On a beautiful Saturday afternoon—a little over a week after his phone call with Colette—Pete walked onto the set of Heat Wave. Or, as he knew it, Joyce’s house.

It looked different in the daytime: less palatial and marginally less intimidating. According to Colette, a decent chunk of the filming was going to take place there. If nothing else, at least he had familiar surroundings to fall back on, and a potential friend in Joyce.

When he pulled up, he spotted figures standing out front. He prayed none of them were Kyle as he parked next to the other cars. He wanted to portray confidence, and arriving in a vehicle that was more rust than machine was not a part of his vision.

Luckily, when he jogged up, he saw Colette and Joyce standing on the veranda next to a woman he didn’t recognize. Kyle was nowhere in sight.

“Jaden,” Colette greeted him. “You look chipper.”

“Happy to be here,” Pete said, slightly out of breath. He nodded to Joyce. “Nice to see you again.”

“Likewise, handsome.” She held out a bejeweled hand for him to shake.

He kissed her knuckles instead. “You look lovely.” It was true. She was wearing cropped jean shorts and a flowery top that left an inch of her tan stomach showing.

“I had to dress up for my boys,” she teased. “Although your boy dressed down for you. Wait till you see him.”

Pete perked up. “Did he now?”

“You can go in if you want.” Colette’s pursed lips suggested she was fighting back a grin. “Kyle’s doing a mini photo shoot for another project, but once that’s finished, we’ll get started.” She turned to the other woman. “Won’t we, Yolanda?”

Yolanda hefted a large camera bag onto her shoulder with ease. “Ready when you are.”

“Excellent.” Colette looked back at Pete. “We still have a few technical details to go over. You remember your way around, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Good. Go get a feel for the set. We’ll be right behind you.”

Pete hurried toward the house, fighting the desire to break into a jog. He let himself in the front door just like before. He couldn’t tell if he was more or less nervous this time around. On one hand, he knew where he was going and what he’d find when he got there. On the other, if he bombed this, Colette would lose all faith in him, he’d be humiliated in front of Kyle, and he’d jeopardize a starring role in a major production.

So, really, no pressure.

The sound of shutter clicks led him once more in the direction of the living room. He took a deep breath and focused on putting one foot in front of the other. He’d gotten this role on his own merit, he reminded himself. This was his chance to show both Colette and Kyle that they’d chosen the right man.

When he’d woken up that morning, he’d stretched, practiced sexy faces in his bathroom mirror, and even masturbated, something he seldom did before a gig. He was loose, limber, and prepared. And above all else, he had something to prove.

He could do this.

He rounded the corner before the living room and skidded to a comical stop.

Kyle was lounging on the sofa, completely and gloriously naked, while a photographer fluttered around him, snapping photos. Pete froze, eyes wide open. Christ. He’s . . . beautiful.

Oh God, he couldn’t do this.

Though Pete tried to stop them, his eyes snapped right between Kyle’s legs. Not naked, Pete realized, both relieved and profoundly disappointed. Kyle was wearing the tiniest pair of underwear in the entire world. The black fabric—no more than a strip of cloth, really—was slung low on his hips, and he had one thumb hooked in the waistband, tugging it down even lower. He was shirtless and possibly oiled; his skin gleamed in the sunlight pouring through the windows. From his messy hair to his curled toes, he looked delicious.

Pete’s face turned atomically red. He looked away and ordered himself to calm down. What was wrong with him lately? Granted, walking onto porn sets was always a little awkward, and he didn’t think he’d ever get completely used to seeing strangers naked—or having sex with them for that matter—but this was ridiculous. He was a professional. It was time to start acting like one.

Steeling himself, he looked back at Kyle. He was precisely where Pete had left him, supine on the sofa like a sunbathing jungle cat. Only now, he was watching Pete.

Pete’s mouth went dry, but he didn’t look away. As if sensing his determination, Kyle’s lips twitched up at the corners. He lifted a hand to his hair, flexing his biceps. His fingers ran carefully through his mussed locks, and then he dragged them down his chest. Arching his back into his own touch, he smirked at Pete, and the message was as clear as if he’d spoken aloud: I’m pretending it’s you touching me right now.

