Eventually they get a take that Lionel is happy with, and the day continues from there. Jackson gets all beat up and sweaty for some action sequences, and Holly disappears back into her trailer since she’s not in these shots. Meanwhile, I get absorbed in my own work, and I slowly forget about that jealous moment I had earlier.
At the end of the day, I’m in wardrobe going through the costumes for tomorrow. I need to make sure that they stay the same so that there are no continuity issues in shooting. There can’t be a single thread out of place these days, since everything is shot in such glorious high definition.
“I saw you earlier.”
I start and turn around. Jackson is leaning against the door, his arms crossed over his chest.
“What?” I ask him.
“Watching that kiss. I saw your face.”
I frown at him. “I was busy laughing at Lionel trying to make sweet love to you.”
He grins and walks into the room. I’m intensely aware that we’re very alone in here, but of course I’m not afraid of Jackson. I’m more nervous for what I might do.
“Lionel couldn’t handle all this.”
I can’t help but laugh at that. “I don’t know. I hear he’s pretty strong.”
“Maybe, but Lionel is European. He can’t take all this American power.”
I grin at him and shake my head. “He’s German. They’re pretty tough people.”
“Nah. Besides, Lionel isn’t my type.”
“I know, you told him that. Do you know why the whole set got quiet when you said it?”
He shakes his head. “I figured they just don’t have a sense of humor.”
“No, they do. It’s more that Lionel is famous for his temper.”
He raises an eyebrow. “Is he really? See, that’s the sort of thing I need help with.”
“Consider this a free lesson then.”
“Thanks,” he says, smirking. “How much do the other lessons cost? I have a lot of money now, you know.”
“Oh, I heard all about it.” I look away from him and go back to what I’m doing. “You can’t afford my rate.”
He laughs and leans up against the wall behind me. “So was that scene really that bad?” he asks me.
“No, at least I didn’t think so,” I say. “Maybe a little tense.”
“Yeah,” he grunts, “that’s what I was afraid of.”
I turn and cock my head at him. “Why would you be afraid of that?”
“Never mind,” he says, smirking at me. “I’d rather talk about how jealous you were.”
I pause, a little surprised. “I wasn’t jealous,” I say quickly.
“Yes, you were. I saw it all over your face. You didn’t like me kissing Holly.”
“It’s a movie, Jackson. It’s all fake. I’ve seen plenty of actors kiss.”
“Sure, but this isn’t fake.” He pushes off the wall and steps closer to me. “Like the other night. You were going to kiss me.”
“No,” I say, shaking my head. “I definitely wasn’t.”
“Come on, Tara. You’re telling me that out on the dance floor, getting close and sweaty, you didn’t want to taste it one more time?”
I shake my head but we both know I’m lying. My heart is hammering in my chest and he’s coming closer to me, and I’m not backing off. In fact, I turn toward him, looking into his sultry, gorgeous eyes. There’s a slight smile on his face but the tension between us is electric and incredible. It’s nothing like what I saw out on the stage earlier today between him and Holly.
“You’re jealous. Just admit it,” he says to me softly, stopping inches away.
“No,” I say. “You’re delusional.”
“I’m a lot of things, but delusional isn’t one of them,” he says quietly, reaching up and slowly running his hand down through my hair. He stops and grabs a fistful of it, tipping my head back.
I should get the hell out of here. I know what’s coming next. I should stop him, say something, push him away. I need to remember what he did to me all those years ago.
And yet… looking into his eyes right now, his hand in my hair, his body so close, that old pain is softer, almost muted. It’s like being near him sucks away the hurt that happened so long ago and makes it better again. I don’t know how, since seeing him should make it worse, but it doesn’t. Being near him feels like something I can’t describe.
He leans forward, and I know I’m lost. He presses his lips against mine and kisses me deeply.
I moan softly into his lips as I kiss him back. His taste floods my mouth, so familiar. It’s insane how I remember everything about this and how nothing’s changed. As soon as he kisses me, I feel like we’re back in high school again, and it feels so damn good. That rush of good feelings tears through me as he presses his hand against my lower back and pulls me closer to him. I put my hands on his chest and lean into the kiss, letting myself enjoy it, not think about it.