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Seeing that Maddie was still conversing with Beaumont, Adam, and Joe, Micah slipped behind her to the coffee center. A whiff of apples caught on the breeze, a scent he’d learned to recognize as Maddie’s. Was it her shampoo, her lotion? It drove him mad. He glanced at her, his cock stirring at the view of her curvy hips and round behind. God, she was beautiful. He could strip her naked and fuck her right then and there. Maybe that would help his concentration.

The sound of his name pulled him from his lustful thoughts.

“We could shoot Micah’s close-ups,” Joe said. “That could keep us rolling at least.”

“Maybe that’s the way to go,” Beaumont said. Then, noticing Micah, he said, “Hey, Preston. We’re going to shoot your CUsnow.”

His stomach clenched, hoping his lines were ready. On the bright side, he’d be on set with Maddie.

“That’s fine,” Maddie said, “but I need to get new focus calculations first from the blocking change you justmade.”

Micah could let a stand-in do the set-up like he usually did and continue working on his lines, but he’d decided he wanted to be near Maddie, and be near Maddie he would be. “Sounds good. I’m ready.”

For the first time since he’d joined them, Maddie acknowledged him. Her dark eyes glimmered as they connected with his gaze. “Oh, you don’t needto…“

He winked. “It’s no problem. Let’sgo.”

* * *

He’d winked ather.

One wink and her knees were jelly as they walked to the set. Thank God the A.D. had his ear while they walked so Maddie could give all her attention to putting one foot in front of the other.

Though she’d been disappointed that he’d forgotten her and disgusted by his superiority complex, the days that had followed had shown Micah to be less of a dick than she’d thought after the car ride. He actually seemed charming and an all-around good guy. But not to her. He hadn’t even spoken to her, but she’d watched him interact with the other actors andcrew.

A couple of times she’d caught him eyeing her. Was that burning, hungry stare her imagination? She hadn’t noticed him ogling any other female crew members. But maybe that was because she didn’t want to notice.

What she wanted was to hate him, but working with him had only brought about a crush. A silly, stupid, fangirl-type crush. Her insides got all twisty and her palms got sweaty every time she was within ten feet of him. She’d found the only way to deal with her unwanted emotions was to avoid him as much as possible. She got her focus calculations from the stand-ins and stayed in the shadows like a good camera assistant was supposedto.

But one wink and he was drawing her out with his stupid hot-actor charm, making her feel self-conscious in her boring black outfit.

Dammit all tohell.

Then there was Beaumont. Fortunately so far he’d been his typical asshole self, and Maddie had been prepared for that. He’d greeted her the first day as if she were a new intern he couldn’t be bothered with even though he knew her well. He showed his dislike for her in passive-aggressive ways. Three times he’d argued with her about her measurements in front of the entire cast and crew. Twice he’d actually taken over focusing for her. Once he’d sent her for coffee. The rest of the time he directed from his chair at video village, and Maddie didn’t have to deal with him at all. Like now, thank God. He stayed behind as Joe, Adam, and Micah walked toset.

That meant, for now, she just had to deal with Micah.

She could handle it. Totally. No biggie.

“Okay,” she said when they’d reached theset.

“Okay.” His lips curled up in a slight smile. Oh, his beautifullips…

“Are you on your mark now?” She refused to look him in the eye, hoping he didn’t see the shakiness in her hands as she pulled her tape measure from the clip on herbelt.

“Yes.” She felt his gaze as she did some quick mental calculations.

“Yep, they moved you quite a bit.” She handed him the end of her measure. “Do youmind?”

“Not at all.” He brushed her skin when he took it. His touch sent a chill through her body and she dropped the measure on hisfoot.

“Shit.” She squatted down for it. As she stood, her forearm accidentally bumped him. Bumped him there. And he felt sort of stiff. Oh God, was he hard? Don’t look, don’t look. Before she could stop herself she glanced and there it was, detectable because she was so close, his growing erection. She froze, gaping.

“Enjoying the view?” Micah asked, his voice low and suggestive.

“Oh my God!” Maddie jumped up, shielding her eyes with her hand. Her face flushed crimson. “Oh my God, oh my God, I’m so sorry.”

Micah laughed. “Hell, Maddie, I didn’t know you were interested.”