Dress rehearsal is only three days away and Elliot and I have been avoiding each other for most of the week. Well, she answers me if I ask her questions at school but that's about it. Now's not the time to bring any attention to ourselves and we've been extra careful not to.

I watch Dylan stroll onto the stage with his shirt buttoned incorrectly. "How did people wear these clothes Mr. G?" He fumbles with the buttons once again. "They're so not cool."

I shake my head. "Well, I'd bet if Shakespeare saw what you wear, he may have the same opinion."

"True that," he says with a smirk.

I walk to the center stage. "Okay, if everyone's final fitting went well you are free to leave. If you still need some adjustments, see Darcy on your way out."

Most of the cast leaves quickly, throwing dresses and other random items Darcy's way. Darcy rolls her eyes at me. She's quiet, but I rather like her sarcasm. After a few minutes the chatter dies down, and it appears I'm the only one who remains. My eyes drift up on the alter, and I see someone still laying on it. I smile when Elliot's delicate frame comes into view. Her arms are splayed out to her sides, her eyes closed.

I take a few steps up so I am looking over her. "Rehearsal is over, Miss Monroe."

She peeks one eye open and then closes it again. "Well, Mr. Graham. If I had a decent acting partner, I wouldn't be so nervous about this scene."

I laugh. "All you have to do is die. Romeo has most of the lines."

She sits up and glares at me. "Exactly. It's a very pivotal scene where he professes his undying love for her. He actually dies for her. You can't recite lines like that without emotion. It compromises the integrity of the whole play."

I run my hand along my jaw in amusement. "I didn't realize theater meant so much to you."

Her eyes widen. "This is one of the most influential plays ever written. Love through generations is based on it. How could you not want it to be done properly?"

I watch as she throws her dress over the alter and begins to jump off. I place my hand on her waist to stop her. "What if I ran the lines with you? Maybe it would make you feel better about it, even if Dylan does suck."

She remains skeptical for a moment while she dangles her legs over the edge. A smile crosses her face. "Did everyone leave already?"

"I believe so."

She nods slowly. "Okay."

"Lay back like you were."

She hesitates but complies, resuming the position she was previously in.

"Okay, now close your eyes."

Her eyes flutter closed, and I lean myself over the alter, speaking softly. "First, I need you to relax. A dead person, or someone pretending to be dead, can't be so tense."

Elliot peeks an eye open and closes it again before taking another deep breath. "Is that better?"

"Hmm, much." I run my hand down the length of her arm, and she trembles. "The chemistry between the actors is very important. He comes to find that his one true love has taken her own life. The grief that he feels is overwhelming, it makes him desperate. Desperate to take her place. To be with her even in death."

Elliot's chest rises and falls faster as I move my hand along her face. I feather my lips against hers as I speak without touching. "He knows her kiss is literally poisonous, but the madness of his heartache makes him reckless."

Her hand grip the bottom of my jacket, and I smile. "Dead people don't move, Elliot."

She sighs, and I trail my free hand down her neck to the plunging collar of her dress. A quick breath escapes her lips as I slip my hand beneath the fabric. My lips are still just above hers, and I can feel her breathe into me as I begin to slowly palm her breast. She arches her back into my hand, and I gently push her back down.

"I don't remember this being part of the scene," she breathes.

I silence her with my mouth, running my tongue along her bottom lip. "Everyone improvises," I say harshly.

Her hand travels to my belt, and I stop her, placing my hand on top of hers. "No, baby. You don't get to move right now."

"I can't even touch you?"

I shake my head slowly. "Not unless I say so."

She lets out a huff and bites her bottom lip. I press my finger to her lips. "Do you want me to kiss you here or..." My voice trails off as I run my finger down to the top of her dress pulling it down. "Or here?"

Her breathing is reduced to short pants, but she doesn't reply. "I'm waiting," I say , twisting her nipple gently between my fingers.

"There," she whispers.

Hungrily, I take her nipple in my mouth, grazing my teeth along the firm bud. She moans softly, writhing off the table. She doesn't listen very well, and her hand travels inside of my pants and along the length of my bare skin. I bite down firmly in response and she lets out a startled moan. She liked it, but then again, she always likes to break the rules.

Her hand stills, but she doesn't pull it away. I bring my lips back to her ear. "What did I tell you about touching me?"

She turns her head and catches my mouth, plunging her tongue inside. When she moans into my mouth, my plan goes out the window, and I climb fully on top of her. She presses her hips up to grind against mine, and I'm suddenly wishing these dresses didn't have so much material.

Slowly, I run my hand up her leg and up the center of her panties. "I would say you are more than ready, but..." I glance to the stage door. "I don't think we should continue this here."

Elliot's eyes darken with desire as she firmly grips my tie pulling me back to her. "Since when were you afraid of getting caught?"

I lean forward and kiss her once before pulling back to calm my breathing. "Since the risk started to outweigh the reward." I pull her dress back into place and kiss her forehead. "Losing you is a fate worse than death."

Her eyes gloss over as she holds my stare. She brings her hands up to grip the back of my neck. "That's not going to happen."

"I know, baby." I sit up and pull her with me, placing a kiss to the side of her head. "Let's get you changed so we can go home."

She smiles as she hops down and hurries into the changing rooms. I take another lap around the stage when I hear the side door click. My heart lodges in my throat for a moment as I make my way over and open the door. I look both ways down the hall, and there is no trace of anyone. Maybe it shut all on its own?

Elliot appears at my side dressed in a hoodie and jeans. She looks just as beautiful as she did in her gown. She could wear a brown paper sack and still outshine every girl in the room.

"Ready?" she asks.

"Yeah." I shut off the last remaining light and place my hand on the small of her back guiding her out of the door.

When we make it to the parking lot, we are the only two cars remaining. My heart rate begins to slow. We've been pushing our luck lately, and the last thing we need is a scandal right now.

She leans in and kisses me quickly. "I'll see you soon."

"Drive careful. I'll be right behind you."

She waves me off with a wink, and I make my way to my truck. As I place the key in the ignition a strange feeling comes over me. Something doesn't feel quite right. I shake out my hand and crank the engine just as she pulls out.

The ride to her house is only about fifteen minutes but for some reason my heart pounds the entire time. When we pull into the driveway there's an extra car there. Elliot exits her car first and is intercepted by Cameron.

I run my hand roughly down my face. This can't be good. Tentatively, I get out of my truck and walk toward them.

"Well, well, Mr. Graham. It seems you've been offering some extra credit." She cocks her head to the side and sneers at me.

Elliot gives me an uneasy glance.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I say.

Cameron laughs and flicks her hair over her shoulder, taking a step toward Elliot. "You don't always get everything that you want. And this time, I'm going to make sure of it."