The next day on the set, he was filming a scene with his lovely Camilla. And not just any scene. It was a sex scene.
She had already invited him to her trailer for a warm up. She had forgotten - again - his statement that there was no chance he would ever touch her. The problem was that he would touch her. For the camera, of course, but still. His hands would need a good wash afterwards.
These scenes were very professionally organised. Minimal crew, intimacy coordinator, modesty garments. Yet, his partner made him feel uncomfortable.
Earlier, they had gathered to 'establish boundaries' with the intimacy lady. When she asked Camilla if she was ok with neck kissing, she replied: 'Of course'. When she asked if her partner could touch her lower back, Camilla said: 'He can even touch my glutes if the director thinks it's necessary.'
He could sense the longing in her voice, no matter how 'it's-only-business' she sounded.
Luca wore his modesty pouch, the shirt and the loose pants Rohart was supposed to wear before sleeping with his beloved Shona. He put a robe on top of that, as the shirt had no buttons, and headed for the station to put on the wig.
The hairdresser - he finally remembered her name was Lainey - finished her job, and it was then that he saw Lexi and Christmas.
Lexi had her usual smile on. But Christmas…
What is wrong with her? So it is something major…
She was approaching with her tail between her legs. No feisty stare -he could still smell the ramen on his clothes-, no sarcastic predisposition -she did call him demented. Just a look of humility washed over her face.
Is she that fickle? Or completely scared?
He had to find out.
"Hey Luca! I'm here to make sure you have everything you need for your next scene," Lexi announced.
"Will you stop irritating me?"
He suddenly felt himself flush. Talking about a sex scene in front of… girls…
"Come on… Has the protocol been followed?" Lexi insisted.
"To the letter."
"Are you ready? Do you need anything else?"
Luca shifted in his seat. "It's not my first time, you know." He felt his cheeks warm up.
"Okey dokey!" Lexi said, and leaned closer to whisper in his ear. "Camilla. Is she behaving herself?"
He just nodded. His eyes searched for Christmas. She was looking everywhere but him. Has the subject of conversation made her uncomfortable?
He felt the urge to investigate what was going on.
"What time will the news be released?" he asked, looking at Christmas.
Her eyes started darting around, unsure if she was the one to answer the question. So unlike the girl he knew…
"At six o'clock in the afternoon," Lexi said, squinting her eyes.
"So, you know nothing?" he asked Christmas again. "Hasn't Lexi informed you of the development?"
Christmas nodded, still avoiding him.
"Are you only good at judging people?" he attacked Christmas, trying to get a reaction from her - any reaction. His words sounded so harsh, he regretted saying them out loud.
Regardless of his cruelty, nothing.
That was super suspicious.
"Luca, what are you doing? Please, stop," Lexi intervened.
She whispered something in Christmas's ear, and the intern walked away.
"What did you say to her?"
"That you are stressed about the scene."
"Oh, come on! It's my job!"
Lexi's expression softened with empathy.
He didn't want compassion!
He quickly tried to derail her.
"What is wrong with her?" he asked, nodding towards the direction Christmas went.
Lexi shook her head. "No idea. It all happened very fast. Now that I think about it, it was after I told her that you and Isabella are history." After a beat, she asked: "You don't say? Is she sad because you broke up?"
"You're mad! Tell me if you find out."
She studied him with intense interest.
"I'm curious, that's all," he said and left for the scene.
They were going to shoot under a tree. How romantic.
When Camilla arrived, all unnecessary personnel left the area. Only the director, the intimacy coordinator and three technical staff remained.
The intimacy coordinator was the only thing that was keeping Camilla at bay.
But the lust in her eyes was there.
"We have rehearsed, now we roll. If you are ready, please take positions," Edward York said.
Luca stood in front of some rugs and sheepskins carefully placed to form a bed. His shirt was wide open, his pants laid low on his hips. He was supposed to flex whatever was visible.
Camilla stood in front of him, with an almost see-through dress. Her long auburn hair rolled down her shoulders in tempting locks. Her makeup was enhancing her flushed cheeks.
Shona had escaped her kidnappers who used her as a courtesan, reuniting with her one true love.
"They used me. I hated myself. Now I forgive my past and give my whole self to you," Camilla-Shona said, letting her dress slip down her shoulders.
Her bare body was revealed. Spotless. And, thankfully, special parts were covered.
She stepped closer, lowering Luca-Rohart's shirt, and caressing his chest, tracing his abs.
"Now, I know exactly how to serve you," she whispered and undid his pants.
They slipped down his hips, exposing everything. They had to go slowly, for all the scenes to be captured correctly.
Camilla kissed him.
That wasn't a performance. It was possessive and chilling.
When he looked into her eyes, her lust was real.
He didn't stop the scene as he should have. There would be no second take.
She pushed him to the rugs and straddled him.
Kisses, touches, sweat.
He could feel her rubbing herself hard against him.
His mind had to escape. He had to think of something else.
The first thought that jumped into his head was the intern and that strange behaviour.
He started forming scenarios in his mind, but when he opened his eyes the face of Camilla started to blur with that of the girl's.
She was still moving restlessly, moaning. Her face… he could no longer recognize it.
And then he felt it.
He was getting hard.
I need to stop…
But he couldn't control his body. The fabric of the pouch felt suddenly too tight, constricting him.
I need to finish the scene. There must be no second take!
And he kissed her hard.
His hands travelled all over her body. He was Rohart conquering Shona.
Soon Camilla let out a moan and he could see her pupils dilating.
No, she couldn't have…
The scene was over and now they were resting next to each other for the final take.
"And cut! Excellent to both of you," Edward said.
He quickly dressed, in a rush to get out of there. The director said excellent, didn't he?
It was then that Camilla approached him. The intimacy coordinator had left early.
"I told you I would make you mine. And you liked it," she whispered, smiling provocatively.
He swallowed hard, his breath short.
He felt cheap.
He felt used.
And then Edward York was heard again.
"In thirty minutes we are rolling again. We need more close-ups."
His blood froze.
He didn't have to look.
He knew Camilla was smiling.
She would use him again.