“It did,” he confessed as he stood behind her, her back to his front, his hands on the counter, not realizing he was caging her in. “My second movie…” She looked at him over her shoulder, her eyes making him talk more than he ever had. “It was a water scene where my clothes were supposed to be torn. This one shred of fabric got tangled with a chain.”
“Oh my God.” She turned and lifted her warm hands to his face, her own face full of worry even though she knew he was okay.
“I was hospitalized for a couple of days and then had to get back into the tank and do it again. The studio thankfully kept the whole thing quiet.”
“I…” She shook her head and looked away from him. “I don’t think I could have gone back in.” He chuckled, because he had thought the same thing at the time.
“I didn’t want to.”
“Why did you?”
“I was under contract, and a double would have messed up the scene. In the end I was glad I did it. But every water stunt since then has messed with me,” he admitted out loud for the first time to anyone. Her thumbs stroked his cheeks, and he liked how she touched him. Gently. Her hands were always warm. A welcome warmth he was afraid he was growing to like way too much, way too quickly.
“I would have never guessed you were nervous.” She smiled, her dark orbs meeting his, and he could swear he could drown in their depths.
“Today I wasn’t for the first time in twelve years.” He gave her more, and she tilted her face slightly. He couldn’t help but touch her. His hand moved from the counter to her hip.
“Why?”
“Luna thinks it’s because of you.” She laughed him off, her hands moving from his face down his chest, as if not believing his words. He didn’t like that, so he gave her even more of himself. “I think she was right.”
“Marc…” Her head popped up, surprise clear in her eyes.
“I’m not the type to say this kind of shit.”
“What kind of shit? Smooth lines and charm? Because if that’s the case, you’re wrong, Marc. You’ve made a career out of it.” She wasn’t being sarcastic or pissed. Just bluntly honest, which he liked. Her voice had a soft tone to it. His fingers slid to her hairline, his thumb at her temple.
“I meant opening up, talking about things that freak me out. Like the water stunt. Not even my brothers know about that. Hell, they don’t even know I was in the hospital.” Her eyes widened, while her hands clenched the fabric of his shirt.
“I want to kiss you,” she blurted. He smiled at her remark. His body wanted that fucking kiss and more, but he couldn’t rush.
He had to be open with her.
“I trust you with that. I trust you’re not going to go sell it to the tabloids or papers. I didn’t do it because I want something from you, though I do hope you can trust me one day too.”
“I wouldn’t dream of telling anyone. Not even my sisters.” He believed her.
He didn’t know her, but he thought that for the most part, he had a good read on people. And she was good all the way through. “I know.” No longer able to keep himself in check, he let himself have just a small taste.
Leaning in, his lips touched hers, and he immediately knew he’d fucked up. Her nails bit into his chest. It wasn't painful, but the sensation spurred burning need through his body. Fuck, he thought he had wanted her before he had kissed her, but that need and hunger for her had been nothing compared to what he was feeling right then.
His hand held her head close. Her lips opened, giving him an in to her sinful mouth. His tongue slid next to hers, her warmth and taste feeding his need like gasoline fuels a fire. No kindling needed between them.
The kiss exploded like a bomb in the night. Bright, hot heat rushed through him. He enjoyed every single soft mewl and moan that came from her as he explored and tasted.
"Marc..." She pulled away slightly, and he went from the corner of her mouth to her jaw. "Oh God, yes... I..." He liked her out of breath and soft under his touch, his lips.
He kissed her neck as he moved down to her collarbone. She threw her head back, giving him more skin to explore. His hands moved under her tee. The feel of her silky skin beneath his fingertips made him lose control. Cupping her breast, he felt her beaded nipple beneath the satiny fabric and pinched it between his fingers.
"Tell me to stop," he told her, looking at her, seeing her eyes hooded with desire. She shook her head. "Grace, you need to tell me. I want this so fucking bad," he warned her. She opened her mouth to say something, but a knock at the door stilled both their bodies.
