Page 21 of The Casting Couch

Yeah… this could be fun.

Jack clapped Liam on the shoulder.“We’ve got a meeting across town.We’ll review the footage and get back to you.”

And with that, they left—door clicking shut behind them.

I took a step toward Bradley, giving him my best crooked smile.

“Well…” I said, voice dropping low and warm, “…looks like it’s just you and me, rookie.”

ChapterFive

Bradley

Istood there like a deer in headlights, staring at the camera set up across the room like it was a loaded weapon.My palms were already sweaty, my heart was doing its best impression of a jackhammer, and to top it all off, Laura’s voice rang out, clear and merciless:

“Alright, Bradley.Strip down.Everything but your underwear.”

I blinked.“Wait.Like… right now?”

Laura gave me a look like she wanted to throw something at me.“No, next Christmas.Yes, right now.”

I swallowed so hard I thought my Adam’s apple was going to stage a rebellion.My hands started shaking as I grabbed the hem of my t-shirt.I glanced sideways at Nico, still perched on the couch, looking like every bad decision I ever wanted to make.Tan skin, sharp jaw, dark hair that curled just enough at the ends to seem unfair.And he was sitting there in nothing but a pair of black briefs like he wasn’t moments away from doing something completely insane with a stranger.

Silver lining?If I had to humiliate myself, at least I got to do it… with him.

My shirt came off first, followed by my jeans.I tried not to flinch as I kicked them aside.I crossed my arms over my chest like that would somehow hide the fact that I was shaking like a leaf in a hurricane.

I went to law school, for Christ’s sake!

As if that degree was going to swoop in and save me from poor life choices now.

“Okay, both of you, on the couch,” Laura barked, gesturing like she was directing traffic.

I shuffled over and sat awkwardly next to Nico, still trying to figure out how to keep my legs from sticking out at weird angles.The fake leather squeaked under me, betraying every nervous shift of my body.

“Hold up!”The woman named Moira’s voice echoed from the hallway as she burst into the room.“You’re not filming him yet without me putting a little life into his face!”

I froze mid-sit.“Wait… what?”

Moira shot me a look that could’ve curdled milk.“Relax, princess.It’s just a little powder and bronzer.You’re sweating like a hooker in church.”

Laura let out an annoyed sigh.“Fine.But hurry.Time is money.”

Moira disappeared in a blur of leopard-print leggings and bright pink ribbons.

Nico turned toward me, holding out a hand like we were about to sign a business contract instead of… whatever the hell this was.“Hey.I’m Nico.”

I stared at his hand for a beat, then shook it.His palm was warm, his grip easy.Not too tight, not too soft.Like he’d done this intro a thousand times.

“Bradley,” I said.My voice cracked like I was back in middle school.

Nico smiled, cocking his head.“So… what’s your stage name gonna be?”

I blinked at him.“My what?”

“Stage name,” he said, like it was obvious.“You know, your porn persona.Your alter ego.Your slutty Clark Kent.”

“I… I hadn’t thought that far ahead.”

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