Filthy Beast(19)

“Hell no,” I say. “But because I keep seeing their faces, I know I can’t let them down. So I won’t stop.”

Holly steps closer to me, and I’m not sure what she’s doing. The ambush is coming in a second, and there’s only one line left.

“I wish I had your commitment,” she says, and then she tries to kiss me.

It takes me completely by surprise. Her lips press against mine, and for half a second, we’re kissing.

But I pull away as soon as I realize what’s happening. This isn’t acting at all. She’s not trying to adlib something new. She’s just coming on to me.

“Holly,” I say.

“Sorry,” she says, turning away. “Wow, I’m really sorry. I just thought… there was a moment.”

“No,” I say. “I mean, there wasn’t a moment. I can’t get involved.”

She turns back to me, smiling sheepishly. “We don’t have to get involved.”

I sigh. “That’s getting involved. I can’t.”

“You don’t think I’m pretty?” she asks, cocking her head.

I laugh and shrug. “Any guy on this set would fuck you, but not me. There’s someone else.”

Her face falls. “It’s that fucking girl, isn’t it? The script girl?”

I hesitate. “It’s none of your fucking business.”

“I saw you two dancing. The way she was looking at you. I think she would have let you fuck her right there on the dance floor, but too bad she ran away like a scared baby.”

Anger rises through me and I step closer to her. She must see that anger in me, because she steps back.

“Get the fuck out of my trailer,” I say to her. I would never hit a woman, but I can see she thinks I might. Because I’m big and I was a SEAL, people always think I’m a violent man. But I’m not. I only hurt people that really deserve it, and although Holly isn’t a nice person, she doesn’t deserve it.

“Asshole,” she says, and turns away from me.

I watch as she leaves the trailer quickly. I turn away once the door shuts and curse my bad fucking luck.

So much for not letting things get uncomfortable between us.





10





Tara





I watch as Jackson takes Holly in his arms and presses his lips against hers, kissing her full and deep.

There’s an edge between them today. I don’t know what it means, but it’s like something happened. It’s actually electrifying, and I think everyone on set can see it. Whatever happened is making their performance that much better.

“Cut!” Lionel yells. “Yes, good, Jackson! You kiss her like you kiss your mother, yes?”

I raise an eyebrow, surprised, and look around. Nobody seems shocked by that.

“Uh, no,” Jackson says. “I don’t kiss my mother that way.”

Holly is studiously not looking at him as Lionel walks over.

“Listen to me, Jackson. You must woo her, kiss her like she’s the only woman alive. Yes, you know what I mean by this?”

“Uh, yeah,” Jackson says. He glances in my direction and I grin back at him

“Come here,” Lionel says to Jackson. “Don’t be shy, boy, come here.”

Jackson walks over to the odd German director. Lionel steps up to Jackson and puts his hands on Jackson’s waist. I can instantly tell that Jackson is super uncomfortable with this, but I can’t help but grin even bigger.

“Like this, you see? You must caress her. Make her feel loved, like a sexual woman. You hear, yes?”

“I hear you,” Jackson grunts. “You don’t need to demonstrate.”

“I do need to demonstrate. What, you shy??

“Not shy,” Jackson says. “Just don’t think you’re my type.

For a second, Lionel looks insulted. The whole set holds its breath, since Lionel is actually famous for flying off the handle at any small thing. I’m sure that Jackson doesn’t know anything about Lionel’s reputation, though. If he did, he might have been a little smarter about it.

But instead, Lionel starts laughing and lets him go. “Yes, well, I am not pretty woman like Holly,” Lionel says.

“No, you’re not,” Jackson answers, looking relieved.

“Go again! This time, kiss her better!”

I watch them do the scene again, and that weirdness is still between them. This time though, it doesn’t look like there’s a strong sexual chemistry. This time, I see it for what it is.

They look a little awkward. I can’t tell if it’s Holly or if it’s Jackson, but they’re clearly both trying.

Even still, when he kisses her, I feel that tinge of jealousy get at me again. I know I shouldn’t feel this way, since it’s a freaking movie set, but I can’t help it. Jackson isn’t mine and probably never will be, but I still don’t like watching him kiss someone else right in front of me.