18 | toi et moi

The script in her hands felt weighted. Annie stared down at the page, bottom lip caught between her teeth. She felt tense as her eyes scanned the short dialogue, the emphasis on the actions rather than the words. She was continually drawn to the part of the kiss, her face flushing at the thought. Fonzie had been adamant about that fact - "It's all in the eyes, Chester," he had directed.

Annie exhaled, pushing the script down into her lap. She leant her head back, feeling the bristles of Carol's brush run over her scalp.

"You alright, kid?" Carol asked. Annie looked at the fair-headed woman in the mirror.

"I guess," Annie replied, softly. Her stomach twisted. "I'm nervous."

Carol chuckled. "I would be too if I were in your shoes," she began, fingers threading through Annie's dark hair. "But you're handling it well. How does it feel?"

Annie puffed out her cheeks. "I don't know. It feels strange, if I'm being honest."

"Like you're pretending to be someone else?"

Annie nodded. "Something like that. I can understand how actors lose themselves to their roles. It's addictive to have a rush of confidence. Like a shot of adrenaline."

Carol laughed heartily, fingers titling Annie's head back. "You're very insightful."

"I am?"

"Course you are," Carol smiled. "If you already understand that, it's easier to keep your feet level on the ground."

Annie raised an eyebrow, her fingertips tapping on the crisp sheet of paper. She swallowed, her thoughts drawn back to scene, shoulders tensing.

Carol hummed a low tune, spraying a thin mist over Annie's head. She bit her lip.

"Carol," she began, quietly.

"Hm?"

She cleared her throat. "I have a question about Tom."

"Oh, you do?"

Annie nodded, lowering her gaze.

"What is it? I can tell you're nervous."

She gently rubbed the side of her neck. "Did you know Tom was divorced?"

Carol raised an eyebrow, peering at her in the mirror. "Of course," she began, humming. "Didn't you?"

Annie shook her head.

Carol's mouth curved into a smile. "He hasn't told you?"

"No, he hasn't."

Carol laughed. She shook her head. "Have you been reading those gossip sites?"

"Maybe."

Carol tutted, pulling lightly on her hair. "You should stay away from those, you know? They do more harm than good. I've seen too many beautiful men and women ruin their lives to revolve around them."

Annie looked upwards, watching as Carol's fingers fluffed up her hair. She gripped the script tightly. The paper rustled.

Carol sighed heavily. "It's just a warning," she continued. "I don't want you to get hurt, but I know Tom will try to protect you. And I bet he already is. He's got a big heart."

Annie's lips quirked upwards. "He does, doesn't he?"

"Yes, he does. And especially around you," Carol noted, cheerful. She flipped a strand of hair over Annie's eyes. "With you, he's himself."

"And before?" Annie asked, bottom lip tugged between her teeth.

"You have nothing to worry about," Carol grinned. "Tom divorced for a reason. I have to admit, I was always skeptical about his second marriage, but he was happy," Carol shifted in her stance. Her grin disappeared. "Until I watched the life sucked out of him."

Annie blinked. "Oh," she murmured.

"Indeed." Carol brushed the strand out of her eyes. "It's his story to tell, but I am glad he found you, Annie. I really am."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Annie stood on the sidelines of the set, chewing on her thumbnail. She eyed Fonzie, his large chin protruding into the air as he waved his hands at his energetic crew of technicians. The engine of the cream cadillac rumbled and Tom patiently sat inside as cameras were adjusted and fixed around the car.

Fonzie clapped his hands together. "Chester!" He waved. "Get over here!"

Annie ducked her head to avoid the glare of the sun. She skipped over to Fonzie, sandals scuffing the concrete. She felt lightheaded and aware of the denim shorts creeping further up her legs.

"Chester," Fonzie greeted, voice gruff. He slapped a hand down on her shoulder. "You ready?"

She shrugged, smiling.

"Good. Now," Fonzie lowered his head. "I wanna see that tension. That beautiful, sweet tension," he exclaimed, face scrunched tight. "Why? Because I want the audience to feel it. I want Tom to feel it. Hell, I want to feel it!"

Annie's smile faded, her stomach churning.

Fonzie opened his eyes. "And I want you to feel it too," he patted her shoulder. "Don't be afraid to toy with him. Drag it out a little, but stick to your lines. Got it?"

She nodded, exhaling shakily.

Fonzie chuckled. "You look nervous. Don't be nervous. I don't care what's going on between you two behind the scenes, but what you've got, I love it. Bring that energy into the scene. Make it feel natural."

Annie smiled weakly. "Got it."

"Good, now take your place, we'll start rolling in two."

She nodded and stepped away from the exuberant director. She rolled out her shoulders as she walked towards the car. Her legs wobbled slightly, her nerves jittering. She could see Tom behind the wheel, chatting to a camera technician, but his eyes followed her. Her lips quirked slightly. She opened the passenger door and jumped inside.

"Hello," she greeted, smiling. She shut the door behind her.

Tom grinned at her. "Hello, hot stuff."

A flush crept up onto her cheeks.

"Alright!" Fonzie's voice cut through the air. "Positions! We're rolling on the count of five!"

Her breath hitched in the back of her throat as she turned around. As Annie leant down, she felt her top creep up, exposing the smooth skin of her midriff. Tom chuckled lowly.

