I don’t even know what I’m that nervous about. I’m a professional, he’s borderline a professional, and everyone on set has been nothing but supportive and proficient at their jobs.
My nervousness is probably because it’s my first scene like this. Surely it’s that and has nothing to do with who I’m kissing.
It’ll be fine. I repeat the mantra to myself over and over as Priscilla puts the finishing touches on my hair. It hangs in loose curls around my face, which she shakes out to give theperfect post-fight sequence look. A flawless mix of beautiful and wild.
“Clover, they’re ready for you on set,” my PA, Jordan, says after popping his head into the hair and makeup trailer.
I make quick work of the journey to Warehouse B, anxious to get rolling.
It’s a pared-down crew today, luckily for me. At least I don’t have to worry about too many extra eyes on me when I film this.
You’ve kissed people before, Clover, pull your shit together,I remind myself. And while I have kissed people before, it’s been a hot minute. It’s been months since I’ve kissed someone, and embarrassingly longer since I’ve been intimate with someone. Lord knows my vibrator is the only thing that’s been getting any action for the last few years. It’s not that I haven’t had opportunities, but they never amounted to anything. I haven’t been in a serious relationship in years, and I don’t want to share that part of myself with someone until it feels right.
“Clover!” Arnold shouts. He comes over to me and gives me a quick hug before pulling back and looking at my costume. “I’ll never get over how cool it is to see you two in costume.” He gestures over to Roman, who’s chatting with his stand-in.
Coolis one word for it. If I’m being real, Roman looks downright edible. It fits him like a glove, and the intricate detailing of the costume only serves to highlight how muscular and powerful he is.
Silver lines running through the dark fabric emphasize the smooth expanse of chest, and I can make out each individual ab. I swear there has to be more than a six-pack under there. Is a ten-pack possible?
His legs look like tree trunks in the best way possible, and those biceps tell me he would definitely have no problem throwing me around and...
I blink aggressively to clear my lust-addled brain.What the hell was that?Clearly, I must be ovulating. I should not be thinking thoughts like that about my co-star... or fake boyfriend, or whatever he is.
Roman gives me a little smirk that lets me know I’m totally busted for checking him out. My cheeks heat and I send up a silent prayer that the floor swallows me whole.
Arnold clears his throat. “Clover?”
“Yeah?”
Arnold smiles and looks between Roman and me. “I was asking if you two want to run and rehearse the scene a few times before we roll or if you’re good to start?”
“Let’s get going,” I smile and head toward my mark on set. I absolutely do not want to prolong this experience if possible.
“Alright, you two, we’re going to line up the shot and confirm the lighting, and we should be ready in a minute here.” He calls out orders to the sound and lighting technicians, and I stand awkwardly beside Roman, my arms crossed over my chest.
Roman leans over and whispers into my ear, “So you like the costume?”
I roll my eyes. “Nothing I haven’t seen before.” And it’s true. I’ve seen him in costume before. I don’t know what’s gotten into me.
“You’re studying it awfully close today.”
“It’s fine,” I grit out
“Just fine? You wound me, Daly.”
“I’m sure you’ll survive. You’re plucky.”
“What did I ever do to deserve such high praise?” He asks playfully.
“Stuff it, Roman.”
“Try not to enjoy our kissing scene too much.”
A noise of disgust leaves my mouth. Leave it to this pig. “Alright, you know what? I’ll give it to you, you look good inyour costume. You look great until you open that dumb mouth of yours. I wish it would just… stay shut.”
“You sure you’re not wishing it was doing something different?”
“Roman! Oh my god,” I groan. He’ll be the death of me. It turns out I have next to no time to recover from thinking that dirty thought, because Arnold is ready to start the shot. My cheeks flush to the darkest shade of red biologically possible, and I put my hand over my face to disguise my mortification. The last thing I need to be doing right now is thinking any dirty thoughts about Roman, especially when I’m about to go into a day of kissing him.
