Once in a Blue Moon by Kristin James Page B

so often used to end a scene in soaps, and then the scene was over.
    “Great,” Lyle said, pleased. “That’s a wrap. Hey, kids, I’m happy to say that we are actually ahead of schedule. We have time to do the love scene this afternoon.”

Seven
    I sabelle was tired, and she had no desire to do a love scene now. Why, she could barely manage to look at Michael without feeling all jumbled-up inside. But it was “golden time,” that wonderful late-afternoon time when the sun cast a special glow over everything, making it perfect for filming. She could hardly protest taking advantage of it, especially for a love scene.
    They changed into their set of ragged, dirty clothes, and makeup artistically smudged their faces. First the cameras filmed the two of them coming upon the lovely lagoon and smiling with pure pleasure. Curtis jumped into the lagoon and urged Jessica in after him, finally reaching up and pulling her in. She spluttered and laughed, and they swam, teasing each other and laughing. Then they climbed out and stretched out on rocks beside the lagoon, letting the sun dry their clothing.
    Next came the love scene. They rehearsed it first. Isabelle sat with her legs curled under her, on the edge of the flat rock, gazing down into the water. Michael, his shirt discarded, lay on his elbow on a flat rock a little behind and above her, watching her. Even though Isabelle’s back was to him, she could feel his gaze moving over her body, and she swallowed, casting a glance back toward him.
    His eyes went to the tear in her blouse that revealed the creamy skin of her shoulder, then down to where her blouse was tied beneath her breasts, showing her slim waist. His features softened sensually, and his eyes were lit with an inner fire.
    “Tell me,” he said huskily. “Before, when I can’t remember, were we...just friends?”
    Isabelle wet her lips nervously, letting her mouth open a bit, and her chest rise and fall more rapidly. It wasn’t difficult to imitate the signs of passion; she was already growing warm just from his gaze. Damn it, why did the man have to have such an effect upon her!
    What was harder was to put the hint of calculation in her eyes as she replied, “No...we were...more than friends.”
    He moved swiftly across the brief space that separated them. “How much more?” he asked, leaning forward until their faces were almost touching. His eyes burned into hers.
    Isabelle wrenched her gaze away from him, half turning away. She choked out, “Close—we were close friends.”
    Michael knelt behind her and bent his head to kiss the patch of bare flesh exposed by the tear in her shirt. Isabelle’s eyes fluttered closed and she let out a long sigh of pleasure. Michael’s hands curled around her arms, holding her as his lips moved to her neck.
    “This close?” he murmured huskily, kissing his way slowly up her throat.
    “Yes,” Isabelle moaned, her head lolling back against his shoulder. “Oh, yes.”
    “Jessica...” He pulled her around to face him, and his mouth came down on hers. Usually in rehearsals, kisses were not full kisses, but a mere indication of where and when they would kiss. This kiss, however, was full and deep, Michael’s lips sinking relentlessly into hers. His breath came out in a rush against her cheek, his fingers bit into her arms, his mouth moved hungrily on hers.
    Finally they pulled apart. Isabelle’s cheeks were flushed, her eyes bright with passion. All around them the set was utterly still. They might have been alone together there. They gazed into each other’s eyes for a moment, then slowly Isabelle lay down on her back, holding her arms up to Michael. He followed her, his mouth coming down to seize hers.
    “Perfect.” Lyle’s voice cut through the silence, startling Michael and Isabelle. They came back to reality with a thud. Michael sat up abruptly. Color tinged the high ridge of his cheekbones, and his mouth was soft and sensually full.
    Isabelle, too, sat