"Marcus!" It was Donnie Talk about shitty timing. He shut his eyes tightly and straightened his body, then pulled her tee down and wrapped her in his arms. That’s when he felt it. Her body shook as soft giggles escaped.
"This isn't funny."
"It kind of is," she whispered back. He watched her lick her lips and couldn't stop himself.
Leaning in, he kissed her again, and she let him. If anything, she kissed him just as passionately. A hard knocking banged at the door of the trailer, and he nipped her top lip one last time before pulling away.
"Marc! You there?"
"Can we ignore him?" he asked her, and she smiled at him. He knew she was tempted to agree with him when she bit down on her lower lip, but he had to stay focused. With a deep breath, he kissed her forehead and smoothed her hair. “I gotta get that."
"I know."
“Were you going to tell me to stop?” he asked. Her eyes flashed, her gaze on his mouth. His lips tingled.
“Not even close,” she whispered, and he felt a need to pound his chest.
"I'm not done with that kiss."
"Good," she remarked confidently, and he liked that. He quickly kissed her lips before forcing himself to open the door to let his best friend in.
Opening the door, he looked at his fair-haired friend, and even though Don's eyes were covered with his sunglasses, he knew he was pissed.
"What the fuck, man. I've been out here for freakin' ever."
"This isn't a good time."
"What, you napping? Your hair looks like shit." Don stepped into the trailer, taking his shades off and slipping them into the pocket of his suit jacket.
"Don..."
"Hi," Grace said, still standing by the sink in the kitchen. Don stood straighter.
"Shit. Hi!" He smiled at her, and Marcus didn't like the way she returned that smile. Don walked over, extending his hand as Marcus introduced them.
"Grace, this is my manager and best friend, Donnie Bosco. Donnie, this is Grace Rivera."
"I am very happy to meet you," Don shook her hand. While Marc watched.
"Nice to meet you too."
"Can I tell you, I really enjoyed your book. I hope there will be another in that series. Phil needs a book," he added, making her laugh.
"I have plans for something like that."
"Good."
"Mind giving Grace her hand back?"
"Shit, sorry. I am sorry. I forgot you were shadowing our guy here." Our guy? What the fuck?
"You come here for a reason?" he asked, turning away and trying to readjust the hard-on that wasn’t going away. He could still feel her in his hands, smell her hair.
"Your cell is off, and I have a couple of things that are urgent," Don told him. He sighed and looked at the clock.
"I have thirty before going back on set." Don nodded and walked to the table.
Taking his laptop and what looked like a half dozen files out, he set himself up on the table. Marcus grabbed drinks, while Grace looked at him like a deer caught in headlights.
"Would you like me to leave you guys alone?"
"No, babe, come on. Sit with us." He extended his hand, and they sat on the couch, Grace tucked into his side. Don raised an eyebrow at him, but Marcus didn't bat an eye. He wanted her close. Needed her there.
"Lay it on me."
"Marc, you sure? Some of this stuff…" Don started to point out.
"He has a poin
t."
"No, he doesn't. Come on, Don, clock’s ticking."
"Okay, the DreamWorks film you wanted to do next?"
"Yeah?"
"They came back. They want full nudity."
"Not frontal. They know that."
"But your as— I mean backside is fine?"
"Sure," he sighed. “Suggest the shower scene; it will work there."
"Vanity Fair wants an exclusive interview and photo shoot."
"Photo shoot is fine, non-exclusive."
"I told them that."
"And?"
"They will agree. Just gotta give it time." He closed one file and opened another as Marcus watched on, stroking Grace's arm, her head on his shoulder. He shouldn’t have been as comfortable as he was with a woman he had just met, but he was. "Men's Fitness wants you to do their cover when the next superhero movie releases."
"Ask them if the photo shoot can be done whatever two months into filming might be."
"Okay."
