Marissa lifted her eyes and beamed at him, once more stealing his breath.More and more, it seemed he would do anything for that grateful smile.
He accompanied her to make up, knowing she had some issue with her artist.He stayed to watch and they readied her, then found a place near the cameras when they began to roll.The scene involved a fight up on a catwalk.He sat back to watch Marissa’s lithe form move through high kicks and dodges.No stunt double would be necessary for this scene—Marissa had the moves and she approached the scene with a ferocity that made her impossible not to watch.
Antonio’s attitude had turned to pure glee, even with her, and he moved the filming around her, making love to her with the cameras.“Yes, that’s it!”he called out every so often as they repeated the sequence several times.
On the last run, Marissa lost her footing, missing her choreographed dodge out of Rogers’ way.His kick caught her on the hip and sent her flying backward, into the light tree, which toppled onto her when she landed.She screamed as she fell and his heart flew into his throat.He charged onto the set to rescue her.
Pain explodedin Marissa’s head and something hot burned her arm.The lights blinded her.Someone pulled them off and she blinked up, trying to focus on the sea of faces crowded around.
“Get back.Give her some room.”
She exhaled.Joel was there.
“Hey, baby,” he said softly, kneeling beside her.
“Joel,” she croaked.
“Tell me what hurts, sweetheart.”
“Ugh.I’m so embarrassed.”She looked around at all the people staring at her.
“More space.Step back, out of the way.”
“I’m calling 9-1-1,” someone said.
“No,” she said, turning pleading eyes on Joel.“I’m okay.”
“Just hold off on 9-1-1,” he said.
Again, she exhaled.How did he always know exactly what she needed?
“What hurts, baby?”
She pushed herself to sit up and rubbed the back of her head.
“Come here, let’s go in your dressing room and take stock and then we can decide what kind of help you need.”
That sounded wonderful to her.She nodded and he helped her to her feet, wrapping a strong arm around her shoulders and leading her to the dressing room.Her legs shook, but she didn’t feel that hurt, just embarrassed by all the attention.
Joel shut the door to her dressing room and lifted her to sit on the counter.“Let’s take a look at you, baby girl.Let me see your head.”
She turned and he gently palpated the back of her head.
“Yep, you have a goose egg there.What else?”
She twisted her arm to look for the burning sensation.A red mark had already raised.“I think one of the lights must have burned me.”
He inspected it, then kissed the skin below it.“A little aloe vera would come in handy right now.Anything else?”
She shook her head and smiled wryly.“I think I’m fine.Just embarrassed.Thank you for rescuing me from the ambulances.”
He chuckled.“All right, I’m going to get you some ice.Do you want to see a doctor?”
“No.Definitely not,” she said.
“Do you want to wait here alone, or should I find you company?”
“Alone.Thanks.”
