Page 50 of Faking It

“Do you mind holding my backpack for a minute? The straps are cutting into my skin.”

I smirk at her. “Is Ana Kent really asking for my help?” I release the neck strap and gesture for her bag, anyway.

“Don’t get used to it.” She smiles back at me, and though it’s a tiny one, I love how it illuminates her face, making her approachable.

I take the bag and sling a strap over my arm.

“Just for a short while, okay?” she says.

“I’m not giving it back until we get to the cabin.”

“Carter—”

“And FYI,” I interrupt, fake-glaring at her. “You’re not the only stubborn one.

We get locked in a stare-down battle, and I emerge the victor when Ana looks away with a huff. I can’t help chuckling as she marches ahead of me.

Until my eyes drop to her ass.

Oh, fuck whatever impulse made her wear those pair of leggings today. Or maybe not. It’s a spectacular view from behind. I don’t need to touch that curvy part of her body to know how firm it is. And those legs…

I admit that I’m a perv for even imagining how they’d feel wrapped around my waist. Heck, I’m not perfect. I’m a man who hasn’t gotten laid in a whole month—a fucking record, and here walks—well, stomps a gorgeous little woman, her body ripe for the picking.

These sweatpants weren’t made to hide an erection, so I need to calm the fuck down. I hasten my steps to catch up with her.

“Why do you call me Carter, anyway?” I ask.

She shoots me a confused look. “Isn’t Carter your name?”

“Yes, it is, but no one calls me that.”

“Well, consider me your first,” she returns, before stepping off again.

“I’m still curious.” My hand shoots out to hold her wrist. She glances down at it, then back at me.

Her chest collapses on a deep breath. “I don’t like your first name.” The look on her face tells me the reason isn’t up for discussion. I nod, communicating that I wouldn’t push her.

“For what it’s worth, I don’t like my first name, either. My close friends use my middle name, Gideon.”

“Ok,Gideon. Sounds much cuter than Carter, anyway. Way better than that atrocious first name, too.”

“I agree.”

It’s on her face, that curiosity. She wants to know about the issues with my given name, but since she’s not forthcoming with her own backstory, she won’t ask. So, I offer the Cliff Notes version. “My dad is James Carter, Senior and uh… let’s just say I’m not his biggest fan. I’d rather have my own identity. My own name.”

Ana nods. “Ever thought of changing it? It’s not a difficult process.”

I’m about to explain the complication where my movie career is concerned when we turn the bend, and the cabin looms before us. Amidst the relieved shouts and laughter, I glance down at Ana and see her staring up at me. She quickly looks away, but not before the blush spots her cheeks. I smile to myself as she moves away to talk to another crew member.

Ana might deny it, but I saw it right there on her face. She’s warming up to me.

***

“Four hours before nightfall, folks,” Pat, the assistant director calls out. “Let’s wrap up this scene so we can make our way back to town.”

From my place by the door, I watch Ana sitting on the couch in the living room, twisting her neck as if she’s working out the kinks. She looks nervous. Knowing what this scene requires, I understand why. We spent the entire morning rehearsing our lines while the crew got everything set up for three cozy scenes on our schedule, two of which were already shot. Scene one was the aftermath of a showdown where Mila and Xavier took down the assassins their ex-bosses sent after them. Accepting the protection of the FBI, they arrived at the secluded cabin, their temporary home until the feds decided on the next move. In scene two, an argument leads to Mila dashing from the cabin in anger and running into a grizzly bear. She tried to take him on but was no match for him. Xavier appeared in time to rescue her, and after killing the bear, he lifted an exhausted Mila in his arms, taking her back to the cabin. It’s now time for the heart-to-heart scene that will lead to their first physical connection, a steamy kiss.

I won’t deny how much I’ve been looking forward to this scene, how often I wonder what her lips would feel like. Are they as soft as they appear? Is she a good kisser? Does she like it gentle or rough? Would she rather be in charge, or would she let me take the lead?

---