"Don't get too comfortable," Annie mumbled as her head fell on top of his lap. She adjusted her position, shifting slightly.

"Same goes for you, cat-eyes," Tom murmured. He stared down at her, blue eyes shining.

"And action!"

Tom shifted the car's gears. It rolled forward, a rush of warm air blowing in from the open windows as the vehicle gained momentum. Annie lolled with the movement, eyes gazing intently up at Tom's handsome face. She felt giddy, aware of the camera lens capturing her every move. I must look lovesick, she thought to herself, chewing on her bottom lip.

The scene was relatively short, as Fonzie had decided to add onto their previous one. Tom was to drop her off at the ranch, parking at the entrance, but not before Annie's flirtatious character kissed him.

She gazed dreamily, her legs swinging. Don't be afraid to toy with him, Fonzie's gravelly voice reminded her.

Annie grinned and swiped her tongue over her teeth. She raised her hand and rubbed his forearm gently. Tom eyed the movement, a crooked smile appearing. He palmed the steering wheel, the car bouncing as it rolled onto dirt. Orange dust floated in through the window.

"So you really live here, with a bunch of others just like you?" Tom began, motioning with his head towards the ranch.

Slowly, Annie sat up. She dragged her eyes up the length of Tom's chest.

"Of course, I do." She grinned.

He raised an eyebrow.

"What? You don't believe me?" She asked, titling her head.

He grinned, shrugging. The car slowed to a halt at the entrance of the ranch. He shifted the gears. Annie inhaled sharply, feeling his arm rub against her side as he did so. She released a heavy sigh, eyes drawn back down to his lips.

Tom scratched the underside of his chin. "Does George still own the place?"

Annie shrugged. She shifted in her position and pressed her hands down on his broad shoulders. Her cheeks felt hot as she sat on his lap. Tom chuckled lowly. Annie felt it reverberate through her. A warm coil curled down her back down to her toes.

"If you're still under the impression that I'll fuck you," Tom drawled, "I'm afraid I'm really going to need to see that ID of yours."

Annie frowned, pouting. "Who said anything about fucking?"

"Woah, little lady," Tom raised his eyebrows. He shifted in his seat, raising his hips. Annie gasped, as his crotch met hers. Her skin pricked alight, eyes widening at the sensation. She heard Fonzie's exaggerated groan of delight from behind the camera. Her ears burned.

Annie pursed her lips, eyes narrowing. Tom grinned mischievously at her, elbow resting on the window's ledge. He turned away, amused, running his fingers over his lips. She titled her head, eyes darting over his face. Her breaths were shallow, her heart drumming in her ears.

Slowly, her fingers trailed up his neck, a rush of confidence filling her. Tom shifted slightly at the sensation. She lifted her hands and grabbed hold of the side of his face, turning his head gently. She blinked, feeling her pulse race. Tom's gaze had darkened. She felt a tight knot grow in her abdomen as his breath fanned over her face.

This is it, she thought. Her mouth curved slightly as she shifted in his lap. She closed her eyes and pressed her lips flush against his.

Annie's skin erupted with a shiver. Tom's lips were soft and warm as they slowly moved against hers. She sunk down into his lap as a delicious curl licked the curve of her spine. He pressed up against her and she melted against him, a sigh escaping her.

Slowly, she drew away, dazed. A small grin quirked on her lips, heart pounding. Tom stared at her, gaze heavy, jaw slack. His hands moved around her waist, fingers rubbing her exposed skin before gripping her from behind. He brought her hips down against him.

Annie gasped. She grinned as she shook her head, hair falling around her face. She wiggled on his lap and grabbed his hands, pulling them off of her. Tom grunted lowly in her ear.

"Now we can't have any of that, stuntman," she batted her eyelashes. Her cheeks sore from smiling. "I'm a minor, remember?"

Annie felt flushed, her pulse erratic from the unscripted gesture from Tom. She sat back and threaded a hand through her hair. The air around her felt hot. Tom eyed the movement, his hands settling on her waist. Annie smacked her lips together. Tom rubbed the side of his cheek.

"Come on," Annie shifted her weight and leant over. She opened the car door. "I want you to meet my friends." She grinned and slid off of his lap. Her sandals slipped slightly on the dirt.

She turned around, hand resting on her hip. "Are you coming?"

Tom's eyebrows were raised. His mouth was curved into a lopsided grin. He shrugged. Annie pursed her lips. She stepped forwards and grabbed hold of his arm. She pulled him out of the cadillac and pivoted on her heels, striding forwards. Tom trailed behind her, car keys jingling.

"Cut!"

Fonzie clapped enthusiastically. "Brilliant work!" He called out, waving his hands. "Absolutely brilliant!"

Annie dropped Tom's hand, smiling. She turned around and folded her arms against her chest. He stepped up behind her, chuckling.

"Nicely done, cat-eyes," he slung an arm over her shoulder. Annie lolled her head back and gazed up at him.

"It wasn't too much?" She asked, biting down on her thumbnail. Tom grinned down at her, cornflower blue eyes sparkling.

"It was perfect."

_______________________________________

a/n

ahhh! I updated hahaha

but I think this is chapter you've all been waiting for.......finally they kiss!!!!!! What do you think? :-)

I'm sorry it's a shorter chapter than the rest, but there's more to come!! And thank you for all your lovely comments, I can't stop smiling when I read them!