Page 32 of Wicked Temptations
Professional.That’s what tonight needed to be. Professional and clean and exactly what it should be.
Except the universe had other plans.
Parker burst through the door, phone pressed to his ear, stress written across every line of his face. He ended the call and addressed the room.
“They just killed us. A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued. Most of the outdoor rides are already closed. We’re running skeleton attendance.”
Riley looked up from adjusting her roller skates. “So, we’re closing early?”
“Not yet. Management wants to wait it out, see if it passes.” He rubbed his face. “But we need a backup plan. The social media team’s coming through in twenty to shoot content. BTS videos, photo shoots, performer interactions. The whole thing.”
A groan went through the room. Content days were fine when planned, but scrambling for material while half-dressed and already keyed up for performance was a different story.
“How long?” someone asked.
“However long it takes. They want hunter content, especially. The fans eat that shit up.” Parker’s eyes landed on me. “Jude, you and Ash are up first. Finish getting dressed, look good, and glare pretty for the camera.”
My stomach dropped.
I glanced across the room without meaning to. Ash sat on the opposite bench, already pulling on his tactical pants, and for a split second, our gazes locked. I looked away.
Fantastic.
***
Twenty minutes later, I stood in full costume, trying not to sweat through the face paint while the social media coordinator adjusted lighting.
The storm outside had turned violent. Thunder cracked loudly enough to feel in my chest, and the rain came down so hard it sounded like gravel hitting the roof.
“Let’s do this!” The coordinator, a preppy girl named Mia, circled us with her phone. “Jude, stand behind Ash. Hand on his shoulder. Use your height. Be threatening.”
I placed my hand where she indicated and raised up on my tiptoes to play into the tall creature looming concept. Ash’s shoulder was warm under my palm, solid and real, and I felt the slight hitch in his breathing.
Don’t think about it.
“Good. Now, Ash, turn your head. Look at him like you’re about to start a fight.”
He did. Those dark eyes met mine, and the look he gave me was pure challenge. Heat pooled low in my gut despite the setting and the cameras, and every logical reason this should mean nothing. I just couldn’t help myself.
“Beautiful. Hold that.” Mia moved closer, snapping shots. “This is exactly what the fans want. The tension, the rivalry. You two are great at this.”
If she only knew what that tension actually was, what it felt like when we stopped performing and let it consume us.
“Switch. Ash, behind Jude now. Hand on his throat. Not tight, just resting there.”
My pulse jumped. Ash moved into position, and I felt the heat of him at my back before his hand came up to rest against my neck. His fingers spread across my throat, gentle but unmistakable, and I had to force myself not to react.
Just professional touching. It means nothing.
Except it didn’t feel like nothing. It felt like the corridor outside the breakroom, like the backseat of his car, like every moment we’d touched without cameras and scripts to hide behind.
“Jude, tilt your head back slightly. Give us that dangerous smile you do.”
I did, and it only made things worse. I felt Ash’s breath against my temple, the way his thumb brushed the hollow of my throat. His index finger pressed on the edge of my jaw. The touch was careful and gentle, but my body remembered different touches. Rougher ones. Desperate ones.
The type of touch that I craved.
“Gorgeous. Now face each other. Get close.”
