close. She had said too much, and now she was running scared.
When he had left home, he felt the same way. Afraid of people, afraid of letting someone in only to get hurt again. The circumstances were different, but the driving force behind the decision to build that wall of protection came from the same place. Fear.
Flashes of the past few hours kept playing in his head. He had expected to fight her for control that first time. Instead, she had been open and playful― almost comfortable. It had surprised him.
When they moved to the bedroom she became something more feline, coming alive under his hands. Watching her ride him, the way her body had moved, how she took her time to find out what felt good for both of them― she had truly blown his expectations out of the water.
He had mistakenly thought that talking her into two weeks together would be easy once she had let him in. Then, with two weeks under their belts, two months would have been an even easier sell. His plan was shot, and he would have to regroup and form a whole new plan.
They were good together, not just in bed but as partners. She may not realize it yet, but he had time to convince her. Two weeks’ worth of time.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Marissa rose earlier than usual and took more care with her appearance than normal. It had nothing to do with Nate. She had been trying to make herself believe that all morning.
This week would be their final run through of the couple’s stunts. They would need to perfect and be completely sure of them before filming began. She hated the nerves that were eating at her gut. Seeing him today would be a real test of her convictions. In all these years, she had never dreamed of any man she had been with. Last night, Nate had been the only thing she could dream about. It was messing with her head.
Getting to the workout room extra early, Marissa went through her paces. Stretch, run, stretch. Even that didn’t erase the memory of yesterday, especially when certain areas of her body were still a little tender. Determined to put it behind her, she hit the bag and tried to work up a healthy sweat.
When Nate came in, she was deep into her workout. Sweat dripped down her forehead and ran down her back. She actually missed his entrance and was startled when he tapped her on the shoulder. She whirled on him, hands up in a defensive position.
“Whoa! Put the guns away. I’m unarmed.” Nate raised his hands and took two big steps back, smiling easily.
It took her a moment to catch her breath. “You should know better than to sneak up on me after that first time.”
“I made plenty of noise coming in, but you were in the zone.” Crossing his arms over his chest, he tried not to notice how much her current look reminded him of how she had looked after their more personal workout yesterday. He tried and failed. His jeans were becoming unbearably tight.
“Start warming up while I change.” Her tone was sharper than she intended, but she wouldn’t take it back. Better to set a certain amount of distance right away than try to establish boundaries later.
Watching her huff off, Nate couldn’t help but smile. He had certainly called it. Dismissive, cold, and distant. He knew exactly what he had to do.
***
Marissa slammed into her trailer, tossing her gym bag onto one chair and herself into the other. Leaning her head back, she closed her eyes and wished the angry pounding in her head would stop.
Damn Nate, this is all his fault. No, that isn’t fair. It’s my fault for breaking my own rules and sleeping with a co-worker. All he has done is what I’ve asked of him. Exactly what I’ve asked and only what I’ve asked.
His polite acceptance was driving her insane. He was warm and funny with the film crew, her guys, and even the food service people. But her—polite distance.
Filming would begin on Monday, and Nate had every stunt down
When he had left home, he felt the same way. Afraid of people, afraid of letting someone in only to get hurt again. The circumstances were different, but the driving force behind the decision to build that wall of protection came from the same place. Fear.
Flashes of the past few hours kept playing in his head. He had expected to fight her for control that first time. Instead, she had been open and playful― almost comfortable. It had surprised him.
When they moved to the bedroom she became something more feline, coming alive under his hands. Watching her ride him, the way her body had moved, how she took her time to find out what felt good for both of them― she had truly blown his expectations out of the water.
He had mistakenly thought that talking her into two weeks together would be easy once she had let him in. Then, with two weeks under their belts, two months would have been an even easier sell. His plan was shot, and he would have to regroup and form a whole new plan.
They were good together, not just in bed but as partners. She may not realize it yet, but he had time to convince her. Two weeks’ worth of time.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Marissa rose earlier than usual and took more care with her appearance than normal. It had nothing to do with Nate. She had been trying to make herself believe that all morning.
This week would be their final run through of the couple’s stunts. They would need to perfect and be completely sure of them before filming began. She hated the nerves that were eating at her gut. Seeing him today would be a real test of her convictions. In all these years, she had never dreamed of any man she had been with. Last night, Nate had been the only thing she could dream about. It was messing with her head.
Getting to the workout room extra early, Marissa went through her paces. Stretch, run, stretch. Even that didn’t erase the memory of yesterday, especially when certain areas of her body were still a little tender. Determined to put it behind her, she hit the bag and tried to work up a healthy sweat.
When Nate came in, she was deep into her workout. Sweat dripped down her forehead and ran down her back. She actually missed his entrance and was startled when he tapped her on the shoulder. She whirled on him, hands up in a defensive position.
“Whoa! Put the guns away. I’m unarmed.” Nate raised his hands and took two big steps back, smiling easily.
It took her a moment to catch her breath. “You should know better than to sneak up on me after that first time.”
“I made plenty of noise coming in, but you were in the zone.” Crossing his arms over his chest, he tried not to notice how much her current look reminded him of how she had looked after their more personal workout yesterday. He tried and failed. His jeans were becoming unbearably tight.
“Start warming up while I change.” Her tone was sharper than she intended, but she wouldn’t take it back. Better to set a certain amount of distance right away than try to establish boundaries later.
Watching her huff off, Nate couldn’t help but smile. He had certainly called it. Dismissive, cold, and distant. He knew exactly what he had to do.
***
Marissa slammed into her trailer, tossing her gym bag onto one chair and herself into the other. Leaning her head back, she closed her eyes and wished the angry pounding in her head would stop.
Damn Nate, this is all his fault. No, that isn’t fair. It’s my fault for breaking my own rules and sleeping with a co-worker. All he has done is what I’ve asked of him. Exactly what I’ve asked and only what I’ve asked.
His polite acceptance was driving her insane. He was warm and funny with the film crew, her guys, and even the food service people. But her—polite distance.
Filming would begin on Monday, and Nate had every stunt down
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