Pete’s cock twitched in his jeans. The photographer was snapping a photo a second, but Kyle wasn’t paying the slightest bit of attention to him. He smiled lazily at Pete and quirked an eyebrow, as if daring him to do something about it.

Pete knew a challenge when he saw one, and was determined to win this particular exchange. He let his eyes drift down Kyle’s body, drinking in the sight of him. Out of his periphery, he could see Kyle tracking the path of his gaze. He made a point of lingering between his legs, sizing up the considerable bulge that lay there. Then he locked eyes with Kyle and slowly licked his lips.

The strangled noise that escaped from Kyle made the whole standoff worth it, in Pete’s opinion.

Colette appeared at his side. “Having fun?”

His attention didn’t waver from Kyle. “You could say that.”

“As entertaining as it is watching you two, we should get started. Ready?”

Pete’s whole body screamed yes in response. “Ready.”

“Good.” Colette signaled to the photographer, making a cutting motion by her neck. He retreated, and Yolanda set up in the vacated space. Colette directed her attention to Kyle next, pointing toward the dining room. “Get dressed. Your clothes are in the bedroom.”

Kyle slid to his feet and exited in the direction Colette had indicated. He didn’t so much as glance at Pete as he slipped through the doorway and disappeared.

Pete frowned after him. What was with all the mixed signals? Hot and cold didn’t come close. More like nuclear and Siberia.

“Jaden,” Colette said, breaking him from his reverie, “we have wardrobe for you to choose from if you want, but I think what you’re wearing now is perfect.”

Pete looked down at himself. He’d removed his jacket at the door, leaving him in jeans that had obviously not come pre-ripped and a plain blue T-shirt. He wasn’t exactly what he’d call camera-ready. “You don’t think I should dress up a bit?”

“Just trust me on this,” Colette said. “You have that whole boy-next-door thing going on, mostly because you are one. It’s perfect for this scene. You got my script, right?”

“Yeah, and I liked it. Short and sweet, just like porn ought to be. Though if I may toot your horn, I thought it sounded like a real movie. Except for all the raunchy sex, of course.”

She smirked. “You’ve clearly never seen a Jess Franco film, but good. You understand your character?”

“Well, yeah.” Pete ran a hand through his hair and winced when it caught on a tangle. “I kind of am my character: a young, gay college student who’s shy and inexperienced with love. I don’t foresee myself having any issues portraying that. I’m a little confused, though.”

“About what?”

“Why not have me play someone more . . . I don’t know. Cool. Sexy. Like Kyle. I get the whole opposites-attract shtick, and that can be really hot, but I don’t think people are going to want to watch someone like me.”

She waved dismissively. “Have some confidence, kid. Don’t forget, this isn’t just porn. We’re filming a real movie here, with real characters. Our audience is going to identify with you because you’re a regular guy. Plus, the backbone of this film is the way the leading males play off of each other. I haven’t seen you two together yet, but Darko assures me you have the right dynamic. That, more than any amount of acting or wardrobe or writing, is what’s going to make this film sizzle.”

“If you say so.” Pete couldn’t keep insecurity from bleeding into his tone. “I just don’t want to screw this up. I’m used to being Jaden on screen. I’m not sure how to be me.”

“Just relax and let things flow. I’m sure you’re going to be amazing.”

“I appreciate your faith in me, even if I don’t understand it.”

Colette looked at him askance. “Tell me something: do you think Darko is attractive?”

Pete shrugged. “Yeah, he’s hot. Obviously. The Pope probably thinks he’s attractive.”

“Is he just hot, or is it more than that? Do you feel something when you look at him?”

Pete really didn’t want to answer that, but Colette was watching him expectantly. He nodded, not trusting himself to speak.

“Then believe me when I say the battle is already won. Relax and let your natural chemistry do its thing. You’re a decent actor, but in this case, I think being yourself will do the trick.”

Coming from Colette, that was a ringing endorsement. “Thank you. I’ll give it my all.”

“Promise?” said a deep voice behind him.

