“Chin up!” Darla, his makeup artist, fluttered over him, applying powder to his face. “Sugar, you keep sweating off all your makeup. Why don’t you sit under the tent where it’s cooler until they’re ready to shoot your scene?”
He shook his head. That’s where video village was—where Maddie was. “No, I’m fine here.”
“But you’re getting too much sun, sweetie.” Darla mothered Micah, which was why he liked working with her.
Today it irritated him. “I said I’m fine.”
“He can’t stand to be too near the hottie that’s assisting Adam,” Fudge said. “He’s gotta bit of a crush.”
“What the—? That’s not true.”
“Then I guess the hard-on you’ve been sportin’ since the airport is from that cheerleader assistant, Sam.” Fudge flipped a page casually in the magazine he was reading.
“You’ve been checking out my dick, man? That’s just weird.” Of course Fudge would have noticed Micah’s behavior regarding Maddie. But he didn’t have to bring it up in front of his makeup artist. Better yet, he didn’t have to bring it up at all.
Darla laughed. “Oh, honey, you don’t need to be embarrassed. I’ve been working with you for five years now and this is the first time I’ve ever seen you so unfocused. It’s a nice change. You should go talk to her.”
“It’s not—” Micah cut himself off and then started again at a more reasonable volume. “It’s not the girl. It’s the altitude.”
“Whatever you need to tell yourself, sweetie.” Amusement sparkled in Darla’s eyes.
Fudge tossed his magazine on the grass. “What I don’t understand is why you don’t just hit it and get it over with.”
Now that was a good question.
Micah thought about it as Darla patted more powder over his face. Why the hell not? They had the chemistry. So she reminded him of the past. That didn’t have to interfere with his present. And he was already distracted by her. Wasn’t that what his no-strings rule was meant to avoid?
But he’d already been an ass to her. Who knew if she’d even be receptive? All right. If she showed some interest then he’d consider pursuing it.
“By the way, that girl jogs by the hotel every morning,” Fudge said. “Her hotel’s about two miles away. It’s funny she chooses that same route.”
Hmm. That sure made it sound like she was interested.
“I need more coffee.” Micah stood, rolling his script under his arm and grabbing his still half-full coffee mug from his cup holder. It was a lame excuse, but he couldn’t bring himself to say outright that he planned to corner Maddie.
“I can get it for you,” Darla offered.
“No, I’m getting it.” Micah heard Darla and Fudge chuckling at him as he made his way toward the main tent. Yeah, who was he kidding? They knew where he was headed.
He didn’t have far to walk before reaching the tent. Generally only a few members of the cast and crew hung out in the video village, but since the show was at a standstill without Heather, more people were around than usual.
Seeing that Maddie was still conversing with Beaumont, Adam, and Joe, Micah slipped behind her to the coffee center. A whiff of apples caught on the breeze, a scent he’d learned to recognize as Maddie’s. Was it her shampoo, her lotion? It drove him mad. He glanced at her, his cock stirring at the view of her curvy hips and round behind. God, she was beautiful. He could strip her naked and fuck her right then and there. Maybe that would help his concentration.
The sound of his name pulled him from his lustful thoughts.
“We could shoot Micah’s close-ups,” Joe said. “That could keep us rolling at least.”
“Maybe that’s the way to go,” Beaumont said. Then, noticing Micah, he said, “Hey, Preston. We’re going to shoot your CUs now.”
His stomach clenched, hoping his lines were ready. On the bright side, he’d be on set with Maddie.
“That’s fine,” Maddie said, “but I need to get new focus calculations first from the blocking change you just made.”
Micah could let a stand-in do the set-up like he usually did and continue working on his lines, but he’d decided he wanted to be near Maddie, and be near Maddie he would be. “Sounds good. I’m ready.”
For the first time since he’d joined them, Maddie acknowledged him. Her dark eyes glimmered as they connected with his gaze. “Oh, you don’t need to…“
He winked. “It’s no problem. Let’s go.”
He’d winked at her.
