Chapitre 288: Best Shot (R-18)

The Turtle Bay Resort's open-air lounge pulsed with energy as the night deepened. Tiki torches flickered, casting dancing shadows across jubilant faces. The last notes of Lucas's song hung in the air, followed by thunderous applause.

Francis sprang to his feet, eyes gleaming. "Now that," he declared, clapping Lucas on the shoulder, "is what I call a showstopper!"

Lucas ducked his head, a mix of pride and embarrassment coloring his cheeks. He wove through the crowd, accepting high-fives and back-slaps, until he reached Jennifer. She greeted him with a warm embrace.

"My rockstar," she whispered, her breath tickling his ear.

As the night wore on, laughter grew louder, stories more animated. Sam balanced precariously on a chair, reenacting a particularly disastrous stunt take. Alan, his cheeks flushed, led an impromptu hula lesson.

Lucas and Jennifer found themselves in a corner, surrounded by their castmates. Bottles clinked as toasts were made to new friendships and the promise of future success.

The stars wheeled overhead, the hours slipping by unnoticed. It wasn't until the eastern sky began to lighten that the party finally wound down.

Lucas's world swam slightly as he and Jennifer made their way to her room. He leaned against the doorframe, fumbling with the key card.

"Allow me, Mr. Coordination," Jennifer teased, deftly opening the door.

They stumbled inside, exhausted but giddy. Lucas collapsed onto the bed, pulling Jennifer down with him. Their laughter mingled as they curled up together, the gentle Hawaiian breeze carrying them off to sleep.

---

The first rays of sunlight crept through the curtains, painting the room in a soft, golden hue. Lucas stirred, his eyes fluttering open. Beside him, Jennifer slept peacefully, her chest rising and falling in a gentle rhythm. He smiled, carefully extracting himself from the tangle of sheets.

The bathroom tiles were cool beneath his feet as he stepped into the shower. Hot water cascaded over his shoulders, and Lucas closed his eyes, letting his mind wander.

Suddenly, he was back in 2009, a nervous young man on the set of "Modern Family." The memory of his first line as Dylan echoed in his ears, mixing with the sound of running water.

Images flashed behind his closed eyelids: the grueling shoot for "127 Hours," his first taste of truly challenging acting. Then came "Inception," the dizzying whirlwind of press tours and red carpets.

Lucas reached for the shampoo, his movements automatic as his mind raced through a montage of indie films, each role blending into the next. And now, "The Hunger Games" – another leap, another transformation.

He tilted his head back, letting the water rinse away the suds. Everything had happened so fast. Had he truly grown as an actor? Or had his Mind Workshop ability – that uncanny knack for mental rehearsal – merely created the illusion of progress?

Lucas's hand hovered over the shower dial. A thought crystallized: his next project. A challenge. No mental rehearsals, no workshop shortcuts. Just raw talent and hard work.

He turned off the water, the decision leaving him both exhilarated and slightly terrified. Maybe it was time to truly test his limits.

The water droplets had barely settled on Lucas's skin when he felt warm arms encircle his waist. A familiar softness pressed against his back, and the scent of jasmine – Jennifer's favorite shampoo – filled the steamy air.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Jennifer's voice was husky with sleep, her breath tickling his ear.

Lucas turned in her embrace, a small smile playing on his lips. "Just... life. Career. The usual early morning existential crisis."

"Mmmm," Jennifer hummed, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Sounds heavy."

She reached up, brushing a damp strand of hair from his forehead. Her touch lingered, fingertips tracing the line of his jaw. Lucas felt his pulse quicken, the weight of his earlier musings evaporating like mist.

Their gazes locked, an unspoken current passing between them. Jennifer's lips parted slightly, an invitation Lucas couldn't resist.

He leaned in, one hand cupping the back of her neck. Their lips met, soft at first, then with growing intensity. The kiss deepened, conveying all the emotions words couldn't express – passion, comfort, understanding.

