Off Camera

Chapter 37

Tae POV

I wipe my sweaty palms down my pant legs while my gaze stays locked across the coffee table on Dr. Heartland.

He is older than I thought he would be.

His salt and pepper hair and the wrinkles etched into his face give me confidence he might be able to help me without him saying a word.

He pushes his glasses up and clears his throat. "Is it alright if I record our session? I like to go back to them later and review them again, looking for things I might have missed the first time around."

I lick my lips and nod, while I run my hands down the front of my pants again. "Yes. That is fine."

He starts the recorder and places it in the middle of the coffee table. "This is a confidential session with Tae in his changing room at the studio where he is currently filming." He looks at the tablet in his hand and then up at me before he asks, "Can you please tell me what situation has happened which has prompted you to seek my help?"

This is it.

I take a deep breath.

My eyes dart to the other side of the room where Tee is sitting in a chair and quietly rehearsing his lines. He looks up through his long, dark lashes and gives me a small grin.

The tightness in my chest eases, and I smile back at him.

I can do this.

I turn my focus back to the doctor. "I have an issue with a stalker. When she first started coming to the studio, I told her no numerous times, but she didn't listen. She would go behind my back and talk to the executives to get me to have time for her. I told the director no too, when he would ask about her and implied it could open doors for me. I didn't care. Being some rich woman's boy toy isn't what I've worked so hard at trying to achieve. My acting roles have finally gone to the next level, and I'm starring in a drama. I'm not going to let some crazy woman stop me."

My heartbeat quickens, but one look at Tee has it calming back down.

"The director finally agreed with me and has been helping to keep her out of the studio. My agent has been helping to prevent her from getting to me, too. I'm not sure if the director has banned her or not. She has some high-profile friends, including the owner of the studio. But the tipping point for me came when she somehow got into the studio. As soon as I saw her, I ran and hid, but it didn't stop her. She chased after me while shouting my name. She was later escorted out by the security guards. Ever since then, any loud noise or someone screaming has me on edge. I'm jumpy and constantly thinking she is here to get me."

My heartbeat quickens again.

The tightness in my chest returns tighter than before, and her shrill voice echoes in my mind. My breathing shortens to shallow breaths.

I turn my focus to Tee and wait for his tender gaze to meet mine.

The doctor clears his throat. "Is there a reason you keep looking across the room at your co-star? Does his presence help calm your racing heart? You do have a racing heart?"

I tear my attention away from Tee and turn it back to the doctor. "Yes. His calm and caring eyes help to soothe my rapid heartbeat. He also helps to lift the weights pressing down on me."

The doctor pulls out his tablet pen and writes something down on the tablet. "Hmm..."

My stomach twists. Is that bad?

My gaze instantly whips back over to Tee, who motions with his hands for me to calm down.

***

I drag my feet into Kimmon's apartment and collapse onto the couch. It has been a long day, and we must be back on the set bright and early in the morning. Ugh...

My session with Dr. Heartland was just as draining as the entire day of filming. I don't know why though, but I never knew talking to someone could run you through the ringer like this. Then again, I never knew, until recently, running from someone could wear you out emotionally, too.

Tee plops down on the couch beside me. "How are you feeling? You didn't cover much with the doctor, but he now knows the reason behind your issue."

I roll on my side and stare at him. He still has his makeup on, and his hair is still styled to perfection, making him look even more beautiful than normal.

The corner of my mouth curls upwards.

Tee's eyebrows quirk and he lets out a soft chuckle. "What are you thinking? I don't know if I like that look."

My grin morphs into a slight smirk. "What look? I look like I always do."

I slide a little closer to him.

He shakes his head. "No, you don't. There is something in your look tonight, but I can't quite put my finger on it. Maybe it is something in your eyes."

I don't think it is in my eyes, but they say the eyes are the window to a person's soul. Maybe he can see it through my eyes.

I caress his cheek with the back of my fingers. "Maybe it is just me needing my medicine for the day."

A mischievous spark dances around in his eyes as he playfully replies, "I don't think that is what the doctor ordered."

I slide closer to him. "I don't care if it is or isn't what he ordered. It is what helps me, and I need my medicine every day. It works the best if I get doses in the morning and at night."

I lean in and hover my face right in front of his.

He nibbles on his bottom lip, almost begging me to savor them.

My cock twitches, and his warmth seeps through my clothes, igniting my desire.

He opens his mouth, but I can't take it anymore. I need him.

My hand slides around to the back of his neck, and I capture his luscious lips in a passionate kiss while my hand pulls him closer to me.

I gobble down his soft moans, which only cheer me on and encourage me to do more.

I slide on top of him and rub my growing bulge against him, while my free hand slides under his shirt and glides along his smooth stomach towards his chest.

"Ahh... Tae...."

***

Rhonda POV

I grit my teeth and tighten my grip around my phone. "What do you mean, there is nothing you can do? You promised me you could get me in during the filming. I need to see him."

A man huffs through the phone. "There is nothing I can do after you scared the man. He has even moved out of his apartment to some hidden place, trying to hide from you. Get a clue. He doesn't want you." He chuckles. "The bigger clue is that he is doing a BL drama."

I shake my head. "That doesn't mean anything! You know the number of straight men doing BL dramas! He is straight like all the others!"

Another chuckle spills from the phone. "Believe whatever you want, but I'm not going to help you any further. You have already been thrown out of my studio, and I'm not going to let you go back in. You have caused too much of a commotion. Plus, I don't want to be associated with someone going to these lengths to get a new boy toy. Tae is thirty. He is quite older than the other guys you are interested in. Regardless, I'm done helping you with him and anyone else you might set your sights on. You don't know when to stop."

My blood boils and steam rolls off me. "You can't do that to me! You promised!"

"I only promised to open a door. I never agreed to allow you to stalk and torment the poor man. That is crossing the lines. Don't bother calling me again about this."

The line goes dead.

Did he just hang up on me?

He can't do that! He promised!

I won't let this stop me, though. I'll find a way to get to him.

Tae is mine.

Published November 5, 2022