“I’m right here,” she called out, breathless.The drug her sister had given her was starting to kick in and she felt mega-alert, as if all five senses had been heightened.She felt like the lithe and dangerous spy she played in this movie.
“Sparks, get in the elevator, let’s go,” Antonio, the director, hollered.“Do you realize I’ve had everyone on the clock here since nine a.m.?”
“I’m sorry,” she called out.She searched her mind for an excuse, and not arriving on one, left it at that.
“Do you remember the action sequence?”
“Yep.I’ve got it.”
She stood in the elevator, cameras and lights all trained on her, and got into character.
“Scene 95, Take 7,” the assistant cameraman’s helper called out and hit the slates.
She pushed the fake elevator button and the doors closed.When they opened, Joel stepped on.She sprang into action, giving him one of the high kicks they’d had her training for all summer.The two wrestled in a choreographed sequence that she was proud to say would not be re-shot with stunt people.It ended with him holding a knife to her throat, one arm wrapped around her shoulders from behind.
“Who are you working for?”he hissed.
She inhaled, but no sound came out.Her mind had gone completely blank.She stood there like an absolute idiot, her breath stalled in her throat.
“Cut,” yelled Antonio, throwing down his clipboard and stalking forward.“Have you learned any of your lines?”
“Yes, I know them, I’m just…”
Antonio looked from her, to Joel, who still held her captive despite the fact that cameras were no longer rolling.“I can’t work like this,” he said to Joel.“Somebody get me a fucking coffee before I totally lose my shit.”
Joel’s muscled arms held her like steel bands, his breath warm on her ear.All summer long she’d fantasized about him—his on-screen character, the real-life actor—everything.He’d been kind and polite but elusive.No invitation to hang out off the set ever came, even though they were stuck out in the middle of nowhere together.Now he probably hated her, too.
He turned her to face him.The day-old stubble on his face defined his picture-perfect jaw and a lock of hair fell down his forehead as he frowned at her.“What’s going on?”
The knot in her gut tightened.She could take Antonio’s fury—the man was known for his fiery temperament—but Joel’s irritation made her want to crawl in a hole and never come out.
“Nothing!I just blanked on my line, that’s all.I can do it now—I’ve got it.”
He narrowed his eyes.“What is your line?”
She blinked at him.Her mouth had gone dry and the speed from the pill was making her heart gallop.“It’sWe’re on the same side.Jones sent me.”
His lips flattened.“Close,” he said.
Her mind raced.What the hell was her line?
“Listen, Marissa.I personally requested you to audition for this movie.I wanted to work with you.I thought you showed a lot of depth inGreen Bayouand you have major box office appeal.But it seems like your personal life is getting in the way of this movie.”
Her eyes burned, but she took a giant gulp of air to stave back the tears.The dexedrine made her feel racy and she bounced on her heels to dissipate the sudden burst of energy threatening to bowl her over.“No, I got this.Really.I won’t let you down, I promise.”
He looked unconvinced.“You already have,” he said, lifting one expressive eyebrow.
She cringed.“I’m sorry.You’re right, my personal life has been a little stressful since we’ve been back in L.A., but I will get it together, okay?”
“Look at me,” he said.
She snapped her gaze to his, startled by the sternness in his tone.
“You have twenty-four hours to show me you’re ready and willing to work on this movie.I want you on time, with your lines memorized and your head in the game when you show up tomorrow, understood?”
“Yes, sir,” she said in a small voice.
The wordsyes,siralways went straight to his cock.Particularly when they came from a hot young actress whose nipples protruded through her costume as if she liked being scolded.What he wouldn’t give to see her in a naughty school girl outfit.He’d bet she could rock the pigtails, those full lips of hers pouting when he rolled up his sleeves to spank her.
