Wild Hollywood (closed)

[WatchingCloud]

Carl smiled at her kind words.

"Guess we both ended up in the right situation then, huh? I certainly can't imagine working with animals like this on a movie if it wasn't for you. Dominic chose well, and I got very lucky."

He met Alexis's eyes and lowered his voice just a notch. "I like it when I get lucky."

 

[Asa]

She tilted her head a little watching him.

You are lucky... Often times there has to be a period of time for the animals to warm up to the human they will be working with. Dominic will sometimes gave a picture made of the moment when the animals click with the actor they have to work with. I am sure he already has one of you and Zia and Tomo.

 

[WatchingCloud]

Carl chuckled to himself. Lucky or lucky? The woman had a seemingly one track mind, which was well placed but...

"I'll have to ask him some time. That's a picture is like to keep a copy of."

He peered out at the rain which showed no signs of abating.

"Are you staying in the camp at night or commuting back to your reserve since it's so close?"

 

[Asa]

We stay here at the camp usually unless they radio that there is an issue.

She looked to the rain. Looks like we are sleeping here I guess.

 

[WatchingCloud]

With Alexis, Carl couldn't be sure if her "we" meant to include him or Tomo. He knew which he preferred...

"There were some more blankets in the back of the fuselage," he said. "And some space to lay them out, if you don't mind cozy quarters."

 

[Asa]

That is fine.

She smiled a little and moved to look for the blankets.

 

[WatchingCloud]

That smile, perhaps more than her words, convinced Carl he was expected to join her. As she headed back, he paused for a moment to admire her figure - toned legs, firm ass, lovely curves. And still so young. She looked it, even if she didn't act it. In spite of years surrounded by fitness fanatic Hollywood ladies, Alexis was easily the most desirable woman he'd crossed paths with in ages.

Carl followed, bringing the lantern which he turned down lower and set on one of the wrecked seats from the set. Cozy indeed, he thought, as Alexis found and began to lay out several blankets. The width of the space wasn't even that of a twin mattress.

He'd already shed his wet shirt when they'd started. Now he wanted to do away with the wet cargo shorts but was slightly reluctant, not wanting to overstep.

"Mind if I ditch these to dry?" He patted his shorts. "I don't usually sleep in much, and wet shorts sound like no fun at all..."

 

[Asa]

She simply shrugged.

Americans always wear far more than most do here except when jobs call for it.

 

[WatchingCloud]

Carl chuckled as he worked off the wet shorts.

"Yeah, that's Americans for ya. Got over that myself a while back, especially in this business, but it's everyone else that's the problem it seems."

He hung his shorts over a seat back and stood before Alexis in just his slightly damp, slightly clingy boxer briefs.

"I take it you're not a designer lingerie or nighty sort of lady when it comes to sleepwear."

 

[Asa]

No never saw any point in all of the fashion industry hype. Had to work with animals around some models or something. They kept wanting to fix me up with their hair people and makeup artists and clothes... It was Insanity.

She sighed shaking her head.

 

[WatchingCloud]

"Good for you. You certainly don't need any of that. You're an exceptional beauty just as you are."

It was an easy thing to say, made easier because he meant it. Living in Hollywood, it had been a long time since he'd been around any woman he felt was genuine like Alexis.

 

[Asa]

She laughed a little at his words. She was not comfortable with compliments.

It's not like those tall heels and dresses work well with taking care of wild animals.

 

[WatchingCloud]

"No, I can't imagine they would," Carl said with a soft chuckle.

He took a step closer, almost close enough to touch her.

"You're entirely too practical. You have good judgment. Good instincts. Incredible instincts when it comes to animals. But tell me, Alexis, do you ever act on your own animal instincts?"

 

[Asa]

Do you mean have I given in to some Hollywood flirting seeking to "bed the wild woman" no.

She laughed a little again. She had never thought about relationships or love she saw how her parents had been with the fighting and all of the anger and resentment and chaos. It was what had driven her closer to her animals and their protection. She saw how some of the native tribes did seeing only how it was solely the man and them taking many wives and being able to do whatever or the woman in that same power role with many husbands and able to do whatever to them. Hollywood prince charming g love wasn't really something she had ever seen in real life so it couldn't be real... Right.

 

[WatchingCloud]

Carl wasn't sure if she was putting him on or if she really was as flirting-illiterate as she seemed. Granted, she was wary and certainly not oblivious to his flirting, but at the same time she came across as either incapable or unwilling to play along. Flirting and innuendo was practically an art-form in Hollywood, a second language in which everyone was fluent. But, as she proclaimed, Alexis didn't really exist in that world in spite of overlapping it for work purposes.

