Page 44 of His Leading Man

“Cut!”

Things went downhill from there.

The third run-through, Drew thought it was going to click. Everything felt right in the lead-up: their footfalls were in sync, he caught Steve’s arm firmly, they managed to balance without wrecking the camera shot.

Their eyes locked.

Drew moved his hand to the back of Steve’s neck.

All according to the script.

But when he pulled Steve in for the kiss, Steve balked like a spooked horse and wouldn’t lean in.

Drew tried not to take it personally, but, well. Ouch.

He didn’t wait for Nina this time. “Cut.” He let go of the back of Steve’s neck, which had gone hot under his touch. Something told him this was only the beginning of their problems.

Steve took a step back, avoiding Drew’s gaze. That sealed it.

“Can we take five?” Drew asked.

Nina put down her notes and waved him off, which meantDeal with your shit. Super.

Drew grabbed the Perrier one of the production assistants held out for him and led the way to their trailer. Steve followed.

So did the eyes of the crew.

Well, if they were being watched, Drew would make sure it was a good show. He walked into the trailer, taking a few long strides to ensure Steve would have room behind him.

When the door banged shut, Drew turned around. Steve didn’t have much of a poker face off the set, and right now he looked like a dog expecting a kick.

Drew took two steps toward him, mentally asked Will’s forgiveness for the wardrobe infraction, fisted his hand in Steve’s shirt, and yanked him into a kiss.

The trailer door gave a hearty clack as Steve knocked against it. Drew crowded in, gentling his mouth, waiting for Steve to respond. And then finally he did, tension bleeding from his body as he exhaled through his nose and settled his hands almost hesitantly on Drew’s waist.

Drew kept kissing him, remembering that night at the house, how Steve had kissed him and kissed him until he was almost sore. They didn’t have time for that now, but he wanted—needed—to remind him how good that was.

He reached up to cradle the back of Steve’s neck, then stopped himself and pulled away because hewantedto put his hand in Steve’s hair, and that would mean another trip to Makeup.

Steve blinked at him with soft, dazed blue eyes.

“I’m not going to kiss you like that in front of people,” Drew said, hoping he’d correctly identified the problem. “In case that’s what you’re worried about.”

Steve flushed.

Yeah, Drew thought so.

“I know we’re never going to have very much privacy,” Steve said haltingly. Drew hid a wince at how true that was. “I shouldn’t have written the scene knowing I’d have to act in it.”

“It’s not a real kiss.” Drew had kissed plenty of people on camera and notmeantit. On-screen kisses were meant to look good. Even he didn’t generally find them sexy, and he’d been accused of exhibitionism on more than one occasion. “It’s not you and me. Okay?”

Steve wrinkled his nose. The skin around his eyes was pinched. Not convinced, then.

“Here.” Drew took a step back and reached for Scotty. “We haven’t had time to rehearse this scene yet. Let me put your mind at ease.”

Steve rubbed his forearm for a second, then closed his eyes.

It took a moment—no fluid transition between Steve and Morgan here. Not like that day in the casting room. But it had already been a trying day, and Steve was in his own head. Of course he’d have a hard time getting into Morgan’s.

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