I didn't let Roman talk me out of my reverie. I just rattled on like a confused monkey.
"Now I know you hate film, and I know you don't resonate with," —I gestured wildly to the interiors of my trailer and beyond. Gosh, why so frantic, Erika?— "all this. But consider it. I… My costar is terrible at his job, and it's pushing my own brilliant skills back. Plus, Ben won't consider advising him because the boy's goddamn erratic half the time. You don't want to be near his trailer at lunch break."
Roman chuckled watching me switch from desperate kid to sultry seductress to desperate, convincing kid. He searched my face the whole time I spoke; I assumed he captured every nuance on my face. My expressions laid bare for his eyes to devour. I realized I didn't care about any of that. I just wanted Asher off the set and someone tolerable in.
"Just sit on it for a second."
"I am, I am. Give me a minute."
I watched Roman Wilder mull my request over, a mischievous, amused glint in his eyes and on his lips. Lord knew if he was actually even thinking about saving me from this Donahue mess, and honestly, after staring so shamelessly at Roman for what felt like hours as he bounced from one YSL-adorned heel to another, it escaped the forefront of my mind what I asked him to do. All I could digest were his eyes, the beauty of them, and his hair, the lusciousness of it.
Lost in admiration of his ethereal looks that my brain processed his hands wrapping around my waist a minute too late. Our breaths mingled in the minute space separating us, and my cheeks turned beet red, raunchy images flooding my mind.
"I'll let you know my answer, after I consult with Ben regarding the script, and after we get to the bottom of that unfinished business."
Ack! "Sure. Of course, take your time. But not too much time. Time is actually of essence with this particular business."
Roman grinned. "Agreed. Our reservation expires in about…" He pushed his arm further out to reveal a vintage gold Seiko watch. I imagined Leigh bobbing her head in approval: He wears vintage pieces? Girl, grab him!
I smiled at the thought and immediately shook it away. This wasn't that kind of situation, and the only grabbing I hoped to engage in with Roman was with his ass in my palms.
I lifted my head to see him staring, a smirk playing on his lips. "Well?" I asked. "In about?"
"Two, give or take."
"Two minutes?!" My eyes bulged damn near out of my skull.
Roman's laugh carried across the four corners of my trailer, so much that I found myself chuckling softly alongside. Boy oh boy, is this one extremely dangerous. Code. Fucking. Blue.
"No, baby. Two hours." He called me baby. I had to not be the only one hear Roman Wilder call me baby. Fuck, get it together, Erika!! Roman inched closer to me, his hand around my waist pulling me closer to his heat and my eyes never straying from his lips. It was as though we were hovering over something so lethal to our current fantasy, the way we breathed each other in on our inhales. I pushed into him, my breasts one with his muscled chest. Anyone unfortunate—or fortunate, really. We were hot girls and boys about to steam up the place—to barge in would be scarred for life, in that they'd fantasize about sex nonstop and masturbate like insatiable animals in heat. Wasn't sure animals masturbated, but…
"I'll leave you to wrap up then. I'll be… outside when you're done," Roman whispered beneath my ear. He withdrew in sleek style and placed a feather light kiss on my lips. I waited, like a stupid hungry cat that I was, to lick my lips only after he left my trailer. My body found its way back onto the chair, and I threw my feet up in the air while spinning in the seat. Then I stopped, appalled by my behavior towards a good sex partner, and fixed my hair before returning to set.
"Aaand cut! That's a wrap for the day, folks."
You don't have to tell me twice. I raced as far away from the set as possible, heading single-mindedly to my trailer. I caught Roman from my periphery approaching Ben, and my heart rate sped up. Liv, who was positioned like a staunchly beside my trailer door, gave me a thumbs up and smiled the whole time I found my way in.
I got out of my set clothes, constantly fighting hopes that just maybe, I'll be free of Asher in a short bit. What would do if my hopes were crushed cruelly beneath my nose and Roman said he wasn't interested in film after all? What would I do if Asher keeps ruining my sanity every time he delivers his lines, or every time his poor attempts at body contact make me squirm inside and back out of my skin?
I breathed out a scream on the heaviest exhale to leave my body. If only it weren't this film, or it weren't Ben directing. With how desperate I was, onboarding Granddaddy on my Asher Donahue ejection plan sure could help. A few phone calls, and my breath would come out much calmer and I'd comfortably enter and stay in my zone on set. Ben had seemed enthusiastic about having Roman in the film, so just maybe…
My hands flailed trying to untie the ribbon in my hair. Grunts and curses left my lips as I reached for it, and tugged from multiple ends. When it finally came loose, I rushed into a light breezy sundress with a questionably low neckline. Yes, my boobs spilled graciously in it. I let my hair loose and shifted my immaculately pedicured feet into a pair of transparent cream-colored Mary Jane ballet flats. One last look in the mirror, and I was ready for our unfinished business, which I hoped was not date two. That would be too soon and my dangerous thoughts concerning Roman beeped red light danger, no-going-back at it.
Roman and Ben still kept on in deep conversation when I stepped out of my trailer. Liv still stood guard, only now, she'd inched closer to the talking pair, occasionally clearing her throat and glancing around like she wasn't eavesdropping.
"Of course, of course. It will be a real shame—Erika! I was just talking to Mr Wilder here about important business regarding the film. Now, I can't say details unfortunately, but I will let you know if any new developments will be made."
Ben's grin could sell $5000 tickets, and the underlying message could have me donating $50 million. I beamed as I clutched Roman's elbow. "Of course, Ben. I can't wait to hear about these new developments."
"And please," Roman added, "Call me Roman."
"Oh, God no. Could you imagine?" Ben burst out laughing, his veins popping blue beneath the skin of his pale neck. "Lady Wilder will have me on a spike, Heavens be damned."
Roman shook his head and whisked me into the passenger seat of his car. I sat completely still before he got in himself, twiddling the heck out of my thumbs. Who even still does that? The entire ride to the restaurant became so awkward at a point, with L.A.'s horrible traffic further jittering my nerves. I couldn't look at him. I couldn't spare him a glance because the moment I set eyes on him, I knew control would steer far away from being a core personality trait.
I wanted to kiss him and lay beneath him all afternoon where no eyes and all eyes could see us simultaneously. I wanted to tell him about my day, about April's recent trip back to Paris, about my penthouse renovations, about all the little things.
You're falling, Rixie. You're falling, and this isn't you.