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.