Pete spun around. Kyle had returned and was standing a few feet away from them, his hands tucked casually into snug black pants. He had on a navy-blue button-down shirt, and the sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. For the first time, Pete noticed twin black tattoos on his inner forearms. Dots? No. Constellations? Maybe. Whatever they were, they emphasized his arms in a way that was almost superfluous. As if anyone needed a reason to look at them.

“Speak of the devil,” Colette said. “Jaden, you remember Darko, I presume?”

“Vividly.”

Pete didn’t realize he was staring until Kyle asked, “See something you like?”

“Um,” was Pete’s articulate response. He wasn’t certain how to answer that. Agreeing seemed uncomfortable, but not agreeing would be a lie too egregious for Pete to utter. He found himself wondering if Kyle was wearing his own clothes or something from wardrobe. He couldn’t possibly have great style too. That just wouldn’t be fair.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” Kyle laughed, smoky and soft. The sound zinged up Pete’s spine. He hid his reaction as best he could. If he was going to prove to Kyle that he deserved this role, he needed to be Jaden, not Pete. That meant being confident. Bold. Seductive.

Channeling his inner porn star, he cocked his head to the side and looked Kyle up and down, making no secret about it. “So far, so good, but I haven’t seen it all yet.” He gave himself a mental high five for pulling that off.

Unfortunately, it seemed his small victory was short-lived. Kyle was just getting warmed up.

“You shouldn’t say things like that.” His tone had just a hint of danger. It made Pete’s cock throb. “I told you before, I love a challenge.”

“Can you two wait for the camera, please?” Colette interrupted. She sounded more amused than annoyed, but Pete jerked back like he’d been caught doing something wrong.

“Sorry,” he mumbled.

“I’m not,” Kyle chirped.

Colette rolled her eyes. “Just go stand on your marks, please. Porn stars, I swear. Can’t keep it in their pants for two seconds.”

Pete scurried over to the first of two duct tape X’s on the living room floor. They began the scene standing, but eventually they were going to end up on the sofa. Just thinking about it made his pants tight. Flirting was one thing, but soon he’d get to see if his chemistry with Kyle was as potent in action. He’d get to touch him. Kiss him. Taste him. He hoped he’d be able to keep it together. Kyle seemed like the sort of guy he could totally lose himself in. The idea was exhilarating. And utterly terrifying.

He ran lines in his head while Colette and Yolanda fiddled with their equipment. There was a camera set up on a tripod opposite the couch. Wires and cords snaked from it to a pair of TV monitors on the dining room table. Next to them was an open laptop attached to even more cords. Pete was willing to bet that would act as Colette’s makeshift viewing station while Yolanda operated the camera. They could check the footage in real time and make adjustments. And catch every little mistake Pete made as it happened.

Again, no pressure.

Kyle wandered over, taking his mark a few feet away from him. Thank God Colette had written an innocuous start to the scene. If they were standing any closer to each other, Pete might have to check his blood pressure.

Colette hovered by the monitors. Yolanda stood behind the tripod and angled it square at them. The photographer stood at the ready, his camera poised. Everyone was in place. Even Joyce had found a seat at the table from which to watch the spectacle.

The moment of truth had arrived, and Pete was a cocktail of anticipation, apprehension, and arousal. He tried not to look at Kyle, but it was like his head was magnetized. Eventually, he gave up and stole a peek. Kyle was watching him, of course.

“Nervous?” Kyle asked, grinning like he already knew the answer.

“No,” Pete lied. “You?”

“Nah. I’ve been looking forward to this.” He studied the rug beneath their feet, and for the first time, a crack appeared in his confident exterior. “Have you?”

“Hmm?”

“Been looking forward to this?”

If Pete were to answer honestly, he’d sound like a newb, so he went with a professional response: “Of course. This is a great opportunity.” His inner voice mocked him from the back of his mind: A great opportunity to have sex with a guy you can’t stop thinking about.

“Ah, so is that your only reason?” Kyle seemed disappointed. “All work and no play?”

“What other reason could I have?”

“Oh, I don’t know.” His grin was back. “I can think of a few outside motivations.”