One wink and her knees were jelly as they walked to the set. Thank God the A.D. had his ear while they walked so Maddie could give all her attention to putting one foot in front of the other.
Though she’d been disappointed that he’d forgotten her and disgusted by his superiority complex, the days that had followed had shown Micah to be less of a dick than she’d thought after the car ride. He actually seemed charming and an all-around good guy. But not to her. He hadn’t even spoken to her, but she’d watched him interact with the other actors and crew.
A couple of times she’d caught him eyeing her. Was that burning, hungry stare her imagination? She hadn’t noticed him ogling any other female crew members. But maybe that was because she didn’t want to notice.
What she wanted was to hate him, but working with him had only brought about a crush. A silly, stupid, fangirl-type crush. Her insides got all twisty and her palms got sweaty every time she was within ten feet of him. She’d found the only way to deal with her unwanted emotions was to avoid him as much as possible. She got her focus calculations from the stand-ins and stayed in the shadows like a good camera assistant was supposed to.
But one wink and he was drawing her out with his stupid hot-actor charm, making her feel self-conscious in her boring black outfit.
Dammit all to hell.
Then there was Beaumont. Fortunately so far he’d been his typical asshole self, and Maddie had been prepared for that. He’d greeted her the first day as if she were a new intern he couldn’t be bothered with even though he knew her well. He showed his dislike for her in passive-aggressive ways. Three times he’d argued with her about her measurements in front of the entire cast and crew. Twice he’d actually taken over focusing for her. Once he’d sent her for coffee. The rest of the time he directed from his chair at video village, and Maddie didn’t have to deal with him at all. Like now, thank God. He stayed behind as Joe, Adam, and Micah walked to set.
That meant, for now, she just had to deal with Micah.
She could handle it. Totally. No biggie.
“Okay,” she said when they’d reached the set.
“Okay.” His lips curled up in a slight smile. Oh, his beautiful lips…
“Are you on your mark now?” She refused to look him in the eye, hoping he didn’t see the shakiness in her hands as she pulled her tape measure from the clip on her belt.
“Yes.” She felt his gaze as she did some quick mental calculations.
“Yep, they moved you quite a bit.” She handed him the end of her measure. “Do you mind?”
“Not at all.” He brushed her skin when he took it. His touch sent a chill through her body and she dropped the measure on his foot.
“Shit.” She squatted down for it. As she stood, her forearm accidentally bumped him. Bumped him there. And he felt sort of stiff. Oh God, was he hard? Don’t look, don’t look. Before she could stop herself she glanced and there it was, detectable because she was so close, his growing erection. She froze, gaping.
“Enjoying the view?” Micah asked, his voice low and suggestive.
“Oh my God!” Maddie jumped up, shielding her eyes with her hand. Her face flushed crimson. “Oh my God, oh my God, I’m so sorry.”
Micah laughed. “Hell, Maddie, I didn’t know you were interested.”
Interested? That was the understatement of the century.
“I’m…I’m…” She moved her hand to her mouth, trying to stifle her nervous giggles. “I’m so embarrassed,” she said w
hen she could speak.
Micah grinned. “I’m not.”
“You have absolutely no reason to be, believe me.” Did she really just say that? She flushed even deeper.
His smile widened.
She was mortified—brushing his penis was bad, staring at his crotch was worse. Complimenting his size…? She wanted to crawl into a hole and stay there until the whole damn production was wrapped.
Added to her humiliation and confusing her thoughts was the response of her own body to his obvious desire. Lust spread through her limbs like wildfire. She wanted to touch him, to stroke him, to bring him to release. And why was he turned on anyway? She was the only female on set at the moment. Oh, shit. The realization that he was like that because of her both thrilled and terrified her. Mostly thrilled her. Which was why she was terrified.
She turned away from him, looking for an escape, and wondered if anyone witnessed their interaction. No, thank goodness, because everyone’s attention was on her other nightmare approaching the set—Beaumont.
“I just talked to Heather’s assistant,” Beaumont said when he arrived. “She’ll be ready in twenty.”
