False Lines (Blurred Lines Volume 7) (7 page)

He sputters. “Maybe I should quit.”

My heart starts to race. I’ve no doubt Zane would be pissed if Nigel walked, but there’s no way I’m backing down on this prick. “Fine. If that’s what you want. Be a fucking quitter.”

Blondes One and Two peek around the corner. I glare and they disappear.

Nigel rolls up the script. His face is a shocking shade of purple. “Fuck it. I’ll stay. And when this film goes down in flames, I’ll be sure to say I told you so.”

I smile, knowing I have him by the balls. “Excellent. And when it’s a raging success I’ll buy you a drink.”

His face returns to its normal shade. Nigel barks out a harsh laugh. “Deal.”

I listen to the way Cadence speaks to Nigel and can’t help the smile that spreads across my face. She’s a quick learner. I don’t know that I could’ve handled the situation any better. Of course, Nigel wouldn’t have come to me in the first place. He would’ve dealt with it himself. But I know he’s pissed at my giving Cadence my position in the company. He knows what her job title was previous to becoming my PFA. Most everyone does.

Lincoln walks up behind me. “She’s doing well, sir.”

“Yes, she is.” I take the drink he offers and sip.

“We aren’t leaving L.A., are we?” he asks.

It isn’t his job to question, but he and I have become more than employer and employee. He’s a friend. “No, we aren’t. Not yet.” I press a few buttons on the keyboard. Images on the seven screens in front of me flick and change. I watch Cadence and Nigel walk out of the bungalow. Nigel has his eyes pinned to her ass. I want to reach through the monitor and throttle him. I watch them get into a limo and drive. I turn my attention to the monitor that’s displaying the set where Cruze and Scarlett will be filming. Scarlett is texting and Cruze is probably jacking off again.

Yes, this part of my job makes me feel like a perverted voyeur. It’s isn’t new though. Several branches of the government do it as well as a lot of highly classified companies.

Normally I’m not the one to man the monitors. Usually I have someone else doing it. Someone I can trust. But it’s been hard to be away from Cadence. I want to know her every move.

Having cameras everywhere has saved my life more than once. They’re necessary.

Momentarily satisfied, I turn away from the monitors.

“Do you think she’ll come with you, if you ask?” Lincoln asks the question. His features are stoic. No sign of emotion.

My brows crease in anger. “Of course she will,” I say confidently, even though I feel the opposite. Part of me wants to believe she’d leave everything for me, but when I think about what I’d do if the situation were reversed, I get agitated because I doubt I would.

“She seems to be taking over your role in the company rather well.”

I turn back, no longer able to deal with his unemotional face when mine are everywhere.

“Yes, she does. But then I knew she had it in her.” I grin, beside myself with pride.

Lincoln’s phone rings. He answers, says barely five words, and hangs up. I peer over my shoulder and Lincoln has a goddamn smile on his face. It’s almost looks unnatural.

“What?”

I make my way toward Scarlett. She has her back turned, so I lightly touch her arm. She faces me. “You have a problem with the dialogue?” I ask, pointing at the script in her hand.

The room, basically the whole set, goes silent. They want to watch a battle, but I won’t give them one.

Scarlett likes being the center of attention. That’s obvious. She rolls back her shoulders. “That’s right, it makes no sense. The timing is awkward.”

“I see.” I can feel Cruze is close. I face him. “What’s your opinion of the dialogue?” I dare him with my eyes to tell the truth because the truth is the dialogue lacks timing. It should be changed.

He shrugs. “I think it’s fine.”

Scarlett gasps. I turn back to her. “Lets mark the scene together. I’ll play Cruze’s character. If it feels awkward, we’ll change it.” I watch her face, hoping she’ll accept my offer. It’s also a challenge. She likes the spotlight. Let’s see how well she handles it.

She grins coyly. “You want to go through all of it, including the kiss? What about the bed scene?”

“Scarlett, don’t you worry your pretty little head about me. We’ll go until you’re uncomfortable or until there’s an issue with the dialogue. Deal?”

She shrugs, but I sense she’s nervous. “Fine.”

“Nigel?” I ask, turning into the blaring lights. I raise a hand over my eyes, searching the crowd for him. He’s sitting on the edge of his seat. A huge grin twists his greasy face unnaturally. “Do you have a problem with us going through the scene?”

“Hell no.” He clears his throat. “If it’ll help Scarlett feel more comfortable, then by all means.”

“Good.” I face Scarlett.

Nigel yells, “Action!”

I read from the script Cruze’s first line. “Don’t be mad, baby. It’s just part of my job.”

Scarlett gives me a strange look. “I’m allowed to be mad, you son-of-a-bitch. The portal is open. It’s going to remain open. Why didn’t you listen?” She gets misty-eyed, and I’m impressed.

It says that my face softens and I move toward her. “I know. You’re right. I’m sorry.” The script says I’m to grab her around the waist and pull her close. The script reads that I’m supposed to kiss her with passion. Scarlett and I are the same height in our heels. “Really sorry,” I say, and kiss her.

