Believe It Or Not (An Eddie Munson Story)

MTV

Eddie's POV:

"Jesus H. Christ," I breathe once I spot Ripley moving towards me. She looks amazing. My heart hammers in my chest loudly and I feel my cheeks flush. How did I get so lucky?

When she reaches me, her smile brightens and I am hit with the sweet smell of her. I feel slightly dizzy with desire and I do my best to remember that everyone is watching.

"What do you think?" She asks, holding her arms out and giving a little spin. The dark orange skirt wraps lovingly around her legs as she moves and I feel my throat contract.

"You're the most gorgeous thing I've ever seen; more beautiful than all the wonders of the world."

Ripley turns a lovely pink color in her cheeks and just between her collar bones and I smile. She glances down at the ground, unsure how to respond.

"You both look stunning," the director, Javi, says, coming up to us and pulling my attention back to the here and now. "With that being said, will we be able to start now?"

Ripley and I nod curtly, realizing we are holding everyone up and move to where Javi wants up.

The start of the video involves a pretty risque scene and Ripley blanches slightly when she realizes all that we will need to do. A scandalous song deserves a scandalous music video, though. I grab a hold of her hand and squeeze it reassuringly as Javi explains he wants up to pretend to be in an embrace in the throne room set. He suggests Ripley lay on the three steps leading up to the throne, her back resting on the stairs and her head tiled back.

We climb up onto the set and I help Ripley down and into position. Her head, neck, and back rest upside down on the steps while her legs are sprawled before the throne. Per Javi's request, I climb over her, careful to distribute my weight so she isn't crushed. I place my hand on the stairs below her shoulder, holding myself in position and keeping her from sliding. Penelope rushes over and artfully hikes Ripley's skirt to show her bare calves and some of her thighs. Ripley presses her legs more firmly against my sides to keep her balance.

"Alright, lovely," Javi called from behind the camera. "Now Eddie, I want you to look like you are really ravishing her. When your vocals kick on, I want you to lipsync along. We will be editing the audio so the song is clear later, but it needs to look like you are singing. You can sing softly to yourself if that will help."

I only nod once, more than eager to get a good take and get out of this position.

When the music starts, I duck my head and do what I have been wanting to do since I saw Ripley walk out in this dress. I lean my head down and our lips collide. I kiss her hungrily, moving from the corner of her mouth until my lips cover hers. She whimpers longingly against me and my blood roars in my veins. Her hands come up to grip at the front of my jacket, pulling me harder against her. I can tell she has lost herself completely to the kiss and I smile against her lips. I love that I have this effect on her. My cue is about to drop, so I slow my movements. I lift my head and look up at the camera with a dark look as I start to sing softly along with the song. Ripley clings to me, leaning up to kiss my neck as I sing. Right before the song transitions, the music cuts off and I hear Javi yelling "cut".

"Beautiful! Absolutely perfect!" He yells excitedly and he instructs us to get up from our uncomfortable position on the stairs.

"Next, boys," Javi says, waving over his shoulder at Gareth and Jeff. "I'd like you to head up to your balconies and get in place for me. We will be picking up where we left off but Eddie, you will be sitting on the throne with Ripley in your lap."

Everyone falls into position and we continue to move forward at a steady pace. We do several other takes. Ripley walking through the decaying meadow, making seductive eyes at the camera. Gareth slamming on his drums with a demonic grin, his jester makeup cracking. Jeff on one knee before the throne, playing his bass loyally. Even I stand up on the throne, my foot propped on the arm of the luxurious chair and throw my head back, playing my guitar with gusto.