Page 74 of Resisting Isaac

“Okay, let’s reset,” Ivy calls, clipboard raised, voice clipped but kind.

Since Eli and I both remained in Montana during the break, production is taking every opportunity to block and prep scenes before filming starts Monday.

So far, it’s been…bumpy.

“Let’s try it again, same direction this time, Eli,” Wes calls out, his tone a bit more condescending.

I nod, my jaw tight, hands trembling just beneath the surface of the water. It’s not that it’s cold—the springs are warm. It’s thatIam. Tight. Stiff. Like I’ve forgotten how to be soft.

How to frolic. Which is what we’re supposed to be doing.

Eli turns toward me, water lapping at his chest. He’s handsome, undeniably. The kind of face you’d cast for an action movie. Strong jaw, clean lines, eyes that should smolder. But right now, they’re flat. Uncertain. Like he’s working too hard and getting nothing in return.

Which, to be fair, he probably is.

We’re both out of our element. He’s used to car chasesand explosion rigs. I’m used to fade to black scenes where the kiss is closed mouth and quick.

This is prep for a full-on make-out session with heavy petting in a hot spring.

“Okay,” I whisper, mostly to myself. “It’s just a kiss. You’ve kissed people. You can do this.”

Eli overhears me. “Hey, I’m sorry I keep going the wrong way. I swear I’m not trying to break your nose.”

I manage a laugh. “I’ve had worse co-stars.”

“You mean it?” he asks, hopeful like a little kid.

I shake my head. “Absolutely not. You might be the worst kisser ever. I’m telling the tabloids. Hearts will break wide open all over the world.”

That makes him grin, a little. But I still feel the tension pulsing between us like a strobe light.

Then—

SPLASH.

Water hits the side of my neck, just enough to make me yelp.

I turn and there he is.

Isaac. Standing waist-deep just beyond the cameras in the corner of the hot spring, arms out, shirt off, eyes full of trouble.

Two dogs are with him and they bark and demonstrate frolicking just fine.

“Well, fancy meetin’ you two here,” he teases.

“Very funny, cowboy,” I warn, but it lacks heat. “Don’t you have cows or horses to rope or wrangle somewhere?”

His smile is wide, completely unbothered. “I am providing very necessary moral support.”

Eli snorts.

I frown. “To whom?”

He lifts his chin toward Eli. “To this poor guy you’re scaring to death.”

I start to shrink inside myself, wrap my arms around my middle and move backward. It’s not the first time men have said I’m scary or too much.

Isaac pulls me forward, then places a hand on my lower back. He moves it lower, and I jump when it lands on my ass.