The Sweetest Summer

Chapter Six - We Belong

I prayed that Eli had been kidding, but after the beach scene was successful on the first take, the production team wrangled me into Eli's actual bathroom. I stood in shock, staring at all the cameras and microphones planted inside the shower, and more bright green Xs taped to the floor.

"Okay. So Beach Girl, you and Paul are going to start here." Jean-Michelle pointed to an X just outside the shower. "Then he'll drag you into the shower here." He pointed to a second green X on the floor. "Where he'll push you against the glass and then turn on the shower. Kiss kiss kiss. Pick you up and your legs will wrap around his waist." I couldn't breathe. "Then he will turn you both and untie your bathing suit top. Shot of your bare back. And scene..."

"Oh.Kay." I croaked, my hands positively shaking. I cleared my throat, rolling my shoulders back as Eli walked in. "Got it. Thanks Jean-Michelle." I feigned confidence and Eli looked just as confident - a true polished professional.

"You ready to do it?" He teased, but there was a glimmer of uncertainty in his eye.

"Absolutely." I challenged, even though my body was singing with anticipation. I had dreamed of kissing Elijah West since I was twelve...and now here we were.

"Okay. Places everyone!" Jean-Michelle boomed.

"We don't have to do this if you don't want to..." Eli promised quietly, grabbing my hand that was still shaking.

"No. It's okay. I want to." I admitted and he smiled. "I mean it's just acting, right?" His smile slipped a little, but he nodded once.

"Okay...action!"

Eli's face quickly transformed from caring into cocky in the way that was entirely his character, making the transition flawlessly. His grip on my hand tightened and he flung me forward, pulling me behind his large body into the shower.

True to the plan, he pressed me gingerly to the glass shower wall and turned the water dial to warm. I waited for him to turn back and when he did his cocky demeanor shifted to apprehension, all over his beautiful face. I frowned, my eyebrows pressing together as he leaned forward slowly and pecked me gently on the lips.

"Cut!" Jean-Michelle screamed, ripping the headphones from his ears. "What in the fuck was that?!"

"What?" Eli turned apprehensively, hands on his toned hips.

"This entire scene is about your sexual prowess, Paul. You're wanting to prove you can have any woman you want...and the woman you want is Beach Girl. So why are you kissing her like your cousin at your grandmother's funeral?" He challenged and Eli huffed.

"What?! I wasn't..." He argued, but his voice lacked any conviction.

"From the top. Again." Jean-Michelle insisted and Eli pulled me back toward our starting X. "Prepare the scene." Jean-Michelle ordered and I turned to Eli, pulling on his hand until he looked down at me, the frustration apparent on his face.

"It's okay. Just do it. I want you to." I admitted.

"What?!"

"Kiss me like this will be your only opportunity for the rest of our lives." I smiled widely, knowing this was ultimately the truth. We were born as friends, and we were doomed to die as such. Which was why I had to get out. As soon as this scene was over.

"Action!" Jean-Michelle called again and this time I felt a shift in him. Eli's same beautiful cocky mask dominated his face, but his body language was darker. More sexually amplified, and my own body responded in kind, submitting to him. My mouth watered in delicious anticipation.

He pulled me into the shower by the wrist, and pushed me against the wall so hard, the glass vibrated against my back. The cool surface against my bare ass soothed the burning fire licking beneath the surface. Eli turned, forcing the knob over to hot and turned back to me, grabbing me by the cheeks and lifted me so high I almost came completely off my tiptoes. His soft lips met mine again, but this time they were urgent, moving skillfully in a way that left me breathless. He held my face in place as he turned his head to one side and deepened our kiss, inserting his tongue into my mouth and my hands clutched his biceps for balance.