Ashton just wanted to intimidate the guy a little.
He didn't even know the actor's name and he was willing to sign a love contract with him! So Ashton decided to make things clear at the get go.
No real feelings. All business.
The actor's eyes were wide. If Ashton was being honest with himself, he really found the prettiest boy by sheer luck.
Those large grey eyes staring up at him were captivating.
If this dude had a sister with those eyes, Ashton would one hundred percent be there for it.
Ashton was somewhat relieved by the way the guy had gone completely rigid at his touch and figured that he probably wasn't gay either.
That was for the best, no unnecessary feelings involved.
He expected the actor to push him away or get angry. It would be within his rights.
Ashton had just grabbed him, after all.
Instead, the same grey eyes had lowered into a look that Ashton could only call sultry.
Against his will, Ashton felt his heartbeat speed up.
It was probably just anticipation, he reasoned as he watched in disbelief as the actor melted into his arms as if he was made to be there.
Slender arms snaked up his chest and wound around his neck.
Lips curving into a smirk, the actor leaned in rather than pulled away, bringing his lips to Ashton's ear.
"I'm an actor, baby, I'll be fine. You just worry about yourself," The actor whispered before untangling himself from Ashton with ease.
There was a brief moment of shock before Ashton collected his brain off the floor.
Once he had, he applauded.
"Looks like I chose the right person for the role," He told the actor who grinned cheekily, shedding the sexy illusion so fast it was as if Ashton had imagined it.
***
Emmaline's heart was pounding so hard that it was a miracle Ashton couldn't hear it.
She had taken a risk by going straight in for a seductive, homme fatale style and it seemed to have paid off.
Internally, she steadied herself. She wasn't the top of her class for nothing!
She stood in the slightly slouched manner of most laid-back men and held her hand out.
Ashton looked at her hand with confusion. There was a pause until it looked like something clicked inside him and he visibly squared up before putting his in hers, as if they were about to go for a walk and wanted to hold hands while doing so.
Something in Emmaline wanted to laugh. This rich boy was too naive!
It was sort of cute.
Instead, she batted at his hand and chuckled lowly.
I am a bro, I am a bro. She repeated in her head.
"Not your hand, dude," She kept her voice as deep as she could manage, "Your phone. We should keep in touch."
Ashton froze but that was the most embarrassment he showed. His hand slowly retracted from hers as he reached into his pocket and handed her his phone.
As expected it was the shiny latest model from a top end brand. In fact, she squinted at it, it might not even be a released model yet.
Quickly, she keyed her number in and then hesitated.
When he saw her fingers hovering over the screen he gave her a questioning look and Emmaline decided to just go for it.
She typed in the contact name and turned the screen to show him.
'Em❤️' was the contact name she gave herself.
Ashton nodded approvingly, a gleam in his eye, "How did you know I wouldn't have you saved in my phone as 'baby' or something like that?"
Please, Emmaline scoffed in her head.
"Baby or whatever is for your flings or one night stands," She shoved the phone back into his hands, "You'd save someone you're serious about like this. Low key, but personal, intimate."
Ashton's brow was slightly creased as he stared at his phone screen.
"You're a quick study of character, huh," He said half to himself and half to her.
"It helps to understand the character you're playing when you're an actor," Emmaline replied with a touch of pride. She had worked hard to analyze people and personalities quickly and accurately.
When he looked back up at her, his carefree grin was in place and distantly, Emmaline wondered how much of his playful personality was just a mask.
Part of her itched to find out what was beneath it.
"Let's take some photos to set as wallpapers and screensavers," He motioned to her, seeming to get in the groove of this fake relationship fairly easily.
Emmaline tried not to get self-conscious when he leaned in close, their cheeks almost brushing as he snapped a photo.
Silly girl, she scolded herself, what are you getting all fluttery about? This handsome man is not even straight!
Emmaline shook it off and focused on angling her face so that her fine features would look more boyish on the camera.
Turning to Ashton, she pointed, "Take that off."
He raised one eyebrow at her and she flushed slightly.
"We're in public," He flashed her a wicked look, "Isn't that too much? You can't wait until we get home?"
Emmaline forced herself not to get riled up by this playboy. She knew his type and she wasn't about to get all worked up about it.
Reaching up, she tugged at the expensive fabric of his jacket, "I meant the jacket. If we change up our styles a bit, we can take photos that look like we went on different dates."
Ashton's eyes lit up and he quickly shed his jacket while she switched her vest for a cardigan she had in her bag.
They walked around, changing the background and their outfits as much as they could to create as many different photos as they could.
When she woke up this morning, did she expect to be paid to lean on a hot guy's shoulder and look at him adoringly?
No, not really.
Was she complaining?
Hell, no!
Hustle, she told herself, and made a heart shape with their hands for the camera.
She thought she was doing pretty well up until Ashton's voice sounded in her ear, husky and low, "Can I kiss you?"