Chapter 8

Chapter Eight

Where his thumb lay on her neck, Jerricka's pulse raced. To her, it felt like the organ was trying to gallop out of her chest. Just seconds before, the beating had been even. Methodical. She knew the increase conveyed a story to Thiago. In their short time together, she'd also learned he wouldn't accept silence as an answer.

Her eyes searched his for the words behind what he'd said. Possessive men weren't her bag. In theory. Apparently, in reality, it was a completely different story. When the man displaying the trait was Thiago Dominguez, that is.

Would it be so horrible for her to agree to date him exclusively? To cancel her membership with BBDA, or let it expire? Not really, since she hadn't wanted to sign up in the first place. No sacrifice required on her part. She actually had a tasty consolation prize.

"Dulzura? Are we clear?" Thiago's deep voice rumbled, vibrating into her chest since she was still lying on top of him.

"As mud." Jerricka delivered her response with a smirk, which morphed into a full smile when he smacked her ass with one deliciously calloused hand.

"Mud isn't clear. So, I guess you need more convincing."

Using his hold on her neck, he pulled her forward until their lips connected. Displaying his impressive strength, he used his other hand to adjust her hips until she was angled perfectly to received his big dick in her already leaking channel.

Glad she'd put her phone on silent after shooting Nia a message, Jerricka rocked her hips, accepting Thiago's delectable invasion. The way he stretched her, in her current position astride his big body, she was guaranteed not to last long. But, since he'd proven he could quickly stoke the flame of her passion, she wasn't worried. There were at least three more orgasms in her near future.

Jerricka turned the light off in her new office. Shooting for The Clarke Files was done for the season. There had also been a big shakeup at the studio. She wasn't privy to all the behind-the-scenes movements, but at the end of it all, Jerricka was offered an unprecedented and coveted position with the studio itself instead of working contract to contract having an agent always shopping her portfolio.

The best part was, she didn't have to sign an exclusivity contract. If she was approached to work on an outside project, they wouldn't block her. She couldn't be happier with the turn of events. The only person who was likely happier than her, was probably Thiago.

They'd been seeing one another exclusively since their first date. It had been so amazing. It actually felt like she'd been dropped into her own personal romance story—BDE book boyfriend included. As she was walking to the parking area, she saw Dominique. But instead of looking as if she was leaving for the day, Dom looked a bit frazzled. Approaching her, Jerricka offered her a tentative smile.

"Hey, Dom. What's up? Everything okay?"

"Hey, Jay. Yeah...No, everything's not okay. But, I'll get it worked out."

"Wanna talk about it?" Dom had offered many times to be a listening ear. Jerricka felt the least she could do was return the favor.

"Only if you have a place we can use for a few scenes that looks like a real construction site, but with a crew that could build some break away stuff like we need for a big fight scene. Oh, they also have to be able to work within the safety parameters, and be able to get started tomorrow."

Tilting her head, Jerricka held up a finger. "Give me a second."

"Don't play with me, Jay." Dominique's face was an amalgamation of hope, anxiety, and frustration.

"I wouldn't play at time like this, Dom."

Taking out her phone, Jerricka tapped the screen. On the second ring, Thiago's deep voice came over the line.

"Dulzura, is something wrong?"

Jerricka understood him immediately assuming there was a problem. They had just spoken before she left her office. She'd told him she was coming to his place straight from the studio. Her calling again so soon, put him on guard.

"Nothing's wrong. At least not with me."

She quickly gave him a synopsis of what Dom explained to her. When Thiago had additional questions, Jerricka put him on speaker so Dom could fill in the blanks. By the end of the call, Thiago had secured a suitable location and the necessary manpower to get it done.

The moment Jerricka ended the call with Thiago, Dom swept her into a bone-crushing hug.

"Oh my gosh! Thank you so much!"

"It's no problem. I'm happy I could help. Although, I'm sure you would've eventually been able to work it out. It's nice to know people who can help my friends."

"You did more than help. You saved me."

Shrugging, Dom looked over her shoulder. They were as alone as they were going to get with her security detail a few feet away. Still, she leaned in and lowered her voice.

"I know I could've just called Den, but I really wanted to handle this on my own. With my own connections."

"And you did."

Rubbing her arm, Jerricka reassured her. They chatted a few more minutes before parting ways. Since Dom assured Jerricka she would have someone take care of getting the trailers to the new site, there was nothing else Jerricka needed to do. So, she continued with her plan to go to Thiago's. They spent a quiet evening in, with him increasing his boyfriend stock by keeping the promise he'd made that morning to cook dinner and pamper her.

The next day began much earlier than usual with the two of them actually driving to work together, instead of separating in the driveway with a kiss goodbye. To make certain things went off without a hitch, Thiago intended to spend the next two days on the set he'd arranged for them. It was amazing what could be arranged when dealing with people who had means.

A contract was drawn up for the use of the property with terms worked out at an extremely reasonable rate before the end of the night. Between the time she'd left the studio and when she'd made it to his place, Thiago ensured that any person he provided to work on or around the set was acceptable to be cleared by security.

The property he was allowing the studio to use was safeguarded behind a tall fence with security working the gated entry. After entering, they drove for another five minutes before reaching the actual location. So, there wasn't a chance of a Lookie-Lou walking by getting a sneak peek at the action. Paparazzi with telescoping camera lenses were another matter.

When Thiago parked his pickup in a space near the front of the parking lot and shut the engine, the place was already buzzing with activity. He came around and helped her from the vehicle. As they walked the set in search of the person in charge, Jerricka experienced a different kind of pride.

Thiago was as attentive as always, with his hand at the small of her back, taking care that she was safe even in an environment primarily filled with people she worked with regularly. Heads turned from the familiar and unfamiliar people they passed.

They located the foreman along with the set manager, Calhoun, in the same place.

"Good morning, Jerricka. And you must be Mr. Dominguez." Calhoun extended a hand toward Thiago. After a brief shake the two were prepared to get down to business.

"Excuse me, gentlemen, before you get too involved, I have a question. Calhoun, can you point me in the direction of where they parked the makeup and wardrobe trailers?"

Calhoun pointed behind Jerricka and to the left. "Right over there."

"Great thank you. I'll catch up with y'all later."

With a pat to Thiago's side, she went to step away. The hand at her back became a vice around her wrist tugging her back. When she looked up at him, he wore the same expression he gave her when she tried to walk past him without giving him a kiss. Knowing her options were limited, Jerricka went up on her tip toes to accept the quick peck he planted on her lips.

"I'll see you later." She whispered with a rubbing tap to his chest.

"I'll be around." Smiling around his reply, he released her other hand.

Avoiding eye contact, with her sole focus on getting to the trailers and her team, Jerricka pretended nothing irregular had occurred. After a few minutes, she actually believed it.