Bray Array - The Ultimate Erotic Short Story Collection 19

“Do you think you’d ever want to give us another chance?” he asked quietly, gazing up at her.

“Maybe…,” she muttered, shrugging. “I mean, I’d like to, but I just don't know if it will work.”

“With love you never know what’s going to happen,” he reminded her, sitting up as well. He took her face in his hands and kissed her softly before he continued, “I never stopped loving you and I’m willing to do what it takes to make it work if you are.”

Karissa’s heart swelled and she tried to make sense of the situation. For so long she had told herself she shouldn’t be with him, but was that really true? How could it be when he made her feel so incredibly happy?

She leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder, and said softly, “I never stopped loving you either.”

“So does that mean you’re willing to try?” he wondered.

“Yeah, I guess it does.” She looked up at him and smiled, deciding it was the right choice to give him another chance. The connection between them was still electric and there was always room to grow.

She kissed him deeply, her hand running through his hair, and told herself not to worry. Life would take them where they needed to go and in the meantime she could enjoy some truly incredible sex.

by Lois Hodges

She was excited, to say the very least. After spending 10 years as a model, retiring at the ripe old age of 26, she had no idea where her career would lead her. But apparently, the high school acting classes paid off, because here she was, on the set of a major network television show, about to dive into her first speaking role. It wasn't going to be a difficult role; she was still playing a model, and none of her lines required particular depth, but it was a role none the less.

"Avaline?" Someone approached her, and she recognized the girl as a makeup artist, the black waist belt carrying brushes and tools that she was all too familiar with.

"That's me."

"Come on over here and we will get you started."

She was ushered into a makeup chair, feeling very in place. The girl undid Avaline's long black tresses and ran a comb through them, a professional eye running over her face. Avaline knew that her face was unique; with a mix of features that were part of the four different blood lines she had. Her mother was African and Asian, while her father was Native American and English. It had helped her rise to fame.

In her peripheral, she saw someone else sit plop down in the next chair, being prepared for the cameras as well. A shift of her head showed her that it was Daniel Gilchrest: one of the regulars on the show, and probably her favourite, the few times she had watched it. Average height, with dirty blond hair that fell into his eyes, his face carried a strong jaw line, and although slightly weather beaten, Avaline thought he was gorgeous.

10 years as a model had taught her to look for interesting faces, not classic ones. Daniel had a reputation in the media for being a trouble maker, a loud rambunctious sort that got into brawls and backstabbed. However, Avaline had spent years in the public eye herself and so was weary of the reports that they gave. Sitting beside her now, he seemed perfectly calm and composed, even a little uneasy. She was considering how to introduce herself as his love interest when she was saved.

"Daniel, this is Avaline, she's your Esther," a stage hand said as they walked by to hand both of them sides for the day. Avaline leaned over, offering a perfectly manicured hand.

"Hi, nice to meet you before I die in your arms."

His eyes were his best feature, piercing hazel with flecks of gold. He struck her as looking tired, but then, most actors did out of makeup.

"A pleasure," he said, in a clipped accent that she knew came from his years travelling. Their eyes locked, and she saw him give her the once over. Unlike most men, though, he seemed embarrassed about it, and averted his eyes almost immediately.

Once they were done with the makeup, the pair were led to separate costume trailers. Avaline soon found herself laced into a tight, period-appropriate corset, with a flowing skirt that mismatched, marking her as a peasant. She rather liked the role as she read through her sides; an artists model in the 1800s dying of consumption.

Daniel looked dashing in a tuxedo, and she told him so as the extras swirled around them.

"I was going to complain, but I see I have nothing compared to you,” he gave her a grin, indicating her corset. She shrugged, which made her breasts rise.

"Pains of beauty."

The other lead actors entered the scene, chattering excitedly, and also decked in formal wear. Avaline introduced herself, eager for discussion. It didn't take long, however, to notice that Daniel always distanced himself from the group, speaking only to say his lines or ask a work question. When lunch was called, the others, already fast friends, beckoned her. She turned to him.

"Shall we?"

"Ah, well," he looked from the retreating group to her. "I usually eat in my trailer. But you go on."

"Why?" she asked, and he raised an eyebrow.

"Why what?"

"Why don't you stay here and eat?"

He offered her a tight smile, but shook his head.

"It's a long and boring story, love, not worth telling. But you go on…"

"I…" She turned to the bustling set, and then shrugged. "If you're sure."

"I'm sure," he replied, and so, with a smile, she headed off.

The rest of the day flew by, and although it was enjoyable, Avaline was happy to get back to her apartment. She knew they had several days of long shoots ahead, and she was feeling a bit out of her depth with these experienced actors.

Later, reclining on her bed, Avaline pulled out her laptop. She surfed for a bit, checking Facebook and responding to emails, but she soon ran out of things to do. After a pause, she went to Google and typed in his name.

Images of Daniel popped up, in just about every outfit imaginable, and even some with a lack of outfit. In one, he stood shirtless, glaring at the camera with such intensity it made her blink.

Underneath that well mannered attitude was a slim body, with lean muscle, smooth and unmarked. She crossed her legs as she clicked for picture to picture. He was stunning, there was no doubt about it. The man in the pictures was different than the man on set, on camera. In photographs, he was comfortable, at ease. But unset, he was clearly in distress.

Ignoring the tingling she felt when looking at his pictures, she clicked back to the web articles that came up.

34 year old Daniel Gilchrest will replace Terrence Rooney as Toby on the hit series, “Dishonour.” Terrence was let go after the shows first season due to difficulties. The cast of “Dishonour” themselves petitioned, asking fans to sign an internet form, but Terrence was let go none the less.

Avaline raised an eyebrow, as she clicked through multiple articles of a similar nature. No wonder he was uncomfortable. She hadn't been a big fan of the show, now in it's 3rd season, so this information was new to her. Her heart went out to him as she read interviews in which the current cast actually spoke out against him. She was used to cattiness in the modeling world, but nothing like this.

His eyes pierced through her laptop screen as she glanced at the picture one last time. His arms were well built, and she imagined her scene tomorrow, having those arms catch her and run up and down her body.

She closed her laptop before she could think of anything further. But that didn't stop her racing heart.

***

The next day, Avaline ran through the parking lot, her hands held over her head to try and stay dry. It was no use, though, as the rain poured down, and she was already causing puddles as she paused in the lobby of the studio, her dark hair dripping down her back. One of the stage hands grinned, looking at his watch.