Evil MC's NTR Harem-Chapter 573 - Merchant

"Yes! The movie is a go!"

Nicole's excited scream filled the apartment as she practically jumped into Ian's arms. Her eyes sparkled with joy, her entire body humming with excitement. Ian barely had time to react before she wrapped her arms around his neck, squeezing him tightly.

The two kissed, their shared happiness tangible, and for a moment, the world seemed perfect. Anyone watching them would have seen an undeniably loving couple—deeply connected, deeply in sync.

They exchanged a few more rushed words of celebration, their excitement bubbling over in laughter and playful touches. But as the initial high settled, Ian pulled back slightly, tilting his head in curiosity.

"Who's it with?" he asked, still smiling but now eager for details.

Nicole had been chasing this dream for years, pouring her heart into auditions, taking every minor role she could get, just waiting for a moment like this.

He had always believed she was destined for something bigger, and now it was finally happening—her first lead role in a major romance film.

If things had been different, he would have wanted to be her co-star. But he knew his limits. His acting was decent, but nothing remarkable.

Unlike Nicole, he didn't have that natural presence, that effortless ability to captivate an audience.

So instead of standing beside her in the spotlight, he had committed himself to supporting her from behind it.

Still, he was eager to know who she would be working with.

"Wait, let me check the email again," Nicole said, grabbing her phone from the coffee table.

Ian watched as her fingers danced across the screen, scrolling through the message. Her lips moved slightly as she read, her brows furrowing before she finally looked up at him.

"It's with Ross Oakley," she announced.

The name was like a bucket of cold water poured over Ian's head.

His smile faded instantly, his entire body tensing.

"Ross Oakley?" he repeated, his voice carrying a sharp edge.

Nicole blinked, clearly noticing the shift in his demeanor.

"Yeah," she confirmed, her expression still bright—oblivious to the storm brewing in Ian's mind.

Ian clenched his jaw. Of all people…

"That womanizer? That fucking playboy?" His voice was harder now, filled with something dangerously close to frustration. "Nicole, I don't like him."

Nicole's lips parted slightly, as if she hadn't expected such an immediate and intense reaction. "Ian—"

"He's a walking scandal," Ian interrupted. "Every few months, it's a new woman. A co-star, a model, some rich guy's wife. He's got a reputation for a reason, Nicole."

"I know," she admitted, exhaling slowly. "But that's his personal life. It has nothing to do with me."

"Doesn't it?" Ian scoffed, running a frustrated hand through his hair. "You're going to be working with him closely. Have you seen the way he acts with his female co-stars? How he makes them fall for him? There are even rumors that he's done it with Cate White during their movie production."

Nicole sighed, crossing her arms. "You're overthinking this."

Ian wanted to believe that. He really did.

But he had seen the way Ross Oakley operated. The way he charmed his way into women's lives—especially the ones in the industry, especially the ones playing his love interests.

Ross wasn't just a playboy. He was a professional at it.

"I get why you're worried," Nicole said, stepping closer. "But this is my dream, Ian. I've worked so hard for this. You know that. You of all people know how much this means to me."

Ian exhaled slowly, his anger dimming slightly as he looked at her. Of course, he knew. He had watched her struggle for years, had been there to comfort her when she didn't get the roles she wanted, had cheered her on through every setback and every small victory.

He loved her. He wanted her to succeed.

But he also couldn't shake the gut-wrenching feeling that this wouldn't end well.

"You don't have to like him, Ian," Nicole said gently, reaching for his hand. "He's not going to do anything to me. We're just acting. It's business—nothing more, nothing less."

Ian held onto her hand, squeezing it slightly. He wanted to believe her.

But his intuition was screaming at him.

And no matter how much he loved Nicole, something told him that this was just the beginning of a storm he couldn't stop.

Unfortunately, it was out of his hands.

And that terrified him.

***

A week had passed, and the day Nicole had both anticipated and dreaded finally arrived—her first meeting with Ross Oakley.

