Jace
His question forces me to look directly into those lush, green eyes that I’ve been drowning in every time we have a scene together.
Do I want him as much as he wants me?
My body has, reluctantly, wanted him the second he stepped into Pierre’s office. My mind fucking hates it. It’s confusing. I’ve never been interested in guys before but I can’t help but feel like a custom made Lennox magnet since the moment we met.
Nothing about what I just did is okay. I think about what Gordon would say, the media. My parents. I push out a long breath and palm my face.
“You’re safe with me, Jace. Don’t shut me out.”
Am I? I haven’t felt safe with anyone. Anytime I share something personal, it’s exploited, used against me.
“None of this makes any sense,” I admit because it’s all I can think of.
“That doesn't answer my question.”
My shoulders slouch as I tilt my chin down, closing my eyes. I think of everything that could go wrong if I admit how I feel. So, I just nod.
“Yes, you want me?” The corner of his lip ticks up ever so slightly but his eyes…There’s an immediate shine in them, like I just offered him his favorite dessert.
“Yes.” My voice is husky and I don’t recognize it.
Lennox presses one hand to the corner of the counter as he leans in closer, picking up my jaw with his other hand, forcing me to meet him eye-to-eye.
“Are you curious about men or curious about me?”
“You.” I swallow thickly at the admission. “It’s you.”
A smile blows wide across his face right before he crushes his lips to mine. It’s bruising and powerful. It’s the same lust that comes out when we’ve kissed on set, but this one…this one claims every inch of my body like my confession gave him the consent he needed to give me everything.
His hips roll into mine, moving his hand from my jaw to the nape of my neck, pulling me closer. My hands roam up his torso as the top of his robe splays open. My fingers explore his body, caressing and squeezing, loving the sensation of my skin on his.
It’s different from what I’m used to. But I admittedly haven’t really explored a woman like this either. I never felt the unrelenting desire to pull someone closer like I do with him. My body needs to feel him, grasping onto him like a lifeline.
He growls, like actually growls, as he kisses me harder. The sound vibrates its way through my veins and lights every cell in my body on fire.
I’m sun-drenched, burning from the inside out.
With every swipe of his tongue against mine it takes away the need to overthink what’s happening. To give into him and all the things stopping me from doing everything I want. This feels like nothing I’ve ever experienced.
Knock. Knock.
Fuck. The tapping on the door rips me from the stillness of the moment, forcing all the noises back in my head. By instinct, I push him back and he stumbles a couple steps before catching himself on the side of the couch.
His expression breaks me. I didn’t mean to do that. I panicked.
He fixes his face as he grabs the corners of his robe, tightening the belt.
“Come in,” he calls out with obvious irritation.
The door creaks open and Sofia steps in, thinking nothing of the two of us being in Lennox’s trailer.
“We’re wrapping up the studio filming today and heading to Las Vegas tomorrow. I just wanted to check in, see how you both are doing?” she asks.
“Brilliant.”
“Great.” Our words overlap each other.
Her eyes bounce between us questioningly as she replies, “Okay, good.”
Glancing down at the itinerary on the clipboard she lists out the schedule and our next steps.
“So, we’ll leak to a couple of the media outlets your arrival time in Vegas. They haven’t gotten much in the last few weeks so they’ll probably be incredibly anxious to see you together.”
Lennox walks over to his fridge, opening the door and grabs a water bottle. He offers one to Sofia and she shakes her head, then he tosses one in my direction, not giving me the choice. I swear he’s always hydrating me or giving me snacks.
“What do you want us to do?” he asks Sofia as he takes a swig of his water.
“Anything you’d like. Be yourselves just like before and let them make the narrative,” she replies easily.
I’ve always been told to act a certain way, behave properly, do more of something or less of something else. I have no idea what ‘be yourself’ means in this context.
I have no idea who I am if I’m not acting.
“Piece of cake,” Lennox replies confidently, glancing my way.
“Sure, no problem,” I say but my mind reels with all the problems that could potentially come up.
Sofia leaves and the moment the door shuts, Lennox's eyes shift back over to me.
“Stop overthinking.”
“I’m not,” I reply quickly, lying through my teeth.
He smirks and rolls his eyes as he shakes his head. Setting down his water bottle, he steps up flush against me and his proximity lights my entire body on fire, yet again.
I’ve never responded to anyone like this before. I can’t understand it. I don’t hate it, but I also can’t stand the loss of physical control and my inability to manage my unrelenting thoughts.
“Let go and have some fun.”
“In Vegas?”
He shrugs as he moves his hand down the front of my shirt and plays with the hem.
“In Vegas…with me.” His eyes snap up to meet mine, gauging my reaction. There’s a vulnerability behind his eyes.
“I—” My immediate response to turn him down gets stuck in my throat.
We have a month left of filming in Vegas, then a week back at the studio before we wrap up. Anything we’re seen doing in Vegas will be assumed it’s for the film, and clearly the media likes to see the two of us together anyway.
It’s a great excuse to spend more time with him.
Even if all of this is temporary.
The sheltered part of me that always plays it safe finally gives in.
“Okay.”