“If you gentlemen are finished chatting,” Colette interjected, “we’re going to start filming. This is meant to be candid, so act like we’re catching you in the middle of a casual conversation. A private moment between friends. Stay in character, act as natural as possible, and above all else, make it hot. We’re all looking forward to seeing you in action. Aren’t we?”

The crew members—including Joyce—cheered.

“Lights?” Colette asked.

The photographer checked his flash and gave her a thumbs-up.

“Camera?”

Yolanda touched a button at the top of her machine, and a red light blinked on.

She turned to Pete and Kyle. “Action!”

Pete took a breath. Now came the hard part: easing into the scene. Porn stars weren’t known for being the best actors, and while Pete considered himself better than most, he usually needed some time to warm up. He also had no idea how good Kyle was, and that was going to play a big role in how smoothly this went.

He exhaled slowly and focused on getting into character. Colette had said to just be himself, and so he concentrated on what he was feeling right now. Tension, that was for sure. Anticipation. Excitement. Pete did his best to convey all of these emotions at once. He angled his chin down, seeming to look up at Kyle even though he was a few inches taller, and shoved his hands into his pockets.

“Well, this is it,” he said with a nervous titter. “My house. Or rather, my parents’ house, technically. What do you think?”

Kyle looked around and whistled. “It’s nice. Much nicer than my digs. You said your folks are out of town, right?”

“Yeah, for a whole month. They’re in France or something. Eating stinky cheese and drinking too much wine. They go every year when school lets out. I joke that they do it so they won’t have to see me over summer break.”

Kyle laughed, and the tension left Pete’s shoulders. So far, so good. He resisted the urge to peek at Colette and gauge her reaction. If something was wrong, she’d stop them. Still, he ran through a mental checklist of things that could be off: everything from the angle of his head to his foot placement. Maybe he should—

Kyle interrupted his train of thought. “Your parents must trust you a lot to leave you alone in the house for so long.”

Pete furrowed his brow. “What do you mean?”

“Dude, have you never seen a single high school movie? When your parents go out of town, you throw a massive party. You’re practically obligated to. Let loose. Get wild. You know?”

Pete glanced down at the floor and then looked back up at Kyle through lowered eyelashes. “Um, not really. Even if I wanted to throw a party, I doubt anyone would show up. I don’t have a whole lot of friends. Besides you, obviously.”

Kyle leaned closer to him, seemingly unconsciously, and a thrill shot down his spine. “You act so differently around me, I keep forgetting you’re the silent, brooding type. You know what they say about the quiet ones, right?”

His gaze slid over Pete’s face, lingering on his lips. Then, his pupils noticeably dilated. Pete sucked in a breath. That wasn’t acting. There was no faking a response like that. It was instinctive and primal and sexy as hell.

He almost leaned closer, but with extreme force of will, he stopped himself. They still had some dialogue to get through before they reached the part in the script where they could touch each other. But God, Kyle was tempting. Pete had never struggled to pace himself this hard before. The tension between them was palpable. He wanted to tear the script to confetti and lean in already.

But he couldn’t. Colette was the one who signed his checks. Her words rang in his head: “I’ll replace you if I have to.” He had to do things her way.

Pete eased back on his heels, putting some distance between them in a subtle way. “I’m sure I have no idea what you mean. And for the record, I plan to use my vacation time to study, maybe get a part-time job.”

Kyle groaned. “Please tell me you’re joking.”

“Um. No? I’m being serious.”

“And that, my friend, is exactly your problem.”

Pete was curious to see how Kyle would play the next few lines. He did his part, feigning confusion. “What is?”

“You’re way too serious. It can’t be healthy for someone your age to be so uptight.” Kyle rolled a shoulder as if to emphasize his point. “I mean, studying over summer break? Getting a job? Come on. You need to relax. Unwind a little. It’ll do you some good.”

Pete had to admit, he was impressed. Kyle sounded natural, just like a concerned friend. It was totally at odds with the man who’d cornered him on Joyce’s deck and seduced the breath from his lungs. He might have some acting verve after all.

Pete squared his body toward him. “And how do you propose I ‘unwind’?”

One corner of Kyle’s mouth rose. “You could get one of those deep-tissue massages. Or get some soothing tea.” He slid a hand onto Pete’s shoulder. “Or get laid.”

