Take One: The Kiss

Ethan’s POV

It was supposed to be simple to act.

I had previously kissed people on-screen. I had previously experienced on-screen love. I have even shared sexy, heart-pounding moments with some of the most gorgeous celebrities in Hollywood.

However, this?

There was more to this.

Because I had to pretend—no, persuade an entire audience—that I was in love with Julian Cross, who stood in front of me with half-lidded eyes and a smirk that was barely concealed by his carefully manicured face.

Worse?

I was secretly beginning to question whether it was all a lie.

Chemistry, Lights, and Camera

Our director, James Alden, paced in front of us and declared, "Okay, this is a big moment." "The kiss is not the only intimate moment in the scene. It is all about the build-up and the tension. The point at which your characters eventually cave in.

Like experts, Julian and I nodded.

Like two actors who would have no trouble completing this scene.

As if we had not unintentionally contributed to dating rumours that were already gaining traction online during the previous press conference.

James looked over at Julian. "Please do not do that. Act as though you are having trouble coming to this realisation. As if your character is attempting to suppress his emotions, but he just— James gave a finger snap. "—loses control."

Julian nodded firmly. "I got it."

James looked over at me. "I want him to be challenged by your character, Ethan. Then push him over the edge. Get him to crack.

My heart pounded.

Not because the acting part made me anxious.

However, Julian Cross was a master of control. Furthermore, I had no idea where we would end up if I had to break him, either on or off screen.

I rolled my shoulders back to correct my posture. This is something I could do.

"Let us take it from the lead-up," James said, moving behind the monitor. "You come on the scene first, Julian. You follow, Ethan. Until I call cut, we continue.

Julian's eyes flitted in my direction, unreadable as usual. Then he entered the set without saying another word.

I shook my hands and inhaled deeply.

It was merely a kiss.

Simply acting.

What, then, was causing my stomach to feel like it was going to explode?

Take action

Our characters were supposed to finally—finally—break the unbearable tension between them in this set, which was a dimly lit apartment that was meant to look effortlessly romantic. There was a single couch in the centre of the room, a golden lamp flickering in the corner, and rain pattering against the fake windowpanes.

Julian was already positioned, standing close to the window, his posture showing the frustration of his character.

I walked in.

The energy in the room changed as soon as our eyes locked.

No one was watching.

No crew.

Only us.

Julian's voice was low and ragged as he let out a sharp exhale. "I am no longer able to do this."

I moved in closer. "Then don't."

He tightened his jaw. "It is not that easy."

I retorted, "If you want it to be, it is."

Julian turned, tension coiling through his entire body. His eyes darted between my mouth and my eyes, and his breathing was erratic.

My heart was pounding.

The next few lines were dictated by the script, but neither of us said a word.

The important thing was the silence.

The way our gazes met.

Julian seemed to be holding himself back by the way his fingers twitched at his sides.

I moved closer. The slight strain in his jaw and the hesitancy in his breathing were visible to me.

I should not have pushed him too hard.

However, a part of me wanted to, a reckless, irrational part.

So I said in a whisper, "Prove it."

Julian's jaw muscle twitched.

He balled his fingers into fists.

Then—

He shifted.

The Kiss

At first, it was slow.

tentative.

His hand seized my jaw, and as his thumb brushed my cheekbone, the tenderness completely contrasted with the ferocity in his eyes.

He tilted his head and kissed me before I could even react.

A brush of lips, slow and intoxicating.

Testing.

We were not prepared to respond to the question.

Then it got deeper.

He tightened his hold on my shirt and drew me in until there was nothing left between us.

And me?

I was going down.

His other hand moved behind my neck, running fingers through my nape's hair. I shivered as my body responded reflexively, pressing into him and equally pressing against his lips.

He breathed softly and raggedly in between kisses, and I could hear it.

He was still holding himself back, and it was evident from the tension in his shoulders.

I was expected to do as I was told.

But I had no thoughts.

I tightened my grip as my fingers moved from his waist to his back. I had stopped acting.

He was not either.

And the scariest thing of all was that.

Slice.

James's voice cut like a blade through the atmosphere.

I quickly withdrew, gasping for air.

Julian took a while to move.

Something unreadable flickered beneath the surface as his hands lingered on me for an excessive amount of time and his eyes remained fixed on mine.

Then he suddenly took a step back.

His face returned to that of the untouchable Hollywood star, Julian Cross.

I took a deep breath.

Taking action.

It was merely a performance.

Correct?

Returning to the Real World

There was silence on the set.

James then whistled softly. "That was quite a show."

Members of the crew looked at each other knowingly.

Someone cleared their throat.

One of the lighting assistants whispered, "Damn." "It seemed as though I was encroaching on something."

Julian laughed sharply, but his eyes did not meet his. "Is not that the main point?"

I clenched my jaw. I smirked against my will. "The best method acting."

James put his hands together in a clap. "All right, before we restart for another take, let us take five."

One more take.

I let out a slow breath.

Julian's expression was unreadable as he combed through his hair. Then he turned and left the set without a glance in my direction.

I remained behind, my skin still tingling from the ghost of his touch, my heart still pounding.

This was not merely a show.

And I suspected that we were both on the verge of discovering it.