International Guy_Milan

by Audrey Carlan

  And I’m falling for him.

  I watch the animated conversation from afar while Rick comes up to my little huddle with Tracey. “Your guy is a little intimidating,” Rick admits.

  I chuckle. “Yes, he is. And hot as fuck.” I smile and take in all of my man while both Tracey and Rick roar with laughter.

  Parker comes back, his swagger in full swing. He’s wearing a pair of jeans that form to his well-toned thighs to absolute perfection. He’s paired them with a tailored, long-sleeved black sweater. The black shows off his strong neck and brings out his sparkling blue eyes. As he walks, his sandy-brown hair is glinting a coppery color off the set lights, making my fingers itch to run through it, preferably while riding on top of him.

  “All set!”

  “What is?” I go straight into his arms as the director shouts for the actors to get in hair, makeup, and wardrobe. “What in the world did you do?”

  “You’ll see . . .” He smirks and smacks me on the ass. “Go get ready, I’ve got to chat with Rick.”

  I blink a few times and shake my head. “Fine. Like I said, I trust you.”

  There wasn’t much to be done for my hair since I’d already styled it this morning. Though I was surprised to be put back into the bra-and-panty set for the beginning of the love scene. It starts in the bathroom while my character is getting ready.

  Breathe, Skyler. It’s going to be okay. Parker understands.

  I take a few yoga breaths as the cameraman gets into position.

  “Skyler, you’re at the fluffing-your-hair position,” the director calls out, and I raise my arms and stand on my mark, watching myself in the mirror.

  “Ready . . . set . . . action,” she calls out, and the cameras float toward me as I work my hair and assess myself in the mirror. My breasts are pushed up high in the pink lacy bra, the matching bikini bottom edged in the same fine detail.

  “Angel . . .” I hear my character called from behind me, but not by Rick, by Parker.

  I turn around, my body and my gaze heating instantly at the sight of his bare chest, muscles on full display. He’s got his jeans on with one button undone, showing off a bigger slice of his happy trail I adore. The bit of hair leading down to his cock makes my mouth water and has my temperature rising.

  I blank out for a mere second, realizing I’m supposed to play along. “Phoenix, you shouldn’t be here. They may find you.” I whisper the lines, using the hero’s name, Rick’s character, as Parker moves closer.

  Parker reaches me and runs a hand from my shoulder down over my breast, which has me mewling with need and excitement. “Nothing’s going to happen to you when we’re together. We’re magic, Angel. Don’t you know that by now?” He mimics my costar’s lines.

  “Phoenix . . . ,” I gasp as Parker’s head falls to my neck and he runs a line of kisses from the crook of my shoulder to up behind my ear. He lets his lips drag across my ear.

  Ripples of pleasure soar through my body as Parker cups my chin and throat, commanding, unrelenting, putting me where he wants me. His lips come down to mine, and I sink into his kiss. He ravishes me with his mouth, deep plunges of his tongue swirling with mine. I wrap my arms around his neck while his hands fly to my ass. He grinds his denim-clad crotch against my flimsy lace, and I moan, sighing into his kiss and movements. He lifts me up and plants me on the vanity.

  I forget where I am, who’s watching, and what we’re doing. He makes me forget everything else but him.

  His lips.

  His minty taste.

  His thick erection pressing against me.

  His warm skin all around me.

  His breath between each plunge of his tongue.

  I’m losing my mind. He’s stealing my heart. I’ve got nothing left, I’ve already given him my body.

  “Parker . . . ,” I whisper when his mouth drags down my neck to the tops of my breasts.

  “Cut!” I hear screamed through the bullhorn.

  I grip my man, digging my nails into his shoulder blades. “Fuck,” I whisper, and Parker’s body starts to shake against mine. He runs his hands up my back and cups my cheeks.

  He’s laughing, his entire body moving with each guffaw. “Baby, you forgot where you were. I get my mouth on you, and you light up. Fuckin’ love it.” He kisses me once, hard.

  “Duuuuude! That. Was. The. Shit!” Rick claps. “Skyler Bear, we have to do exactly that for the cameras!”

  I slide off the vanity and hide most of my body against Parker’s front until my stage assistant hands me my fluffy robe. Parker pulls it around my back, covering me up first so I can shimmy my arms into each hole and keep a modicum of my privacy.

  “It’s not easy, Rick,” I mumble, my cheeks heating with the embarrassment of losing myself on set.

  “Why the heck not! You’re an amazing actress!” he gushes.