Jennifer moaned into Lucas's mouth, her back arching slightly as his free hand found her naked breast, kneading it tenderly before giving it a delicious squeeze.

Their tongues danced together, exploring each other's mouths, as Lucas's fingers continued their downward trail. They danced across Jennifer's stomach, grazing the sensitive skin of her abdomen, and finally arriving between her legs. Lucas's index and middle finger parted her folds, teasing her slick entrance, while his thumb gently rubbed her swollen clit.

Jennifer whimpered, her nails digging into Lucas's back as she ground her wet pussy against his thumb. Lucas's cock hardened in response, pressing against her thigh, desperate for release. He couldn't wait any longer; he needed to be inside her.

Lucas adjusted his position, angling his rock-hard shaft at her slick entrance. Jennifer looked into his eyes, a mix of desire and surrender in her eyes, and nodded. Slowly, Lucas pushed himself into her, groaning as her hot, wet walls enveloped him.

Together, they moved in the rhythm of the water, their moans muffled by each other's lips, lost in the haze of pleasure. Each time Lucas plunged into her, Jennifer's nails dug deeper into his back, spurring him on. The hot water, the slippery wetness, and their mingled scents created an intoxicating cocktail of desire.

***

The resort hallway echoed with groans and mumbled good mornings as Lucas and Jennifer made their way to breakfast. Sam shuffled past, sunglasses firmly in place, clutching a cup of coffee like a lifeline.

"Rough night?" Lucas quipped, a mischievous grin playing on his lips.

Sam grimaced. "Laugh it up, lightweight. Not all of us have your iron constitution."

Jennifer tugged on Lucas's arm, stifling a giggle. "Come on, let's not torment the walking dead."

Later, as the Hawaiian sun climbed higher, Jennifer laced her fingers through Lucas's. "One last hurrah before we leave paradise?"

They found themselves on the resort's expansive balcony, joined by Stephanie, Bruno, and a handful of other cast members. The view was breathtaking - cerulean waves lapping at golden sand, palm trees swaying in the gentle breeze.

Lucas wrapped an arm around Jennifer's waist, pulling her close. She rested her head on his shoulder, a contented sigh escaping her lips.

A sudden glint of light caught Lucas's eye. He squinted, focusing on a nearby building. "Jen," he murmured, lips barely moving, "three o'clock. Looks like we've got company."

Jennifer followed his gaze, spotting the telltale long lenses. Her shoulders tensed for a moment, then relaxed. "Vultures," she muttered, but the corners of her mouth twitched upward. "Might as well give them a show, right?"

Lucas's eyes sparkled with mischief. He pulled Jennifer closer, planting an exaggerated kiss on her cheek. Then, looking directly at the hidden photographers, he flashed a cheeky grin and waved, his fingers forming a playful peace sign.

"That ought to keep the tabloids busy for a while," he chuckled, as Jennifer dissolved into laughter beside him.

***

The humid Hawaiian air buzzed with anticipation as a cluster of photographers crouched behind rental cars and palm fronds. Their long lenses pointed towards the Turtle Bay Resort like artillery.

"Any movement?" whispered Mike, his finger hovering over the shutter release.

Jordan squinted through his viewfinder. "Nothing yet. But they've gotta surface soon. It's their last day here."

Suddenly, a flurry of activity. "There!" hissed Sarah, nudging her colleagues. "Balcony, third floor!"

Cameras whirred to life as Lucas Knight emerged into view, the sunlight glinting off his tousled hair. Beside him, Jennifer Lawrence, her arm casually draped around his waist.

"Oh, this is gold," Jordan murmured, his camera clicking furiously. "The heartthrob and the rising star. Twitter's gonna explode."

Mike zoomed in tighter. "Look at how close they're standing. You think there's something going on there?"

"Who cares?" Sarah grinned, reviewing her shots. "The speculation alone will sell magazines for weeks."

As if sensing their audience, Lucas turned, his gaze sweeping across their hiding spot. A playful smirk crossed his face as he whispered something to Jennifer.

