After the Kiss

I did not even realise I was holding my breath until Julian vanished from the set.

This was not how I was supposed to feel.

There was only a scene. A prearranged kiss. Not much more.

Even so, the memory of his touch still caused my lips to tingle and my skin to burn. I could hardly hear the crew members adjusting the set for another take, but the world around me was buzzing.

I could only hear the pounding of my own heartbeat.

I had to breathe.

I pivoted on my heel and made my way to my trailer without giving the cameras another look.

Behind Closed Doors

I just managed to get inside before closing the door and pressing my hands to the counter.

Take a breath. Simply take a breath.

Although the caravan was silent, my thoughts were not. The weight of his hands on me and his body against mine was still palpable.

What on earth was that?

I had kissed many actors in the past. This scene was far more intimate than any I had done. However, none of them had ever left me feeling so raw, shaken, and totally unprepared.

I took a deep breath and ran a hand through my hair.

I had to get hold of myself.

Julian Cross was the one.

For years, I had openly detested the same Julian Cross.

It was the same Julian Cross who, in an interview, disparaged me by calling me a "pretty boy with no real acting range."

Julian Cross, who had just kissed me as if I were his only source of sustenance.

I flinched when I heard a sharp knock on my door.

Before I even opened it, I knew who it was.

On the opposite side, Julian stood with his jaw clenched and his arms folded. There was something restless about the way he shifted on his feet, but his face was unreadable.

"May I enter?" He spoke quietly.

I briefly thought about slamming the door in his face. However, that would be too clear. Too defensive.

Rather, I moved aside to make room for him.

Behind him, the door clicked shut, confining us to my trailer's cramped quarters.

There was silence between us.

Then—

He remarked, "That was not just acting."

I took a deep breath. "I have no idea what you are discussing."

With a sharp exhale, Julian combed through his hair. "Avoid doing that."

"What do you do?"

"Assume that did not just occur." He spoke in a low, controlled voice, but there was a hint of danger in it. "I sensed it. You did, too.

I sneered. "You have delusions."

"Am I?"

He took a step towards her.

Too near.

I made myself defend myself. The scene was good. That is all.

His dark, relentless eyes searched mine. "You can tell yourself as many lies as you like. Do not lie to me, though.

I tightened my jaw. "You are making too many assumptions about it."

Julian huffed out a laugh, but there was no humor in it. “Right. Because we’ve always had such great chemistry, huh?”

I didn’t answer.

Because the truth was, we had.

Even when we were throwing insults at each other. Even when we were fighting, competing, trying to outdo one another.

There had always been something there.

Something I had spent years pretending didn’t exist.

Julian studied me for a moment before shaking his head. “Fine. If you want to pretend, go ahead. But don’t expect me to do the same.”

With that, he turned and walked out, leaving me alone in my trailer.

Leaving me completely wrecked.

Because for the first time since we had started this damn movie, I wasn’t sure if I could keep pretending either.

An Unwanted Guest

I barely had time to collect myself before another knock sounded at my trailer door.

I exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand over my face before opening it—only to find Liam Weston standing there, his arms folded.

Of all people.

Liam was my agent, and he was good at what he did. He also had an uncanny ability to smell drama from a mile away, and judging by the look on his face, he had just sniffed out a storm.

“What?” I muttered.

He arched a brow. “You tell me. You and Julian looked like you were about to tear each other apart out there.”

I rolled my eyes and turned back inside, but Liam followed, shutting the door behind him.

“Talk,” he demanded.

“There’s nothing to talk about.”

He gave me a long, unimpressed stare. “Ethan. I’ve known you long enough to know when you’re full of shit.”

I sighed. “It was just a scene.”

He let out a sharp laugh. “Yeah? Then why does it look like you just saw a ghost?”

I didn’t answer.

Because I didn’t have one.

Liam exhaled, his expression softening just a fraction. “Look. Whatever’s going on between you two, just don’t let it become a headline, alright?”

I shot him a look. “You think I’d be that stupid?”

Liam smirked. “No. But he might be.”

I frowned. “Julian wouldn’t—”

Would he?

Liam studied me for a moment, then sighed. “Just be careful. The last thing we need is a scandal.”

He clapped me on the shoulder before heading for the door.

“Oh, and Ethan?”

I looked up.

Liam grinned. “Whatever it is, just don’t fall.”

He left before I could tell him it was already too late.

Because as much as I hated to admit it…

I was already falling.