22. Sierra
SIERRA
“ D id you see the photo of the two of you?” Ro asked, her voice crackling through the speaker on my phone.
“Which one?” I said, delicately threading two pieces of lace together at the kitchen island in Finn’s condo.
Finn and I were either plastered across some tabloid or part of some viral behind-the-scenes Hollywood blog post at least once a week, partly in thanks to Jillian’s PR plan, but partly because we’d actually had more time lately to participate in said plan.
The hardest part about costuming movies was definitely the grind. The days were long and jampacked with repairs and alterations and catastrophes like Shaw’s washing machine incident, which we were fondly calling Shreadageddon now.
That didn’t leave a lot of time for faking a relationship for the masses.
But with filming scheduled to wrap next month and fewer characters left to do principal photography, the day did eventually come when all that work started to slow down.
Usually, that was when it was time to move on and start thinking about my next contract .
But even though the bulk of my costuming work was completed, I was nowhere near done with Every Day , thanks to the fake engagement. According to Jillian’s plan, there were still many more interviews to come in the lead-up to the Oscars to keep the buzz about us and the movie fresh.
“It circulated on Rumorz last night!” Ro said excitedly.
“Ah, yes, good old Milli.” She was Finn’s least favorite person in the world, but he was currently in her good books, so who were we to complain?
“And US Weekly picked it up this morning!”
“Shut up! Really?” Even I knew a big magazine when I heard it.
I tied off my next stitch, examining the lace.
The one blessing to winding down at the costume shop was that I had more time to catch up on the work I’d been neglecting, namely a large Sultry Stitches order for the Scarlet Parlor—a burlesque club in downtown LA that gave me work.
Then there was my mother’s ever-evolving wedding gown. I’d just been informed that she no longer wanted cap sleeves, but full-length lace sleeves to match the lace in the bodice.
“I am literally standing in the grocery store and staring at your faces right now!” Ro exclaimed. “God, you two look so hot.”
“We’re on the front page?”
“Yes! I’m buying a copy. Actually two. I’m gonna frame one and hang it on the wall.”
“Ugh, please don’t,” I complained, unsure whether I was amused or horrified at the thought of having to see myself on the apartment wall every morning over breakfast.
I turned to look at Lord Meowington, who’d parked himself on the stool next to me.
Somehow, this felt like progress even if he was wearing another one of those damn sweaters.
“How do we feel about that?” The cat’s ears flicked back before he let out a scratchy meow.
Horrified , I decided. Definitely horrified .
It was strange. Finn and I weren’t really faking it all anymore.
At least, not as far as sleeping together—and we were having a dang good time doing that.
But the more public aspects of the PR relationship, having to put on a performance, felt even more uncomfortable now that I’d seen yet another side of Finn.
The person he was for the world and the person he was with me were two completely different individuals, and it could be jarring, having a real relationship when we were alone and having a flawlessly fake relationship when we were in public.
I didn’t know how to be Mrs. Bigshot and caught myself overthinking my actions on more than one occasion. Was my smile wide enough? Was I looking at him like a fiancée in love? Would this make a viral photo? Would people watch our movie because they’d bought into our love story?
“We should definitely send a copy to your mother,” Ro said, cutting through my worries.
“Lord,” I said, stressing about that. “I haven’t even told her yet.”
“You might want to consider it before she and Larry find the magazine rack at Kroger.”
I put that on my mental to-do list for later. Maybe. With any luck, she wouldn’t see the photo anywhere, and I wouldn’t have to try to explain this complicated fake-turned-somewhat-real relationship.
The lock clicked on the front door.
“Gotta go,” I said to Ro.
“Call me later. Tell Finn I want him to sign my copy of US Weekly ! ”
“I will be doing no such thing,” I said, rolling my eyes as Finn walked into the kitchen, standing on the other side of the counter. He flashed me a devilish grin, clearly having heard Ro’s last comment.
“I’d be happy to,” he said, then leaned across the counter to end the call.
“Don’t encourage her,” I said. “She’s going to blow the cover up and have it framed and leave it in your office at the studio. Is that what you want?”
He walked around the island, all swagger. “I like to give my adoring fans what they want.”
“Your fans?”
“Mm-hmm,” he replied, towering over me in a way that made my heart race. “We have a loyal and dedicated fanbase. Did you know they’re calling us Fierra?”