"He's seen us," Jordan groaned.

But instead of retreating, Lucas pulled Jennifer closer, flashing a peace sign directly at their lenses.

"Perfect!" Sarah exclaimed. "That's the money shot right there. Lucas Knight, Hollywood's new golden boy, canoodling with his co-star. This'll make Bieber's latest antics look like old news."

The photographers shared triumphant grins, already imagining the headlines their images would spawn. In their excitement, they failed to notice the wry amusement dancing in Lucas and Jennifer's eyes, the actors clearly in on the joke.

The rapid-fire clicks of camera shutters suddenly fell silent. Jordan's jaw dropped, his finger frozen over the button.

"Holy..." he whispered, unable to finish the sentence.

On the balcony, Lucas had just planted a tender, lingering kiss on Jennifer's cheek. His hand rested on the small of her back, their bodies angled towards each other in unmistakable intimacy.

"Tell me you got that," Sarah hissed, her eyes wide with disbelief.

Mike nodded frantically, reviewing the images on his camera's display. "Every second. Crystal clear."

The group of paparazzi huddled around Mike's camera, their expressions a mix of shock and elation.

"This isn't just two co-stars being friendly," Jordan murmured, a grin spreading across his face. "This is... this is the real deal."

Sarah was already tapping furiously on her phone. "I'm calling my editor. This is front-page material, folks. Forget speculation - we've got confirmation!"

As the photographers buzzed with excitement, Lucas glanced their way again, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. He whispered something in Jennifer's ear, causing her to laugh and playfully swat his arm.

"Look at them," Mike said, shaking his head in amazement. "They're not even trying to hide it anymore."

The paparazzi shared triumphant looks, already imagining the bidding war that would erupt for these photos.

commentaire Commentaire 14

Voter

next chapter

Chapitre 289: Detectives

Lucas squinted, scanning the distant where the paparazzi had been hiding. The telltale glint of camera lenses was gone, replaced by what looked like a huddle of excited photographers.

"Huh," he mused, a bemused smile playing on his lips. "Looks like our little show put them out of commission."

Jennifer leaned in, following his gaze. "Really? They've stopped?"

Lucas nodded, chuckling softly. "Guess that cheek kiss was too much for them to handle. Probably think they've struck gold."

Jennifer groaned, burying her face in her hands. "Oh god. I can already hear my phone blowing up. My mom's going to have a field day with this."

She peeked through her fingers at Lucas. "And don't even get me started on my agent. I can practically feel the lecture coming."

Lucas's eyes twinkled with mischief. He adopted a mock-serious tone, "You know, Jen, this is pretty serious. Your parents might start planning the wedding. I should prepare my tux."

Jennifer snorted, playfully shoving his shoulder. "As if! My parents aren't nearly that old-fashioned." She paused, a hint of worry creeping into her voice. "At least, I don't think they are..."

Lucas wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. "Hey, look on the bright side. At least we gave those vultures something to really squawk about."

They shared a laugh, the tension melting away as they turned their attention back to the breathtaking Hawaiian vista before them, momentarily forgetting about the media storm brewing on the horizon.

***

The Turtle Bay Resort lobby buzzed with activity as luggage was piled high and final hugs exchanged. Lucas found himself in the center of a group hug, Sam's booming laugh mixing with Stephanie's soft giggles.

"Don't forget us little people when you're accepting that Oscar," Alan joked, clapping Lucas on the back.

Jennifer stood to the side, her own bags ready. She caught Lucas's eye, a bittersweet smile playing on her lips.

"Text me when you land?" she mouthed, and Lucas nodded.

One by one, cars pulled away, carrying cast members to their respective flights. Jennifer's taxi was last, and Lucas watched it disappear around the bend, a strange emptiness settling in his chest.

Hours later, Lucas found himself on an airplane with the production team. As Hawaii's lush greenery gave way to endless blue, he pulled his hoodie lower, adjusting his face mask.

