The cheating game - and other steamy romances

*Alicia*

"Byron Carter Chase... I am not going to kiss you, so move your tiny ass and let me do my job". I look up, getting annoyed at the tall man blocking me in.

He is grinning in the most cheeky way and his blue eyes have a mischievous glint to them. "Come on Alli.. I know you want to... let's just get it over with".

Honestly I feel a bit cornered... as I am literally standing in a corner of the makeup trailer, my back against the wall... his slim muscular frame blocking me, one long arm and big hand on each side, resting next to my head.

"This might be a new concept to you Byron, but not all women want to kiss you". I duck under his arm, pointing at the chair with a stern look. "Now sit".

Harry Hudson, one of the other stars of the movie, is laughing heartlessly from the other chair, where he is getting his makeup done. "Sorry Byron ... I think you should just give up mate".

"Oh no Harry, I ain't giving up ... she will give in and kiss me". Byron sits down, grinning widely before winking at me.

I just ignore him, and start on the makeup that will turn him into Hades the cheeky God of the underworld ... which I am starting to feel is much closer to reality than anyone seems to think.

Byron is flirting blatantly with me the entire time I am working, which seems to amuse everyone else ... especially Harry ... maybe because it isn't working at all ... I keep ignoring him.

When I am done, only Byron and I are left in the trailer ... I look at him. "You better hurry over to costumes".

He stands up ... the change from sun kissed, ginger-blonde, always smiling Byron to dark haired, pale and sulkingly sexy Hades is almost scary, even though I was the one who did it.

He leans down to whisper in my ear ... doing his character voice and letting his lips brush my ear. "Believe me Alli, I never give up on a bet ... you will give in ... actually I dare say that you will beg to kiss me".

I grind my teeth, annoyed that his voice sends little chills through my body. "Do you really believe that yourself, Byron ?"

"Oh I know my pretty ... you and me later ?" He is grinning as he leaves the trailer, and I feel like throwing something at someone ... preferably a certain cheeky actor.

Arg that man is so freaking conceited ... but okay I guess it's hard to blame him ... I mean most women would probably have given in to his charms pretty fast ... just not me.

It is the stupid bet ... why on earth did I agreed to such foolishness ? And who was the idiot who put that note in the bowl ?

The game had started during the filming of the first movie in the series ... we call it 'The cheating game', everyone puts their name in a bowl and in the other bowl is different dares.

Then two names are drawn and a dare ... you have to cheat your partner into doing the dare first ... it is usually something like getting drunk as a skunk, sleeping in and being late, singing loudly on set or something else silly.

It is usually pretty fun and innocent, even if people tend to get really competitive at times ... but hey everyone is friends again when it is over ... it has always been just fun and games after all.

We were a small group, who had gotten together the first evening. Everyone who was back on set for the third movie ... mostly people working behind the camera and then Harry and Byron.

I let out a sigh when my name was drawn with Byrons and he had winked at me. "Uh Alli, no matter what the dare is, you know I got you ... you could just give up now".

"Really Byron, do you actually believe that yourself ? I won every dare so far". But I happened to know that Byron had also won every one of his bets and he wouldn't be easy to fool ... he is pretty smart.

Then Harry pulled our dare ... laughing so much he nearly couldn't get the words out and I felt all colour disappear from my face. "A passionate kiss".

"That is almost too easy ... I kind of feel like I am cheating here". Byron had said, smirking at me.

I had raised one eyebrow at him. "Oh... so that's what you think, smart ass ? Good for me, that you are so not my type, and by the way ... what will your girlfriend think ?"

"Ouch, so you think I am not your type ? Wonna bet that I can change your mind on that ? And her ? Well what she doesn't know ..." He sent me a very naughty grin and shrugged.

I shake my head, suddenly the game doesn't seem so fun ... I don't want to kiss Byron and I don't want to try and get him to kiss me ... also I do have a boyfriend at home.

But I can't just pull out ... it would be as bad as losing ... even worse actually and I hate losing ... also, I would never hear the end of it from Byron.

The first three days we have been watching each other ... trying to find the best way to attack ... to cheat the other into doing it ... his first real try had been this morning in the trailer.

I shake my head again, I am 29 years old and a makeup artist for a huge studio, I love my job ... and I have worked with Byron several times now ... I actually like him, as a friend I mean, but he is just not really my type.