Don went through a whole lot of shit, and Marcus had no idea how the hell his friend kept everything organized. Just talking about it made his head spin. Grace sat on his lap, listening, resting her head on his shoulder, and even while his head was reeling with future filming times, flights, and photo shoots, he stayed calm. Kissing the top of her head, taking in the scent of her shampoo and light perfume, he was better than calm. What was it about her?
"Marc?" Her soft voice snapped him out of his thoughts, and he looked at her, her wide eyes glittering with humor.
He saw the slightly agitated but mostly confused look on Don’s face. "Sorry, what?" He cleared his throat and sat up.
"I said you’re done until tomorrow after this next scene. You have three photo shoots. Thankfully, the first two are across the street from one another. The night shoot is in Palm Springs."
"Driver?"
“Chopper, actually."
“Okay." He sighed. A chopper meant they would be rushing from one thing to another.
"No more three shoots back to back, yeah?"
"I will try," Don said, and he felt his eye twitch. "Bright news is we are done and you have five to spare. I also have great tickets to a Dodgers game, if you would like them, and premiere night tickets for the new Avengers movie on Thursday."
"How many for the Dodgers?"
"Your own press box, buddy."
"I’ll take it all. Clear my Thursday night." Donnie nodded, opening his mouth to talk, and he knew what the asshole was going to ask. But before he could, Marcus turned to Grace.
"Do you like baseball and the Avengers?" She smiled at him, her cheeks turning pink.
"I couldn't go see that." She shocked him.
"Why?"
"Lexi would kill me if I went without her."
"Don."
"On it," he remarked, fingers hitting his laptop furiously. "Red carpet?" he asked, and they both turned to look at Grace, who was turning a delightful shade of pink.
"Grace?"
"I'd, umm, rather not," she answered. He frowned.
"The movie at all or red carpet?"
"Red carpet. I don't want the press to get the wrong idea and Lexi in front of cameras..."
"Not the red carpet."
"Got it." Don typed away and looked up from his computer with a smile. "All set up. I will have the tickets waiting for you at home." Grace’s hand fell on Marcus' thigh. He looked at her.
"Are we really going?" she asked him, her eyes glittering with enthusiasm.
"Yeah.”
"Lexi is going to flip!" The excitement in her voice made him smile.
"I'm glad, Grace.”
"No, you don't understand. She's obsessed with everything and anything superhero."
"We will all have a good time.” He kissed her on the cheek and stood. "Does she like baseball?" he asked as he watched her smooth out her shirt.
"Almost as much as superheroes."
"Good. We will pick her up after we are done here."
"Oh," she breathed as if surprised, but he watched her recover and smile brightly at him. He liked that. Every time she did it, he felt like she surrounded him with a warm light he wanted to bask in. Too bad he couldn’t right then.
"Okay, Don, see you later. I have to hit make-up. Will you be okay, sweetness?"
"Yeah. Do you mind if I sit in here and work?" she asked. He smiled, liking the idea of her in his trailer when he came back.
“No problem. Don, can you hook her up to the Wi-Fi in here before you go?"
"Got it."
"Okay, I gotta go. Grace, walk me out," he gruffly told her. She tilted her head, an amused look on her face, but she didn't give him any lip. It was probably because Donnie was there, but he didn't care. She stepped out. He closed the door, pinned her against it, and kissed her hard. They were both breathless and grinning at one another when he pulled away.
"Stay here. I'll send Luna to check in on you if this scene runs long, okay?"
“Okay." She leaned in, kissing him tenderly, and his body came alive.
"You're killing me, Gracie."
"Why?"
"I can't go on set with a hard-on, babe." He chuckled, enjoying their closeness.
"Go... be great," she whispered, her tongue swiping his lower lip before she pulled her head back. He grinned at her.
"To be continued?"
"Definitely." She smiled. He kissed her forehead and walked away to finish up his day on set.
Chapter Twelve
Grace
"How did you get these?"
"Magic.” He shrugged, and I laughed, shaking my head.
"You think Lexi will like hers?" he asked, visibly concerned, making him even hotter for it.