Pete thought he was prepared for the touch, but when Kyle’s warmth soaked through his shirt, goose bumps popped up all down his arm. He couldn’t tell if he wanted to pull away or drench his entire body in the sensation. His instincts reacted for him, making him jerk like he’d been shocked.

Kyle retracted his hand and gave him a strange look. “Little jumpy there, Jaden?”

The use of his stage name brought Pete back to reality.

“Sorry,” he mumbled. “I didn’t mean to— Um. Never mind. What was I saying?” Promptly, all of his lines fell out of his head. Shit. What was he supposed to do next? He couldn’t remember with Kyle’s dark eyes watching him so intently.

He started to back away, but Kyle’s fingers closed around his wrist.

“You’re doing that thing again,” Kyle said, his voice suddenly rough.

Pete swallowed. “What thing?”

“Making me want to pin you down.”

Fuck. Please.

Pete’s heart went into overdrive. Kyle wasn’t going by the script anymore, and Pete sure as hell couldn’t correct him. The most articulate thought in his head right now was, Oh fuck yes, and that wasn’t going to win him a Pulitzer anytime soon.

He managed to remember his next line. “Why, Kyle, are you trying to seduce me?”

Kyle didn’t miss a beat. “I thought I’d made that clear by now.”

Damn. Good answer. Pete bit his lip.

That ended up being the wrong move, because Kyle’s eyes zeroed in on the feature. “I can’t seem to resist that mouth of yours.”

Pete’s brain went offline again. He could practically smell the hormones in the air. Suddenly, he no longer cared about the script. “Then don’t.”

“You mean that?”

This was it. Pete’s chance to prove himself. “I’m not going to bolt, if that’s what you think.”

Kyle’s eyes flicked toward the camera and back again. “Why would I think that?”

Continuity be damned. Pete went in for the kill. “I’m not going anywhere. So if you want me, I’m right here.”

Kyle stared at him for a moment. Then he exhaled raggedly and lifted his chin. “Prove it.”

Pete closed his eyes, intent on kissing him. Before he could, he felt a hand on his shoulder. Kyle shoved him, and the back of his calves hit the sofa. Pete fell onto it in a sprawl of limbs. He started to push himself up again, but Kyle kneeled between his thighs, freezing him in place.

All the oxygen in Pete’s lungs left him as Kyle leaned on his hands, one on either side of Pete’s shoulders. It would have been funny how easily he could make Pete feel caged in if it weren’t so hot. He wasn’t crawling over him yet, but the threat was evident in the curve of his full lips.

“Are you nervous now?” he asked.

“Yes.” There was no point in denying it.

“Want me to stop?”

Pete shuddered and exhaled, “No.”

Kyle closed the distance between their bodies. Pete expected Kyle to kiss him—wanted so badly for him to—but he didn’t. Instead, he propped himself up on one forearm and rucked Pete’s shirt up with his free hand. For a moment, he just stared at the exposed skin. Pete tried not to squirm beneath the intensity of his gaze. Then Kyle whistled, and his hot breath tickled Pete’s skin, making him flex.

“So you do have abs,” he murmured. “They were hiding. I was wondering if you would. Been thinking about it more than I’d like to admit.” He traced a finger around one of the muscles jutting faintly beneath Pete’s skin.

Pete didn’t say anything—couldn’t say anything, if he were honest with himself. His entire world had narrowed to that single finger on his bare skin. It seemed like Kyle was touching all of him and none of him at once, and definitely not the parts Pete wanted him to touch.

After he was finished with the first muscle, he traced around the others, making Pete squirm. Pete never would have suspected Kyle was the sort to take it slow. He’d expected to get overpowered by the force of nature that was Kyle, to get overwhelmed, to get . . . well, to get fucked.

Instead, Kyle just touched him: stroked his skin, trailed fingers down his chest, even thumbed the hollows created by his hip bones. There was nothing inherently sexual about it, but it was one of the most sensual things Pete had ever experienced. All while he touched, Kyle moved their bodies slowly together, not thrusting so much as rolling like ocean waves lapping against the shore.