Scarlett takes a deep breath, surprised. I’ll admit I’m surprised too. I’ve never kissed another woman. Her lips are soft, but sticky. She’s wearing a lot of lipstick and gloss. I open her mouth and meet her tongue. I feel her hands go around my waist. Our mouths move together. I count to ten and then release her.

Scarlett’s eyes are soft.

“Make love to me. I need you,” I say, following the lines on the script. We’re supposed to go over to the bed and undress each other. It’s supposed to be desperate. The world is ending soon, but they have to have this moment first. Also, after they fuck, Cruze’s character realizes how he can close the portal and save the world.

Frankly I don’t want to get naked in front of the entire crew, but I’m not going to stop if she isn’t.

I pull Scarlett over to the bed and start to undo the buttons on the front of her dress. She moves to undo my belt and then laughs. “I can’t do this.” She looks at the light where Nigel is sitting. “Her face is covered in my red lipstick.”

“Cut,” Nigel yells, even though the cameras weren’t even rolling.

I yank on Scarlett, forcing her to look at me. “It isn’t the dialogue, it’s that you’re uncomfortable,” I whisper.

She has a look on her face, like she’s about to deny it. Instead she leans in and kisses my ear. “Would you want to get naked and pretend fuck in front of all these people?”

I kiss her neck and my hands move up and down her back. “Definitely not. You need a closed set.”

She plants kisses along my jawline until she reaches my chin. Her features are filled with gratitude. “Can you make that happen?”

“Of course,” I respond and step out of her embrace.

While the crew sets up the scene for a closed set, I find Mindy. “Help,” I say when I see her.

She laughs. “You’re covered in red lipstick. Sit.” She uses a round makeup pad and gently rubs the lipstick off my face and neck. “The pearls are beautiful,” she says.

“Thanks, they’re a gift.” My eyes are closed and I’m grateful. I don’t want to have to go into an explanation.

“From Cruze?” she asks.

“No.”

“Good.”

I open my eyes and study her features. “Why good?”

She shakes her head. “I can tell you’re a strong woman. If you have feelings for Mr. Cruze, I’ve got nothing to say about it.” She shrugs. “There’s someone for everyone, right?” Her smile is sad.

“Sure,” I agree, seeing an opportunity to change the subject. “Did you and Lincoln have fun on your date?”

She seems pleasantly surprised that I’m asking. “It was incredible. Like…” She trails off and fans herself. “I’m a changed girl after spending an evening with that man.”

I watch Mindy’s face and have so many questions. I’ve always been curious about the man who does everything Zane says without the slightest variance, yet he seems to have a big heart. What kinds of hobbies does a man like him have? I can’t imagine him sitting in front of a TV drinking a beer, but he must have down time.

“I thought he enjoyed himself too, but…” She stops and swallows. Tears line her lashes. “I haven’t heard from him in over a month. Like nothing.”

I shake my head. “Men can be such assholes,” I say, trying to console her.

It seems to help. She laughs. “You got that right.” Mindy applies some lotion to my face. “Thanks Cadence. I feel better.” She laughs again. “I mean not really, but I appreciate you trying to help.”

“No problem,” I say, wishing I could do more.

Scarlett comes over. “Mindy, fix my make—” She stops. “I mean, would you mind touching up my makeup?” she asks.

Holy fuck. There may be hope for Scarlett after all.

Mindy looks at me.

I shrug. “Go ahead. Thanks, Mindy.” I get off the chair.

On my way over to the set, Cruze grabs my hand. “Hey Cade. Can we talk?”

I don’t know why but my stomach tenses. “Sure,” I say, pulling my hand from his. “What’s up?”

Cruze looks frustrated. “I just want to apologize for earlier. I don’t know what I was thinking. Of course you need time to yourself. I respect that.” He runs a hand through his hair.

“Thanks, Cruze. I appreciate your understanding. It means a lot.” My fingers find the pearls around my neck.

“Do you think we could have dinner tonight? I’ll order room service. I know how much you love their bleu-cheese steak and twice baked potatoes.” He smiles sweetly. “We could watch a movie or something.”

“That sounds wonderful, Cruze, but I can’t tonight. I’ve already made other plans.” A total lie. I don’t have any plans, but I do want some time away from him.

His face falls and, for a moment, I feel really bad. I reach out and touch his hand. “My birthday is this Friday night. The big two one,” I say in mock excitement. “Jessica is throwing a party that’s supposed to go down in the history books. I’d love it if you could come.” That will give me three full days of man free drama.

His face lights up at that. “I’d love to. And you’re going to be twenty-one? I had no idea you were such a baby.”

I shrug. It’s true. I haven’t really thought about age. Not mine. Not his. Not even Zane’s. And I wonder how old he is. I’d guess early to mid thirties, but he might be older. “Yeah, well, how old are you? Not much older than me, I’m sure.”

John clears his throat, leans in, and whispers: “I’m thirty.”

“No fucking way,” I say. I’m shocked. He looks really young.

“Yeah, tell no one.” He uses his first finger and thumb to pretend lock his lips and then tosses away an imaginary key. “It’s a secret.”

“My lips are sealed,” I say.

“John Cruze and Scarlett. You’re wanted on set.” The voice booms over a loud speaker.