Chapter 19
DANNY
Anya is acting like nothing ever happened and it’s driving me insane.
It’s been days since I’ve had the best night of my life, since I felt her thick hair wrapped around my fist and tasted her soft mouth.
She’s been doing her best to keep it professional, which is almost hilarious to watch as professional has never exactly been in Anya’s repertoire. I almost think she’s going to start ducking her head and calling me ‘Sir’.
I wouldn’t mind that actually.
I don’t understand why she’s being so weird about this. I know what we had was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before. Not just the sex, but the whole day leading up to it. It was the first time I felt like myself, like I could be playful and joke, do anything to make her laugh.
I thought she felt it too, but this awkward formal Anya has me all twisted up.
She won’t even come inside my trailer, instead deciding to stand outside like a five foot five bodyguard.
The only time I get to see her is when she ferries me from base to set or the hotel. It’s a unique kind of torture to sit so close to her and for her to barely even acknowledge me. Her head bent and buried in her phone, or speaking quiet French with Jaques.
I’m starting to doubt that that night had any effect on her, but I know in my soul that it’s just a front she’s putting on. It seems impossible that she can’t feel anything when I can finally see a world in color that was sepia toned before.
Today, I’m shooting a court scene. Costume has fitted me with a three piece suit that’s itchy yet silky at the same time. When I step out of the costume truck, Anya straightens from her guard post and I don’t miss the double take she gives me. Nor do I miss the way her plump lips part as her eyes drop to my suit.
I can’t stop the warmth that spreads through my body at her lustful gaze — there’s no denying that I’ve caused a physical reaction in her. Thousands of women have reacted to me, I’d have to be blind to have not noticed them. But Anya’s attention feels like the sun is beaming on me after years of rain.
As I come closer, I’m tempted to not stop until I have her pushed against the wall. On my approach, she shakes her head and forces a bland smile. “Ready?”
Irritation races through me. Why is she doing this? Why is she acting like we’re complete strangers, when after the night we shared we are anything but?
My jaw clenches as I bite out, “Yep.”
I turn and storm away, heading to the waiting car. I open the door with more force than necessary and instead of sliding across so she can jump in behind me, I sit. It’s all I can do to not cross my arms across my chest like a child as I watch her slide in from the opposite side.
The car is silent apart from my huffing breaths. Anya doesn’t notice, her head buried in that bloody phone.
“Here are your sides,” she says, handing them without looking at me. I mumble a thanks, all too aware of what I’ll say if I open my mouth much more.
My phone buzzes in my pocket. I’ll have to hand it over to Anya before the scene starts shooting.
Pip: Are you on set today?
Me: Why?
Pip: Where is your base?
Me: Bois de Bologne
Pip: When are you on break? I’m in the mood for a set visit
“How long is the break between scenes?” I ask Anya without looking up.
“About two hours before the makeup chair but two and a half before turning,” she says. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see her watching me. “Why?” I can tell her curiosity has gotten the better of her. I could be honest and say Pip might come and irritate me…or I could test her stubborn resolve a little.
After sending a text to Pip telling her to come, I power my phone off.
Glancing at her, I say vaguely, “I’ll take my lunch in my trailer.” I hand the phone to her, “Make it for two.”
Her bottom lip falls as she takes my phone, her lips forming the perfect ‘o’ shape, reminding me of the last time I saw her mouth like that.
She seems to remember herself. “Why?” Her confusion mixing deliciously with what I have a strong feeling is jealousy. “For two?” She repeats dumbly.
“I’ll have a visitor.”
“A visitor?”
“I’ve already cleared it with Brian. It won’t be a problem will it?”
Before Anya has a chance to reply, we pull up outside my trailer.
I bite back my burgeoning smirk as I climb out of the car, leaving Anya gaping in the back seat.