I pull my dark hair into a ponytail and send my green eyes a sad look in the mirror, before grabbing my makeup bag ... I have to get on set to be ready to keep his makeup tip top during the shoots.

*Alicia*

I am watching the scene ... standing ready if Byron needs his makeup touched up during the shooting ... which he quite often does as the makeup is so heavy.

Normally I am happy to be in charge of Byron's hair and makeup ... It is a challenge and Byron is easy to work with ... always smiling and polite ... a perfect gentleman to be around.

But he is just not my type ... he is kinda, to pretty ... to British upper class, to be honest I actually thought him to be gay when we started on the first movie.

When I asked him halfway through shooting, he had laughed long and hard and then apologised for not being gay. Yep, he had actually apologized because I was wrong about his sexuality, which was so typical Byron ... I can no longer count the times that man has said he is sorry for something petty or other peoples mistakes.

No ... had I been paired with Harry, well then I might have succumbed, he is so much more my type of man. I wouldn't mind kissing him ... except for the fact that he is married.

Okay, Byron kind of has a girlfriend ... but I am honestly doubtful about the seriousness of it. I know he brought her with him here to Australia, but she hasn't been seen on set at all.

I know there is a lot of speculation that it is just a showmance, but I have a hard time seeing Byron as someone who would do that ... he has always seemed so genuine, but I also know he is very driven and ambitious, so maybe he has been talked into it after all.

His girlfriend is a very popular popstar.

My younger sister, who is an actress, just finished filming a movie with Byron about a month ago and she told me that the girlfriend seems very controlling and possessive ... like he is a thing she owns.

And I have a boyfriend, but it is still kinda new and not so serious yet ... honestly I am not sure if it will be ... he is back in London, and we won't be seeing each other for a couple of months.

I know that my boyfriend Mike would flip if he found out I had kissed another man, and I had thought about warning Byron ... kissing me might get him in some serious trouble when he arrives back in London.

Mike is kind of a bad boy ... big and brawny, with a lot of tattoos and he has a motorbike ... he could turn a guy like Byron inside out.

Byron strolls over during a break, it is very hot and his makeup is literally melting off of him, so he has to get a lot of touch ups.

"Well, have you decided to give in ?" Byron sends me a mischievous smile, while I am opening my makeup bag.

I start touching up his face ... he has such a good face to work with, with a strong jaw and cheekbones to die for ... he can carry the heavy makeup needed to turn him into Hades.

I know a lot of women are crazy about him ... especially when he plays this role ... It might be the air of a dangerous villain and the glint he gets in his eye when he is in character, but If I have to choose, I would prefer Byron as himself.

"No Byron ... Do you seriously think that I am that easy ? You should know me just a little by now". I finish off his touch up.

His gaze catches mine ... oh those eyes, that is another part of him that I can't deny is attractive, they will just suck you in, like he is hiding all the secrets of the universe in there. "No Alli, I definitely don't think that you are easy".

I feel caught in those blue eyes, challenged to explore them, to try and find their secret and Byron isn't breaking our eye contact ... he's just staring back, making butterflies erupt unexpectedly.

Luckily Byron is called back on set right then and he wink jauntily at me before hurrying back.

Shit ! He is so annoying ... I just can't let him win the fucking dare, but how do I get him to kiss me ?

It isn't going to be easy, even though he isn't my type, he is still Byron fucking Chase, the man has an army of fans and admirers.

He probably has women throwing themselves at his feet on an hourly basis, and I am just Alicia ... I might not be ugly or fat, but I am just ordinary ... why would he want to kiss me ?

No, it will take a lot of cunning, a passionate kiss it had said, so I will basically have to seduce him.

I am wondering what it will feel like to kiss him ... like kissing a brother or friend maybe ? Is he any good at it ?

While I am watching the scene being shot, I have to give him one thing ... the man can act, like really he deserves a freaking oscar act. I often forget that it is even Byron and not really Hades the Greek God standing there.

*Byron*

"How were the rules again, Harry ? I only lose this if I kiss her passionately first right ?" I look at Harry, sitting across the table... but I am eyeing Alicia at the other table too.

It is lunch break and I know she can easily hear everything I say, which is also my intent ... I am trying to wind her up a bit.

Harry swallows his food. "Yup, even though I am a little confused on the essence of a passionate kiss ... does it involve tongue ? Or some kind of heated moaning ?"

