Still, Carmen only ever did what she wanted to do, so he wasn’t sure if she’d turn and bolt. He didn’t know what he’d do if she ran; there was no plan B. So he waited with nervous expectation as she climbed the steps, looking slightly dazed by her surroundings. Victor extended a hand out to her and she gripped it like he was her anchor in a storm. Warmth washed over him at her touch, and he drew her closer.
“Did you plan this?” she hissed, but he smiled gently and shook his head.
“No. But you deserve to be up here. This is your victory too.”
Once she was with him in front of the mic, he put his arm around her and turned back to the crowd.
“None of this would have been possible without the amazing Carmen Serrano.” He paused, then added in a soft voice, “My wife.”
And then he kissed her full on the lips, right in front of everyone.
Chapter 35
CARMEN IN CHARGE
EPISODE 8
Scene: Carmen and Victor get intimate in his tour bus.
INT: Victor’s tour bus—DAY
Carmen and Victor burst into his trailer, buoyed by exhilaration. They couldn’t keep their hands off each other.
“Victor, you were amazing,” she said. All the love she felt for him reverberated through her voice. “The crowd adored you. And now there’s the book deal, the tour, the new album—you’ve done it. I’m so proud of you.”
Victor took her in his arms and held her close. “It’s all because of you, Carmencita. You always believed in me. You saw the best in me, even when I didn’t see it in myself. Everything I’ve done, I owe to you.”
“You sure know the way to my heart,” she said, blinkingback tears. “Complimenting my work will get you everywhere.”
“There’s only one place I want to be.” With a husky laugh, he leaned in and kissed her. It was the hottest, most sensual kiss they’d shared since his return, deeper and more intense than all the others. Their hands roamed each other’s bodies as he backed her into the vanity and helped her perch on the tiny counter.
When Victor broke the kiss, Carmen started unbuttoning his shirt, desperate to touch him, but Victor had other ideas. Dropping to his knees, he pushed her skirt up and parted her thighs. Carmen leaned back on the mirror, eyes closed, one hand clutching his hair as he pressed his face between her legs. She fought to catch her breath, repeating his name over and over until her voice broke on a low moan and she shuddered.
He rose and pressed his forehead to hers. They were both breathing hard.
She fought back tears.You’re breaking my heart, Ashton Suarez.
“Carmen,” Victor said softly. “I—”
Someone knocked on the door.
Carmen jumped to her feet, only a little unsteady. “Who could that be?” she whispered. “My father? I thought he already went home.”
Turning to the mirror, she quickly straightened her clothing and swiped at her smeared lipstick.
“I’ll check.” Victor fixed his hair and adjusted his pants before he went to the door. When he opened it, he froze, staring at the person on the other side for a long beat. Behind him,Carmen gasped and pressed a hand to her throat in shock. Then Victor’s brows creased, his expression turning as hard and impenetrable as granite.
“What are you doing here?” he demanded.
“Cut! And that is awrap!”
Chapter 36
With that, the last episode ofCarmen in Chargewas complete.
Jasmine let out a long breath and pressed her hand to her solar plexus. Her legs shook, and she wanted to weep, but all around her, cast and crew members were cheering. A few feet away on the tour bus interior set, Ashton turned to her. It was hard to look him in the eyes, considering he’d just had his face between her legs and they were barely on speaking terms.
She’d been surprised that the writers had included Victor going down on Carmen, but hell, after putting up with so much of Victor’s nonsense, Carmen deserved some spontaneous cunnilingus on a tour bus. It had been a painful melding of worlds, since Jasmine knew from experience just how it would feel and how Carmen should react. But it was over now.
