The Curse - rain

CHAPTER

“Rain !”

The  word echoed through the camp like thunder. I looked up to the mountains and saw the grey clouds and the rain curtain that were already darkening part of the sky.

I turned my headset on. “Shapiro, rain is coming. And it’s gonna be heavy.”

On the other end, Rebecca couldn’t believe it. “What rain ? I thought we were in the desert !”

“It's the desert, but there are mountains. And they do have rain. It’s a bit late in the season, but it’s not unheard of.”

Becky must have seen the clouds, because I heard her suck her breath. “How long do we have until it’s upon us ?”

I looked at the sky. “About half an hour, but make it twenty minutes to be sure.”

I was cut off without another word, but there was no time for niceties. I grabbed my talkie. “Everybody,  it’s gonna rain in twenty minutes. Grab the tarps and cover the potter's house. When it’s done, lend a hand wherever you’re needed.”

Without waiting for an answer, I ran from group to group, checking if everything was alright and getting prepped for the rain. I was spot on. Twenty-two minutes after the alarm was sounded, the first drops started to fall. And soon everybody started to run around. 

The city itself was impervious to the rain, but I wanted to make sure the technical equipment set up by the filming crew was out of harm's way. I didn’t stop checking everything even when the downpour drenched me from head to toe. I didn’t mind the rain, really. It wasn’t that cold and I was used to nature's whims.

I went up the temple to watch the city from a raised position. I thought I heard somebody call my name and turned around. Ned was coming towards me, without a dry spot left on him. I couldn’t help but notice how his shirt was almost transparent and clung to every muscle on his torso, and I inwardly licked my lips at the sight.

“Ellie, what are you doing here ?”

“Checking if everything is alright, and it seems to be.”

Everyone must have found a shelter because they couldn’t see any silhouettes running around anymore.

“And what are you doing here ?”

“I saw you coming up here. I’m sorry I don’t have an umbrella to keep you from the rain.”

Ned had stepped closer to me and he was so tall I had to lift my head to talk to him.

“It's a nice thought, but I don’t need an umbrella. I like the rain. Why don’t you have an umbrella to keep yourself from the rain ?”

He stepped even closer. “I like the rain too.”

He slipped his hand around my nape and kissed me. He wasn’t soft or delicate. It was the kiss of a man who knew what he wanted, who had seen a desire like his own in his partner's eyes and acted on it.

I had seen it coming but it was still a shock. His lips were firm and demanding, and after a moment of stupor, I responded in kind. He put his other hand on my back and embraced me. I put my arms around his waist and he took it as a signal to dive in. I lost track of time and space, the only thing on my mind being the taste of him. I didn’t feel the rain anymore. 

When we finally broke the kiss, we were both out of breath and I had a small laugh. I was kissing a movie star in what looked like a movie scene. His hands still on me, he laid his forehead on mine. The rain was still pouring and I started to want a change of clothes.

“My tent is closer if you want to dry out a bit.”

“Sure.” But it seemed he had a hard time letting go. He kissed me on the lips one last time and let go of me just to take my hand. We half-walked half-ran through the camp, both knowing what we wanted to do once inside the tent.

I pulled aside the fabric door looking back at Ned with an alluring smile, and we stopped dead. Jordan was sitting down with a book in his hands.

“What are you doing here ?”

“I was looking for you. I wanted to tell you that everything is secured and out of the rain.”

“Thanks.” I was not happy to see Jordan here when I had cuddles on my mind. I was about to ask him to leave when Ned's phone rang. Disappointment was written all over his face when he looked back at me.

“Dan wants to see me. He wants to take advantage of the down time to go over the next scenes with me. I’ll see you later ?”

I turned towards him and smiled. “Of course.”

He stepped out in the rain and I whirled around to face Jordan. “Now if you please, I’d like to change.”

Jordan just lifted his book and started to read again. “Sure.”

I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. His behavior had changed lately, he had started to feel a little too comfortable around me and I wasn’t having it.

“Jordan, this is my tent. You are not welcome here without me. That kind of report could have been done over the talkie.”

“Sorry, I couldn’t get it to work.”

“Then you find another member of the team and report with their talkie. This is a private place, not an office. And this is not open for a debate or a discussion. You have your private tent, and I wouldn’t imagine going there when you’re not inside.”

Jordan started to realize I was pissed. “Sorry, I won’t do it again. Can I borrow the book ?”

“Don’t get it wet.”

“Of course.”

He stashed it under his jacket and ran out in the rain.

Once I was out of wet clothes, I made myself a cup of tea and stood at the entrance, watching the rain fall. I had kissed Ned Pierce. The famous Ned Pierce, movie star and charity spokesperson. I was a nobody and he had noticed me when he could date models and celebrities. I sipped my tea with half a smile, hoping it wouldn’t be our last kiss.