Fever Dream (Emerald Lake, #1)(54)
I turn to face her head-on, staring at her, agape.
And she laughs in my face.
“A virginal robot?”
“Just calling ’em like I see ’em, Brandt.”
With that, she holds herself rigid, opens her eyes almost comically wide, and leans forward with only her neck while puckering her lips.
She’s laughing. Making an offensive mockery of my kissing abilities.
“Maybe I don’t want to kiss any of these women. And that’s why it looks so ridiculous. Ever think about that?”
She snorts, and it’s completely unladylike. “Well, you better find some motivation because this shit is just getting started.”
Running my tongue over my teeth, I regard her from below furrowed brows. “Very inspiring. Very directorial.” I turn my feet, positioning myself to face her. “Pretend you’re actually my director. Put all that fancy school to work. What would you tell me to do? Imagine everyone naked?”
“I kind of assume you already do that, to be honest. It’s your default setting.”
“Well, what am I, a pervert or a virginal robot?”
She brings me up short when she blurts, “You’re trying too hard.”
“Oh?” I step closer, the rush of a challenge flaring inside of me.
“Yeah. You need to loosen up. Act natural.” She reaches up, gripping my shoulders and maneuvering them—as though that will help.
Before I can think better of it, I crowd her and reach for her waist. She sucks in a startled breath and stares down at my palms covering her hip bones.
“Like this?” I ask, quirking my head.
Not feeling the least bit robotic or virginal with my hands on her.
“Getting there.” Her tongue darts out to wet her lips, eyes flicking between mine in question.
But I don’t have any answers for my behavior right now.
“And this?” I lower my head slowly, the tip of my nose grazing her hair. It smells fresh, sweet and herbal all at once.
“Sure. Yeah. Better.”
I’m close enough to hear her throat work as she swallows.
“Hmm,” I hum, considering my next move. I’m close to crossing a line, but I barrel toward it anyway. “I could do something like this…” Lifting one hand, I drag my knuckles up the side of her neck. A ragged sigh racks her body, and for a beat, I swear she leans into my touch.
My heart rate accelerates as I move up, fingers lifting to tip her chin, so she’s forced to meet my gaze.
With a smirk, I drop closer, my lips nearing hers. Just a breath away. “Is this better for you, Julia?”
“Yeah,” she inhales, eyes searching mine as though she’s confused by what’s happening but refuses to back away either. “Something like this would be fine.”
“I’m so glad you approve,” I whisper, gaze dropping to her mouth as my pulse thunders in my ears. “I’ll try to be less virginal for you going forward.”
I rub my thumb across her bottom lip and pull away, watching her take one long blink.
“Later, Jules,” I say casually before I turn and walk away. Leaving so that I can process whatever the fuck just overtook me.
And as I retreat, I blink, too, but it doesn’t lift the spell. Which is fine by me.
I came here to fix the damage I’d done to my cherished Prickle Point memories.
And it worked.
OFFICIAL MEMO
To: Richard Wadsworth
From: Teri Baker
Subject: Second Elimination Ceremony
Bachelor has eliminated Ashley. The reasoning he gave on camera was that he just couldn’t see her adapting to farm life, and this is where he plans to live with his wife.
This week was spent around the farm but also in the town of Emerald Lake to give viewers a lay of the land.
We captured footage of Emmett and the contestants going on a hike up a mountain just behind the property. The imagery from the summit of that will be fantastic for cut scenes throughout the series.
Film crew reports that Julia (the location manager) submitted an excellent and detailed report that made their jobs easier. So hats off to the new girl.
Speaking of the new girl, our bachelor might have eyes for her. Nothing concrete. Just what I’m seeing from watching them interact and from the way he behaves in front of the camera. It might be something to keep our eyes on.
As you know, the hiking scene took a bit of a left turn with Evelyn taking a fall and Emmett refusing to help her. I had him record B-roll checking in on her when we got back to the farm, so we can spin his concern for her health if you choose to use the accident.
We reshot the scene and have him call for a medic, but it reads a bit wooden on screen.
The good news is we caught the kiss at Prickle Point from multiple angles, and Camera Two shot over his shoulder to give us the perfect angle on Evelyn’s face while also catching the sunset. I think with a little artful clipping, that scene will hit exactly the way we wanted it to.
The women back in the bunkhouse were NOT pleased about him choosing Evelyn for the picnic, and we captured a lot of shit-talk and catty B-roll. Cookie and Evelyn seem to have some mounting tension that might be worth building this week.