When the Cameras Stop Rolling

Jerome's in the House

Bryan...

Their first night together, since their last happy couple's weekend had been wonderful, so far. They'd cleaned their plates, danced barefoot in the living room, and had taken enough selfies for a magazine spread. Finally, they retreated to the bedroom, where they had been talking for over an hour. There was so much more they wanted to learn about one another, but there never seemed to be enough time.

He felt like he could spend his whole life locked up in a house with her. However, for now, he would enjoy being curled up in bed together, face to face, legs intertwined, lightly cupping her face in his hands, before giving her a soft kiss. "This is heaven, baby. I really don't want this weekend to come to an end." She smiled, and nodded in agreement, "I know...it's nice to have this time alone, but I also can't wait to let the world know we are engaged! You have no idea how many times I've almost said your name during an interview."

"Wow, really? You should come up with an alias for me, so you can say that instead of slipping up...I've almost slipped up a few times myself," Bryan confessed. "People keep asking me how things worked out on the show and I can't even tell them I'm in love!" Kissing her twice, he continued, "Some people are watching like, dude...she seems like she's really into you, each week, but people don't seem to like you! They think you're some player who's trying to get a career! I'm like, what?!"

Rachel laughed, "They think you're a ladies man, trying to seduce me...and forget about that whole "Dr" thing, that practice of yours is just a side hustle! To them, you're Jerome!"

"Exactly! They probably do see me as Jerome...'The International Lover' from the 'Martin' show," he shook his head, rolling his eyes. This sent Rachel into hysterical laughter! They'd recently found out another thing they had in common was their love of 90's hit sitcom, Martin. A few visits ago, Rachel gifted Bryan the Martin series box set, and they binge watched a season each time they got together.

By now, Rachel was gasping for air trying to sing, "Jerome's in the house!...Jerome's in the..." Her laughter was contagious and Bryan started too.

"Baby, that's it!" Bryan said, still laughing, "That's my alias, for when you do interviews! Refer to me as Jerome...the international lover--leave that second part out though. It'll be our inside joke," he was now smiling, as she caught her breath.

Rachel sighed, finally able to speak again, "Absolutely! You will be referred to as Jerome, from now on. Now give me some of that Colombian love," she teased, climbing on top of him. She leaned down to kiss him. As she rose back up, he pulled her into him with one hand, and kissed her again. This time longer...more passionately. As they continued to kiss, he slipped his left hand beneath her fitted camisole and started running his fingers up her back. His right hand reached for the lamp switch, above the night table. Click.