Page 125 of Lovestruck at Sundown
“Shit, Naomi, are you okay?” William asked. Aaron had taken Naomi away so fast he probably hadn’t had the chance to realize she was hurt.
“I’ll be fine,” she said. “Thanks.”
“Do you want to go to the hospital?” I offered. “I think you should get your knee looked at if you have a previous injury.”
“No, no, no.” She looked at Aaron as if wanting to warn him. “I’ll put an ice pack on it, and I’ll be good to go.”
Aaron remained eerily silent and kept driving home.
When we arrived, Aaron said to Naomi, “Stay put.”
Naomi reached for the handle, but the door only opened from the outside. I’d been in her shoes one too many times, and I understood the feeling perfectly. Aaron got the door for me and William while leaving Naomi inside.
“I’m taking her to the hospital,” Aaron informed us. “I assume you’re staying in for the rest of the night?”
“We are,” I replied. “Go.”
Aaron nodded and returned to the vehicle.
William and I took the elevator to the 9th floor, and he followed me to my apartment. He stood behind me as I unlocked my door and grabbed my hips, pulling me back against him. His hands slid down to my ass, and he squeezed it.
“William.” I was exhausted, my nose was clogged, and I needed a hot shower to ease the jealousy that had accumulated during the night. I knew he was leaving the following day andprobably wanted to have goodbye sex, but I wasn’t in the mood. “I’ll get you sick if you kiss me.”
“I don’t care.” He kissed my neck, and I couldn’t help but react to his touch. It was impossible not to. But I pushed the door open, and we stepped inside. William followed me to my room as he removed his jacket and loosened his tie.
“These shoes are killing me.” I sat in my bedroom’s loveseat and removed them. William sat on the edge of the bed and unbuttoned the first few buttons of his shirt, staring at me. Studying me. He looked devastatingly perfect in that tailored suit, and it only reignited the discomfort of knowing I’d have to share him for as long as his acting career lasted. If he followed his father’s footsteps, that meant at least the next thirty years.
I deflated at the thought, feeling defeated.
William stood. “Enough.” He caged me between his arms and leaned in, making me rest back against the sofa. “Tell me what’s going on. You’ve been acting weird all night.”
“I’m jealous.” When I said those two words, a wave of embarrassment crashed against me. I felt like the unsupportive girlfriend who didn’t know shit about the business. And this is why actors should probably only date actors, but I loved William. I loved that he was great at what he did. I admired him. But I’m also only human.
“The sex scene?”
“Yes,” I admitted, looking away. He plopped on the sofa next to me while I twisted my fingers over my lap and took a deep breath. “I wish you had given me a heads-up about it.”
“I didn’t know I had to give you a heads-up.” He frowned. “It’s all pretend. You know that.”
“Well, it’s hard to see you like that with someone else. Naked, sweaty, kissing.” I tried to shake the thoughts away, but talking about it only made me more upset.
“This is my job,” he said, his tone growing frustrated. “Besides, I filmed this movie when you were with Nathan, so I didn’t think it would be an issue.”
I tried counting to ten but barely got to three before I replied. “But you never got to see me naked with Nathan. It’s not the same.”
“Yeah, I only had to listen to you moan and come for him a wall away.”
I shook my head in disbelief. “You even threatened me with burning down your house in Sagaponack if I dared to sleep with him there. So you’re no stranger to jealousy.”
“Those on-screen interactions aren’t real.” William ran a hand through his hair and gripped the back of his neck. “It was a closed set, but four people were still present when that scene was filmed. So, believe me when I say there’s nothing sexy about it. It’s all very technical.”
“Well, it looked like the real thing.” I knew William was right, and I was wrong, but I didn’t like going into the premiere without knowing about it. And this wasn’t just about this particular movie. “And I can’t stop thinking about what to expect. There will be more films. More women. More intimate scenes while you and I are together. I know you actors are open-minded about such things. But wouldn’t you feel jealous if I was filmed kissing someone and got into bed naked with them while we pretended to be fucking?”
“This is my job,” William repeated, as if the phrase would magically make my feelings about this go away. “Youknewthis was my job. Besides, you’ve seen it yourself. Not every film I’ve been in involves intimate scenes.”
“I know,” I huffed, frustrated that he couldn’t see my point. Even if they were used to it in Hollywood, I didn’t think this practice was ideal for monogamous relationships. We’re all madedifferent; some of us can’t stomach it. “And you still haven’t answered my question.”
“I wouldn’t like it,” William finally admitted. “I would fucking hate to see a man touching you or kissing you, even if it were fake. But I know you’re not an actress and never will be. I’ve dated actresses before and have experienced your side.”
