T/W: Mentions minor innuendo and drinking.

*****

The days slip into a familiar pattern,
with me and Pedro usually arriving on set around the same time each morning. From there, it's usually off to hair and makeup and then we're whisked off to wardrobe before usually having a quick meeting with James, on how we need to proceed with whatever scene we're filming right away.

Pedro, luckily, doesn't bring up anything about what took place that first morning on set and I'm starting to think maybe the whole thing was just in my head. Unfortunately, thanks to Mel, she's constantly reminding me that it wasn't some made-up scenario and tells me to keep my lips buttoned more tightly.

Especially around Pedro.

I personally have no problem with doing as she requests. Pedro's too good of a person to get tangled up in my lousy shit. Honestly, he's such a great guy that I know I'd never forgive myself if I brought him into anything I did.

****

One late Friday evening, we're getting ready to wrap up for the day and the weekend, which I'm really looking forward to just lounging in my hotel room, watching old movies and turning into an official couch potato, when Pedro asks me about my plans for the weekend. I tell him what I'm considering doing and asks if maybe I'd like to join him for a drive out to the lake.

"I'm not much of a nature girl," I tell him. Pedro chuckles. I'm discovering how often this man likes to smile and joke around. It's refreshing after all the negativity I've grown accustomed to in this industry.

"I'm not asking you to go mountain climbing. Just a little drive out to the lake. We could bring a picnic lunch and maybe go swimming, if you're into that," Pedro explains.

"Can I think about it and let you know before we leave set today?"

"Of course."

"Thanks."

We're back at it, filming and two hours later, we're wrapping up. I head to my trailer, where Mel already has my stuff together. I fill her in on Pedro's offer.

"You should accept." My eyebrows arch.

"I'm not sure I should." We exit through trailer and I make sure it's locked. "Sounds much too...cozy."

"You need a welcome distraction," Mel says sensibly. "This sounds like the perfect thing. You'll be out of the city, away from all the paparazzi and clubs."

I sigh, fiddling with my phone. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Pedro exiting his trailer, his arms filled with his own stuff. Pedro turns, catching sight of me. He grins, hurrying over.

"Have you decided about tomorrow?"

"Um, sure." I smile. "I'd love to spend the day with you." Pedro's entire face lights up.

"Great! I'll meet you in the lobby at ten thirty tomorrow morning?"

"I'll be there."

***

Mel hounds me the entire way back to the hotel and part of the time until I finally kick her out of my room, moaning that I'm exhausted and just want some peace and quiet. She finally relents, kissing my forehead and bidding goodnight like she's my nanny and I'm her unruly charge.

I brush my teeth, use the bathroom, wash my hands and pad out to the bed, collapsing into it, tugging the blankets up over me and falling asleep almost instantly.

***

I'm awakened by the irritating sounds of Mel bustling around in my room, occasionally humming to herself before she finally tells me to get my lazy ass up. I purposely ignore her, burrowing further into my cozy nest.

"Charley! It's almost ten o'clock!" I reluctantly open my eyes.

"AM or PM?" Mel rolls her eyes and I smirk, closing mine. I'm just dozing back off when feel the blankets being tore away from me.

"Hey!"

"I bet Pedro's already downstairs in the lobby, waiting for you."

"Then you go," I retort, although I'll admit, I don't necessarily like the idea of Mel spending time with Pedro.

"You'd trust me to be alone, with Pedro?" I sit up, scowling as I scoot closer to the edge of the bed.

"You're terrible," I snap.

"How?"

"You're practically begging me to ruin that poor man's spotless reputation." I stand up, marching stiffly towards the bathroom to relieve myself, my emotions swirling within me, holding me captive.

"I'm doing nothing of the kind!" Mel says loudly, from the bedroom, where I know she's picking out an outfit for me to wear.

"Hmph! She may as well be my nanny!" I mutter, aggressively washing my hands.

"I heard that!" I twist the door knob and pull the door open.

"Heard what?" I ask innocently.

"You know," Mel says, as she sets out some white jean shorts. "The media isn't entirely wrong about your personality."

"Bite me." I wander over to the bed and flop back down on it.

"Get up and get dressed," Mel orders. I close my eyes and flip her the bird, a little smirk playing on my lips.

"You're acting like a spoiled child," Mel tells me. I open my eyes, still smirking.

"I have a reputation to uphold," I snipe. "I can't possibly be bothered with being polite."

Mel ignores this, tossing my clothes in my face and going to grab my deodorant and some socks. I slowly get dressed, wondering if they'd be any way I could persuade Pedro to just stay at the hotel all day.

As I'm pulling on my socks, a knock sounds at the door and Mel moves to see who it is. I hear her open the door and then...a familiar chuckle.

Pedro.

I quickly dive into the bathroom, not wanting him to see me with bedhead and get a whiff of my gross morning breath.

"Charley?" Mel is knocking on the bathroom door. "Pedro's here." I open the bathroom door just far enough to yank Mel in and quickly close it.

"Are you hiding in here?" Mel smirks.

"Yes!" I'm quickly running a brush through my hair, while trying to brush my teeth at the same time.

"Everything okay in there?" I hear Pedro call out. I open the door, squeezing Mel through.

"She's fine," Mel informs Pedro. "Charley isn't a morning person." I hear Pedro laughing and I consider opening up the door and chucking my hairbrush out at Mel. I finish brushing my hair, pulling into a messy bun and set my toothbrush aside before putting on a little makeup and finally stepping out.

