Page 26 of Hot Set

He was handsome, sure. And good at sex, sure. But that didn’t mean I wanted anything more from him.

I glanced at Mark, and somewhat belatedly, I was aware of his appeal. He had a face that could’ve been carved from marble. There was perfect symmetry in his cheeks and eyes, and his eyes were the most incredible shade of blue. Not the usual gray-blue or blue-green, but a true, sky blue. What had he and Brandon been?

I bit my lip and nearly asked, but I couldn’t gather the courage to do it. It wasn’t my business, anyway.

With my heart in my throat, I looked at the linework, half-complete. I wasn’t in love with Brandon. That was impossible. I just saw that he was an attractive man, because he was, and I’d had a lapse in judgment because he’d been stressed. And I’d been there. That was all.

I took a steadying breath and resumed tracing, trying to focus only on the pencil lines and Indian ink. “Just avoid Brandon until I can stop thinking about this.”That was all I had to do. Simple enough. Probably in my best interests, anyway. The last thing I wanted was to draw the ire or suspicion of Brandon’s father.

Chapter nine

Alex

Brandon returned with renewed energy. He didn’t bring up our one night of sex, so I didn’t bring it up either. Instead, I smiled politely whenever I passed him and tried tohappento be on the opposite side of the set. It worked…mostly. It wasn’t as if, being a make-up artist, I needed to always be in contact with the director. So, I set up in my little corner of the set, alongside Bioncia.

Michelle called again, and we set up another interview over the phone. It was three weeks away. Apparently, the FBI wasn’t exactly in a hurry to get new people hired (at least the ones that didn’t tote guns), but three weeks was nothing compared to the years I’d spent preparing for just thechanceof an interview.

I pulled open my makeup case and checked my brushes to be sure they were clean; they were. I always cleaned them before I got started, but I still had a sharp streak of paranoia that I’d missed one. Satisfied, I placed them back in their places and glanced into a nearby mirror. Brandon.

My heart seemed to stop. The world seemed to stop.

Brandon’s hair caught the set light and highlighted his high cheekbones. His blue eyes shone like polished gemstones. It wasn’t fair for any man to be so attractive. A deep flush spread across my face.

I needed to stop thinking about Brandon.

Our eyes seemed to meet in my mirror. I ducked my head. Silently, I prayed to any god who might exist to send Seth over for make-up. But of course, Seth never showed up on time for anything. Brandon was heading my way.

Oh, God.

“Alex.”

A shiver, not wholly unwelcome, passed through me. My heartbeat quickened. “Keep it cool. Keep it professional.”

Brandon pulled up a chair and flashed me a winning smile. “Hey, Brandon,” I acknowledged.

I tried not to think about how nice Brandon’s teeth were, so straight and white.

“I haven’t seen you around in a while,” he said.

Was it an accusation? It didn’t sound like one. It sounded like Brandon being Brandon, as friendly and charming as always. He must’ve known I was avoiding him, though. He must’ve realized why. It wasn’t as if I’d been subtle.

“I’ve been busy,” I said awkwardly.

“Oh, I know,” Brandon replied, his face alight with enthusiasm. “I’ve seen the results. Your make-up is really spectacular.”

“Only because I’ve practiced so much,” I said. “Bioncia’s is much better.”

Brandon laughed. “Bioncia has devoted her life to make-up,” he said. “She’s just more experienced.”

“So…”

I was scrambling to find a topic thatwasn’tabout the sex we’d had. I couldn’t bring it up. If I didn’t bring it up, I wouldn’t have to face it. I could just pretend it hadn’t happened.

“I met your father,” I said instead.

Brandon sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. “That’s what Mark said. I’m sorry about that. He can be a bit intense if you don’t know him.”

Intensewas definitely one way to describe Jonathan.

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