Nobody bothers her as she takes it all in, and I wonder what’s going through her mind. Is she still mad about the picture? Is she cursing me? It’s probable.
I’ve read the script twice. This scene is pivotal in cementing Ryker and Beck’s forbidden relationship. Every moral is questioned and played out in sultry, sexy detail through caresses, touches, and pleas.
That’s when it hits me—the bedding, the books on the nightstand, everything. I cuss, letting out a strangled, “fuck me” loud enough to get Kinley’s attention while I stare at her.
This is like a grander version of her bedroom growing up. From the white down blanket with five pillows lining the top of the bed to the folded gray throw at the end. The book on the stand isn’t the Stephen King novel she’d sometimes read to me when I procrastinated from homework or practicing lines. Honestly, I’d just wanted to hear her voice.
Kinley blinks. A light pink color settles into her cheeks again as she breaks contact and stares at the floor. She knows I’ve made the connection.
But why?
Olivia walks up beside me. “We should see how she wants us to do this. You know, ask if there’s a specific way she wants our characters to act. I’m sure she has a vision.”
I snort at that, causing Liv to give me a weird look. Brushing it off, I follow her over to where Kinley stands.
“Hey,” Liv greets, smiling at Kinley. “Callum and I were wondering if you had any notes for us. Should our characters touch a certain way? Hesitate? Go all in?”
Nobody else knows that the slightest widening of Kinley’s eyes means she’s internally freaking out. She hates not being prepared for a question because she freezes.
“Uh…” She chokes out a nervous laugh, only watching Olivia. “I didn’t really think about it. I’m sure whatever is in the script for it will be fine. I trust you.”
She didn’t emphasize that she trusted both of us, which I file away under things to let get under my skin at a later date. Preferably not one when I’ll be filmed practically naked rolling around a bed with my co-star while my ex watches from the sidelines. I know damn well where she got some of the inspiration for this setup, but I wouldn’t call her out.
Olivia thinks she’s helping when she asks, “What about channeling from a past experience? I’m sure you wanted the scene between Beck and Ryker to be a certain way. When I read the book, it gave me chills. Their chemistry is undeniable. They’re soulmates, even when they shouldn’t be.”
Kinley’s lips part. “You’ve read the book?”
Olivia perks up. “I’m a big fan of your work to be honest. When I heard they were picking up rights to the film, I made my agent keep tabs on casting calls. You have no idea how happy I am to be Beck.”
All Kinley does is blink.
“So,” Liv presses, “should we try recreating the book the best we can? They did a pretty good job adapting it for the script, don’t you think?”
A nod.
“There’s almost a nervousness to Beck,” Olivia continues, practically bouncing where she stands. “I love that about her. She’s normally confident, but her love for Ryker makes her vulnerable. It was one of my favorite parts.”
I’m having trouble swallowing.
“Was it based on anything real?”
I’m choking on my own spit but manage to keep my cool while my eyes pierce Kinley’s. She still refuses to make eye contact with me, so I cross my arms on my chest and watch her squirm. Call me a dick, but I’m enjoying it.
“Not … well, no. Not really.”
My eyes narrow.
“Do writers ever draw from experiences?”
If I wasn’t so pissed at Kinley’s blatant lying, I’d be amused over Liv. She’s practically fangirling her. Shit, I didn’t even know she’d read the book. I bet she’s read all of Kinley’s titles two times over and I know there’s a lot of them. Between Mom updating me and keeping tabs on local Lincoln news when another one makes a bestseller list I get my fill of everything Kinley Thomas. It’s an unhealthy obsession.
Liv fires off more questions. “Are there any experiences worth writing about? Like, there’s an innocence to this scene, you know? Even though Beck and Ryker are far from virgins, they treat every moment with each other like it’s their first. To think you might have had that … ugh. I’m jealous just thinking about it. Your first time must have been amazing.”
Without blinking, Kinley says, “Or so bad that I’ve had to compensate through fictional sex over the years.”
My jaw drops.
Olivia bursts out laughing until there are actual tears in her eyes. “Oh my God. I didn’t even think of that. You’re officially my hero. Was it really that bad? Did he finish in like two seconds? That’s what happened to me. It might have been like ten seconds, but I was kind of relieved because of how bad it hurt.”
That gets my attention.
Kinley’s face is bright red. “I don’t really think about it. It’s in the past.”
Olivia giggles. “You’re too nice. I bet you’re just trying to save the guy’s dignity. Let me guess. He didn’t even ask if you were okay. Most guys think it’s as good for us as it is them.”
My nostrils flare. “Give the guy a break. Do girls tell guys what it’s like their first time? Get vocal about what it’s like? No.”
Two sets of eyes land on me.
It’s Liv who says, “You don’t have to defend some guy you don’t even know just because you share the same German sausage, Callum. You don’t understand the crap women get put through just to try getting a guy who knows what a clit is and how to work it.”
“And girls aren’t honest about if it hurts or if they like something.” My eyebrow quirks and I try not looking at Kinley but fail. “I’m just saying, not all men are total assholes in the bedroom.”
Olivia shoves my shoulder. “Take many virgins to bed, huh? Listen, don’t get your panties in a twist. We’re just pointing out that men have it better than women when it comes to sex.”
Kinley clears her throat. “I don’t really have notes for you guys about the scene. If you read the book, you know there’s something unspoken between Ryker and Beck. Like everything between them is wrong but…”
“Effortless,” I finish quietly.
Kinley whispers, “Yeah.”
Olivia nudges me. “If that’s your way of saying you read the book, then maybe I have some hope for your species about how to give a girl an orgasm.”
She pats my shoulder before shooting Kinley a wink and walking off to whoever is calling her name.
“Kinley—”
She steps back. “Please don’t.” Her voice is barely audible, which makes my jaw tick. “Not here. Not now.”
Buchannan chooses then to give us a five-minute warning to take our places. I see Kinley visibly ease, and hear the softest breath escape her flushed lips. She’s relieved.
Unfortunately for her, I’m not letting it go that easily. “Beck admits to Ryker that she wishes she could go back and change everything. You trying to tell me that you don’t find some truth in that, Little Bird?”