The plane touched down in Los Angeles with a gentle bump. Lucas hung back, letting the crew disembark first. He tugged his hood further forward, ensuring it cast a shadow over his eyes.

Stepping into the terminal, he kept his head down, weaving through the crowd with practiced ease. A few curious glances bounced off him, but no one stopped or called out. Just another anonymous traveler in a sea of faces.

As he approached the exit, Lucas allowed himself a small smile behind his mask. Sometimes, the best disguise was simply not looking like you had anything to hide.

Lucas weaved through the airport terminal, his hoodie pulled low and mask securely in place. He was almost at the exit when he felt eyes on him. Glancing sideways, he caught a young boy staring, then quickly looking away.

The boy's gaze kept darting back, his hand clutching a phone nervously. Lucas raised an eyebrow behind his mask, quickening his pace slightly.

"Ex-excuse me?" A small voice piped up behind him. Lucas turned to see the boy, maybe ten years old, looking up at him with wide eyes. "Are... are you Lucas Knight?"

Lucas blinked, taken aback. How had the kid seen through his disguise? He cleared his throat, pitching his voice slightly lower. "Sorry, kid. Think you've got me confused with someone else."

The boy's face fell, disappointment etched in every feature. Behind him, his parents watched with concern, ready to intervene.

"Please," the boy whispered, his voice trembling slightly. "I know it's you. Just... just one photo? Please?"

Lucas felt a twinge in his chest. He glanced around - no one else seemed to have noticed. The boy's eyes were pleading, hope battling with the fear of rejection.

With a small sigh, Lucas crouched down to the boy's level. "Alright, buddy," he murmured, pulling his mask down slightly. "One quick photo, okay?"

The boy's face lit up like a Christmas tree, his earlier nervousness evaporating in an instant. As he fumbled excitedly with his phone, Lucas couldn't help but smile.

Lucas glanced around the bustling terminal, then leaned down to the boy's level. "Hey, how about we find a quieter spot for that photo?"

The boy's eyes lit up, and he nodded eagerly. His parents, looking both surprised and pleased, guided them to a less crowded corner near a potted plant.

With a quick scan of their surroundings, Lucas pulled down his hood and removed his mask. The boy gasped, his face splitting into a grin.

"I knew it! I knew it was you!" he exclaimed, bouncing on his toes.

Lucas couldn't help but chuckle. "Alright, detective. What gave me away? I thought I had a pretty good disguise going."

The boy pointed to Lucas's head, grinning. "Your hair! I saw a bit peeking out from your hood. It's so... you! No one else has hair like Lucas Knight!"

Lucas ran a hand through his hair, a mix of impressed and amused. "Well, I'll be. Guess I need to invest in a hat next time." He winked at the boy, then crouched down beside him. "Ready for that photo?"

As the boy's father readied the camera, Lucas draped an arm around the kid's shoulders. "Smile big, buddy. This one's going on the wall, right?"

After the flash, Lucas stood up, nodding respectfully to the parents. "What's your name, sharp eyes?" he asked the boy.

"Tommy!" the kid beamed.

Lucas smiled, committing the name to memory. "Well, Tommy, it was great meeting you. Keep those eagle eyes of yours peeled, okay?"

As he turned to leave, he heard the boy whisper excitedly to his parents, "Wait till my friends see this!"

Lucas pulled his hood back up, a small smile playing on his lips as he melted back into the crowd.

Unbeknownst to Lucas, Tommy had posted their photo on social media. Within an hour, it had gone viral, attracting significant attention. This surge of interest was further fueled by the recent images of Lucas and Jennifer's intimate moment on the balcony in Hawaii, which were now circulating widely across the internet and news media.

Online forums buzzed with activity:

"OMG! Lucas is back in LA!"

"Did you see how close he was with J-Law? #Relationship Goals"

"Anyone know where he's staying?"

