T/W:Minor innuendo.

****

"Cut! Charley?" James calls out and I face him, inwardly groaning.

"Yeah?"

"You've got the lines down, but you're lacking conviction here. Think you can dig a little deeper?" James asks. I woodenly nod, plastering a smile on my face and giving him a thumbs up. He nods, calling for everyone to resume places.

"And...action!"

"Alex, I..." I pause, as the stage directions call me to do so.

"What is it?" Pedro murmurs, his fingers coming up, grazing my chin. I cannot break eye contact. I cannot.

"You're an amazing guy, truly. I just..I'm not sure we're all that...compatible." Pedro's character sighs, taking a step back. I keep my gaze on his face. Damn, he's incredible.

"You don't think we're compatible?" Pedro's brow furrowed. Sheesh. If we weren't acting here, Pedro would be breaking my heart.

"We've had our good times," I say, putting as much conviction into my lines as possible, praying that James is pleased with my efforts. He doesn't interrupt me. That's a good thing.

Right?

Pedro and I continue through the entire scene before James calls cut again. He doesn't say anything immediately and I can feel sweat sliding down my spine. He grins.

"Much, much better, Charley!" Air swooshes from my lungs, up my throat and out my mouth. I chuckle weakly. I feel Pedro's fingers on mine. It's encouraging.

"Thanks."

"Everyone, take 10!" James calls, hopping out of the director seat and heads off, speaking with the crew. I feel a small pinch, Pedro's fingers gently squeezing mine. I look up. He winks and I'm nearly a puddle on the ground.

"I knew you could get it," he murmurs, leaning forward, his lips nipping at mine. I release a soft moan and Pedro grins.

"You're so naughty," whispers in his ear. Pedro's grin widens.

"Oh, you've only unearthed the surface, mi amor," Pedro whispers back. Now his lips are nibbling in my earlobe. I whimper, my nether regions, quivering.

"Someone's sensitive," Pedro murmurs, alternating between licking and nibbling the side of my neck. My legs are turning to jelly and I grasp him, needing him to hold me up. Pedro takes the hint, his strong arms wrapping around my waist, never once stopping his sweet assault on my neck.

"Pedro," I whine. "You're gonna leave marks on my skin. Visible marks." Pedro chuckles and I feel the rumble in his chest. Ugh. Naughty, naughty boy.

"There's no marks," Pedro assures me, finally pulling away. One look in those eyes and I soften.

"Better not be," I snap playfully. "Or I might end up retaliating later on." Pedro feigns horror.

"You wouldn't dare!" I burst into giggles, giving him a sweet kiss.

"Try me, Pascal."

"All right, all right!" Pedro huffed, pretending to look defeated, though I see that mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "I'll behave." I laugh.

"Just don't behave too much," I tease. "Otherwise, that'd be too boring." Pedro leans in, assaulting my neck once again.

"I couldn't agree more."

****

"You really care about him, don't you?" Mel had booked us a slot in one of the upscale spas, and we're currently relaxing in a sauna. I'm all stretched out on one of the wooden benches, completely relaxed, for once in my life.

"Yeah," I respond, my eyes dropping to half mast, recalling how tender, yet passionate, Pedro is.

"Has he mentioned anything else about that first day?" Mel presses. I shake my head, though it's not entirely true.

"Pedro is much too polite to start nosing around about my past." I remember that conversation in my trailer, a few days ago. How he kept trying to unearth why I'm keeping certain parts of me in the dark.

"I wouldn't be too sure of that," Mel says. I look at her.

"What do you mean?"

"I see the way he studies you, Char. Like your some high tech contraption that he's struggling to figure out." I snort.

"You're too suspicious for your own good," I tell her. The steam in here is getting so thick, I can't hardly see through it. It blurs Mel's face, blending into the background. But I don't completely miss the worry frowns, digging in.

"I'm just looking out for you." Her usual scolding tone has disappeared, replaced by a genuine softness. I straighten up, leaning over, gripping her hand.

"You always have. You're the only one who ever really has. You're the only one I fully trust in my life because I know you don't have ulterior motives."

Mel's face softens further. Her fingers gently squeeze mine. I smile back. We probably look pretty goofy, sitting here, just smiling at one another. That's how we are, though. I can be vulnerable around Mel and she won't use it to her advantage. She's not gonna go squealing off to the press, repeating everything I've laid bare.

"Hey, what are true friends for?" Mel says, giving my hand another squeeze before releasing it.

"You're one in a million," I say, standing and stretching. "Now. Let's get out of this sauna before we both evaporate."

*****

Pedro had stopped by, with Mexican food, red wine and roses. I squeal, jumping into his arms as soon as they're empty. He laughs, holding me flush against him. I nuzzle his cheek, enjoying the feeling of his soft facial hair against my skin.

"You're spoiling me," I joke. "I'll turn into a diva and have a huge ego." Pedro gives me a squeeze.

"I think I can handle some diva behavior," he teases, setting me on the kitchen counter and bustles around, collecting forks, glasses and plates.

Smirking, I study him, admiring his very toned physique. He turns, catching my smirk, winking at him. I whine, squirming on the counter.

"Stop," I moan. "That wink of yours needs to come with a warning." Pedro laughs, returning to me, collecting me in his arms. I snuggle against his chest. He rests his chin on top of my head and we just enjoy this tender moment.

"I've been told that before," Pedro murmurs, his fingers tracing lazy circles on my back.

"About your wink?" I ask.

"Yes." I pull back a tad, wanting to see his face. Instantly, my fingers are touching every inch of his beautiful face. "Actually, all of you should come with a warning."

Pedro chuckles and my fingers touch those dimples. I squirm. Pedro's expression changes to one of lust. My breathing quickens.

"Think dinner can wait?" His voice had dropped, turning husky and I'm squirming more. I nod and Pedro lifts me up into his arms, heading for the bedroom.

****

After what I consider some of the best sex of my life, Pedro goes to reheat up the food he brought over and we eat in bed, feeding each other. In between bites, we kiss or caress one another.

"This is more romantic than if we'd went out to a fancy restaurant," I say, curled up in the crook of Pedro's arm, polishing off my enchilada. He takes my hand, bringing it to his lips, kissing it tenderly.

"Plus, there's a bonus," Pedro says. "Actually two."

"Which are?" I ask, curling my body tigher against his.

"No paparazzo and you're half naked." I snort, lightly swatting him in the chest. He jerks, mock glaring at me.

"You're so abusive," he complains as I can't keep the smirk from forming on my face.

"Naturally. You need me to shape you up." Pedro scowls, shaking his head, scooping me on to his stomach.

"Hmmm," I say, wiggling around, making him squirm and laugh. "Such a toned tummy." Pedro's laughing again. I chuckle, too, sliding off, causing him to protest.

"I put you up there for a reason," he huffs.

"I know. But it couldn't have been super comfortable."

"It was," Pedro argues. I lean in, capturing his lips with mine, briefly shutting him up.

"Shhh. No complaining," I say firmly. Pedro huffs again, but nods, holding me close.

"You're also bossy," he can't resist adding. I grin.

"Yes, I am."