Page 21 of Salacious Star

The set was a hell of a lot busier than I thought it would be when I finally walk on about an hour after I get to the studio. My hair and makeup were both done - by the same no-nonsense woman who helped me the first time, the sameness of which made me feel better - and I was dressed in a snug pair of jeans and a t-shirt, every stitch of clothing feeling like too muchagainst my oversensitive skin and not enough protection from what I was about to do at the same time.

"Hey, Xan!" Dorian turned and smiled at me, Emmett at his side. Wolfish grins spread across both their faces as they looked at me, and Emmett winked.

"Feeling okay, star?"

Before I could respond, an arm slung across my shoulder, pulling me firmly against a taller body, and Tristan scoffed softly at our director and photographer. "You two be nice."

Emmett's eyes glittered as he looked at the two of us, and then he and Dorian exchanged a knowing look before nodding and turning their attention backs to the lights and camera that Dorian's set hands were arranging.

"You two just sit tight," Dorian called out. "We'll be ready soon."

Tristan nodded and steered me over to a couch that was on set, and I took the moment to look around.

The set was built out like a studio apartment this time, with a tiny - nonfunctional, I assumed - kitchen in one corner, a couch in the middle of the room, and then a larger bed tucked in the opposite corner. It reminded me a lot of the apartment that I had rented when I was in college, if I was being honest, and I squirmed a little as we sat down.

"You good?" Tristan put one finger under my chin and lifted my face to look at him, and he smiled warmly at me when I met his gaze. He was wearing a pair of loose joggers - easy off, I imagined - and a graphic t-shirt that, again, reminded me of the shit that I used to throw on when I was just around my house in school.

He looked fucking hot. It sent shivery anticipation down my spine, and I swallowed hard as I looked at him, remembering that he'd asked me a question.

"Yeah, I'm good. Just reminds me of when I was in college. Makes it a little real, you know?" I gestured around with one hand, and Tristan chuckled, an ironic edge to the words.

"I'm sure that was wholly intentional." His eyes glittered a little, and he leaned close. "Did you read the scene they have us doing?"

The edge of laughter in his words made my shoulders slump with relief, and I rolled my eyes. "You know that I'm the furthest thing from an actual virgin, right? Losing my porn virginity is the only authentic first time we'll be having here."

Tristan chuckled, and God, I wanted to roll around in the sound. "I know that," he assured me, still chuckling. "Dorian and Emmett like to think that they're funny sometimes. I'm positive that it was on purpose."

I laughed, and my shoulders relaxed even more. "Okay, well." I squirmed a little, and Tristan's gaze sharpened as he looked at me. He shifted a little closer, and then he cupped his hand under my chin again, not letting me look away.

"Don't be nervous, baby boy," he said quietly. He smiled. "I'll take good care of you."

My stomach flipped, and the urge to lean forward and press our lips together was almost more than I could resist. I even found myself pressing forward, the distance between closing bit by bit...

"Wait until the cameras are rolling before you get going, you two!" Dorian's voice was warm and heavy with laughter, and it broke some of the tension.

Tristan chuckled, his thumb stroking my cheek, and he shot back, "Then hurry the fuck up before I eat the baby star alive."

Dorian and Emmett both barked out laughs, and a long moment passes where Tristan didn't look away from my eyes, not even for a second.

He stared me down, and instead of feeling uncomfortable or intimidated or any of one thousand other emotions that could have flooded me at the intensity, I felt...cared for. Safe.

I'm about to have sex with this man on camera, and he's sitting here making me feel allgooeyinside. Jesus fucking Christ, I was a goddamn sap.

"Alright, I think we're ready." Dorian's voice changed, and Tristan winked at me before he turned his attention to our cinematographer - and director - releasing my face and paying attention as Dorian looked the two of us over critically.

He nodded, seeming to coming to some conclusion in his mind. "All right, then. Since this is your first shoot, we're going to take things pretty easy. You read the script?" he asked, confirming.

I nodded, my stomach twisting with a combination of nerves and excitement. "Yeah, seems pretty straightforward to me."

Dorian nodded again, reaching up and brushing away a stray strand of hair that fell over his forehead. "Good, glad to hear it." He clapped his hands together, and all of his set hands looked his way. "Alright, everybody clear the set. Tris, you're going to start outside the front door and make your way in." He looked at me, his lips quirking up in a smile. "I'm sure that Tris told you that we're not aiming for the Oscars, so it's okay if your delivery is awkward. It'll add to the authenticity."

He winked, and Emmett chuckled, picking up a bottle of water and taking a swig. I nodded, licking my lips. "Sure."

He nodded, and it settled something inside of me to see how encouraging they were all being. "Good, then. Make your way through the dialogue that you have, and once you get down to business, we'll take the shots as they come."

I snorted, and shook my head. "That's what she said," I muttered.

Tristan laughed and pushed himself to stand. "We got it, Dorian. It'll be fine." He looked down at me and winked. "I'm sure that Xan's going to be a natural."

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