Joe furrowed his brows. “Is it even worth it to try to get Micah’s shots done?”
“Actually,” Micah interjected, “I need to run my lines.” His voice so close behind her sent another wave of goosebumps up her arms.
Beaumont nodded. “Good idea. You’ve been a little rusty the last few days. I know, I know, the altitude makes me fuzzy too. Maddie, go help Micah with his lines.”
“Um, there’s probably someone else who would be better suited—” She couldn’t. She needed to be far away from Micah right now, not close and interactive.
Besides, who did Joss Beaumont think she was? Running lines was a job for a production assistant—Sam should be doing this—not first camera assistant. She should be taking care of the camera. Hell, she should be directing the goddamned film, not helping the star with his memorization.
“You can read, can’t you?”
Maddie burned at Beaumont’s words. Was it possible to hate him more?
She took a deep breath to control her anger. “Of course I can read.”
“Then you’ll do just fine.”
She pivoted away from the director before she said anything she couldn’t take back. “Give me your script, Micah. Where do you want to start?”
Micah handed her his rolled-up script. “Let’s go to my trailer. It’s easier to concentrate without all—” he waved his hand at the people around them, “—this.”
“Sure.” Her voice was tight. “Fine.”
But it was far from fine. Alone in his trailer with Micah Preston and his hard-on? Lord, help her.
Six
Maddie fumed as she followed Micah to his trailer. She didn’t know if she was fuming more at Beaumont’s blatant patronization or at herself for being so affected by an actor. She did know it was easier to keep walking if she concentrated on being mad rather than the butterflies swirling around in her tummy. It didn’t help that she had to watch Micah’s sexy swagger as she tailed him. As if she wasn’t frustrated enough.
She huffed out a breath of angry air. Micah over his shoulder. “Are you okay back there?”
Her throat tightened. “Fine.”
Micah climbed the three steps of his trailer and opened the door, holding it for Maddie to walk past. His trailer was one of the nicest ones she’d been in. The countertops were brown-and-cream-speckled granite. The stainless steel appliances sparkled under the abundant recessed lights. The eating area featured a soft brown leather bench curved around a light oak round table. Three barstools rounded the other side, providing additional seating. Farther down the trailer, a small leather loveseat faced a flat-screen television.
And there was the sleeping area at the back of the trailer. Maddie didn’t even let that register for fear of the dirty thoughts that would flood her mind.
Micah closed the door, bringing Maddie back from not thinking about tumbling around on his bed. “Look, I really appreciate you doing this. I know it isn’t your job.”
Maddie ran her hand across her face before she turned toward him. Damn, he was so good-looking. His deep blue eyes stared at her intently and her mask of fury became impossible to maintain under his gaze.
“I’m sorry.” She amazed herself at the steadiness of her voice. “It’s not you who’s got me riled up.” Not only him, anyway.
“Good. I was afraid you were upset about…well, you know.”
Oh God. Was he really bringing up the penis incident? “Oh no. I’d blocked that from my memory. Most successfully until you reminded me.” She hadn’t really forgotten. Not at all. In fact, she wondered if he was still stiff.
“Bummer to hear I’m so forgettable.”
“Oh it’s not forgettable.” She just said his cock wasn’t forgettable. “I mean, I really didn’t forget it.” Fuck! “I mean…” She took a deep breath, trying to gain control of the words coming out of her mouth. “Are you trying to make me turn as red as possible? Because I think this is the max I can go.”
He laughed. “Maybe just a little. I’m sorry, I couldn’t help myself. I shouldn’t have teased on the heels of your moment with Beaumont. He can be…how shall I put it? Intolerable.” Micah offered an understanding smile.
Maddie’s knees went weak. His smile was like sunshine. What had they been talking about? Oh yeah, Micah’s prick. No, their prick director. “Beaumont’s trying, at best.”
“Do you think he realizes it?”
