Page 2 of Hollywood Humbug (The Naughty List)

“Funny guy,” Abel grumbled, shooting the supporting actor a harsh look. I mentally jerked my chin up and down in solidarity. Abel was also here as a favor for a friend. However, he was bitter because the producers had fired him from the show he’d been starring in.

Andrew ignored Abel’s lack of humor. “Do you need my finely tuned body on set this afternoon?”

His tone was playful, and I sighed because, as much as I liked the guy, his cheery attitude—especially about Christmas—would most likely get on my nerves.

“Makes sense to have you here as you’re my body double,” I replied dryly before Julianna or Luca could answer.

I stopped paying attention after that. Instead, I focused on giving myself a silent pep talk about being a professional and not letting Scarlet get to me. This movie wasn’t the first time we’d worked together since we crashed and burned two years ago, but it was the first time we’d play opposite each other in a romantic storyline. I thought I’d let it go a long time ago, but then I would see her, and I felt anger and disappointment building inside me again. She—

“Well, I think that’s everything,” Julianna announced, regaining my attention. “Break a leg, everyone, and I expect to see you all at the wrap-up party at The Avalon Club on New Year’s Eve.”

Yeah, that wasn’t happening. No matter how many favors Julianna promised, I would not be attending that party. Finishing a project was always a reason for celebrating, but this time, I would do it alone…well, not alone. A bottle of Scotch would keep me company as I rang in the new year.

Grabbing my jacket, I slipped it on, then moseyed over to say goodbye to Julianna. She’d walked over to Nick Saint, and they were talking softly. They didn’t notice me as I approached, and when I heard Julianna’s words, I stopped short.

“I wonder if we’ll see some festive love matches among those present by the time the party rolls around,” she murmured, clearly biting back a smile.

“Something tells me you will.” Nick didn’t bother trying to hide his amusement.

“Well, if we do, I will happily tip my hat to you.” She sighed dreamily—shocking me because, as loving and kind as Julianna was, she was also a force to be reckoned with and didn’t seem like the type to indulge in fairytales.

She smiled brightly at Nick. “There’s nothing like celebrating the magic of Christmas with a good old-fashioned love story.”

Nick’s expression was cunning as he stepped closer to Julianna and gazed down at her upturned face. “I completely agree.”

My brow rose, and my lips curled up into a grin. It seemed Nick had more than one ulterior motive for convincing Heart & Soul Studios to take on this movie. I decided not to interrupt their moment and turned to leave, briefly pausing when I saw Scarlet standing at the door, watching me with a puzzled expression. My smile flattened into a grim line as a scowl formed on my face. “Don’t go meddling in their business,” I grunted from a foot away.

Her eyes filled with irritation. “I have no intention to ‘meddle’ in anyone’s business. That seems like something you would do, Jacob Marley.”

My frown deepened. “Just because I hate this time of year doesn’t mean I expect everyone else to be miserable. I will ruin no one’s Christmas, red.”

Scarlet scoffed, then gritted out through clenched teeth, “Don’t call me red!” Tossing me one last glare, she stomped out the door before I could get another word out.

I sighed. This whole situation had disaster written all over it.

Merry fucking Christmas.

One

KANE

Two Years Ago

Ididn’t mix business with pleasure.

It was a rule I’d set for myself after a fling with another crew member went sideways, costing me millions to make sure the mess was cleaned up and swept under the rug.

Scarlet Cassidy was the only woman who tempted me to break my rule in the last ten years.

I sat in my chair on set and watched her work, something I did a lot of every time we worked together.

She was tall, with legs that went on for days, enormous turquoise eyes fringed with thick, dark lashes, and a mouth that made every woman in Hollywood jealous. Even the best plastic surgeon couldn’t give someone a mouth that perfect. She had the slender build of a runner, yet she still had curves in all the right places. Her long, white-blonde hair cascaded down one shoulder, creating a bright, silky waterfall that rested over her right breast and ended near her waist. Scarlett exuded confidence and possessed an almost regal presence, epitomizing class. However, she adorned the shells of both ears with tiny sparkling studs, and rumors circulated about her having multiple tattoos in undisclosed areas, leaving everyone to wonder where they were since she employed body doubles for any nudity. Some assholes out there tried to use it to paint her as trashy, but to most people, it added to her depth of character, a quirk that seemed to make her more real and relatable. Besides, her fans had a great time speculating about her tattoos, guessing where and what they were.

Her talent had blown me away the first time I saw her perform on stage in New York a year ago, and I had hoped to work with her eventually. Not even a month later, I received an offer for a part in a movie she had signed onto, and I eagerly accepted.

When we finally met in person, I was stunned by my physical reaction to her. Like all other men with a pulse, I’d found her attractive and captivating, but I hadn’t expected the level of attraction that slammed into me. Cue the temptation to throw my convictions out the fucking window.

She was a talented actress, so she was a master at hiding her emotions, but it boosted my ego when I caught the flicker of desire in her eyes before she concealed it.

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