𝐃𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐱 | 18 +

𝐓 𝐖 𝐄 𝐍 𝐓 𝐘 - 𝐄 𝐈 𝐆 𝐇 𝐓

Juliet

It felt strange to be back on set after everything that had happened. The noise, the rush of activity, the crew bustling around, it was familiar, almost like muscle memory kicking back in, but still, there was a slight disconnection. I'd been away too long, and now that I was back, it felt both comforting and overwhelming at the same time. But as I stood there, surveying the set, the familiar ache to work, to be in control, was a welcome relief. This was where I thrived.

Yesterday, Carter had gone with me to get the stitches removed, her hand squeezing mine in the waiting room, offering that silent but steady support she always gave me. It had been a relief to have those damn stitches out, to feel free again, even though I knew I'd still need to take it easy. But no one could keep me away from my work any longer. The penthouse, as much as I loved it, and as much as I loved spending lazy mornings and quiet evenings with Carter, it started to feel like a cage.

Now, though, I was back where I belonged, directing everything, calling the shots. It was good to be in control again, even if my body still ached slightly from time to time.

Carter was here with me today, of course. She had promised she wouldn't let me out of her sight, not after everything we had been through. I glanced around the set, my eyes scanning the crew, actors, and cameras until they landed on her. Serena was standing next to her, probably explaining something technical, something that involved too many details that Carter was probably only half paying attention to. But she looked focused, listening, nodding, and occasionally asking questions.

From where I stood, I admired her in silence for a moment. The way she moved, her relaxed posture, the way she could charm anyone in the room with just a smile, it still caught me off guard sometimes how much she had started to mean to me. These last few days, since the attack, had brought us closer in ways I hadn't expected. She had been there for me, every step of the way, never once complaining, never once making me feel like a burden. And that... that had done something to me.

I felt myself falling for her, in a way I hadn't allowed myself to feel in a long time. It excited me, terrified me a little, but mostly, it made me feel alive in a way I hadn't felt in years. I had always been so careful with my heart, so guarded. But with Carter, I could feel those walls cracking, and despite my instincts telling me to be careful, I didn't want to stop it. I wanted to let it happen.

As if sensing my eyes on her, Carter looked up and caught me staring. Her face broke out into this goofy smile, her wide grin making her look more adorable than I'd ever admit aloud, and I couldn't help the chuckle that escaped me. God, how was I supposed to focus on work with her looking at me like that?

"Alright, everyone!" I shouted, my voice cutting through the noise on set. "Places! Let's get this scene set up, people. We don't have all day!"

I turned back to my work, but the lingering warmth from Carter's smile stayed with me. Everyone around me started moving, rushing to their marks, the actors heading to their places, the crew adjusting the lights and cameras. It was a controlled chaos, one that I reveled in.

Still, even as I got back into the flow of directing, I couldn't shake the feeling of Carter's eyes on me. Every now and then, I'd glance over, and there she was, still watching, her gaze soft and full of something that made my heart skip a beat. It was subtle, unspoken, but I could feel the tension between us growing by the minute.

I focused on the scene in front of me, giving instructions to the actors, adjusting small details, but my mind kept wandering back to Carter. The way she had been there for me through everything, the attack, the healing, the frustration of being out of work. She had been patient, kind, always there with a gentle touch or a reassuring word when I needed it. And now, here she was, on set with me, supporting me, just like always.

But it was more than that now. It wasn't just support, it was something deeper, something I hadn't allowed myself to feel for a long time. I was falling for her, hard, and that thought both excited and terrified me. I wasn't used to feeling like this, to letting someone in so completely. But with Carter, it felt natural, like I didn't have a choice. She had wormed her way into my heart, and now, there was no going back.

"Alright, let's run it from the top!" I called out, clapping my hands as the crew moved into position.

The day wore on, the work keeping me busy, but every time I had a moment of quiet, my eyes drifted back to Carter. She was busy now, talking to one of the other crew members, but she caught me looking again and gave me another one of those smiles, this time smaller, softer, like it was meant just for me.

I shook my head, biting back a grin. Damn her for being so distracting.

As the scene wrapped up, I felt a sense of satisfaction settle over me. It had been a long day, but it was worth it to be back in my element, back where I belonged. And it didn't hurt that Carter was here with me, watching me work, supporting me like she always did.

I made my way over to her as the crew started packing up for the day, Serena still chatting away about something or other. But when I reached Carter, Serena stopped mid-sentence and gave me a knowing look before excusing herself.

Carter turned to me, a playful glint in her eyes. "What was that smile earlier, huh?" I asked, crossing my arms and raising an eyebrow.

She grinned. "What, I can't smile at my amazing wife while she's being a total boss on set?"

I rolled my eyes, though I couldn't help the smile tugging at the corners of my lips. "You're distracting, you know that?"

Carter chuckled, stepping closer and wrapping an arm around my waist. "Is that so? I'll have to try harder next time."

I swatted her arm playfully, but I didn't move away, leaning into her warmth instead. "You're impossible."

"And yet, you keep me around."

"Yeah." I said softly, looking up into her eyes. "I guess I do."

The truth was, I didn't just keep her around. I needed her around. More than I ever thought I would. And the more time I spent with her, the more I realized just how much she had come to mean to me.

As the sun began to set outside, casting the set in a warm, golden glow, I knew one thing for certain, I wasn't just falling for Carter. I was already in too deep.

And for the first time in a long time, I didn't mind one bit.

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~ R