"She is going to love it!" I shared with a big smile on my face as I looked down at the matching Hello Kitty Dodgers raglan tees with Dodger-blue sleeves and heather grey shirt that sat on my lap. "This is too cute."
"Look at the back," he said, his lips going up as he drove us back to my place. Lexi and Mom were printed on the back. A giggle bubbled out of me.
"This is great!" I looked at him, thinking about how much he had really surprised me; it was only the first day. "What about your shirt?"
"It's in the trunk, but mine is not Hello Kitty," he playfully pouted. I kept smiling as I stared out the passenger side window, resting my head on the headrest.
After he left, Donnie had helped me connect to the Wi-Fi and double checked there was nothing else I needed before he left. And being me, I had jumped back into what I had been working on earlier. Luna had stopped by with a fruit and cookie plate. We chatted and ate a little until her radio chimed they needed her back. I used that time to pack up my laptop and walk around the set.
In the back of my head I imagined it took a lot of people to make a story come to life on the big screen, but even then I was not prepared for the amount of people it took. Working around the clock to make things happen. Excitement flowed through me at the thought of a set like this for my book, my characters coming to life. I found myself back in Marcus' trailer and called my sisters so they could make sure Lexi would be ready to go to the game. Gloria had surprised me by already being at my place early. Usually, she put in long hours.
Not surprising was Gloria’s attitude about Lexi spending any time around Marc, but it wasn't her call to make. That was mine. Even if I was nervous about bringing Lexi around a man, he was someone I was going to be working with once I signed the papers. A colleague of sorts. Lexi would never think it was anything more than that.
Why would she? It wasn't like I dated. The moment I had hung up, he had walked in holding a bag and a grin that was more than tempting.
Why was I so damn attracted to him? It was like there was a magnetic energy that somehow connected us. With a chaste kiss on the lips, he’d handed me the bag, had grabbed my laptop bag, and walked me to his car. Now we were on the way to my place.
"Grace?" I turned to look at him at the sound of his voice. "You okay?"<
br />
"Yeah."
"Nervous?"
"About?"
"Anything."
"No... Yes... kind of..."
"Don’t worry. The press box holders have their own entrance, and I'll throw on some shades and a baseball cap; no one will recognize me. And if you don’t want to be seen with me, it’s okay. I get it. I understand. Especially with Lexi..." He kept talking as I watched him.
He was worried about the media getting our picture; or more, Lexi's and my life being thrown for a loop. With a smile, I reached and covered his hand with mine. He stopped talking.
"I don't date," I lamely shared and shook my head. "I mean, I have gone on dates, but I don't bring them around Lex."
"Oh."
"But she knows I'm working with you. Shadowing you. And she knows you are interested in making my book into a movie."
"Okay." His voice was cautious. I sighed and laid it out.
"I just think we shouldn't be touchy feely." He smirked.
"Worried you can't control yourself around me, Gracie?" I shook my head and huffed.
"That's another thing not even my mom calls me. Gracie."
"Babe."
"I'm serious, Marcus. I... You... You are a very likeable person."
"Thank you."
"Charming and attractive." His smirk turned into a grin, and he winked at me. I rolled my eyes. "But I need to make sure she doesn't get attached."
"What?" He frowned, his eyes immediately going back to the road, holding on to the steering wheel tightly with one hand.
"Marc. This is for a week."
"Grace—"
"I can have a fling or whatever this is and not get hurt," I shared, afraid I was not only lying to him but myself. Looking out the window, I kept talking, "I can't risk Lex getting attached."
Silence filled the car. My hand was still on his as he squeezed it. "I understand." His voice sounded slightly brittle. Then he brought my hand up to his lips and gave it a whispered kiss. "I'll behave."
I looked at him, and part of me was a little sad that I knew he would.
***
"OH MY GOSH!" Lexi squealed in the backseat as she looked at her shirt. "This is awesome! Thank you so much, Mr. Wright!"
LIE (Right Men Book 1) Page 8