“We have a couple’s name?” Oh brother. “Please don’t tell Ro that.”
He laughed, low and husky. “But I’m your number-one fan.” His gaze drifted over my face, to my lips, igniting a full-body shiver. He could stir a fire in my belly without even touching me, just with that stare…
“Stop looking at me like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like you’re undressing me with your eyes.”
He curled his finger under my chin, tilting my head up like he meant to kiss me. “I plan to undress you with more than just my eyes.”
My heart picked up speed, galloping away on a surge of needy adrenaline, my skin already itching for his touch.
“But later,” he said, flooding me with disappointment. “Right now, we have to go. ”
“Where?” I asked, my eyebrows knitting together. We had another one of Jillian’s bait-the-paparazzi lunches this afternoon, but that wasn’t for a few hours still.
The corner of his mouth curled. “It’s a surprise.”
Twenty minutes later, we’d pulled up outside the Hollywood Museum on Hollywood Boulevard. The Mac Factor Building had large windows and a bold, retro-style marquee that reminded me of the golden age of Hollywood. I loved it.
“What are we doing here?” I asked as Finn opened my door and offered me his hand.
“I thought you might enjoy one of their new exhibits,” he said, leading me up the stairs to the front door where a security guard waited to let us in the building.
Inside the lobby, I took in the classic Hollywood memorabilia and framed movie posters. I’d spent more than my fair share of time here over the years, visiting their various costume exhibits. But it was unusually quiet for a Saturday. Where were all the people?
“The only new exhibit opening is The Evolution of Fashion in Hollywood Musicals ,” I said to him. “I’ve literally been counting down the days until it starts. So I know for a fact it doesn’t begin for three more days.”
“It begins for the public in three days,” he said, giving me another one of those rare real smiles, the corner of his mouth turning up slightly.
I narrowed my eyes at him. “What did you do?”
A set of footsteps hurried toward us. I turned to see a woman in a flashy blue pantsuit. “Hi, Finn. ”
“Hey, Bonnie,” he said, reaching for her hand. “Thanks for making this happen.”
“Of course. Happy to have you. The exhibit is up on the second floor. My office is just down behind security.” She pointed it out. “Take your time. But if you have any questions, let me know—I’m happy to chat.”
“Thanks,” Finn said, sending her off with one of his charming grins. It slid into something more natural as she walked away, and he took my hand.
“How did you make this happen?” I asked, thrumming with excitement as he led me up a stairwell.
He tugged me close. “In this business,” he said with a wicked grin, pressing a swift kiss to my neck just below my ear. “It’s all about who you know.”
“And who do you know?”
“Half the board,” his said. “Several of whom owe me favors. Calling in one for this was no big deal. Just figured you’d enjoy it.”
I flushed as he tugged me along a corridor, touched that he’d gone out of his way like this for me.
It wasn’t just that he’d called in a favor—it was that he’d heard about the exhibit and had thought of me, understanding how much I’d enjoy it.
It was the way he made me feel seen, and understood, and appreciated.
“You didn’t have to blow your favor on this.” I batted away a surge of emotion as he entwined our fingers, leading me toward a series of mannequins and a sign with the words Singin’ in the Rain printed overhead.
“I still would have appreciated it if you’d just gotten us tickets to see the exhibit once it opened. I didn’t need the fancy VIP treatment. ”
“You deserve it for how hard you’ve been working on the film,” he said. “And with me on Jillian’s PR plan.” He kissed me next to a display of costumes from The Sound of Music , and my head felt a little fuzzy. “And how hard you’ve been working in my bed,” he added.
I gave him a coy smile. “I don’t know what you mean.”
His hand dropped to squeeze my ass through my jeans, and I squirmed against him. “You know exactly what I mean.”
I swallowed hard.
“Am I distracting you from these lovely displays?” he asked, voice low, rumbly.
“No.” My pulse thumped at the base of my throat.
“You’re still a horrible liar,” he said with a chuckle.
“But in all honesty, I wanted you to do something you enjoyed before our PR date. I figured this would give you something to be excited to talk about while we go to lunch, and that if you had a topic that engaged you, you’d be less likely to?—”
“Freeze up in front of the cameras?” I finished.
He scooped a piece of hair away from my face. “Exactly. I just want everyone to see how charming you are.”
