Fall (Seaside #4)(24)
Author: Rachel Van Dyken

“Both,” I managed a small smile. “But I’m the movie star so I get more points, you understand.”

She laughed.

It wasn’t awkward.

It should have been awkward. Awkward meant she was dying inside like I was. Awkward meant she wanted me like I wanted her.

Instead, she was so calm I wanted to grab her again, preferably by the hair, and rip her clothes off.

“You’re a very, very good kisser,” I said hoarsely. “He’s an ass if he thinks otherwise.”

“So maybe he’s bad,” she offered in a teasing voice.

“It’s not you,” I said honestly. “And if you don’t believe me, just feel.” I grabbed her hand and placed it on my chest. “Heart racing. Check. Body humming. Check.”

“Ohh.” Her palm was warm against my chest. “So that’s how you know you’re a good kisser? When you make the other person’s heart beat like crazy?”

Her innocence was astounding, in certain areas she seemed so mature, but when it came to guys? Sex? It was like throwing a lamb into a pack of wolves.

“It’s not about the heartbeat, but about why it’s beating so hard in the first place,” I said smoothly placing my hand over hers. “And right now, it’s because a girl knows how to give a pretty damn good kiss.”

She slid her hand away from mine.

I felt empty inside. Like someone just stole my soul and sold it to the highest bidder.

“Thanks, Jaymeson. You didn’t have to do that.”

“Yeah I did,” I said quickly, almost interrupting her. “And now you know.”

“That I’m a good kisser?”

“Hell no,” I swore. “That you’re the freaking main course, not the appetizer, not the dessert. But the main attraction, the prize, the treasure. The full package. If he isn’t buying into that truth? Then he can go to hell. Or I’ll just spray paint jackass on his house.”

She burst out laughing.

I’d do anything to hear her laugh.

What the hell was wrong with me?

Rein it in, Jaymeson!

“So you, uh, mentioned a movie?”

“Scary movie?” She chewed her bottom lip.

“Sure.”

Fun fact about Jamie Jaymeson? I hated scary movies. I hated things that were haunted and Halloween was my least favorite holiday ever. I turned off my lights and holed up in my house like some elderly person afraid of their own shadow.

So when she said scary movie, I said yes. Not because I had balls of steel — but because I was pretty sure that at some point she’d get scared, and I was just the “friend” to put my arm around her and whisper that it would be okay.

Hell ya. Bring it on!

Chapter Eighteen

Priscilla

I hated scary movies. But I knew a romantic comedy would just make me think about the kiss with Jaymeson, and anything else wasn’t distraction enough. Plus, he was an actor. I swear he was in every single one of my favorite movies from the past five years. The only thing he’d never done was a horror film, so horror film it was.

Luckily Demetri had hooked up the Apple TV so we had Netflix. I clicked through the movies and settled on, What Lies Beneath. It was older so I figured it wouldn’t be super terrifying.

An hour into the movie and I almost felt like sobbing.

Jaymeson had screamed at least twice and I was pretty sure he was just as freaked out as I was.

“Holy shit,” he whispered. “Don’t do it, Harrison! Don’t do it!” Harrison Ford opened the door to see his possessed wife lying across the floor. “Damn you, Harrison Ford. Damn you!” Jaymeson shouted.

I burst out laughing. “Are you always this entertaining to watch movies with?”

“Shh!” he snapped, and then grabbed a handful of popcorn all without looking at me or anything else but the movie screen. “She’s going to kill you, dude! Get out of there, get out!”

I stopped watching the movie, and watched Jaymeson instead.

He cringed, he closed his eyes, he inhaled like he was running a half marathon, and when the car went off the bridge he said so many curse words that I was blushing from head to toe.

The movie ended.

The credits rolled.

Jaymeson stared at the TV for a few seconds before turning toward me. “That was some scary shit.”

“Really?” I tilted my head. “I wouldn’t know. I was having way too much fun watching Mr. Crazy.”

He grinned. “Great, my nickname’s Mr. Crazy now?”

I gave him a solemn nod.

He reached for some more popcorn and leaned back into the couch. “I can’t help it. I always talk when I watch movies. It’s a curse.”

“I love it,” I said without thinking.

The look he gave me made me blush, his eyes dilated slightly as a smile spread across his gorgeous face. “Really?”

“Yeah.” I pulled my knees to my chest and rested my chin against them. “I can tell you get really into movies. It’s cool that you can make movies and still watch them like you don’t know they’re fake.”

He chuckled. “I may know they’re fake, but I still hate scary movies. I was asked to do one last year and backed out at the last minute.”

“Pansy.”

“Shut it.” He threw a pillow at me. I ducked. “It was a movie about being possessed. Not really my cup of tea, love.”

I nodded. “What about now? What’s your next project?”

He hesitated then looked away. “I’m up for a part in that new book series getting made into a movie.”

“Have I read it?”

He snorted, “Probably.”

“Which one is it?”

“The Innocent Love Series.”

I bit my lip to keep from laughing.

He rolled his eyes. “It’s okay, you can laugh, I know it’s not a typical part for me to want.” He fidgeted with his hands and popped his knuckles, like he was nervous or something.

“Hey.” I threw the pillow softly back. “You’re an actor, you can do it, right?”

“Right.” He cleared his throat.

“Is that why you’re here?”

He didn’t answer right away.

“Jaymeson?”

“Vacation.” He licked his lips. “Away from the Hollywood scene, and then hopefully they give me the movie.”

“So, you’ll be here for a few weeks and then leave?”

“That’s the plan.” His voice cracked.