Pete could hear himself panting. The air itself seemed to be filled with Kyle, his scent or his pheromones or something. He couldn’t think clearly enough to decide.

Kyle skimmed his lips along Pete’s collarbone, and at the first scrape of stubble against Pete’s neck—just the way he’d imagined it when they first met—Pete threw his head back and moaned with abandon. He couldn’t fight it, couldn’t hold back, just had to feel.

“Jaden,” Kyle said, breath hot and damp against his jaw, “I’m going to kiss you now.”

“Please,” Pete pleaded. “Can you— I just— I want—”

Kyle shushed him with his mouth, brushing their lips briefly together. Pete tried to press harder against him, but Kyle stilled him with a hand in his hair.

“Just let me,” he said, voice ragged. “Will you let me?”

Pete nodded, going boneless beneath him. He was already struggling to breathe, but when Kyle kissed first one corner of his mouth and then the other, the entire concept of oxygen flew out of his brain. He wanted to beg, wanted to plead with him to end his agony, but he couldn’t form the words. Instead, he took a fistful of Kyle’s shirt, needing the grip to anchor him to the earth.

Kyle shivered—Pete felt it up the entire length of his body—and then finally, finally pressed their mouths together. The first touch was everything Pete wanted and not enough at the same time. Kyle surprised him yet again by not immediately trying to shove his tongue down Pete’s throat. He kissed just the way Pete liked: slow and deliberate and savoring.

Pete held on to Kyle’s shoulders for dear life, comforted by his weight on top of him even as it locked him in place. Somewhere between the first flash of tongue and Kyle’s teeth nipping his bottom lip, Pete forgot himself. This was what drowning must feel like.

At some point, he must have genuinely forgotten to breathe, because his lungs burned. He tore his face away and drew a ragged breath. When he looked back, Kyle was staring at him, expression caught somewhere between wonder and disbelief.

“Fuck.” Kyle sounded wrecked. “You taste good.”

“Cut!”

That word was supposed to mean something to Pete, but he ignored it. He slid his hands into Kyle’s hair and urged him closer. Kyle’s eyes darted back down to his lips, and for a captivating moment, it seemed like he was going to kiss Pete again.

“I said cut!”

Kyle jolted away from him. Pete almost whined in protest. He swung his head in the direction of the noise. It took him a moment to process what he saw, and then it all came rushing back. Colette. Heat Wave. Shit.

“Jesus, you two.” Colette was standing next to the camera with her arms crossed. “I know I said act natural, but you still need to follow my directions.”

“Sorry,” Kyle rasped.

Pete studied him. His lips were spit-shiny, and his hair was wild. He didn’t meet Pete’s gaze as he moved backward into a kneeling position. Pete, on the other hand, couldn’t seem to take his eyes off him.

“Did we fuck something up?” Kyle asked.

“Quite the contrary,” Colette said. “That’s a wrap.”

At that, Pete finally glanced her way. “Really? You don’t want us to do another take?” He couldn’t keep the disappointment from his tone.

“Nope, I feel confident we have everything we need. Though I could have done without the deviations from my script.” A gloating smile crawled over Colette’s face. “I knew it. I so called that.”

“What?” Pete asked.

“Your chemistry.” She motioned between them. “The tension between you is tangible. Even when you finally kissed, it just got stronger. The second I met you, Darko, I knew you were the right choice to inspire Jaden. Hopefully it’ll work the other way too.”

Pete considered Kyle, attempting to gauge his reaction. His attention was directed at the floor, shoulders rigid. Pete frowned and pushed himself up onto his elbows. Had he done something wrong?

“So, what’s the verdict, Darko?” Colette continued, seemingly oblivious. “I know I said I’d leave it up to you, but if I get a vote, I’d say Jaden’s definitely in.”

“Yeah.” Kyle’s voice still sounded rough, though now Pete couldn’t tell if it was from desire or something else. “I can work with this.”

He wished Kyle would acknowledge him. Anxiety clawed at his insides.

“Then we’re all set.” Colette gave Yolanda a signal, and she switched off her camera. “The next step is to work out the filming schedule. We have a photo shoot to do and scripts to go over and—”

“Would you mind sending me whatever I need when you’re finished?” Kyle interrupted. “I’m not so great with the planning. I’m more of an action kind of guy.”

