In any other setting, Katrina wouldn’t have dared be so rude, but they had to be as silent as possible so close to the working set. Franny had encouraged Katrina to do her own thing at such moments starting the first day they’d been filming, and the situation was old hat by now, several days into the lightning-fast shoot.
In fact, they were due to finish this part of the location shots tomorrow. It seemed almost impossible how much work they’d crammed into so few days, but the castle interior shots were almost done. They’d have a few days off, then regroup in England for the rest of the filming, which would cover several locations, including an authentic castle for exterior shots and even a ring of standing stones.
Franny straightened, and then Katrina heard the noise from just inside the building. Whatever they’d been doing was finished. That meant Katrina would likely be up next, unless there was some sudden change to the schedule.
Ren appeared in the doorway, meeting Katrina’s gaze. He leaned against the stone doorframe, his pose deceptively casual.
“We’re ready for you,” he said, that purr in his deep voice the most seductive sound she’d ever heard in person.
“Not so fast, Ren,” Franny said, stopping him before he could leave. “You need a touch up.”
Ren sighed dramatically and moved closer to sit in the folding chair next to Katrina’s.
“If you must,” he griped, but submitted to Franny’s ministrations. He didn’t need much. Just a dab of powder to dull the shine on his skin from working under the hot lights.
Katrina stood while Franny worked and checked the gown for wrinkles. There would be someone from wardrobe on the set to check her over, but she wanted something to do while waiting for Ren. She should probably just go in, but she found herself wanting to walk back with him, even for the short distance from here to the set. She just liked being in his presence.
She was halfway in love with the man already, but she knew her time with him was extremely limited. She wouldn’t allow herself to fall completely in love. That would just be a waste of time and energy. But a little harmless fantasy wouldn’t hurt. In fact, she had convinced herself, it could only help with her portrayal of Marian, who was deeply under Robin’s spell.
Sure. That’s why she was letting herself be charmed by the handsome devil. Right. She’d just keep telling herself it was for the benefit of the movie and possible advancement of her career.
Somewhere deep inside, though, she knew that wasn’t really the truth. She just couldn’t help herself. Ren was…magnetic. He drew her like no other man she’d ever met, but she knew that way lay danger. He wasn’t for her. He was a fantasy. A pipe dream. Someone she could know and even kiss—for the cameras—but could never hold.
She stifled a sigh as he got up from the chair with his characteristic energy. They walked back into the main room of the building and were immediately beset by various crew members who needed to check things over with them. She tried not to look at Ren as he was led away by the stunt coordinator, even as the wardrobe assistant had her do a quick twirl so she could check out the fall of her gown.
They worked hard the rest of the day on the scene where Robin invades Marian’s rooms and charms her with his wicked smile. It was the getting-to-know-you part of their relationship, and Katrina enjoyed the banter written into the script. Acting opposite Ren was a true pleasure. He made her almost forget that they were acting a scene. He was just that good.
In between takes, he stuck near her while the crew made their adjustments. They made small talk, but nothing too distracting, except for one conversational foray that took her by surprise.
“Have you given any thought to my invitation?” he asked in that low, sexy voice that made her insides clench. For a moment, she drew a blank, having no idea what he was talking about. “The island?” he prompted when she said nothing. “The plane will be here tomorrow afternoon to pick us up. It’ll be a full flight. Half the cast and crew are going.”
“I’m very tempted,” she said, not sure how to answer. She’d been thinking about the invitation ever since he’d issued it, but she hadn’t committed either way, though she’d been leaning toward accepting.
“You can stay at Mark’s mansion. There’s plenty of room. Or, if you prefer, I have a guest room in my house, farther up the mountain. You’re welcome either way.”
Was she imagining things or had his voice dropped even lower when he’d invited her to stay at his place? Holy cow! Was he coming on to her?
Oh, heck. Danger, danger, danger! She couldn’t allow herself to get intimate with him. Not for real. He’d break her heart and she wasn’t sure it would ever recover.
“The mansion sounds lovely,” she said firmly, wanting him to know she wasn’t going to be so easily seduced.
“Then you’ll come?” He didn’t seem quite as deterred as she’d hoped.
“I guess so,” she said, realizing she’d agreed.
Shrugging inwardly, she gave in. She did want to see the mysterious island and meet the people who called it home. After all, they were flying down as a group, and Ren had already reassured her about her choice of where to stay. She didn’t think he was the kind of guy who would blatantly lie to get a woman into a compromising position. She’d be safe enough with the others around, and above all, she trusted that Ren was a gentleman who didn’t need to bamboozle her—or anyone—into his bed.
Given half a chance, she feared she’d leap into it without the slightest encouragement at all.
*
Ren felt like strutting as he and the rest of his Clansmen got on the van headed for the airport late the next afternoon. They’d wrapped work on the set in good time to catch the private plane that was already waiting for them. With any luck, they’d be on the island just before dinnertime.
Franny sat next to Kat in the van, but that was okay. Fran had become close with Kat in a short time, and Ren was glad they were friendly. Still, he wouldn’t breathe easy until the jet was in the air, and Kat couldn’t change her mind about going to the island. He had big plans for the next day or two, and it all hinged on having her there.
Ren had spent a few minutes on the phone with Mark the night before, explaining the situation. Mark had been supportive and genuinely happy for Ren. He’d also been willing to talk over the idea of mating a non-magical human. He’d reassured Ren on a number of points. Of course, Mark’s own mate was highly magical, so it wasn’t quite the same situation. Still, the Alpha knew his Clan, and he had seen quite a few pairings like the one Ren wanted with Kat. Mark was able to calm some of Ren’s fears about possible incompatibilities. Mark also agreed that things would be much easier if Ren could just get Kat to the island, where the whole Clan could support Ren’s efforts to explain their world to her.
Every jaguar on the cast and crew was going home for a few days. Not that they all had residences on the island. Far from it. But Mark had set up his island as an oasis for all jaguar shifters, and he welcomed them all to come, visit, and stay, if they wished. There was plenty of room for the small numbers of jaguars left in the world, and by protecting them in such an out-of-the-way place, Mark hoped, in time, to restore the numbers of their people to what they had once been.