  “Yeah, why not, Peaches?” Parker kisses the top of my forehead.

  “Because you’re not my man!” I want to stomp my foot and cross my arms like a child who isn’t getting her way.

  Before anyone can respond, the director approaches. “Mr. Ellis, that was exactly what I want to see on screen! If you ever decide to enter the acting business, let me know. I’d film you in a second. You look good on camera.”

  Parker chuckles. “That’s kind of you, but this was a one-time cameo. Now, Rick, did you see how I approached Skyler with confidence? Baby, will you humor me and stand right here like he’s going to approach you in the scene?”

  I do what he asks.

  Rick immediately steps to Parker’s side, pulls off his own T-shirt, showing his muscular body and getting into character. It’s not as good as Parker’s chest, but then again, I’ve tasted and touched Parker’s intimately. It’s mine and I love it.

  “Use your swagger, and when you approach her, don’t be timid. You have to show through each finger impression on her skin, every kiss you bestow, that you are into her.”

  Rick licks his lips and bites the bottom one as if he’s really focusing. Poor thing. This is his first big role and romantic scene with an A-list actress. I’m not tooting my own horn, just stating a fact. I remember back when I was in his very position. It’s not an easy battle to overcome.

  “Now, approach her, and grip her body as though she’s your woman and you can’t wait to get her under you.”

  I wait while Rick approaches. “Phoenix . . . ,” I whisper, stating my line so he can get into character. “You shouldn’t be here. They may find you.”

  Rick hooks his arm around my waist, and his eyes pierce mine with an aggressive grit he didn’t have before. He says his line while running his hands up and down my arms before cupping my jaw and throat the same way Parker did. He kisses me, and I’m happy to taste mint. The same minty taste my guy chews between meals. I close my eyes and try to imagine I’m kissing my man, getting into it the same way I did with Parker.

  The director calls out, “Cut!” We both pull away from one another. Rick is grinning like a loon.

  “Exactly what I was looking for,” the director calls out. “Sky, lose the robe. Makeup, freshen her up. Everyone get into position, we’re shooting this right now while it’s smokin’ hot! And Parker, you’re with me behind the camera. Want your thoughts on the scene and the ones following. And, I owe you a bottle of your favorite liquor for making it happen.” She points to Rick and me.

  Yes, my man is quite the charmer. And a genius.

  “I love your boyfriend, Skyler. He’s the shit!” Rick gushes, looking at Parker as though the sun rose and set on him.

  I think I’m falling in love with him too.

  “He absolutely is,” I say, instead of admitting my deepest, wildest thoughts.

  Parker follows the director but glances over his shoulder back my way.

  “Have I told you today how much I like you,” I call out, and bite into my bottom lip, cocking an eyebrow for his benefit.

  “You don’t have to tell me. I felt it in your kiss.” He tosses
his sweater over his shoulder like he walks through a movie set half-naked all the time and continues chatting with the director.

  I shake my head and let makeup tend to me while I think about Parker.

  The man really can do anything.

  How will I ever measure up?

  The end . . . for now.

  If you want to read more about the guys—Parker, Bo, and Royce—from International Guy, get your copy of San Francisco: International Guy Book 5. In the fifth installment, the Dream Maker and the Moneymaker meet up with a successful financier who’s at the top of her game in finance but unlucky in love. She’s tired of being swindled by handsome faces and narcissistic, gold-digging men.

  Rochelle Renner wants a mate, and she wants International Guy to help her find one. Her biological clock is ticking, and she isn’t getting any younger. She has beauty, brains, and enough money to keep her comfortable for life. What she doesn’t have is a hardworking man to share it with.

  Parker notices his brother Royce is sweet on Rochelle, but he also doesn’t feel a love match in the two. Can the two men settle their difference of opinion and close the case, or could it be the end of a long-term partnership when a woman gets in the middle? Find out in San Francisco: International Guy Book 5.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Photo © Melissa McKinley Photography

  Audrey Carlan is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, and her titles have appeared on the bestseller lists of USA Today and the Wall Street Journal. Audrey writes wicked-hot love stories that have been translated into more than thirty different languages across the globe. She is best known for the worldwide-bestselling series Calendar Girl and Trinity.

  She lives in the California Valley, where she enjoys her two children and the love of her life. When she’s not writing, you can find her teaching yoga, sipping wine with her “soul sisters,” or with her nose stuck in a steamy romance novel.

  Any and all feedback is greatly appreciated and feeds the soul. You can contact Audrey through her website, www.audreycarlan.com.