Pedro's eyes crinkle as he sees me, stepping closer to give me a quick peck on the cheek. I take advantage of this moment to hug him, while inhaling his spicy cologne.

"Hey," I murmur, pulling back. "I thought we agreed to meet in the lobby at ten thirty?"

"We did." Pedro looks a little sheepish. "I just figured I'd stop in and see if you were ready yet."

"Almost," I reply, doing my darnest to ignore Mel's knowing gaze. "You'd mentioned taking along a picnic lunch?"

"I did," Pedro agrees.

"Well." I smile. "Not sure I'm much for whipping something up." Pedro chuckles.

"No problem. I put in an order at one of the deli's here. We'll just need to swing by and pick it up."

"Looks like you've thought of everything," I say. Pedro shrugs.

"I just figured it'd be easier that way."

I finish getting ready, slipping on my sandals and standing up. I don't miss Mel silently critiquing me, but I ignore it.

"You two crazy kids best be on your way!" Mel's smile is starting to bug me.

"You're welcome to join us," Pedro tells her. Mel just chuckles.

"I appreciate the invite but I have interviews to line up and a few personal errands to run."

"All right." Pedro looks at me. "You ready?"

"I just need to collect a few things and then we can go," I reply. I grab a straw bag, putting in my water bottle, sunscreen, a hat and my phone. I swipe my sunglasses and put them on.

"You two have fun," Mel says, following us to the door.

"We will, Mom," I can't resist saying. Mel just scowls and we slip out. Pedro leads me down a corridor I didn't know was there and we slip out the back entrance, making a quick escape into his car before any paparazzi realizes we were there.

"You sure you're up for an outing today?" Pedro asks, glancing over at me. I notice he's wearing his glasses and it makes him look sexier.

"What makes you ask?" Pedro focuses on getting out of the hotel parking lot and pulls into the street, heading for the deli.

"You just seem a little...uptight."

"That's just me," I reply.

"You don't seem to act that way on set," Pedro remarks. I sigh.

"That's because, on set, paparazzi aren't allowed and I know what I'm doing. Out here, in the real world, it's harder to relax."

"Yeah. The media can be pretty relentless."

"I doubt they'd say anything bad about you," I say tightly. "You're the golden boy. I'm the delinquent."

"Can I share my honest opinion with you?" Pedro asks.

"Be my guest."

"I think you're am amazing, beautiful, kind and talented woman, Charley. You don't give yourself enough credit."

"Thanks." My face is heating up. "You're very kind, too." I pause briefly, fidgeting with the straps of my bag. "No wonder everyone loves you." Pedro chuckles, pulling into the parking lot of the deli.

"Hate to break my perfect image for you, but not everyone loves me."

"A lot do," I argue. "More so than me." Pedro studies me as he unbuckles himself.

"I gotta feeling, that's all about to change."

***

The lake is a good hour's drive from the city, but I honestly don't mind. It's nice, knowing that, at least for the time being, I'm safely away from the media's prying and accusatory view. The scenery isn't bad, either and the company is top notch.

Pedro keeps up a lively conversation about work, occasionally tossing in a few non threatening, impersonal questions. He really is quite the amazing guy.

Sweet, kind, considerate, warm, funny and just plain down to earth. I gaze at him. How is it that someone like him isn't already spoken for? Of course, I know if I asked, how he'd reply. Being in this business isn't always kind on personal relationships.

If anyone knows that, it's me.

We reach lake and my jaw drops as I catch a few glimpses of the sparkling, blue water between the trees. Pedro notices my reaction and grins as he pulls off into the parking area, cutting the engine.

"Impressive, huh?" Pedro comm,unbuckling himself and popping open his door.

"Yeah..." I unbuckle myself and climb move, moving to grab my stuff and seeing if Pedro needs any help. He waves me away, tugging out the sack of food, and a blanket.

I step aside, waiting until he's collected everything, and locked his car before following him off towards a covered, grassy area. Pedro offers me the blanket, which I take, shaking it out and spreading it over the grass. We both get settled.

Pedro immediately opens up the sack of food and starts pulling out differently wrapped food. I catch a whiff of the various foods and immediately, my stomach growls, reminding me how I skipped breakfast.

I reach for a paper plate and a container, serving up some kind of salad and grabbing a cheese sandwich.

"This looks amazing," I comment, taking a bite. Pedro grins, causing that fluttery feeling in my stomach.

"As much as I'd like to take the credit for it, obviously I can't," he teases and I laugh. I note the hint of pride in his eyes.

"It's still a nice gesture," I say. "I clearly wasn't thinking about the food much." Pedro's expression softens.

"Honestly, I wasn't, either." My poor heart flip flops. I know damn well what he's indicating.

"Why did you ask me on this outing?" I ask. Pedro studies me. I can almost see the gears in his brain turning.

"Because, Charley, I like you." Instantly, I'm on the defense. Every fiber of my being is screaming that this is some kind of setup. That there's paparazzi, hiding in the bushes, ready to jump out and start snapping embarrassing pics of me, looking dumbstruck, as Pedro starts laughing his ass off.

Except...Pedro looks so...sincere. And I'm not seeing anybody jumping out, aiming cameras in my direction. Guess old habits die hard.

"Really?" Is all I can manage. Pedro nods, leaning in closer. Way too close. My first instict is to move away, but there's this tiny part of me that doesn't want to. I need to know how it feels to kiss Pedro Pascal, not as his co star. But as something much more.

I find myself leaning towards him, this look of longing and desire in his beautiful, dark eyes and...then...our lips lock. And suddenly, this seems like the most dangerous thing I've ever done.