"Well, I didn't mean it quite that way," he said, "but I suppose it kinda encompasses that. Look, you're a straight-shooter - blunt, direct, honest. Exactly the opposite of what I'm used to. I like that. I like that about you."

He paused, gathering his words.

"I like you, Alexis. I'd like to get to know you better. And, no, not in the quick fling sort of way. If you can look past the Hollywood part of me, then maybe we could go from there. If you're not interested, then that's okay too. I have the utmost respect for you professionally and that's quite enough for the shoot. I do know that I'd regret it after returning to the States if I didn't at least make an effort."

Carl hoped he was getting through without sounding like a sap, or disingenuous. This could go badly and the last thing he wanted was to disappoint Dominic or offend Alexis.

 

[Asa]

She smiled a little at him.

I... The only real reference point I have are the chaos and resentment of my parents marriage or some of the tribes where the woman means so very little that the men take many different ones as "wives"

She shrugged.

Outside of that My experience with your world is how it is merely fling after fling. You do seem different though.

 

[WatchingCloud]

Carl was a bit stunned by her admission. Alexis was one hell of a strong woman for having apparently endured a bit of a rough family life. Just because her parents' marriage was a mess, though, didn't necessarily mean she'd been raised poorly. It could go a long way toward explaining her reticence toward relationships of her own.

"Wow, sorry to hear that. About your parents, anyway, and whatever passes for relationships among those tribes around here. I'm kinda old-fashioned, I guess, having grown up in a close-knit family in the middle of America. If anything, they tend toward the other extreme.

"I'll admit, I've had a couple short-lived flings in my life. Left a bad taste in my mouth, though. I like to be focused on one woman and give her my all. My last relationship was exclusive, at least, but not what I was looking for in the end."

It sounded like Alexis was leaving the door open to possibly something more. After hearing her history, though, he didn't want to scare her off. He also had to be certain about his own intentions.

"Maybe, if you're open, we can just hang out a bit more. You know, between shots or at the end of the day. If there's something there, great. If not, not. Like you said, I am a bit different, at least from the usual Hollywood type."

 

[Asa]

She smiled and nodded.

Yeah we can that would be okay. Maybe Dominic will give you a day off and we could go back to the reserve together. We have a lioness we are sure is carrying twins who should be born any day now.

 

[WatchingCloud]

Carl nodded.

"Yeah, I'd like that. I'll let you ask Dominic, though. You carry a lot more weight around here than I do."

He then nodded toward the pile of blankets.

"Ready to call it a night? I promise, no Hollywood moves."

 

[Asa]

We can or we can talk some more.

She smiled brushing her hair back behind her ear. She wasn't sure what to do really or say all she knew was she liked this... Talking with Carl and relaxing.

If we did end up together how would that work? I can't just abandon the reserve and I am sure you would get bored without action movies to make?

 

[WatchingCloud]

Carl liked that Alexis was okay with talking longer. Even more so, her body language was clearly relaxing. She looked even more attractive, more radiant, now.

Then she asked how things would work if they ended up together. She certainly was nothing if not pragmatic.

"Woah!" Carl said, holding out his hands but smiling. "We haven't even had a proper date yet, though this might count.

"Let's just say that I wouldn't dream of ever asking you to abandon what you've built here. If...you and I...ever did become a we, then we'd figure something out. A compromise. A balance. Maybe work films together. Maybe I take a few months downtime between shoots. Who knows? There's always a way.

"But for now, yeah, I'm good with talking some more. I think I've already learned more about you in the last half hour than I knew since arriving."

 

[Asa]

You were the one to mention seeming interested in something between us.

She bit her lip a little.

 

[WatchingCloud]

"Yeah, I suppose I was. Let's just say I tend to follow my instincts first and then sort out the details after. My instincts are usually pretty good."

He reached out and brushed Alexis's shoulder with his fingertips.

"I really hope they're right this time."

 

[Asa]

She smiled almost nervously as she stared into his eyes. He was very different from everything she had seen and been told about Hollywood . It was nice as he seemed truly genuine.

 

[WatchingCloud]

Alexis didn't shy away from his touch, though she did look a little nervous. Perhaps a little excited. It was still difficult to read her. He certainly didn't want to scare her off.

"There's one thing my instincts aren't telling me..."

He let his fingers slide slowly, softly down from her shoulder to her hand. He never broke eye contact with her.