Fan accounts exploded with activity, dissecting every pixel of the airport photo for clues about Lucas's whereabouts in Los Angeles. Hashtags like #SpotLucasKnight and #LucasKnight began trending.

However, the media machine was already several steps ahead. Seasoned journalists, armed with their network of sources and years of celebrity-tracking experience, quickly pieced together Lucas's likely trajectory. They cross-referenced recent sightings, flight patterns, and known celebrity haunts in the city.

What Lucas hadn't realized was that his disguise, while effective against direct recognition, hadn't completely shielded him from notice. Several bystanders, uncertain but intrigued, had snapped discreet photos of the hooded figure they suspected might be the star. These grainy, ambiguous shots now served as breadcrumbs for those determined to locate him.

"Possible Lucas Knight sighting at LAX, headed east on Sepulveda," read one social media post, accompanied by a blurry image of a hooded figure.

"Anyone else think this might be Lucas near the Chateau Marmont?" another user questioned, sharing a distant shot of someone entering the iconic hotel.

These fragments, seemingly insignificant on their own, formed a mosaic that led journalists straight to Lucas's temporary residence. By the time the sun set on Los Angeles, a small contingent of paparazzi had already staked out positions near the hotel entrance, cameras at the ready.

***

The hotel suite's luxurious living room buzzed with laughter and the clink of glasses. Lucas lounged on the plush sofa, his manager Neil perched on an armchair across from him. Jack and Simon, Lucas's security team, stood nearby, their postures relaxed but alert.

"So there I was, dangling from this harness," Lucas was saying, gesturing wildly, "and the director yells 'More anguish!'"

Neil chuckled, shaking his head. "Hollywood, I swear..."

A sudden, insistent knocking cut through their laughter. Lucas started to rise, but Simon held up a hand. "I've got this, Lucas."

The burly security guard approached the door cautiously, peering through the peephole. His body tensed instantly. He cracked the door open, only to be met with a barrage of flashing lights and shouted questions.

"Lucas Knight! Can we get a statement about your relationship with Jennifer Lawrence?"

"Is it true you're engaged?"

"Lucas, over here!"

Simon slammed the door shut, his face grim as he turned back to the group. "Paparazzi. At least a dozen of them."

Neil's brow furrowed deeply. "How the hell did they find us so quickly?" He turned to Lucas, his voice sharp with concern. "I thought we agreed you'd stay off social media for a while."

Lucas held up his hands defensively. "I haven't posted anything in months, I swear. I don't know how they found out."

"Well, they didn't use a crystal ball," Neil muttered, pacing the room. "Someone must have tipped them off. But who? And how?"

The persistent knocking continued, the media frenzy waiting just beyond the door. Lucas sank back into the sofa. The peaceful reunion with his team had evaporated, replaced by a tense atmosphere thick with unanswered questions and the looming specter of unwanted attention.

"What now?" Lucas asked, looking between Neil and his security team.

Neil pinched the bridge of his nose, his mind racing. After a moment, he straightened up, a determined glint in his eye. "Alright, we're going with Plan B. Deny, deny, deny."

He turned to Simon and Jack, his voice low and authoritative. "You two, go out there and convince those vultures they've got the wrong room. Be firm, but don't engage more than necessary."

The security guards nodded in unison, their faces set with grim determination. They approached the door, standing shoulder to shoulder like a human barricade.

"Listen up, folks!" Simon's voice boomed, tinged with practiced annoyance. "You've got the wrong room. There's no Lucas here!"

Jack chimed in, his tone equally exasperated. "Yeah, we don't even know who this Lucas guy is! You're disturbing paying guests!"

A muffled voice from the hallway shot back, "But we have a reliable source! Someone saw Lucas enter this very room!"

Simon's voice grew louder, a hint of mockery creeping in. "Oh, a 'reliable source,' huh? Well, your source needs their eyes checked! Now clear out before we call hotel security!"

The hallway fell silent for a moment. Then, a hushed debate could be heard, punctuated by disappointed sighs.

commentaire Commentaire 11

Voter