Colette frowned. “I suppose, but you should really be present for this. Heat Wave is your project too.”

“Just tell me when to show up, and I’ll be there.” Kyle climbed off the sofa. “Do you need me for anything else?”

Pete looked nervously between Kyle and Colette. There was no rule saying a porn star had to stick around once filming was done, but most did in case the director wanted to go over something or get in a quick interview. Maybe that wasn’t Kyle’s modus operandi, though. Pete had worked with people who needed to jet as soon as the scene wrapped. Usually people who had kids to get back to or spouses who didn’t know what they did during the day.

That last thought made Pete stop short. Kyle had a whole life outside of this room. He could have a boyfriend. Or a wife, for all Pete knew. A family. The idea made his chest constrict for reasons he didn’t want to entertain.

From the bewildered and somewhat irritated expression on Colette’s face, however, it seemed like Kyle didn’t usually run off so fast. “All right, you can go. I’ll call you later.” She said it like it was a threat.

Kyle didn’t seem the slightest bit fazed as he strolled out of the living room, through the dining room, and out of sight.

Pete stared after him, wondering why he’d gone that direction instead of heading for the front door. Kyle had made it seem like he was itching to leave, and yet. Something else had to be going on.

Before he could think about it too much, Colette said, “Great work today, Jaden. You really connected with the scene.”

“Thank you,” he said, eyes still trained on the door Kyle had disappeared through. He swung his legs over the side of the sofa. “So, the role is definitely mine?”

“You heard Darko. He wants to work with you.”

“Excellent. When do we start?”

There was a noticeable pause. Pete glanced at her. She was frowning, but it was different from how she’d looked at Kyle. Less annoyed and more troubled.

“What?” he asked. “Something wrong?”

“Not yet,” Colette said. “But there could be.”

“Hmm?”

“Tell me, what was different about today? What got you out of your head?”

“Kyle, obviously,” Pete answered. “You said it yourself: we work well together.”

“Yeah, but that was something else. I’ve never seen you show such passion on screen. I’ve seen a lot of porn in my life, and I can attest that it’s possible to be sexual without being even remotely intimate. What you and Darko just pulled off was the opposite of that.”

Pete couldn’t tell if he was being scolded or not. “What are you getting at? I thought you said we did good.”

“You did. Just . . . be careful.”

Pete squinted at her. “Huh?”

“I just don’t want— You and Darko seem—” She stopped with a huff. “Like I said, be careful. Okay?”

Pete wasn’t certain what he was agreeing to, but he replied, “Yeah, okay.”

Colette sighed. “Let’s wrap this up. If you don’t mind sticking around for a minute, I need to consult with Yolanda for her availability.”

Pete nodded. “I’ll be here.”

As soon as Colette walked away, Joyce rushed over, a big smile on her face. “Jaden! You were so great! Totally hot.”

Pete started to reply, but Joyce threw herself onto the sofa and engulfed him in a perfumed hug.

“Wow, okay,” he half choked. “Did not expect that.”

“I’m officially your biggest fan.” She pulled away. “I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about it at first. You know, because of the gay thing.” She whispered the word, which almost made Pete laugh, considering the circumstances. “But that was hot! I’m starting to understand what Colette was getting at when she said this kind of porn is for women too.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed it,” Pete said. “That’s a good thing, since you’ll be seeing a lot of me and Kyle.”

Joyce laughed. “Yeah, if he doesn’t climb out my bedroom window and disappear.”

Pete jerked away from her. “What? Why would he do that?”

“Because of whatever spooked him,” she said, as though the answer were obvious. “I don’t know what you did to the guy—and frankly, I don’t know what you could have done. We were watching you the whole time—but if I were you, I wouldn’t do it again.”

“Wait, what? What are you talking about?”

“I suppose you couldn’t see his face,” Joyce said thoughtfully, tapping her chin with a manicured nail. “When Colette called cut and he pulled away, it was written all over him.”

Pete’s throat tightened. He managed to croak, “What was?”

“Well, I’m no expert, but if you ask me, it was terror.”