"Hell no Harry, absolutely no tongues involved and no moaning ... I can guarantee that". Alicia yells from her table. "No way I am going to french kiss Byron, not even to win".

I pretend to get hurt and ask Harry grinning. "She apparently finds me utterly repulsive ... Do you think that the so-called boyfriend she talks about is really a girlfriend ?"

"So if a woman isn't head over heels for your sorry ass, she just have to be a lesbian is that so ? Better watch out that big head of yours doesn't explode my dearest Byron". She gives me a sugar sweet smile.

"I think she just prefers a real man, right Alli ?" Harry says, grinning broadly and winking at her.

She is grinning back and nodding. "Yep exactly Harry ... see Byron, Harry has connected the dots for you".

"Ah, so I am to take it, that if your opponent had been dear Harry here you would have lost by now ?" I tease her.

She blushes badly, which makes her look even more like her sister. Making my heart constrict in an almost painful way.

She also sounds a lot like her sister when she hisses. "Oh fuck you Byron".

"Ehh can't we just stick to the kiss ? Fucking might be overdoing it a bit ... don't you think ?" I give her an amused chuckle, playing the part and she focuses on her food angrily.

Harry clears his throat. "Actually you wouldn't lose by doing that ... as long as it involved no mouth to mouth kissing".

"So what you are saying ... is that I can do whatever I like, to get her to kiss me ? Even kiss her everywhere but the mouth, and I wouldn't lose ?" I know my face just lit up like a Christmas tree.

Harry glances at her apologetically. "Well yes.. if you are only thinking about the dare ... but I would be careful Byron, you might lose something else ... like, lets see ... your girlfriend or maybe your balls".

"Sometimes you have to take chances if you want to accomplish what you strive for". I say as I stand up.

*Alicia*

I thought he had left, but then suddenly his warm soft voice is right next to my ear. "I think this dare just got so much more interesting".

Okay, even I have to admit it ... his voice is another thing I happen to like about him; It is like liquid sex... hot, deep and soft, the man could read from a dictionary and make it sound sexy.

"Byron I would be very careful if I were you, I have no problem whatsoever with slapping you silly if you don't behave". I hiss in a low tone.

Apparently he isn't easily scared, his lips gracing the soft skin right beneath my ear, exactly at my most sensitive spot ... making me gasp rather loud.

Byron chuckles. "Well I guess that hit the spot... this I can get so much more fun from, see you in the trailer darling. I really hope we are all alone".

*Alicia*

Okay I am officially taking it back ... Byron Chase is so absolutely no gentleman, it is apparently just a facade or at least his competitive streak is more than outweighing it.

Harry and the other actors on the set today only need a touch up, but Byron needs his makeup practically redone after lunch.

So before long I find myself alone with him in the trailer and Byron starts talking to himself out loud ... contemplating all the things he could do to me without losing the dare.

It isn't something I have any desire to repeat here, a lot of them are honestly things I don't even want to think about ... that man has a truly perverted mind.

I truly hope that a couple of those things aren't something he would actually do, cause then I am almost, but only almost, feeling sorry for his girlfriend.

But to be honest I can't say that he isn't getting to me ... it does make me just a bit turned on listening to him; there is just something enticing about hearing that smooth British voice talking about such utterly depraved things... and after all I am only human.

"All ready to go ... and seriously Byron, if just half those things have any roots in reality, then you are truly fucked up honey". My eyes catch his in the mirror.

He sends me his most mischievous Hades smile and answers in his Hades voice. "Believe me darling, I hadn't even gotten to the best stuff yet".

"Get out now please ... you pervert". I send him a half-hearted look of shock and contempt, pointing at the door.

He gets up slowly, smirking at me in that Infernal way. "Something wrong darling ? Do I make you feel uncomfortable ? You know you could just kiss me, and I promise sweet old well mannered Byron will be back".

"Good try you bastard ... but you do realise that those pictures you just edged into my mind ... they will never go away right ?" I open the door for him.

He stops in front of me, leaning in, his voice a hoarse whisper in my ear ... his breath fanning over my cheek. "Well then enjoy darling ... I know I will".

I slam the door behind him ... what the hell is up with him ? Is this all acting on his part ? Or am I seeing a side of Byron he seldom let loose ? Is this the real Byron ?

