Page 63 of Vain

I get dressed, slip on my holster and gun, and grab my phone and keys. I can smell the coffee as I go downstairs and happily take the mug Tilly holds out to me when I walk into the kitchen.

“You want something to eat? Craft services won’t be in until six.”

It’s only four-thirty. “What are my options? It’s way too early to be cooking.”

She walks into the pantry and returns with a basket covered in a towel. She places the basket on the island and pulls the towel away to reveal a bunch of pastries.

“Oh yeah, that will work. Though I will need to find time to use the gym later.”

She blows out a breath. “I know the feeling. Hopefully, we’ll finish a little earlier tonight.”

“We’ll figure it out.” I take a bite of a pain au chocolate and groan in bliss. “Did Marley make these?” He’s been off breakfast duty for the last week since we’ve been going in so early.

“No, they’re from a little bakery where he buys the bread. Good though, right?”

“Hmm…the only thing sweeter is your pussy.”

She chokes on her coffee, but I grin unrepentantly as I take another bite.

“I’ll take your word for that,” she murmurs.

“You never taste yourself?”

She squirms my words, getting to her. “Only on your lips.”

I pause with the pastry in my hands, my cock going from semi- to rock-hard in a nanosecond. “Well played, Tilly. Well played.”

The drive to set is a quiet one, which isn’t unusual for this time of morning. Granted, it’s not Tempest quiet. There are still cars passing us as we head to our destination, but thankfully, there are no congestion or traffic jams we need to worry about. That’s something I definitely won’t miss when I go back. I clench the wheel, trying not to think about it, but the longer the stalker stays quiet, the sooner Blake is going to call me home. I know he needs all hands on deck, especially as he is about to close on the new office space. I’m just not ready to be away from Tilly yet. And with the film stuff being as manic as it is, she won’t be able to come with me, even if she wants to.

“I think we might need to take a lunchtime nap in my trailer,” she muses, breaking me out of my thoughts.

“I like the way you think.”

“I thought you might.”

I pull into the lot and spot a couple of cars. I recognize them as belonging to the crew, who are usually here to set the scene and make sure everything is in place.

“This is the last day filming here, then we’ll be back to the studio.”

“As cool as this has been to watch your vision come to life, I’ll openly admit, I can’t fucking wait to have AC again.”

She laughs as I park and climb out before I walk around and open her door for her. She takes my hand as I help her out and move her aside so I can grab her bag and lock the door. I press her against the car for a long, deep kiss that will have to keep me going, at least until lunch. Once she gets in the zone, she becomes oblivious to everything else around her. It makes me glad as fuck that I’m here to act as her eyes.

“Mmm…now that’s a wake-up shot better than coffee,” she murmurs against my lips with a grin.

“Why, Miss Carson, I do believe you’re making me blush.”

She giggles, leaning into me as we take the stolen moment. All too soon, though, she sighs and pulls back. “Come on, let’s go make some movie magic.”

I throw her tote bag over my shoulder and take her hand again, walking her where she needs to be. I hang back as she talks to her crew, keeping my eye on everyone and noticing more people arriving. Despite the long grueling hours everyone has been working, there’s a buzz of excitement in the air. I think they know this film is going to be something special. Watching Tilly weave her magic has been awe-inspiring, and not just for me. I’ve heard people talking about how much they enjoy being on set and how Matilda instantly puts them at ease.

When craft services arrives, I grab Tilly a hot chocolate and myself a coffee. I sit in the chair beside her as she starts filming the first scene of the day. It is quiet on set as everyone becomes absorbed doing their part. Credit where credit is due—the leadactors and actresses in this movie are phenomenal. When she calls cut, she tells everyone to take a ten-minute break while they set up for the next scene.

She leans her head on my shoulder as I talk to her about the random crap I hear around the set, making her laugh. Once she gets back to shooting, I fire off a group text to the guys, letting them know what I’m up to.

Thankfully, I have the sound off on my phone because the messages start pouring in.

Banner: It’s Mr. Hollywood himself.