“Realizes what? That everyone hates him? That he’s an incredible asshole? That I want to smash my tape measure in his face?” She shouldn’t have said any of that. She lowered her eyes knowing she’d crossed a line. And to avoid the yummy movie star’s gaze. He hadn’t taken his eyes off her since they’d entered the trailer.
Micah laughed, a sound that made Maddie’s legs quiver. “You said it better than I would have.”
“You should forget I said it at all. It was horribly unprofessional.”
He winked. Again. And her body jolted in response. Again. He had to stop doing that.
“Forgotten already.” He leaned back against the granite counter, and Maddie’s gaze dipped to his thigh muscles pressing through the material of his jeans. She wondered what they’d feel like pressed against her. Incredible.
Stop it! She had to get her mind back on track. She turned away from him and unrolled the script clutched in her hand. “So what page do we start on?” Her damp hands shook as she flipped through the pages.
Micah crossed behind her to peer over her shoulder. He moved his mouth near her ear. “Top of forty-seven.”
His breath tickled her and Maddie’s hands were no longer the only thing damp. She shivered.
“It’s the kissing scene,” he added softly.
She stifled a yelp. Crap. It was the kissing scene. How had she forgotten? She needed a momentary escape. “Uh, can I use your bathroom? I had way too much coffee this morning.”
Micah laughed, enjoying her reaction. He took the script from her, his forearm brushing the side of her breast as he did. “Go ahead. I’ll be waiting.”
She hurried to the back of the trailer, trying to ignore the taunt in his words, the brush of his arm, and the aching in her hardened nipples. Oh so much to ignore.
Once she’d closed the door of the bathroom, she took a deep breath. Why was she so smitten with this guy? He was just a guy. Yes, he was a big time actor, but she’d never been star struck before. Especially not over a guy who was such a cad. Besides, just because she was into him didn’t mean he was into her. And if he was, that meant nothing. He’s a player. The jumbo box of condoms next to his hotel key on the bathroom counter was an excellent reminder.
Seriously? A box of condoms? Who did he plan on banging in Golden, Colorado?
Certainly not her. No siree. No matter how flirtatious they got, no matter what her body seemed to want—she had more respect for herself
than that.
Maddie took one more deep breath, leaned over and flushed the toilet, keeping up the pretense that she’d needed to pee. Then she spritzed her face with cold water. She wasn’t any calmer, but she’d have to fake it. She couldn’t stay in the bathroom all day hiding from the hottie—correction—co-worker in the other room.
“Here you go,” Micah said as she returned, handing her the script opened to a page about halfway in. “Top of that page there.” He had resumed leaning against the counter.
Maddie took the script and leaned against the counter opposite him, refusing to pay any attention to his thighs this time. Nope, she would not look. She scanned the page instead. The dialogue seemed harmless enough. She could get through this. No problem.
“You start,” she said when he didn’t begin.
“I know.” A hint of something—longing, maybe—marked his tone.
She looked up from the script and found him staring at her. Again. What was he doing? Getting into character? Trying to remember his first line? Whatever he was doing, it made Maddie warm and fuzzy as he ran his eyes up and down her body. Shit. She was a goner.
After what seemed like an eternity, he began. “I thought you’d be out here. Getting ready to take off with our share of the loot?”
Maddie moved her eyes back to the script for her line. “No. I just needed some air.”
“Yeah,” he huffed. “Like I can believe anything that comes out of your mouth.”
“I haven’t lied to you.” Maddie kept her reading stiff. She wasn’t a great actor to begin with, and the last thing she needed was to get lost in this scene.
“Sure, you haven’t.” Micah took a step toward her. Oh for the love of whatever was holy, he was running the scene’s movement too. That meant they were going to get real close, real soon. Certainly he planned to stop before the kiss. Right?
Maddie lost her place on the page, thinking about his lips on hers. Wondering how his scruff would feel against her face. Her voice was weak when she spoke again. “I haven’t. If I’d wanted the money, I would’ve left last night, not in broad daylight. And if you’re really that worried about it, maybe you should just keep track of your share yourself.”
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