide eyes. “You were at a party? Is that a joke?”

---