Page 13 of Hollywood Humbug (The Naughty List)

“Scarlett, have you considered that he loses his cool with you because he hasn’t let you go, either? The chemistry between you two on stage is explosive. Maybe you should try again; see if he’ll listen this time.”

I mulled over his words, then shook my head. “It’s too late for that.”

“Well then. Do you want me to kick his ass? I mean, it’s not like he needs it as long as mine is in tiptop shape.”

A grin spread across my face, and I laughed. Once again, he lightened my mood, and I gave him a quick hug. “You do have a very fine ass, Andrew Briggs.”

“Like I don’t know that.” He winked and stood. “By the way, I checked you in with Ryder.”

Ryder Thorne was our head of security, and I was suddenly reminded that I had no idea why we were all being summoned there. “What happened?”

Andrew waved a hand nonchalantly. “Small fire on the set. It was put out quickly, and no one was hurt.”

“Ah. Okay. Well, thanks for getting me off the hook,” I said with a chuckle.

“Sure thing.” He held out his hand, and as he helped me to my feet, his eyes strayed over my shoulder for a moment before coming back to meet mine. “If you’re going to continue to ‘avoid’ Kane, I suggest you get moving because he’s headed this way.”

I shot Andrew an annoyed frown, but he just grinned and sauntered away.

With a frustrated grunt, I looked over at Kane, contemplating my next move. From his confident stride and determined expression, I knew my words earlier had had an impact, and he clearly wanted to discuss them.

I mentally kicked myself again for losing control of my mouth but nodded at Kane since not acknowledging him as I walked back to my trailer would seem too much like running away. However, I didn’t stick around for a conversation, instead spinning on my heel and walking quickly—but casually—toward my trailer.

I’m avoiding a confrontation, not hiding from how he makes me feel.

When I felt the warmth of his body at my back, I picked up my pace, but it wasn’t enough because he darted around to my front, forcing me to halt. “Kane,” I greeted, deadpan.

“We need to talk,” he stated.

“We really don’t,” I replied, shaking my head and stepping around him so I could resume walking. Unfortunately, he moved to my side and kept pace with me.

“I want to know what you meant earlier.”

I sighed. “Nothing. I was trying to piss you off,” I lied. “It was petty and juvenile. You know how I can be.”

Kane laughed harshly, and I darted a glance at him before forcing my eyes forward again. “Bullshit. I doubt I could find one person in your life who would ever describe you with those adjectives.”

I snorted. “Try asking my sisters.” When we were younger, we’d been typical teenage girls. And since there was barely a year between each of us, we could be super competitive. We were close now, though, and they were pretty pissed at Kane for being a jackass. “On second thought,” I drawled as we reached my trailer. “I’d stay away from them if I were you.”

“Was I wrong? Two years ago. Was it you who tipped off Mandi?”

“It doesn’t matter now,” I said as I ascended the steps to my door.

“Scarlett,” Kane growled as he curled his fingers around my arm and tugged just hard enough to force me to return to the ground and face him. “We are going to talk about this.”

“We’re really not,” I gasped as sparks exploded where our skin touched and streaks of electricity shot to every nerve ending, causing me to shiver.

“Fuck,” Kane grunted before he yanked me into his arms and his mouth crashed down on mine.

Seven

KANE

Iknew better than to touch Scarlett when we weren’t on set. Once again, I reminded myself that she should be the last woman I wanted, but my desire for her had been pent up for too long. And now that I had my hands on her—without an audience—and the chemistry had flared between us when we touched, I couldn’t last another second without feeling her lips on mine again.Fucking finally.

My patience had already been paper thin after waiting two long years to get another taste of her, and I struggled to maintain control when I crashed my mouth against hers. My tongue swept inside when she gasped in surprise. Her hands slid up my arms to grip my shoulders, and the kiss quickly spun out of control.

Our lips still locked together, we stumbled up the stairs and into her trailer. I kicked the door shut and spun us around to press Scarlett against the hard surface, molding my front to hers, grinding my thick erection into her center. Cupping her cheeks with my palms, I tilted her head; the angle allowing me to deepen the kiss and get a better taste. I had hoped that I’d built everything up in my head from our one kiss before things had gone to hell, but it was better than I remembered.

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