She had spent the past few nights trying to prepare herself, convincing herself that she wouldn't be intimidated. It's just another actor, she told herself over and over.

Just another co-star. But deep down, she knew that wasn't true.

Ross Oakley wasn't just anyone.

When he stepped into the room, it was like the air shifted around him. His presence was heavy, commanding attention without a word.

Nicole's breath hitched as she took him in.

Even though she had seen countless pictures and videos of him before, it wasn't the same as seeing him in person. He wasn't just famous—he was a legend.

An NBA champion who had won title after title, dominating the league for years. Then, as if that weren't enough, he had taken over Hollywood, proving that he could act just as well as he played.

His first ever film appearance hadn't just been successful—it had shattered records, becoming the highest-grossing film of all time.

Of course, his wife, Althea, had been a huge factor in that, but Ross's role was undeniable. Their on-screen chemistry had been electric, setting a new standard for cinematic romance.

And now, he was here.

For her movie.

Nicole swallowed, her fingers unconsciously tightening around the script in her hands.

She still didn't understand why he had accepted this role. He could have chosen any project, any multi-million-dollar blockbuster, yet he had agreed to star in a modest romance film—opposite her, a relative unknown.

She barely had time to process it before Ross strode toward her, his movements smooth and confident.

"Hi, Nicole," he greeted, his deep voice resonating through the room as he extended his hand. "I'm happy to be working with you on this project."

Nicole felt a jolt of something—excitement, nervousness, something—as she quickly took his hand.

"Thank you, Mr. Oakley," she said, forcing herself to keep her voice steady. "I really appreciate you giving this movie a chance."

Ross's handshake was firm, his palm warm and calloused. But it wasn't just the handshake—it was the way he held her gaze, steady and unreadable, like he was studying her. Measuring her.

A slow, knowing smirk curled at the corner of his lips.

"It's nothing," he said smoothly, his grip lingering longer than necessary. "I just have a feeling that the two of us could create something huge."

Nicole's heart pounded.

His words weren't just professional—they felt personal, almost intimate.

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For a split second, her mind conjured images of their upcoming scenes—their characters falling in love, kissing, touching.

She had read the script a hundred times, memorized the moments where they would have to press their bodies together, whisper words of passion.

But suddenly, those weren't just scenes anymore. They felt like possibilities.

She swallowed hard.

A warmth spread through her body, and to her horror, she felt her nipples harden beneath her blouse. A tingling heat pooled between her legs, an unfamiliar and unwelcome reaction.

No. No, no, no. Get it together, Nicole!

This was just another job. Ross was just a co-star.

It didn't matter that he wasn't classically handsome—his features were sharp, rugged, almost too intense. But there was something about him.

Maybe it was his sheer size, the way he dominated the space around him without even trying.

Maybe it was the effortless confidence, the way he made you feel like you were the only person in the room when he looked at you.

Nicole forced herself to smile, to regain control.

The moment passed as the director entered, breaking whatever unspoken tension had filled the space between them.

They moved on to business, discussing the film—the script, the creative direction, the chemistry they would need to develop on-screen. But Nicole struggled to concentrate.

Her thoughts kept drifting back to the way Ross had held her hand just a little too long. The way his voice had dipped slightly when he spoke to her.

The way he looked at her, like he already knew something she hadn't figured out yet.

By the time the meeting ended, she realized one thing with certainty.

She wouldn't be forgetting this first encounter anytime soon.

And something told her… neither would Ross.

Nicole could only hope that everything would turn out well in the end. But deep down, she knew the truth—Ross's presence affected her in ways she hadn't anticipated.

Determined not to let herself get swept up in his orbit, she silently vowed to guard herself in their future meetings.

She would keep things professional, maintain her boundaries, and remind herself that this was just a job.

But alas, that was easier said than done.

Across the room, Ross's gaze lingered on her, his expression unreadable yet unmistakably intense.

And in that moment, Nicole had the unsettling realization that he was already imagining it—how he would break down her defenses, how he would claim her body, how he would make her his.

It wasn't a question of if.

Only when.