Wilt and Ruin

Chapter Nineteen - The Simmering (Captain)

I dressed in the clothes wardrobe gathered for me and looked myself in the mirror. The character I was playing would be a wealthy, third year medical student. He was wealthy, alpha and he will fall in love with the other male character almost instantly. I had to play him strong, intense and cool.

All the things I wasn't.

As I prepared myself for the test shoots with the acting partner I had yet to meet, I couldn't help thinking of my moments with Tao. He'd been kind and gentle—something I never expected. I thought he'd make fun of me when I asked him to stay, when I fell asleep in his arms and merely slept the day away. I couldn't remember ever feeling so safe, so comforted before.

What worried me was the sadness in his eyes when he told me to be careful when I was out. Though he didn't explain why, something in his gaze made me trust him. I texted him to tell him where I would be for the day then sent him a selfie.

He'd sent me back a picture of himself, smiling.

The door behind me opened and I looked up at my reflection to see it was Nine coming in with two fruit drinks.

"The food table is insane." Nine grinned. "I can't believe they're letting me watch your test shoot."

He handed me the blueberry then sat with his.

"Thanks." I told him. "I could use the company. Thanks for coming. I—ah—I wanted to tell you what happened between P'Tao and I."

Nine arched a brow as I sat across from him and sipped from him.

"You know I spent the night with him." I started. "No, we didn't—well, we didn't. He almost kissed me, but his phone rang and then he had to leave."

"You sound disappointed."

"I am." I nodded after another drink. "I've very disappointed. It would be my first kiss with a man but I'm one hundred percent sure I would have enjoyed it."

Nine smiled. "Well, you'll get another chance."

"We decided to wait." I leaned back in my chair.

"Wait—for what?"

"To see what we are to each other, I guess." I replied. "He's afraid this is just one of those things, but I know it's more. I know I want him and I'm afraid if I go after him like I do other relationships, I'll screw it up."

"Screw it up how?"

"I don't know." I admitted. "He's been through a lot—I just have to look in his eyes to know. He's had so many experiences and he can have any man he wants."

"But he wants you, Captain. He wants you."

"And that feels strange." I sighed. "I want to go up to see Runn and King for the day for the water festival—invite him since his mom is gone. But I don't want him to think I'm pushing."

"Then tell him what you told me." Nine advised. "Tell him you want to shoot him in the face with water for the day."

I laughed. "Right."

A knock came at the door, and I turned to look. One of the assistants stuck her head in and grinned prettily at me.

"They're ready for you." She reported.

Nodding, I turned to Nine and we exhaled together before proceeding to the main area. Nine sat in the chair they'd set aside for him and I walked over to the director who was in deep conversation with a young man around my age.

He had a slender build, dark hair, a little shorter than I was with bright eyes. I offered them both way and the director introduced him as Bam Thanaguratha, my co-star and love interest. He smiled nervously at me and clasped his palms in front of his face.