Page 17 of Rocks You Like a Cabernet

Tossing her script down on the table, she shakes out her arms and eyes me. Taking that as my cue to begin the scene, I step forward and take a deep breath. Getting into character around her has gotten a lot easier too. I no longer feel self conscious when I look down, and then back up–but this time as Eren.

“You shouldn’t be here Princess. This part of the forest isn’t safe.”

“Don’t tell me about my own lands Eren. You know nothing of the night and the calm these trees give me. Leave me alone and go back to your patrol.” She storms past me and I catch her wrist at the last second, bringing her back into my space.

“You know I can’t do that Princess.” My words are softer now. A secret whisper between two torn lovers. Our breaths mingle this close, our lips only an inch away. It’s tempting, so tempting, but I can’t stop what’s happening between us. A breakthrough in the scene.

“But you take orders so well,” she snaps back, ripping her wrist from my grip. “Go away. Leave me in peace.”

“And me in pieces,” I state as she turns away again. I imagine that I reach out and touch the long braid of her hair that costume always has her wearing. I picture my hands caressing the strands like they were precious gems. “You know why I had to leave Adelina.”

A quick spin has her facing me again. The anger and devastation I see on her face draws me right in and I take a step towards her. Reaching for her.

“No. It’s Princess Adelina to you. You act too familiar, sir.” Again, she tries to avoid my touch but as directed, I stop her. Pressing her flush against my chest. Her breath huffs out at the impact but she doesn’t lose character. “What are you doing?”

“Something I should have done long ago.” Then I crash my lips down on hers.

Unlike when we were running the scene in the studio, Bryn and I don’t breakaway as quickly as we can as soon as we think the sense is done. This time, our kiss lingers. The longing and desire between Eren and Princess Adelina burns within us.

I’m not sure how long we kiss for but Bryn is the one to step back. Blinking my eyes open, I grin at her. Feeling a sense of accomplishment like never before.

“Now that was perfect,” I tell her.

“Yeah,” she agrees as she touches her lips. “Perfect. I think we’ve got it now.”

Chapter Nine

Bryn

The last four days were supposed to be the longest, and most torturous days of my life. Instead, they are now imprinted on my brain as some of the best days I’ve had in my adult life.

Time was Henrik wasn’t supposed to be life altering but it was. I can’t remember the last time I laughed so hard or smiled so genuinely. There’s something about him that seems to bring out a part of me that I thought was long dead under the scrutiny of the blinding Hollywood lights.

We’ve drank good wine, sat out under the stars when the rain finally stopped on day three, and practiced our scenes together so often that they feel like second nature. For a newbie to acting he sure has a ton of talent.

And now, as the sun rises on day four of us being in this, I don’t want to leave, but know we have to. Shaking my head as I pack the last of my toiletries, I’m amazed that I’m not dashing for the door.

I’m grateful for the time Henrik and I were forced to spend together. Without Cameron’s meddling, I’d never have given Henrik a chance to explain what happened all those years ago. I would have held that rage and resentment in my chest for the rest of my life.

Now, when I think of him, something else burns in my chest.

“You need help with anything?” he asks, walking into the room holding three bottles of wine.

“No, thanks. What are you doing with those?”

“Taking them back with us. This brand was awesome,” he wags his eyebrows at me, making me remember that we opened that bottle and then made out like teenagers for an hour afterward. “I want to remember the name.”

“You could take an empty bottle,” I remarked with a laugh.

“Where’s the fun in that?”

“Can’t fight that logic.” He places the bottles in his bag and then comes around the bed to give me a kiss on the side of my lips. His easy intimacy leaves my body tingling from where he’s touched me.

It’s on the tip of my lips to ask him what’s happening between us. I know the new level of comfort and attraction we’d developed for one another is new, and I’m still aware the public believes we’re dating.

But are we?

For real?

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