Hally doesn’t answer. She simply breathes out slowly, like it hurts her to let it go and then steps to the side, opening the door wider. Her eyes stay on me, but they’re wide and swirling with a mix of emotions.
She’s scared. I’ve seen this look before, so many times back in high school. It’s the look she always had before we’d get back together. When she’d hide from me, run away, or push me away, but she’d always come back with that look in her eyes. Her mouth shut as she’d wait for me to tell her I was sorry, or that I forgave her, or simply that I wanted her back.
My blood courses with heat and excitement and so much more. She’s putty to me at this moment, waiting for me to make the decision. It was always so easy to go after her again, and it’s just the same now.
With every step I take inside, Hally takes a step back until her knees hit the bed. “Hally,” I say her name as I turn around slightly and gently push the door so it’s partially closed, just enough for privacy, but not enough to make anyone question what’s going on inside her dressing room.
“Nathan,” Hally whispers my name and it comes out ragged but filled with desire.
“I think we should talk,” I say evenly and then run my hand through my hair. “Can I sit?” I ask her, again just to be polite and cordial, but also to keep her on her toes, to mess with her and prolong this tension. I love it when she’s like this.
Maybe that’s why it was so easy to push her. The make-up sex and seeing just how much she wanted me was something I could never resist. Maybe it’s a vice of mine, fighting with Hally just to get closer to her. Everyone wants to be desired.
She nods her head, swallowing thickly and then glancing at the door before sitting on the edge of the bed. “Nathan, I want you to know,” she starts to speak before I can sit and it’s unexpected.
She sucks in a breath and then clears her throat before looking up at me. “I understand that I’m invading your territory a bit,” she says her words carefully, squaring her shoulders and being as professional as possible. The confidence and even arrogance that I had when she first opened the door threatens to leave me, but I hold on to the way she felt as she squirmed underneath me on set. She wants me, I know that much and it’s all I need. She can pretend this is something else if she wants to. It wouldn’t be the first time.
I grip the top of the chair at the vanity as I take a seat, giving her the floor to get whatever it is that’s on her mind off her chest.
“I was going to come see you sooner. I just …”
“Couldn’t find me?” I ask her sarcastically.
“I didn’t search you out or even know you were here when I was asked if I wanted the part. I didn’t do this on purpose, I promise you.”
“You couldn’t have; no one knew I’d signed on,” I tell her to let her know I believe her and ease the strained tension.
“I’m not here to threaten you or say anything at all, or bring up anything that happened,” she says and every word seems to come out faster, rushed and stealing her breath. It makes my blood run cold. If Hally wanted to hurt me, she could have long ago. If she wanted to threaten me or hold something over my head, or even blackmail me, she would have already.
I never thought she would, but I have to admit more than a few times, the thought came to mind. It was fleeting, but it was there. Part of me even wanted it.
“You’re a really good actress,” I tell her, my voice low in my throat. She questions the intention of my words. As if I’m questioning the authenticity of what she’s saying. Making her defensive and on edge as she licks her lips and crosses her arms.
I shouldn’t push her like this. I shouldn’t instigate a fight. I know that I shouldn’t, but the thought of her pushing me right back is making me hard as steel.
“Thank you,” Hally responds, although her words hold an edge to them and her eyes narrow slightly. She purses her lips and then her tongue slips out, wetting her bottom lip and forcing me to remember how she tasted, how good it felt to kiss her again.
I sit back in my seat and tilt my head as I speak to her, ignoring her confession and the tension regarding our past. “I mean it.” I rest my elbow on the vanity and place my chin in my hand. “I wasn’t expecting you to fall into the role so easily.”