-------------------------------------

When I am lying in my bed later that evening I realise that I had been right ... I seriously can't get those images out of my mind. Why do they make me feel all warm and ... frankly turned on ? Those things are ... not my scene ... there is just something about Byron saying it ... something hypnotizing.

And when I finally manage to drift of to sleep, of course I have a really fucked up dirty dream starring no other than Byron ... he is getting to my head in ways I should not allow.

When I wake up next morning, I am pissed at Byron and at the dare, now this is screwing with my much needed sleep as well ... I need to finish it.

I shower and when I am standing in front of the mirror I decide that it is time for this kitten to show some claws and pull the high and mighty Mr Chase from his high horse.

Luckily I did pack some usable clothes ... not something I would wear to work under normal circumstances, but I need to amp up the sex appeal; if he can play dirty, so can I

I put on my most sexy black lace lingerie... not that he is going to see that, but to make me feel more sexy and up for the task. Then I put on a skimpy very tight leather skirt ... normally I would always wear leggings underneath, but not today.

Uh I still have to remember that this is my job, and there will be other people, so I have to pull a little back on the shirt, nothing low cut... I pick out a tight fitting white tank top that says 'let's get naughty and spare Santa a trip'.

Then I go all out, curling my hair into a sexy mess and putting on makeup that makes my eyes and lips pop ... not something I ever do for work.

I look in the mirror; well I do look kind of hot and sexy, but will it be enough to mess with Byron ?

The other women in the makeup department look at me in surprise as I enter the trailer, but okay who can blame them, they have never seen me like this before and I get a little nervous ... is this the right move ?

Then Harry and Byron enter, both of them stopping dead in their tracks, looking at me. Harry is looking utterly bewildered. "Wow Alli, I nearly didn't recognise you... you look great though".

"Thank you Harry". I send him a sweet smile and then turn to look at Byron... he is staring at me, his mouth slightly open... but it is not a surprise that burns in his eyes.

He walks over slowly, taking me in, then he sits down in the chair. He sends me a sly crooked smile. "Oh no Harry... that is not looking great, that is looking fuck-alicious, 'bend me over and take me hard righ now'".

"Byron ! You can't say something like that". Harry looks positively shell shocked and the two other makeup ladies gasp... they clearly didn't expect something like that from the mouth of sweet Byron.

Byron shrugs, his eyes running up my legs, practically hoisting up my skirt with his mind. "Why not Harry ? I am pretty sure that was the look she was going for".

So here I am, flouncing around Byron, making thinly disguised hints ... which several times makes Harry blush and glance at me disapprovingly.

My plan had been to make Byron embarrassed ... to beat him at his own game ... to be honest I had expected that it was empty talk and that he would pull back if I shot back.

Oh how I was wrong ... he didn't for a moment seem embarrassed or shocked, instead he is positively eye and mind fucking the hell out of me, making me feel rather hot and bothered.

Luckily we have a lot of extras to get ready for filming today, so I am not alone with Byron.

When he gets up from his chair, his hand slowly runs up my thigh ... he is blocking everyone else's view with his body. Then he leans in and whispers softly. "Damm Alli, you are lucky we are not alone".

I am starring after him when he walk out ... oh fuck, it won't be easy to get the upper hand here ... but I have one last ace up my sleeve .... even though I had hoped I didn't need to pull that.

When I come down to the set I see that Byron is wearing a fitted black suit, with a black shirt and tie, instead of Hades normal leather attire ... I definitely prefer the suit. I can't deny that Byron has the perfect build to wear a suit.

When he comes over to get his makeup touched up, I slip something in his pocket just before he has to go back on set, purring. "Wearing panties is so overestimated don't you agree ?"

His pupils dilate violently and I fear he will actually grab me; the way he is looking at me feels like he could devour me on the spot.

But he breathes in deeply and walks back on set ... not saying a word ... after that I feel him looking at me several times, making me nervous as hell.

The next time he comes over to get a touch up, he is letting his gaze caress every inch of my body, making me feel both hot and cold.

He leans down, growling low in my ear before returning to set. "Oh just you wait darling ... you don't even know the kind of trouble you have gotten yourself into".

I am just standing there, staring after him... oh shit ! Maybe I have gone a little too far ? no there is no doubt I have gone too far. I have a boyfriend for God's sake, and he has a girlfriend.