I bit my lip. Mrs. Charming. Mrs. Bigshot. I really wasn’t sure I’d ever live up to that image, no matter how many fake dates we went on.
“Especially when you do that,” he said, brushing his thumb over my bottom lip. I released it, and he teased me with an almost-kiss before tugging on my hand, pulling me further into the exhibit.
We toured through the costumes, each display more fascinating than the last. I snapped covert pictures of Finn reading up on the costumes from West Side Story . When he caught me, he gathered me into his arms, copping another feel and whispering suggestive things in my ear.
“Stop,” I groaned, embarrassed to be so turned on in a public space, even if we were alone. Still, I didn’t really make much of an effort to get away as he held me close, his arms wrapped around me from behind. I could feel that he was hard.
“I just want to make sure you know how good of a time I’m having,” he said, tucking my hair aside to nip at my neck. I tilted my head to give him more access, and he hummed his approval.
“Now you are distracting me,” I whined, my eyes fluttering closed.
“Would you like me to stop?”
“No,” I said, gasping as he sucked near my pulse point. “That’s the problem.”
“Lucky for you, I’m prepared to help you with your little problem.”
My eyes widened. I turned to see him incline his head in the direction of the restroom.
“We can’t,” I said under my breath. “We shouldn’t…Not here.”
He skimmed his hand up my thigh. “Ask and you shall receive, Cinderella.”
Was he really suggesting that we…And was I really thinking of saying yes? I resolved to hold strong and insist that nothing happen until we made it back home…but then he nipped my neck in the exact right spot to turn my knees to water, and my resistance melted away with them.
I grabbed his hand where it skirted up my thigh and tugged him in the direction of the restroom. We locked ourselves in the small family room, and his lips were on mine in an instant, tongue demanding entrance as his hand stroked me through my jeans.
I moaned, undoing the button on my pants, wanting to feel his touch on my skin. Finn didn’t hesitate, sliding his hand into my underwear, finding the needy wet heat that had gathered there in the time he’d been teasing me.
“Fuck,” I sighed. “ Yes , Finn.”
“Tell me what you want,” he ordered, bracing his free arm around my back as I rocked against his fingers, already starting to unravel for him.
“Your fingers,” I gasped. “Inside.”
He curled his fingers up, the heel of his palm putting pressure on my clit, and my eyes nearly rolled into the back of my head.
The placement was perfect. I jerked against him, awkwardly chasing my release but too desperate to care how out of control I must look.
“ Yes, yes, yes ,” I said, praising and begging all at once.
Finn didn’t let up, thrusting and applying firm pressure until release shot through me like a lightning bolt, buckling my knees for good. I went limp against him for a beat, clinging to him as I cried out, pulsing around his fingers. The release was so delicious I could barely see straight.
When I came back to myself, Finn was cradling my head. I pulled away, straightening. “Wha…what about you?” I gasped as he helped me get cleaned up.
“Oh, I’m going to have my way with you later,” he growled, his words a promise as a predatory grin cut across his face. “In my bed. Where I can spread you out and devour every inch. All. Night. Long.”
I liked the sound of that. So much so that I was seriously contemplating asking him to have Jillian rearrange this lunch .
Lunch!
I turned to the mirror, fixing my hair and debating whether I should splash some water on my face and attempt to chase this furious flush away.
“What’s wrong?” Finn asked, tucking his arm around me from behind. I shouldn’t have been surprised that he’d noticed the moment of self-consciousness. He noticed everything.
“Nothing,” I said, turning to him. “It’s silly.”
He caught my face, running his thumb along my jaw. “What is it?”
“Just a little embarrassed to be going to lunch with a post-sex glow. That’s all.”
He shook his head, cradling my face. “You look beautiful. And confident. And if people want to think you’ve just had your world rocked, let them.”
I snorted. “A boost to your ego?”
“The Behind-the-Scenes Beefcake has a reputation to live up to,” he teased, leading me out of the bathroom.
He threw his arm over my shoulders as we crossed back through the exhibit, the way he always did when we were in date mode.
But there was no one around to see us here, no hired paparazzi waiting on the street corner, so maybe this wasn’t solely date mode anymore.
Maybe this was our new normal.
Not an act, but just… us .
Sierra and Finn. Something real.
I liked the sound of that.